Conversation with my Father-in-law:
"I hope you're rested because the hurricane is coming!"
Hurricane Henriod has arrived.

Growing Pains

So here we are, one month later, and finally starting to get into the swing of things. Mind you, the older kids are still out of town, so that's not saying much. But, Tessa and I are definitely starting to be a part of the world. For those of you who don't know, my doctor got her way and I ended up having a C-Section, 2 1/2 weeks early. The doctor's sent me home after 2 days, thinking I was an old pro and good to go. Well, a couple of days later the trauma began. The first issue had to do with nursing. It's a good thing you forget how bad it hurts in the beginning, otherwise I don't think I would do it again. OH MY GOSH! Cracked, bleeding, engorged, hot boobs...not fun. Joel had taken the kids to a movie and came home to a hormonal, crying mama. AAH! Lindsay's crying. It must be bad. Call out the alarms. Following my "moment" I got some tips which included nipple sunning, cabbage leaves, hot and cold compresses, pumping, nipple shields, soothie pads, lanolin, etc. How did I forget these vital tips for survival? Tessa had her own issues. First, she was yellow. Combine that with sore nipples and slow weight gain and the doctors started to worry. I had to give a couple of bottles to supplement, which makes you feel like a total failure, don't ask me why. Next came the infected finger nails followed by a small cyst on the back of her head (a reaction to fetal monitoring). Good thing she is such a calm baby, otherwise I'd be a wreck! It seemed like it was just one thing after another. We finally got everything under control, and now Tessa has her first cold. Good grief! So, here we are, a month later, and things are on the up!

Here is a picture of Tessa's first captured smile...

Yesterday I finished Tessa's blessing dress that my friends Katie and Beth helped me make. It is quite beautiful. I've never been the sentimental type, but living here has kind of made me soft. How awesome will it be for Tessa to say that her mom made her blessing dress? The only scary thing is that now she'll think I actually know how to sew clothes...um not really! Only if Katie and Beth are teaching me and sewing with me and ripping and resewing, you get the idea. Joel thought it was pretty cool that I poked myself and got blood on the dress (thank you bleach pen). Well, it's done, and it will be beautiful.

I miss these little guys!

Nana came to South Carolina (relieving my mom who was on Henriod duty for a month). Shelley took on project after project, shampooing rugs, weeding and reviving plants, soft-scrubbing floors, cleaning windows, cooking and baking, etc. Nana PLAYED HARD with the kids and exhausted them every day. I am amazed by her energy. Then best of all, she packed up the kids and took them home with her for a whole week. I am beside myself! What do I do with all this time? I was sad for a minute, then I realized this is probably the only one on one time I'll ever get with Tessa. I'm enjoying every minute with this new baby. She is so sweet.

Nana says this baby looks like her own baby picture. How sweet is that?

Thanks, Abby, for making Tessa the best dressed baby at church!

Have I mentioned how good this baby is??? We LOVE her!

Our pretty little baby...

Tessa has been sleepy, which makes for a happy mommy and daddy! She is the sweetest baby and we love her so much. 3rd time is the charm!
My mom has been in SC for the last month and she SAVED us! Donna kept our clothes clean, bodies fed, brains sane, and children entertained. Thanks mom, for taking such good care of us. We couldn't have done this without you...

Tessa is starting to find her cry. Unlike my other daughter, this one cries for about a minute, then calms herself...WOW!

Tummy time!

An outing at the farm. Dad and the kids picked blueberries, peaches, and plums while mom and baby Tessa hung out in the air-conditioned car.