Three Months

Gideon is three months old.
I will admit, these past three months have been some of the longest in my life. I think that might have something to do with being conscious or more accurately semi-conscious for most of each day and night.

Gideon is a sweet baby but he isn’t an easy baby. He has acid reflux so he’s often in pain. When the reflux is controlled, he is healthy and happy. He smiles, laughs and giggles. Under Miriam’s tutelage, he has learned to make an ear piercingly high shriek of joy which the kids find hilarious. He loves sucking on his hands. His life goal is to fit both fists in his mouth. He’s working hard at it.

Three

Surprise! A post before Gideon turned three months. I feel like I’m starting to get back into the swing of things. Today I made it to the grocery store, the bank, the kids’ doctor, the school, and the park. Then I made dinner which turned out so undeniably awful, I had to make dinner again. Afterwards I put the kids to bed and they were asleep before 9. All solo. Hurray me.

At the grocery store I ran into a friend who asked what I’ve been asked a lot lately, “So, three. How’s that going?”

Depending on the day, I have two replies.

On a good day – “It’s not four.” And I say a prayer of thanks to God for not giving me twins. I also try to take a mental note “Listen up self – four. FOUR. Do you realize how much F O U R is?” Then I start to think about all the people who do have four kids. Then I start to think about people who have more than that. Then I say a prayer for those people.

On a bad day, “It’s a lot like Jurassic Park.” By that I mean, I find myself in a struggle to contain the invincibly adaptable forces of chaos within natural systems. But Jurassic Park was pretty entertaining, while everything was falling apart and dying, and so I figure, at least this will make a good show.

Then I entertain myself by thinking of all the movie lines From Jurassic park, that are oddly applicable to my household. Here’s a sampling of a few :

(This is how we start pretty much every day when Aaron leaves for work and the kids freak out.)

Lex: He left us! He left us!

Dr. Grant: But that’s *not* what *I’m* gonna do.

(Aaron as Hammond, me as Sattler)

Hammond: When we have control again…

Sattler: You never had control, that’s the illusion! I was overwhelmed by the power of this place. But I made a mistake, too, I didn’t have enough respect for that power and it’s out now. The only thing that matters now are the people we love.

(This sums up Miri and my relationship)

Muldoon: “Clever Girl.”

—

Dr. Malcolm: Life will find a way.

This is the little saying I have in my head most often. And while, it’s often discouraging, natural life is really good at finding its way around artificial impediments (i.e. human nature vs. civilizing discipline) it’s hopeful. We’ll likely all live to see the next day. Life will find a way.

Two Months

Gideon is two months old. In two months he’s learned to smile and laugh and weighs in at 16 lbs, double his birth weight.
Reuben really loves having a little brother.

After his early illness, we figured out Gideon can’t digest bovine dairy, so I’ve been learning how to live without milk cheese and yogurt. Since I’m vegetarian this has pushed me into vegan territory which has me feeling like a stranger in a strange land.

One Month

Gideon turned one month. A week ago. That’s how it goes for number three.

Here’s how he really feels about the picture taking. He rather be eating.

The Sick Child

Gideon caught a bad fever that settled in his lungs and started to give him trouble breathing. When laid down he would choke and gasp for air, his whole body laboring for each breath.

A few days later, Miri picked up the same thing. It settled in her ear, making her wake up in the middle of the night screaming in pain. Thankfully a couple days of antibiotics have helped everyone.

In the dark, while I held Gideon and listened to his rasping gasps, I found myself remembering this pastel drawing by Millet “The Sick Child.” It captures the fear, helplessness, and determination you feel when your child gets sick.

Two Week Page Count

Gideon was born two weeks ago. It’s funny how two weeks can seem so short and so very, very long. After just a few days, I can’t easily remember or imagine life without him.

Life aside from Gideon is the same usual good crazy.

Reuben’s fingers and hands have started peeling for no clear reason. No, we have not recently changed soaps. Nobody knows what it is so I’m assuming leprosy. We did get to pet an armadillo at the zoo a few weeks ago…

Miri has become a starship pilot.

As for me, the best thing about having a new baby is the baby. But the second best thing is justifiably sitting and reading for hours at all hours while feeding the newborn. So far Gideon and I have enjoyed The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, The One World School House by Salman Kahn, and the Boneshaker by Cherie Priest. We are working our way through 2312, My Man Jeeves, Cutting for Stone and I’m indulgently rereading parts of Way of Kings. Reading while exhausted is awesome because really obvious plot points seem to come out of nowhere. Every change is a brilliant plot twist. I find myself thinking Whoa I didn’t see that coming! Then I think about it for a minute and realize it was pretty obvious. But it’s more fun this way.

Baby Gideon

Baby Gideon was born on Friday and we love him.

Little babies are excellent for drawing. They do a great job staying in place.