Our version of a bedtime prayer... Just for fun!

As I lay me down to sleep
I pray my son will sleep deep.
And if he wakes before I do,
I pray, oh Lord, that I not stew.
So as I rest my weary head
And hear him sleep beside my bed,
Please let his rest pay our family heed,
Because we all know that it's sleep we need.

Sleep tight all!

408 days- not a bad record

Our routine plays out very similarly one day to the next. Especially since Baby J began eating solids, it has just seemed practical to have this nighttime tradition. We eat dinner together, then he makes a mess. The mess is usually significant enough that a bath is the easiest solution. In the 408 days since his birth, he pretty much does the same thing too. We wash him while singing our homemade wash song. He plays. Then he pees.

In the 408 days since his birth, he has never pooped in the bathtub. I know that this is a fortunate coincidence for me considering that most babies do, at least occasionally.

Today, I was bragging about this fact. And today I learned the true intelligence of my son.

He must have overheard me because about 5 minutes into his bath, papa began calling frantically for back-up. And, there, floating in the tub was a present just for me.

Moral: Never underestimate the intelligence of a child.

He is already a hundred steps ahead of me. I fear how smart he will be when he's five.

"...there is going to be a resurrection..."

Wednesday morning seemed like a wonderful day. The sun was out and the birds were chirping. The chill that had filled the air seemed to have disappeared. It almost felt like springtime. My boy and I prepared for our ministry, as usual. I had already had my cup of coffee and the boy had eaten his oreo breakfast (see previous post). We arrived at the Kingdom Hall early for arrangements. It was going to be a good day.

It is sad how quickly life changes. My phone rang and I irritatingly answered it; wondering why my husband would be calling me when he knew that I was about to get out of the car. He had called because he had something important to tell me. On Wednesday morning, almost ready to walk out the door to go to school, a dear friend died of an enlarged heart. He had always been an extremely active boy and for the 15 years of his life, seemed so healthy (He is the boy to the far right). My heart sank deeply into my chest. I almost vomited. "How does this happen?" I mouthed that sentiment in prayer repeatedly. I know why bad things happen and I know that they will not happen forever.

I hung up the phone and walked into the Kingdom Hall. A dear sister saw the tears in my eyes and hugged me tenderly. She asked if she could help. I told her what happened and, although, she did not know this young boy, she looked dizzy. While I wanted so much to be in my own house and to go back to bed indefinitely, I was so grateful to be there, the place that is my home.

As I fondly remember this young man, I look forward to seeing him again in the paradise earth. I look forward to knowing that all those that I know and love are truly healthy. I look forward to enjoying beautiful days and not worrying that some dark shadow of badness might sweep over them.

But, for now, I will do the thing that is most necessary. I promise to work harder to be loving to everyone, stranger or friend. I love you all! Please stay strong so that we can share forever together. And please forgive me, as Jehovah God forgives us all, for my imperfections.

Please keep the Sigrist family in your prayers, so that they might endure this tribulation unitedly.

(Job 14:14,15; Psalm 37:29; Acts 24:15)

Baby's breakfast

This morning was business as usual. We woke up early. We have passed the two week mark for GF, DF, EF, so we decided to re-introduce the least likely culprit, eggs. (While his sleep habits have changed very little, he has had some positive results from the diet change. For instance, he suffers from gas significantly less often.) So, I followed our morning routine.

Diaper change, check. Baby gates, check. Bathroom door closed, check.

I began taking the morning breakfast materials out. I cannot imagine how happy this boy is to have eggs return, but I know that I could barely contain my own excitement. I began breakfast. Then I cleaned the high chair up and toted it to the dining room. I was busily occupying myself that I hardly noticed that the baby was already taking care of himself. (It is really true, they grow so quickly.)

He had made himself comfy on the kitchen floor with two fists full of chocolate sandwich cookies. If they had contained eggs, milk, and flour, I could have justified it as Bill Cosby would have. But, no, they were dairy-free, egg-free, and gluten-free. Absolutely no nutritional value.

Sorry to let you down, Dr. Huxtabel.

Peaceful Thoughts

It is almost 10 pm now. My baby has been asleep for nearly two hours. I know that I should rest too, but sitting on the edge of the bed in the dark gives me some much needed time for meditating. He has a stuffy nose still, so I've propped him up to sleep. I can hear the short, deep breaths he takes. And, because a ribbon of light peaks through the door, I can see that he has his arms and legs sprawled out on the expanse of the bed. I know that he should be in his own bed by now, but we've grown accustomed to his presence. I know that I don't sleep soundly with him beside me, but I'm not convinced I would sleep any better without him so close.

At the birth of my nieces and my nephew, I remember saying how miraculous life is. I remember the flood of emotion that swept over me upon cradling their tiny torso and gazing upon their tiny appendages. I never thought that love could be that intense.

As I sit here on the edge of my bed, I realize that life is a miracle. But, an even greater miracle is the love felt for someone whom I have known such a short time. It is almost as if I have known him my entire life.

Good night, my prince. I love you so very much.

A Night in the Life

7:33 pm Baby asleep soundly in bed
9:30 pm Mommie asleep soundly in bed
9:59 pm Baby awakens upset
10:03 pm Mommie's soft singing and gentle pats aren't working. Time for mama's milk
10:09 pm Baby asleep soundly in bed
10:11 pm Baby awakens upset
10:13 pm Immediately nuzzles for mama's milk
10:14 pm Mommie texts Papa who is out of town
10:18 pm Baby asleep soundly in bed
10:23 pm Baby awakens upset
10:24 pm Mommie sits up and tries gently rocking baby. He won't calm down this time.
10:26 pm Mommie texts Papa again
10:44 pm Baby asleep soundly in Mommie's arms
10:53 pm Papa calls Mommie because he didn't hear his phone earlier
10:54 pm Baby awakens; Mommie lays him on the bed and gently pats him while Papa sings on speakerphone.
10:55 pm Baby is still upset
11:04 pm Baby is now getting his second wind and begins playing on the bed.
11:05 pm Mommie and baby leave bedroom and go to play until sleepiness returns. Meemaw joins us and offers to take baby downstairs.
11:16 pm Mommie hears a giant crash and barrels down the stairs to find Meemaw and baby wrapped up in the pull-out sofa bed like a gordita. Mommie picks up a very startled baby and helps Meemaw to her feet.
11:18 pm Mommie, Meemaw, and baby return to baby's room to play.
11:23 pm Mommie cries
12:58 am Baby begins playing with swing. Mommie puts baby in swing.
1:04 am Baby asleep soundly in swing
1:06 am Mommie carries swing to her room so she can sleep too
4:02 am Baby awakens startled
4:07 am Mommie nurses baby to sleep; continues to do so until every 15 minutes
6:00 am Baby is awake and playful
Following Night:
10:14 pm Mommie is glad Papa is home. How would I do this without him?

I'd like to thank everyone but Kanye West

It's 8:14 pm on a Friday night and I am excitedly blogging about, no, not the movie I saw or the restaurant that we ate at, but the fact that my son is asleep! I have always wanted to be a mommie. I suppose that I have led a pretty laid back / uneventful life, so such an evening is not extraordinary to me. That is excepting the fact that my son is peacefully asleep at 8:18 pm.

I feel as though I should treat this as award show; if I did, it would go something like this: " I'd like to thank my son for this wonderful show of gratitude. I'd also like to thank my husband and mother and father and all my dear friends for their support. Also, a shout-out to GF, DF, EF Koala Rice Krispies that keep the little tikes appetite satisfied. And, of course, the endurance and ever present support from Jehovah God, who has tirelessly put up with my tantrums, crying fits, spurts of anger, and insanity due to sleep deprivation."

Last night, after he had fallen asleep nestled next to me, I placed him on his mattress situated directly next to our bed. He fell asleep with much difficulty and awoke at 2 am. It was sooooo refreshing for me to have 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. However, I did awake to the sound of his head thumping against our bedframe as he sleep crawled off his mattress. After that, I think he felt a bit traumatized because he'd only return to sleep after nursing.

Tonight, I thought ahead. I wrapped my gigantic pregnancy pillow around his mattress. He won't sleep crawl / escape so easily again!

Well, pray for us tonight. I think that we might have some resolution with regards to food sensitivities. Thanks again for checking in!