The Time Has Come

Today is the Pennsylvania Presidential Primary! (gosh I love that alliteration!) So it's time to get out and ROCK THE VOTE!

I want to encourage all of my friends in Pennsylvania to get to their polling places and allow their voices to be heard. I consider voting to be one of the most amazing and empowering things we are able to do in this country and I'm thankful for an opportunity to lend my voice to the chorus of others who are participating in the political process. I know it is easy to be very cynical about the process but in these very important days of our nation's history it is time to set cynicism aside and use our power as part of the electorate to effect the change we hope to see.

You all know I am voting for Barack Obama - if you are a registered Democrat I strongly encourage you to check him out of you haven't already. He is more than a politician - for me and many others he is an inspiration. The inspiration we desperately need in order for real change to happen in our world.

I heard this quote on one of his TV ads here in PA. I think it was from a speech he gave at Penn State...and I love it

"It's with your voice that we're going to be able to make a difference. One voice can change a room, and if it can change a room it can change a city, and if it can change a city it can change a state, and if it can change a state it can change a nation, and if it can change a nation it can change the world. Let's go change the world." - Barack Obama

Life with Wyatt

I cannot believe my last post was 9 days ago! Time is going by so fast right now. usually when I bring babies home the first few weeks seem to last years but this time is totally different. Time is racing by and I can't even tell you where the days have gone.

Wyatt is settling in to life around here. Some of the amazement is wearing off for the older three kids - and it seems as if Jack is experiencing twinges of jealousy here and there. I understand that because he had been the "baby" for 4 years before this little interloper came along and usurped his role. So we hear a lot of "don't nurse Wyatt!" and "mommy will you sit next to me?".

I'm loving breastfeeding again - it isn't without its stessors and moments of feeling so tired that I'm ready to give up - but all in all it is going well. Wyatt is gaining weight the doctor said he looks great. Unless I have some major concerns I don't have to go back until his one month appointment - which is unbelievable only 12 days from now.

We have a new nephew - John was born to Jay and Linda on April 12. My sister in law is a total beast - as she pushed out (in right about 10 minutes) a 10 pound 6 ounce baby! YEOW! John had his own stay in the NICU but is home now and doing really well. Thanks be to God! My mom has been out in New Jersey all week getting to know her newest grandson...and believe you me her 4 grandchildren here have felt her absence...not to mention their mother!

Well my little alarm clock is squeaking - must be time to open the dairy queen again or as Alex says "time for milking". Just laugh along with me!

So Yummy!!!

My dear friend Sarah is starting a photography business and took some pictures of Wyatt yesterday. Here is one that I love love love. If any of you in the Pittsburgh area want to contact Sarah about pictures just let me know...I will happily put you in touch. Thanks Sarah!

Welcoming Wyatt

One week ago today on April 1, 2008, our son, Wyatt Gregory was born. He entered the world at 9:05 pm weighing 8 pounds and 8 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches. His debut was not an easy one...I labored for close to 19 hours and pushed for 2.5 hours. He came out "sunny side up" which made for a interesting time...but he is here now and we are deeply in love.

We came home on April 3rd and then, sadly, Wyatt was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on April 5th with high bilirubin counts. He was there for 48 hours and came home yesterday. He is still on a bili blanket to continue his healing but hopefully that will be gone by this afternoon or tomorrow and then we will get to the real business of settling in and finding our new normal as a family.

Annie, Lucy and Jack are all doing wonderfully with the baby. They love him so much they sometimes don't know what to do with themselves. When you have older kids bringing home a baby is a very different experience...it is the family's baby and I have to get used to that.

I'm experiencing all of the hormone changes and new mom exhaustion that are par for this stage of the game but I feel so grateful to be home and so happy to have my son in my arms...that most of the other stuff seems inconsequential.

I will be posting pictures soon...they are all on Alex's laptop right now. Thanks for your prayers and love and please continue them as we welcome baby Wyatt.