Approaching Nine Months

This little boy

is going to be 9 months

in two days.

It has been a marvelously

wonderful

and absolutely

beautiful nine months.

And can I just say

I love this face:

Thanks for letting me share.

It really is a beautiful life

When BJ got home from work this evening, he joined Shepherd and me on the floor where we had been playing with blocks. I welcomed BJ home with a kiss. Because I love my husband to distraction, his welcome home kiss was a real kiss, none of this peck-on-the-cheek stuff. When it was over, I looked over to find that Shep was watching us intently. We laughed at his goofy look, and then BJ grabbed me and Shep in his arms and started rough housing with us. Pain is BJ-speak for 'I love you.'

Later, reflecting on the moment, I couldn't help but compare it to the honey-I'm-home stereotypes of 1950's television. We were far from the typical image between BJ's cargo pants, my sloopy pony tail, and the stench that was coming from Shep's diaper I was just about to change. But it was still very obvious that there is a value in the daily reunion of a man with his wife and child. We were just really happy to see each other.

Perhaps most remarkably, Shepherd is already developing a wonder and curiosity and excitement about love that I feel even at 26 and from which 90 percent of all music, poetry, drama, and art are derived. I can't help but feel a great satisfaction in watching my son be so blessedly human. He is just what God created him to be: a human basking in the love that surrounds him. Every day I pray "God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Rolling on the floor today with my family was a kingdom-of-heaven-on-earth moment. I just love those moments.

A Week in Texas

Shepherd and I returned from Texas Saturday, but it has taken us several days to get adjusted and caught up enough for me to post. Here is a brief pictorial history of our trip. (It wouldn't be quite so brief, but I kept grabbing Mom's camera instead of mine. Oops.)

First stop on our trip was in Abilene where me and my college girlfriends (we call it our Fat Tuesday group) had a little reunion. This reunion looked a good bit different from our last get together 3 years ago because we've added two babies to the bunch, Shepherd and Emerald's precious daughter, Lily. Of course, no trip to Abilene is complete without a walk down memory lane on ACU's campus. Unfortunately, it was too hot to walk, so we road the golf cart 'taxi' instead. Here is Brittany and Erin holding Shep for the ride. (excuse the poor angle. it was bumpy.)

We spent a lot of time hiding from the heat in Emerald's beautiful home. This is a photo of Shep and Lily getting acquainted soon after our arrival. Of course, 'getting acquainted' mostly consisted of Lily telling Shep what he should do and Shep blissfully ignoring her. It really wasn't that different from mine and Shep's own dynamic here at home.

The next day, we went out for dessert. Lily was very relaxed.

Shep was flirty.

At the end of Saturday, it was group photo time. These girls are sooooo pretty. (inside joke)

In Menard, Shep met a whole slew of my uncles, aunts, and family friends. Here he is checking out Uncle Edwin.

One of his favorite activities was crawling all over his Pap.

Sometimes, he was more graceful than at other times.

Mamm had all sorts of fun trying Uncle Bro's old baby hats on him. It's a grandma thing.

Of course, there were tons of more things we did, but they are all on Mom's camera. And I'd better go right now. Shep is about to eat some paper, and I should probably try to stop him.

Torn

Tonight, I'm posting from Menard, TX where Shepherd and I are visiting my parents. I've spent this weekend reuniting with my college girlfriends, watching my parents fawn over Shepherd, and taking my little guy around town to see and meet many of the people who were part of my childhood. It has been a good weekend, but I can't help but feel torn about being here.

Tuesday afternoon, BJ's grandfather passed away. The viewing and funeral were Friday and Saturday. My initial instinct was to cancel my long-awaited trip and head to Indiana, but BJ's family, with generosity and love, encouraged me to keep my plans. They reminded me that Shepherd and I had been there when it mattered, two weeks ago when Grandpa was able to see us. So while I'm having a wonderful vacation, I am living in the tension that is so often a part of life. I am rejoicing with those I love who are rejoicing and mourning with those I love who are mourning. The two are existing at the same time, and that is okay. It is not taking away from this trip. If anything, it is reminding me just how precious the moments are that we share with our family.

When I get back to Kentucky, I'll post pictures from mine and Shepherd's trip. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for BJ, his grandfather, and his family as they have gone through this loss.

A Fun Way to Spend Sunday Afternoon

First, look innocent and sweet so that Mommy takes her eyes off of you for just a second. It will only take a second.

Then, crawl over to the kitchen hutch, pull out all the pretty, brightly colored place matts,...

...and bang on the metal bowls until Mommy comes to see what you've gotten into now.

Last but not least, flash a big ole' winning smile. That way, she'll be too busy taking pictures of you to get on to you.

BJ's Parenting Techniques: Part 3

It has (finally) warmed up enough in Farmington, KY to go for a swim. In anticipation of this moment, I bought some swimming diapers for Shepherd. While cooking dinner Tuesday night, BJ said he was going to take Shepherd for a swim. I told him where I had put the Little Swimmers, and he promptly let me know just how pointless he thought diapers for swimming were. According to him, they aren't going to keep any urine or anything else out of our pool, and they basically served no purpose whatsoever. The next thing I knew, this was the view from my kitchen window:

In his characteristic, no-nonsense style, BJ decided going commando was a much more sensible option for Shepherd.

I joined BJ and his little skinny dipper the next evening. But as soon as swimming time was over, I wrapped my baby in a fluffy towel.

Although Shepherd will most likely one day be glad I wrapped him up quickly, he'll probably never forgive me for this blog post.

For my deprived mother...

Since BJ, Shepherd, and I have been on the road so much, my mother hasn't been getting her typical dose of Shepherd photos every few days. She emailed me this morning requesting I remedy this. Here are some picture of Shepherd over the past few weeks.

Here he is getting into my art. As soon as the photo was taken, he was re-routed.

Although every parent thinks their child is a genius, this picture gives me pause.

The only way Shepherd can get within two feet of Gus without Gus running:

He was only happy here because he had yet to realize that the luggage was out because we were about to be on the road for another 6 hours.

"That dog is big, Mom. Really big."

I took this picture to demonstrate just how big his eyes are.

Playing with Daddy:

Mommy (aka designated family worrier) did not entirely approve of this.

Getting into Nana's yarn (he did make just as big of a mess as you would imagine):

So there you go, Mom. Hope you enjoyed!

Why it has been FOREVER since I posted last

Sorry everyone for the dry spell, but BJ, Shepherd, and I have been on the road. To make a long story short, BJ's grandfather has been diagnosed with cancer, and it is a very serious situation. BJ and I have been married almost five years, and it turns out that is long enough to really love your in-laws like they are just plain old family. All of my grandparents have passed away, so it has been a pleasure having BJ's grandparents as my own, and his grandfather is truly an exemplar of what a family patriarch should be. He loves his family fiercely, and he quietly takes care of them behind the scenes in a way that is truly humbling. Please keep him and the rest of the Gensics in your prayers. They are special people.

A brief study of Shep's gene pool

My last few posts have been about what a handful Shepherd is turning out to be. I suspect that this streak of mischeviousness comes directly from his father. Let me illustrate.

The other night, I (half jokingly) suggested to BJ that he write a book of proverbs for Shepherd. His immediate first response was: "Wipe thine butt clean, son, lest it get itchy in the night." *head on desk*

With the things that come out of BJ's mouth, I can only imagine what this house is going to be like once Shepherd acquires the ability to talk.

What a Week

Well, we have come to the end of a week. Shepherd had a very full and fun week. I thought I would share with you all a few of the exciting things Shepherd did this week.

-When I bath, I sit Shepherd on the bathroom floor with a few toys so that I can keep an eye on him. One day this week, instead of playing with his toys, he knocked all of my toiletries off of my lower vanity shelf, opened a bottle of petroleum jelly, and dug in. You can imagine.

-Through out the week, I've caught Shepherd licking the kitchen trash can several times. Apparently, the metal feels nice and cool on his tongue.

-Shepherd has developed a facsination with our toilet tissue. He spent a lot of time this week on the bathroom floor gazing up at the white roll of softness and goodness. He is determined to get his hands on it, but it is for the moment just out of reach.

-I watch TV when I fold laundry. I don't want Shepherd watching TV until he is much older, but when I peaked over my neatly folded piles of laundry, this is what I saw:

-In what was perhaps one of his best stunts of the week, I caught Shepherd sticking his little baby fingers through the holes of the laundry basket in which we keep his wet and dirty diapers. He then stuck those same sweet baby fingers into his mouth (the mother of this child shakes her head here).

Of course, the week wasn't all mischeviousness and trouble. He also pulled himself up to standing for the first time this Thursday. I applauded him and got really excited. But then I thought of the roll of toilet paper just beyond his grasp and all the new things within his reach when he is standing. Oh, boy.

Musings of a Mom in Mid-Afternoon

It is 3:00 in the afternoon, and like most stay-at-home moms, I'm already exhausted. Here is how my days are going right now:

-paint for five minutes

-rescue Shepherd from total destrustion

-throw diapers in the wash

-rescue Shep

-try to clean for five minutes

-rescue Shep

-try to throw food together for meals

-rescue Shep

-repeat fifty times over
-you get the idea

Shepherd is getting into so much. So very, very much. He has toys, but they are apparently less interesting than the electrical cords, art materials, large black dogs, and hard objects with sharp corners that populate our home.

Here is a picture I took of Shepherd earlier today:

I like the caption BJ gave this picture when he saw it: "What can I get into next?" That is the constant question plagueing each moment of my day. What will Shepherd get into next?

Another First

The first year with a baby is filled with firsts. Of course, today was me first Mother's Day as a mother. BJ's parents were here for the weekend, so we had a wonderful time. We mostly spent our time playing with Shepherd. He's fun that way. Shepherd played some Mario Cart with his Papa.


Later, Shepherd showed off his new hat that his Nana made him.


He was apparently intensely happy about the new hat.


In fact, he knew he looked good in the new hat.


And then we took a little time this afternoon for some Mother's Day photos. I can't think of a better way to spend Mother's Day.

About those Easter pictures...

Last week, I said I would post some pictures of my parents visit to Kentucky for Easter. Since then, I've been struggling to stay one step ahead of a very destructive crawling machine. But Shepherd is in bed right now, so here we go!

My parents arrived Wednesday morning. This gave them four days of just hanging out with Shepherd before Easter. So they played...

...and walked in the yard...

...and read books...

...and Shepherd examined Dad's nose ("Will mine be that big?")...

...until Easter finally came. On Easter morning, we dressed him in the cutest little suit ever.

It was so cute, I giggled all morning.

Shepherd prefered it sans pants.

All Easter afternoon, BJ and I turned into the camera happy parents I used to make fun of and took pictures of Shepherd in a basket with eggs.It was a challenge to get a picture in which Shepherd didn't have an egg in his mouth.The long photo session resulted in many moments in which Shepherd was going, going, ...

...gone.

But it was totally worth it.

So, thank you, Mom and Dad for a wonderful week. It made Shepherd's first Easter a truly memorable and specieal one.