Bee-sh

Bee-sh, Bee-sh, BBBBBB.... All summer our family has been enjoying the one free form of entertainment our area has to offer, the beach. We started going with friends the end of May, steadily almost every weekend through the end of September. Through July and August we would go as a family on Saturdays early morning and leave the beach by 1/2 pm (just when the locals are coming and the staff is waking up). Sunday evenings Bill and a coworker would distribute Bibles on the beach front and I would take Zaky to play in the water (followed by a bucket bath on the side of the car and dinner in the driver's seat). Zaky's progression as a beach boy was very noticeable. In May he was timid and scared of the waves, by July he would see the water and point yelling "Bee-sh, Bee-sh". His father is so impressed that he will fall over, face and all, and get right back up (Zaky's mother wines about the salt water in her eyes!)

Broders

Broders as my gramma refers to my dad and my uncle. A special pair these and those two. Our neighbors keep asking if Zaky is jealous. So far so good. Zaky loves to give his "bro" kisses and as long as we go outside to play with neighbors he is his usual some-what content self. Content though is a relative state for a year and half year old.

The many phases of Yo

Well not many. Yo basically has 3 faces. He varies between them through the day, but always chooses to cry between 6-8 every evening. The exact time I am trying to feed, bath, and put Zaky to bed. He is getting more "use" to life on the outside, the last 4 days he has only woke up 2 time during the night which is a huge answer to prayer. He is so different then Zaky: gasy and ALWAYS wants to eats. I am reminding myself to enjoy these days when he is so small, but I am loving watching him fatten up and get bigger.

Jonas' Brother

Not to be out done by a new baby brother, this story came to me the evening I was in the hospital. A main incentive for induction was the peace of mind that Zaky was taken care of and had everything in line. Our team mates came at 6:30 that morning and stayed with Zaky until the evening, when they drove him to another set of friends (Big James). He stayed with Big James until we returned from the hospital. He had a blast with his buddy and was even taken to the beach. The first set of friends that watched Zaky kept Zaky busy, so much that he didn't even appear to notice that we wern't there. These friends don't have kids. (this is where the story begins)

That afternoon Mark was watching baseball and his wife Bev was cleaning up before they were to pass Zaky off. Zaky walked up to Mark and gave him a piece of cake. Mark thanked him then started to think, "where did he get cake from?" He rubbed it between his fingers for a second before he figured out what he was given. Zaky unaccustomed to less experienced care givers, was making it clear to Mark he wanted to be changed! They searched the house for any other pieces of "cake" non were found. I died laughing!

This picture is of the boys first meeting. So far Zaky's sweet nature is coming out. He gives Yo kisses then walks away, not paying him much more attention then that. He recently discovered the pacifier and will bring it to Yo saying Baby, stick it in his mouth, then pull it out, and run away. (Little stinker!)

Gramom and Pop Pop's visit

They arrived 3 days after Yo was born and hit the ground running. In the 10 days they were here they went to the beach twice, did laundry, cooked, cleaned, did dishes, hit every play ground in a 40 mile radius, played baseball, kick ball, play-doh, colored, read books, saw Roman ruins, enforced time-outs, entertained Bill, hosted neighbors, rocked crying baby, recovered from jet lag and a stomach virus.

Two Weeks

Two weeks. But reality has just set in. The grandparents have left, and Bill must return to his work tomorrow. Egh! Scared, tired, the list of emotions flow hourly, and all while wanting to enjoy my boys with 4-5 hours sleep is challenging. Our newest little man is doing very well. He cries and eats much more then his brother. And learning how to mother a child not Zaky is very challenging, a lot of the things that worked don't, and things I didn't try are now being done in desperation (pacifier, walking in and out of rooms in the wee hours of the morning.) Zaky has been sleeping through the night for over a year and 4 months, now I am constantly asking Bill if I should wake Yo up so that he will sleep later, and if I let him sleep now does he think he will wake up later? And if he wakes up later should I feed him or make him wait the 2 hours? ect... I am doing well, I have finished some antibiotics for mastitis, and working through some other nursing mother issues, all with the help of my friends - Tylenol and Advil - great friends! Please keep all prayers coming.