1-11-10 Precious Joshua

This morning started off a little non-routine when Joshua was busy playing happily by himself for awhile! Yes, for our little man that's pretty non-routine. He's been what the fussy baby books call a "high maintenance" baby for most of his short life. Immediately after he was born, he cried for 45 minutes straight; I could not settle him down. I remember thinking, "Uh-oh, this is not a good sign," and I was right. He just was never very happy no matter what I did. I've always been able to settle my babies down during their fussy times, but Joshua had two states: sleeping and fussing. Even while I nursed him he was rarely relaxed, just always squirmy and schmutzing around. Usually he was happy when he was being held or played with, so we have lots of adorable pictures where he's smiling, with no hint of fuss, but left alone he was rarely content, and we had some pretty short nights where he just cried and I didn't know what to do. Joshua had a bad cold for most of October, and was fussy, as usual, but after he got over that he was a different baby. He was happy! In November he was happy most of the time; what a blessing to see him playing and tearing things apart and emptying trash cans and so on. He started December off well but had a cold by the second week, and it lasted for 2 weeks, and he was well for 4 days, and then he had another cold...and when his nose runs non-stop and I'm always wiping it and it's red and raw, he's not happy! Suffice it to say that this was a gold nugget this morning to see him playing by himself so happily! He did ok the rest of the day too; although he didn't lay down very nice for a nap, once he did fall asleep he slept well and woke up happy.And he's at the point where he loves his bed...he spots his paci and his blankie and just dives out of my arms...he's pretty precious. We love him so much and thank our Lord daily for this priceless gift.

So...other than Joshua being happy, our day was pretty much routine. Dad left early this morning to tend to some CIT matters at Uncle Jerry's office (they're all in FL), but the rest of the house got off to kind of a late start, which meant that some school didn't get done until after lunch. But it did get done, and I read to the girls awhile, and then I took a very brief walk. The biting wind drove me back in pretty quickly though...I'll brave the cold, but that wind does me in. Somewhere around lunchtime I developed a massive headache; tylenol eventually kicked it, but for awhile I didn't feel too good. Levi and Jesse milked early and had brunch when they got home around 10:30, then they disappeared to study until they left to milk again at 2:30. The home crew finished up school, worked on job lists, then all went out to do chores and play in the shed until supper time. Dad was a bit late getting home so we didn't eat until 6:30, which was fine because there were a few inside chores that needed to be done before supper anyway.
After supper we all crammed in the family room again; it just isn't the same without the woodburner going. I don't know why, but 70 without the woodburner doesn't feel as warm as 70 with the fire roaring and the vents blowing. Nevertheless we had a good time doing the same things we usually do: coloring, reading, building duplos, listening to Dad read, Rubik cubing, computer gaming...

After Joshua went to bed we headed to the living room for some singing and Bible reading. We've been reading through Exodus; tonight we read where Moses is fearful to return to Egypt to lead God's people out. Our discussion afterward kind of centered around fear and trust. It was good. Then evening chores, prayers and beds for all, now me too.