Category: Lydia Makes 0011

Finally I got around to putting up more Lydia pictures.  You can go here to see the newest ones.  You can go here to see the entire gallery.

Well, I wanted to go on record as saying I think this is the wrong way to deal with a tantrum:

My baby started having temper tantrums around age one. He’d throw himself on the floor, kick, scream, and cry until he almost turned blue. I didn’t know what to do. Finally I thought, ‘What would I want if I were having a tantrum?’ I’d want someone to comfort me. So that’s what I did. I picked him up and held him tight and let him cry. Then I began talking to him in a shooting voice. Eventually he calmed down. I’m not sure if he knew why he was so upset, but human contact seemed to be the cure. Sometimes we just need to be held.

What's the right way? I'd say by applying the rod of discipline to the seat of correction (i.e. giving the kid something to cry about)

Well, once again, I find myself up with Cyndi and Lydia asleep.  This morning, before Lydia went to sleep, she and I read today's My Utmost for His Highest together.  This was rather neat and something I'm going to try to continue.

We went to the pediatritian yesterday.  Lydia had gained another 5 ounces.  That puts her within  ounces of her birth weight by the 8 day mark.  The dr. was certainly pleased.  In fact, she gave us the ok to let Lydia sleep a bit longer at night since she is doing so well.  The jaundace is almost gone too.

I just wanted everyone to know that I have uploaded some new pictures of Lydia.  Cyndi and I gave her the first bath at home over the weekend.  If you want to see those pictures, they are in the gallery.  Or, you can jump to the new pictures by following this link.

Well, once again Cyndi and Lydia are asleep.  I thought I would take this opportunity to post some observations about the basic baby actions–eating, sleeping, and pooping.

Eating and Sleeping — Cyndi and I have decided to do the Babywise/Along The Infant Way/Parent Directed Feeding/whatever other name you want to call it approach to Lydia's eating and sleeping.  So far, it seems to be working great.  We feed Lydia every 3ish hours (never too much more) even if we have to wake her up.  She seems to be a very content little girl.  She eats very well when we feed her and she's content all the rest of the time.  She sleeps very well (so much so that this morning we slept through one of her feedings and went about 5 hours).  I don't have any experience with babies; however, I fail to see how some people become trapped in this feed your baby every 30 minutes kick.  From day one at the hospital, she's been very reliable eating 10-25 minutes every 2.5-3 hours.  Is this normal?  If so, how are people sucked into this demad feeding every 30 minutes stuff?  I'm interested in hearing about it.

Pooping — Lydia poops…alot.  I won't get up and count on the spreadsheet (yes, we keep a log just in case the doctor wants to know), but yesterday she dirtied about 8 diapers (5 wet and 5 dirty….some were both wet and dirty).  Based on what I've read in books and on the internet about infant feeding, she seems to be doing very well (you make sure they are eating enough based on the number of dirty diapers).  She also gained 5 oz from when we left the hospital to her first dr. appointment.  So, everything seems to be going well.

It's time for me to go wake everyone up so Lydia can eat again.  Cyndi has plans to write a summary of the week every week (so you should hear from her later).

Yesterday, Cyndi’s parents came for a visit.  We are still working out this whole sleeping, eating, pooping thing so they decided to stay in a motel.  I know the gallery is getting big….the pictures with Grandpa and Grandma Clark start here in the gallery.

[Update 2012-12-26 14:14:59] Linked to pictures on flickr

Well, Cyndi and Lydia are both asleep at the moment.  I'm not tired enough to sleep in the daytime yet, so I thought I would write a bit.

First, we had our first multiple diaper change last night.  Cyndi had just nursed Lydia and she was dirty.  I went to change her….right after I got the new diaper under her, she went again.  Well, I held her there for about 30 seconds (just in case it happened again) and decided no more was on its way so I cleander her up and did another diaper.  The same thing happened again!  I repeated the process, and the 4th diaper wasn't dirtied immediately.

Second, I think God has blessed us with a wonderful baby.  In the hospital, everything went well, and everything has continued to go well at home.  Lydia eats, we hold her a bit and try to play, then we put her down.  So far, she is sleeping soundly for 2-3 hours at a stretch.  But, I would like to emphasize that even if things weren't going so well, God did indeed bless us.

Third, I'm trying to get in my mind that Cyndi and I just caring for Lydia for a short time.  I know…18 years (or longer) may not seem short, but if she lives to 80 or 90, most of her life will be on her own.  She belongs to God.  We only watch over her and teach her right, etc….  While we have to do things right (take precautions, feed her, etc…) God is really in control.  He knit her together over the past 9 months.  We can take her to the doctor when she is sick, but He is really the one to heal her.  We can feed (or attempt to feed) her, but He is the one who makes the food and her body do their thing.  I think if I can get this mindset set early, things later on will be easier.

Fourth, I'm sure there are people praying for us and Lydia.  I'd like to ask that you keep my third point in mind when you pray.  Pray that Cyndi and I will do a good job caring for Lydia.  Pray that we would teach her right from wrong.  Pray that we would raise her and train her in the way she should go.  Pray for us that we would remain faithful in our Bible Study through this time of transition.  Pray that Lydia would know that Cyndi and I (and the rest of the family too) love her very much.  Pray that Lydia would know that Jesus loves her even more than we could.  Pray that she would see her need for a savior and accept God's gift of eternal life.  Pray that her walk with God after that point would be strong.  Pray that she would be willing, as the song says, to go wherever He leads.  Pray that we, as her family, would not be a hinderance to that.

Fifth, we discovered that just about all of the clothes we bought are way way to big.  And the sizes don't make sense:  We have stuff that is 0-6 months that is smaller than some 0-3 month stuff.  We didn't buy any newborn outfits because we were worried she would be right at the line and wouldn't wear them that long.  But, I think we are going to have to go get some anyway.

Well, I have written enough for now.  When Cyndi feels up to it, I'm sure she will post about the hospital stay in great detail.

I'm sure most of you have seen picture timelines.  No?  Well, imagine lining up 1 picture per year and watching the difference.  Cyndi and I have decided (actually, I thought it was cool and Cyndi didn't have any issues with it) to try that with our family since Lydia is here.  Follow this link to see Lydia's Growth Timeline in Pictures.

Well, I really enjoy hot food (actually, I enoy food with flavor, but that’s another story).  I wanted to make sure to get Lydia started off right, so Keith and Joy brought her a special bottle. Now, we aren’t really up for bottles, but I thought an exception could be made.  If you want a larger version of the picture, click the image to the left.

[Update 2012-12-26 14:12:16] Redid picture

Cyndi and Lydia are going to be released from the hospital today!  When they get home, I'll have some more pictures to post, and Cyndi has some stuff she wants to write about too.

Sorry it took so long.  I have pictures from Sunday up in the gallery.  If you want to browse through the images, follow this link to Lydia's February 2007 pictures (as we take more, I'll simply update this one gallery)