Family tree

By the way (and in case you haven't seen these on FB)--how cute are my cousins?! These pics were taken after Granny's service on Saturday....

The girls (Brett's sweet wife Beth, Tessa, Lissa, Jenny & Chesley--the last three are sisters who are all pregnant and due within 2 months of each other!)


The guys (Dylan, Jared, Jake, Lissa's sweet husband Eric and Brett)


I loved seeing everyone--it would have made Granny so happy that we were all together. :)

Heart hugs

To say the past two weeks have been an emotional roller coaster would be putting things lightly. Weston is such a blessing, such a wonderful and sweet baby, the best gift we could receive during the holidays. His birth and first 11 days have been amazing--he has won the hearts of everyone completely and totally. He even got to visit Granny two times this week--she smiled and tried to hold him and pat him when she saw him, which meant so much to me.

Losing my grandmother has been sad and hard. The past few days have been trying and difficult in many ways. But there are also so many bright spots as a result. Our large family gathered in Austin over the past two days for the viewing Friday night and the memorial service today. Many of my cousins attended, and all of my aunts and uncles came. So everyone has had a chance to meet Weston at a really young age and to see/meet Reese. It's been wonderful catching up with everyone. It was really amazing to have such a great turnout at the memorial today--so many family members travelled from near and far to be there. Some friends and neighbors also showed up, which was lovely. The service was emotional, sad and touching. My cousins sang and led prayers, my uncle ran the service and many of my aunts and cousins got up and shared memories. I had the enormous honor of delivering the eulogy. While it was a little nerve-wracking to have such a large responsibility, it was also very humbling to have the chance to speak about Granny, whom I loved so dearly and who meant so much to me. I am so thankful that I was able to participate in the service in such a way.

Not to get all introspective and cliche, but naturally the cycle of life came to mind several times. Most clearly when Granny and Weston interacted, but in smaller ways as well. I'm very aware that I am enormously lucky to have had 3 living grandparents at the age of 34--that is quite rare. And for my children to know or have met three great-grandparents.

I have spent a lot of time just staring at our sweet new baby. He amazes me, the same way Reese amazed me--but you tend to get caught up in things and life gets loud and fast and you forget about these sweet quiet moments.
We are also very lucky that we have a remarkably relaxed and laid back little fellow. This is mainly what he does (as seen through my poor quality iphone images):
Resting on Daddy


Taking a midday rest


From a different angle


Taken about 5 minutes ago


So, you see, it's pretty easy to sit and stare at him. At least at this point in the game. He doesn't do much but sleep or eat (to Reese's great disappointment), but he excels at those two things. (Last week he weighed 5lbs 9oz when we were discharged from the hospital; exactly one week later, he weighed 6lbs, 10oz!) (warning: this blog might soon digress into the realm of regurgitating all the measurement stats from the many upcoming pediatrician visits)
Getting back to the point (maybe?): David and I faced the very confusing task of explaining the death of a loved one to a 3 1/2 year old. We debated what to do and ultimately decided to just tell her in a very simple and matter of fact way and let her guide the conversation. I think it was a good tactic, and she asked a lot of very astute questions. She also completely caught us off guard when she told us, "Granny's in my heart. She's giving my heart a hug." What a wonderful way to express the way you feel about someone who isn't with you for whatever reason. It was one of those comments that I'll never forget--a "wow" moment when she made that observation. And of course, the perfect way to end a eulogy...and a rambling blog entry....

Afton Hall Ward, 1923-2009

Remembering my wonderful and sweet grandmother, who passed away yesterday morning. Granny was much loved and will be missed greatly.

Quick updatezzzzzzzzzz

We're pushing through the early haziness of sleep deprivation now--last night went well, but we were up taking turns with diapers, nursing (well, that was mainly me) and formula feeding. Little guy has jaundice and my supply has not come in yet, so we are trying to push it through with a little formula. Also, he seems pretty hungry and gulps it down, so hopefully it will help with sleeping, etc. Anyway, we did formula a couple of times last night but got the pediatrician's go ahead to try it after every nursing session until the milk comes in. Also, no one warned me how awful the post circumcision diapers can be--now he's healing up, but WOW--that was stressful there for a day or two.
Anyway, I am nodding off while nursing, addressing cards, typing, talking--pretty much any given time now--so I better sign off before this post drifts off into some undecipherable territory...but here are a few recent pics, courtesy of my FIL.

Reese with her very own special tree--pink natch! We've decorated it up some more since this was taken--but it does look awfully cute in her room!


Weston wearing his skull cap (get it?!) from the Mehtas...


It works really well with his laid back personality! He's been very chilled out so far. We are so fortunate to have such a relaxed and calm little man...

Who is also a wonderful nap-time snuggler...and on that note, I am going to try to catch up on some rest! xxoo

Quick pics of the little man

Most of you have probably seen the pics via Facebook or email at this point, but he's so freaking cute, I can't stand to not post! (Okay, I'm biased...)
A lot of people are remarking how much he looks like Reese. I agree with this completely--it's almost uncanny-- but he also looks A LOT like David did as a baby. It will be really interesting to see how he changes over the next few days/weeks (well, months/years also!)....
So far, he has been a completely chilled out little guy. He's a super-snuggler and has been nursing, sleeping and "eliminating" like a total champ.
We have loved having so many family and friends to visit and will be here until tomorrow (Thursday), so please stop by if you would like to come visit!

Weston McKay!

Born at 10:57 am on Dec. 8, 2009
5 lbs 15 oz
19.25 in
We are all doing great!
Pics coming soon!

Obla-di, obla-da

Enough about being home-bound! I sound like broken record these days. Truth is, family and friends have been enormously helpful in making this a fun time for Reese and helping us get ready and settled. My family in Austin helped us set up the kitchen/pantry and make other key rooms livable the day after TG: we had an army of 10 at one point plugging away! My parents have helped unpack the house and have been key in setting up the baby's nursery and pretty much every other room. They have also taken R out and about almost every day--a true life saver. David's parents have come in a couple of times and helped us get closets and the playroom set up; last night, they cooked us a lovely dinner and set up our beautiful Christmas tree, which is helping everyone get into the holiday spirit. Last weekend, the Shiflets took R for a few hours for a wonderful playdate at their house. It involved princess dress-up, cookie decorating, and off road driving. Yesterday, the Kitchens took R for yet another fab outing: gingerbread house construction at Lowe's (where they often have great kid-friendly building activities--how cool!), then bouncing and more dress-up at their house. Needless to say, R is getting spoiled by these super-special outings! I am so impressed that everyone is so creative and energetic! Monique brought me lunch, and I had a chance to visit with both Monique and Erin for awhile yesterday--let me tell you, the day practically sailed by!

So, without further adieu, here are some pics of R's recent outings...
Cord's a prince of a friend (and Anne a princess) for having R over to play!


Pretty in pink!


These two are darling together...


..and are obviously great buddies! Cuties!


R chatted away


And apparently is a little scary behind the wheel. Fast forward 13 years and this may still be the case!

Thank you, Shiflet fam!


Yesterday, R loaded into the Kitchen's car and headed out. I love K's expression here. Also, R is in fact wearing an enormous tutu to Lowe's. That's just how she rolls.


Making the cute little houses...



The brave Kitchens loaded them all into the cart for some shopping! Love this pic!


Is there anything better than bouncing?


Clearly a happy girl!


I think maybe steam was running out at this point--they all look a little peaked....


I really love this pic--some SERIOUS dressing up going on!


Thank you, Kitchens for another super fun play date!


So, not much else to report since I haven't left the house or a two-room radius in 4 days. BP is still high but we're hoping to hold out for the Wednesday induction. It's driving me a little crazy not to be able "nest" and finish unpacking. But I am so very grateful for all of the help we are getting every single day. I am loving getting emails and checking in with everyone's blogs and FB--helps pass the time. So, signing off from bed for now....I will try to post at least once more before Wednesday but I guess anything could happen at any time now...so....TTFN!

Bun's still in the oven; the oven's now in bed

After two trips to the hospital in as many days, I am now officially on strict bed rest at home. Yesterday, we were being overly cautious about whether things were "starting"; they weren't, so we were sent home. Today, Mom went with me to my weekly doctor's appointment and my old reliable, high blood pressure, was rearing its ugly head. So, she sent us to L&D again. I actually was prepping myself for induction today, but after awhile (and laying on my side), BP went down. Since I was responding to lying down, I am now on strict bed rest (potty breaks only, the rest of the time in bed). We'll do this for a week and go in for induction at 37 weeks....hoping to keep him in as long as possible! Also, we're tired of false alarms and sitting around the hospital!

So. I'd love to hear about anyone else's bed rest experiences. Besides movies, books, TV, and potty breaks....any advice on fun things to do?