What Child is This?

Sweet Babykins,

 

Most nights your Super Dad puts you to sleep. He has a routine that works like a charm: bath time, three books, prayer (in French), and rocking until you pass out solidly enough that we can put you in your crib without waking up. I like to say he does it because I'm busy pumping before we head to sleep for the night, but the fact of the matter is that I'd rather play with you and see what reactions I can get from you than have you fall asleep. Who would have ever thought your dad would be the more serious-minded one for anything in our marriage? But alas, the last few nights with classes starting up again, a busy calling, and our attempts to get you in bed and asleep by 8 has led to me putting you to sleep. I'm sorry. I don't do it quite as well. What it has turned into is a milk-crusted, unwashed mouth, a mad dash through Goodnight Moon as you try to take the book from me, a half-hearted attempt at a second, and then lights out when we pray (in French- you do need some consistency) and singing until you're out. . At first I tried lullabies, but I realized my repertoire was limited to "Baby Mine" from Dumbo. Singing the Beatles didn't seem quite right either, so we're sticking with hymns now. With my combined 16 years in Primary I have tried to stick with Primary hymns so you have a leg up on most kids when you start attending, but in my exhaustion I realize I jumble a good bit of the words. To make up for it we tend to rotate through regular hymns as well (who knew "Called to Serve" would make you fall asleep so quickly?). Last night part of playlist included "I Lived in Heaven" and, to prep you for the upcoming holiday season, "What Child is This?" I realize the latter is not a technical hymn, but it is my favorite Christmas song and I feel the Spirit when I sing or hear it, so it counts. To be frank, I'm glad you'd fallen asleep by this point because I got a bit choked up.

 

 

 

 

Like never before I was struck by the fact that a small baby, just like you, would grow up to be the Savior of the world. It wasn't just the fact that I imagined His loving mother singing to Him and that He would grow up to perform the ultimate sacrifice; it was something else. It struck me that the King of Kings would offer to come to earth under the meekest of circumstances as a baby born in a stable; submissive to all of the Father's will. That He would suffer all pains, temptations, and sufferings of all who had ever and would ever inhabit the earth and do it willingly. Knowing full-well that there would be some who would not accept it. I felt His unending love testify to me of Him. 

A few weeks ago I was thinking about the fact that you look nothing like me. You're the most beautiful creation I've ever seen and you have pretty much no resemblance to me. Your coloring, features, and build is 99.9% your dad. Shoot, even your temperament and personality (so far as I can tell) are your dad's. Not that that's a bad thing; he's a better person than I could ever hope to be. But it did make me a little sad. I realized that if I wanted to leave my mark on you it wouldn't be quite so much as genetics as it would be in what I taught you. I thought of how I would want to teach you to be loving and compassionate to all of God's children (no exceptions), how I wanted you to treat the body the Lord gave you. But really, all I want is for you to have your own testimony. I don't want you to only go off of my testimony. Sure, let it be something that strengthens you, but develop your own relationship with our Heavenly Father. He loves you more than you or even I can imagine (and I love you so much it hurts just to think about it). Develop your relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. Nothing will be able to give peace to your soul like knowing you can turn to Him and that He knows exactly how you feel.

 

Furthermore, Sweetheart, know that you can always turn to Him. His Atonement is infinite. I have done some pretty stupid things in my day but my heart has been healed, my views changed, and my sorrow turned around because I have turned to Him to change me. I continually turn to Him for guidance and you know what? Every time I turn to Him, I am taught and changed for the better. I know that because of Him I don't have to rely on myself and my limited capabilities, I can lean on Him and accomplish any worthwhile goal before me.

 

Atticus, I'm okay with you not looking like me or having a reckless, Cuban temper like me. But I do hope you gain a testimony like I have. 

6 months

You're more than half a year old! Where did the time go?!?! Let's enjoy a picture overload from the past month.

6months = 27.25" tall, 16lb 6oz

You developed a taste for packaging. Any kind is good to you; you're not a discriminator.

Dad usually thinks he's funny by putting a clean diaper on your face before he changes you. I decided to one-up him. Ball's in your court now Daddy.

More laundry pictures. I didn't realize how often I take pictures of you in the hamper...

Your dad volunteered us for the ward talent show. I picked our act and this was his costume. I felt your reaction was appropriate.

You've decided you no longer want to take naps unless I am with you. That's cool with me, naked boy.



Until I discovered you also like taking naps with Daddy. I felt a little betrayed.

You were so chipper the morning after you kept me up ALL NIGHT LONG....

Until I pointed out that I was sending you to the sitter with a dirty face and unchanged diaper.

 

You were a champ with your 6m shots! You even had a mini photo session with me.

You may not roll often, and you can't crawl yet, but you sure can travel anywhere on your back. 15 minutes prior to this shot your feet were on my legs.

Few things can compete with your Oball. Not even the Superdome got a glance from you.

 

You make this adorable face where you clench down on your jaw. It's not quite duck lips, but it sure is precious!

Forget the Soggy Bottom Boys, you are a Froggy Bottomed Boy!

While watching Vincent while Aunt Ashley was in the hospital with Roxy, the only way we got him to nap was pretending you didn't know how to nap and that he needed to show you how it was done. Go team work!

You turned into a giant in mere minutes when we held you next to your cousin Roxy!

You tried out the cart/high chair cover GG gave you. A bit big then, but you grew into it.

You've taken to feeding yourself. Which often means a fair amount of milk ends up on your face.

Yes Atticus, that hat DOES give you street cred!

I hope that tastes good...

We've been practicing sitting up. So far you haven't taken to it, but one day in the near future I'm sure you will.

You go along with my immature antics like being a towel-head baby.

You enjoyed an afternoon of Todrick Hall videos on YouTube.

And yes, we started solids with you a week shy of your 6 month birthday.

You really like eating. And I enjoy feeding you. It's a win-win situation.

You enjoyed your first Saints game in style.

 

 

 

Tummy time is still your least enjoyable time of the day. I have to distract you with images of cute babies.

You got into your first fender bender. It was pretty tame.

So tame, in fact, that you did not wake up for it.

And you smiled.

Boy did you smile!

5 Months

I'm late again on posting about your 5th month. I'm a slacker. I hope you don't inherit that from me....

You continue to enjoy helping help me with laundry.

We've also added "sous chef" to your title. You don't particularly care for the amount of onions I cut up for Aunt Ashley's birthday dinner though...

You rolled for the first time on 6/17 while I was pumping in the Mother's Room at church while Dad had his early morning meetings. Sorry you were surrounded by my unmentionables.

You are quite the dapper little man. You LOVE your tie.

We tested out your high chair. It's still a little big, but you looked pretty precious.

You know you're partying too hard when you fall asleep in a bouncer with your taggie square over your face.
 

After your 4 month (technically 4.5 month) vaccines you handled the immediate aftershock like a champ. But a few hours later you developed quite a fever that lasted for almost three days and which left you with some wacky sleeping habits for a few days.

We celebrated the 4th of July in style with some fireworks on July 3rd.

You actually really enjoyed them.

Happy Independence Day!

You commandeered Jackie and Vincent's couch at GG-Pops and also really enjoyed that.

You love Jackie and she loves you too.

Your first time going swimming. You smiled as I got you ready but quit when we got in the water. You were NOT a fan!

At 5 months I think you're teething. You want anything and everything in your mouth so you can chew on it.

We tested out your stroller. I think you need to grow just a little bit more.

Happy 5 months! Look at you handsome matching guys!

You recently discovered your feet, but you still don't seem entirely interested in them.

As we went to visit Grammy and Papa in Houston you decided to go on a sleep and hunger strike and Dad got pretty sick. This was a common sight for me most mornings.

You fared a little better in the water at the pool in Houston. Still not a huge fan, but you did better.

We love you Mr. Man! You are a precious, smiley, and happy little boy!