Grateful

I just wanted to let everyone know what they have done for me lately and that I appreciate it. I know I will think of even more things that people did for me, so please don't take offense if my new mommy brain is forgetful.

I realize that although my wonderful, loving, hard-working husband has been gone on the ship most of the past 2 weeks and will continue to be for an undetermined time, I have had lots of help adjusting to being responsible for a beautiful baby boy.

Of course John's parents initially did a lot for John and I by taking care of the house (actually fixing and cleaning!) and the dogs. I kept finding more and more repairs/deep cleaning jobs they did in our house lol.

My sister Susan is always eager and willing to take care of baby Lucas. She is very respectful of me as his mother, i.e. the one who decides the how/what/when/where etc. She doesn't think she does much, but she's a big help with keeping the house clean and I think John and I both trust her most with Lucas.

My other sister Sarah has always been there for advice on babies and childbirth and even what bottles won't cause gas--she has 2 adorable girls and 1 (30-something yr old) big baby boy lol.

And of course my mom has come over a few nights to stay with Lucas while I drove John to carpool at 4am. She has cooked many meals too and I know she is there if I needed anything. It's nice to know that after having lived so far away from her for almost 4 years.

Even my 13 yr old brother Norman has helped immensely, and without complaint. One night he fed Lucas a bottle of breastmilk while I pumped (it's becoming a challenge to keep up with Lucas' appetite), and then he learned how to burp him. He fetched many things for me when I was upstairs with a crying baby late at night (he spent the night on the weekends). And then, he tightened the screws on the base of Lucas' cradle to make it more secure. Very grateful for that. I even noticed Lucas looking at Norman's face as if, he recognized me in Norman, but knew there was something kind of off!

My friend from St. Bede's Kathleen came over last week and brought : a rotisserie chicken, spaghetti with zuccini, salad and bread. And she stayed for a long time, taking care of Lucas, who was amazed by the pattern on her shirt!:

My filipina friends Loli, Luz, Vicky, and Lina have brought many gifts and food over; they bought me a huge (250) pack of huggies diapers, Loli brought her homemade goodies over, and Lina brought me my favorite Cape Cod chicken salad from Cosco lol. They are having a lunch for me next wednesday too.

A good friend from high school, Brianne, has stayed in contact with me and has always been there to talk to and cheer me up. She has been a good role model for me in high school even, but now as a genuine SUPERMOM, she is raising 2 cute and smart kids and is the epitome of a good wife/mom. She is always doing crafty fun things with her children and cooking fancy homemade delicious food. She always shows true concern for me and even called around to call my hospital room just after I had Lucas---she sensed that I had him, and called my house (johns parents gave her the hosp #) that same day and congratulated me on how well I did delivering my first naturally. She's one of the most selfless people I know.

Navy wife, and mother of 2 boys with a girl on the way (wow), Elise has been my friend since high school in california, and now ironically is out here in Virginia where her husband is stationed, and is away most of the time. She also has a new dog to train and does a lot to sustain the family---but still makes the drive out here to Williamsburg to give me baby clothes, food, and nursing pads lol.

Navy wife and game night opponent (lol) Shawna has helped me through a lot; despite many challenges she faces with her husband's undiagnosed illness, and her adorable son's speech delay, she is always optimistic and happy. Nice to be around and helpful. And she and her husband have stuck with teaching their son ways to communicate and we have witnessed the huge and continual progress he makes. Good role models for John and I.

Navy wife (and pregnant with #2) Lindsay has given me a few pointers that have worked out; I have been trying Mylicon for Lucas' gas, she told me about getting a free cell phone upgrade for John from Verizon since his never stays charged and therefore he never could call me. I got the phone shipped free OVERNIGHT and it's really great--I know I can depend on it not dying after a 2 minute convo with John about when he's coming home. Before this phone, she also served as a messenger (since she hears from her husband who works with john) as to when/if to expect them home!

John's friend Lavasseur has helped by agreeing to carpool and take John to work with them when they are gone for days. This way I only have to drive/pick up john from Newport News and not Norfolk (yay) and I get to keep the cobalt in case I need to take Lucas somewhere. Transportation is much needed security for a new paranoid mom.

And I can't forget John. Every few days he has come home for a night, and we have the best time because we feel so much for each other. We truly love being parents and both can't wait til he can come home for good. He does and says many things that I know no other husbands do/say because of pride or just because they don't notice. John does things for me without the expectation or need for them to be acknowledged; I do things and immediately tell him, "look what I did for you," needing that approval. John does it out of his own personal integrity and character. Here are some pics/video from last night, a night he got to spend home before leaving again at 4am--i think Lucas really did miss his daddy (esp in the video):


Anyway, thank you all for your help and concern. And thank God for this life- despite my lack of sleep, I feel this is what I'm meant for. I even took Lucas to mass sunday night for the first time, and he was very good (slept through most of it). I just found it interesting because one of the readings was this (1 Corinthians 7:32-35):

32I want all of you to be free from worry. An unmarried man worries about how to please the Lord. 33But a married man has more worries. He must worry about the things of this world, because he wants to please his wife. 34So he is pulled in two directions. Unmarried women and virgins worry only about pleasing the Lord, and they keep their bodies and minds pure. But a married woman worries about the things of this world, because she wants to please her husband. 35What I am saying is for your own good--it isn't to limit your freedom. I want to help you to live right and to love the Lord above all else.

It just reaffirmed for me that it is serving God when we work hard to please our spouses and keep our families strong.