Thankful: Raphael

Boy meets Ink. Ink wins. I think Poppy introduced them.
And no, it wasn't washable Ink.

    Tonight I'm thankful for my little man-cub Raphael. This boy, at 3 1/2, keeps me on my toes, keeps my running, and makes me smile often. He has always been busy busy, into everything, and wanting to figure out how things work. While he's incredibly independent, he also loves to be with me. If I'm cooking, cleaning, running to the store, he wants to be right there in the action. He sees no reason why he shouldn't start throwing in spices, chopping (with the big knife), or adding ingredients. Life with him is never dull, and if it is, he's probably into something. He was slow to talk, but he sure does pay attention to little things. He's usually my first one up in the morning and I'm glad that we have that time to snuggle, read, talk, cook together before the house is buzzing. Right now, he's loving building "shecial creations" with legos; these are usually honey factories and cupcake trains. He brings me lots of cupcakes in all different flavors. "Garilla", also known as vanilla, is my favorite. He's rough, wild, affectionate, and sweet. He often tells me "I love you, Mama. I love to be wif vou."  I love to be "wif" him too, and am so grateful that God gave us this little guy. 

Monkeous Boy

    Oh my sweet Raphi,

    When did you get so big, my boy? You turned three a couple of months ago, and I'm just now getting to your birthday letter. I'll tell you this; you are the busiest boy around! You're so sure of yourself, so independent. You know what you want and you just go for it, no asking for permission, or help, or anything of that sort. When you were just a little floor baby, you were quite a climber. I can see now that it's part of who you are. You're not phased by obstacles. If you've seen someone else do it, you see no reason why you can't do it too. You're also incredibly persistent. If I say no, I'd better have a good reason and be prepared to defend it! I can't wait to see where this takes you in life!

    For all your "I can do it myself" attitude, you still love to be right by my side, involved and helping. If Daddy's home, it's him that you shadow. You're usually the first one up in the morning, and love to help daddy make his coffee, or go out and "zoast" coffee with him. Your help isn't always as, uh, helpful, as we might wish, but that's okay. We like that you like to be with us, right in the middle of the action. You love to stand on a chair while I'm cooking, and stir things and chop, and sprinkle spices in. I just have to keep an eye on you, because in your zeal (and knowledge) you'll start pulling spices off the shelf and cracking eggs before I'm really ready for that. (Pepper in the pancake batter? Been there. Egg on the floor? Done that.) Yep, you keep us on our toes!

    Daddy asked you one day if you were a good helper, and I loved your answer: "Nope, I'm just a kid and a monkey." That sums it up pretty well, actually. You remind me a lot of Curious George, and of the monkeys that I used to see in India - daring and inquisitive and a wee bit mischievous at times. You like Curious George stories, and when I pause to let you say "curious" you say "monkeous" instead. I think that's the perfect word for you, my little Man Cub! Busy and into everything, you are!

  

    You're about the most contrary boy I've ever known, too. But honestly, that really doesn't bother me too much. You like to say no, and contradict, but someday I'll be glad that you know your own mind and won't be easily pushed around. I'm glad though, that you weren't my first kid because I think I wouldn't have let it go like I do now. I still expect you to obey, but I'm a lot more careful to not give you an instruction that I'm not prepared to help you follow through with.

    Even though you're three years younger than Poppy, you have no idea you're not one of "the big kids". If ever we don't let you take part in something, you're quick to remind us that you're "big for that". One of your latest phrases that I love is "ever in mine life". You like to throw these out randomly, and often tell us that "I'm big for that" and "I will do that ever in my life!" Or, when you don't want to do something, it's an emphatic "never in mine life!"

    For as big and independent as you are, you're still a little mama's boy, and I'm glad of that, too. You're rough and wild one minute, and sweet and charming and gentle the next. You're (mostly) a sweet and gentle big brother to Pearl, crooning over her and stroking her softly. One day recently when you thought she wanted to me to nurse her, you informed me that you would share some of your mommy milk with her. I asked how you were going to do that, and you indicated that since it was down in your tummy, she could just drink it... through your belly button!

    Oh, mine Raphael, you're loving and fierce and wild and sweet all rolled into one charming boy. You have an amazing smile and eyes "like the sea after a storm". I love you so much. You're a wonderful gift from God, one that still brings healing, joy, and great blessing to your mama's heart.

    I love you, my monkeous boy-boy!

                  Love, Mama

One Year Flashback

I was curious to go back a year in my picture folder and see what photo I came up with. Here it is, from June 10th, 2008, a little two month old Raphael sucking his thumb. The rest of us haven't changed a lot in a year, but he sure has. He was my little baldy baby, well, bald compared to Peregrine and Alethea, but people still commented on how much hair he had! He sucked his thumb from the time he was about 2 months until maybe 8 or 9 months, but only when he was tired and falling asleep. I thought it was a perfect habit. But apparently he'd had enough of it. Sweet little baby; where did you go? They grow too fast. (And I still need to write his birthday letter.)

Does anyone else want to share a One Year Flashback?

Upwardly Mobile

Yes, he climbed up on this box all by himself... I think I'm in for it!

Get Up, Stand Up

No one escapes being dressed up 'round here. In these here parts even the littlest cowboy gets in on it. And here, caught redhanded, the little feller pulls himself up to standing for the first time. He wanted to get in on the working-in-the-hayloft-with-Pa action. Yeehaw! And Ma, you better hold onto your bonnet, 'cuz this little feller will be riding the range before you know it!

Brothers

Last night was the first night Raphael slept in the crib in Peregrine’s room. I’m always sad when the time comes to move a baby out of our room, but the time has come. None of us has been sleeping well, and with with the other kids it finally took moving them to their own space. I’d given Peregrine careful instructions that when he awoke he was to leave his room quietly and not wake his brother, but I was a little uncertain as to how it would go.
I awoke this morning and heard Peregrine stirring, heard the soft opening of his door, heard the baby cry. I heard the door close and hoped that Raphael would go back to sleep. He whimpered a bit, then stopped. I lay still and listened as it continued; he would fuss for a few seconds, then stop. Then all was quiet. I got up and looked into “the boys’ room” only to see Peregrine standing next to the crib looking down at little Raphael, who was smiling and wiggling in great excitement. I felt a little annoyed that Peregrine hadn’t obeyed me after all until he explained in a voice of wonder:
“Mom, he woke up when I climbed down from my bunk bed and he started to cry. But he’s, like, perfectly satisfied with me. Whenever I tried to leave he would cry, but if I stay here he’s so happy!”
It was the perfectly satisfied that got me. And the sound of his voice, the tone that betrayed that he had found true joy in making another person happy. I sleepily put my arm around him and said “You really love your brother, don’t you?”

Going Green

It's all the buzz these days: Do your part in caring for the earth and Go Green. Even Raphael has jumped on board. Being the independent thinker he is, though, he's not merely choosing cloth diapers over disposables and drinking hormone free milk from his free range mama. No, this little guy is serious about going green. Here you can see him thoroughly enjoying one of his first foods, avocado. (Organic, of course.)

It's with a twinge of sadness on my part that Raphael is beginning to eat solid food. With the other two,  it was a milestone I looked forward to more, but I've so enjoyed the simplicity of nursing this little one, and the connectedness we share. This time around I feel more keenly that this is a first step toward independence, and I know how quickly they grow. There is something so sweet about being his only source of nourishment; every ounce of him so far has grown and been sustained through his physical connection to me. Now, he begins to separate himself, to move slowly toward the independence that must come. It's only right, and it's good, but the baby days go so quickly by, and I shall cherish the memories. There's no looking back, after all. This is the period, from six months to a year, that I so enjoyed with Peregrine and Alethea; it seemed there were new discoveries every day. I'm sure I will enjoy it with Raphael as well, my little Green Boy. 

Simple Woman's Daybook 4

FOR TODAY, September 15, 2008.

Outside My Window... it's warming up. But the days are beginning to feel Fall-ish, and there is a golden feel in the air. 

I am thinking... that I'm ready for a quiet week.

I am thankful.... for my family. We had a lovely week with my brother Jacob and nephew Joseph from Alaska. We missed my sister-in-law, though, who was unable to come this time.

From the kitchen... chocolate cake and leftover massaman curry.

I am wearing... long sleeves. 

I am creating... milk? Does that count?!

I am going... to finish getting the house cleaned up from the weekend.

I am reading... North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. Still. I took a break and read The Kite Runner. Very good, not in a feel-good way, but in a shake-you-out-of-your-comfort-zone way.

I am hoping... that Erik and Poppy will get over the cough they've had for a while.

I am hearing... the bouncing of Raphael's jumper, Peregrine's happy chatter to his little brother.

Around the house... laundry, as always, a few more dishes to be hand washed, clothes that are grown out of and clothes yet to be grown into; they all need to be sorted and put away.

One of my favorite things... happy reunions with loved ones when we've been apart.

A few plans for the rest of the week... starting school with the kids and getting their bedrooms cleaned and organized. Again.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... a few actually. This past weekend Erik and Peregrine went on an all-boys camping trip with his Dad, and I went to the coast with my brother, sister, and the other kids. 

 

My brother Jacob with Raphael.

Cousins Poppy and Joe-Joe.

Cousins Diego and Raphael.

What would your first trip to the coast be without face-planting in the sand?

Peregrine gets a fishing lesson from his Papa.

Erik and Peregrine.

Mama and Raphi.

Little toes in the sand.

Raphi loved the sand! (In total contrast to his big brother, who, on his first trip to the beach, wouldn't get off the blanket!)

If you'd like to join The Simple Woman's Daybook you can visit The Simple Woman who started it here. 

Sweet Raphael

Oh my little Raphi, is it really possible that you're already more than three-and-a-half months old? As I was laying in bed with Daddy the other night, you tucked snugly in your cradle next to us, I remembered that it was at this time last year we learned we were going to have a baby.  I carried you close within my body, carrying the joy of anticipation and trying to throw off the fear that would rob my of that joy. Those days seem so long ago now that you are here, strong and healthy and full of such life. If we reckoned years the way they do in some places, you'd be one!

You are such a joy to me. Through you God has brought healing, not only to my body, but to our hearts. The days (and nights) with you are so sweet. Already you've changed so much in a few short months. I really tried to hold on to the moments when you were so tiny, when nothing pleased you more than to be held close against me, your fuzzy head tucked under my chin.  I'm thankful I took the time to savor those times, to let you fall asleep on me, to feel the rhythm of your rapid breathing, to inhale the sweet scent of your hair and feel the impossible softness of your skin. The newborn days fade so quickly and are gone; you have changed so much in these few short months.

Gone is the newborn cry, the insistent "laaa, laaa" that I remember so well from the moment you were born. That cry was quickly replaced with what I called your "squeaky toy" cry; on the intake you made a sound that was just like a squeaky toy! You don't even do that anymore; in fact, you don't cry much at all. You are such a content and happy baby. You bless us all with your sweetness and grace us with your smiles. 

Your first "real" smiles were when you were only about a month old. They were tentative and we really had to work to coax one out of you. But work we did, for there's not much sweeter than first baby smiles. Now, two months into your smiling career, they come easily. Sometimes I glance at you and you are already smiling, not just with your mouth, but your whole body. Little legs are pumping, little fists waving. And then you laugh. Your first happy little sounds pile one on top of another and turn into waves of the most delightful laughter. 

What else do I love about you? So many things, but here are a few:

• I love the way one of your ear lobes sticks out. It's floppy and soft and oh-so-cute. I think you have a little elf blood in you, Baby. 
• I love your hands and feet, tiny and perfect. You have dimples in your little fists, and right now you're quite fixated with your hands. You desperately try to get them, often both of them, into your mouth and it's amazing how much you can fit in there! 
• I love the sounds you make when you're nursing. Happy, contented sounds they are. And I love how you stop nursing to look up at my face and the intensity with which you gaze at me.
• I love that you've discovered your thumb, and how you suck it while fanning the rest of your hand over your face. Neither of your siblings were thumb suckers, but you sure are.
• I love that you  sleep through the night, a good eight or nine hour stretch. And when you do wake up, hungry, you rarely cry. I'm awakened by your stirring, by the sound of a little mouth greedily sucking a little thumb, but really looking for something more substantial. I roll over and lift you into bed with me. You snuggle in close and drink deeply and then we both fall asleep again. I love snugly mornings with you.
• I love that when I put you down with some toys hanging over you, you still prefer to look up into your mama's face. You understand that people are more important than things. Nothing makes you happier than when someone looks into your face and smiles; never lose that, and you'll live a very happy life.

What can I say my little Raphael? You are a blessing, a gift from above, and I am so, so thankful for you. I'm excited to watch you grow, to see who you are. But no hurry, okay? Let's continue to savor these baby days, to hold onto the moments that slip away so quickly. I love you my Little Cub. 

Your Mama  Bear

The Name and the Story Behind It

Tiny Hands,

Tiny Feet,

Tiny Boy.

Raphael Baraka Samuel.

Our little Raphael finally has his middle names. (All of our children have two middle names, and these things take time. We like to get to know them a bit and make sure their names suit who they are. None of them has had to wait quite this long, however.) Here is the meaning behind his name:

Raphael means God has healed. When Erik and I heard this one day we looked at each other and I think we both knew that would be his name. After losing two babies to miscarriage before this pregnancy, it just seems appropriate! 

Baraka means blessing in several languages. We are indeed blessed. Abundantly.

Samuel means God has heard. Early in my pregnancy Peregrine informed me that we were having a boy and that we should name him Samuel because it means God has heard our prayers. One can hardly argue with that, and it only seemed right to include it in his name. 

We continue to praise God for this precious life. He heard our prayers, brought healing, and blessed us! 

Photos taken by Erik.

Forty Days

Just as the Christ child was brought to the temple and presented to God on the fortieth day after His birth, we brought Raphael to church on Sunday for his forty day blessing. In the Orthodox Church there are special prayers of blessing for the newborn baby and his or her mama on or around the fortieth day. Raphael was blessed and prayed for, presented to the Lord in the presence of the congregation of faith, and officially welcomed by our church family. It was very special for us all. 

Life With the Ferocious Rumblebuffin

*Update on Gloria: Thanks to those who are praying. She still hasn't had her baby, but for the last few days has been having a lot of pre-labor going on. So, something is happening. Please keep praying that labor will kick in, and soon! She's scheduled to see her midwife tomorrow, but hopefully will be having, or have had, her baby by that time. 

It's hard to believe that our little Raphael is nearly four weeks old already. Even as I typed that I was doing the math in my head; could it really be four weeks? Already he has grown and changed so much and it's hard to imagine life without him in our family. Knowing how quickly they grow up, I've tried to really savor the precious moments of him being so tiny and new and have spent many sweet hours with him snuggled up against me. Mama and Baby, content just to be together. I'm trying to remember the little things, the way he feels in my arms, his sweet smell, the little sounds he makes, because I know how quickly it goes by. 

Erik was able to take off nearly two weeks and that greatly eased the transition for all of us. Also, friends brought meals over for the first few weeks, which was a huge blessing. Overall, I feel like we're doing really well. The kids, of course, have their moments, but that's to be expected. I have my moments too, but feel like the I'm doing much better than after giving birth to the other kids. I didn't lose as much blood this time, and have had a lot more energy. I'm tired much of the time, but not exhausted, and don't feel like I'm having the extreme emotional swings I've experienced postpartum before. (I attribute this, in part at least, to taking a better supplement this pregnancy, as I had much more energy throughout.) 

Peregrine and Poppy are liking Raphael very much. Peregrine can hardly walk by him without saying something along the lines of "Oh, isn't he just the cutest little baby in the world!" And they both like to hold him any chance they get. Peregrine sings to him when he cries, and Poppy strokes him and says "I can comfort him down!" Peregrine was "petting" the top of his head one day and cried out in great excitement "Mom! Mom! He has a crater in his head!" I'm always glad when the soft spot in those little heads hardens up. Or, in other words, when their "crater" goes away! 

Raphael is growing quickly; at two weeks, when they're supposed to have regained their birth weight, he'd already put on 1 1/2 pounds. He's a pretty content baby and is sleeping between three and five hours at a time at night. I usually only nurse him twice at night so I feel like I'm getting some rest. Our days are going well too; I feel like we're settling back into a bit of a routine. With the weather (finally!) getting nicer the kids have been able to be outside more and we're starting to go for walks again too. 

Like all babies, in our family at least, Raphael is already subject to lots of silly nicknames. I started calling him Rumblebuffin at times on account of the many rumbles that come out of him. Peregrine somehow added Ferocious to that, and often refers to him as the Ferocious Rumblebuffin! 

So, there's a little update on life with Raphael, aka the Ferocious Rumblebuffin. My heart is filled with gratitude when I look at this family God has given to me. My greatest desire was always to me a wife and a mama, and God has given me a wonderful husband and such precious children. I thank you again for praying for us and rejoicing with us! 

Raphael

We are incredibly thankful for the many prayers and kind words you've sent our way in the last while. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post pictures of our newest little blessing. (You've all been very patient!) God heard and answered all of our prayers for a safe and natural delivery and a healthy baby boy. He was born April 2nd at 1:21 in the morning after really only a few hours of hard work. We were able to come home with him that evening and have been adjusting to life with a newborn and enjoying these days with him very much. I'll write more about his birth when I have a chance, but wanted to share some pictures of our baby. We are still deciding on middle names, but have given him the first name Raphael, which means "God has healed" in Hebrew. 

The kids getting their first glimpse of their new brother! 

They were delighted as you can see!

Peregrine, Alethea, and Raphael on his first day!

The waiting and the work were well worth the reward! 

Daddy and his littlest one.

Raphael, first day. (And we were totally smitten!)

Look at those chubby cheeks! At 8 lbs 4 oz he was our biggest baby yet!

A few days later, already changing.

Holding Daddy's Hand.

One Week- where does the time go? 

Poppy loves her baby!

These little feet will take you big places someday, tiny one! 

Again, we thank you so much for your prayers and for sharing in our rejoicing. I'll try to post more soon! 

Rebeca, for us all

On Our Way!

Thanks to everyone for your encouraging words and prayers after my last post. I was awake in the night having contractions, and they've continued to come and go throughout the day. I'm pretty sure my water has broken, so we're on our way to the hospital. The contractions are still sporadic and not very strong, but my doctor wants me to come in. Please pray that "real" labor will kick in soon and that everything will go well. It's a beautiful cold sunny spring day, and in the wee hours of the morning I read this verse: 

For You are my hope, O Lord God;

You are my trust from my youth. 

By You I have been upheld from birth:

You are He who took me out of my mother's womb.

 My praise shall be continually of You.

Psalm 71:5-6

I look forward to introducing you to our new little one. Thank you all so, so very much for your prayers!