We are celebrating 3 weeks with Liam! He has put on some weight ( he is now 7lbs. 1 oz.), he is making fun noises and our father/Son time is highlighted by staring contests.
The trail keeps getting more beautiful as we move on.
Aunt Diana and Nita Kay were in-town for Market and decided to pop-by and see the little guy. What special friends they are to pay homage to the 'lil bronco buster. We look forward to heading up to Conway to see them soon!
Last week we had our first trip to the city to visit Dr. Shouse Medicine woman. He checked out a-okay. There were a few tears shed when they gave him a shot and took some blood by pricking his heel but he cowboy'd up perty good.
Here are some pics from his first check-up.
Shareece Rowland (newest inductee into the famed "Boobah Brigade") popped-by today with her newest edition, George.
Liam and George had a great time. They played some basketball, arm wrestled and talked politics (they like Guiliani because he is bald like them).
Many thanks to Shareece and George for visiting the Ponderosa and bringing a chuck wagon full of food for the Orenders.
We had our first field trip yesterday as a family. Me, Liam, Mom and Mama Hazel went to town to run some errands - you know the usual - see the doctor, pay a parking ticket at the courthouse. Yes, the first place we took my son was the Irving Courts to pay a parking ticket. He was asleep so I don't think he saw where we were.
On a better note, we went to see Dr. Riegel who is our O.B. . Little plug here for doc - he is phenomenal and a great person to be around. His reputation is fantastic (he is a Deacon at Prestonwood Church) and is completely dedicated to his patients. Alicia was glad to have him as her doctor. At his office there was a magazine that featured him and a patient of his who had quadruplets - get this - they became pregnant with them 5 months after they had thier first - they had NO fertility help and they were ON the pill. This puts the odds of this birth happening at 1 in 55,000,000!
One thing that I wanted to make sure of was to get a picture of Liam and Dr. Riegel for posterity. He was the first hand to welcome our little man into the world and he took excellent care in making Alicia's c-section an easy and non-complicative procedure.
Parenting 101: Be thankful that you had great parents.
Experiencing fatherhood is more exciting knowing that I have a great imprint on my mind what a good father is. I think of the many things that my Dad has done and is for me:
- Writing 21 notes to me, one for every year of my life, and giving them to me as a gift when I turned 21. Have you ever seen a 21 year old cry?
- When riding in the car together he always had wisdom to share with me about life. He never told me not to do something I shouldn't but rather he showed me what was great about avoiding bad choices.
- Investing in my spiritual life - Kanakuk, Trinity Christian Academy, Always on the front row at church every Sunday, seeing him memorize bible versus at home, seeing him serve the poor, praying over me, sharing who Christ is with me when I was young (yep, I remember).
- Burned Cork face painting
- Allowing me fail so that I could succeed
- Playing Tennis (I have never beat him)
- Teaching me to have a positive attitude that encourages others
- Playing basketball with me at night and helping me get better.
- Indian Guides
- Fishing/Hunting Trips - great laughs, sites and memories
- Helping me understand sacrifice
- Showing me what it is to love your wife
There are 34 years of memories I could write but this is good for now.
I do not look at fatherhood with concern or timidity but with fervor and joy.
This is what a great father gives his son.
warning: unless you are over the age of 60 or your father exposed you to
Errol Flynn movies you will not get the humor of this post's title.
Yesterday was a fun one for the Posse. We had a visit from
Gram, Aunt Mary and Aunt Dixie. Mary and Dixie are in
town for the Dallas Market and decided to come by the
homestead to take a look at the lil Ranger.
While they were here the "Boobah Brigade" helped, well
not helped, but rather organized all the dry goods we had
bought down at Kroger's General Store. It is nice to have
the Ponderosa Pantry organized and in working order.
Cheers to the "Boobah Brigade" and their selfless help!
Babies are indeed flexible but these pictures make my knees,
hips and ankles hurt.
Alicia and I were laughing hard because he looks just like my
Dad (Grandpa Bill) stretching.
If any of you know my Dad, he is know to get up and stretch
either at home or the office in the middle of conversation!
Technology is impressive in many forms but I never would have thought that breast pumps could be so incredible. Also, I realized that I am naive when it comes to the reasons for using them - ie. keeping the mom pain free!
To your left you have the Medela 350 Compact Pump with newly patented Side Air Injection - also known as the Boobah 3000. This little machine is fantastic. Much thanks to the McCroskey's for donating this little guy. He is sure to make happy times for Alicia and I for months to come.
Below is Alicia's barn where all the magic happens. Our first night was a fun one. The relaxation of being home is tremendous. I got to cook dinner (yes, you may gasp in amazment) - spaghetti, toasted bread and corn on the cobb. All prepared in restaurant fashion.
Alicia and I were very much looking forward to heading home. Unfortunately we had to stay 7 more hours at the hospital because Liams temperature had dropped. Liam is one skinny kiddo and needs to be swaddled in expert fashion. For some reason he was on the cool side but late in the afternoon we were given the green light to hit the trail to head west toward the sunset....and home! Here are some pics of the last early morning and trip home.
One of the fun aspects about having a great family is knowing how blessed our son is going to be by his grandparents. We can envision Liam on a tractor with PapaJoe in Arkansas on the farm, playing golf with Grandad, sitting on the porch laughing with MayMa Hazel and chasing the dogs with Gram. What great examples and love will be given by our parents.
Liam, like all babies, is cute enough to give you an "errrrr" attack when you see him. This kid is blessed with the ability to sleep anywhere at anytime no matter what is going on around him. Hmmmm.....reminds me a lot of like Alicia. She can be a world class sleeper when need be! This cowboy can drift off with the best of 'em.
How special friends are. Thank you to friends and family who made the trip to see us.
