| Happy Birthday Big Boy! | Last Updated: Aug 26, 2008 |
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Christian Daniel Flores August 23, 2007 6:51pm 6lbs 2 oz. |
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Stories **June 5, 2008 - Hekman Fun** We went over to Matt and Jess' house for dinner last night, and as always had a wonderful time. Ethan got a little fussy, but as soon as Jess put him in his bouncer with Christian, they both went to town. (You can catch the video clips on Jess' site -- http://www.jesshekman.blogspot.com/ ). Jess made FANTASTIC tacos...I'm convinced she is the next Martha Stewart.
With his crawling and pulling up on everything, Christian was kind enough to show his Aunt Jess what she will need to baby-proof in a couple of months! Oh, and Christian had fun with their dog Cookie...finally! (He was afraid of her up until this point.) He pet her and enjoyed watching her run by him as she chased her toys. Maybe it is time for us to get a puppy of our own! **June 2, 2008 - Milestones and Memories**
Saturday Christian and I drove out to
Our time with Jake was wonderful. We had Mexican food and then went to the Museum. Though the Picasso exhibit wasn't doing much for us, I did see a Chihully piece that I loved. I really had been missing my brother, so it was a great blessing to have that time.
Danny has now laid the electrical for our backyard wall (ie "The Great Wall of Flores"), and is going to lay pipe for the sprinklers. He is also digging a ditch for the first course of stone to be laid. He's working hard!
Christian pulls up on EVERYTHING right now...though he likes to crawl and explore, I think he prefers being on his feet. He has even taken his hands off supporting walls, etc. and stood for a few long seconds before falling onto his bottom. Methinks walking isn't too far away....darn it!
**June 2, 2008 - Crying it Out: A New Variation of Sleep Deprivation**
Danny and I have decided to try something new with Christian, to help in his sleeping "issues" ("issues" meaning desire to stay awake all night, waking up every half hour lately). He is healthy and hasn't needed to eat in the middle of the night since he was a newborn, so we decided to let him "cry it out". Now, let me preface this by saying that I've tried to let him "cry it out" before....countless times in fact. The problem was that he would begin to hyperventilate because he'd get so upset....so after an hour of crying generally he had to be given attention, and it would take a good half hour to calm him down. I was not too excited to try this again....for obvious reasons. But I was desperate. 98% of my evenings for the past 9 months have been ones that I've dreaded. REM sleep is something that I have thought was a myth, not reality. I've forgotten what it was like to not have bags under my eyes and can't imagine what I would do if I woke up and had an ounce of energy not provided by caffeine. Anyway, the first night we put this method into place, Christian's first stretch of crying lasted 45 minutes. That was a very painful 45 minutes for me. Danny had to talk me off the ledge and back to bed, as I wanted to go rescue the baby when we got closer to the 45 minute mark. However, just when I thought I couldn't handle it anymore, he did end up sleeping. Thank goodness. The subsequent tearful awakenings lessened in length. The following nights have been better, with him only waking up once or twice, and I'm adjusting to listening to him cry until he silences himself. It still isn't easy allowing him to cry so much, but I know that this is what is best for him (even with all the "what-if's" running through my head). He is awaking in the morning much happier...standing in his bed ready to start the day. (Yes, standing....another story for another day.) I hope to be reporting soon that he is sleeping through the night restfully...and that his parents are too!
**June 1, 2008 - The Fun of Feeding Yourself**
Christian has been fighting mealtime lately, and on the off chance it was because he wanted to feed himself, I took a leap of faith. I steamed veges for him and made an avocado dip...strapped him into his high chair, put on the bib and laid newpaper under his high chair (for clean up purposes)....then let him go to town. Much to my surprise, he ate every single vege on his plate! Yes, the dip was a messy idea, but he did great! With the exception of the occasional choke because he bit off more than he could chew, I do think he is on his way to "bigger boy" food! **May 30, 2008 - Be Still My Beating Heart** Though I've been working on using sign language when communicating with Christian, I somehow forgot that we should teach him to wave "Hi" and "Bye". However, when we went to Arizona last weekend, that is exactly what we began to do, and by golly it seems that he might have caught on! Tonight (Friday) Danny was on his way to work to speak at an event at the church and was leaving. On his way out the door he waved good-bye to Christian....and Christian waved back! Oh my my my...my heart could have exploded at that moment. I fought the tears welling up in my eyes (I'm such a mom). You should have seen Danny's proud face too. Oh, what a precious moment! **May 28, 2008 - Blessed with Rest** This past weekend we headed out to Arizona for a visit with family and for a much needed break. The three of us took to the highways and byways for a 4 1/2 hour drive (which, by the way, Christian handled beautifully) to meet Christian's Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Lucas, as well as his Great Aunt Jan. We went to church with them all on Sunday, and had lunch with them as well as additional members of the Lucas clan. We then visited Aunt Jan's beautiful home and saw the dollhouse that she built by hand with amazing detail (Danny and I both LOVE miniatures). After all the fun and excitement of the day, we all retreated to the hotel for a little R&R before walking through downtown Scottsdale to grab a bite to eat at Danny's favorite - Buca Di Beppo.
Our plan was to head straight home on Monday morning, but Danny and I got an adventurous and spontaneous itch, and decided to take a detour. We drove through the deserts of Arizona, admiring the beauty and diversity (I told Danny that I was amazed at God's imagination when viewing some of the plants out there), before stopping in at my all-time favorite hotel. I have always dreamt of staying here, but never thought I would. Danny had found a great deal on our room (more than half off), so we were able to live like royalty for the night.
Christian took his first swim in a pool, and did pretty well. He enjoyed roaming our hotel rooms and has been getting better and better at crawling, as well as pulling himself up to standing. He now is on a mission to walk. I watched in awe yesterday as he pulled himself to standing, and slowly took both arms off of his support and stood for a few seconds before plopping down onto his bottom. YIKES. All in all, the weekend was restful and more of a blessing than I can say. We all needed it to reconnect and rejuvinate. Now we are trying to figure out how to live on vacation all the time! **May 23, 2008 - HAIL, TORNADOES AND FLOODING, OH MY!** Have you caught the news lately? Yesterday while I was working I looked out the window when I heard a weird sound, and realized it was HAILING. Excitedly I ran to the front window and peered out while I caught the view of my first thunderstorm since moving inland again. And then 4:00pm came.... Danny came home from his conference and the clouds were right behind him. He and Christian went outside to get the mail and Danny told me that the sky was "grumbling". When I went outside I witnessed the same thing...something I've never experienced. The thunder was constant, not taking a break. It was like a grumbling stomach that would not pause. It was the strangest thing we both had ever seen or heard. The clouds were eerily dark, it was quiet (except for the thunder) and lightening was streaking through the sky at regular intervals. We decided it was better to watch the storm from inside. The sky opened up and poored down hail and rain. Our street was a river. Puddles built up in our muddy backyard. The thunderstorm was fantastic. Kids were outside playing in the water, and we couldn't help but think it wouldn't be safe to play, though we had no idea what was happening a mere few miles away. A TORNADO touched down just down the street. It turned over a semi and a train, but thankfully no one was hurt. It could have been worse. Tornadoes aren't common here though, so it has made the news locally and nationally. Just so you all know though, we are OK. They are expecting more rain today...I look forward to witnessing it all from the safety of my home once again.
What a change from the 105 degree heat we had Saturday through Monday! **May 20, 2008 - 'Look Ma, One Hand!'** So I was working and Christian was crawling around my office (he's crawling faster and faster now...getting into more and more - with a preference for chords) when I had to RUN to another room really fast. When I came back, much to my surprise, Christian was STANDING and holding onto my filing cart with only one hand! Lord have mercy on me...I don't think I'm ready for him to walk yet!
**May 19, 2008 - Ministry Isn't for the Faint of Heart** This past weekend was a tornado of busyness. It started Thursday night with a wedding rehearsal. Friday morning at 5:30am we were up and running...Danny working on moving blocks to the backyard (helped by Matt and Jeff...a BIG THANK YOU to you guys) and me taking care of Christian and working. Immediately after moving blocks, Danny had back to back meetings and counseling sessions of sorts before going to an "all-nighter" for the youth group. He came home around 2:30am, slept for a couple of hours, and got up for an Elder's meeting at 5:30am. After the Elder's meeting he came home, changed, and Danny and I went to the church to coordinate and conduct a wedding (Danny's FIRST!). We came home, changed, and headed out to Escondido for a graduation dinner for Russ, our brother in law (we got home at 11:30pm). Sunday was church, and then a BBQ event at the new property that Danny helped to organize. WHEW...it makes me tired just writing about it!
Last night Danny was extremely ill...I initially thought it was just the stress hitting his body but I now suspect that he is dehydrated. It is a good thing he has today off (I am working from home today instead of commuting to Orange County), as he is going to a conference Tuesday thru Thursday and then we are in Arizona Saturday through Monday. Here's to praying he gets his strength and health back today! **May 14, 2008 - Backyard Update** We just had 14 pallets of stone delivered. It is all sitting in our driveway, and now we are trying to figure out how to get it into the backyard (each stone weighs approx. 60lbs). Next, Danny will be building, building, building!!!
**May 14, 2008 - Slight Resemblance** From birth, I've really thought that Christian looked like his daddy. Be a judge for yourself...I've uploaded a few pictures of baby Danny.
**UPDATE** I spoke with my friend last night and she is OK. The other members of her team that are near the epicenter of the quake are also ok. Thank you for your prayers friends. Please continue to pray that this tragedy would bring glory to the kingdom. **May 12, 2008 - Please Pray ** Ok, so I don't normally do this, but I am going to post a prayer request. I have a very dear, dear friend in East Asia on a missions trip with CCC. This morning on my way to work I called her, and to my surprise she did not answer. I just found out that there was a huge earthquake over there and thousands have been killed. As I am trying to find out how my friend is, please join me in prayer that she and her team are safe and well, and that this earthquake and the devastation brought about by it are used to the glory of God in His ministry over there. **May 11, 2008 - Breaking into the Pastor's Car...Really?! Not Smart** Now, on Sundays in a small town like Nuevo you wouldn't expect someone to break into your car; especially in the church parking lot. However, Danny came to find that there are people in this world that are brash enough to do just that.... During the first service Danny ran out to his car to grab something and found someone sitting in the driver's seat popping the trunk! Danny promptly asked the guy what he thought he was doing, and, stunned, the guy ran to his own car. Danny grabbed the door and the guy took off with him still holding the door open! After getting the plates and calling the cops, the people arriving for the next service were surprised to be doing so with the parking lot filled with police cars. (Danny thankfully did not get violent with the guy that was breaking into his car...can you imagine pulling up to church and seeing your pastor brawling with someone in the parking lot? It would certainly make you pull out your checkbook and tithe though, for fear of what might happen if you don't!) Immediately following that incident Danny had a few more issues to deal with before coming into the service. When he got in I had no idea what had proceeded my arrival, as he was very good at compartmentalizing everything and moving forward. He amazed me with the way he handled it all! I didn't even know about the break in until someone in the nursery told me after I picked Christian up at the end of the service! With Danny working an average of 50-60 hours a week, sometimes not getting a day off, and having Sundays like THIS, he certainly is earning his keep around here! *Sidenote - out of all the cars to break into, this guy chose Danny's. Danny's radio doesn't work, his car is filled with theology books and junk. He doesn't keep money in it, as we use every penny we have. I told Danny that as the guy ran away he should have yelled, "I'm the pastor and have a direct line to God. You can run, but you can't hide!" **May 11, 2008 - Happy Mother's Day!** First off, Happy Mother's Day to each of you wonderful women out there that proudly wears the crown of motherhood (and by crown I mean gray hair....no doubt a result of the stress of being called "mommy"). I hope that you were pampered and honored the way that you deserve. And to you new mommies that I know and love, I hope that you got a well deserved moment of quiet, and perhaps even a nap! We celebrated my Mother's Day on Saturday, since Sunday is a work day for Danny. After he got home from work Saturday afternoon, I headed out to go shopping BY MYSELF. It was fantastic. I took my sweet time at Ross, and even got a new outfit for church. :-) I tried to get a pedicure at a few different places, but to be expected they were all overflowing with moms that had the same idea. So, I skipped that idea and headed home to be with my boys. They got me cards and baskets of Bath and Body Works treats....Danny got me Stress Relieving lotions, and Christian got me Sleeping Lotions. I also got the Best of Toby Keith CD's, which I rocked out to right away. Oh, and Danny got me a card that he recorded a message to me on, with the baby laughing in the background. It made me cry. I topped off my day by having my hubby draw me a bubble bath with Andrea Bocelli singing in the background. I was SO RELAXED that I absolutely passed out afterwards. Now if only Christian had slept through the night.... **UPDATE** It was my amazing parents that sent such a sweet gift! Thank you mom and dad for helping to make this a very special Mother's Day. **May 8, 2008 - Thank You, Whoever You Are!** I received a beautiful bouquet of pink and white tulips and a box of Godiva chocolate. I was surprised, and so was Danny....it turns out he wasn't the one that sent it to me! Well, the card was sweet and wished me a happy mother's day, and also informed me that the sender was praying that Christian will sleep through the night. However, there was no signature! I tried to call to find out who sent it, but they wouldn't tell me. So, whoever you are, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! The flowers are brightening my kitchen, and the chocolate were delicioso! **May 8, 2008 - Scoots, Rolls, Crawls and a Small Fortune Invested** Christian has become more and more mobile with each passing day. He rolls EVERYWHERE, and I quickly learned that I need to watch him constantly when he is on the floor...as he pulled off a door stopper cap and I intercepted it before it made it to his mouth (he has the pincher grasp now too). Last night when we had dinner at the Hekman's house (Jess cooked....she is the BEST cook in the world), Christian had a blast on their wood floor. He got on his hands and feet, like a little monkey, and did lots of scooting on his belly and back (he's been sliding backwards using his feet). I walked into the other room for a SECOND and came back to find him holding part of Jess' plant in his hands, ready to pull out more. Today he was getting very exciting about movement and used his arms and feet in unison to move forward. YIKES! Was that a crawl?! My, my, my....the boy is, dare I say it, mobile. Sigh. Why won't he let me get a full night's sleep before he gives me a run for my money? I know it will be a matter of days now before he figures out how fast he can get with his new actions, but it won't be long before he is into EVERYTHING. And THAT is why I invested a small fortune in baby-proofing stuff recently. The Flores Casa will now be more child friendly...though there is nothing we can do about our VERY hard tile floors. I foresee a bump, bruise and mommy kissing owies in the near future. **Update** Bluesville seems to be in my rear view mirror, and I'm glad to be leaving. I'm feeling more like ME and I can't tell you how nice it is to feel that way again. I know that Danny and Christian appreciate it too. Though Danny could probably do without all the crazy songs I sing "for the baby". :-) **May 2, 2008 - A Visit to Bluesville** I recently had a conversation with a friend that said that she thought that people like to hear about the struggles that a pastor's wife might have. I agreed to an extent, but noted that people don't want to hear about struggles without hope. They want to hear everything past tense: "I struggled with this, and God got me through." To hear "I'm struggling with this and I feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel." is discouraging, and people in our culture want encouragement and hope. Well, I'm going to put my theory to the test. Christian is over 8 months old, and since he was born I've been "bluesie". I've not been quite myself. There have been a number of reasons for this, and my postpartum hormones are no exeption. Well, a couple of weeks ago I was moving dirt in our backyard and I strained my back. I couldn't move, and had to ask Danny to come home to help me with the baby. I called the doctor and got an appointment. As I had some time to think about things, I thought I'd also bring up my "bluesie" feelings too. Well, needless to say, when I saw the doctor yesterday and she asked me about what my life has looked like since the baby was born I burst into tears. Discouragement in having a C-Section...my brother in the Marine Corps. likely being deployed in a matter of months....a move into a home in a whirlwind of stress....etc, etc. (All of this isn't helped by my sleepiness...I'm sure things are amplified solely because of that!) She reassured me that postpartum depression is very normal, especially under my circumstances, and then she prescribed me an anti-depressant. Hallelujah! There is the light at the end of the tunnel....the hope that things can turn around for the better soon. No, Tom Cruise won't be coming over to talk about what a great decision this is, but I think I'll survive that disappointment. And so, the reason I share this is simply because I want you to know that the reason my posts haven't all been cheery and sunshiny is because I haven't FELT cheery and sunshiny. I know I'll get through this; I know God will sustain me. And to those truths I cleave. Now, I've been in Bluesville long enough...I'm ready to visit Happytown for a while! **April 30, 2008 - No Juice?!** Christian had wrapped himself in his favorite blanket the other day, as he rolled around on the floor. Apparently his hands discovered his sippy cup that he had been drinking earlier, and he decided he was thirsty. Hm...do you see any problems here? **April 28, 2008 - Time to Catch Up!** I apologize sincerely for not updating lately. Things have been busy and I've just lacked the energy. And so, I now will attempt to catch you up on everything. Forgive me if I overwhelm you! Christian is now 8 months old, and rolling around like crazy. He gets on all fours and rocks back and forth like he is just about to crawl, but the most he does is creep backwards instead (which frustrates him). He is an independent little guy (ALREADY!), and he knows what he wants, when he wants it and how he wants it. He has a scream that could pierce eardrums...the only reason Danny and I aren't deaf is because we've built calluses on our eardrums. No, Christian is not yet sleeping through the night. I read my friend Kelly's blog recently and she was asking for suggestions on getting her TWIN girls to sleep. Sorry Kelly, I've got nothin'. Since I've become a mother I've realized that there is no true prescription for babies, only suggestions. B.C. (Before Christian) I would have recommended the "cry it out" method. However, I had yet to meet persistant Christian. He will cry for hours...louder and louder....hysterically....making himself sick until he is attended to. He isn't the type that will cry himself to sleep (persistance comes from Danny....he does the same thing Christian does until I make him dinner or cookies or whatever). I've just decided to appreciate the moments that I do get to sleep, even if they are few and far between. Eventually he will sleep. Christian loves to eat food (for the most part). His favorite food is spinach, and he especially loves it when I sing the "Popeye" song when he has a mouth full of spinach. He gets a big green grin in his face, and sometimes giggles when I made the "toot toot" of Popeye's pipe. Precious. He also drinks out of a sippy cup now, and will scoot across the floor to grab the cup from feet away. It is quite fun to watch. I've been using sign language for certain things to help communicate with Christian. He is recognizing some of the signs now. It is fun to see how he lights up with anticipation when he recognizes the signs for "tickle" "eat" and "massage". When he wakes from a nap, I'll sign "up" and he'll grab my hands to pull himself to standing. It is really quite fun to be able to communicate. He isn't signing yet, but there is time. (Sidenote - I suspect he knows the word "kisses", as he will sometimes grab my hair, or ears when I say it and gives me his own sweet, slobbery kisses. How adorable is that?!) He is saying "Da Da" all the time....we hear it most often when he gets excited, and he says it more when his "dada" is around. Don't worry, I'm working on "MA MA". Our weekends have been jam packed lately. To those of you we would like to visit, please forgive us for not making good on our promise. Our intentions are the best, but between Danny's schedule (which sometimes can be day-to-day, moment-to-moment in planning) and my work schedule, but is nearly impossible just for US to get time to spend together, let alone go anywhere. Regardless of our physical absence, our hearts and prayers remain with you. I will post newer pictures within a few days. ** April 28, 2008 - My prayer for today **
God, please unscale my eyes so that I might see others the way you see them. Please put upon my shoulders a cloak of compassion, so that the muck and mire that may be thrown at me would slide off my cloak and go by the wayside. Make my arms those of grace so that they embrace the diseased and sick. Cause my lips to sing praise and kindness to those who cast stones, instead of curses and discouragements. Please plant within my heart the seeds of love for others, as well as myself. Finally, allow me to trust that justice is within your capable hands.
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It seems as though Christian's hair is coming in like his daddy's...
(Danny's on the left, his twin sister Deanna is on the right)
Christian took pictures in this outfit too....it is uncanny how much they look like each other...
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