The Torpedo Factory and the babies

Today is an absolutely beautiful day! The leaves are changing....it's warm but breezy. It was my first art class at the Torpedo Factory today, too. I rode the Metro to King St. and then took a cab the 15 blocks to the Torpedo Factory, because I had on nice shoes. Next week I'm wearing my Nike's and walking. On the way home I took the Dash bus, and it was free, so that was nice. As wonderful as all of the restraunts smell in Old Town Alexandria, I didn't eat anything. I've been praying that God will deliver me from my eating issues, and He has. I didn't get breakfast before I left the house at 7 this morning, and I didn't get home until 2:30. That's the only problem with riding the Metro--it takes so dang long. (Pardon my Francaise!) I still have enough on my ticket for next week, but after that I may drive and park a couple of miles away and walk....kill two birds with one stone.

Old Town would be a great place for Don to meet me after art class for a date! It is like a big party down there. The only place I went into besides the Torpedo Factory was a quaint Old Towny type $bucks! I actually took a picture of it, because it was so picturesque!

I'm taking an acrylics/oil class, and the teacher really wanted us to try oils. But I had already paid two arms and a leg for my supplies at the Art League store. Besides that, oils are toxic, and I'm going to be painting around Conner. One young mom in the class said she opted for acrylics for the same reason. My teacher prefers oils, so I guess I'm not going to be teacher's pet! :) I learned more in the three hours I was there than I have in 9 months of art lessons, about color anyway. I can't adequately say how much I am enjoying learning to improve my artwork. I get just as absorbed in that as I do with writing and music. Like I said, I'm going through a Renaissance!

Baby Bennett has graduated again--off of the CPAP! Yea! Soon he will be learning to eat from a bottle. I can't wait to see him in person. I feel like I already know him more than any other baby except Conner.

The boys are playing b-ball, like they always do on Saturdays, and Cam is bringing baby boy over to see Grandma before he goes to his first birthday party! (They start them out young!) Cam's sister-in-law's sister lives in my neighborhood, and her baby is turning one, so Conner's invited. Her baby and another baby friend of our came to Cam's baby shower and played with all of the boxes and toys. We have some cute pictures of that!

Well, I'm rambling. I'm so thankful for the beautiful day, for the fact that I figured out how to navigate the orange and blue line today and for Bennett's first day off of CPAP. Have a great Sunday tomorrow!

Our wonderful Father

I'm feeling a little moved by the frailty of humans, and our complete and utter need for our Heavenly Father. Bennett Speck actually got me thinking about this today, as I have many times he was born,knowing of how Bennett has been literally dependent on God for every breath he has taken. Truth is, we are all that dependent on God--for our every breath. All of our cells of our body depend on Him for our very life. Today we found out that some of Bennett's little cells may have been permanently damaged by the ordeal of being born with a horrible infection. But we know how God can regenerate life--we all are examples of that. And we know how He can resurrect life from the ruins of destruction sin leaves in its evil path! Just like Bennett is holding on to God for his every breath, we all need Him! Our souls gasp to be filled with His love and mercy! Life itself is in His mighty hands. God uses the frailest and most needy of us to display His mighty power. There is no mistaking from where our deliverence comes--from the One True Deliverer, the Creator of the Universe. There is life and hope in knowing Him from whom all time flows.

Princes Bennett and Conner--edited

Today's a Conner day, but while he's sleeping, I want to write about Baby Bennett
extubation! In case you haven't read his blog, Bennett extubated himself!! The nurses were on a shift change, and not only was his repirator tube and face adhesives off, they were cast to the floor! How a 5 week old baby could do that by himself, I don't know! Murray said he thinks an angel did it for him--maybe so! However that tube was removed,we always knew Bennett would be able to hold his own! But, none of us really believe Bennett is holding his own, do we? God is holding him! Praise God!

Now, about our boy. Conner is finally sleeping in his little nest thing! Cam and Chris worked with him, and finally he is comfy in there, so maybe they won't have to sleep in shifts long. He certainly sleeps for Grandma during the DAY though! And I would like to see those baby blues a little more! Try as I may, I can't get him to stay awake for me. I would like to help Mommy and Daddy by keeping him awake during the day, but he snuggles up and sleeps on my shoulder! Boy, if they could bottle up just bathed baby smells, someone would make a fortune! He smells SO good, and he is so soft and sweet! Cam had him all dressed up in a little yellow jogging suit and booties when I got here. He is adorable...with or without clothes! (Okay I'm being
gushy again!) Well, Grandpa has been showing Little Man around at work--I made a Grandpa and Conner book--oops "Grandad!" Don said the boys don't call him Pa do they? Oops--got to go--Prince Conner calls!

Another Day with Conner

Cameron and I took Little Man out about town today. We picked up a perscription for Cam, took Conner by the church to show him off, and then went to Target. While we waited for her perscriptions to be filled, we had coffee together at Starbucks. I wanted to pick up some cleaning products, too. There is a new line of cleaning products that are environmentally friendly and not harmful to pets or children. I wanted Chris to try them, because Don and I were there Sunday for his housecleaning. The chlorine gasses were a little strong, so I decided to share my new cleaning system with him. He's going to crunch the numbers to see if they are cost effective and get back with me. But I gave him a couple of complementary bottles. They are called "Method", and I first tried them at Camp WAMAVA and loved them.

Conner was content most of the day. He is taking more than three oz. of formula at a time now. I think the day is coming when he will sleep for several hours. He's so sweet--I gave him his bath again today, and, now that his cord has fallen off and he has a regular belly button now, he can take his bath down in the water. He loves it! I really hadn't forgotten how much fun it is to bathe a little baby, but it's nice to experience it firsthand again.

After I got the groceries home today, I went to water aerobics, and I was WORN OUT at the end. I almost couldn't eat dinner--I said almost. I still haven't dragged myself up to bed yet. Don is feeling better but he was so tired he went to bed while I was in water aerobics, as soon as he ate his dinner. He was supposed to watch Dancing with the Stars with me. I watched it alone and put together a photo album of Conner for Don to take to work with him. If I can figure out how to post the pictures of Don and Conner I will. They are so cute together. I took some of Cam and Conner today....usually she's asleep when I'm taking pictures. They are cute together too.

Pray for baby Bennett. The doctors plan to take out his respirator tube tomorrow and put him on the CPap. My dad was on that. It is annoying, but he probably won't have to be on it very long. Keep praying for that sweet family. I hope they get to hear Bennett cry tomorrow. It is a precious sound and more precious to Bennett's family.

Regrouping

Today was a non Conner day, so I had time to myself. Don went to the doctor by himself, because he is starting to feel better. I didn't do anything but straighten up the kitchen, wash a few loads of laundry and cook dinner. Well, I read a chapter in Romans and read some of a novel that I actually started and didn't put back on the shelf. It was one of those nice days where I kind of regrouped. The past year has been full of all kinds of amazing things.....some good, some heart-breaking. I have seen God working in all of them.

It is coming up on October 6th, the one year anniversary of my Dad's death. I am thinking about him a lot more lately. I wonder if he would be proud of the decisions I am making. I wonder what he would think of his great grandson, who looks so much like Christopher did as an infant. I'm wishing my Dad and I had connected on a deeper level, and I am thankful for the connection we did have. Life is full of imperfect moments that add up to imperfect lives, which God makes right. I am thankful for that.

I think I am going to Ladies' class tomorrow. I need a lot of focus right now, and I need some sisters to connect with--not to mention Beth Moore's ability to get us focused. These are the September goals I have:

1. to get deeper into God's word, beginning with this Beth Moore study
2. to meet my weight loss issues head on from many different angles, daily walking, water aerobics several times a week, the Lose it for Life study, prayer and accountability either through Weight Watchers or a group in our home.

3. to get what I want done in the house before I start watching Conner full time so that nothing suffers, including my sleep/exercise/relationship with God/time with Don/clean house

See I need clarity here too....not that anyone actually reads my blog regularly, but if anyone is reading and has any suggestions.....

More pics

Okay, now I think I have this partially figured out. Chris emailed me some really cute pictures, two of which were taken right after Conner was born. Which one do you think I love the most?

We are Thankful!

well, we have so much to be thankful for in our family! Our precious little guy was born on September 11th! Now that day holds a welcomed new significance for us. Conner Steven Harrington was born three weeks early, but he weighed 7lbs. 6oz. and measured 20 inches long! His lungs were not completely ready for the outside world, so he was in the NICU for 4 days to make sure he was okay. But he was completely fine and went home on Saturday, Sept. 15th. Cameron came through the surgery very well and is recovering nicely at home. Her mom, Jennie, and I have been taking turns taking care of Conner every other day so that she can rest, since Chris went back to work on Tuesday. Cam and I took Conner to the pediatrician on Tuesday, and he is doing great! And I could tell yesterday that he has already grown. I can't tell you how much joy it is to have a grandchild! He is so sweet, and we are all very thankful for him. Hopefully I can download some pictures....I tried the other night, but I got tired before I could make it happen! Thanks for your prayers......God heard them and graciously answered them.

He's been answering prayers on behalf of our friend, Bennett Speck as well. His lungs have continued to improve and the doctors are talking about taking him off of the ventillator. First he has to have all kinds of tests, and his lungs need to dry up. Keep praying for him, and visit his website at prayingforBennett.blogspot.com.