Teary Free

The holidays surround us and I'm soaking up the special moments in this life God's given me! I got to talk to Joli, Melody, Jenny and Mama on Christmas Eve. On Christmas day I enjoyed Andrew's family and some time in the pool with Kate, Sam, Jack, Tully and Shay. Boxing Day I tried out my new roller blades (from my hubby)! Andrew biked with Zeke on the back and I roller-bladed pushing Taza in the stroller. I love my family! I'm so excited about rollerblading! 

Tazara is now three months and the most smiley bonny cuddly little bundle I ever laid eyes on. It was such a welcome relief at 8 weeks to find out my precious daughter is not a natural villain. Her first weeks are a blur of tears. At about three weeks Tazara started fits of unconsolable crying with only temporarily pauses throughout the day. Andrew and I who once thought we were marvelous parents tried everything until we resorted to shutting the door and letting her cry. My feeding her only made it worse as she'd struggle through gulping down milk and then toss and turn and cry for the next hours. It was really hard not to be able to comfort or make her happy. With Zeke to look after I couldn't give all my time to soothing her so I wore her in the sleepy wrap for hours each day.

Zeke was set off by her crying and took to having regular tantrums and went off food temporarily. Each time I left the house I regretted it as the stress and strain of keeping my children under control left me exhausted and often in tears. I who have prided myself on wanting 19 children found myself defeated and overwhelmed by two adorable babies. After diagnosing her with acid reflux our doctor prescribed Losec. I'd read an article from Mum D. about some of the long term negative effects of such a drug as well as reading from a very helpful website 'Crying over Spilled Milk' about babies with reflux and allergies. I decided to first try going off dairy/gluten completely before starting her on the drug. We noticed changes after a few days and after two weeks she was an angelic cooing baby with lots of smiles and laughs. If I so much as use salad dressing with a bit of milk solids in it Tazara lets us know all about it.

One such morning, Andrew had left for work and I was kneeling on the couch with worship music playing. After some meaningful time in worship I sat back with fresh tears on my cheeks and was thinking about who I'd like to talk to. I decided I really ached to talk to Kendra (we hadn't talked in months). I started rehearsing what I'd say to her and what it would be like to talk with her. Then my cell phone rang and I figured I better put my sentimental moment on hold to answer it. It was Kendra!!! God had given Kendra a dream about me the night before so she'd decided to call....Thank you Lord!! So many wonderful gifts you give!!!