New Beginnings ... In August ... 2017

May 24, 2019

INTRODUCING ... BABY BEAR

Since I am so, very far behind in our life's story - I figured I would catch up by sharing some pictures and stories about the kids who bless my life.

Baby Bear was born in August 2017, after my saddest loss in 2016. We know for a fact that he was meant to come, because as his Daddy went to cut his umbilical cord, it was so large & strong, that it was a challenge to cut. If you remember, the reason I lost the baby in 2016 was because her umbilical cord was twisted & too small. So - I believe that she sent him to us with all of the strength that she didn't have. We count this little rainbow baby an immense blessing, as the conclusion of our family!

He was immediately adored by Daddy Bear, Sister Bear & Brother Bear, and all of his Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles & Cousins, too. I spent 2 days in the hospital (standard stay with a c-section), just getting to know him, with his Daddy.

One thing I noticed right away is that nursing was painful, like it was with Brother Bear. I figured that was par for the course, until I met with 3 different lactation consultants who advised I have him checked for tongue tie. It was quite a process to convince his pediatrician that this needed to be checked, but in the end, at 5 months, we had his tongue and lip ties revised (and he was also double-buccal tied, too). So, getting this little Bear to grow was surely a challenge at first. Thank goodness for the support of family & friends.

He tended to take after Sister Bear in terms of growth and development, beating milestones by a long shot! He walked at 9 months, and hasn't slowed down since.

So, fast-forward, August 2018 -- Little Man turned 1! It's mind boggling! We've been through so much since he arrived here. He absolutely loves to love, and just wants to be with Brother & Sister Bear. He's determined to keep up with them, too! His cake smash was an adventure - he didn't want to smash or play in it, so I ended up knocking it over & "showing him" how to eat the icing. It wasn't until our brilliant photographer introduced the Barrel of Monkeys, that he paid any attention to it at all. Good thing we have a very patient photographer (friend)!!

Christmas time was such a hoot with this new addition! We got to ride on the Polar Express, and just enjoy the season in so many ways. We had our Christmas Card pictures taken, and it was a blast.

Now, we'll scoot forward just a little bit again! He's currently 21-months old, and we are working with him on catching up a mild speech delay (he takes after Brother Bear in this regard). We just got home from our first family vacation in 4-years, and we had a blast at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure! Baby Bear ran along side Brother & Sister, and enjoyed every bit that he could participate in! He was especially enamored with Iridessa and Snow White, and desperately wanted to throw webs like Spider-Man. His favorite rides were the Tea Cups, Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters, and Jessie's Critter Carousel.