Q: What kind of plant grows in Nebraska in January?
A: Plastic tulips, of course!
Jeremy and I took a walk during his lunch break last week on what had to be the warmest winter day in Nebraska ever. It was gorgeous outside. Jeremy spotted some blooms in on a corner lot and we had to investigate what kind of plant was blooming at this time of year. Hah! So now I’m both tickled and perplexed by the notion of a plastic plant gardener.
Photographic Evidence
There are moments in a mother’s life that she wishes to preserve for all eternity and today we experienced one. This, my friends, is what went down in my house: my child did the dishes. But wait, there’s more. She heard my brief lecture—something about not being able to play right now because there was junk all over the house and I had to put it all away first—and then responded by washing our dishes and scrubbing the sinks. Seriously. She did that without me asking! It was remarkable and precious and thoughtful and so helpful, so so helpful. While she was doing the dishes, I put toys away, dusted, wiped down surfaces, and took out the trash. Awesome.
**Lest you be tempted to look over at your kid who fought you tooth and nail today when you asked him to merely brush his own teeth, take a deep breath. Don’t compare. I realize that sharing good news invites comparisons. For instance, my awesome sister-in-law reports that my niece, age 5, is tying her shoes. My reaction was this: Am I supposed to teach my child to tie her shoes? Whoops! Today dishes, tomorrow shoes, I suppose. ;)
Shiloh Mugs for the Camera
When Shiloh is cute, I wish for another Coton. I imagine two white dogs running around the house, sleeping together in the dog beds and being generally adorable. But then I am forced to consider potty-training (ugh), the spaying/neutering process (double ugh) and pet bills times two (ouch) and for a moment I am content with the one pooch.
I tell you what, though. If another bestie of mine has a baby this week, I just might run to Heartland Classics and pick up a puppy. A woman’s gotta have something little to love!
Introducing Baby Clara
Clara Mei Morehead arrived, safe and sound, into the world yesterday morning! This baby is a dream. I am absolutely mesmerized by her chubby cheeks that softly roll against her little shoulders. I could trace her sweet round arms and legs all day—or at least until she cries and I hand her back to Jason or Renae. Before she was born I guessed she’d weigh around 7lb. Her brothers, who were born six and four weeks prematurely, were quite small, which makes sense. But boy oh boy was my guess off! Clara, full-term, was determined to skip the newborn clothing all together at 9lb, 5oz.
Congratulations, Renae and Jason, on your amazing and beautiful baby girl! You done good, friends.
Introducing Baby Joel
Though I didn’t cuddle this little guy last night (Jeremy and Livia were sick on Christmas Day), I did get to see him. And that was satisfaction enough.
Joel is absolutely adorable. And big! What a gorgeous 9lb baby! He was getting plenty of love from his grandma, aunts, cousins and Renae, so I know he wasn’t neglected whatsoever. Renae snuggled him right on top of her own very pregnant tummy, and I can’t help but wonder what it will be like to see Joel and little Clara (ETA: Friday morning!) running around the pews at Redeemer together.
In the face of Joel I see evidence of God’s goodness and graciousness and incredible joy. Thank you, God, for blessings like him that strengthen my faith and keep me turning to you in amazement.
December 25
Merry Christmas, everyone!
This year’s December Photo Project has been particularly fun for me. I leave the DPP with a final image of a photographer who is happy, tired, satisfied and deeply joyful as she celebrates this Christmas season.
Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
December 24
The story I have to tell is greater than three images and a few words in a blog post. But for now, these small markers will suffice for representing the larger story. At 1:00am Saturday I received a phone call where Brian Bradley’s voice said something like, “Let’s go, Tredway.” After that, my camera captured snapshots while one Maralee Bradley did the work of a lifetime. Seen above, she’s walking the hallways, smiling before all smiles vanished, and breathing deeply through a contraction.
This post lacks an ending. That beautiful reward a mama literally labors towards happened in a surgical room and, alas, only one person was allowed in. I was kind of hoping Brian would pass out at the last minute so I could dress in scrubs, but no such luck. ;)
The Facebook announcement reads, “For unto us a son is given! Joel Richard Bradley was delivered via C-Section on 12/24/11 at 5:11 pm after 14 hrs of hard labor. He is 9 lbs and 21 1/2 in long.”
I praise God for so much today! And when I finally hold that darling baby in my arms, you can bet I’ll photograph him.