Hands Full, Heart Overflowing
We’ve been home for a week now together as a family, and we are really enjoying Shepherd. I haven’t been online in several days (which is why you’re only seeing my auto-posted theological long essays rolling out!); nonetheless it has been really great for me to rest, spend time with God, and just focus on being Mommy.
Shepherd is getting so big (well, bigger)! God has given me so much grace and peace at home with the kids, and our time has been so sweet when Eric comes home. We haven’t spent much time outside in the last several days, but it has been so hot that I don’t feel like we are missing much. He enjoyed his first bath yesterday in the Tummy Tub, swimming around and floating in the bubbles. Meredith wanted to get in with him so badly, and I had to convince her that she would have more fun in the big bathtub where there was more room! She melted down anyway. 
All of our children have enjoyed the Tummy Tub; posting Shepherd’s picture in it reminds me of the earliest photos I posted on my blog! Memories…
I have several friends who have been sending Shepherd some sweet handmade gifts. Since they have online stores, you know I’m going to start raving and plugging! Heather, a close friend from church, makes adorable baby blankets and accessories. It was so funny; a few days before Shepherd was born I ordered the small “groovy guitar” minky blanket for him, and Heather emailed me with “Aw! I was going to make that anyway for Shepherd! Now I’ll have to make something else!” So she came to visit after his birth with a onesie and burp cloth to match. I love them! Heather’s stuff is so fun and well made. As if he wasn’t decked out enough, last week a couple at church sent home the large groovy guitar blanket for Shepherd, and Eric chuckled, “Who do you think they ordered this from?!” So we are completely stocked with Heather’s groovy guitar line now!
My friend Kristie (blog here) also has an online store called Kute Knits selling her adorable knit baby items. I love it when Kristie makes something for our family because she is a dear friend, and I can totally picture her smiling in her chair, knitting every stitch with love. Her blankets and hats are top quality, and she uses the softest yarn! Shepherd is so cute in the hat and blanket Kristie made for him, don’t you think? Thanks, Kristie!
Another friend, Kate, knitted (or crocheted?) a beautiful, warm blanket for Shepherd. She hasn’t had the chance to see him snuggle up in it since she is in Europe right now, but it is so adorable. Since Shepherd loves to be warm and swaddled, this blanket is so perfect for the swing, bed, and car! I love the blues, too, since they are my high school colors! I know it will be a favorite. Kate doesn’t have a store yet, but she is going to sell some of her knits through Palmetto Handmade.
Behind Kate’s blanket is the soft, white blanket my grandmother made for Shepherd before he was born. He can be seen wrapped up in it several times per day! She has made all of the great-grandkids these heirloom blankets, and Shepherd’s is so snuggly and comfortable. I doubt my grandma will open an online store, but maybe I can talk her into it!
Well, I guess that’s it for Shepherd’s Fashion Show. I am cherishing these newborn days. I thank God that Shepherd is such a calm baby who doesn’t fuss much. I guess He knew how much we would need this with baby #4! Of course my theory is fat babies are happier babies. Ha! (Yes, I am calling him fat with no qualms; I was a fat baby, too, with lots and lots of sweet chubby rolls. I was so fat that my father said they always ordered 5X7 and larger photos because I didn’t fit into the wallet size!) Mean! Mean! (haha)
Oh, speaking of chubbiness, hats off to my sister-in-law Amanda who won the “Verse Purse” for guessing the closest for Shepherd’s Birth Game! — update: I just reread this sentence and realize how silly it sounds! I didn’t mean my sister-in-law is chubby - just the birth weight! haha!
Yall are such a precious family. SOOOO blessed you are!!! Those tummy tubs are a genious idea.. You can see the calmness on their faces~ Amazing.. Wish I had been the one who invented that!
Love yall,
oh so sweet. and look at all the precious gifts people have made for you. don’t you worry, shepherd, one day, miss emily will make you a big batch of brownies!!
kristi, he looks so old in the tummy tub. he will not last long in that huh?!
two weeks and counting! i can’t wait!
Wow! He looks so much like our Lydia Kate:) We’ll have to make the same picture with Papa and the Skippy peanut butter! Of course, he can’t wear the blue dress! Ha!
Hey… What a beautiful family - love the picture at the top and all the glamour shots of Shepherd already posing for his picture. MMM…. I wonder if he already knew his mommy would blog about him and prepared himself in the womb for 1,000,000,000 pictures!
What great homemade gifts you have received too!!! Beautiful blankets! I may have to check those websites out and order some for this winter weather coming around the corner! Take Care and enjoy your days!
Ok. Kristi. Ha Ha. That chubbiness is a trait he picked up from his aunt Amanda. remember I was over 10 pounds at birth too. There is still a little chubbiness in me, but you didn’t have to make it pulic. LOL He looks like he has grown a few more pounds since I saaw him a week ago. He is so sweet. Tell them all I love them and give them big hugs and kisses from me.
Oh he’s getting soooo big! I love big, fat, rolly-polly boys! And I have no idea how I’m really supposed to spell roly-poly….it just doesn’t look right…roley-poley?
:o)
Oh, little Shepherd is so adorable! I love the family picture! He did such a great job on his first photo shoot! I hope that you are feeling well and that Lydia, Stephen and Meredith are enjoying their new baby brother!
Shepherd is so cute. Glad to hear he made a safe arrival!
I enjoyed his fashion show. Your friends’ creativity is very inspiring.
Love,
Cassie
Kristi,
Golly Shepherd is beautiful! I haven’t heard from you in ages but no worries. I’ve actually been blogging this month. Please send me your e-mail address. We lost our address book!!! Love you, Cara
I cannot believe tummy tubs are going around for those that don’t notice the dangers of using them? I would find it hard to hold my child up in it…without trying to reach for a towel and my hands are too wet to even hold my baby up? I think you got a nice page but think about it…tummy tubs are just another way of suckering people into spending money right? like why not get a large mixing bowl? haha.
Hi “i hate…” -
Have you used a tummy tub? They are quite fantastic actually. I have enjoyed using the tummy tub for 3 of my children while they were small, even from the age of 2 days. “Tummy tubs are just another way of suckering people into spending money, right? like why not get a large mixing bowl?” Well, I suppose the money point is relative, especially if you consider how much you might spend finding a good infant tub. I know people who have spent over $50 over the last 3-5 years trying to find good ones. My tummy tub was actually free (a gift), but point aside, you cannot use a mixing bowl or “mop bucket” because it really is designed with a special gripped bottom and sides for positioning the baby.
I don’t feel that my babies are unsafe because I am right there holding their heads up in the tub. I am not sure I would label bath tubs a “safe” environment for children anyway; there is so much that could go wrong! You always need to be right there with an infant around water! So - all that to say: it is really more about personal preference. I am not a “tummy tub” evangelist. I would much rather sell you on the joys of trusting Jesus Christ than argue about a bath tub for babies!
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