First Sunday Mass

Little Michael attended his first Sunday Mass and he did spectacularly!! He stayed in his car seat for a few minutes, then started to stir, and Michael picked him up and held him the rest of the Mass. Michael Jr. didn't make a peep and just crashed out on Daddy's shoulder the entire time. It was awesome!

I was so concerned about having to nurse him in the middle of Mass. No doubt something I'll have to deal with at one time or another, but at least not this time. I fed him an hour before Mass, a pretty decent sized feeding, and fortunately, that seemed to satisfy him until we returned home.

We had a late night last night, so going to a morning Mass wasn't really on the table. In fact, it worked out really well that way because we wanted to limit little Michael's exposure to people as much as possible this early on in his development...and having lots of people come up to see him because we attended a Mass where we knew lots of people wasn't a desirable option. However, going to a Mass we never go to, 5pm on Sunday, we could largely avoid that issue.

We decided to go straight to the Mother's Chapel, largely because I was worried about needing to feed him in the middle of Mass and wanting as small a crowd around us as possible if that were the case.

However, this was probably a mistake and likely the last time we sit in the Mother's Chapel again. Of course, we will probably go to the Mother's Chapel on occasion when he is being fussy, or as he gets older, needs to be less of a distraction to others, but we will probably never again make this our first choice, for several reasons:

1) The sounds system is not very good. We had a terrible time hearing what was going on. Not just because of the noise in the chapel, but also because the sound system was not loud enough. The readings were lost upon us, we had to strain to hear anything the priest said, and when the cantor didn't sing directly into the microphone because it was the congregations's turn to respond or sing, we couldn't hear anything! And of course, no one was singing or responding in the Mother's Chapel except for my mom, Michael and me, and for a person with a less-than-stellar voice, I don't want to sing a solo everytime we are supposed to sing.

2) There are two parts to the Mother's Chapel at Good Shepherd. The part that sort of jets out into the sanctuary area, and then a back part with toys, tables, chairs and a little TV that "broadcasts" Mass for those who are in that little room. In theory, a good idea, so there is a "quiet" Mother's Chapel, and then a not so quiet one for really loud children.

However, they may as well call that little room the Romper Room because it is nothing like a room in a Church at all!! Kids are SCREAMING, playing, yelling, and parents are just letting it happen. There is no effort on behalf of anyone in the Romper Room to keep a prayerful atmosphere. I mean, great you are going to Mass, and it's nice that at least they can watch what is going on in Mass through the TV, but it's basically just an excuse to let the kids run wild and play, and not try to encourage them to pay any attention at all. And most of the parents in that room seem content to just sit there while their kids treat it like a playground!

The worst part about it is, that the "quiet" part of the Mother's Chapel (and it actually was pretty quiet) was that it was separated from the Romper Room by a thin wall, which did not keep any noise out, and a door that everyone just kept open all the time. On several occasions, Michael went over to close the door, and the parents inside seemed apathetic to do their part to keep the noise contained. Finally, Michael walked over and said somewhat forcefully to the man sitting right next to the door, "This door needs to stay closed!" There seemed to be less of a problem after that. But it still didn't contain the noise going on inside.

With a few exceptions, almost all the parents in the quiet part of the Mother's Chapel were attentive, and tried to have their children as quiet as possible. There was one or two that let their kids play with a loud toy or jump on the chairs, but by and large, everyone seemed to putting forth an effort to focus on Mass. It was way better than I expected in that regard. I expected the whole room to be like a circus.

Don't get me wrong, I am just beginning this whole parenting thing, and I have no pretensions that Michael will always be an angel. But there is a difference between kids being a little rambunctious and parents trying to corral them to some form of behavior...and parents who just let the misbehavior go unchecked. The problem isn't that kids are loud and make noise, it is just frustrating when the parents don't seem to bothered by it. Not only for the sake of teaching children good Mass behavior, but also for the sake of other people trying to participate in Mass.

One thing we discussed on the way home was wanting to make sure Michael Jr is in a position to see other people practice good Mass behavior. If we constantly keep going to the Mother's Chapel, he will observe how other children behave and assume that is an OK standard. If we start out in the main sanctuary, and then go to the Mother's Chapel when it is necessary to not distract others, then we are limiting his exposure to the non-participation, and yelling and screaming of the Mother's Chapel, and encouraging him to want to behave like the general congregation.

I don't mean to be a snob. Again, I can't reiterate enough the fact that I know we will have our struggles. It's just part of forming his behavior. iThis experience was just a little illuminating for me, and makes me want to do whatever we can do to limit our time in there as much as possible. But not all of it is the fault of the parents who use the Chapel. Like I said, most of them really helped keep a quiet atmosphere. And I think more can be done to help encourage a quieter environment: 1) the sound system needs adjustment 2) the fact that there are no books or music to sing from 3) no one came in with a collection basket. It's almost like we weren't there! Maybe if there is a little more done to help make participation in Mass easier, it will encourage attentiveness and good behavior.

So, that was our Sunday Mass experience. The first of many! Thank the Lord this one went well!

A Visit from a few Aunties

Yesterday was an especially fun day for us...we got a special visit from some of Michael's sisters: Noree', Tracee, and Marita.....we had a blast!

They brought down some lunch, diapers, wipes, and PJs...and then got to indulge in a hefty dose of baby lovin'!

Little Michael was passed from one to the other to the other for several rounds (time was carefully kept so no one got short-changed) and he handled it very well. He loved being cuddled and kissed!

Here are a few pictures:

Tomorrow we go down to see Kathy and the kids so the cousins get to meet for the first time... I can't wait!! It seems like it has been forever since I've seen them...especially the three boys, and though being a mom is great, it doesn't make me miss my darling nephews any less!!

Thanks so much for coming down....we loved seeing you!!

Visit with Fr. Michael

On Wednesday, Michael Jr. had his first non-family vistor: Fr. Michael.

Michael Jr. was on his very best behavior for our pastor, and was as calm as could be when he was being held.

Michael (Daddy Michael--I have to clarify because between Fr. Michael, Michael and Baby Michael, my mom and I were pretty outnumbered with people who celebrate their feast day on September 29th)...Michael reminded us of a beautiful and profound truth:

By virtue of his ministerial priesthood, and his ability to communicate the sacraments, which give Christians supernatural life and configure them more perfectly to Christ, priests are "fathers" to us in the real sense of the word "Father." In that regard, people like Fr. Peter and Fr. Michael are even more of a Father to Baby Michael than Daddy Michael is, because Michael gave natural to Baby Michael, but priests give supernatural, eternal life.

What a gift the priesthood is to us!! A great reminder to pray in thanksgiving for the men who have been called and live their calling faithfully.

Feeding Frenzy

Michael Jr. was born weighing a hefty 8lbs 11oz. However, all babies go through a weight-loss period where their weight drops dramatically after birth. This has to do with a loss of fluid from birth and their getting sustenance from their reserves while their mother's milk comes in.

However, not long after, their weight should start to increase steadily until they reach, once again, their birth weight, and ultimately surpass it.

Michael was weighed 3 days after birth and weighed only 8lbs, and the nurses were hinting at needing to keep a close eye on it, because while babies are suposed to lose weight, any more than losing 10% is cause for concern, and Michael was heading in the direction of losing that 10%

...Until Tuesday....

On Tuesday, Michael went to the doctor to check his weight and he weighed 8 lb 4oz...the doctor furrowed his brow a little and thought maybe there was some discrepancies between scales because 4 oz is a lot to gain in a 24 period of time...there must be some issues with the equipment (it was at this point I informed Dr. Delgado about my sister's and my long-standing theory about fat scales and thin scales in his office.)

So we made our appointment, somewhat skeptical that he was doing as well the scales indicated.

....Until Wednesday....

On the next day, we dutifully came in for our next appointment to weigh him again on the same scale. As we took off his clothes and diaper and put him on the scale, we were pretty surprised at the nurse's response.

"8 lbs, 9 ounces" she announced.

So he gained five ounces in less than 24 hours?! Yes...this is not a matter of "fat scales" or any equipment problem. This kid is just growing. I was proud of our growing little boy, who seemed to be able to eat a healthy, but normal amount and yet put on a surprising amount of weight quickly. Yes, he was eating a normal amount...

...Until Thursday...

At which point Michael Jr. went on a feeding frenzy. Feeding frenzy, I tell you, where, aside from a period of time after his Daddy got home when he was on his lap for a few hours, Michael Jr. was eating, and eating and eating and eating and eating.

He would feed for about 25-30 minutes, then get burped. Then get changed, then go back to eat. Then get burped, then get changed out of his outfit which he moistened with one type of substance or another..then eat more. Repeat cycle until the wee hours of the morning.

No. Seriously. The longest sretch of time he went without feeding was about 30 minutes.

Otherwise from 7:30 pm to 3 am, he just ate and burped and needed diaper changes.

So when he got on the scale today he weighed 8 lbs 14 oz...our little butterbal keeps growing big and healthy!

In honor of this, I decided to construct a little storyboard of the past 24 hours.

________________________________________________

"Hey you!"

"Yeah...I'm talking to you!"
"Listen! I'm starving here!"

"I need you to do sumthin' about it! I'm hungry!"

"I'm not talking about a baby-size hunger."

"Or a medium-size hunger"

"Or even a large-size hunger"

"But a HUGE hunger."

"So what are you going to do about it, eh?"

"Wait...now here comes Daddy. Can he help me?"

"See, Daddy, I need to eat...you know...the stuff that goes in your mouth? Yeah, that's right...in your mouth."

"I need it to grow up big. So I can flex my muscles like this...."

"....and like that."

"You gettin' all this?"

"Now, can you please go get mommy? She's over there."

"Thank you!!"

Tummy Time

Here is Michael Jrs first go at Tummy Time, which he needs to do to build up leg and neck muscles. It made him a little mad, but even when mad, the little grub is sure cute!!

Also, I uploaded more pictures on Flickr.

And here's just one more video for your enjoyment.

More Pictures

I am quickly becoming one of those people who take a gazillion photos of their baby....and most of them look the same. Well, I hate to apologize, because I firmly intend to keep doing it...

Here is a website where I have been uploading them. If you feel like browsing, help yourself....but you've been warned!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/barberpics/

Time at the Hospital

Well, we are home from the hospital...we got home yesterday evening, and it is sure nice to be here and beginning our life as a family the way life is going to be like, not just life in the hospital with people coming in and out all the time.

Everyone at the hospital was absolutely great. The doctors, the nurses, and even the food wasn't half bad!

Here is a little glimpse of our time there.

First:

The bed, or as I call it "the Nest"

It is where I spent nearly all the time. I had to keep piling pillows to prop up the baby to nurse them, and the pillows kept losing their "spring" so much that I needed to keep getting more and more. The problem is that after a C-section, a simple task like organizing pillows and sitting up in the right position to feed the baby is a huge one!

I was so happy to leave my little nest. While it was nice to have a bed that adjusts and has railings, there is nothing quite like being able to leave the place where you are confined.

Second:

A snuggly baby who loves to be near people.

Much like his father, we predict baby Michael will be highly sociable and great with people. Michael does not like to be alone, and just wants to be near people. He wants to snuggle, he likes to cuddle, and he likes to be kissed and hugged. In fact, as endearing as these qualities are, it becomes a little bit of an obstacle when it comes time to getting the baby to sleep. He likes being around people so much, he doesn't like to be alone in his bassinet!

So in order to calm a crying little baby, Michael and I just keep him with us when all his other needs of changing and feeding are satisfied but he just won't sleep...we hold him as much as we can. Even it just means having him next to us, he is more content that way than to be alone in his crib.

Here is a picture of me and my buddy next to me in the bed.

Third:

His amazing Daddy.

Michael is one amazing man. From his constant care and coaching and prayer in labor, to his round the clock attention in recovery, Michael has shown us so much love and care. He really is the "priest" of the family...laying his life as a sacrifice for those under his care. He never complained, never slacked off, never made an excuse, was ever short-tempered..just steadfast and attentive.

In return for his care and love, Little Michael has bestowed on his daddy the coveted "Favorite Person" award. No one can calm the baby like Michael. No one can more quickly turn a cry into quiet. No one can capture his attention, no one get him to make cute faces like his daddy.

The only time I have anything close to him is when the baby is hungry: an unfair advantage I have as the materfamilias.

Having a baby has multiplied love in our home in unexpected ways: First, of course having a new person to love, and be loved by. But in addition to that, the love that has multiplied between me and Michael is so profound. From pregnancy to labor and delivery to recovery to home...our love and marriage has been so blessed in countless ways by God's grace of our baby.

So, these are just some reflections onour life for the past few days.