on leaving Warren Towers

We've enjoyed our years in Warren Towers and are so thankful for being able to have lived here.

As I lay in bed last night, I composed the following list in my head.

What we'll miss:

• Living in the heart of the city
• our spectacular view of downtown, the Charles river, BU castle
• hearing Red Sox games from our open window
• walking: on the Charles river, in Brookline, to the Commons and Public Garden
• able to walk to: restaurants, grocery stores
• rent-free living!
• David's 4 minute walk/commute to his lab
• living directly above a Starbucks
• knowing I'm moments away from BUPD or security
• public transportation
• BU taking such good care of us
• the street being plowed as it is snowing
• people
• meeting David for lunch
• David's free meals

What we won't miss:

• Commonwealth Avenue construction
• David being on-call
• listening to the T at night (and the conductors yelling at everyone to move on back)
• constant noise (sirens, college students, traffic, horns, snow plows, elevator, upstairs, the girl with the clacking heels who came home each night around 2 am...)
• Red Sox traffic
• living with 1800 (mostly) freshmen
• cinderblock walls
• how long it takes to get anywhere
• fumes, exaust
• fire drills (and alarms from burnt popcorn)
• sharing a laundry room with high school and freshmen boys
• the dilemma of summer: windows closed= too hot and stifling, windows open= jackhammering and fumes from construction on T tracks below.
• the dilemma of winter: windows closed= overpowered by heat (and unable to control it). windows open= blown to bits by the icy wind
• going down 2 flights of stairs, down a hallway, through security, down 2 escalators, down the sidewalk, across the street and down an alley to get to our car (hoping we haven't forgotten anything!)
• Commonwealth Avenue wind tunnel

What we're looking forward to:

• the beach
• walking to the harbour, beach, Captain Dusty's ice cream, grocery, commuter rail
• quiet and beautiful neighborhood
• lots of space
• the ability to hang pictures
• a garden and a porch
• AC
• having space for a cozy couch
• laundry in-house
• our own parking spot
• having a Christmas tree
• lighting candles

Safari Goodbye Party for Emily and Phil

Our small group Bible Study has been our family here in Boston. This summer we had to say goodbye to Kyle & Alli and Emily & Phil... Earlier this summer we sent off Kyle and Alli to Singapore (thanks to God's perfect timing-- they were able to meet Elijah at the hospital the day before they left-- see picture!)

Last night we had a send-off goodbye party for Emily and Philip. As they are headed to teach in Kenya for two years, we chose a safari themed party, complete with Kenyan Volcano cake from Ruthie, and Kenyan inspired dishes. Of course, we had to dress the part!

These are special people... Friends we can call late at night and ask to crash at their place because the dorm has been evacuated, friends who will move us again and again, friends who pray for us, visit us in the hospital, come over at the last minute... We're going to miss these precious friends so much!

The 5 S's

Before Elijah was born, we watched a DVD called "The Happiest Baby on the Block" by Dr. Harvey Karp. We watched with our jaws open as he worked his magic on screaming baby after baby. He deftly flipped the blankets until they were swaddled like content little burritos, sighing in comfort... If that didn't work, he turned them on their sides, made a loud "shush" sound, swayed with them, or gave them something to suck.

So thankful for the "5 S's." We think of them as our tools: swaddle, shush, sway, side, suck... because yes, Elijah cries, too.

2 month doctor's visit

Elijah had his two month doctor's visit on Tuesday. I dressed him in a little sweater and khakis, and he wore tiny shoes for the first time. He smiled at his sweet doctor, showing her how well he could kick and lift his head. He charmed the nurses with his cooing. He weighed in at 12 lb exactly, and was 24 inches long!

Unfortunately, poor Elijah needed vaccinations at this visit, and wailed when he received the shots. All the way to the car he kept his eyes wide, fixed right at me with a trembling, protruding lower lip. By the time he was in his carseat, he was asleep. Then I started crying! I kept picturing today's long needle going into his little legs, and remembered how it felt to see him in the NICU with a huge IV stuck in his tiny hand, hearing the awful, rasping, soundless cry he made with the breathing tube down his throat. It's hard to do the right thing when that means watching your little one be hurt!

Little Eli snuggled with me that evening as David had to work late, then slept it off, waking the next morning his usual cheerful, smiling self.

Itzbeen how long?

We have been amazed at the number of "must haves" there are for baby care. Some we agree with, others make us laugh. Our top pick, however, is the Itzbeen Baby Care timer. It has separate timers telling you how long "it's been" since Baby has eaten, had a diaper change, slept/been awake, with a fourth "extra" timer for anything you choose. (Picture from http://www.itzbeen.com/)

When Elijah's weight dropped very low, we had to feed him every 3 hours around the clock. Our sleepy little boy would have rather slept through all of his feedings, but the timer's alarm alerted us to when he needed to eat. In my fog of sleeplessness and post-partum hormones, I could not remember when I had last fed him. Often I woke up in the night convinced that Elijah needed to eat, and upon looking at the Itzbeen, saw only 45 minutes had passed!

We also were thankful for the Itzbeen when we watched the time between wet diapers grow to an alarmingly long time, and realized that Elijah was dehydrated and needed help.

The Itzbeen also helped us notice trends. Elijah starts fussing about 1 hour 30 minutes (almost to the minute) after the start of his feeding. Previously we thought he must still be hungry, but as we saw this trend, wondered if he might just be ready for a nap. Sure enough! He didn't need more food-- he was just tired!

So, yes, the Itzbeen is just a gadget, but it's one we'll be giving at every baby shower we attend! David wants to design an upgrade-- some sort of digital output plotting... We'll keep you updated! :o)

(see Elijah displaying the Itzbeen timer clipped to his carseat as he snoozes in the Boston Public Gardens.)

Communication

Five or so years ago, David and his brothers went to Malaysia and Singapore to play basketball and to share their faith. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While they were gone, I went to LA to be with my sister-in-law and two adorable nephews (see picture of them from that time!) When Johanna left for a conference, I got to spend a few days watching Sam and Dave. I loved the time I spent with them, though I knew they would never remember it! One of my most precious memories of the time was picking up Hank in the car after his trip. Sam was so happy to have his daddy back. He looked Hank straight in the eye, in an effort to have some communication with his father, spoke the only words he knew, "Car! Foot! Ball!" while pointing to each one. I thought it was remarkable that with his limited vocabulary, he was doing his best to express to his father how much he loved and missed him.

This morning I walked into the kitchen to see Elijah laying on the counter, spread out on a kitchen towel, eyes fixed on David, grinning and cooing with all his repertoire of sounds. I loved watching him communicate with his daddy. He didn't have words, only sounds, but he clearly knew he was communicating, and David clearly understood.

Big Decisions... Made!

God is so good! We've been praying about our "next step" for so long, and this week He tied together the loose ends.

We've decided:

David is going to accept the post-doctorate position at Hanscom Air Force Base just outside of Boston. He'll be working on science instruments and satellite development as a civilian researcher. He is working hard on his dissertation, and will start there when he is finished-- either September or October. We're praying for a seamless transition with him starting September 1st.

Jamie will be teaching part-time at her school as the Bible teacher. She has the freedom to design or choose her own curriculum, and is excited to have what seems to be the best of both worlds. Jamie also plans on writing some children's stories, with the goal of publishing a few.

Elijah will have 2 days a week at the on-site nursery Jamie's school provides-- a little playgroup for him! He'll also enjoy being with his mom the rest of the week.

We will be moving to the beach! We'll be renting a little townhouse, for a fantastic price, just a 20 minute (leisurely stroller) walk from our favorite beach. We were just hoping to find a 2 bedroom apartment we could afford, but God gave us this place, far better than we'd dreamed, for less than we'd budgeted! It has parking spaces, washer/drier hook-ups, a garden, front and back porch (shared with 2 other townhouses), white walls with exposed rough-hewn beams, and a perfect location (there's a train stop in walking distance!) And yes, those are lobster traps by the house!

After checking out the place, we spent the day at the beach-- another 1st for Elijah. He laid on the blanket under the umbrella, slathered with sunscreen, just cooing and smiling at the sky and sand. David dipped Elijah's feet into the water for his first experience of cold Atlantic Ocean, and Elijah looked surprised, but didn't seem to mind.

We set up his little suntent and Elijah napped quite comfortably, shielded from sun and sand (as well as any pesky seagulls.) We think he might become our little beach boy!

Big Decisions

Elijah is 2 months old!

David and I have some major decisions ahead of us. We move out of our dorm apartment on August 1st, and so are looking for housing. We'd love to have a 2 bedroom apartment with laundry, a parking spot, near to public transportation and places to walk. David is fairly certain that he will accept a post-doctorate in the Boston area. He is working hard on writing his dissertation and finishing his research.

I am enjoying my summer being with Elijah, and love being a mom. This week I need to make a decision about my returning to teach in the fall, and am considering some part-time options there. I love staying with Elijah, and hope to pursue some writing as well.

We'd appreciate your prayers!

Meeting Family

The Jennings and Voss family reunions lined up perfectly this year in back-to-back weekends, so David and I took our 6 week old son on his first airplane ride to the midwest to meet his family. The trip was an adventure-- crazy and stressful at times, but so special and significant as we introduced our wonderful family to our son.

1st airplane ride Elijah slept snugly in his Moby Wrap for most of the flights. He had no trouble with the take-offs or landings, though the first night in Illinois, did seem like the pressure might have bothered him. Airline regulation required that we take the baby out of his carrier for take-off and landings and hold him on our laps, and as I bounced Elijah on my knee, David and I laughed that this was considered safer than having him securely strapped to my chest in his carrier!

Jennings Family Reunion The moment we pulled up at Shallowbrook Farms, where the Jennings family holds their annual reunion, Elijah was wisked away in his stroller by his Oma and Nana. When I caught up to them, the stroller was empty, and Elijah was being held by his great-grandmother.

My brother Jeremy got to hold Elijah for the first time; quite the natural at being an uncle! Elijah had learned to smile the day before, and practiced on his relatives.

My Uncle Larry said to me "I got you to stop crying as a baby when even your Nana couldn't. I'll bet I can do the same to Elijah!" Sure enough, when a very sleepy Eli couldn't stop crying, Uncle Larry scooped him up, walked and talked with him, and worked his magic in minutes! After being passed around by loving relatives for a couple days, Elijah was beginning to be disoriented and concerned. When I took him back, he let out a little sigh, snuggled in, then turned to coo happily at his Nana and cousins from my arms. I was so touched that he "claimed" me as his mom for the first time.

The gorgeous countryside was so quiet and peaceful. David and I drank in the stillness, but little city-boy Eli couldn't get to sleep until we manufactured some noise for him! We enjoyed watching the horses play in the fields, watching sunsets and windmills, and a good midwestern storm. We swam in the pool, played tennis and basketball, and watched family home-movies.

After the Jennings reunion, we went to the Ottens for a few days, enjoyed walks and leisurely breakfasts in the garden deck of the Ottens. We played "Ticket to Ride" and reminisced. Good friends threw us a "Sip and See" where Elijah received more loving, cute outfits and some BumGenius diapers.

We took a roadtrip up to meet the Vosses at a lakehouse in Michigan, and enjoyed walking along Lake Michgan's shore. David and I loved introducing our little boy to David's parents and siblings.

Voss Family Reunion "Heritage Days" The Vosses have their annual reunion on the 4th of July at a farm in southern Illinios. Some highlights were a groundbreaking to a new Christian radio station that David's grandfather started, the world's biggest rainy day slip-n-slide, lots of food, a picnic by a lake... The girls (plus Elijah and 2 of his little boy cousins) had a wedding shower for Abigail, and a baby shower for cousin Erin and me. We were so blessed by the generosity of our family, and felt very loved! The boys spent the rainy morning playing cards using fruit loops, sunflower seeds and marbles for playing pieces!

Elijah snuggled into his 90 year old great-grandmother's arms and charmed her by falling right asleep. After 9 children, 36 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, she certainly has the touch! He also enjoyed being passed around by his many uncles, aunts, cousins... One highlight was meeting Samuel, David, Renee and Isaiah, his first cousins. They smothered him with love and kisses, and took turns holding him. Renee was especially concerned that Elijah wouldn't want to wear his socks, and pulled them off of his feet any time she saw them on.

It was a busy and crazy trip, though so special. It made us appreciate our families so much.

a big 6 weeks!

Elijah's 6th week of life was one of amazing development for him!
He learned to:

1. Smile (just in time to charm his great-grandmas, grandparents and cousins at the family reunions.)

2. Make eye contact It is the most amazing feeling in the world to have your baby look up at you (instead of past you at the white wall or the light!)

3. Coo We love hearing little noises from him other than crying. He puckers his little lips into an "o" shape and says "ooh, ooh!"

4. Nurse Elijah miraculously figured this out one night! Thank you, God! It has been 4 days now that he has not needed a bottle supplement after each feeding. I am so thankful for much more simplified feedings (half-an-hour instead of more than an hour!)

5. Sleep through the night with one feeding Though he's always been a good sleeper, Elijah now sleeps steadily through the night, generally waking up only once for feeding, then going right back to sleep. How wonderful!