One Month of Mommy

We are writing on location today from Jersey Village where the Hong family post-Ike evacuation continues. We are happy to report that our home made it through the hurricane without any damage, just a yard chock-full of debris. Electricity is being restored to Houston homes daily, and we're hoping to have the lights on in our own home sometime this week. Since our last post, we've enjoyed the company of lots of family at the Ranch and at Jenn's Grandparents' home in Jersey Village. Jonathan has LOVED napping in the arms of his grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, and uncles. So much so that he's been on a crib-strike for most of this week -- "Why sleep in the pack-N-play when there's always someone I can convince to hold me?" We both enjoyed the unexpected time with family, making fajitas with cousins Molly & Matt, hanging out with Daniel & Kimie, and getting to visit with Heather, who actually drove South into Ike to join in the hurricane-evacuation bonding. Huge thanks to Jenn's Mom for all her help through the trip and cleaning-up post-Ike.

Other highlights of the past week:
* Jonathan has come to love baths. Now that he gets to sit in the warm water they seem to be a highlight of the day.
* He's also come to enjoy car rides (at least those lasting less than 2 hours) -- thank Goodness! They're a pretty reliable way to get a nap in.
* "Milk Drunk" is Jonathan's dazed-but-content expression that lasts about 20 minutes after each feed. A full baby is a happy baby!
* He smiles and laughs more and more each day, and it just melts our hearts. You can't hold a grudge about his 4am protests against the crib (or any still or flat surface) when he looks right in your eyes and breaks out one of those whole-face smiles.
* Yummy Thanksgiving-Evacuation feast at the ranch! With the Turkey rescued from Aunt Audrey's freezer we put together a whole Thanksgiving style feast, complete with stuffing and cranberry sauce, while waiting out the hurricane -- a yummy way to forget Ike for a few hours!

One month into mommyhood, I pause to reflect on some the lessons learned:
A baby can create his own weight in dirty diapers, daily
OxyClean can get anything out of a onesie
The Itsy Bitsy Spider makes for an alright two-step
Jonathan loves dancing in the living room
Jennifer's not the only night-owl in the family, anymore
There's nothing as cute as watching David coo over and play with Jonathan. He was born to be a Dad.
The only person hungrier than a pregnant Mom is a nursing Mom
Jonathan's smile takes over his whole face in one of the happiest expressions I've seen. We've yet to catch it on film, but it's truly the cutest thing you've ever seen.
Few things smell as sweet as a just bathed baby.
The Pacifier... perfectly named.

A quick tribute to Pepper... Our wonderful puppy was the star of the blog and the spoiled only child in the Hong family until last month and has gone largely unmentioned since. We should take a moment to note he's been absolutely wonderful and gentle with Jonathan, getting up to sit at my feet for late-night nursing and keeping a close eye on any visitors holding the baby.

In closing, this contribution from David, "I'm convinced our baby is the cutest baby that I've ever seen. And I'm objective, 'cause I'm male."


Playing with Aunt Kimie


First visit with Jenn's Nana


Napping in the arms of a sleepy Mommy


Daniel & Kimie at the Evacuation Thanksgiving dinner


Cuddling with Nana


Jenn's Mom with Aunt Edyth and cousin Mary Alice in front of the prayer quilt they made Mom during her cancer treatment in 2006. Thank God for loving family, and for 2 years cancer-free!