Do you know Gossie?

If you don't, you should so let me introduce you to her:
"This is Gossie. Gossie is a gosling. A small, yellow gosling who likes to wear bright red boots - everyday."

Yes, sadly, as many of you can do with your own kids' books, I am reciting that from memory. Well, this week, I am learning that reading to West is paying off. Now, he asks for Gossie by name. "What book do you want to read?" And the answer is either "cows," which is a sing along book by Sandra Boynton, my absolute favorite children's author or "gossie." He loves to read. I can't read to him enough. His toys get old, but his books are his constant friends. I wonder where he gets that?? Lisa introduced us to Gossie and I thought I'd pay it forward.
This is Weston's "Read to me, Clown!" face.



A sidenote: Doug and I are crazy bored here at the hospital. Weston's diarrhea is decreasing and his personality is coming back and he has learned many new words including, but not limited to: crunchy, gossie, puppy, rock, aimee, poopy, etc. And trust me, "aimee" and "poopy" were not learned together. So in my boredom, I found myself wishing and hoping you all would update your blogs in the next few minutes so that I might have something to look at. Willing you to do so was not working, so I began reminiscing on my own blog and discovered a few things. Many of you keep your blog for journal purposes. Being a writer however, I actually do keep a journal separate from this. As I've reread a few entries, I made myself laugh and cry sometimes within the same post. I have been very detailed in what has gone on and left the more personal side for my journal. I've realized, though, between the two, my children may someday have an even fuller account of my life than I intended. I think blogs are so fun and it is amazing to look back at all the things we've been through and to have friends and family that you may have lost touch with experience these things with you. Even though I tend to lean toward the more sporadic end of the spectrum when it comes to frequency in blogging, I remain a fan. If Amber is reading this, maybe she can post the site she used for everyone to create her blog book. It looked amazing.

I am so grateful for my family and close friends who called and brought things to me for my birthday and have been so willing to help. An example is that Lisa, Grandma Joni, my mom and dad all came out last year with the sole purpose of helping me. This year, Aimee hopped on a plane without any prompting and we were incredibly bored upon her absence. Thanks Aimee for coming out to help and for the Flemings' birthday dinner!
I call this "Aimee in the bathroom" by Doug Mausser. I wasn't on the ball enough to get a picture of Aimee with Weston this visit. Here is Aimee with a teeny, tiny, yellow Weston at 6 weeks old. Weston just loved Aimee and so do we. Thanks again Aimee Lou!










Bathtime

"Bath" is one of those four letter words we have to spell in front of our son so he doesn't immediately go to the bathroom and want to get in with his clothes on. I have discovered that baths are much more fun with Daddy than they are with Mama and I'm okay with that. Maybe this is why, I'm sorry I don't nail you in the head with your bouncy Tigger ball, Weston. I'm sorry I'm trying to save your brain cells, not kill them. I love his face waiting with anticipation.


And lastly, my little bug and me. If we look exhausted, it's because we are. Weston likes fuzzy blankets and stuffed animals, but when we get to the hospital, he asks for them constantly as a reminder of home, I suppose. He woke up once during this nap and said, "Bear." Then he put his head down again, fast asleep. I also asked him a question, yesterday and his response was so endearing. I was standing right in front of him as he sat in his crib. I said, "Who is your mom, Weston?" He put his pointer finger into my chest and said, "Mom," with a puzzled look as to why I was asking. I just smiled in response and he leaned forward and poked me again. He tilted his head back, smiling, and said, "Mama." What a doll, huh? I guess this week, I remain increasingly grateful for all the blessings in my life.