Grown by leaps and bounds since last month.  Curious to see just how much at the next well-care visit.

Smiles, laughs, gurgles, coos, squeals, blows bubbles, and growls.

Rolls over in both directions but doesn't particularly care for being on his tummy (reflux).    Starting to rear up which means we have to watch him closely in his swing to keep him from tumbling out.  (Our swinging days are numbered.) 

Grasping toys and bringing them to mouth.  Favorite toys for now is linky doos and the little puppy in the picture below. 

Doesn't mind big sisters "posing" him for pictures (see above). 

The pacifier has utterly been rejected.  Didn't take to thumb sucking either. 

Sleeping is improving but still has mom and dad pulling all-nighters from time to time.  Note:  Mom and Dad are too old for all-nighters. 

His siblings still fuss over whose turn to hold him.  He is all smiles and chuckles for them. 

He has discovered his toes but just can't seem to get them to his mouth.  Yet. 

Loving those little baby legs with lots of rolls.  Can't get enough neck kisses.  And that toothless grin will brighten even the worst grouch's day. 

I recently read about a mother who enacted the "3 for 1" rule.  Each time one of her children said something negative about a sibling, they had to say "three nice for one bad".  I LOVE THIS! 

I love it so much that we adopted the rule.  I have found it to be a great way to restore harmony in the family.  When you have to think of three nice things about someone, it is easier to forget or overlook the one bad.  Acting in anger never sovles a problem.  Acting with love is always the solution. 

(Josiah loves bath time!)

(Tree climbing sisters.)

(Judah hiding from the camera.)

Still captivated. 

Last Sunday, we  stood before our church and the Lord. 

Our dear friend, Herb Houston prayerfully/powerfully spoke over our family and our baby.

We're committed to bringing our children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). 

Thanks Herb!  And thanks Ralf (our videographer)! 

Weight - 12lbs 9-1/2 oz

Length - 24 inches

Just like big sister Gracie, he smiles so big his eyes close to make room for it. 

Diaper changes are a great time to strrrrrr-etch.  He really enjoys his stretches.  Every little bit. Oh how I love that.

Baths are a happy time.  Naked is a happy time. 

I think I'm getting soft in my "old age" because all of our babies slept through the night by now.  Not Josiah.  Every 2 hours.  Day and night.  

If I wasn't nursing a baby, I'd just have some caffeine and get on with the day.  I think that might be the worst part.  Lack of sleep and no caffeine.

Things I cherish:  the feel of his peach fuzz head against my cheek, the sweet baby smell, and the sound of his little squeaks and coos.

Josiah is settling into life on the outside quite well.  We'll get through the sleep deprivation.  Eventually. 

His audience is completely captivated. 

Judah, Josiah, and I have been homebodies.  Only coming out to go to doctor appointments.

Judah is the homebodiest of all. He rivals me, and I'm legendary.

I'm amazed how having a baby makes me unable to do anything but eat Reeses Pieces and care for a newborn.  Sometimes brush my teeth, if I am lucky.  But really, I've been getting dressed on purpose this week.  It's good practice for when real life resumes. 

Speaking of real life, I've got my girls' basketball games to watch, homeschool to teach, responsibilities to attend to...

Judah and I will still be homebodies.  Just not weeks at a time. 

I  them!

And since his diet consists of "momma's milk," I'll take credit for them too. 

I woke up at 5:00am Saturday (New Year's Eve) with a sudden urge to read birth stories online.  Seriously.  It was like a craving.  So weird.  I found myself on the couch - googling.

By midmorning I was at the birthing center.  Things were moving along FAST and we expected a baby sometime that afternoon. 

(My husband tweeted, "No place I'd rather be on New Year's Eve!")

When afternoon came, we did not have a baby.  My labor stopped progressing.  I stayed "the same" for hours. By evening, my doctor was very concerned.  I was attempting a VBAC and baby's heart rate was starting to have sudden dips.  I've shared with y'all before that after three vaginal deliveries, my fourth baby was 10lbs 11oz, transverse, and born by c-section.  We suspect that I had undiagnosed gestational diabetes.  In this current pregnancy I had diagnosed gestational diabetes that was being controlled by diet.  After a powwow with my doctor, my family, and a time of prayer, late in the evening on New Year's Eve, we rushed into the operating room for a repeat c-section.  It was then we learned that the baby was occiput posterior (OP) position, the cord was wrapped around his neck, and he was big.  In the words of my doctor, "now we know why he wasn't coming." 

(The kiddos seeing him for the first time with cameras and camera phones in hand.)

Swallowed meconium, low apgar score, one severed uterine artery later and ...

He's here.  He's pink, hungry, healthy and well.  I'm recovering, savoring, and wondering how many days I can stay in my P.J.'s?

The joy of having a baby on New Year's Eve can only be expressed in two words: tax deduction.