Progress

 Little did I know even one month ago how much joy this little one would bring into our family.  The concern of how we were going to care for 5 children weighed heavy on me since the day we found out we were expecting.  The fact that Jacob takes so much of our time and energy made the realization of being a mother of 5 kids a daunting task!!  With so much thankfulness God knew perfectly what our family needed!  It was another child.  The children have been enjoying every day with their new brother.  The girls love being little mothers, and Caleb - well that's a whole other story!  He is super protective over his brother Jacob, and it's looking like that same protectiveness is appearing over his brother Aaron.  He wants his brother to walk soon :)  He asked us on the weekend, 'how many more weeks till Aaron is going to start smiling?' We replied 'hopefully in about three.'  Caleb quickly asked, 'then is he going to start walking?'  I love how his brain ticks :) 

 Jacob has been gone quite a bit since Aaron has been born, but when he's home he still gets plenty of attention!  Thankfully we've seen lots of smiles this past week, which makes everybody's day!  We see it more and more how Jacob loves having his siblings around.  It also seems like he's getting used to Aaron's crying.  At first, he really became agitated with the extra noise, but now he is getting adjusted to the new norm.  Thankfully Aaron is also getting used to his new surroundings and is crying much less :) 

 Jacob's spa day :)  Marije decided to try something new with great success.  He really seems to enjoy the sensory stimulation. 

 Talk about trying something new...  our therapists talked to me several months ago about trying Jacob in a stander.  In their mind, he was up to the challenge.  On Thursday it was brought into our home as a trial.  Little did we know how great he would do in it!!  He loves it.  We have to take it really slow, as his leg muscles have never been worked like this, but so far he's responded extremely positively.  The stander is great for Jacob's muscles, tone, bones, and so much more.  Every time we place him in the stander, we'll add another minute or so, and see how he does.  It seems like we're seeing progress :)

 The walls are now poured for the addition.  This week is stacking up to be a busy week with lots of work being planned on.  We've seen the need for the addition for a while, but with Jacob's new stander, we have to leave it by the main door, as we have no room to store it.  The addition is looking more beneficial all the time.  The extra room is going to be a welcome treat!! 

In South-Western Ontario, rain has been in abundance this summer!  Building the addition with 5 inches of water in 5 days has added plenty of excitement for the kids.  It doesn't matter how much water or mud is in the hole, Sheryl and Caleb will be found helping Paul do whatever needs to be done!  (They are far more eager to help Paul outside than to help clean up all the dirt/mud they bring in the house :)

New Additions

It sure has been a while since I sat down to formulate my thoughts about our on-going journey.   This post will be a rambling of my thoughts of late.   

Life has taken on an extra busyness since the addition of our little Aaron on Aug 22.  This little bundle has sure changed the dynamics of our house hold.  Unfortunately, in order to welcome Aaron into this world, I needed to have a last minute c-section.  This has come with an enormous strain, considering I am unable to pick Jacob up, hold him, change his diaper etc. for six weeks.  As a mother, this breaks my heart.  I try to tell myself that God has ALL things in His control and ALL things happen for a reason, but I’m stumbling on this one.   To see Jacob so upset and me unable to console him brings pain unimaginable.  Jacob has been somewhat off his norm since Aaron has been born.  We’re unsure of the reason.  When we put the two boys together, Jacob quite agreeably absorbs the new setting.  He seems to be very content and alert when Aaron is close by.  The messages we are receiving from Jacob seem to be mixed...

He is currently at respite, where he seems to be doing fine!  I'm so thankful that he is happy there.  Hopefully by the time he comes home next week Wednesday, Aaron is more predictable and maybe will not exercise his lungs quite so much :-/  Time will only tell what the future holds, but I'm quite certain the next 4'sh weeks will have stress unique to having a new-born and a special needs child in the house at the same time.  

We are excited to say that the addition has finally started.  Wow, what a lengthy process!!  The footings are poured and are ready for the walls next week.  :)  Jacob's new bed has been ordered and should be ready shortly after the addition is complete!  What a welcome treat that is going to be for all who care for him (and for Jacob who will much more room to move without hitting the side rails!!)

Jacob is just sooo big - and white!!

The nurse was having fun with the 2 boys.

Paul pouring the footings for the addition.  Considering he works in concrete, this was second nature to him.  It was neat to see him work in his element!