Dems haven't given up on FOCA, St. Louis Catholic hostpitals discuss civil disobedience and the possibility of closing their doors

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/religion/story/E6E47067257DB95E862575710014DD57?OpenDocument

joy in the little things

Clara ate a whole English muffin this morning and she's been much easier to handle so far. I know that God worked through our friends and family's prayers, because today feels so much more hopeful and calm. Jonathan even sat happily in his baby swing while I made breakfast, which never happens, even on a good day. Over the past few nights, this bedtime song of ours has been bringing tears to my eyes. I'm sure you know it well, but it's especially sweet to me right now.

Jesus Loves Me

Jesus loves me, this I know
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
they are weak,
but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so.

When my little ones are sick, really sick, the only true comfort to me is knowing that they belong to Him and that He's far stronger and wiser than me. And I'm so thankful at times like these that He works through our neighbors and loved ones to care for Clara and for me. The bonds of the body of Christ are really beautiful to witness, even when it's shown through a phone call or a small act of kindness.

a little discouraged

We've been to the ER twice this week and it's only Tuesday. Yesterday Clara had a fever over 105 and she's been struggling with vomitting and diarrhea. Her fever is gone today and she's doing better, but we're fighting to keep her hydrated and she's been a bit of a tyrant to care for. I'll be honest. I'm wiped out and really weary of the whole thing, but I know things may get worse and I'm trying to steel myself against the possibility of Jonathan or one of the other kids catching this. I'm praying and praying about this, but I know God is good despite the worst case scenario. If you think of it, will you pray for us? I need the grace to get through tomorrow and I would so love to see Clara all better. I hate to see her laid low and miserable and I really don't want to go through this with anyone else.

Four Months

Just read a helpful link about introducing solids to breastfed infants. It's been on my mind lately and I think this time I'm going to try something different. I've always struggled to maintain a decent milk supply into the later months of my baby's first year and so I'm going to hold off on the solids for a bit. I'm going to try to feed him more often during the morning hours and wait until he's clearly reaching for our food to introduce any solids. For a number of reasons, this just feels right for me and for him.

On a side note, Clara Joy is beginning to recover from a horrible 24 hour stretch of vomiting and nausea on top of the chest cold that's been lingering for far too long. Can Spring come quickly enough? I'm praying that no one else gets it and that we can enjoy some blissful good health soon. In the meantime, we're hibernating with some redbox movies and plenty of clear liquids. Peace and health to you and yours.