Gaines- Seven Months

 I took Woody's seven month pictures in the same outfit!

Gaines Facts

• Weight: No doctor's appointment this month, but whew, he is a big boy! I guess a little above 20 lbs.
• Diaper Size: 3
• Clothing: 12 months
• Sleep: The good news? Naps. He is taking 1.5-2 hour morning and afternoon naps with a 30-45 minute catnap in the late afternoon. The bad news? Bedtime. Every three hours. Ugh.
• Eat: This kids loves to eat. Are you surprised? He likes everything too. I am still making most of his veggies and fruits, but since he has started meats, I just buy those. I just cannot stomach the idea of pureeing meats. He still nurses every 3-3.5 hours. I just accept it. 
• Eight teeth, and I think he is cutting more.
• I vant to suck you blood. Just call him Dracula because he loves to sink those eight juicy teeth into your shoulder. 
• Sitting like a champ
• Trying to crawl. It is hilarious how hard he rocks back and forth. He thinks that if he rocks hard enough, he will take off. He scoots backwards sometimes.
• Despite not sleeping through the night and biting, he is the easiest baby. He just smiles all the time and is happy is almost any situation. Seriously, if you have baby fever, don't hang around him. You have been warned.
• Favorite person? Woody, Hands down.
• He does not appreciate his nose being wiped. 

I have been all sorts of emotional lately. October 24, 2013. I thought I was going to the doctor to get confirmation that it was indeed a baby boy, and instead I learned that our unborn child had two, potentially four, markers for a chromosome abnormality. The news stung, It was scary, It was uncertain. All I could think about was what couldn't be.

A mere week later, the specialist concluded that Gaines only had one marker. We were, and continue to be so thankful for our healthy son. As terrifying as that week, and the overall pregnancy was, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God was with us. He had a plan for my sweet baby's life.

God's plan for Gaines did not include him having an extra chromosome. For some, it does. I don't understand why. They only thing I can trust in is that God has an amazing, unique plan for each of His children. His plans for us are not easy. There are hard times and challenges. But He can use each of us- our strengths and our weaknesses, our talents and our failures- for His glory. 

Gaines, I pray that you will always trust in your Heavenly Father, Know, that there will be bumps in the road, just like there were before you were born, but no matter what, God has a plan. He wants to use you, because He loves you. Love Him, trust Him, follow Him. I love you  my sweet Gaines Alton.