Make new friends, but keep the old...

Today Christopher hit the 8 weeks mark! Christopher had his first outing today (other than the hospital and pediatrician). We went to visit some of my best friends from undergrad. We went to visit Katharine, Lee, and Suzanne. All three of them have babies as well. Suzanne has a son named Perry, Katharine has a daughter named Ella, and Lee has a son named James. Katharine and Suzanne were both visiting Baton Rouge so that is why we all got together. It was a joy to introduce Christopher to some new friends! Today we also practiced sitting up in the Bumbo seat. Christopher is a hard worker!

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Mauree

Happy Birthday Uncle Nicholas!

Today is Uncle Nicholas' 13th birthday! He is officially a teenager...lookout! Uncle Nicholas is Papa's youngest brother. He is in 7th grade at St. Aloysius. He is a very fun and helpful Uncle. He has come to help watch Christopher with May May. One day Uncle Nicholas will have to teach Christopher how to play soccer and ping pong! Those are two sports that Uncle Nicholas is very good at! Happy Birthday Uncle Nicholas...we love you!

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Mauree

May May loves to come Stay & Play!

On Thursday, August 19th Christopher turned 7 weeks old. Christopher arrived 7 weeks early in the 7th month of the year. I think the 7 might just be his lucky number! I also think that 7 is one of God's holy numbers! Could this be a coincidence or a "God-indidence"?

We are so very thankful that he is continuing to gain weight. I think he weighs at least 7 lbs. now. His little thighs and cheeks are surely filling out. During the past weeks Christopher has really enjoyed getting to know his May May! Christopher doesn't have just one wonderful grandmother, he has two. In addition to Beezie, he is blessed with dear May May! May May is my sweet mother-in-law. May May has spent so much time with Christopher! When Christopher was in the hospital May May would visit him every afternoon and most later evenings. She would go visit him at his bedside and either hold him & assist the nurses or just sit by him & keep him company. May May lives in Baton Rouge & we are so very thankful that she does! Anytime I need someone to come watch Christopher she has been available. She has also helped prepare delicious meals for us too. In fact, on the 4th of July May May brought a BBQ rib dinner along with salad, bread, corn on the cob, and cake up to my hospital room! I sure didn't miss out on the 4th of July, even though I was in the hospital! May May is also so very gifted! She helped to decorate Christopher's nursery. She made pillows, a lamp shade, and a table skirt & topper with the sage green toile fabric to match the curtains and crib bedding. In addition the the nursery decor she has made precious burp cloths for Christopher. We love our May May & are so thankful when she comes to stay & play with Christopher!

Much Love & Many Blessings,

Mauree

Today was supposedly the day...

which Christopher was expected to arrive, according to our doctor. However, our dear Christopher was just so ready to begin his life much sooner! Even though Christopher didn't arrive on his original due date it is still a very special day. Today is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. Today at Mass the reading and homily reflected on Mary. Here is a segment of today's Gospel:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his Name."

This Gospel reading is taken from Luke and this segment is Mary's response to Elizabeth during the visitation. As I reflect on this reading, I am so thankful that Sweet Jesus was watching over Christopher in my womb and brought him into this world safely and quite healthy, considering his age at birth. That was certainly my utmost prayer during my pregnancy, "that each of Christopher's were developing optimally and healthy." As God watched over Mary and her pregnancy, he also watched over me. Therefore, like Mary, I proclaim the greatness of our Lord and my spirit also rejoices in God my savior.

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Mauree

Smiley Miley

Fourteen years ago on April 22, 1996 my first cousin Miles passed away due to an inoperable brain tumor. He was diagnosed at age 7 and died at age 8. Miles was one of 5 boys. He was the 2nd to youngest. There was always something SPECIAL about Miles. We all called Miles, "Smiley Miley" because of his unforgettable smile as well as his contagious joy & love for life. I have fond memories of my cousin Miles. One of my favorites is when I was in fourth grade, I thought it would be a great idea if I choreographed a dance to Amy Grant's, "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" to perform at our annual Christmas Eve Perret family gathering. Well the gathering would take place at Miles' house that year so we were babysitting Miles the night before so Aunt Debbie could prepare her home. I talked Miles into learning and performing the dance with me. And yes we danced with an artificial mini christmas tree in between us. He gladly danced with me with a huge smile on his face. After Miles' death my family began a Relay for Life team in Lafayette titled Miles for Miles. However, our team was SO large due to the great support from the Lafayette community! Miles' parents Debbie & Hank came up with an incredible vision to start a cancer center that would provide cancer services to those in the Lafayette area at no cost. Their vision became a quick reality with the sponsorship of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lafayette, providing a faciltiy. This facility is now entitled the Miles Perret Center. After the opening of the center. My aunt and uncle also wanted to help Lafayette become more aware of the fight against cancer in Lafayette; therefore, the Games of Acadiana were started. This event would also be a fundraiser for the center. The first Games of Acadiana started in 2001 with the hope of raising money for families fighting cancer in Acadiana. Today, GOA is the largest fundraiser for Miles Perret Cancer Services and this year we are celebrating its 10th anniversary. The family-centered, Olympic-style event is made up of more than 45 games including, Quarterback Pass, Fastest Pitch, Bubble Gum Blowing contest and video game favorites like Rock Band. The admission is FREE and open to all ages. (http://www.milesperret.org/)

Today, the 10th annual Games of Acadiana were celebrated in Lafayette. Sadly, Christopher, Steven, & I could not attend, because Christopher isn't quite ready to be around large crowds. However, we were there in spirit as we thought & prayed for the success of the Games. WE LOVE YOU SMILEY MILEY!

Much love and Many Blessings,

Mauree

Tummy Time

Christopher began his tummy time exercises today, per Dr. Tribou's instructions. He didn't enjoy the time too much.
Much Love & Many Blessings,
Mauree

Times Two!

We returned to Dr. Tribou this week and we were anxiously anticipating how much Christhopher weighed. He weighed in at nearly two times his birthweight...6 lbs. 6 oz.! We were just thrilled! You can see how his face is filling out and he getting some lil fat roles on his what used to be bird legs. He is now exclusively nursing. We continue to be so proud of our growing boy!
Much Love and Many Blessings,
Mauree

Nanny & Auntie

Sweet baby Christopher is so very blessed with very loving relatives. Christopher has two aunts. One of his aunts is his nanny. There is Nanny Nat & Aunt Irene. Christopher was born on Nanny Nat and Uncle Justin's 5 year wedding anniversary. They were all the way in Memphis on a trip the day he was born; however, they left their trip a day early to get back to Baton Rouge since Christopher was born! Nanny Nat stayed in Baton Rouge for several days to help finish up the nursery and detox our condo to prepare for Baby Christopher's arrival home. When Steven and I arrived home, our condo was pristine and it was so NICE to return home after spending 6 nights in the hospital. I could not of finished the nursery without Nanny Nat's help. In addition to fixing up the condo Nanny Nat was a huge support in getting through the emotional hurdles while Christopher remained in the hospital and I returned home without him. Nanny Nat helped me pick out everything we needed from Babies R Us, etc. to provide for a baby. I am so thankful for Nanny Nat as my sister and I know Christopher is so thankful to have her as his Nanny! Christopher also is blessed with his precious Aunt Irene! Aunt Irene came to stay with us this past weekend since our Papa was out of town. She held Christopher after his feedings and helped May May with the midnight feeding so I could get some much needed rest. We are thankful that Aunt Irene doesn't live far so she can help with Christopher time to time and she's only a phone call away! Aunt Irene started high school this week and is excited about being Christopher's funny aunt! We are ever grateful for NannyNat and Aunt Irene!!
Much Love and Many Blessings,
Mauree

Happy 1 Month Old Birthday!

Christopher turned one month old yesterday! I cannot believe it's been a month since he was born. As you can see in the picture above he is eating like a champ. However, he's also learned how to spit up most of what he eats. Somehow he's still managing to grow by the day though. I tried to dress him in one of his premie gowns a few nights ago & it is now shirt on him rather than a gown! I pray he continues to eat and grow well.
Much Love & Many Blessings,
Mauree