Farewell NOLA

Franklin has been alive now for 8 weeks! It has been quite the struggle to nurse but it's beginning to get better. Franklin had a tongue and lip tie and we've had to work a lot on his latch. For the first three weeks I just pumped and bottle fed and slowly transitioned to breastfeeding exclusively. It has been harder this time around having a newborn because Charlie is also so much work that our work load has doubled. It takes both Scott and I full time to take care of our boys! I'm hoping after we move to Kentucky that life becomes a bit more manageable, especially since Scott will begin residency full time!

Franklin has a big appetite and is already chunking up so much. He has gained almost a pound a week since he was born! He already weighs 12 lbs. He is in the 40th percentile for weight and height and the 15th for head circumference. Franklin also makes so many cute sounds! He has been smiling for a few weeks now and we just love him more every day.

Last week we had his baby blessing. We did the blessing in Gulf Shores Alabama and luckily, my dad and my father in law were able to be there. We also had Nate and Derek participate in the blessing. It was special to set time apart to give Franklin a name and a blessing. He was blessed with wisdom, happiness, the ability to communicate his feelings to us and to know and follow what Heavenly Father wants of him to bring him the most happiness. He was blessed to be able to provide for his family and to be a support to Charlie and his family. We had Franklin wear Scott's old baby blessing (the same outfit Charlie wore). It was a tender moment. We scheduled the blessing conveniently around our last vacation/hurrah before we move. We spent a week in Gulf Shores/Perdido Keys on the beach and then we have a few days in NOLA eating lots of delicious food before moving day. 

Scott and I gave our farewell talks in church last week and it was hard to get through. I felt so emotional about all we have experienced and suffered here in New Orleans, and grateful for the miracles I've seen and the support we've received from the ward. 

It has been quite the whirlwind having a new baby and preparing to move and I've been emotional and anxious lately. I'm still healing from childbirth and still struggling with severe plantar fasciitis.  I hope in Kentucky I can start some Physical Therapy and help my foot heal. 

One of my favorite pass-times has been looking at Facebook Marketplace for used furniture. I'm a bit obsessed. I just can't wait to move into OUR house! We are really living the American Dream. 

Scott graduated Medical School on May 22, 2021. Steve and Mary flew out for the ceremony and to celebrate with us which made the day extra special. I felt so proud of Scott. He has excelled in school under extremely difficult circumstances. 

Charlie has been emotional lately too. He loves his little brother Franklin and is very sweet to him, but he misses time with me every day. One day he told me "Mama, I miss you," and another day he asked for a "Mommy Charlie date." He always tells us when Franklin is crying by saying "Oh! Baby Franklin crying!" and he has learned to make an excellent "A-goo" noise to make Franklin smile. 

Charlie also knows we are moving to Kentucky soon. We were talking to some strangers (strangers LOVE Charlie...he's just so lovable!) and I asked Charlie "Where are we moving?" and he said "Old Tucky Home!" (Old Kentucky Home). It was adorable. 

Charlie speaks so well. He uses full sentences and memorizes songs and stories. He is learning how to be polite and use his words to ask for things instead of whining or pointing. Scott bought Charlie some Hot Wheels tracks and the last couple months Charlie has loved building different track courses and running Hot Wheels cars down them with his Dad. He also likes his Mr. Elephant and won't go to bed at night without turning off the lights himself and having a full water cup. 

Charlie recently learned the song "Do As I'm Doing" and loves circling his fists fast and slow with the lyrics. He also knows The Rainbow Song, Old MacDonald, The Wheels on the Bus, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the ABCs, I Am A Child of God, Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree, and more. He likes to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (though Scott and I hate it) and Daniel Tiger. Daniel Tiger sings lots of songs to teach little lessons. One of them is called "Grown-ups Come Back" and once I left Charlie with a babysitter and when I picked him up he said, "Mom, you came back!" It was very cute. 

Charlie likes to do everything "by himself." He is also very concerned about routines and things being just so. I can't wait for him to go to nursery and Primary and make some friends. 

We bought a used Lovesac Sactional and Charlie has enjoyed being thrown into the middle over and over by Scott. We invited some friends over one night and Charlie and his buddy Carson kept climbing on the sides of the sectional and jumping into the middle. I started tearing up watching him get up on the side and jump off by himself. I couldn't believe his strength and coordination and that he had healed enough that he could play and keep up with a friend.