Monday, January 16, 2012

Happy Papa

There is more than a physical change in Martin. I see real happiness in his eyes. Perhaps it is because he feels that he has been given a new start, a new realization that things will work out for the best. I know that feeling well, as I experienced such events after I survived a "supposedly" terminal illness. The end of that illness brought many new and exciting chapters to my life. I am thankful that I got to experience all of it.
Tonight, Little Joe sat at the dinner table with the family and watched us eat chicken and dumplings. Papa, (Martin)being the wise papa that he is, told Becky to give Little Joe a bite of the dumplings. She has been so strict as to Little Joe's diet, which of course is good for Little Joe, but has certainly been a challenge for me. Fortunately, Becky cannot say no to her daddy, and gave Little Joe a taste of a dumpling. His little eyes popped open, and he quickly gummed the dumpling, finishing with an expectant look on his face. I tell you this because, we have had a rough time getting Little Joe to eat from a spoon. He has learned to purse his lips together when the spoonful of baby food is coming his way, and if that doesn't work he will just spit it out. He will also grab the spoon if he can, or wipe his mouth covered with baby food and rub it in his hair. He and I usually end up wearing most of his baby food. I have no problem with feeding him his food in a baby bottle, mixing rice cereal with fruit or vegetables and his formula. He will usually gobble this down, burping loudly to announce that he has had enough. Becky is afraid that he will learn bad habits if I feed him this way, and so, each day, I get ready for the baby food battle.
Tonight, as I said, Papa gave Little Joe a bite of a dumpling. He loved it. Papa laughed out loud and clapped his hands! (This is why I say that there is a change in Papa. It is really unusual that he would notice Little Joe's dietary strides). Aunt Cheryl mashed up another dumpling for him, and that little pig actually smacked his lips between bites. He also loves mashed potatoes and grits. I think we can conclude that the problem is that he just doesn't like baby food! Papa, grinning like a cheshire cat, announced that we should just listen to him and feed the boy some real food. Tonight, Becky bought a food grinder, giving in to the inevitable.
Funny thing is, when Becky was a baby, she would refuse to eat anything. She only wanted to nurse, and I couldn't get a bite of anything else in her, even up until she was over a year old. One day, as we were eating chicken and dumplings, Martin pressed a dumpling between her lips. Just like Little Joe, her little eyes popped open and she began to smack on the dumpling. I couldn't believe it! For the next month, I made dumplings everyday, and she ate them everyday. She soon learned to like other foods, and the problem was solved. I love it that Little Joe is acting just like his mama.
I think each event like this will be more precious to me. I took so much for granted, letting memories slide away, but no more. This blog will help me to catalog those events, just as it so far has helped me cope with the shock of Martin's illness. This will be a good year. I feel very optimistic. Okay, let me be honest: Martin returns to work tomorrow, and down deep, I worry that tomorrow will be the day they let him go. They are insisting that he work in the area that has made him so ill, and he, with the advice of counsel, has told them that he cannot work there. There is much than can be done, but for some reason, manangement won't help him. Anyway, if he loses his job, we will be allright. I know that Heavenly Father will get us through. I am excited to experience the future, and to write the events that will occur as we go through this ongoing trial. If I learned anything finally, with Martin's heart experience, it is that I should never borrow trouble. Each day is precious, and I will happily face the future with anticipation.

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