Paul at 19 months

For some reason, Paul has seemed a lot older to me these past few days. Maybe it's the way he asks me to "draw a star, please" or the fact that he can tell me exactly what he wants for lunch, whether it be "pene butter anich" (peanut butter sandwich), an "onge" (orange), an apple, yogurt or whatever it may be, and can ask me to "dir" (stir), "poke", "cut", or "mash" it with a "moon" (spoon), "ork" or "ife", and he might ask me to "bow" on it if it's "hot". There are very few basic words and ideas he cannot express - often using two or three word sentences. My baby's constant questioning and chatting, demanding and imploring, reasoning and concluding is forcing me to realize he's just not a baby anymore.

Some other new skills of his include: pointing out and naming any of the letters of the alphabet; identifying most basic shapes; pointing out and naming the colors yellow, blue, orange and black (the other colors are still a little confusing for some reason); and, the skill he's most proud of, running super fast! On average, he fits in about 30 laps around our dining/kitchen/living room circle every day. He certainly takes after his daddy.

Something we're still working on: not screaming. Anyone out there have any ideas? We've been consistently putting him in his crib whenever he screams and closing his bedroom door until he's quiet and asks nicely to get out. (We leave the lights on and window blinds open to differentiate from nap time.) It seemed to be helping at first, but the ear-shattering screeches have not left for good. Has anyone else found something that works? Or should we just continue to be patient with the crib method?

As a whole, life with Blair and Paul is heavenly. After story time and our nightly prayer we all hug each other in a tight knot of giggle-filled bliss. I can hardly believe how lucky I am to have these wonderful, loving and good-looking boys in my life!


Who does he look like more? Mommy or daddy?

Paul loves to sit and "stretch" with daddy after Blair's run.

This poor kid really needs a backyard to play in. He loves going outside but this cement patio is all we have outside our back door.

This is the way I see him most - running!

My Newest Nephew!

My sister, Reana, had her baby!!! Woohoo!

All through church my thoughts were on Reana. Her water broke at four that morning and she and Shawn arrived at the hospital at nine. I subconsciously assumed my sister would have a labor identical to mine - fast! However, things took quite a bit longer for her. Her contractions didn't start until one or two that afternoon, and they just kept coming after that. All that evening we waited for a phone call. Nothing. That entire, restless night my phone lay right next to me, and still there was no no news. Reana labored all through the night without any pain medications and without much progress. Finally at about eight in the morning she was given relief through an epidural and in a very short time she dilated completely and was ready to push. Lincoln Grey Sabbavarapu was born January 28th at 11:22 am, weighing 6 lbs 15oz.

Reana is one strong woman, and little Lincoln is strong too. He had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck during delivery which caused his heart rate to drop to dangerous levels. After he was born, he had trouble breathing, but thanks to the wonderful staff there at St. Vincent's hospital, he and Reana are perfectly fine.


Lincoln in his daddy's hands.


Lincoln and Reana.

I'll have to post some pictures of when Paul and Lincoln first met. They're a pretty cute pair already. :)