Merritt in the Fall, 2008

For family and friends who aren't here watching Merritt grow up on a day to day basis, this is just for fun. Can you tell we love our little star?

Merritt showing off his flexibility.

The Trampoline

Mark found a full size trampoline on Craig's List for $20.00. When he went to pick it up, the gentleman asked him, "How old are you kids." If I would have been there I would have answered, "He's 30." So here are a couple glimpses of Merritt on his trampoline. Also, on a side note, Merritt has moved into pterodactyl screeching as Mark likes to call it.

Merritt is Always Changing

Since I have been completely deliquent in updateing my blog-I feel I need to now make up for all the lost entries I could have had. What Is Merritt doing now? Well he can sit up assisted by finger holding or the bumbo, he laughs out loud and squeals when he wants my attention, he rolls onto his tummy and side (but he prefers to do it at night or on his changing table), he likes to watch the kitty (excited for the moment he can grab her tail), his eyes are brown and his hair is growing in, he is learning to like baths, and last of all he is really, really excited to eat some solid food! I think we will start rice cereal tomorrow. I am continually in awe of how God makes this little baby so perfect in every way. I think of his teeny heart beating and how he says he loves me with his eyes and there is no doubt in my mind about how much our Creator cares for each of us.

The Election-An Unlikely Canidate

Well...I voted today. I spent the better half (or maybe the worst half) of the morning researching the canidates and searching my heart for what was important to me...asking God for guidance. I came to the conclusion that what my political passions are may not be as impotant as what Christ instructed while on earth. Being a follower of Christ, I would hope that the very few political views that I am actually passionate about would be in line with the Bilble. However, as I continued to think about what Jesus taught and who/what he focused on, I found an unlikey canidate and voted...ta da. Hoping for the best-May His will be done.

Merritt Makes Dad Really Happy

Yeah! Baby Merritt slept 10 hours through the night!

Labor

Merritt was due on July 1, 2008. However he chose not to be born until July 7. This is the story of his much anticipated arrival! On Saturday Mark and I went for a long walk in Boulevard Park while dad and mom Rooks drank coffee and watched the sailboats coast by at the "Woods." Evidently this was what started the process-I went to bed with a lot of cramping. In the morning we chose not to go to church since I was still very uncomfortable. That afternoon it seemed like a good idea to start timing the "cramping." By 5 pm it was becoming unbearable and Mark drove us to the hospital. I was only dilated to one, but was 91% effaced. The doctor chose to admit us. We were given Fetanyl and shortly after an epidural. The epidural was sheer bliss! We spent from then until 2 am sleeping on and off as the nurses came in and out. At 2 am I started to feel downward pressure. The nurse checked me and said "Wow, there's the head! Don't push; I'm going to call the doctor." The doctor got there around 2:30 and we pushed and pushed. Finally baby Merritt's sweet face arrived at 2:59 am on Monday July 7. He was 8 pounds, 12 ounces and 22 inches long. That's how I remember it...Mark may have a different story since he wasn't on drugs....