Sunday, May 4, 2008

rake-n-shovel

It's became a mantra around our house now that spring has come. Daniel loves being outdoors, and more than anything else, he loves to "rake and shovel." Daniel tells us of this passion hundreds of times a day. Aunt Sue is coming over? "Rake and shovel," he says, because she takes him outside to play with them. Up from his nap and ready to play? "Rake and shovel?" he implores Steve. Sometimes I hum it to the tune of "Love and Marriage." He has really good form when he rakes, too. He puts his whole body into it.


Ben almost smiled for the camera today — almost. I can't believe he's almost six weeks old. My post-partum checkup is this week. While I know the visit is going to be bittersweet, as the midwives have heard about my cancer returning, I also have a reason to be excited about it. One of the midwives is giving me a bunch of frozen breastmilk she had pumped. The story behind why she no longer needs it is very sad, involving loss no one should have to endure. So I am all the more grateful she is willing to help me this way.

25 comments:

Kerry said...

Daniel is looking like a little Steve in that photo I think.
Emilie... I still have several vials of frozen breastmilk in our freezer that I am not likely to use up now. Would you like them??? Seriously, I would love to give them to you.

All our love to you and yours

Anonymous said...

I love the picture of Daniel raking. Let's hope he takes the job as seriously as he gets older. :)

What a wonderful gift from the midwife...

Anonymous said...

Oh, I forgot to mention how handsome Ben is as well. He looks much older than 6 weeks.

kristine said...

How sweet!!! Ben looks like he really wanted to crack a smile.

K~ said...

So sweet-what a hard worker! Your midwife is a generous woman. What a precious gift.
Kathy (Kathe4602)

Jill said...

What sweet pics of them both!

Anonymous said...

Don't you just love the sunny days? The winter up there must make you REALLY appreciate spring and summer!

By the way, you and Steve made some really cute kids!

Unknown said...

oh MY are they boys good looking!!!


now I"m humming "rake and shovel"....

Anonymous said...

Emilie, that is so touching about the midwife's milk. "One mother's loss is another mother's gain." Chokes me up.

And what an adorable pic of Ben, with the angle of his head and all! (Cute of Daniel too - what a handsome set of boys!)

- Susanne

LutherLiz said...

That is such a beautiful gift to give and to have the presence of mind to give it is remarkable.

The boys are looking adorable as always!

Anonymous said...

Emilie,

LOVE the photos! Daniel's "Rake and shovel?" is like my Harry's "Cross a bridge?" request. It's like the little boys have found something they really like to do and just can't get over it. Marvelous. Ain't it grand? And the midwife's gift is wonderful. She sounds very caring and compassionate.

--Laura S.

Kir said...

both boys are so cute. I love both pics, Ben looks so introspective, like he has the answers to all the secrets. (and he probably does)

yur midwife sounds like a really amazing person.

Anti-Supermom said...

They are certainly starting to look like brothers. Don't you love that?

Anonymous said...

Oh my, Daniel looks like Steve in that picture. And the boys sure look like brothers, don't they. Yet, the funny thing is that Ben looks just like you Emilie. Go figure.

Monkeymama said...

They are so cute! :) Daniel just looks like such a big guy!

Cibele said...

your boys are so sweet

Rebecca said...

I keep humming "Love and Marriage" and insert "rake and shovel" as the lyrics. I always trip up, though, because what rhymes with shovel?

Rebecca Feyder

Emilie said...

Hovel? :)

Megan Thomas said...

Above all?

Vaclav Havel?

Boys are adorable.

-Megan

Soupy said...

LOL at the "Rake and shovel" to the tune of "love and marriage" (thanks, now it's in my head! HA)

I can't believe what a cool little man D is turning in to, and that pic of Ben completely melted my heart. What blessings they are.

hugs

Anonymous said...

I bet you have no idea how many people have the tune "Rake and Shovel" running through their heads. Now that is what pops into my head every time I think about you or your blog.

Michele (Moosh) said...

Good Lord, add me to the "Love and Marriage/Rake and Shovel" brigade!!!! GAH!!!!!! LOL

The brothers really look like brothers!! How adorable are they??

So special of your midwife. Makes me all teary.

Oh, and BTW...."Ice Ice Baby, Da ding ding ding dingy ding ding, Ice Ice Baby, da ding ding ding dingy ding ding...all right stop, collaborate and listen, Ice is back with a brand new edition..."

(just had to return the favor of getting a song stuck in your head that you'll never get out...mwah ah ahhhhhh)

Anonymous said...

Rake and shovel
Rake and Shovel
When leaves or snow have fallen
From abovel


OK, sorry, but that song kept me awake last night. My creative side (or lack thereof) got the best of me.

Jill said...

Those are adorable pictures of your two little ones. They are so precious. It's so sweet that you're midwife is giving you all of her unused breastmilk. It really shows that there are so many people out there that have your best interest at heart.

Jill (JPickles)

charmedgirl said...

when i lost paige, i was told constantly to have on a tight bra, to discourage milk from coming in. i didn't do it for a while, and some think it was denial, but the real reason, the secret i still keep, is that i was looking for someone to pump it for. it was a gift to give it as well as receive it.

i've just come to know of this blog, and didn't know emilie...i just feel like the bast way to honor her life at this point is to read what she's written. i will sometimes comment, i hope that's ok.

i'm so sorry for your loss.