Birth of Jobe Atene Hess, Part 4*: Little Jobe comes home to meet the big furball Muzzy; Kalib struggles a bit, but gets some good romping in
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 4:00AM ;)
The night after the birth, Margie and I got a bit of sleep but woke up in kind of a pleasant stupor. I'm not quite certain what we did between then and when we got in the car and headed to Anchorage, but it must have been something, because several hours passed.
We then arrived at Jacob and Lavina's even before they did, as it took them longer to get out of the hospital than they had anticipated.
Soon, though, they came home. Soon after that, little Jobe was in the arms of his grandma, her hand resting upon his chest.
;)
Not long after that, little Jobe's feet came out. They are mighty cute feet.
;)
Kalib, however, did not seem to want to have much to do with his new brother. When Dad lifted Jobe up for Kalib to admire, Kalib turned away.
;)
Muzzy, however, was mighty interested.
;)
So Jacob introduced the two. I believe they have bonded now. As all this was going on, Martigne, the calico cat came walking by but showed no interest.
Her curiosity failed her.
If she had been Jim or Royce, she would have been interested. If she had been Pistol or Chicago, she would have wanted to stay as far away from the baby as possible.
People often stereotype cats and dogs, but each is an individual, just as each human is.
Muzzy, for all his size, is a dog with a gentle and soft heart.
Yet, I don't believe it would be wise for anyone to mess with this baby - or with Kalib - with Muzzy around. A hard spot would quickly appear in that soft heart.
;)
Ha! Kalib I caught slyly checking his little brother out!
;)
Then Jobe was in my arms. Jacob and Gracie played on the floor.
;)
Kalib did pay attention when it came time to change Jobe's diaper. He seemed a bit disgusted by the whole idea - and yet, he still wears a diaper himself.
;)
His eyes got distracted by the video, Ice Age.
;)
He joined his Dad and Gracie to watch a few scenes from Ice Age. Soon, he wanted to go out into the ice and snow himself.
;)
So off he went to a nearby park with his Dad. Soon, he slid down the slide.
Kalib loves the slide.
;)
The stop was a bit abrupt. He would repeat the process, many times.
;)
Gracie and Laverne showed up. Gracie followed in Kalib's butt path.
;)
Gracie bumped her head at the bottom. Mom gave her some comfort.
;)
It began to grow dark, so we headed back. Melanie had arrived by then. She peered out the window at us.
;)
Soon, Melanie was frolicking with the little ones.
If I but had ten percent of the energy... I could write a novel with as many words as War and Peace.
It would be a great novel, too, one that would be loved by students of literature the world over and in outer space, too.
I think I would title it, Peace and War.
But I do not have the energy of little people.
So I guess I won't write Peace and War.
;)
Charlie came with Melanie and got his first glimpse of the baby. "That's one fine baby," Charlie praised. "I sure hope he grows a beard someday soon."
Maybe that's not an exact quote.
I can't remember for certain.
It kind of sounds like Charlie, though.
"I think that baby needs a cat," Charlie added, seriously.
Or maybe he didn't.
But I'm certain that would be his sentiment.
;)
Caleb also arrived during the romp in the park. Once again, he got into the role of uncle, just like that. He was already talking about getting Jobe his first set of golf clubs, so that he can start swinging even before he learns to crawl.
;)
When Kalib saw his Uncle Caleb being an uncle to Jobe and talking golf, he rushed over to make certain both knew who the practiced golfer in the family really is.
;)
We had a bite to eat and then Lavina tied Jobe into the white buckskin-clad cradle board that Margie's sister LeeAnn had made for him.
;)
Kalib then wanted the cradle board with the baby in it, but he couldn't have it.
;)
He cried, and his Uncle Caleb picked him up to see if he could soothe his hurt feelings. Yes, Kalib has always been the baby and now he is dislodged.
This is a natural thing and I am not worried about it.
;)
Lavina rocked Kalib to sleep.
It was time for Margie and I to return to Wasilla, so we did.
*In part 5, the final installment of this series, Jobe will make his first visit to his grandparents home in Wasilla. There will be a ceremony to bind him forever to this place and to us.
We will eat frybread and beans.
Reader Comments (11)
I'm so glad I got to see how to use the cradle board. It looks very comfy. And, needless to say, Jobe is a beautiful baby!
I'd never seen a buckskin-clad cradle board, and probably never would have had I not visited your blog. The cradle board is pretty and appears to be quite secure for baby.
The photo of Jobe and Muzzy is the best! Jobe's little squished up face - adorable.
Enjoy!
Jobe Atene is beautiful! Tell his Mama I said so!
What a beautiful story of a beautiful family! So much love and tendernous by all. The kitties will come around! the dog has bonded. Oneof these days Kalib will defend Kobe and assume his role as BIG brothers do. Grandma and Grandpa have the biggest hearts in the world and those little guys are number 1 in them both! Thanks for sharing the Peace and War novel with us!
Mrs Gunka...grandma to 7 and one GREAT grand child....always room for one more
My 10 year old granddaughter loves to read your stories as we share the photos every morning before she leaves for school. Thank you again! And you have just enough energy giving us small bits and pieces of "Peace." God bless!
I am thoroughly enjoying your account of the entry into the world of little Jobe. It brings back so many memories for me, beautiful memories. There is nothing I have found to rival the joy one experiences at this time.
I can see that you too have a wonderful family with strong ties to each other. What a precious gift.
Congratulations to you all and I wish little Jobe a life filled with love and peace.
Naturally, I was drawn to the kids, the beautiful kids. Jobe, Kaleb, and Gracie are blessed to be born into a family that loves them so much. I'm continuing to enjoy your pics, Bill. Wish you'd write the book you mentioned since I love to read. Tell the family that I said that the kids are so beautiful as is the cradle board. I'd heard of and read about them. but never could figure out how they were used.
I LOVE that you allowed your St. Bernard muzzle the baby. I get p.o.'d when people won't let their pets check out the newcomers. Idiots.
Oh! Where can we send gifts? Is there anything they need?
As to the cradle board, when we first had our babies, infant car seats were just beginning to appear and we were not very conscious of them. The cradle board was what secured them in as we traveled. There were stories on the reservation about car crashes in which the adults were badly injured and killed, but of babies in cradles surving unscathed.
I do not know if they were true or folk tales, but that's how it was back then.
Anon - that is a very nice thought. I think this baby is well-gifted, but if you want to send a card or anything you could send it to me at P.O. Box 872383, Wasilla, 99687 and I will pass it along.
And, oh yes - the thought that a ten year old girl is reading my blog makes me think. When I want to cuss, I had better think twice.