sarah & chet: July 2012

Friday, July 27, 2012

A day after 18 weeks!

We are a day late, because when I hopped in bed last night I couldn't bring myself to get out and blog. ;) Grey spent her 18 week birthday at the city pool with lots of friends (although she slept most of the time) and then watched some more friends at her first theatre production to attend, The Little Mermaid. It was a great fun-filled day, and we were all exhausted when we finally went to sleep at 11.

I really wish I would've snapped a few photos of Grey in her swimsuit and sunglasses (um way CUTE), but oh well! :) I took some photos of her in the afternoon, when she wasn't exactly in a mood for pictures. We did get a couple though:

Her daddy's grin...the thing that can melt my heart no matter what. I keep saying there is NO way she could possibly look more like Chet, and then she does. ;) Daddy's little girl.

Laughs. We were okay for the first part of Momma trying to get our 18 week pics.

This cracked me up. She was laughing at me. Then yawning. And the next moment - we were not a happy camper.

Gorgeous girl, at 18 weeks, you:

Are impressing us with how big you are! You have established a much better [personal] schedule, evening without us forcing it on you. ;) You are nearly making it 3 hours between meals and going right to bed at night. It's funny that you established your own routine after all.
Although you're going to sleep easier, you are waking up a lot lately, and we don't know exactly why. Your naps are about 5 minutes sleep/fuss/5 minutes sleep/fuss and repeat. I am hoping this is a passing stage! You really don't like your paci falling out, so I think that is what's going on. Even though you can reach for your paci and hold it when you're not sleeping, you haven't mastered that skill yet in your crib. You have become very picky on which paci you like too, so we can no longer use your "wubanub". (You prefer the Gummies light pink ones, found at amazon.com. You won't take Gummies from any other store, and the only tiny difference is their texture and thickness. You are very particular about what you like.) The second thing it could be is your reflux. You prefer sleeping in your crib now, so you are no longer elevated like you have been sleeping since birth. Sometimes when your fussing turns to screaming, I will pick you up and you spit up all over. I think it may be aggravating your throat. :(
You are squealing and screaming for fun! This is hilarious and I love it! You have the cutest voice on the planet. Really. You do.
You love glasses. When Daddy (or whoever) wears their glasses, you reach up for them and seem to know you shouldn't grab them, because you giggle and turn your head. :)
You are talking, clicking, standing, rocking, scooting, bouncing and laughing all day. In other words, you are SUPER BUSY! You can't stand to be in one position or place for more than a few minutes. I claim I'm burning calories keeping up with you lately!
You are returning "Eskimo kisses". Oh my word. Can I just say I am in love?
Have the most precious hug/snuggle. Your whole body "fits" against mine and I wish I could make time slow down.

I love you sweet girl. I can't imagine this world without you in it.

I don't have time today to add photos from each day this past week, but here are a few that I should add:

Baby sunglasses. My new favorite accessory.

I haven't run this week (my running partner is out of town and my knees need a break...and really I am just being lazy), so I have had a chance to get some fabulous morning snuggles instead. It's going to be tough to make myself run next week. ;)

Our second little Red Raider. We make cute Raiders. ;)

Psalm 18 - one of the Psalms I read over and over after saying goodbye to your brother. I read it again on your 18 week birthday, and decided to copy and paste it from Bible Gateway. I hope you read these words when you need to know how POWERFUL the Lord is to rescue you from pain.

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

¹I love you, Lord, my strength.

²The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

³I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
    and I have been saved from my enemies.
⁴The cords of death entangled me;
    the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
⁵The cords of the grave coiled around me;
    the snares of death confronted me.

⁶In my distress I called to the Lord;
    I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
    my cry came before him, into his ears.
⁷The earth trembled and quaked,
    and the foundations of the mountains shook;
    they trembled because he was angry.
⁸Smoke rose from his nostrils;
    consuming fire came from his mouth,
    burning coals blazed out of it.
⁹He parted the heavens and came down;
    dark clouds were under his feet.
¹⁰He mounted the cherubim and flew;
    he soared on the wings of the wind.
¹¹He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
    the dark rain clouds of the sky.
¹²Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
    with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
¹³The Lord thundered from heaven;
    the voice of the Most High resounded.
¹⁴He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy,
    with great bolts of lightning he routed them.
¹⁵The valleys of the sea were exposed
    and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, Lord,
    at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

¹⁶He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
    he drew me out of deep waters.
¹⁷He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
    from my foes, who were too strong for me.
¹⁸They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
    but the Lord was my support.
¹⁹He brought me out into a spacious place;
    he rescued me because he delighted in me.

²⁰The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
    according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.
²¹For I have kept the ways of the Lord;
    I am not guilty of turning from my God.
²²All his laws are before me;
    I have not turned away from his decrees.
²³I have been blameless before him
    and have kept myself from sin.
²⁴The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
    according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

²⁵To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
    to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
²⁶to the pure you show yourself pure,
    but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.
²⁷You save the humble
    but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.
²⁸You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;
    my God turns my darkness into light.
²⁹With your help I can advance against a troop;
    with my God I can scale a wall.

³⁰As for God, his way is perfect:
    The Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.
³¹For who is God besides the Lord?
    And who is the Rock except our God?
³²It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.
³³He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.
³⁴He trains my hands for battle;
    my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
³⁵You make your saving help my shield,
    and your right hand sustains me;
    your help has made me great.
³⁶You provide a broad path for my feet,
    so that my ankles do not give way.

³⁷I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
    I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
³⁸I crushed them so that they could not rise;
    they fell beneath my feet.
³⁹You armed me with strength for battle;
    you humbled my adversaries before me.
⁴⁰You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
    and I destroyed my foes.
⁴¹They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—
    to the Lord, but he did not answer.
⁴²I beat them as fine as windblown dust;
    I trampled them like mud in the streets.
⁴³You have delivered me from the attacks of the people;
    you have made me the head of nations.
People I did not know now serve me,
⁴⁴    foreigners cower before me;
    as soon as they hear of me, they obey me.
⁴⁵They all lose heart;
    they come trembling from their strongholds.

⁴⁶The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!
    Exalted be God my Savior!
⁴⁷He is the God who avenges me,
    who subdues nations under me,
⁴⁸    who saves me from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
    from a violent man you rescued me.
⁴⁹Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing the praises of your name.

⁵⁰He gives his king great victories;
he shows unfailing love to his anointed,
to David and to his descendants forever.

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Sunday, July 22, 2012

My Cutie Patootie at 4 MONTHS

Comparing Grey's photos to last month's photos was a bit more than I was able to handle this evening! She has changed a LOT and looks so grown up compared to just one month ago.

She was hilariously active during her monthly iPhone shoot with "grey bear" this afternoon. I didn't have time to try again, since we had an impromptu garage sale at our house, so we will just "go" with the ones I got. I couldn't help but rapidly snap a whole bunch of her cuteness fighting my efforts. ;)

Seriously. You try saying no to that face.

Needless to say, we LOVE standing!

(And speaking of "love", I love those CHEEKS!) =)

And when we aren't standing, we are laying down and dancing.

You laugh, but this was our best one! :) Hand in mouth, and about to pop up to a stand. ;)

Grey has given us so much to laugh and smile about this month. It's amazing that a little person can take over everything. She has us so wrapped up in her every little move, "word" and learned trick. She's adored.

Grey, at 4 months old, you:

Love the water! You splash and kick and giggle in your baths, and love pools!
Scoot on your tummy! You have to really want whatever you're scooting to, but you can definitely move!
Wear size 2 diapers! Yes, you've moved on up since last month!
Wear clothes ranging from 0-3 months to 12 months. No joke. Sizing is so random and I have to ignore the tags and just go with what fits you. You have your momma's long torso, and both of your parents' short legs, so you fit uniquely into clothes. You are FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY CREATED...your long torso and short legs are exactly how God perfectly designed you!
Have started eating rice cereal from a spoon! I can't believe we are already at this point in your life. I feel like we were just cheering you on during your first bottle feeding in the NICU. So far you are not a fan of eating from a spoon, but we are going to work on it a little each day. Soon you'll be enjoying all kinds of "big" foods!
Weigh about 11 lbs. 10 ounces! Your 4 month check up isn't for another couple of weeks, so we won't know your exact stats until then.
Can hold all of your toys. You are very interested in tasting everything and anything, so I am constantly trying to keep your toys [decently] clean.
Are still teething with no teeth poking through yet.
Babble all day! You have the most exciting stories and I love to hear all of them!
Usually sleep from around 8:00 or 8:30pm until 6:00am with a little fussing around 4:00am. When you fuss I just pat your back, give your paci to you and you fall back asleep. However you are in my arms as I type this, and have fought sleep terribly the last three nights. Other than the occasional deviation from your schedule (like tonight), you sleep great! I do not believe the cry it out theory is for our family, and I may pay for spoiling you one day, but for our family it works to snuggle you when you are sad. :)
You still don't nap like a lot of other babies. We are happy if you get a long morning nap in, and whatever short nap(s) you may take in the afternoon. You take after your momma and apparently do not need as much sleep as others.
You eat close to 4 ounces per bottle, every 2.5-3 hours! This is huge, since we have been able to up your bottle by one ounce and you go longer between meals. All this of course depends on how your reflux is on any particular day or week.

Grey, thank you for giving me a glimpse of what unconditional love looks like. You are my little sunshine.

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

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Thursday, July 19, 2012

17 Weeks and Birthdays!

I don't even know where to begin on Grey's 17 week blog! She has learned so much each day, I will attempt to recap some of her big moments! We've also been "partying" all week with friends' birthdays and my 29th birthday, so it's been a big week for us.

I snapped these two pictures before I laid her down for her nap this afternoon. Although not the greatest photos, they pretty much sum up this week so they are perfect for this blog. We are chewing our hands almost non-stop, and laughing all the time!

Grey's two BIG achievements this week are:

PICKING UP TOYS and developing "object permanence" (early childhood definition) - dropping them and picking them back up! She can do this with her pacifiers too, which is nice - if she remembers she can do it. She is now obsessed with her toys, and always wants to hold her favorite Sophie, cow or pig.

and....

ARMY SCOOTING across the floor! [This photo cannot go without noting her fabulous hairdo and daddy's chin. ;)) It also should be said that this was taken right after she yelled, "MOMMA" on my birthday yesterday. Yeah, I am kind of in love.] The first time she did her "Army scoot" was on Saturday morning. I was in the back of the house and Chet shouted, "She's crawling!" Of course, at that instant my heart stopped beating and I made it to the living room in .01 seconds. She was not crawling, although she was scooting herself across the blanket. Daddy still calls claims it crawling. lol We were proud parents, and may, or may not have, spent the next 4 hours making her scoot all over. ;)

Grey's friends Cale and Keegan both had birthday parties this week, and we have learned that our little miss is quite a cute party pooper. ;) She can't be blamed for all of it though, since both parties were during nap time. However, she did LOVE watching the kids, colors, balloons and excitement going on around her.

Cale had a fun John Deere tractor party. Grey was spoiled by most of the adults there, but especially Mrs. Margaret! She was so happy in Margaret's arms!

At Cale's party, gazing at all the fun going on.

We love our friends Trevor and Mrs. Rebecca! I "jokingly" say that Grey is engaged to Trevor, although it would be wonderful to me if they really did get married. I will save this photo for that day. ;) Grey's face is epic. She was all partied out by this point.

Keegan's party was a cool circus party! Lacey worked hard to create an outstanding celebration...I took notes. I need to start Grey's "First Birthday Board" on Pinterest now!

The adorable "outtakes" of forcing a baby to dress like a clown.

Oh dear.

(Three photos above courtesy of Stephanie A.)

Grey was the youngest party-goer, and certainly didn't grasp the greatness of the photo booth. Clearly, we didn't let that hinder us from dressing her up though.

Yesterday we celebrated my 29th birthday by tagging along with Chet to Midland. It was a fun, simple family day, plus I was able to hold my friend Paige's new little precious baby girl, Campbell. She gave me "newborn fever" in a fierce way. No, I'm not kidding. =)

Grey eating her "beef" at Abuelo's. :)

A couple more photos from this week; I am guessing Bop's nap isn't going to last long, so I don't have time to post all the ones I had planned on.

It takes me 20 minutes to make our bed in the morning. She loves to lay on the soft sheets and roll and play. I have no objection to this. And if I did, I would take one look at that face and say, "You win" any ways. ;)

Drool and spit up? Yes, please! ;) You are ADORABLE no matter what is on your face, my sweet girl!

Like I said, Grey has learned so much this week. Every day she did something new!

"Big Girl", at 17 weeks you:

Are still teething with no tooth yet. Sorry baby! :( All the hard work will pay off when you sink your teeth into delicious meals one day. I promise.
Are scooting on your tummy. This means you actually like tummy time!
Are loving toys! Now that you can hold your books and toys, you want to have a toy in your hand at all times. I think I am going to take you to Babys R Us and let you pick out a toy or two next time we are in Lubbock. (Shhh...don't tell Daddy!)
Are tasting everything. I am kind of panicking at how many germs you are ingesting every day. :( Yuck. It's an uphill battle to wash your toys when you drop them 100 times per hour.
Are a kissing queen! You kiss my mouth when I get my face close enough to yours. I would give up everything I own for these kisses. They are pretty much the best thing, ever.
Weigh 11 pounds 9 ounces. We made an unplanned trip to your doctor on Friday because of tummy issues (again). You are knocking on the 12 pound door. :) So glad you are growing just right! You are fearfully and wonderfully made!
Have started a higher dose of your reflux medicine, which seems to be working. Kind of.
Prefer Momma's arms over anyone else's. This is new lately. and although it's sweet to me, we are trying to gently break this habit by allowing a lot of people to hold you.
Are {{gulp}} almost 4 months old. I've already cried over this.
ARE SO CUTE I CAN'T HELP BUT KISS YOU ALL DAY EVERY DAY.

I woke up yesterday so grateful and overwhelmed that God would allow me to have a baby in my arms this year. The perfect birthday GIFT. Last year I wouldn't even let my mind or heart accept that this could be possible. During my run yesterday morning, I reflected on how God has used each of my children to change me over the past two years. My 28th year of life was certainly the most challenging of all, yet I grew closer to the Lord and learned how to trust Him in a deep way. I do not like to admit this, but it took Holden's death for me to fall in love with my Savior. Last year, my relationship with Chet also grew deeper and stronger in a beautiful way. Grey's life is a continuance of learning to trust His divine plans and greatness. Parenting has not been a piece of cake, and I am learning that motherhood has its own challenges to bring to the Lord on a daily basis. Grey has also given me a greater understanding of how much God loves us. My love can never mirror the love my Heavenly Father has for His children, yet it feels like it would be impossible to love Grey any more than I do. This was the best birthday I have ever had, and I look forward to all this year has to offer!

I am blessed with the best of friends and family, and once again was spoiled rotten on my birthday.

Listen to Me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:3-4

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Thursday, July 12, 2012

16 Weeks of love!

Our little 16 week old is down for a nap, so I better get this blog out before we are back up! Our naps have been exceptionally short due to our bothersome [teething] gums this week...so I'm crossing my fingers! I am reminded why I choose not to add a ton of photos from the week on many of these weekly blogs! They take longer than her average nap to email and download, etc., but I have certainly enjoyed being able to go back and see how much she's grown at any specific week.

We haven't had a chance to have our weekly "iPhone photo shoot" today, since we had a great lunch playdate with Jozee, and have been busy all morning and afternoon, but here are a couple we snapped today:

My bright-eyed beauty. Inside and out.

You can see how BIG my little girl has gotten! She is giving my arms a workout now! I saw her in the full-length mirror this morning, and couldn't get over how my tiny little peanut has grown into such a big, healthy baby!

From this week--

Friday:

Contagious smiles! She loves to grab her blankies and pull them over her face when she's laughing at us.

Saturday:

Sunday:

Grey spent her first time in the church nursery on Sunday, and did great! She was happy -all of the times we checked on her- and even fell asleep in her Aunt Queena's arms, burped for Mrs. Kacie *without spitting up* and cuddled with Mrs. Rebecca! If we didn't have the sweetest friends for nursery caregivers, I certainly would not be able to take Grey there! I am glad to say I think we will be able to pay attention to the sermon once again. ;)

Monday:

One of my favorite photos of Grey, ever. It's not posed, and was taken in her car seat in Wal-Mart. But boy oh boy is it special to my heart. First off, she is wearing her special "Holden Uganda" bow; enough to make my heart melt. Secondly, it was taken during a time I was not being a pleasant person. I was impatient and frustrated with our Wal-Mart pharmacy, waiting on them to fill a prescription that was called in four days prior, in sweats and little makeup, NOT in the mood to see everyone in Snyder, exhausted from very little sleep... and there was my girl sitting in her hot, sweaty car seat, hungry and in pain from teething, smiling away through bouts of tears. I love how God chooses to use our children to teach us lessons. I wasn't even smiling at her or talking to her when she smiled up at me. Ouch. Precious.

Tuesday:

I just think she looks so grown up in this photo. It's her new "serious face" she gives me all the time, and it makes my heart overwhelmed.

Look at my wittle chubby wubby. Is there anything cuter than baby chub?

Wednesday:

Happy Girl likes to chew on her fingers all day!

Happy Grey, this week you:

Have had lots of playdates! Momma feels more organized and capable of taking you out, and we have loved our playdates nearly every day! I am so glad we have lots of friends with babies born this year. You are going to grow up with such SWEET, precious lifelong buddies! I think you, Henry and Jonas are going to be the Three Amigos! ;) (Or two amigos and one amiga)
Have grown very strong physically. You are trying to pull yourself up to sit and stand constantly.
Weigh 11.7-ish lbs, and I think that is about to increase! We have hit another growth spurt. You are almost able to keep down 4 oz. of your bottle at a time.
Laugh at the many hilarious things around you. Tuesday night you were laughing hysterically at Henri. Henri was rolling on the floor and clearly that is the funniest thing ever. ;)
Have shown us your tender side daily. You love peaceful atmospheres more and more, especially when you don't feel well.
Are the best thing to wake up to! It doesn't matter if you nap for 1 minute or sleep for 10 hours during the night, you wake up THRILLED to be alive! THANK YOU JESUS FOR LIFE!

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19

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