Grey's 1st Easter

We spent Grey's first Easter at home, since she is still too fragile to expose to germs at church.  Daddy played the drums for church, but he came home and spent the afternoon with us.  It has been a wonderful family day.

We attempted a family photo with our camera's timer, and what.a.joke.  This photo is right on the edge of horrible, but it's the only one with all our heads in it. ;)  

Since we did not hunt eggs this year, we thought Grey's Easter basket could hold her in it since she is small enough.  Once again, this was pretty much another photo failure, but it was a fun experience any ways. lol

Daddy and Mommy!  Enough already please!
Being so cute is exhausting you know.

Daddy read us the Easter Story out of the Jesus Storybook Bible (highly recommend for children).  Grey cooed throughout Chet reading.  I think she was reading along. :)

We have hope and the promise of eternal life because of Christ's sinless death on the cross, and resurrection three days later.  It is completely undeserved, yet Christ loves us so much that He willingly chose death to bear our miserable sinful lives on the cross with Him that Day.  These past few years I have been in complete awe of that kind of love.  I would not even put a scratch on either one of my children, for someone I loved, yet...God gave His Son to die for us.  It's unfathomable kind of LOVE.

Because He died to give us the free gift of Salvation, we will get to be reunited as a whole family again one day.  This Easter is so much sweeter than last Easter, getting to hold our precious daughter; yet I still think about our 19 month old, and how much he is missed.  I can only imagine how amazing it is to spend today with Jesus!

Thank You Jesus.  Thank You.

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.  But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  "Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death is your sting?"  But thanks be to to God!  He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:14, 20, 55-56

2 Week Appointment

Grey's 2 week appointment was today.  She wore her first dress for the occasion, the only dress that will fit her right now.  Her expression is concerned in this pic, because she just had her heel pricked for her PKU test. :(  (Momma did worse than Grey!)  She wasn't so sure she could trust anyone in the office!

Our healthy eater weighed in at 5 lbs. 7.5 oz.!  I guessed she was 5 lbs. 8 oz. on the way to the doctor, so that is pretty fun!  She is doing great on her weight gain - in the 10th percentile already!

Her head and height are both in the 3rd percentile (I find that one a little strange, since she is a long 19 inches?!)...

Grey had a bit of a rough afternoon after getting home from Lubbock.  My friend mentioned that she might get a little carsick, and I am thinking that may be the case.  The only two days she has really spit up are both doctor appointment days.  Poor girl.  If carsickness is the case, I hope it is outgrown soon!

Grey had a WONDERFUL evening though!  She cooed and smiled and spent two hours "taking it all in" with Momma before Daddy got home from work.

I think it's interesting that photos make Grey's hair seem so dark, but in person it's a very light brown-ish color.  In fact, in the sunlight it almost looks blonde.

We are so grateful for a clean bill of health from Dr. G!  God is so great to continue to bless our daughter!  We love our doctor and the fact that she will answer all of my many annoying questions.  She makes us feel like we are her only patients all day, and that makes my momma heart happy!

Today I signed Grey up to be dedicated at the Parent & Child Dedication on Mother's Day at our church.  It was such a powerful moment for me to be able to sign her up.  Last Mother's Day, I really wondered if we would ever be able to do this.  I know Holden is with Jesus, and has always been dedicated to the Lord...but it was still so difficult and bittersweet last year.  Chet and I are both incredibly honored to be given the priceless gift of raising our daughter on earth.  What JOY it is to dedicate her life to the Lord.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.  Psalm 30:11

2 weeks!!

Our little peanut has been blessing my arms for two weeks now!  We took quite a few iPhone photos today (like we always do), so that I don't miss one of these precious expressions or faces.  She is already growing SO much!

At two weeks:

• You wear mostly preemie clothes still, although you are transitioning to a few newborn outfits.  
• You love to eat!  I am so happy you are a good eater...hmm...wonder where you got that from? ;)
• You involuntarily smile a lot, which of course melts my heart.  I can't seem to capture these smiles on camera, because I'm too mesmerized by them to think of grabbing my phone or camera. 
• You stay awake a lot more now, even up to an hour at a time.  
• Mommy took you on our first "solo" walk without Daddy today.  We just went around the block since it was hot out, and I didn't want your sweet skin to burn or get overheated.  You were very quiet the whole time, just looking around at all the sights and sounds.    
• You sleep about 1 to 1 1/2 hours at a time during the night, which is a huge help to Mommy and Daddy!
• We love you more and more each day...which should really be impossible as much as we love you every moment.  

I am still in awe at how wonderful her birth video and photos turned out.  Such a precious gift for us to treasure.  I feel so privileged to have our c-section and Grey's first moments of life captured!  Shuffield Photography also designed her birth announcements, which we are excited to pick out tonight! 

Grey's two week appointment is tomorrow, so we will see how much she weighs.  I wouldn't be surprised if she's gained a half a pound!

These "Weekly Updates" are so different than the weeks that passed after Holden's birth.  I was thinking about how I feel like I am in a time warp these past two weeks, just as I did after Holden's birth...but in the exact opposite way.  Beauty and JOY has truly been restored in our home.

Daddy just got home, and we haven't seen much of him this week, so I'll cut this short.  Happy 2 Weeks my dear daughter!

Grey and I talked about how much Jesus loves us today...that He gave His life for us...

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again.  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.  I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.  This command I received from my Father.  John 10:17-18

Shuffield Photography Photos and Video

Shuffield Photography captured Grey's first week amazingly.  This Mommy has been a crying mess since seeing it!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to Tisha and Jim, Grey's "grandparents".

Little Raider

Sweetness

I am practicing with our camera.  I have a really cute model.  :)

I couldn't stop thinking about Holden when we took Grey's first "Raider photo".  I know Holden will watch from heaven as Grey watches her first football game this fall.  I love both of my little Raiders so much.

My cute model happens to be 10 days old today.  Be.still.my.heart.  She changes so much each day, I try not to cry each morning.

Today was our first "family day".  We decided we needed a day with just the three of us to get a little rest and routine established.  It ended up being just what our little family needed!  We feel very refreshed and renewed.  Chet goes back to work tomorrow, so I am thankful for the time we had with Daddy today.

Other photos from our camera, thanks to Tisha for teaching me how to use it!:

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  Matthew 11:29