Swimming lessons!

Grey's second swimming experience (first with Daddy and I) was this evening!  She could've stayed in the water all night, and we only took her out because she was turning into a prune.  (Um, and Momma wanted out!)  She splashed and cooed for over 30 minutes!  I foresee a LOT of time in this pool in the next couple months.

 Chet and I believe ALL children should learn how to swim as EARLY as possible, and have been working with Grey during bath time to float in water.  I am determined to teach her to float by the end of the summer.  I know she will never leave our reach and sight in water until MUCH, much older, as an avid swimmer, but it is so important to me that she knows how to float and swim...even before she can walk.

Don't mind me in these photos.  The post baby body that enjoys cupcakes more than exercising is not quite summer ready :)--- plus the pale skin I am wearing this summer might be permanent, since my recent dermatologist appointments have me thoroughly convinced that my skin type should avoid much UV exposure. :)

Luke and Rusty got their summer "hairdos" today!

HAPPY SUMMER!!!!

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Psalm 34:11

22 months and 14 weeks!

Thinking about the 22 months that Holden has been in heaven and the 14 weeks that we have had Grey in our arms is amazing.  Oh how I love my children!

I vividly remember holding, smelling and kissing Holden like it was yesterday.  I remember hearing those WONDERFUL first screams of Grey's like they were last night.  I love that I have my "first" memories of my children always in my heart. :)

Grey is 14 weeks today, and she had a very busy day to celebrate!  We took a walk early this morning with Erica and Henry, visited our friends Sawyer, Beck and Henry at the Jones', baked cupcakes and had a nice visit with Tressa and Abbey this afternoon, all while teething.
Yes, I said teething!  This week's major milestone is TEETHING!  We would've never thought we could teeth this early, but we definitely are.  Grey is all about defying timelines. :)  She has been gumming and chewing on everything, drooling, fussing, refusing a lot of her feedings, running a fever and sleeping a lot, lot less this week.  Chet said certainly she will be an easy teenager since we are getting all this "rough" stuff out of the way early, right?  Either way, I don't want to think of my precious baby as a teenager, so I can't elaborate on that.  My sister's boys were early teethers, so Grey is keeping up with her cousins!


Bop, at 14 weeks old:
It seems like you have grown up three weeks in this past week!

• You are teething!  We think you must be too excited to try "big people" food to wait!  Sweet girl, teething hasn't been fun, but you are still full of joy and smiles a lot!  It is especially cute and sad to see you cry while trying to smile at me.  
• You have started noticing the television.  Your eyes get big and you seem to watch whatever we have on.  This makes me very aware of what we have playing in our home, although I should have always been this thoughtful about everything we see and hear.  It also means I mostly just have music on now, since even commercials are disgusting to enter your innocent mind.
• You continue to "talk" more and more; you've pretty much become a chatterbox. :)  I LOVE IT!  You say "mommamommamomma" daily now, although it's not purposeful or directed toward me.  You can't help it if I say Momma to you a thousand times a day.  Some might call it brain washing. ;)
• You are sticking with size 1 diapers another week.  You are rocking a pretty darn cute muffin top though that I happen to like.  You may be in size 1 diapers for a while longer since your Momma is too sentimental these days. ;)
• You weigh 11 lbs. 1 oz.!  I think the rice cereal in your bottles makes you pack on those precious rolls even more!  I can't get enough of your chubby cheeks and rolls, so keep 'em coming honey!

I pray daily that you will have a fervor for things that matter eternally, sweetheart.  Nothing you do on this earth compares otherwise.  

It has taken me nearly all of 14 weeks to establish a regular routine, but I think we have got it!  I'm very grateful our mornings consist of walks in the park with Erica and Henry!  Fresh air, blood pumping and girl chat is quite nice to start our days.  Grey and Henry usually fall asleep on the walk, but both of them love being outdoors.  Even with reflux and teething, Grey is doing good and has decently predictable naps.  (Granted, we are far from a Babywise baby, but our schedule works for us!)  We are reading the Old Testament together, and are currently in the Chronicles.  I have been humbled by many experiences lately that I have forgotten a lot of Scripture, and I miss the power of the Word!  I am making it a priority to read the Bible, regardless of what our day looks like, and we are all benefitting from it.  I am able to stay on top of Holden Uganda work a lot better too!  This is a HUGE blessing since Holden Uganda is continuing to grow in a way only God can do!  I still wake up each day humbled to be a part of the bigger picture God has for our firstborn's life.

These are pictures of the sweetest person I have ever known, taken today for her "14 week shoot" (still using my iPhone because our computer is in Dallas getting fixed and I have no way of getting our camera's card on a computer):

We have discovered our feet this week.  They pretty much are hilarious.

Chubby tummy

Muffin tops and smiles?  These "tools" make it easy for Momma to spoil me.

Precious grins.  I pull out all the stops when I want to get my way.

Big girl face.

Silly face.

 Not a picture of Grey, but of the baby ducks we saw on our morning stroll.  They were so tiny and worthy of stopping for a picture!

 Henry, Sawyer and Grey chillaxin during our playdate.  What fun it will be to watch all of Grey's friends grow up together!

Baking cupcakes with Momma - one of many experiences in the kitchen together.  I look forward to teaching her how to cook and bake (even if "bake" might mean 'came from a box mix' on occasion).  I know a lot of moms are not fortunate enough to get the privilege of staying home, and I am extremely grateful for each cherished moment.  Grey #1 - seemed to like her boppy more than she ever has while we baked today, and #2 - wanted some chocolate.  She kept reaching for the frosting and sprinkles.  She's her momma's baby. :)

(The side of my fridge is covered with pictures of special kids in our lives, I know. I can't put them up.  Our home is lived in.)

That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."  Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place.  Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth.  Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"  God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you.  And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."  2 Chronicles 1:7-12

Not a coincidence that we read that today.  Imagine what it would be like if our leaders asked this of the Lord.  

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  1 Timothy 2:1-2

Sweetest 3 Months Earthly Possible

That subject truly sums up our life.  I do not deserve the blessings we get daily from our Savior - and will never understand how we could be given such a precious gift.  These past three months have truly been the sweetest possible.

This morning we had to do our monthly photos next to "grey bear" for size, of course!  Right when I was starting to enjoy practicing with our REAL CAMERA (not my iPhone), our Mac computer crashed.  Thus I have a ton of photos sitting on our camera, with no way to get them off.  So I am back to using my phone again, even though I have no storage left and have to delete photos as I take them. :(

Grey can sit much better than she is sitting in these photos, but she has inherited her momma's affinity for all things soft.  She simply cannot resist a grey bear cuddle! ;)

At 3 months, our sweet-spirited, happy, funny baby:

• Wears 3-6 month clothing and size 1 diapers
• Weighs 10 pounds 6 ounces
• Focuses on and reaches for people and objects
• Coos and talks all the time
• Stands and bounces 
• Sleeps through the night (or about 6-7 hours!)
• Shares her happy spirit with us through constant smiles and giggles
• Eats 3 ounces per bottle, every 2-3 hours during the day
• Is irresistibly adorable

Grey, your temperament and character have been shining through amazingly, as you are feeling better and better.  I believe you are one of the most tender-hearted babies in the world.  You seem to sense our feelings and emotions and want everyone to be happy.  You are never stingy with your cuddles and smiles.  You are very alert and smart, and are extremely aware of your surroundings.  Sweetheart, you are sleeping through the night and establishing your own schedule, which is such a blessings to us; I think I may miss our all-night snuggles though. ;) This month your physical development has blossomed!  With minimal help, you are standing and sitting.  You have advanced hand control and can hold your bottle and grab toys we give to you.  You are the most beautiful thing we have ever seen, and your outward beauty reflects it.  You are so valued and loved, dear daughter.

I always look back to the past month's photos to see how much Grey has grown before I blog.  It amazes me that in only 30 days she can change like she does.  As Grey's stay-at-home Momma, I can't ever imagine getting enough kisses and love from my baby girl.  I am so excited to wake up to her first morning "sugars", and value each priceless moment until I receive her goodnight kisses.

Grey's 'approximate' schedule at 3 months old looks something like this:

Wake up at 4 or 5am to eat (sometimes Daddy feeds us at this time, if he isn't already gone)
Play and snuggle with Momma
Another bottle around 7am
Medicine 8am
Bottle 9am
Quick walk before or after 9am bottle (depends on how we are doing)
Long nap 10am-12pm (this nap is KEY to a "good day")
Bottle 12pm
Bottle 2pm
Bottle 4pm... and this "bottle every two - or sometimes three - hours" schedule continues pretty much all day...
If the weather is okay and we have time, we will take an afternoon walk
We always play and read a lot in the afternoon
"Cat naps" in the afternoon, usually totaling about 1 hour
Medicine 8pm
Bath right after medicine
Last bottle 9pm-10pm (depends on prior bottles, and/or how sleepy Grey is)
Rock with Daddy until we fall asleep (hopefully by 10pm)

This weekend we have had Brittney, Danny (Britt's bf) and Blair staying with us.  Grey has loved the extra arms to spoil her.  :)

The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.  Psalm 121:7-8

13 Weeks!

Our preciousness turned THIRTEEN WEEKS today!  That is only half as crazy as the fact that she will be 3 MONTHS tomorrow!  Look at this photo!  She looks so grown up...sigh...and sweet...and just all kinds of preciousness.  I sat her on the couch to "practice" sitting for her 3 month pictures tomorrow.  She is sitting very well.  It's truly amazing how much babies develop in one month!

We have my sweet college friends staying with us, so it's been fun and busy around here, and I don't have a lot of time to blog!  Blair, Brittney (and Britt's boyfriend Danny) won't leave until Sunday, so Grey is going to be rotten with all the spoiling! ;)

Because I will be [hopefully] blogging tomorrow too, for her three month update, I will try to include a little of what Grey has been up to this past week.

Grey spent her first night away from us last weekend!  Tisha and Jimmy Jim kept her while Chet and I enjoyed our first date in a long time Saturday night in Fredericksburg.  Grey LOVED spending time with them, and to be honest - cried when we got back and picked her up. (Not the homecoming I pictured in my head haha!) :)  I think she could have stayed there and been loved on forever, which was wonderful to see.  As much as I missed her every moment, it was surreal to see her being loved and cared for so much from "grandparents".  During her stay there, she had her first swim - which was captured on video, of course ;).  Grey really enjoyed the water and splashed around happily the whole time!  Speaking of "captured on camera", I don't think I could have managed being away from our little Bop if Tisha didn't send us the constant photos and videos that she did...it made our hearts happy to see she was enjoying herself so much.  Even though under the best care, oh my...my heart won't be able to handle another overnight stay for awhile.  :)  (Chet and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves though, and I know it was needed!)

Grey has been sleeping better and developing her own schedule!  I had been stressing over this for weeks...months...and lo and behold, she has pretty much set a schedule on her own.  My personality is a touch "do it right or go home/do things my way", so I had been robbing myself of some of the joy to be had in the small things when I worried over her schedule.  Having a baby who was colicky and has reflux has nearly been impossible to establish a schedule with, so we are extraordinarily grateful her 'clock' is more predictable.  I think if I am ever going to give advice to new mommies, I will let them know that comparing their babies to others is only going to make them crazy.  Each baby and family is different, and it doesn't matter what advice books and friends give, what works for each family is what matters.  Chet and I love our little minimal sleeper, and even though I want her to sleep enough to be healthy, it's ultimately not going to do any good if I stress over a day that she sleeps only a couple hours.  :)  She is sleeping more and more though; we are praising the Lord for a baby who usually falls asleep in her Daddy's arms around 9 or 10 (Daddy's "magic hold" is truly MAGIC), sleeps in her crib until about 2, and then joins us in our room until about 4 or 5.   We wake up early, which works wonderfully for our family since Daddy goes to work early.   I am beyond blessed to spend the early morning hours snuggling, laughing, cooing and reading with my precious daughter!

Sweet girl is laughing so often now, and her favorite things (little kids, animals, grey bunny and blankies) make her laugh for hours!  Looking in the mirror and being outside bring on some fun giggles too! :D  When she is around little kids, I always think about her big brother...I believe God gave me a special gift with Grey loving toddlers so much.  Her "toddler" brother in heaven would make her laugh if he was here, and I adore watching the joy in her face when she is around my friends' kids.

These past couple of weeks have been crazy busy for Chet and I.  I feel as though it can't possibly be late June already!  Each day we fall more and more in love with the beautiful daughter the Lord has blessed our home with.  We've been given 13 of the best weeks on earth.  We love you dearly, precious Grey Danelle!

They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty - and I will meditate on your wonderful works.  Psalm 145:5

12 weeks!

I'm two days late writing Grey's 12 week post, and I'm doing it from my phone!  Let's see if this blog app works! :) It's not allowing me to add pics?? Oh well! Since it's 2:30am, I will list 12 things you were up to this past week, our sweetie: 1. Smiling!  You are a little ham and nearly always smile for our phone cameras.  Convenient when I prefer to take 200 photos a day of your perfectness. ;)  2. Cuddling. Even more than usual.  Just when we thought we had reflux under control, it flared up worse this past week.  This meant lots of snuggling for momma!  As much as I hate reflux, I'll never regret a moment with you honey! 3. Working on a schedule!  This is a tough job at 12 weeks, suffering with reflux, huh?  We are so proud of you though, because you are more predictable around the clock than ever before! 4.  Sleeping better!  If you fall asleep around 9pm, you'll wake up once around 2am and then sleep in until 5 or 6!  This doesn't happen every night, but we are starting to enjoy this trend! 5.  Filling out your size 1 diapers. We may be moving on up soon!  6. Officially hit the "10 pound" mark on the scale.  I may always call you my tiny hiney though. ;)) 7.  Learning and studying all around you.  You have such a serious "learning face".  It makes me smile and laugh when you concentrate so deeply on all your surroundings.  We are in Brady right now and you have seemed to notice everything! 8.  Tried to "talk" to Henri and the dogs and get their attention. Have I ever said you're cute? 9.  Eating nearly 4 oz. at meal times!  We had gone down to 2-3 oz., but your reflux seems to be okay with 4 on occasion.   10.  Well, this might be for your 13 week update: but you will spend your FIRST DAY AND NIGHT AWAY FROM US!  You are soooo lucky to have a Tisha and JJ who love you to pieces and are going to keep you tomorrow so Momma and Daddy can have an anniversary date! :)  Huge step for all of us... Will update with the weekend photos and fun soon!   I love you more than any amount of words can express.  Thanks for being my sweet spirited baby for 2 1/2 months, Grey! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone