5.14.2013

Chapter 75: Mother's Day 2013

You have filled my heart. 

A heart that I thought was full when you were born. Oh no... my heart surely has expanded to full compacity. This was my first Mother's Day and it was wonderful to be able to celebrate being a 
M-O-M! 

There are many things that one wishes for in life. One of my wishes was to be a Mom.  I wanted to be that Mom that had her girls in the biggest bows & ruffled dresses. Or that Mom that had her boys in cleats, with a bat, and ball in hand!  I wanted to be a school room Mom and the Mom that planned fun birthday parties. I wanted to watch little faces light up on Christmas morning and smiles as Easter Eggs were opened. I wanted so many wonderful things!  God granted my wish and man are there things that have changed. 
Just to name a few...
In the beginning, staying up countless hours a night to feed you two. (you now sleep great!!)  7 months and counting (who's counting?? Ummm, ME!) of pumping throughout the day so you littles can have breast milk. Getting up at 5:30am to work out.  Waking up early every day. EVERY weekend! *(I'm a sleeper, so this is tough!) Doing load after load of laundry. Worrying about absolutely everything, but knowing that you are juuuust fine. Sitting through Baby Einstein and Mickey Mouse Club. Cleaning up mess after mess, toy after toy.  Changing diaper after diaper....after diaper!
 Listening to your cry's and wanting to take ever fear and hurt away from you.  Looking at your sweet faces as you sleep and wishing that you'd wake up. Holding you tight and wanting time to stop. Spending time crossed legged on the floor as we read books and play with toys. Watching you grow and wishing you would stop. Yes, I have made sacrifices. But, what wonderful sacrifices they have been.

 I look back on the 5 years that Michael and I had without the girls, and granted they were great, but the past 7 months have kicked the last 5 years out of the water.  God had you each planned perfectly for us and in His timing.

{H & L:} 
I would do anything for the two of you. ANYTHING! The love I have is just wordless. It's the big, tear-filled, joyous love that you can only have for your children that makes you a Mom. That love makes me a better person. That love makes me a better Christian. That love makes me strong. That love makes me... "Mom!"

Your Daddy and I love you so much and we feel so lucky to call you our own. You are our dream come true. 

 You are my everything! Thank you Lord for giving me my wish. You gave me two... and for that I give my everything to you.
I love you my littles,
Mommy 

 

For those women who have gone through sadness through miscarriages, infant loss, or infertility, please know that I pray for you daily.  I know the struggles, tears, and frustrations that come with trying to conceive children. Sometimes we wonder why God takes so long to answer our prayers.  They will get answered! He is with you along your hard journey. Every journey has a end. A end that is with Him. But, your journey will be blessed.  It just may not be in your timing.  We do not know why God puts us through this hard walk of life, but I truly believe that our experiences only make us stronger. Lift your hands to him and He will lift you through these tough trials. Please feel free to email me personally if you need someone to talk with about these struggles. May you find patience and peace in this difficult season. 
 For the Bible instructs us to "Be strong and courageous...for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. 
He will not leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
Just knowing we are not going through this season alone offers a peace that cannot be found anywhere else.

5.13.2013

Chapter 74: 7 Months Old


little ones...
you are 7 months old

Hadley McKee


5/10/13
Weight: 15 lbs 2.5oz 
Feedings: 1 bottle of Mom's milk / 4 bottles of formula (6-7oz)
Clothing: 6-9 month onesies 
Sleeping: 7:30pm-6:30am
Napping: 3 times a day (30min-1hr)
You fall asleep with a pacifier and drop it after a few minutes. 
Size 2 diapers
Teeth: You have TWO teeth!
You love to sit!! You are super alert. When I lay you on your belly on our bed, you burry your head and then look up and smile! Your giggle is contagious. I smile just thinking of it!    


Layton Aaron
5/10/13
Weight: 15 lbs 11oz 
Feedings: 1 bottle of Mom's milk / 4 bottles of formula (7-8oz)
Clothing: 9 month onesies
Sleeping: 7:30pm-6:30am
Napping: 3 times a day (30min-1hr)

You are a pacifier sleeper who also LOVES to hold onto your lovie blankie. It's precious!  
Size 2 diapers (you will be moving up to 3's soon!)
Teeth: We think one is beginning to poke through
You pull on your sisters bow, ears, onesies, arms....everything it's cute! You love her!
You are the happiest baby ever! E-V-E-R!
  

You both have started to copy one another. It-is-ADORABLE!
One will cough, the other coughs. One blows bubbles, the other blows bubbles.
 I love joining in on your fun. 




My wish for you 
as sisters


{listen without interrupting}
{speak without accusing}
{answer without arguing}
{enjoy without complaint}
{forgive without punishing}
{promise without forgetting}
Always...love!


  

5.10.2013

Chapter 73: Big Girl Food

{Our New Family Adventure: Big Girl Food} 

We had so much fun with this new adventure. We started baby food around 5 months with the girls. We did rice cereal first and slowly added a veggie in every other night. We haven't done many fruits, as I know once we introduce those we may be in trouble. I took on the task of putting on my chef hat and making the girls food. Puree peas, carrots & sweet potatoes have been super easy! I mix in breast milk to add a little familiar sweetness. 

As the girls turned 7 months old, I thought we could try big girl food! 
This was our first experience with... 
cheese puffs!
Man... it sure was messy, but the girls LOVED them. They chewed all over these yummy little things. Layton is still warming up to the idea. We have tried banana flavored puffs too. 
yum-yum!

The girls have taken to food great.  I am making it, which is fun (at times)! I know it is what is best for their little bellys! Nice and fresh... but, I'm not gonna lie, we do have a few containers of baby food in the pantry as sometimes it's just easier! 

Here are few pictures of Layton and Hadley enjoying a baby cheese puff for the first time.  Please don't judge their messiness! 
We have fun at dinner time.
 Girls: This is cute for now... when you are older, we will learn table manners. 

{enjoy} 
please excuse the peas...


Check out these precious wrist rolls...


5.06.2013

Chapter 72: Growing Girls


H & L, 

This 6 month of having you two in our little family has been OH SO much fun! You have grown so much and I love every bit of it. 

You both have: 
-learned to sit up
-learned to spit your food (I laugh.. it's messy, but FUN!)
-learned to sleep 12 hours
-learned how to play independently
-grown two teeth (Hadley) 
-enjoy reaching out to touch (grab-their-fur) Hondo and Sophie
-started to grab one another (I can't wait to watch you grow up together!) 
-continued to laugh, giggle, and coo
-loved the schedule we have you on 


Mom and Dad have:
-put away your baby swings (yay)
-let you cry it out at night to help you learn to self soothe
-enjoyed watching you grow
-constantly thank God for the two of you!