Our little sweetheart

I have tons of posts rattling around in my head... but NO time to write? Anyone else have that problem?

So, today I'll leave you with a glimpse of our little sweetheart, who has turned into the happiest baby we've ever had... and the main reason behind "no time to write"... but she IS a cute little reason, though, isn't she?!??!

Life

Things have been hoppin' around our little nest. Life is busy and full and sweet... and beautiful. Some days in the midst of unloading the dishwasher or changing ANOTHER dirty diaper I have to remind my self of that. And, yes, that one day, I AM ... "gonna miss this"

Our little ones are growing SOOOO quickly. Why oh, WHY?? Waaaah!! My sweet boy walked in the room today with another pair of jeans that were too short for him! Truly, some days I just want to freeze time. "Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time; for that's the stuff life is made of". I need that stenciled on my forehead!

My little Andrew is reading SO well now. Ummmm.... didn't realize that they learned that in KINDERGARTEN these days. Wow. My mom (who shares my love of all things vintage) got him a collection of Dick and Jane readers... just like she and dad learned to read with... and he has been quite enthralled. Those stories are so simple and sweet and innocent. Oh! To live in days like those again. The sweetest thing, though, has been seeing him read to Anna Kate. I found them curled up in his bed the other day with him reading to her in that little "beginner reader" voice and I just wanted to cry! Those 2 do love each other so much. I pray that they will be close forever. I pray that God would only increase that love over time.

Anna Kate is of the mind that more is better.... when it comes to her wardrobe! She has adopted the "Fancy Nancy" style of dress, and wanted to leave the house in Cinderella heels, a BOA, sunglasses on her head, rings on EVERY finger and a princess dress the other day. That child is ALL girl... and a very prissy one at that. She is my constant shadow (along with her imaginary friends Kacy and Lucy. Ahem.) and wants to do every single thing I do. I am so thankful for my sweet "fancy" girl.

Our baby Abigail is growing by the day! She is the BEST baby we have ever had and so content. She smiles that toothless smile, coos and just melts my heart. She lights up every time I come into the room and I am grateful, grateful for her little life and the sunshine she brings into mine.

I am doing a little better with getting us into a "new" routine around here... and things... things.. are really so ordinary that they are beautiful. Just the way I like it!

Blessings and Happy Tuesday!

Much Love,

My Valentine

*Reprise from my 07 Valentine's post*

It still hangs in my closet. I saw it again today as I was going through things to place into the box for Goodwill. I contemplated giving it away~ even took the hanger down to view it closer and then replaced it. I'm just not ready yet. I don't know that I will ever be. It's not that I think I will ever wear it again. I know that I probably won't. I really don't even like it anymore to tell you the truth. But I will keep it. It's what I had on the first night we met. The first night we saw each other in the parking lot of that restaurant. The night that you thought I wouldn't show up.
I chose it carefully. Black is always a safe choice for a first date. I added tall boots, sparkly earrings to go with the top and my signature lipstick color. I was so nervous. I almost broke off one of my well-manicured nails on the steering wheel ...tapping it on the way to see you.
The shirt you wore was the same blue as your eyes. I can't get rid of it, either. It still smells like you. I can see you in it, standing there with the biggest smile in the world on your face. I remember what the sleeve felt like against my face sitting on that park bench after dinner. I remember feeling so small next to you.
I remember driving home that night knowing that you were the one that I would marry. I didn't want to take that outfit off because I could still smell a trace of your cologne on the sleeve. I kept it on for a long time that night. I sat in the windowseat looking at the stars and thinking~ about you, us, our future.
I put it on again one year to the day later. We went out to the same restaurant that night to celebrate the anniversary of our first date. We were now Mr. and Mrs. What a difference a year had made. We became engaged 2 months after that first date, had a fairytale wedding and were starry - eyed and in love. We sat at the same table and laughed about things had changed in those 12 little months. What a beautiful change it was.
Here we are. 6.5 years, 3 kids, and 2 houses later. That same outfit still hangs in our closet. I can't give it away. Not now, not ever. It was what I wore when you walked into my life. There is no advice I would give the girl that wore it. No tips, no suggestions. Maybe I'd just like to tell her to savor every moment, for it only gets better from here. Maybe I'd tell her that she was in for the best days of her life. Maybe I'd tell her to slow down and enjoy it more. Maybe I'd tell her nothing. For there is nothing I would change about our life together. Not one thing. You are my perfect valentine, the final name in my appointment book, my future tense.
Happy Valentine's Day and
Much Love,

Rhythm

A rhythm slowly begins to settle over the house. ...
Crying, bottle, dishes, coffee, change diaper, make beds, swing, mama can you button me, bouncer, I'm hungry, She's not sharing, coos, tiny fists waving in the air, read me a book, Sesame Street, is it time for a snack, do you like my picture, wind mobile again in crib, washing machine, unloading dishwasher, crying, bottle, lunch, can I go outside, walking in stroller, telephone, computer, naps, wash hands, sing to baby, rock, rock, rock, lullabies, act silly with me, is it time to get brother from school, car, carpool line, friends, home, snack, Lord, I am tired of the demands! Have I looked at myself in mirror today, did I brush my teeth, need to start supper, homework, when is daddy coming home, can we go next door to play, I love you mommy, crying, bottle, need to get it together, phone calls, please hush, mommy is trying to talk, where IS daddy, help, tired, need a break, fold clothes, cook, rock, rock, rock baby, play candy land, daddy please hurry home.....
Still.... this is my favorite job in the world. Thank you, Father God for my life. Thank you.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest"
AMEN.
Happy Thursday and Much Love,
Jennifer

Home again, home again!

Our sweet baby came home from the hospital (once again!) this week. She is doing much, much better! We are still having a few issues here and there, but she is so much improved. Hopefully we are on the permanent road to recovery this time! Thank you so MUCH for your prayers. God bless you for them!
Having our 3rd little one has been such a blessing... but has thrown me for a LOOP in the scheduling department! Wow. Our home was running like a well-oiled machine before sweet Abigail came along, but now?? We can't seem to get on a schedule! For someone who thrives on schedule and routines, this is more than a little frustrating! Hopefully that will improve soon (probably when she is sleeping more!) but for now I am just trying to enjoy them! I think I may even throw caution to the wind this afternoon and read the pile of books they've been asking me to..... Cleaning cabinets can wait, right?? I hope my desires for a well-run, clean, orderly home don't interfere with spending lots of time just enjoying and playing with them! Such a hard balance to strike!!
They are growing so fast.... wish I could just "freeze frame" them at the ages they are now. *Sigh*. The age old wish of all moms...
Off to enjoy!
Happy Friday and Much Love!
Jennifer

Thank you~~

Baby Abigail actually had a better day today.... AND we got a "diagnosis" as to what is wrong with her! Apparently, she developed an ileus (paralyzed section of the bowel) after the viral illness. It is causing the vomiting, gas, diarrhea, etc. that she is experiencing. Fortunately, her pediatrician thinks that it will heal itself, but will just take a little time. We will have to be in the hospital with her so that she can receive IV support until she is able to be adequately hydrated from the bottle alone. Her viral counts were still high today, and she does not feel so great..... very fussy..... just gives mommy and daddy and chance to snuggle her a little more, though!! I think the stress of all this has caused some postpartum issues that I was having (that we THOUGHT were resolved!) begin to resurface as well. Hopefully they will go away soon, too!
You are all just precious to me to remember our family in your prayers. You will never know how much that means! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Please pray that we can come home SOON!
Much Love,
Jennifer

Prayers

I am not sure if anyone still reads this silly blog anymore..... (I am on the waiting list for a redesign, though!!... can't WAIT).... I have felt like blogging again lately!

Right now, though, I would like to ask for prayers for our baby girl, Abigail. She was doing so well after being released from the NICU in November!! She had gained 6 pounds, and was beginning to sleep at night, etc.!! Last week, she contracted what we think (thought??) was a stomach virus. She became very dehydrated and was admitted to the hospital. She seemed to get better and we were released last night. Today, she relapsed again, and we were readmitted to the pediatric unit. She is very dehydrated again, and is back on IV, Pedialyte, etc. Her Doctor thinks now something else may be involved such as an obstruction, or some other GI problem. She is so tiny and it is SOOOOOO hard to see her in the hospital bed and not know what is wrong with her... and to feel helpless to do anything about it!! Please pray for her to get better. I want to bring her home soon!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!