Tis the Season...

Evie cheering for the Christmas tree!



Looks like Evie's celebrity mug shot. But really, just fun with food in the hair. Aw, poor Ev.


"Look, Mom! I drew the whole 'activity' scene!" Did it all on her own. The sweetest. Warms the heart.


Someone is FIRED UP about Christmas! She dressed as a Christmas cheerleader and cheered in front of the Christmas tree...it went a little somethin' like this..."I SAY BABY, YOU SAY JESUS...BABY! JESUS! BABY! JESUS!"

The season is upon us. The season for Christmas trees and decorations, Christmas music and Christmas cheer, snowflakes and coziness, and anticipation...not to mention law school finals and midnight Christmas shopping and hurried Christmas baking and wrapping...when I am going to do the wrapping??...and not enough sleep and Christmas rushing and sometimes, yes, sometimes Christmas stressing...
So...I have attached a few images that remind me what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown. And I have two little presents of my own who make it all worth while...one who was even delivered Christmas Day one whole year ago...

Winter

Winter is here. The first snow came last night. Lots of it! Turned out to be the perfect winter's night for a 4 year old. The best part was it was totally unplanned. Amelia was adamant that she would be playing in the snow after dinner. We tried to explain that it was very cold out and the snow was really wet, she didn't care. She was out the door with Ford all bundled up to "take a walk" in the snow. She came in one snowman later covered in wet icy snow, drippy nose and rosy cheeks but pleased with her first snowman of the year. She jumped in the bath, hot cocoa with mini-marshmallows waiting. To top it off, a little Rudolph was on television. Amelia's first time. Cozy in her jammies, hair still wet from her bath, warm cocoa in her tummy and tucked under a blanket between Mom and Dad on the couch (Evie was asleep in her crib), she watched Rudolph and the Abominable while she nervously chewed on the blanket in anticipation. Her first experience with the Abominable and all his scariness...and she couldn't stop talking about him afterward. And how come he wasn't as scary after her had no teeth, anyway? :)
A four year old's winter memory.

Mama Mia!

It seems Evie is learning a trick or two every day now. Some new ones and some new and improved...
Mama Mia (pictured above)
Waving...she's been doing this for a while but now she waves at EVERYONE. Random strangers even.
She is getting the gist of blowing kisses although her hand starts at her chest instead of her mouth...but she's got the swinging out action down and her intentions are good.
She says "Uh Oh" in response to anything that is dropped, whether it's on purpose or not.
She goes to sleep by herself! I almost gave up thinking this would ever happen for one of my babies...but she does it. The set up: Sucky, lovey, soft music, sound machine, dimmed room and a little snuggle, swaying and humming...lay her down. She's out without a peep. It's truly awesome.
Singing. She's been doing a lot of singing, in her crib in the car, while she's getting her diaper changed...I love it.
Tantrums. This is a nice one. She's continues to arch her back and scream when she doesn't want to partake certain things, namely getting in her car seat, being placed on the floor to play when she'd rather be held, or being placed in her exer-saucer. Feisty that one.

And perhaps my favorite is this...
While playing with her big sister on the floor recently another fight ensued. Amelia was hoarding the nesting/stacking blocks with her back to Evie. Evie was trying hard to get a few. A scream and then a scream in response...back a forth a few times. I encouraged Amelia to teach Evie to share by giving her a few blocks. It worked. Amelia shared, Evie shared back. The rest of the playing session was amicable.
Later, that same day...the same scenario, same blocks...but this time, Evie hoarded two blocks right off the bat, held them close to her chest and stared right at her sister and shook her head "NO." Wow, 10 months and taking her stand. Right on.

The 9th month

Evie is quickly approaching 10 months! Her 9th month has been action packed. She's officially on the move. She's crawling! She took her time a bit on actually moving forward...mostly she'd just hang out on all fours, rock back and forth, go up to downward dog, down to her belly and then push herself up to sitting. Next, she invented her own way of getting about thus negating the need to travel via hands and knees...more of a roll or two up to sitting, then roll again up to sitting. It worked for her until one day I put some Gerber Sweet Potato Puffs on the floor a few feet in front of her...wa la...now she crawls. She loves herself some Puffs..who knew they'd be so motivating.

Some other tricks she's pretty much mastered this month...
Loves to clap! All the time. Claps to music and for happiness.
Itsy Bitsy Spider may be her favorite song and she does the moves! So cute.
She's also enjoys and participates in patty cake.
Still thinks peek-a-boo is just as hilarious the 700th time as it was the first.
She is, already (and has been), quite musically inclined...loves instruments, loves music, loves to dance. Bounces and smiles and claps when she hears music.
She's enjoys eating now! Eats it all. Well, mostly the baby food I make, and Puffs and Cheerios. :) She's had baked potato chunks and pieces of banana...about to embark on the world of soft table foods.
She does the sign for "more" when she wants more to eat or drink. We are working on other signs.
She's got a temper! Watch out for this one. When she's got something on her mind and things don't quite go her way...she throws back her head, arches her back and wails. It's all very dramatic and reminds me a lot of somebody else I know.
She's go 2 teeth! Both on the bottom.
Her 9 month appointment went well. She's doing great and developing normally. She's even right on time for separation anxiety...she didn't care so much for the nurses doing their thing...cried a bit when she got weighed and clung to me.
She says "uh oh" when she drops (or throws) something to the floor. She says "ma ma ma" and "da da da."
She enjoys roaring. Most animals do roar, in case you didn't know...lions, bears, cats, scarecrows, even ducks.
She thoroughly enjoys the fish tanks at Meijer. Total happiness when she sees them. Giggles and laughs the entire time and then cries when I pull the cart away. Kind of sad.
She LOVES her sister. Today, however, I believe they had their first fight. Screamed back and forth at each other until Evie cried. Then they made up, and love each other once again.
She was baptized last weekend. It was a great day and a special moment for me. Emotions still well up when I think about how God granted me not one but two miracles. God bless Evelyn!

Some important things...

Oh my. Posts are few and far between because this life is BUSY! I wish I had more energy to write. I wish I had more time to write. I think of things to write about almost daily. But...husband in law school, a 4 year old, an 8 month old, and of course it would help if I had my own computer...excuses, yes, but good ones. So I write when I can, and I wish it was more.
So...some important things:

1. Evie cut her first tooth! And it was hard for everyone. She was so cranky these past few weeks. But now she's happy. Until the next tooth. The front bottom right tooth has arrived. I can't believe it. This does indicate that time is truly flying by.

2. Evie is up on all fours! She spends a lot of time of her tummy excitedly moving her arms and legs in and out...much like a pollywog swimming. But in the past few days, she's done a few push-ups with tummy off the floor and then up on her knees. Crawling is next!

3. Amelia decided, on what seemed to be the last weekend of summer, to swim. I mean really swim. Goggles on, held her breath, went all the way under and paddled...until she was swimming almost half-way across the width of the pool. Just like everything else in her life, she just decided that it was time. She was ready. And now she swims. It was awesome. A really proud moment.

4. Amelia has an exaggeration number. 120

5. Evie is falling asleep on her own these days. She welcomes her bed and I am so grateful. Maybe it really is a little easier the second time around?

6. Amelia and I have started reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I actually have the book series from my childhood. She LOVES listening to them. Her first chapter books. I have to admit...I love the influence these little girls and the way they lived are having on her already.

7. Evie LOVES herself some puffs. I mean she can eat some puffs. She's currently 75/25 as to what she actually gets in her mouth and what ends up elsewhere...floor, under her butt, stuck to her cheek...

8. Amelia attended her pre-school open-house tonight. Excited for year 2 of pre-school! Ford and I laughed at how much different it feels this year....for all of us it seems. We were all a little nervous at last year's open-house. This year? No chance. She acted like the senior of the school.

9. Life is busy and full and hectic and at times stressful and going by much too fast. And I love my girls.

Birthdays and Stuff

Girlie update:
Evie is hilarious, and still rolly. She is not crawling yet, but she rolls everywhere! All around the room. She discovered the magazines under the coffee table and enjoys pulling them down. She even rolls toward me to try to get to me when I am far from her. She's still a mama's girl, though she and her daddy have been getting reacquainted these past few weeks he has been on break. Her new favorite thing is to shake her head "no." Though she seems to do it for fun most of the time, there are moments when she does use this new skill at the appropriate times. She LOVES her big sister. Amelia has taught her how to scream. Which is fun. They scream back and forth to each other and then they both crack up laughing. Evie gets so excited...she gets her little hands and feet turning and turning and her pretty eyes get huge when Amelia comes near her and then Amelia proceeds with taunting her and making fun noises 2 cm away from her face. They love to be close to each other..to play or to snuggle. Evie grabs Amelia's hair and tries to pull her close so she can eat her nose.
She is eating solids...which she hated at first. But we are working on it and she's learned to enjoy quite a few things. I continue to introduce her to new foods regularly. So far she's had cereal, sweet potatoes, squash, beans, pears, prunes, apples, and peas. Loves the fruit of course.
She continues to dodge taking real naps during the day. True cat-napper. My goal has been to change this sleep behavior before school starts. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone were on some sort of schedule??? That would be a dream. Getting her to fall asleep on her own continues to be a challenge. She is literally exactly like her big sister was at this age. Which tells me their behaviors in the sleep arena must have more to do with me, and the patterns I've helped established, than I thought. It's difficult to listen to my babies scream. I just hate it. Period. But I've been working it out and she seems to be getting the idea...the idea that going to sleep in one's own crib when one is so extremely exhausted, is not actually torture.
She gets cuter everyday. And more fun. And it's all going way too fast..

Speaking of...Amelia turned 4 a week and a half ago. So exciting and so unbelievable. We have been so busy with birthdays and then a family trip Up North, I have not had the time to post recently about all of the exciting things going on. Shame on me, as this blog does serve as a bit of a baby book/journal. But as I look back and read this someday, i'll be reminded about how crazy exhausted I was at the end of each day...because let's face it, having kids is exhausting...only in the best way that a person can be exhausted of course.
And you know what else is exhausting but totally fun? Birthdays. Amelia had 4 celebrations, 4 cakes and lots of gifts from friends and family. She got a guitar this year. She told Ford the night she opened it..."Dad, I have a great idea...instead of getting up tomorrow and watching kid shows, let's have a jam session." He couldn't have been happier.
Sure enough, first thing the next morning she ran to his side of the bed, tapped him firmly and whispered loudly..."Dad! It's time to jam!" :)


And now, another Amelia story:

Last night while putting Amelia to bed, she asked if she could rock with me. We don't do this very often anymore, for a few reasons...I do miss it, and I was happy to oblige. As we were rocking, we were discussing the events of the day, namely her 4 year well visit at the pediatrician's office. She was not too thrilled with being at the doctor's office, (at all).

Me: Just think Amelia, you won't have to go back to the doctor for a check up for a whole year...you'll be five! You'll be so big then.
Amelia: Yes, so big you won't even be able to hold me.
Me: Oh yes I will! What you have to understand is no matter how big you get, you'll always be my baby...so I will always hold you.
Amelia: Even when I'm 19???
Me: Of course.
Amelia: Even when I'm YOUR age?
Me: Even when you're my age, I'll still hold you.
Amelia: Welllll...how about when I'm your age, I'll hold YOU.
Me: Aw, you would hold ME?
Amelia: Welll, actually...how about we just hold each other?

Me fighting back tears: "I'd like that."

It has been quite some time since I've posted. There are a few reasons for that...but mostly it's just been very a busy summer with a 3.75 year old and a 7 month old in tow! Evie is growing leaps and bounds before my very eyes. She is a healthy, happy girl and has the sweetest personality. She had her 6 month appointment a few weeks ago and is in the 90th percentile in height (26.5), weight (17 lbs 8 oz) and head circumference (43.7 cm). Ninety percent across the board...she's perfect! She still has a reputation for having the cutest rolls around but in my opinion she is actually trimming up a bit. :) She is getting stronger and in the past few weeks has been sitting up by herself. She has discovered the art of mobility by rolling all around the room...just waiting for her to take off crawling soon. She has been a bit clingy to mama...but it only takes her a few minutes and she eventually warms up to everyone. She LOVES her sister...she thinks she's pretty hilarious most of the time, other times, after she gets over the shock or being bombarded with hugs and loud crazy noises, she just watches her every move. They are already becoming good friends. One of my favorite things...watching their relationship grow.
She has started eating solids but it has been a slow go in that department. She absolutely did NOT care for rice cereal or oat cereal for that matter. I have since introduced sweet potato, squash, avocado and peas. She loves the sweet potatoes but can take or leave the others. Ford seems to have the magic touch with feedings, as she does much better for him.
Naps continue to be a challenge. She does not seem to have a regular sleep schedule during the day. So we work on it.
As she grows and her personality develops, I find myself laughing at her most of the day. She is sweet and funny and super snuggly...she is truly a gift and I can hardly remember what our lives were like without her. Our Evie.

Cheeky

Doing some growing...

Evie update. She had 2 pokes yesterday. Poor bugger...but she only cried for 10 seconds...then it was done. Ford says he thinks she's going to be a tough cookie. We shall see. She is growing at an alarming rate and is still sporting some beautiful rolls. She is sturdier and stronger and seems to enjoy tummy time a little more. She giggles every time she rolls to her tummy and looks about like, "look what I just did" and she thinks it's big stuff when she is stood up on her little/big legs..giggles in delight every time. She is showing more and more personality everyday. She'll be a sweet one...that's my prediction. We shall see.

She is still exclusively breast-fed although she is beginning to show interest in what we are eating...so sad as she watches the fork go from the plate to the mouth...or as she reaches out with flailing arms and wild drool spilling from her little pink lips while watching Amelia eat an ice-cream cone. Think I might start her on some rice cereal soon...though she doesn't need any extra calories. :) She sleeps like a champion at night...usually all night long which is so great for everyone involved. Naps are a bit tougher. When Evie shows signs of tiredness, we have become accustomed to saying..."time for Evie's 10 minute nap." She's a cat-napper all the way. When she does pull out a long 2 hour nap, we all celebrate. Guess I'd rather have her sleep all night than sleep all day...if I had to choose. She is cute as pie and sweet as punch. I find myself calling her Sweet Evie, especially when we are alone together and all is quiet, and she smiles up at me with a look of contentedness and sometimes she even lets out a sweet little sigh...almost like she's saying, "there's no place I'd rather be, mama."

Ford is working at a law-firm in Grand Rapids this summer. Which means he does not get home at night until close to bed-time. Dinner time is a bummer because I have found that when I am alone with both girls, cooking a large meal for everyone is tough. I'm starting to get the hang of it but Evie is still so needy and completing any project is difficult. So, I find myself scrambling to get Amelia a healthy meal before she begins to melt-down from hunger. Sadly, she often eats it alone at the table while I am cooking, feeding Evie, or trying to put her down for one of her many cat-naps. Amelia does not complain about this. Even when I am asking her for the hundredth time that day to please be quiet. Tonight I got her dinner ready then went in the other room to feed Evie and put her down. When I came out a bit later, Amelia was finished eating and was putting her plate up on the counter without being told. I felt sorry I had missed her dinner time and that she had to eat alone. I picked her up and gave her a huge hug. She felt so heavy and big...long arms and legs...kid...no more toddler. I said to her..."When did you get so big? Stop growing okay? Can't you just stay little forever?" She very seriously placed her soft hands on my cheeks, tilted her head and said, "but Mom, I just can't stay little forever." I replied, "But why not?" Again, very seriously she answered, "Because I have to be a grown-up." Me again, "But why do you have to be a grown up?" Without hesitation she responded, "Because Mom, I have to be a mom...and have my children."

I got a bit of a lump in my throat. As if she knows that her life is a journey, and that growing up is inevitable and amazingly, she already can't wait to meet her own babies.

Last Day of School

On her way to school

All done!

Big girl is 5 months!

Big day today. Last day of the first year of preschool. So hard to believe that a whole school year is behind us. I cannot express how grateful we are to have found such a wonderful and unique preschool for Amelia to attend. The experience was nothing short of amazing for Amelia...and her parents.

One of the primary intentions of the teachers at ONS is to allow our children the freedom to discover the world on his/her terms and at his/her own pace. Our daily rhythm is slowed such that the children are afforded the necessary time to see projects through. They are stimulated and enthralled by "provocations" which draw out natural curiosity and creativity. Although academics are not presented as "subjects," the children discover that to successfully convey ideas, many different "languages" must be incorporated into their daily work---painting, drawing, verbal language, photography, reading and writing plus countless more.

It was amazing to witness first hand this amazing approach to early childhood education and to watch Amelia flourish and thrive in such an environment. The use of nature as another teacher has opened up a world of wonder and has fostered a relationship with the environment that I am confident, and thankful, will stay with her always. Weekly visits from "specials' teachers in dance/creative movement, music, art, as well as visits from a naturalist spur great conversations between Amelia, Ford and I about what she did and learned at school each day...and already at 3 1/2 she is teaching her parents a few things.
She has made some great friendships and learned about what it means to be part of a community as well as part of a family outside of her own. Attending ONS has allowed her the opportunity to think outside her own little box, away from mom and dad, and through different experiences that have happened to her...good and bad...allowed to her the opportunity to problem solve and cope away from the comforts of home. That alone has given her a new sense of confidence. All of these things...invaluable.
Amelia is sounding out and reading words, writing all of her letters and loves to count...to 100 I might add. Learning has been anything but a chore...and she initiates most of it. We are so happy to have Amelia at ONS again next year..her pre-kindergarten year...and can't wait to see what amazing discoveries she makes about life, learning, nature, and herself.
So proud of you, Amelia!

Four Months...that's how we roll.

Let's just get it out there...it's tank top and short season and everyone is going to see them anyway...Evelyn's got rolls. Lots and lots of rolls. She turned 4 months old on April 25th. When I took her to her 4 month well visit, she weighed 15 lbs 15 oz and was 25 inches long. I looked back at Amelia's 4 month measurements and she was 16 lbs 2 oz and was 25.5 inches long. Virtually the same size! Yet Evie's rolls seem a bit more abundant for some reason. :) She's a healthy happy baby and is spending her first night a a crib tonight! She's been zonked in it for hours now...let's hope this means she loves it in there.

The Many Faces of Evie...

Genius

Holy Canoli, I just have one thing to say tonight. NUK GENIUS! It is just that. Genius.
Evie will not take a pacifier....never thought I would want my baby to take a paci so badly. I've tried 2 types so far. She has reached the point where she is unable to fall asleep unless she's nursing. A tired momma and an over-tired (and at times inconsolable) 4 month old who just cannot fall asleep. I had to find something...so...a trip to Meijer at midnight tonight. The paci aisle. I studied them all, and then I spotted it. The Genius. It's new! I bought it. I boiled it. I stuck it in her mouth. She gagged. I thought it was over. Then, I laid her down and I tried it again. She took it, she turned her head, she closed her eyes...she sucked and sucked. She fell asleep. Amen and goodnight.

Sweet Milestones

Evie belly laughed for Amelia and I today.! Nothing sweeter. Although her first belly laugh was for Grandma Claudia last week. I missed that one but managed to capture it today. :)

Roll Over Day!

Two big milestones in a weeks time! Evie rolled over, and over and over again! Just out of the blue. Big stuff!

Meatloaf all around...

Lounging after a bath...so serious.

Sister love

At dinner time, I asked who might be interested in some leftover meatloaf. "Who wants meatloaf for dinner?" I called out to the masses. Amelia said, "I do!" Ford called out, "I do! Evie does!" The he said, "Just kidding, Evie can't have meatloaf." Amelia replied quite seriously, "Yes, she can. If mom eats it then Evie can have milk-loaf."

Reading Time!

Amelia is learning to read before my very eyes. And write. And spell.

Today she spelled "octopus" on the fridge. :)

Sick and tired...really.

The girls are sick. Amelia has a cold and low grade fever and cried last night about her ear and the "back of her mouth" (throat) hurting. Inconsolable as usual but I finally convinced her to take some delicious berry flavored stuff in a super fun dropper to make it all feel better. She actually agreed and drank it down. (In the past, Amelia and medicine have not been good friends...like pink vomit on the kitchen floor resulting in 10 creative ways to hide pink medicine in various food and drink items). We may have turned a corner. Miracle.

Evie's first sickness. It came much too early for me. Stuffy nose and a fever. My heart was pounding a little faster and my nerves became strained as my mind danced frantically through all the scenarios...and lack of sleep does not help...at the thought of my infant having a fever. Amelia was never sick this early in life. Uncharted territory. I was not prepared. I sent Ford out to Meijer at 3:00 am for some Infant Tylenol, some saline drops and distilled water for the humidifier. Her fever reached 100.6, not too alarming but it's the unknown of what's to come that gets to me. God heard my prayer and after a little Infant Tylenol and a few more hours of sleep, she was cool as cucumber.

Today, after a trip to the doctor who gave us the all clear, we all seem better, with the exception of exhaustion. But I'd rather be exhausted with cool kids than exhausted with, well...not worth mentioning. Counting down the minutes until bedtime. For. Sure.

Just today...

1) Climbing up behind Ford as he sat at the table working on the computer, Amelia wrapped her arms around him and hugged his back..."Dad, you're my favorite guy."

2) Ford had left the weather channel radar open on the computer this afternoon...Amelia spotted it, climbed up on the chair and studied it in silence for a few minutes, then announced, "Yup, it's gonna rain." Ford replies from the kitchen, "Oh really? Is that what the forecast says." Quick as a blink she replies, "No. It's the five-cast."

3) Tonight I ventured out to Target on own, yes, absolutely, kid-less, leaving Ford alone with the girls. Evie has become a bit of a mama's girl and thus making alone time with her a bit hard on Ford. He spends most of their time together holding her while he bounces around the house repeating, "Shh, shh, shhhh. Shh, shh, shhhh." All this to keep her from crying. Apparently, Amelia was more than patient the entire time I was gone and found ways to entertain herself...despite her many efforts to get Ford to play with her. "Dad, do you want to play a game with me now?" He had turned her down so many times already because of Evie's neediness and he was feeling bad about having to reject her once again. "I'm sorry, Bug, I just can't right now." By now, bed time is approaching for both girls and he moved to Amelia's room to attempt to rock Evie in the rocking chair. As he rocked the fussy baby, he noticed Amelia getting some things out of her closet. He was about to get impatient with her for pulling out more toys, "Amelia, let's not get anything else out right now, it's time for bed."

With her back to him she did not stop her task and she quickly replied, "I'm packing my bags."

Surprised, he asked her, "Packing your bags?? Where are you going?" In a firm and serious tone, "I'm packing my bags and I'm moving to Florida." Laughing to himself a little, he played along, "To Florida!?? Do yo know anybody who lives there?" Still so serious Amelia said, "Well, no...but it's just so beautiful there." (She's never been). Ford replied, "Well, we would really miss you if you moved to Florida."

Wanting to get her point across but clearly not wanting us to be sad about her absence, she replied, "Well, I'll only be gone for one day."

Her first attempt at running away because little sister was getting all the attention? I think so. Glad she decided to stay. :)

2 Months!

Grand Hotel hat courtesy of Mackinac friends Penelope and Stella.

Evie's first band aid from her first poke today...I know, strange picture...

but her little drops of blood made a perfect heart! Aw.

Evie turned 2 months on February 25th! Oh how time flies. We took her for her 2 month check up today. Healthy baby! She weighed 12 lbs 12 oz...98th percentile. She measured 23 1/4 inches in height...94th percentile. Her head circumference is now 39.4 cm...85th percentile. It was a great appointment...until the poke that is. She had her first two vaccines today. One oral and one poke. You'd think that after all we've been through with these two girls in the NICU and of course Amelia's round of vaccines, that I'd be an old pro at this. Not so much. As soon as the needle went in and I heard that baby cry out and make the saddest face ever, my tears began to flow. Out of nowhere. There's just something about it that reaches that deepest part of me. Ugh. She was a trooper and cried for all of 10 seconds, my tears lasted the better part of two minutes. :) Feeling very thankful for a healthy baby today. Very thankful.

Heaven

Big sister helping little sister with her suckie.

Little Evie...on the brink of a smile.

One sunny afternoon this past week Amelia and I snuggled together, as we often do, on my bed while little Evie took a nap in her bassinet. We talked and laughed about the day and other random things when Amelia picked up a framed photo of she and I off of my night stand. Though it was taken only 2 1/2 years ago, it seemed like such an old photo, me looking like a young(ish) new mother and Amelia with her big round eyes propped up on my lap... all of 9 months old. I asked her "who is that in that picture?" She replied, "You. And me. And Evie." I corrected her, "no, Evie wasn't there, that's just you and me." To which she quickly reminded herself, "Oh, cause Evie was with God." I smiled, "yes, she was, with God in Heaven." She turned to me with big inquisitive eyes...

A: "Mom, is Heaven a city?"

Me: Well, kind of, but it's not really a city you can visit.

A: Well where is it then?

Me: Well, it's not here on earth, but it is a big and very beautiful place.

A: If it's not on earth then how do we get our water?

Me: Oh, there's lots of fresh clean water there.

A: And JUICE, and MILK????

Me: Yes, and juice and milk.

A: And so there must be a grocery store there?

Me: Yes, not to worry, Heaven has absolutely everything we need and more.

She had slid off the bed and this point and was off to the next thing...but I wish the conversation would have lasted longer. I'm not sure why she needed to know about what type of refreshments are available in Heaven...but I just realized as I am typing this that in her 3.5 years of life we have not yet had that discussion about death and life in Heaven with God. We've only talked about babies being in Heaven with God until they are born. I am realizing that she wanted to be reassured that water, juice, milk and a place to shop for them would be available to us. It's as if her little soul already knows without really knowing that Lord willing, we'll being going back there one day, and we'll be having ourselves some milk, and juice.

Good news!

Evie partying at Noodles & Company.

Great news. Evie's ultrasound results came back completely normal! Thank goodness. :) We took the girls out for dinner and ice cream to celebrate. Evie's first restaurant outing! Since Evie only likes milk, Amelia got to pick the spot.

Also, her belly button finally fell off, which is quite exciting around here. Way back when, the NICU docs could not get a line in her little hand so they ran her IV line right into her belly button and used sutures to hold it in. The sutures remained after the line came out and so her belly button hung on for quite some time. Amelia is happy it finally fell off so her real belly button can now get totally wet in the bathtub. She loves to help give Evie her bath. Evie doesn't even mind it when Amelia accidentally wrings her washcloth out right over her face.

Things are feeling, dare I say, just a little normal around here. With each day, Evie changes and grows (she's over 11 lbs now) and peels. :) I looked back at this blog when Amelia was about to turn 2 months, right before her visit to the dermatologist at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. What I describe Amelia's skin to be doing at that time is exactly what Evie's skin is doing now. Amazing. And just look at Amelia today. We are on the right track and it feels good. Do I still worry? Yes. Am I still just flabbergasted and still a wee bit angry that this happened again? Yes. Do I still wonder WHY? Yup. But each day that passes brings a little more peace, more joy and more and more love for both of these beautiful girls. I didn't know my heart could hold so much.

When it rains it pours...

Off to school on Valentine's Day.

Evie getting ready for a doc appointment.

Amelia lined up her little princess figurines

in front of Evie and said to her:

"Well. These are the girls."

Guess it was time for her to meet them.

It's been a while since I posted. There are a few reasons for that. Appendicitis is one. Yup, almost 6 weeks after Evie's birth by c-section, I find myself in surgery again. Apparently, having a c-section and then a premie newborn in the NICU with a genetic condition was just not enough excitement! I'm told the appendix issue was completely unrelated to the pregnancy and/or the c-section. Just really bad timing and really bad luck. Lately, I keep hearing the phrase from various friends and family members..."when it rains it pours." Apparently.

It's been a week and a half since the appendix came out (worst pain of my life by the way...the appendix, not the surgery...although that was not fun either) and I'm feeling almost back to normal. A HUGE shout out to Hank and Claud for being here with us almost every minute and whenever we needed them...taking care of both girls' every need, cooking, cleaning, driving everyone around, picking up groceries, and playing, playing, playing and playing. We truly don't know what we would have done without them these past few months. I am truly blessed to have such loving and wonderful parents. I love you.

In other news, Evie is growing like a weed, she is now 11 lbs! We were finally getting the hang of breastfeeding almost exclusively and then the appendix surgery interrupted all of that. We are getting back on track but surgery has affected my milk supply. Bummer. Luckily she takes a bottle without a problem if we need her to. We took her yesterday for an ultrasound on her hips and head. The hip ultrasound was ordered because they check for hip dysplasia on all breech babies...just to be sure her hips are in the right place and growing normally. Evie was breech for quite a while. The head ultrasound is to check to be sure all of her cranial sutures are still open. Evie has a bit of an oblong head shape which could be due to her being in the breech position. This can also be a typical head shape for premies too, we're told. This will more than likely resolve itself in infancy but checking to be sure none of her sutures have fused prematurely just eliminates the need for worry. FYI, I, being a paranoid mother, brought this issue up the to doc who offered the head ultrasound. She is not too concerned at this point. We should hear back in a few days.

I am ready to be done with all of this craziness. These past few months have been a mixed bag of emotions and feelings...you name it, we've felt it...joy, worry, sadness, happiness, anger, frustration, thankfulness, confusion, exhaustion, delirium, and hopefulness. But this is life. This is our life. Even on the days that I feel I just can't take one more thing, and there have been quite a few of those days lately...I remember all that we have been blessed with, all that is good and right in our lives. One day at a time.

Our story has only begun.

Amelia Funny:

Amelia got a heart shaped Ring Pop sucker from her sister for Valentine's Day. She asked if she could eat it after lunch today. She excitedly opened it up and took a few licks...

Amelia: I don't like this.

Ford: Why?

With crinkled up nose Amelia said: It stinks.

Ford: It stinks? Like what?

Amelia (very seriously): It stinks like roastbeef.

Happy One Month, Evie! 1-25-2011

Happy one month birthday to Evie! Strange to think she should have just been born. Her due date was January 24 and her c-section date was scheduled for 39 weeks on January 17th. She decided Christmas would be more fun...I was only 35 weeks and 5 days at that point but from the size of her, you'd think I was full term. She was considered a preemie at birth and would have gone to the NICU anyway (regardless of her skin condition) to be monitored. Even though she was considered premature, she had none of the typical preemie issues; eating, breathing, etc.

At her 4 week doctor appointment, the nurse asked all the typical developmental questions of a 4 week old born at term. Evie is keeping right up. She is gaining some pounds and inches as well! At 4 weeks she is 9 lbs 4 oz and 21 inches long. Wow! Considering she got down to 6 lb 13 oz after birth, she's not doing too bad! They adjust the percentages for her 4 week early arrival and therefore she's in the 92nd percentile for weight, 89th for height and 86th for head circumference.

However, when the doc asked me if she was giving responsive smiles yet and not just the random smiles during sleep (or because of gas)...I was not able to say yes. I hadn't seen her really smile at me. The doc said not to worry, she should be doing that in the next week or two.

The next day, after a bath (which she LOVES by the way), I had a wide awake Evie stretched out on the bed while I dressed her. Grandma Claudia was here and was talking to her while she kicked and played. Next thing we knew, a huge (responsive) grin for Grandma. Aw. Her first smile. And then another cheeky smile for me. What could be better?

Evie's smile = joy.