Mother's Day

I know it's late, but the other day I was looking through pictures on my computer and came across this one from Mother's Day last year. So I thought I would do a post on Mother's Day. This Mother's Day was a difficult one. Not only for me, but for the other people in our church who were close to Debbie. Not only were we sad that she wasn't with us, but we were sad because she wasn't with her kids, Chris and Ashley. There were a few tears at church and throughout the day. I really thought of Debbie as my mom in Nocona. I could tell her anything and I knew she would understand. And she always wanted to know what was going on in our lives. I so greatly miss being able to pick up the phone and tell her about my day and what is happening with my kids. Especially with Caroline. Charlie and Madeline have memories for now, but Caroline will never know Debbie's sweet presence in her life. As I promised Debbie the day before she died, I will always tell my kids about her and how much she loved us.

So here is a picture of my Mother's Day this year. My first with three kids. I am so blessed as a Mom that God has entrusted me with three wonderful angels to take care of, to teach, to watch grow, and to travel this journey of life with. They are each special in their own ways and I am filled with love for them. What a joy to see Charlie acting silly, Madeline twirling, and Caroline grinning. I am learning daily about what it means to be a mother and I am so proud to be learning with them. I fall in love with them over and over again as they reach each stage of their lives. My prayer for them is that they come to know Christ as I do, and that through Him they are able to find the things in life that bring them joy. That they will grow and mature in their faith in Him, and share that faith with others. I pray that they will be safe and healthy, and also that they will always feel loved. But for now, I will settle for loving them as much as I can and try daily to give them over to the Lord to do what He wills.

Now for my Mom. This picture was taken last year at the Women of Faith Conference in Dallas. (Mom, we don't take enough pictures together!) What an inspiration my mom has been to me!! We have always been best friends. When I was growing up, my friends were often envious of me because I had such a great relationship with my mother. And I was always very proud of that. I could tell her anything at all and she didn't judge me. She supported me in everything I did and took me to countless gymnastics, cheerleading, and drill team practices, meets and games. She tolerated my constant fighting with my brother. She did everything she possibly could to help me with my anxiety and panic disorder. She sat up with me nights and tolerated my constant stomach-aches and fears. She has helped me through school, getting married and moving away to Florida. She was the reason I wanted to move back to Texas when I got pregnant with my first child. She was there for his birth and has seen me through two more after. She helped me through depression after my second chile and stayed with me as I was so sick with my last pregnancy. She continues to be a major presence in the lives of my kids as well as my brother's. Mom has beaten breast cancer and seen my dad through major heart surgery. She has endured the death of her father. And she has done all of these things with a grace that can only come from God and that I hope to have in my own life. I have learned more from her than any teacher or school could ever teach. She is my confidante and my friend. She is my safe place and my hero. I am proud to call her my mother. Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

Cinderella

Yesterday afternoon Steven Curtis Chapman's 5-year-old adopted daughter was killed tragically in the driveway of their home. His current radio hit "Cinderella" was written about his daughters and enjoying every mintute together because time goes by so quickly. Above is the video with his explanation. It is so worth watching. What an amazing lesson to be learned.

Two Months Young!

Caroline is two months old and I feel like time is flying by. Where is my newborn? She is now a sweet, pudgy, smiley, cooey, infant. I can no longer call her a newborn. She has outgrown newborn diapers (and almost ones), newborn clothes, no longer do I have to watch her head so much, she sleeps all night (yeah!), and she is able to focus on us and respond to us. I am happy about all these things, but not that they happened so quickly. When I was in Jr. High and High school, I always wanted time to fly by so I could be older and do more things and be more independent- drive, date, etc. But never in my life have I ever wanted time to stop so badly than when I have my babies. In one short year, their bodies grow and change so much that I can hardly catch it all. And while I still love each phase they go through as kids, there is something about a baby that resonates innocence and love and beauty. And the way they smell should be bottled and sold. I don't know how many times a week I hear, "She's getting so big!" or "I can't believe how much she's changed!" I wish someone would say, "She still looks like a newborn!" Oh, well. Time goes on...

Switched at Birth?

I can't help but wonder sometimes who this baby belongs to. If she didn't look so much like her brother, I might think she had been switched at birth. She is so easy! Compared to her brother and sister, she is a breeze! She is not fussy at all unless she is hungry or needs to be picked up. She will lie on her back on the floor for quite a while and be happy just looking around. Charlie and Madeline never did that for more than a couple minutes. She is happy in the car as long as it is moving. Charlie was, but Madeline wasn't as much. And she will stay in her swing and bouncy seat for much longer periods of time than the other two. In fact, they didn't like to swing at all.

And she SLEEPS!!!! I cannot believe this is actually my child! Charlie and Madeline went only every two or three hours for the whole first year and beyond. I NEVER got a good night's sleep and even now Madeline is in our bed every night. But Caroline sleeps 5-10 hours EVERY NIGHT!! And her average is 7 HOURS! As long as I swaddle her, she stays asleep in her own crib all night and has since about 5-6 weeks. The new swaddle blankets are a gift from God. They didn't have those when I had my other two. And here's the kicker- I have even put her down AWAKE and she puts herself to sleep! Unfathomable in my world! And Caroline is in her own bed until she wakes up to feed and then she comes into mine. With the other two, I slept with them all night because they nursed so much. And while I am a total believer in co-sleeping, I must admit that I am more rested with Caroline than I ever was with Charlie and Madeline and that is kinda nice.

Check out Sleeping Beauty:

Not To Be Left Out

Just a fun pic of the big kids!

I'm not sure who this bath was more fun for- the kids or the dad!!

One-Month-Young

I am a little late, but here is all about Caroline at one month:

Milestones:

• 11lbs. 7oz.
• 22.5 inches
• focusing more and longer on faces and objects
• latching and nursing much better
• on-the-shoulder baby
• loves to be swaddled to sleep
• sleeps 4-6 hours at night
• lifting and turning head side to side
• knows mom's and dad's voices
• spits up in great volumes
• baby acne
• smiling!

Things I love:

• the nursing relationship- its getting easier!
• the squeaks and grunts when she's waking up
• the sweet sighs when she eats
• those long feet and toes and watching them move
• that she looks just like her brother
• when she stretches and pulls up her knees, arches her back, and bends her arms over her head
• when she sleeps like an Easter egg on my chest
• when she looks right into my eyes when I talk to her
• that she makes her brother and sister so happy
• that I can't imagine life without her
• that every time I nuzzle her cheek I think of Debbie
• that she knows my voice and needs to be near me
• her beautiful smiles!

Second Installment

Here are the rest of the newborn pictures.

And I must mention that this dress is very special. Our dear friend Debbie gave Madeline this dress when she was a baby. Madeline wore it for her dedication at church and so will Caroline. How sweet to hold on to these little reminders of "Ms. Debbie." Charlie and Madeline still love Caroline and love to look at her, and kiss and hug her. Madeline still announces to the world that she has a new baby and her name is Caroline. I am left reminded, "what did we ever do without our children?"