Evy Grows Up: One Year Old!

Evy Kate, you are now ONE YEAR OLD!! Here are some highlights:

-You are able to walk behind your stroller like a big girl! You're cruising to and from different pieces of furniture. You're crawling at the speed of light.

-You are due for your 12 month checkup, so we'll get your stats then, but we think you're 22ish pounds. You've become more lean and petite looking (in my opinion!).

-You're in a size 4 diaper.

-You recently have experienced the stomach bug (as well as your Mommy and Daddy). We bonded as a family over this. I think we'd rather bond at the zoo or some other such nice thing.

-You are getting more and more talkative and LOVE to demand attention by raising your voice.

-You are more attached to BunBun than ever. You just adore him! Our latest routine: after we put you to bed, we usually hear you start to fuss. We know instantly that BunBun has been thrown out of the crib and you're upset. We go in and fetch him, get you re-settled, and you go on to sleep!

-You are taking two naps a day, but the length varies. You usually nap at 11:30 am (ish) and 4:00 pm (ish). You go to bed at 8:30 pm and wake up anywhere from 8-9:00 am. You do have a little internal clock rule, though: if you wake up (by fluke) before 8:00 am, you want to go directly back to bed after a bottle. If it's after 8, you're ready to start the day. It's the funniest thing!

-You are still drinking several bottles a day, about every 4 hours. We're going to start weaning you into milk soon.

-You have a couple more teeth, but they're not your two front teeth. They're on either side of where your two front ones should be. Sometimes you look like a little vampire! Hee hee!

-You are such a stylish baby. Mia makes you adorable things and Gigi buys you lots of lovelies, too. What a little doll baby.

-You love to hand us things so we can say "Thank you."

-You like to grab your bottle and be "silly."

-Your new favorite songs: "I Have a Good Friend," and "Evy's Wearing Black Shoes (or whatever you're wearing that day)." Gigi sang them to Mommy when she was little, too.

-You're eating table food almost exclusively now. Sometimes we can sneak some baby food (still trying to use up that stash that Daddy bought way back when), but you're pretty much sold on solids. Sometimes your appetite can be finnicky though. Not fun.

-Your hair is getting thicker and so adorable! I have to tame it with lotion ("lo lo"), but it just seems to want to do its own thing. However, I don't think you need a haircut yet.

-We're in the process of getting things packed up already (little by little) for our move in the early summer. I'm already having a hard time being in your nursery because I don't want to leave it.

-Gigi, Papa, Aunt Kay Kay, Uncle Will, and Aunt Punky came recently to celebrate your birthday. Even though Mommy was sick, we still managed to celebrate what a wondrous little person you are! (Pictures are coming soon.) Mia came to help when we were all sick the last few days, but we'll celebrate with the Lancasters in a little over a week. Nana and Poppy were supposed to come visit, but we've all had so much sickness happening, we're going to find a better time---we hope to see them soon!

-Mrs. Suzanne made you two beautiful birthday cakes (pictures coming soon!).

-The weather is turning nice again so I can take you to the park to go walking. It's so nostalgic because I spent so many early months of your life walking in that park and driving around in neighborhoods if you fell asleep, just to give you a nap. Memories I cherish.

-I haven't cried about you being a year old until now, as I type this. Not because I'm sad; it's just a sentimental teary moment. We've experienced so much together these last 12 months--all three of us. We've done this year alone, meaning we had no family in town. It defined this year in a lot of ways. I'm not claiming to be superwoman; moms manage families and newborns all the time without family nearby. But we're just so close to our families; it's been so lonely sometimes. But honestly; I think it was the perfect way to spend our first year with you. We had you all to ourselves. We fell into a rhythm with each other; me, you and Daddy. Such a simple, happy time.

-I think one reason I'm so nostalgic is that I recognize that these are precious moments where we are a family of three. It will never be this way again, once we bring another baby into this family. We don't know when that will be, but I want to enjoy these moments with just you, for however long they last. I've always been able to kind of recognize when I'm in the midst of a deep moment. It's a blessing and a curse, because it leaves me with very few regrets, but it makes me incredibly sentimental. That's how I feel now.

-This whole day I've been thinking back a year. Tonight you weren't settling as easily, so I rocked you to sleep. I had you really close to my face, and it reminded me of our first night in the hospital. I had you so close to my face. It was the most soothing, comforting feeling. Around this time a year ago, I think they brought you in from the nursery because I buzzed them and asked them to. The nurses thought I was crazy, but I love that you were with me and slept with me. I remember it like it was hours ago. I love that tonight I got to experience it again. Tears.

-My heart bursts. It hurts and feels happy all at the same time.

-I'm so happy to be where we are. Last spring was filled with sleepless nights, figuring out schedules, healing from major surgery, missing my family terribly. This spring, you're becoming a personality-filled toddler, we're starting a new chapter, and we couldn't be happier as a family of three.

-To sum up our year:

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!" Psalm 126:3

Evy Loves Vanya!

In honor of Evy's first birthday today, we are making a donation toward the adoption of a little boy from Eastern Europe named Vanya. Our friends, the Oberhauser family, have felt the Lord open the door for them to adopt this precious little boy, and are in the "home study" stage of the process. They are such a sweet, godly family, and we are praying for little Vanya's journey home!


Here is some information from their Facebook group:

First off, some info on Vanya's "special needs"- at this point, we have vague information, but we know that Vanya is mostly blind and has some degree of brain damage and heart disease. Getting medical information from foreign countries is difficult, so we will know much more when he gets home to us in the states and can see some specialists!

You may be curious as to why we are doing this...

God has been growing in our hearts a desire to adopt for years. Up until now, we have not had clear direction in this.

We realize that we ourselves have been adopted: "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!'" -Galatians 4:4-6

We realize that we ourselves were once blind: "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God...God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
- 2 Corinthians 4:4,6

We know that every life is precious in God's sight and that Vanya is "fearfully and wonderfully made!" (Psalm 139:13-16)

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." -James 1:27

"Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter." - Proverbs 24:11.

A special needs orphan like Vanya would have a slim chance of survival if not adopted, and we also feel the burden of "the Great Commission" in this circumstance (Matthew 28:18-20).


We are proud to support the Oberhauser family as they bring a precious little life into their family. Because we have been blessed with a child this year, we want Vanya to have every opportunity to grow "in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and men." Luke 2:52

If you'd like to join their Facebook group, click here!

Happy Birthday, Evy Katie!

Happy Birthday to the best thing that ever happened to us; the happiest little person we've ever known; the biggest blessing in our lives; the most wonderful experience; the little person that's made our hearts so full of joy we can't contain it: Evy Kate!

One year ago, as I was in labor with you, nothing could've prepared me for the complete and abandoned joy I would feel as a parent. Bonding comes at different times for different parents. For me, it was when I held you for the first time. The world stopped and time stood still. From that moment, being separated from you was like a piece of me was missing. You stayed next to me in the hospital because I couldn't bear to be away from you. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Those early weeks were long, but the happiness more than made up for it. Someone told me recently, "The first six weeks feel like a year, and the rest of that first year feels like six weeks." How true! Once we got our bearings, got a plan together, and really started reading your likes/dislikes, we got over the first hurdle of six weeks. We felt that we had really accomplished something!

I really feel like I hit my stride with you when you were about 7 months. That was when traveling was no longer stressful, we had settled into a great routine, and I felt like I had been your mom forever. It started to feel like we were in a rhythm.

Now, as I come upon my first anniversary as a mom (wow), I am stunned to even be saying those words. I've just completed year number one. Only the Lord knows how many years I have with you. I don't say those words to be depressing or morbid, but just to keep it in perspective. I want to make every day--every year--count. The first year is spent learning; figuring each other out. It's becoming so much fun, seeing your little personality. I know the years only get more entertaining. I just can't wait to see what you'll do next!

Your Daddy and I believe in generational parenting as opposed to heavy research or trendy parenting. Meaning, we learn from our parents and grandparents about raising children, running a household, etc. and glean their wisdom, rather than allowing these new "experts" tell us how to raise our children. Of course we have a few things that we've read that have helped us along the way, but nothing replaces old fashioned wisdom from other generations. We have been so blessed with the help we've received from our relatives. The biggest challenge this year has been living with no family nearby. It's been incredibly lonely and difficult at times, but it has grown us as parents. We are so blessed to have a godly family that has supported us and taught us this year.

We love you more than you'll ever know. There are not enough words in any language, or paper big enough to write on, or a song pretty enough to express everything you mean to us. You have shaped and molded us into better people. You have taught us about loving God and each other. We are completely humbled to be chosen as your parents.

This year has been nothing but joy. We have been challenged to figure out how parenting is supposed to go, but you've been the perfect little baby to learn on. We can't imagine our lives without you! Words and expressions all seem so trite and cliche. But they're all true.

Being your mom has made me more sensitive, more feeling, more passionate about causes that I believe in. It's all different when you have a child. People love to speculate and say how they will raise children. They have everything planned and mapped out. But you just don't know how beautiful life will be and much the actual baby changes your plans!

Evy Kate, we have spent one year together, and your Daddy and I are speechless before God at His love that He has lavished on us by giving us you. Thank you for teaching us more about life in 12 months than all of our years put together.

Words aren't big enough!

Mommy and Daddy

P.S. This is such a sweet birthday post from Suzanne. I had to share it!

Still sick.

Well all of us have been affected by the stomach bug.

Thursday night, when my family was due to arrive, I started feeling horrible. I couldn't even finish straightening my house (that should tell you something) and had to lie down. It hit me full force later that evening, and I was so miserable. Kurt had to work Friday, so if my family hadn't been there, I don't know what I would've done. Seriously. But I managed to get some talking in with them, and even rallied enough to sit through a dinner at a restaurant because I burst into tears I wanted to get out of the house so badly. I still felt awful, but ded gum it, I was going to see something other than my house.

Saturday my family left, and Kurt helped with Evy so much. He is so wonderful. I was still having symptoms off and on and just really lathargic. I got a sub for my little two year olds for Sunday morning and we stayed home from church. Then Kurt came down with it.

Thankfully I was able to rally enough yesterday to take care of the baby since Kurt was SICK. Last night, I went to bed late (I had energy because I was able to sneak a nap in while Evy napped), but right as I laid my head down, I heard a weird noise on the monitor. Sure enough, Evy had thrown up a little and had diarrhea in her diaper. Kurt heard and tried to come help, but got lightheaded when he was holding Evy up over the sink for me to hose her off. So I sent him back to bed and finished bathing her, stripped her crib bedding, tried to find another mattress pad (to no avail), so finally put a towel underneath a crib sheet--by myself. There was nothing else to do with Evy but give her toys, turn the lights on, and let her play at 2:30 a.m. She went right back to bed afterward which was great. While I was awake, I ended up putting new sheets on the guest room bed and just sleeping there since it's closer to the nursery. Plus, I didn't want to re-infect myself next to Kurt. Wow.

So today, Kurt took a sick day and is on the mend. Evy is her happy, high-energy self (at least for now), and I have a full-blown sinus infection (yes, even after having the stomach flu, because that just wasn't enough). The Lord really knows what we need---Kurt's mom woke up to a SNOW DAY (in north Mississippi of all places) and is coming to help at least for today and tomorrow. Surely I'll be better by then.

I feel so behind in the blog world, but my mind can't even focus to read anything. Keep praying we heal around here. I'll be catching up soon. I will absolutely be posting tomorrow, because the "baby" I've referred to in this post turns one. It's just unreal. What a way to celebrate, right?

Sick

I have the stomach flu. Thankfully my family is in town to help, otherwise I don't know what I'd do. I haven't fallen off the face of the planet...but I've gotten close. Ha.

Talk to you soon...

Thoughts on TV

-The Duggars: The special DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Seriously, I am so thankful that a Christian family is being featured on television like this! They are so godly in their attitude regarding Josie. Praising Him when things are good is easy, but praising Him when they're difficult is a real testimony. I am SO looking forward to this season of 19 Kids and Counting!

-I know some people hate Oprah, and I DO NOT AGREE with her spiritual ideas and teachings, but she featured such inspirational stories the other day. It was about the show Undercover Boss, where CEO's go undercover in their workforce. There were so many great stories featured, but my favorite was about the Russian man Igor, who was a truck driver for 7-Eleven. He was so passionate about America and the opportunities and freedom that come with living here. Here he is talking about it:



This is what happened at the end of the show:



Amazing. He made me cry, because he understands what makes America great: the opportunity to work hard and make a better life for yourself. Beyond inspiring!

-The Bachelor: Well, here are my thoughts. Ali has an attitude problem and creates drama. Gia is just not Jake's type. Vienna I think actually has a good heart, she's just incredibly spoiled and isn't used to taking a backseat with ANYONE. Tenley is the perfect match for Jake, but we don't know what he's feeling. I mean, the show is for him to find the wife that is (in his opinion) the best match. Of course the spoilers are saying that he picks Vienna. Which actually would make me happy, because Tenley would HANDS DOWN be the next Bachelorette. I mean, wouldn't that be an awesome season!? At this point, I'm rooting for Tenley to be the happiest she can be, which might mean she needs to have her own pick of 25 guys.

-Miss America: Okay. Lyndsie and I texted through this entire pageant (we're just blog friends and have never met in real life, but we act like we have....haha!). This merits bullet points.

• The pageant was on an energy/speed-up drink the entire time. It flew by!
• I liked how they were all wearing black dresses at the beginning and all wore black bathing suits.
• Does anyone else think that they all look the same in bathing suits? I hardly ever see a difference.
• It made me eat chocolate.
• Were the questions particularly stupid and irrelevant this year? I think they were gun-shy after the Carrie Prejean/gay marriage incident. But please hear me: we aren't electing a political figure, here. I don't think that they should be asked controversial questions at the pageant. But they should be asked about how they can help the country, what they'll do with their platform, and questions that reveal their integrity and character. Not about athletes who use enhancing drugs. What?
• I think that the judges should choose all of the semi-finalists. Not texting, facebooking, whatevering to vote for people. To me, it just complicates things. I see where they're coming from, but it just kind of irks me.
• Can you imagine how annoying to have to sit on the stage if you weren't a semi-finalist and have to watch the pageant? I would rather be in the dressing room eating Cheetos.
• There are so many changes I'd make to the pageant, but there just aren't enough bullet points.
  

Personally, I miss these days:
In other words: classy, glamorous, and simply elegant.

And of course my favorite Miss America of all time, which I will NEVER forget watching, Heather Whitestone:

LOVE that they wore all white, the talent was longer (like a full 3 minutes or so), and the sceptor she's holding. Just because it's cool. This is how I remember pageants back in the day!

To see her incredible talent (which will make you cry), CLICK HERE.

That's my TV wrap-up for right now. My DVR is always waiting with something for me to watch (when I actually get the time at 1:00 a.m.).

A Day in Review

Several of my friends give weekly reviews of what has gone on each day for their families. I'm debating doing this every now and then. It's so interesting! I've also seen a few people document a day from their camera phone, which is what I decided to do yesterday.

So here was Tuesday, February 2nd, via my iPhone.

Turned by back for a minute while getting dressed and this is what I found:

So we went to the park and walked and played. We met Mr. Duck:
Swinging :)


We spent some time watching Hello, Dolly.


We attempted a nap. Evy did not feel like napping.
So she helped me in the kitchen.
I was craving cornbread.
While I was getting it in the oven, Evy helped me sweep.
As the timer was going off for the cornbread. I went to go get it, and in the 2.3 seconds I was in the kitchen, Evy managed to reach up, get the top off of my cup, and get it on the FLOOR, somehow without spilling anything. Miracle from the Lord. HOW!?
But the cornbread was worth it.
After cornbread, Mommy decided it was really time now for a nap.

This is what Evy thought of that idea.
However, we managed to get to sleep and Daddy came home about an hour after that. Evy was so happy to see him!
After lots of playing, it was time for Baba (bottle). You can see we're going through a "silly" phase.
After cuddling with Mommy...
.....And trying to grab Mommy's phone....
It was time for bed!
We had such a wonderful day together!
*Not pictured: Mommy watching the Duggars in peace and quiet.

Have a great day!

Project Ultrasound

I try to be very discerning when deciding what non-profits and charities we support as a family. It's not because I don't have a big heart; I just want to make sure that the cause is something that I'm passionate about. Also, we're not in a position right now financially where we have a lot to spare. So anything we give needs to go to something very important.

I stumbled upon Project Ultrasound, and immediately the Lord confirmed to me that I needed to give. Here's the basis of this organization:

"Project Ultrasound is a non-profit organization which has been formed for the purpose of raising awareness about the effectiveness of ultrasound machines in deterring abortions, and raising funds to provide ultrasound machines to crisis pregnancy centers nationwide. We believe that life begins at the moment of conception, and that all life is a precious gift from God. It is with this understanding that we have made it our mission to help provide the instrument through which this truth about the unborn can be seen by mothers contemplating abortion. Such a crucial decision should not be based merely upon what a mother hears, but all mothers should be given the right to see the truth about their unborn child with their own eyes on an ultrasound. Various reports indicate that 70-90% of "abortion minded" mothers who see an ultrasound change their mind and choose life. At present only 40% of crisis pregnancy centers nationwide are equipped with these machines because of their extremely high cost and the extremely limited budget of these non-profit centers. Help us bring ultrasound machines into those centers that don't have them, and help us allow mothers to see life, so they can choose life."

Although I'm choosing to stay away from "controversial" posts on this blog, this is one issue that I will always be bold in discussing and fighting for. I believe that there is a holocaust occurring in our country. However, I also believe just as strongly that God offers forgiveness, love, mercy, help, and hope to mothers who are in crisis, or who have had an abortion. Christians should never be the face of hate to those who are hurting and have nowhere to turn. We should be offering the same love and acceptance that Christ shows towards us.

Here is an interview that is featured on Project Ultrasound's website. It is incredible.

An Ultrasound Technician Speaks

The following is an interview with Sherry Havira, Ultrasound Technician from Choose Life of Northern Alabama. The name of the client mentioned in the interview has been changed to protect her identity.

Project U: What would you say the impact of seeing an ultrasound has on a pregnant women and/or the unborn child's father?

Ms. Havira: "It becomes a real baby, the image becomes proof or confirmation to one or both parents or even a grandparent. An abortion-minded or abortion-vulnerable mom sees with her own eyes the way her baby is positioned, arm slung over it's little head or legs crossed ,or a preferred sleep position which is mimicking mom on the table getting the ultrasound. I've had literally dozens of clients and their mom's say, "That's what I/you do when you're scared/sleepy/contemplating..." We even had an abortion-minded client say, "Look! It looks like she's praying!"

Project U: What is the most memorable story you have of witnessing a women who saw an ultrasound? What was her demeanor/attitude before the exam compared to after?

Ms. Havira: "A client, Mary, came to us after her positive pregnancy test stating she was now going to have an abortion. The counselor convinced Mary to have a free ultrasound exam and she agreed. She was laying on the table waiting for the doctor and had a really bad attitude and was saying she was NOT going to look at the screen. As the doctor scanned her belly (she thought she was a couple months pregnant and she was 5 1/2 months along!) her baby came to life and was moving all over the place. The doctor was describing what he was seeing and mentioned that her fingers were moving as if she was "playing a piano”. He asked Mary if she wanted to know the sex of the baby. She said "No." It was then that His (the Lord’s) small still voice whispered to me to, "ASK HER IF SHE PLAYS THE PIANO." After a slight hesitation, thinking I would sound ridiculous, I asked her and I watched as a tear slid down her face. She looked at me and said, "Yes. And I'm a music major." She then turned her head towards the image of her baby's face and asked, with a softened attitude in her voice, the sex of her baby. The doctor said, "It's a little girl." She wept and the doctor and I about burst into tears with her! After we give the ultrasound exams, we do some further counseling with the girls, give them a picture of their baby and ask them to fill out a couple questions on our exit survey. Under the question, "What impact did the ultrasound image have on you? " Mary wrote, "I SAW HER FACE!". But she was still unsure about her plans. This is when we "let go and let God”. Six months later I received a call from Mary asking if she could stop by Choose Life and see me. (I still have this image burned into my mind.) Twenty minutes later she walked through the door carrying a tiny pink bundle in her arms and tears started streaming down her face as she said, "Thank you for being here that day." She asked if I wanted to hold her daughter and presented her to me as if she were an offering. She was. This baby WAS a thank offering to Him. Unbeknownst to me at the time of her ultrasound Mary was heavy into drugs and that was the reason behind her wanting an abortion. She said to me as I was holding this tiny miracle, "She saved my life. I'm clean." I said, "You saved her life too." She said, “We saved each other!"

Project U: What would you say to people who have an opportunity to financially support a crisis pregnancy center's purchase of an ultrasound machine? Is it really worthwhile?

Ms. Havira: "We owe it to Him to support a ministry that gives these babies the opportunity to live...like us!. It has an impact on future generations too. For example, when a girl chooses life and she is pregnant with a baby girl, she has also 'chosen life' for her grandchildren because the female fetus has all the eggs she will ever have while she is still in utero!"

If it's one thing I do with my life, it will be to fight for the unborn.

For those of you who have seen this (or want to/will in the future).......


.....You know that a sonogram---a baby---changes everything.