Easter filled our hearts

Easter is probably my favorite holiday, although I love each one of them when it's upon us.  This year seemed even more special than before as we celebrated the gift we find in Jesus on Resurrection Sunday.  My heart was so full and filled with family festivities of coloring eggs, finding the Easter bunny's surprises, baking yummy treats, hosting my family for Easter lunch, and watching the children delight in an egg hunt.  Celebrating our risen savior at church was especially sweet with both kiddos by our side and I felt like a proud and thankful momma bear with all that God has blessed us with. 

This year has been one filled with challenges.  From selling our house, moving in with inlaws, watching house deals fall through the cracks all while being pregnant, the birth of our precious daughter and times of difficulty as we fumble our way through her FPIES (Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome)  I have found myself leaning on HIM more than ever.  I delight in knowing him more and having a deeper appreciation for the greatest love we can know.  Jesus!  Thank goodness I don't have to walk through this life trying to be perfect!  Hallelujah he is King!

3 Years of Knowing Heaven on Earth. HTC Turns 3

April Second Two Thousand Twelve a drop of water fell into our ocean and rippled across the surface, thus creating a tidal wave of emotions that would launch us into our role as parents.

Henry Thomas Cooper, born at 10:07, changing every thing we had ever known and arriving in a way I hope to never forget.  The love I felt for you in those first moments broke me, creating a different version of myself.  A far better version, covered in vulnerability and strength manifesting itself in compassion and loving care.

I've said it before but truly nothing can measure how fleeting life is like watching a child grow.  There is something different about each day and I don't dare miss a second of it.  At first it was the physical milestones and changes that took center stage.  With each inch or pound gained I felt like I was losing you to the world; as if your growing equated automatic heartbreak.   Not that I didn't want you to be strong and healthy but that it put you just one step further to not needing me, not being my little baby boy.  
One year down.

Then came the emotional, mental, and verbal milestones.  The part where we get to know you.  The age of cute mispronunciations, first experiences with play, food, and friends as you explored your world.

Two years down.

Somewhere along the way T W O quickly became t w e n t y.
In many ways you are mature and wise beyond your years.  It is so fun to have a conversation with you, to be able to see the world through your eyes.  To have the innocence and raw sincerity of a child splashed onto our faces each day is one of the sweetest gifts I can imagine.
You've strengthened my faith, my love for the almighty.  You question, and I must answer, and child like faith is born.  I pray it doesn't die for you.  E v e r.  Even if it fades as you walk in a low valley of life I hope it stays alive in a very tangible way; that you'll reach in your pocket and pull it out letting our precious Father's love wash over you like a soaking summer rain.

You are infectious.  Guaranteed to melt hearts at least (but not limited to) once a day.
You are creative.  You would rather spend a day pretending, acting out, and imagining we are pirates than anything else.  You love music. All of it.  Any instrument you can get your hand on is like holding magic in your eyes.  You're mesmerized by live performances of any kind.
Maybe you'll be a musician.
You are athletic.  You can smack a golf ball with a pretty charismatic swing.  You can dribble like an all star, and can swing your baseball bat like a pro.  You haven't met a sport you don't like yet.
Maybe you'll be an athlete.
You are smart.  Your Pops calls you a one and done.  If your told once your pretty much guaranteed to remember it.  Names of golfers, basketball players, words to songs, letter names, letter sounds.  You are beginning to read CVC words.  You can paint, draw, color in a beautiful way.
Maybe you'll be a doctor.
You love God.  You can often be heard praising his holy name.  Asking big questions you soak up any information your given.  You teach us to appreciate, pray, and look at this life in a whole new way.  You remind us to pray.
Maybe you'll be a missionary.
You are a great big brother.  Without hesitation you stepped into the role of big brother in a way no one could have expected.  You love your "Mala Mala" with all your heart.  Your genuinely excited to see her each morning.  You give unsolicited hugs, kisses, and pats multiple times a day.  You are protective and caring as you stroke her arm or hold her hand without thought as we read a story together.

Maybe you'll be a compassionate, entertaining, smart, athlete who plays in the band and bakes food for the needy, heals the sick, and loves the unlovable. 

You're going to be something.
Something special.
Because you already are my son.  You've never been anything else.

I love you with all of my existence.  I hope you know that.  No matter what.

Three years.

I know we can't go back, and I wouldn't.  So here's to watching you grow, learn, change, and conquer our hearts bring it on 3!

Love You Always,
Mommy

6 Months of Knowing Heaven on Earth - MLEC

 Nothing can measure time like the growth of a child.  Half of a year has gone by with the snap of a finger.  Days a blur, weeks that run into each other making months feel like a long weekend.  These 6 months have challenged, stretched, grown and changed us into the little family of four we have been so blessed to become.  You are a new kind of wonderful.  Every glimpse of your personality is slowly revealing a gentle, happy, and sweet soul that leaves us thirsty for more. 

 

6 months brought us:

Weight: 14lb and 10oz

Height: 251/2 in long

Feeding: When your hungry.  Typically every 3 hours except for evenings when you like to cluster feed before bed. 

Sleep: we have our ups and downs.  In the past three weeks we have had better sleep than we've seen in a while waking 2-3 times but going back down after feedings and we've even seen a sprinkling of one night wakings!  Naps are typically short lived but you have found that a little morning snooze isn't so bad and a late afternoon rest doesn't hurt either, although you still do less day sleeping than your almost 3 year old brother!  Naps and nights are completely done in your cozy crib now

Awake:You are typically a happy girl especially over the past few weeks, learning more about your world as you explore with your hands and vocalize your excitements.  

Loves: Row Your Boat, This Little Piggy, Kisses, Bouncing, Exploring with your hands and feet, Grabbing at toys on your playmat, being outside, going for walks, your brother, grinning, squealing, chewing on toys, your fingers, listening to Henry play music, flying with Daddy, seeing Daddy when he walks in the room, your paci, being cozy in a woombie

Dislikes: being tired, well you loved and hated banana.  We tried your first foods and you loved the taste of banana, however your body did not and so it will go down as your first official failed food.  Being on your belly for tummy time for any longer than a minute is still a bit of a struggle. 

Temperament: Sweet and wonderful you!  You are a happy girl at heart and have such a joyful disposition.  You are pretty laid back and happy in most situations.  Your the type of baby who can wake up and happily lie in your crib talking/squealing/smiling to yourself.  When your comfortable and feeling good you can put your self down to sleep.  You have an infectious laugh  and smile that can make the world stop in it's tracks. 

Clothing Size: 6 months!  In the past few weeks you've quickly outgrown every last trace of 3-6 month clothing and are fully embracing your new big girl size!

New Milestones: mastering the exersaucer and manipulating all your new toys,  sitting up more independently with wobbles and teeters lessening,  baby push ups in tummy time, taking your paci out of your mouth and moving it from hand to hand and sometimes making it back to your mouth, trying solid food for the first time, your first ear infection and battle with antibiotics, they wreaked havoc on your unstable system and left us feeling pretty miserable, visiting the chiropractor, having a happier temperament. 

This past month has been a little overwhelming with new information and struggles through FPIES.  After trying banana and failing (bloody stools, explosive diapers) I began doing more research.  I've gathered lots of information and help from a few great support groups and learned so much from moms who are walking this same journey.  I learned that you have never actually been baseline or "normal" and we have to find a way to get you there, as you are still fighting something your being exposed to.  I learned that soy and dairy are in Everything!!!  from your vaccines right down to the advil mommy takes for headaches.  Some of this information has scared/worried me as I think about what might lie ahead for us but I'm giving it to God knowing that it's all in his hands.  After your first ear infection and continously running nose and unchanging bowel issues we decided to give a chiropractor a chance.  We haven't seen any change in your belly but have seen you handle it better and a happy girl counts for a lot......in fact that's all we really care about!  We have an appointment with Cincinnati Children's GI in mid April where we hope to gather more information and guidance as we move forward down this road. 

We love you darling girl, your joy for life has taken us all by surprise in the most delightful way.  Our spoon full of sugar and I literally want to eat you up a dozen times a day!  Thank you for being you

 

Muah!  

Mommy  

Don't Let Me Forget

Yesterday was filled with moments I hope to never forget.  

We started the day by enjoying a church service with both wonderful little children sitting in big church.  They were well behaved and happy and I soaked up the moments spent with Henry in my lap.  Goodness he is getting big.  

After church our darling daughter not only took a long nap but she did so in the comfort of my arms.  It warmed my soul to know she was comfortable and at peace enough to have such a deep sleeping rest.  I had a million things on my to do list but lying her in her crib to accomplish anything other than snuggles would have been foolish.  I stared at her fingers, her nose, and those lips, I leaned over and kissed her head at least a dozen times, and I read my bible study holding an angel.  I couldn't think of a more precious and holy way to spend an afternoon.  

At bedtime I walked out of the stillness of Mallie Lynn's nursery with the trail of nightly prayers on my lips into the room of sweet and patient Henry.  Greeting him for our good night ritual I was surprised to find him already asleep.  A creak in the floor gave away my presence and he through open his eyes and arms greeting me with a smile and "Hey mommy!"  I wrapped him in my arms and gave his forehead kisses while he drifted in and out of sleep.  He played with my necklace and snuggled under my chin and I 

soaked

it 

up

Every last drop, until I began to pull away and he once again flashed a grin, pulled up his shirt and requested "will you rub my belly?"  So I rubbed that sweet tummy until his eyes were heavily shut.  I took the deepest breaths of thankfulness as I gently closed his door.  My heart was so full of undeserving love that it spilled happiness with each step I took down the hallway.  

You two are everything.  You are life's treasures.  Gifts from above, and living breathing evidence of our makers love. 

I'm a little boy mama.

Someone I love dearly is growing up.  I would call him a big boy but lately he corrects me when I say so. 
"I'm a little boy mama!"
Ohhhhh and thank goodness you are.

Becoming a big brother has not come without a few growing pains.  When mommy has needed to tend to Mallie Lynn's needs you have been left to entertain yourself.  It has taught you to enjoy independent play, and to exercise patience.  You have taken it all with grace and charm (and a sprinkling of time outs and tantrums), we could not be more proud of you darling son.

Blanky is still your buddy and recently you have decided to cling to him more than usual.  Over the past two months you have experienced separation anxiety once again.  Tears and sadness have insued anytime we drop you off at school, church, bible study and even with grandparents.  I like to think it's because we are so darn fun to be with, but it's possible that all this big brother business has taken a toll on you.  

You continue to be in love with sports and go from playing basketball, to putting onto your imaginary green on a daily basis.  You love to have us watch you as you pretend to be Devin Booker, Trey Lyles, Karl Anthony Townes, Dekari Johnson, Dominique Hawkins, Marcus Lee, or Poythress, while asking us to pretend to be your coach or referee.  

You are as sweet as pie.  It is apparent in your unsolicited I love you's, the way you care for your sister, the way your ALWAYS say "be careful mommy" when you watch me chop food with a knife.  If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand and five times....You are a delight.  I'm so privileged to be your mommy.