Tres Bebe

(Proverbs 3: 5-6)  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.  

One, Two, Three Little bundles to love.

One, Two, Three lives surely gifts from above.  

 Henry wants a sister, and Mallie Lynn wants a brother, or as she told us, she "wants a Henwy".  They are both more excited than I expected they'd be and I can't wait to see them in their new roles  of our family.

Mallie Lynn is a caregiver by nature, feeding others by hand, bringing your belongings she finds to their rightful place, and cleaning up messes.  She is going to be one heck of a big sister and Oh the way she loves!  Well, this baby is in for such a treat!
Henry began asking about the baby the day after we told them the news.  Dropping his precious basketball for a quick timeout to kiss my belly and say hi to the baby.  Instances of him coming to snuggle me in bed and hug the baby have become frequent and he loves to ask how big it is.  (Right now Tres Bebe is a sweet little peach!

We delight in the thought of this growing little life.  Our rainbow baby who is already being used to teach us God's perfect timing.  We didn't know where our journey would go for our family when we experienced a miscarriage last June, but God did.  As we journeyed through the lessons of trusting in His provision and plan I came to a place where I completely released all control; and that's when it happened.  When February 9th came, a day I had looked at as a point of dread, I found myself instead being completely blown away by what could only be God's work, a positive pregnancy test.  

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

We have continued to walk in His strength as anyone who has experienced a pregnancy after miscarriage does.  We treaded waters lightly, took extra precautions and kept our secret for a bit longer than we might have otherwise.  We are over the moon excited to wrap our arms around this baby, sometime before October 18th.  For this child we have prayed and our hearts are already filled with love for this soul.  

Growing Up and Growing Out

This little blessing has been growing in so many ways and has officially given us 2.5 years of sweetness.  She has been a beauty from the start and we are finding her loving heart is so full of gumption, spunk, and sincerity we can't help but love her more each day.  

As you know her journey started out with a challenge.  Having spent much of her first 10 months of life in discomfort from food intolerances Mallie Lynn gave us much to pray for.  We were hopeful that the day would come sooner than later that she would outgrow them and be able to eat normally but also prepared ourselves for the possibility that it would be much longer.  She began eating solids around 13 months and slowly but surely we added one food at a time into her diet.  

 She began to understand certain things hurt her belly, struggled with food aversions, texture issues, and maybe the worst wanting foods around her she simply could not have.  We all adapted to the lifestyle any food allergy family does, caution.  Thinking ahead and planning snacks, meals, or special treats whenever we left the house.  Trying to make a sweet dessert for her to partake in at birthday parties instead of cake or ice cream, and packing coolers of food and special milk for her when we went on any sort of trip.  

 Early this spring we were released from Cincinnati Children's and began a month long dairy trial.  It began with uncertainty and what we thought was most certainly signs of a fail, but God opened the door for healing and she walked right through.  This girl is now a dairy eater my friends!!!

Slowly adding in more and more was a definite test of trust and we prayed each time that it would work, and it did.  She has delighted in eating "Henry cheese" shhhhhh so much, maybe more than anything else because it's just like her brother's.  She has enjoyed regular ice cream, had her first milk shake, root beer float, and eaten cake and cupcakes just like every other child at birthday parties.  I can not tell you how sweet it has been to watch her fall in love with new foods.  She has sometimes done a double take over how good something is, and appreciates her ability eat more than I could have imagined.  

It has changed our lifestyle and opened up my world of cooking again.  Our family has been doing a lot more eating out too.  Going to a restaurant spur of the moment without having to go home and grab or make a meal for her is a blessing I hope I never take for granted.    

 This silly fun loving gal is growing up and grown out of all but straight soy and we thank God for this huge blessing!  So instead of focusing on food lately we have focused on learning to ride her brother's balance bike, taking swim lessons, and racing her brother.  

 Grow Mallie Lynn Grow!!!  Just do it slow enough for me to soak in these moments I hold so dear.  You're certainly our sunshine girl and we love you more than you'll ever know.  

Life Lately - late March Edition

March brought us ups and downs in weather and little teases that got us oh so excited for summer.  We spent lots of time in our imaginations and had a resurgence of pirate, doctor, and pet shop play.   

 

 Little miss got all into tea time and I'm not sure if it was the OCD or her obsession with new goggles that had her eager to wash all the play cups.  

 

Trips to the library for crafting and stories.  

 Tea for two.

 Celebrating sweet Sawyer's 4th birthday.  

 Walks that move slow and lend time for picking flowers have become our new thing.  

 We had a date with daddy downtown.  

 We've been entertained by the great Henry Houdini.

and made over by the great sticker caper Mallie Lynn

 Lives are busy, even being a stay at home mom.  So taking the time to just have one on one lunch with my girl is a treat I savor more than she does a good lollipop.  

 This lunch was particularly special as she had her first Chik Fil A lunch that involved more than a fruit cup and fries.  We are so thankful for these moments we've been given.  

 We were reunited with the snowbirds Nanny and Pop and oh how we enjoyed it.  Smiles could be seen from all around when we got to see them after a winter without their hugs and fun nature.  

 These two had a sweet Valentine's Day building their UK buildabears together and have enjoyed cheering on the CATS with them by their sides.  

 Ruby Sue has been working through the tough stuff of being a puppy and continues to cute her way into our hearts as we exhale frustration.  

 We had a few of these sweet moments where unsolicited hand holds, hugs and sharing make any other sibling fussing a fleeting thought.  

 Henry, the child born the morning of the National Championship when, was given his first lesson on March Madness bracketology.  

 We celebrated two special families with sibling sets that have a buddy for each of our littles.  

 Emma turning 5 was hard to believe, especially because I knew that meant my Henry wasn't far behind.  

 Mallie Lynn loved celebrating "my Maple" as she calls her. 

 Henry couldn't get enough of the bounce house, wrestling, and running he was able to do with Justice as they celebrated Peter Pan and Tink.  

 Henry and I had an accidental date day to Sky Zone and I loved getting time with just my boy.  

We had the pleasure of celebrating my sisters birthdays down at my parents.  It was a fun day of cousin play, laughs and catching up a bit more with Mom and Dad after the winter.  

 Our Monday mornings are what we love best, or at least I do.  Where pajamas can be worn for longer than usual and errands are usually mixed in with fun.  

 I love my crew to pieces.