With a neigh and a moo and a cock-a-doodle-doo...Addison is 2!

Dear Addison,

What a wonderful year of learning, growing, and loving we have had!  I feel like we got to know you, our beautiful daughter, on such a deeper level as you are now able to communicate your thoughts and feelings.  What a joy you are and what happiness you bring to our lives!

As you continue to grow, I love discovering how God created YOU…the only YOU in the entire world!  What makes you overly excited, happy, scared, or sad?  What fuels and energizes you?  The answers to these questions will change with the passing months, but embracing who you are in this very moment is what I love most about each and every day.  The way God created you is simply breath-taking, inside and out.

I love you, all of you, Sweetheart.  I love your silky blonde hair that actually sparkles in the sunlight.  I love your captivating eyes that have gradually shifted from blue to light gray this year…the kind of gray that teases you with hints of blue, fawn-brown, and green.  I love the dimple on top of your nose.  I love the three tiny freckles that are sprinkled across your soft, smooth skin.  I love when your small hands grasp mine.  I love your enthusiasm and the way you scream with excitement because you just can’t hold it in.  I love the wonder you have when learning new things.  Your compassion and gentleness around babies and baby dolls melts my heart.  I love to hear you talk; your expressions, pronunciations, and sentences are precious.  I love that you still want me to hug you close and kiss away your “boo-boos” even though you are seeking independence and remind me often that you can do most things on your own.  I love how excited you get when you have the opportunity to spend time with your family and friends, who love you dearly and you love dearly as well.  I love the laughs and squeals of delight that fill the house when Daddy tickles you.  Addison, I love the way God made you.

From the day we found out you were alive and growing inside of me, I have been praying specifically for you, my daughter.  I pray that your life would be a reflection of Jesus…a life that loves and trusts God, strives for purity, humility, diligence, compassion, and integrity.  I pray that you will find your identity in the One who created you and not from the lies of the world.  I deeply desire that Daddy and I will have a close connection with you through each stage of your life, and even though it may not seem like it to you at times, that you would rest with full assurance knowing that we always have your best interests in mind.

Speaking of your Daddy, are you aware that you have the best Daddy in the world?  He is fun, caring, involved, and loves us so deeply.  However, most importantly he loves Jesus and his life displays His Name.  Daddy is a man of integrity, honor, wisdom, courage, generosity, compassion, gentleness yet strength, and loyalty.  He adores you and loves you through and through.  I pray that one day you will chose to marry a man who treasures you like Daddy treasures me and you, who deepens your faith in God, who loves you without reservation, who tells you you are beautiful from sun-up to sun-down, and who rejoices in the way God made you.  Daddy is that man to me, and I pray that your future husband will be same to you.

Addison, my love for you continues to grow deeper with each passing day.  No matter what you do, believe, or what you think of me over the years, I will love you unconditionally all the days of my life.  You are my treasure and I am so thankful that God chose to place you in our lives to love and cherish.  Daddy and I are so proud of you and we celebrate every aspect of you.  We have an exciting year ahead as you become the Big Sister!  Your little brother or sister is blessed beyond measure to have you to look up to.                

All my love, 

Mommy

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A few pictures from her birthday party!

A few of the details...

I am very grateful to my talented sister who took the majority of the party pictures!  And thank you, thank you to all of our family and friends who came over to celebrate Addison's birthday!  You mean the world to our little girl (and us!)!!

Celebrating Another Miracle

"I have come to believe that 'the glow' of a pregnant woman comes entirely from the presence of God.  God does not begin the work of creating and then leave.  I believe that He remains and indwells the heart, soul, and body of a woman with extra measure of His presence.  Every woman is visited by the Creator God as He quietly performs the miracle of life.  And like the city on a hill, the light of the Father cannot be hidden.

...This season will pass quickly, and the blessing that awaits you is breathtaking.

Drink deeply from these days...pray without ceasing...and marvel."  

-Prayers for Expectant Mothers by Angela Thomas Guffey

I only cried tears of sorrow once the months following Addison's birth.  I clearly remember the night.  She was less than a week old.  Our new family of three was cuddled close together on a cold, winter's night as we rested before bed.  We were tired, but My Hero and I were in amazement of our beautiful, sleeping miracle.  She was finally here, finally in our arms, safe and sound.  I looked across our room to a framed set of 4 pictures, photos my sister had taken when my rounded belly proudly displayed the newest of new life growing within me.  Without any thought, tears began cascading down my face.  "I wish I was still pregnant," I confessed to My Hero as I began to ache on the inside.  I loved the complete oneness my daughter and I shared while I was pregnant.  I loved having her all to myself, safely tucked away from the dangers of this world.  I loved feeling her every movement, wondering if that was a knee, an elbow, a foot or a hand.  I loved the responsibility I had to eat right and exercise so that I could rest assured knowing I did my part to give her the healthiest start possible.  I loved how beautiful I felt in my husband's eyes.  I loved the incredible purpose my life had during that time.  I loved being able to take her everywhere with me.  I loved knowing that without me, this miracle would not exist or survive.  I loved resting my hand on my bulging baby bump, praying over the newest of new life.  I loved being pregnant.

And then, 6 hours after the first twinge of labor pains signaled the fast-approaching moment I had been dreaming of, I was no longer pregnant.

I would later read these words from Ann Voskamp, mother of six, in this post.

"Sometimes I catch myself, this laying a hand on my flatness, over that still cavity. Sometimes I can feel the pulse of ache’s howl. A woman’s body is hollowed out to create. Her soul made to knit in the private spaces. And so the longings come, these yearnings to fill, to carry, to deliver."

I later realized that is how I felt - empty and lifeless.

But then I looked away from the pictures and allowed my eyes to rest on my tiny, sleeping baby girl, wrapped snugly in a pink blanket and my tears transformed into tears of joy.  Sorrow-filled tears that trickled like raindrops were replaced with a rushing waterfall of tears bursting with all the happiness and gratitude I could have possibly felt in one moment.  She was so fresh, so innocent, so dependent, so perfect.  The moment she was born and we saw her for the first time, an intense, indescribable love captured us and bonded the 3 of us together in a way I cannot understand.  She was beautiful, healthy, and whole...God's handiwork revealed for the world to marvel at.  I sank deep into the truth that her life had a far greater purpose in my arms than inside of me and my trust in God deepened as I knew that He would care for her in this world.  My husband could finally hold, kiss, gaze at, and cradle his baby that he had felt move from the outside for so long.  Their relationship could begin growing into a deeper connection.  To this day, there is still something about my strong man with our precious daughter that makes my heart melt.  Yes, being pregnant was a fleeting, miraculous time that went by all too quickly.  However, after that brief moment of reminiscing, I would never desire for her to be anywhere but cradled in our arms, right where she belongs.

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And as I sit here and write this, my emptiness is no longer and I am once again showing the first stages of fullness, roundness, and blossoming life.  A brand new life that has been given to us by our Father in Heaven.

We are humbled and overly grateful for the amazing gift He has chosen to place in our lives, no matter whether we have a few short weeks or many years with our child.  Losing our second baby to a miscarriage this summer was one of the most heart-wrenching experiences we've ever gone through.  Now, more so than ever, we are grateful for each and every day and we trust that God's plan is perfect.  How thankful we are for the time we have already been given knowing that our baby's heart is beating and he or she is growing. 

 "Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name." -Psalm 103:1

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I am beyond excited to go through this pregnancy in light of eucharisteo.  I am slowing down, being still, and drinking deeply from these fleeting days.  The peace I feel is all-consuming.  I cannot hide my smile every time I touch my swollen stomach or catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I allow my mind to dwell on the fact that God is knitting our precious child together in me.  I rest in Him and marvel at the works of His hand.

And this little girl, now the big one, the girl that made me a Mommy....

(photo taken this summer)

she is going to be the best big sister!  She is so compassionate, loving, gentle, and motherly when she is around babies.

I am so excited to give her a childhood playmate and hopefully a lifelong best friend.  My heart swells with joy as I think about her loving and helping me care for her younger brother or sister.

I feel a twinge of sadness intermingled with the joy, for we are counting down the months until it is no longer just the three of us.  So we are doing what we always do, making the most of each moment and spending all of our time together.  I do have a feeling, though, that the best is yet to be!

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I am overwhelmed with thankfulness....


642.  The sweet, exciting thoughts about the little one forming in me at this very minute.  I can't stop thinking about this tiny miracle!

643. Finally getting in bed.  Creating a new life is exhausting!

644. Re-reading pregnancy books

645. Dreaming about whether or not we will have another daughter or our first son.  Will Addison have a brother or sister?

646. Feeling like my life has an even greater purpose and importance right now.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care....

My goal was to have Addison's stocking finished by Christmas.

I am very excited to say that it proudly filled the empty third of our mantle 7 days before Christmas!

Our little family.  

Three special stockings.

One tradition continued to the next generation.

(Thank you, mom, for turning the finished piece of canvas into an actual stocking!)

641. Each member of my little family represented by one special stocking.

Carrying on a Family Tradition, One Stitch at a Time

Growing up, I loved to hear the story of my mom's birth...

My Grandma, who was 40 years old at the time, was stationed in Germany since my Grandpa was a pilot in the Air Force during World War II.  She arrived at the hospital, 12 pounds heavier than she was when she got pregnant and delivered a healthy 4 pound baby girl (my mom).  I can only imagine how relieved she was at this point (as I now know what it feels like to be in labor and give birth!), and I cannot imagine what went through her mind when the doctor looked at her and said, "Mrs., you have one more baby you need to deliver."  TWINS!  TWINS?  Sure enough, she gave birth to another 4 pound baby girl!  I wonder what my Grandpa's reaction was when he was allowed into the room to see his wife and his new baby girlS.  What a moment of shock, excitement, fear, and an over abundance of joy they most likely felt!  Apparently my uncle, 11 years old at the time, had wanted a brother, but he decided that two girls made up for one boy!

My other favorite story highlights my Grandma's love and devotion for my Grandpa as well as her determination and courage...qualities I hope depict my life as well.  After falling in love in Ohio, my Grandpa was stationed in California.  They couldn't stand the distance so she flew to Reno while my Grandpa took a very quick leave of absence so they could get married.  My Grandpa was deployed 2 weeks later.  Grandma was left alone in a base housing apartment with 1 can of tomato soup, 1 lb of hamburger, no job, and a car that she couldn't drive.  At this point I have to stop and think about what I would have done.  After a few good tears, I hope I would have followed in my Grandma's footsteps...she made the most of her situation and got a job as a secretary for the base commanding officer.  When she earned enough money she hired a driving instructor to teach her how to drive the car parked in her driveway.  By the time my Grandpa returned, 18 months later, she had opened a savings account with several thousand dollars saved.  I can imagine that he was proud of his new bride!

Sadly, my Grandma passed away in the early 90s, but she started a tradition that has been continued for several generations and her legacy will never be forgotten.

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While reading the October 1973 edition of Family Circle, Grandma came across a needlepoint stocking pattern.  She was an excellent seamstress and she decided to buy the pattern and make a stocking for each of her three children. 

 

 

the original Family Circle article

My mom, my aunt, and my uncle's wife made a stocking for their spouse as well as each of their children...13 new stockings at this point!





When I got married, my mom made a stocking for My Hero.  My mom also made a stocking for my sister's husband and she plans to make one for my brother's future wife.  In our immediate family, Addison is the first child in the next generation and with my mom's guidance (as I am not a seamstress, needlepointer, etc) I decided to carry on the tradition.

My mom teaching me the intricacies of needlepoint

As I have been working on Addison's stocking I've learned many things.

First, needlepoint takes a LONG time!  I cannot believe the amount of time each pattern and row takes.  I have a whole new respect for my Grandma who made the very first one from a simple, simple pattern.  I am positive I could not have completed one section if I didn't have my already-made stocking to look at and count each stitch! 

Secondly, since it has taken me so long, I have had many hours to think.  My Grandma has come to mind often.  If she was still alive, I can imagine she would be very proud to see another stocking being made for her great granddaughter in her honor.  I wish I would have been older before she passed away so I could have gotten to know her better.  She was a remarkable woman.  Also, thoughts of my mom always come without any effort.  Not everyone can say this, but my mom is my best friend.  I pray that Addison and I will have a relationship like my mom and I do.  My mom's devotion to the Lord, care and service to others, and ability to see God in the good areas as well as the challenging aspects of life have molded me into the woman I am today.  Her kind heart and soft spirit are qualities that people would use to describe both of us.  I never fully understood the sacrifices a mother makes until I had a daughter of my own.  I owe my life to my mom and I hope she never questions my love for her.  Maybe one day Addison will ask me to help her start a stocking for her child.  What an exciting day that would be for me as I think back and tell her about all the great mothers who made stocking prior to her.

Finally, with each stitch, I prayed for my daughter.  How I long for her to grow up and live an abundant life in Christ.  My prayer is that this stocking will represent her heritage, the love I have for her, and ultimately, God's desire for her heart and life. 

My goal is to be finished with the stocking in the next two weeks.  I have about four more sections to go.  I probably won't be around much until it is finished as it takes most of my spare time


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Counting gifts...

628.  Remembering my Grandma and the legacy that she left
629.  Praising God for my mom and the wonderful woman that she is
630.  The gift of recently becoming a mother myself
631.  The comfort that comes with knowing that God is pursuing Addison's heart as I pray that she will one day choose to run to His open arms

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge: Laughter

Just for fun I thought I'd enter a recent picture I took of my spunky daughter into the I Heart Faces weekly photo challenge. This week's theme is "Laughter."


This photo makes me smile every time I see it.  I can still her her giggle!




Click here

Be sure to check out other amazing photos on the I Heart Faces website!

Birthday Blessings

Today I turned 27.  

This year, on my birthday, I continued to count gifts, slowly unwrapping all 27 of them...

601. Waking up to cards and heartfelt notes left by My Hero before he headed to work
602. Growing even more in love with him each year and knowing that he feels the same towards me
603. Seeing an envelope with "Mommy" on the front.  I will never take for granted the gift of being the Mommy to my precious daughter.
604. Seeing her 22 month old scribbles across the card and her face of pride as she showed me her artwork
605. A quiet morning with no where to go
606.  A cold, blustery day reminding me of how grateful I am to have a warm, cozy house
607. The many calls, messages, texts, and cards from loved ones
608. My friend surprising me with a cookies 'n cream CFA milkshake (an extra-special treat!!)
609. Finally getting our brand new replacement computer in the mail after months of waiting!
610. A 3 hour stretch of time to myself as Little Miss napped...I am usually doing good if she sleeps for an hour and a half!  I don't remember the last time she slept almost 3 hours!
611. Her joyful mood after such a good rest
612. Going shopping for our Operation Christmas Child shoebox and involving Addison in this experience as I tried to tell her that we were buying gifts to help another little girl.  How I pray she will have a spirit of generosity and one that is not controlled by her own selfish desires.
613. Pushing her in the shopping cart, so proud of her and what a beautiful little girl she is
614. Feeling the welling excitement as I imagine a little girl opening up the shoebox and discovering many gifts that she would not otherwise have...all in the name of Jesus Christ
615. Praying and knowing God hears the pleas of my heart
616. Sharing an answered prayer with friends and family members
617. Getting tears in my eyes as I drove home and passed several daycares.  Words can never express how thankful I am to my husband for working and making it a priority for me to stay home with Addison.  Every sacrifice we have made and continue to make never even enters my mind.  Even on the long, hard days, I wouldn't change anything.  I am beyond blessed and I recognize that every single day.
618. Thinking about how my relationship with God has grown and deepened through my first year in BSF.
619. Hearing Addison sing "Holy, Holy, Holy," "Jesus Loves Me," and the ABCs.  :)
620. Ella's Kitchen baby food pouches...who knew eating vegetables could be so much fun!?
621. Peace that passes all understanding
622. Laughter
623. Snuggles, kisses, and hugs before bed (even though her baby dolls got way more kisses than I did!)
624. Fleece, footie pajamas on a freshly bathed little girl
625.  Calling Daddy before bed.  He asked Addison what she did today.  Her response, "Mommy's birthday."  Too sweet!
626. The way my hands linger the smell of baby wash long after Addison's bath
627. Getting in bed after a long, hot shower and ending the day with prayers of thanksgiving for an abundance of what really matters

Teaching Toddlers - Learning Fun!!!

We had so much fun today with these simple, recycled learning activities that promote fine motor skills, learning the ABCs, counting, and an unexpectedly long time of fun for my little girl! 

Baby Food Lid Letters

Need:
26 baby food jar lids (more if you plan to make lowercase letters as well)
ABC foam letters (I found them at Michael's for about $5)
Empty plastic container with slit cut into the lid

Games to play: 
1)  Place 4-5 lids face-down on a table.  Ask your toddler to turn over each lid one at a time and tell you which letter was "hiding."
2)  Play a game of memory...match uppercase to uppercase letters or uppercase to lowercase letters.
3)  Place 3 lids letter-side-up on a table.  Point to each letter and say them with your child.  Cover 1 letter up.  Ask your child which letter is covered up.
4)  Arrange the letters in order of the alphabet while singing the ABC song.
5)  Encourage your toddler to stack the letters to make a tower.
6)  Practice saying the letter sounds as your child fits them into the slit in the container.

Beans in a Parmesan Cheese Container
(Thanks Dana for this great idea!)

Need:
1 empty Parmesan cheese container
dry beans or other small objects

**Note- This game is only suitable for children who are past the stage of putting everything in their mouth.  Even then, do not allow your child to play this game unsupervised!! 

Games to play: 
1)  Allow your child to put the beans in the container while counting each bean.  Dump the beans out and start again.
2)  Have your child shake the container with beans in it to make "music."
3)  Give your child another container and practice pouring the beans from one container to another.

 

What are some of your favorite, inexpensive learning activities to do with your toddler??