birthday: number three

Our first baby girl turned 5.

Let me say that again. She turned five. A whole hand; such a milestone. Of course, we always say she is 5 going on 15. Sigh.

This year, we had what we call the "Shingles Party". :) We went for the simple and the fun. See a pattern?

We had a party themed, "Kate's Favorite Things" - named after her favorite movie and favorite song. (Sound of Music)  The favors were even in "little brown packages tied up with string". We had a Saturday morning party this year - bright and early - Kate's favorite time of the day and Kate's favorite day of the week, because her Daddy doesn't have to work. So, all of her friends met us at her favorite local diner for a pancake and bacon breakfast. Did I mention she wore her pajamas b/c that is her favorite article of clothing to have on day or night?

Then, of course, she had her favorite princess balloon and cake to make it girly festive, doncha know.

Momma threw this box cake to work the night before and had a lot of fun designing it. It's made out of a 9x13 pan, a loaf pan and 8 cupcakes, I believe.

David replied, "Wow, that turned out  much better than I thought it was going to." Thanks, sweetheart. My favorite part of the cake was the edible glitter. If you have a girl and she loves anything sparkly... you must find edible glitter and sprinkle it on ANY cake. It turns it into a magical experience. :)

The kids were calm b/c it was the morning and after we got them all sugared up after Pancakes and syrup and orange juice, we simply walked 2 blocks over to Kate's favorite playground and let the kids run wild. They played with water balloons and ran through the sprinklers. They ate cake and had juice (more sugar) and ran it out. The party was over by 11am and we were ready for our full day of rest, and opening presents, and spending time recovering. The best part - is David didn't have to do much work b/c he was still in mucho pain.

It was by far my favorite party for her. I highly recommend the Shingles Party for your child too...but without your husband having the shingles part.

Kate: You blow your daddy and I away with your brilliance, your wit, your profound insight, your creativity, your love for your family, and .... your laugh. You are unique through and through. You are your mommy's mirror of accountability and reason and your daddy's equal match. For that - we know God gave you to us for a special reason.

You are beautiful. Your big blue eyes reflect such a light and love for learning and your heart genuinely loves Jesus. You are becoming quite an extraordinary young woman already and I can't wait to continue learning with you this year. You sing and dance all day long and you have taught your brother to follow in your footsteps (literally). You only desire to wear twirly dresses and I run out of options most days when they are all dirty. You have developed a love for reading and for reading and memorizing the Word of God. And, you have such style. So much so, that you like to go pick out what Mommy should wear and are very honest when I am wearing something that you don't approve of (really? already?!), sigh.

You are a scooter -master and that helps Mommy tremendously navigating the NYC sidewalks with 3 kids. 

You LOVE taking pictures of yourself with the iPhone camera and lately have started journaling our days by video. Hysterical.

One of your favorite things are our Starbucks dates and I hope that will always be something we enjoy together. 

 You are quite the gymnast.

Thank you for being patient with Mommy as I figure everything out with you - all the firsts. I can't think of a better daughter to do that with...than you. I'm excited to see all that God teaches us this year!
We love you SO much!

birthday: number one.

Hello, McKinzie Lynn!!

On April 13th, we celebrated our first birthday in our "season of birthdays". We welcomed with joy - and in a bit of a fog - this sweet baby girl.

 (2 days)

David and I still look at each other and say... do we really have THREE kids? When did all of this happen? Wow, God has blessed us abundantly and unexpectedly.

We had no idea that McKinzie would be a girl and in the delivery room - it was a most joyous moment when we found out. Kate was the FIRST person to come in after she was born and learn that it was indeed a girl. Her response was, "I knew it!" Spoken just like the self-assured, confident girl that she is and I could see the excitement on Kate's face at the realization that she now has a sister. There is nothing more special.

(2 weeks)

McKinzie is as sweet as they come. Calm and patient (until she is not).

(2 months) 

The one word I use to describe McKinzie is happy. She is so smiley. She loves to smile and started to cackle this past month. I can't help but look at her and smile, which from the sound of my last post, is a good thing and quite a reminder of God's sweet provision.

(3 months)

This is what I wake-up to each morning. I mean, seriously. Every morning. Neither of my other kids were like this...is that the beauty of having three? Maybe. I highly recommend it (but know it can be overwhelming).

McKinzie - what a delight you are already in our family and we can't wait to get to see your little personality develop even more. You are a JOY!

number three.

Oh, come on. One post each month isn't bad, right?

This month will be different; I can feel it.
I can explain.

We found out a wonderful surprise. Yes, surprise!

Number 3 is on the way. Due April 19th and we could not be more excited.

(Picture is at 12 weeks...I am now at 16 weeks) 

God has richly blessed us even during seasons when I feel like it is a desert around here. When the spirit is down and the soul is weary - somehow God reminds us He is ever near and has not abandoned us. His faithfulness and steadfast love continue to carry us through these times and we are reminded that we just need to trust Him. What will it be like in the City with 3 kids? In one room? A tighter budget? Harder to get around? Not sure about schooling? Family still far away. Husband praying through career. Elevator still out - so 49 steps up and 49 steps down each day... pregnant with two energetic kids. Yet, He sustains.

We are trusting. Joyfully. Expectantly.

Another sweet gift that we cover in prayer daily. I have lost one early pregnancy. I have seen two glorious births. With this one - my heart is continually leaning towards doubt and not trust...but I take it a day at a time and I read His words to me - that He is purposeful in all He does and that it is for our good. I trust Him. Today. Tomorrow. And, I smile. Joyfully. Ever so thankful for the wonderful gifts ... and the ones that are difficult.

Surprise!

We appreciate all of your prayers for us on this new and ever-evolving journey through life in the big City with a growing family!

{sweet}hearts

hello there.

Welcome, Wesley James.

May 27th.

6 lbs 14oz.

You came into our lives quite unexpectedly, really. It started out as such a normal Thursday. I made a good breakfast: eggs, toast, maybe even some turkey sausage, if I remember correctly. It is my favorite meal of the day after all. I was taking your sister to her gymnastics class and decided to stop by the doctor for our weekly exam. It was such an ordinary day that suddenly turned to the extraordinary when the doctor curiously asked me, "Are you feeling anything right now?"

Of course, I laughed. I mean living in New York City, walking everywhere and being a mom of an active 2 year old at the time - I feel quite a lot, but I move on ahead as all moms do, you know, one foot in front of the other. "You are already dilated to a 3 and I can feel the baby. You need to go to the hospital."

"So, I can't take Kate to her gymnastics class first and then go to the hospital?", I asked. Spoken like a true mom in denial.

Dr: "No."

Me: "OK, so I go to the sonogram place again where they hook me up to this machine and see if I am having contractions?"

Dr: "No, you get in a cab and you go straight to Labor and Delivery. You are having a baby... today."

Me: "OK, then." Head spinning. I was practically in tears that Kate has to miss her beloved gymastics class; never mind that this is the day. 16 days early, but still the day has come when we will move into a family of four.

Oh gosh - check list begins spinning in my head. Call David. Call Sarah. Drop Kate off at Sarah's (our neighbor, at the time, and very dear friend) Call parents. Pray. Try to keep it together as I walk two blocks to the hospital. Call the Roses. Call Murph. Figure out who can stay with Kate overnight. Get a Plan B. Text other dear friends for prayer. Meet David at hospital. Get into gown. Get hooked up to machine at hospital. Answer questions. Feel contractions. Feel more contractions. The nurse confirms the baby is still in breech position (see previous post for details) which means ... the C-Section is inevitable at this point.

Then the question comes from the nurse, "Did you eat anything for breakfast?"

"Uh, Yes!" Trying not to look at her in that - "did you really just ask me that question" kind of way. I mean it is the best meal of the day in my book. What pregnant woman doesn't eat breakfast, I am thinking to myself? She asks me if it was just cereal and I had to confess that it was most definitely eggs, and toast and sausage. Sigh. Then tells me I have to wait all day for the food to pass through my system because I am about to have surgery.

Great.

I look at my watch. It is 9:30am.

Me: "OK, so like Noon?

Nurse: "No, more like 4 or 5pm."

Me: "OK."

So, for the next several hours that felt like an eternity, we waited and waited and waited to see you. The contractions grew stronger but were bearable. It was such a strange feeling to feel the contractions but know that I was about to have surgery and that this experience was going to be so incredibly different than the one I had with your sister. Neither one better or worse. Just different.

Your dad and I wanted to take one last picture of us before I went into the operating room. Our life and our family was about to change for the better. We couldn't wait any longer!

I went into the OR first and and then your Daddy met me in there and you were born about 10 minutes later at 5:52pm. We were so proud. I could hear you cry even though I couldn't see you quite yet behind the curtain. The first thing the doctor said as you were born was, "He's a cute one!"

Then the doctor handed you to your Daddy and I was able to see you for the first time. It still takes my breathe away to think back to that moment.

Then I noticed your Daddy started looking a bit white. Like, really white. Then I heard him say, "Doc, I'm not feeling so great." Then a rush of nurses escorted you and your Daddy out of the OR while the doctor finished putting me back together. Literally. Oh - should I not have said that? All I know is when I was ready, I was rolled into a recovery room where you and your Daddy were waiting for me. Your Daddy was much better after taking off his scrubs and downing 3 juice boxes. :)

What a blessed day. God's provision was evident through every detail and every doctor and every nurse. Prayers were answered. Nothing was as we would have planned it on May 27th and yet it was the very plan God had designed for you and for us and so it was perfect. Just as it should be.

This is your big sister, Kate, when she met you for the first time. She loved to count your toes and was so excited to realize you both had 10 of them! "We match!", she exclaimed. She loves you so much already. It makes me cry - in a good way.

Three days later, your Daddy and big sister carried you home. Your Mia, Uncle Dan and Ashley and I followed closely behind.

Welcome, Wesley James.

We love you.

So much.