RESTART

That word is an understatement! I've missed writing, I've missed giving you updates on our crazy little family, and time has totally escaped from me. I cannot believe it is the middle of March. I cannot believe that it's been 3 months since my last post. I partially wanted to call this RESTART because of the new year...but I can't really do that anymore now can I?! But I can kind of given that it is the Lenton season. I mean it is a great time to clean our hearts, our minds, renew our soul and deepen our relationship with the Lord, and restart our journey of life. So here we go...

December was great! We had a wonderful holiday visiting Nana, Papi and Mama in Florida, taking Disney by storm for 3 days, and instilling a little bit of chaos at the grandparents house.

January was beyond busy and everyone had a touch of being sick with the yucky, snotty stuff...fortunately no stomach bugs! We haven't told many people but we are in the process building a new home and that occupies quite a bit of time; doing walk throughs on that house as well as prepping our current house to be sold. Being cooped up inside due to all of the ice didn't help much either. The kids were pretty much bouncing off the walls this entire month.

February continued with all of the same stuff as January just at a more rapid pace and rain instead of ice. And if it weren't for 2 of my best girlfriends, I wouldn't have had this post lingering in the back of my head to do.

The kids are doing great...getting big, too smart for their own good, and evolving personalities...

Alex has added many words to his vocabulary, mumbles sentences up a storm, can feed himself pretty well, climbs on everything and constantly has bruises on his shins. Chris is determined to find shin guards to fit his little legs. It amazes us everyday what he picks up on from the 4 of us. Doing many things so much earlier than the other 2 were. But how could he not when he is constantly observing us all?! He actually refuses to be fed and only wants to feed himself. He will turn his head and say "unt-uh" piercing his lips together. Once you hand him the spoon or food he will devour it. At his 18 month check up he was 33.5", 26 lb, and had a 19.75 cm head...yeah, pretty big noggin.

Zach is, well Zach. All spunk, imagination, and constant ball of energy. He is so creative and visual. I love this about his personality, but it often gets him into trouble. He doesn't do a very good job of controlling his passionate moments. He is totally into dinosaurs right now and everything he does is dinosaur related; from eating his food like a triceratops, to stomping through the house like sharp-tooth, and digging for dinosaur fossils in the flower beds.

Isabella is a diva...enough said! She knows she is the princess and owns it. She is going through a dramatic phase, screaming at everything either of her brothers do to her and constantly calling attention to herself. She even looked at me this morning when I asked her to do something and said "WHATEVER". I'm sure a bit of this has to do with Chris and I being so busy. She is loving gymnastics right now and doing incredibly well at it. Her strength is amazing, her cart-wheels are beautiful, and her hand stands would shock you. Very proud of my big girl!!!

So the most important part of every post, PICTURES:

 

 

 

 

 

The Sadness Never Changes, But Miracles Do Prevail

Yes, this title seems a little odd given that it is my firstborns birthday. The title should be all encompassing rejoiceful "HAPPY #5 BELLA BABY". But as 98% of you know, the experience of her birth was atypical and scary as hell. (Goodness, it is how we have gotten to know most of you). I must admit that today was not an easy one. I cried several times. Pain actually filled my body a couple of times. Regardless of it being 5 years removed, the anniversary of this day conjures up what was treacherous, odd, and almost a constant blur. And I don't ache for losing the pregnancy experience, but for the pain my daughter would endure for months; the first several months of her life. Those are supposed to be the happy times, the peaceful cuddle with your baby times. Not for this momma...I had to schedule to hold my baby...I had to make it to rounds to hear how she was breathing and meds administered for the day...I had to promptly show up on the hour to do diaper and linen changes...we had to ask permission to sleep on couches in the lobby while she was recovering from multiple surgeries.

 

With Thanksgiving coming late this year and leaving little room to get into the holiday spirit, I didn't have the cushion to soften how this time always makes me feel. I can normally use the decorating and jolly songs to lighten my mood before this week starts. Doesn't seem to be doing the trick this year. But just like my AMAZING, MIRACULOUS, SPIT-FIRE daughter gracefully pulled herself through SOOOOO much, I will too. I use her endurance to put a smile on my face. She is always my beacon of light. To this day there is always one second during the day that I look at her in awe. There is only one way to describe the blessing that she is...CHRIST! Through prayer, spreading our story across the world, sharing our story with and leaning on Father David, and having such a knowledgeable medical staff guide us, we are beyond blessed to have our baby girl turning FIVE!!! And not merely turning FIVE, but doing it with flying colors: reading, writing, doing math, running, skipping, jumping, speaking clearly. I could go on and on and on because all of that could be oh so different. And it is different for many families that went through something similar to what we did. To all of you out there that have suffered loss, I pray for you. For all of you with a special needs child, I commend you for all you do for your child. No matter how much I feel sad in a few split seconds of a day, it does not compare to what these families face; for our lives could be drastically different without our little beacon of light.

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRECIOUS GIRL

You light up our lives constantly

 

Her birthday blessing...such a big girl going by herself

 Decorating her room tree

 Having an early birthday dinner at the place of her choice,

BURGER SHACK

with her favorite cupcake from

OOH LA LA

Peace be with you all during this holiday season! I hope you grasp the miracles of your life, big and small, and lean on CHRIST to fill your heart with joy.