Memorial Day Parade

We went to our first parade this morning as a family. Christian was so excited to see the firetrucks and 'ambiences'. He talked about it all the way there, and then all the way home he asked to go back to the 'pa-wade'. It was in Downingtown, so not as special as if it were our own little town, but we got to sit in the shade (it was over 80 degrees by 10am), and park close by. What more can you ask for with a toddler and a tired, sweaty baby? As usual, Christian was hard to capture looking happy, but we know from his expression that he was smiling on the inside, and couldn't have been more elated with the sites and sounds passing by. Good times!

p.s. he had to come home and take a nap WITH his flag.

Lion Attack

"Kooey's Lion" , so aptly named by Christian, was sent while Kooey was still in the hospital at Christmas, by Grandpop in Florida. Christian took "Kooey's Lion" to meet Kooey on Christmas morning, and often plays with him while K is still too young to care. But the other day, K suddenly took an interest in his furry friend, and again, surprised us with smiles. It's so fun to watch his personality develop (finally!) and to watch him discover the world.

Music Lovers

Christian loves to play his guitar with Daddy. Kyren loves to watch. And lately Christian also likes to play his guitar and DANCE at the same time. We ALL love to watch that! And thought you might too!

Bare Belly Laughs

Christian was excited to take a tubby with his brubby tonight. Once in the bath, he started patting Kyren's tummy, a little too hard (or so i thought). K suddenly burst into the heartiest belly laugh i've ever seen or heard out of him! it was hilarious. Every time C would pat him, he'd laugh again. By the time Dave got the camera, he wasn't laughing quite as hard, but you get the idea.

He has really grown fond of Christian, and watches him constantly throughout the day. This comes in handy when we're trying to get him to do his tummy time exercises (which he otherwise despises). As long as Big Brother is around, he forgets about being on his tummy, and those neck muscles get a good workout! Just one of the many perks of having them so close in age. I'm starting to see how nice it is going to be as their age gap begins to get less noticeable. Christian is becoming more atuned to Kyren as well. He is constantly expressing a desire to include K in his playtime, and even asks to hold him now (which he has had zero interest in up until this past week). He seems to have genuine affection for him. And obviously, the feeling's mutual. It is really sweet to see.

God is King. He Loves me.

Even when we forget, Christian will often remind us, when we sit down to eat-- "Pway!!!" he commands, as he holds out both of his hands for us to hold while we thank God for our meal. He is always grinning when we look up and say "amen", and it occurred to me that he might want to know what Amen means. So the other night I looked at him and said, "Amen means 'Yes, God'." He paused for a moment, playing with his fork.

The first part of his response was simple and declarative. "God is King." The second part was kind of added on, with a sweet sigh; almost a melodic little voice that made us both clutch our hands over our hearts. "He loves me!" His tone implied-- "it's as simple as that."

Dave said, "Yes, buddy. And that about sums it up."

Out of the mouths of babes You have ordained praise.

Oh Lord, help me to remember that this simple statement really does sum it all up.

i guess that's why Jesus said that our faith should be like that of a child. Even in all of our adult complications, your outlook and response to things really boils down to what you believe about God. If He's King and He Loves you, you really do have all you need to make it, and be exceedingly joyful. if He's not sovereign and you don't believe He cares for you, then life is a lot harder to swallow.

What blows me away even more than those 2 simple truths, is that they stay true, even when i live as though they're not.... from moment to moment my faith is subject to waiver. But God never stops being King over all, and His Love never shifts according to my mood.

I have always looked forward to having children for the simple ways they would point me to God. May I only be faithful to encourage their faith to remain as simple as it is the moment they first believe.

moms deserve more than a day

one day a year does not suffice to thank my mom for all she does (and has done) for me! and this week is proof. we celebrated mothers' day on sunday. i gave her mounds bars. she gave me cherry jelly beans and a case of vernors and a really sweet card. we know each other pretty well like that. nothing says "you're a great mom" like vast amounts of sugar!
but then i got a stomach bug on tuesday night. and from wednesday on, she has been taking care of me/us... and i truly don't know what i would have done without her! she came over 2 days in a row to take care of my kids, do my laundary, and clorox my bathroom!! then she allowed me to move in for a few days with the boys while dave was at a conference, and took care of us (AND my dad, who was also fighting a stomach bug). i am finally starting to feel normal again, though my appetite and energy have yet to resurface. and i am deeply grateful for the genuine love and care she just naturally rises to shower on us. i guess that is what being a mom is all about. you do what needs to be done... because you love your kids. always. i wish all the sugar in the world could be delivered on her doorstep if it would communicate my appreciation. but that probably wouldn't really do her actions justice. . . or be very healthy. my depth of gratitude i think she knows. and the wonder of it all is that she actually would do it all again (and probably will), with a sweetness that conveys it is not just her duty, but her pleasure. and that is why every day should be mothers' day. or at least every mom should get a week long paid vacation every year around this time. (well, as long as their families aren't sick, or hurt, or out of clean clothes, or hungry... or...)... i suppose what we all need most is to know that our love is received and making an impact. so mom, i soak it up and receive it with a humble, thankful heart! you're the best! thank you thank you thank you! i rise up and call you Blessed!

Like Father, Like Son

Same shirts, 2 years apart!

Christian : 7 weeks


Kyren : 7 months

Daddy loves his boys! .

our first born : string bean

our second born : pork chop

the big 02

We worked all day together on his firetruck cake, which unfortunately began to 'melt' as soon as we started frosting it. but it was the somewhat-exact replica of the cake in the firetruck cake tutorial that he's been obsessed with watching for months. so fortunately for me (the perfectionist) he didn't seem to notice that it wasn't nearly as professional looking as the one Liv Hansen from Betty Crocker Kitchens makes. the next day i asked him what he got for his birthday (in front of a friend who we were visiting) and he answered, "a firetruck cake!!" ... Way to melt my heart!

i also love how a two year old doesn't care if something is old or new, or even real. he was pretty happy with his new "Harley" that we found at a local 2nd hand toy shop. we can't wait til he can reach the pedals-- and actually enter the wonderful world of cycling-- but for now, he is happy just to own a motorcycle, like Poppy!
When he first opened it, he was afraid it might make the same kind of loud noises as Poppy's, but soon warmed up to it, when he realized HE could supply the sound effects himself!

in this pic he is saying that the bike has a helmet.

it's actually a windshield...

but how can u argue with that cuteness?

It was a sweet and special day, and we are amazed at how fast his second year of life went. I am trying to get his birthday letter written, but there is just so much to say! From contusions and abbrasions to aerial lifts and pressure washers, we've covered a lot of ground-- and that's just with his vocab.
all i can say is how much i love this little angel-- it was such a joy to celebrate his precious life this day!

more prayers for william

This, today, from William's blog:

William's lungs do not seem to be improving. Since the steroids were stopped last week, he is back to requiring higher levels of oxygen to sufficiently oxygenate his blood. The right-lung-only intubation seems to help in giving the left lung a chance to heal, but so far every time they retract the ventilator tube to see if the left lung is getting better, it does not appear to be. William REALLY needs to get off the ventilator and oxygen as it is now starting to cause other problems.

William had his second eye exam last night. His first one over a week ago was fine, but last night he was diagnosed with Stage I retinopathy of prematurity ("ROP"). ROP occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow and spread throughout the retina, and can ultimately cause blindness. One of the major contributing factors is respiratory distress and extended use of high levels of oxygen. So, the only way to help prevent the ROP from getting worse is for the lungs to get better, which is not looking good at the moment.

To top it off, William is again showing signs of feeding intolerance. His belly is swelling again and his food is not passing through his intestines as it should be. Also, for the first time he did not completely digest the milk he was given and there was excess bile in his stomach . . . . We're not sure yet what the doctors will be doing to address this issue.

All we can do is continue to pray that William's lungs heal so that he can get off the ventilator, that his ROP does not get any worse, and that his intestines mature and the feeding intolerance resolves.

Please, need some good news . . . .

early morning reflections

i think for the first time ever, Christian has been asleep for 12 straight hours. i am sitting here at 7:40 a.m., with both boys asleep, enjoying a quiet rainy morning, with some iced coffee. yes, i would rather be sleeping... but alas, i'm not very good at that these days. once i'm up, i'm up. and unfortunately, once i'm down for the night, i'm often up a lot. my mommy ears are always on... and i find it rather amazing how tuned they are, even when the rest of me is unconscious.

we don't use our baby monitor since our bedrooms are all right next to each other, and since my ears are always awake. i hear every rustle and grunt my children make... and i find myself instantly ready to jump out of bed at any given moment of the night... definitely not a character quality i possessed B.C. (before children).

we celebrated the upcoming arrival of little Isaac Kristopher yesterday at Toni's shower. we got to share all of our 'motherly' advice with the Momma to be, and it was really cool to hear all of the other moms (some new, some seasoned) share how being a mom has changed their lives. it really is like a big society or club of some sort. whenever someone shared something, everyone else nodded or laughed in agreement. it is a role we all have just 'grown in to', and when you begin to share with someone who's about to enter it, you remember what it was like to be on that verge... of the rest of your life. and even though i've only been at it for 2 years (this week!!), i find myself to be such a different person. there is something about motherhood that instantly matures you, enhances your gifts, and demands your full attention in a way you can't describe.

with the upcoming celebration of my own baby's birth on thursday, i am hoping to take time to write him a birthday letter. he has changed my world more in his 2 short years of life than i could have imagined. i love him so intensely, and each day i marvel at how i can become MORE enamored with one individual. i cry easily at the thought of him being taken away from me. and i wonder how anyone ever survives such a loss. he is so precious and full of life, and i pray constantly for him to live a long and healthy life. he is growing up so fast... as the cliche goes. i can feel his babyhood drifting away, and every time he lets me scoop him up and hold him close, i squeeze him as hard as i can, and as long as he'll let me, trying to absorb something of his sweet littleness, as it quickly fades into bigness. i came home from the shower yesterday, and i could swear he grew while i was gone. literally. he looked different. sounded older. i'm not kidding...

he said some of the cutest things yesterday too. i tried to write a couple of them down, so as not to forget. even those moments, i try so hard to imprint in my brain, to take a mental photograph that i can go back to years from now and relive. sitting in his carseat on the way to church, he had his eyes shut tightly due to the bright sunlight pouring in his window. "Where's Christian?" i heard him say, as he often does when he's playing peekaboo. i echoed his question, and he opened his eyes, squinting from the brightness. "I was hidin'..... From the sun....... From the bright!"

ahhh, these precious moments. so fleeting and so sweet.

let's hold them very near, moms.

and in those sleepless moments, recall the precious ones, and count them as sweet dreams.