A baby Jake update!!

Just wanted to give you an update on second cousin, sweet baby Jake. He is up to 4 lbs 3 oz. and still being fed breast milk thru tubes. He is off of the ventilator and holding his own. His surgery will be in about 3 weeks. My cousin wanted me to thank you for your prayers!

This first picture is my absolute favorite! I am thinking about having it put on a canvas or something for my cousin.


Becky & baby Jake :)

Look at all that hair!!

Don't you just want to eat him up! I wish so badly I could go see him in the hospital!

My cousin Ashleigh (Becky's sister) told me that when Jake cries all Becky has to do is speak to him and he is silent. I thought that was the sweetest thing!!

Thank you all again for your prayers for our sweet baby Jake! I will keep you all updated as much as I can!

Just a note, if you are in a position or feel inclined Becky is in need of Virgin Mobile phone cards and extra money for expenses. The hospital feeds her 3 times a day but she has no money for anything else she needs. Her husband is having to travel back and forth to Vanderbilt from their home (about 4 hours away) and the money for gas is really breaking the bank for them. Becky's address is below:

Becky Brown
3311 West End Avenue
Room 309
Nashville, TN 37203

Thank you all again for your sweet prayers! You will never know how much they are appreciated!

Things Bella likes to play with...

...that are not her toys!



1. Power tools. This morning I walked in our room after showering and Bella was trying to get to a screw driver that was left out from hanging pictures the day before. I tried to get her to come and play with her rubby ducky and fishies but she refused. She kept running (crawling really fast rather) back over to that screw driver. I eventually had to place it where she could not find it!


2. Cords. Yes, I know I have blogged about this before but sheesh this child is almost impossible to keep away from cords in our house! Absolutely insane. I am almost certain that she b-lines for them as soon as I put her down in any room. She usually knows where they are in any room too..smart little child.

3. All of mommy's hair products. Every morning when I am getting ready she raids my hair product drawer (probably because it is the lowest one..but it is better than having the makeup drawer down there..can you imagine?) But instead of just playing with my brushes and combs she goes for the things that spray. Yesterday she sprayed her body with hairspray! Then thought it was extremely funny :)

What things do your babies/kids play with aren't their toys? :)

A handy little chart for when you need it :)

If you are like me, when I am having a rough day (like today! sheesh!) I usually go to God's word for a piece of advice. I received this handy little chart in an email from my Aunt today and wanted to share it with you, my awesome readers!


YOU SAY
GOD SAYS
BIBLE VERSES

'It's impossible'
All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

'I'm too tired'
I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

'Nobody really loves me'
I love you
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34)

"I can't go on'
My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

'I can't figure things out'
I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

'I can't do it'
You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

'I'm not able'
I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

'It's not worth it'
It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28)

'I can't forgive myself'
I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

'I can't manage'
I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

'I'm afraid'
I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

'I'm always worried and frustrated'
Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

'I'm not smart enough'
I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

'I feel all alone'
I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)


I tried to make it into a chart for you but it would not work for me. So just read it as the first line is what you say, second line what God says and the third line is the scriputure to back it up! Some of these verses are my favorites :) Always know that when you are at your weakest point...just hold on to the Bible, open the Bible and believe in His almighty Word and you will make it through! He has promised us this!

11 months!

Bella,


You are 11 months old! My oh my how time has passed by so quickly in front of our eyes. In one short month we will be celebrating the day of your birth! I remember so vividly like it was yesterday.


You are about 22 lbs (estimated). You wear anywhere from size 12 months to 24 months clothes. Size 4 diapers. Size 3 shoes.


You took your first steps recently . And since then have taken several more. You can walk just holding one hand of someone and cruise around the furniture constantly. I am sure you will be taking off and walking on your own all the time very soon!

You are a great eater...you beg (like a puppy dog) for our food when we are eating. You still have baby food occasionally but mostly it is table food. You are completely off formula, whole milk is all you drink now. I have almost weaned you from your day time bottle into a sippy. You are still getting used to that. However, you still take your morning and night time bottles. I will try and wean the morning one very soon. It won't be easy because you are definitely a "bottle baby" :)

You have two teeth on bottom in the middle and your top left eyetooth is coming in.

Words you can say:

Dada
Mama
Papa
Baba (bottle)
dydy (bye bye)
baby

You wave bye bye (when you feel up to it). You much prefer to be barefoot and naked than to have clothes/shoes on! We have not had an issue with you taking off diapers yet. I hope that is something you never do! ha ha.

Kirsten and Elijah are your favorite toys. You think they are the best thing since sliced bread (which you love by the way).

You have a ton of hair and it seems to be changing to a reddish/brown color. You have the prettiest brown eyes ever!

Bella, you are so loved. We can not fathom life without you. Continue to grow into a such a beautiful toddler!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Thankful Thursday

I am so very thankful for this little miracle in my life. I was given a 20% chance of getting pregnant on my own without fertility meds. Noah and I were not trying to have a baby. I was very sick when I found out I was pregnant :) However, I am ever so thankful that she came into our lives and have changed them forever.

I love you Isabella Grace!

Kirsten-isms

Our middle child, Kirsten, is quite the character. I thought I would share with you some of the funny things she has done recently, other than the pool incident.

-Upon entering a public restroom that might be a little "smelly", Kirsten says in her not to quiet 5 year old voice "Cori! What is that smail (smell with a southern accent)!?!"

*note to readers, the bigger kids are not biologically mine. They are my step-children, that is why they call me Cori :)*

It is especially nice when the culprit of making the bathroom "smelly" is still in there. Super awesome mom moment.

-While driving home from a girls only breakfast with Kirsten and Bella last Saturday, Kirsten and I are talking about all the holidays in the year. I am telling them to her in order from first to last and I come to Memorial Day. She promptly says "Mario Day!?! Do we just play Mario all day? I don't even like Mario!"

-On our way home from vacation 2 weeks ago, Noah, Kirsten and I stop at a small country store for a few things. We get to the register and out of NOWHERE Kirsten says "Cori? You are my step-mom right?" "yes ma'am, I am" "Cori? Why do I HAVE to have two moms?" "We have discussed this before and we can discuss it later in private. Ok Honey?" "Ok I guess" (she never asked again, lol)

-It was late and Kirsten had just gotten out of the bath. Elijah was now in the bathtub and Kirsten asks "Where is Elijah?" Noah says "he is in the bath" Kirsten "Outside?" Noah "Kirsten, is there a bathtub outside?" Kirsten "no". ....a little later Kirsten is moping and Noah asks her what is wrong. She says "Well I really want to go outside with Elijah but I already have my pajamas on" Clearly she wasn't listening when we told her he was in the bathtub and not outside. ha!

-I walked in to Bella and Kirsten's room to hear Kirsten talking to Bella and saying "what is wrong baby? do you want a paci? do you want a puff? do you have a poopie? do you need a bottle? do you need some medicine? do your teefies hurt?" ha ha! It was sooo cute!

Kirsten is such a spirited child. She cracks us up daily! I can't believe she will be starting kindergarten in August!

Scripture of the Day

Psalm 91:2

"This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him."

I fully believe and declare this statement true in my life! He is my refuge, He is my safety and He is my GOD! I trust my life wholly to Him and no other God.

:) May God bless your day!