Zoe - 2014 School Year

Date: August 25, 2014
Weight: 20lbs
Height: Taller than I want her to be :)
Sleeping: Goes to bed at 8pm, up at 7-8am
Eating: Not much - how does she stay alive? She loves "new-new" (noodles), fwuit-cups, "staw-wa-da-bed-ees" (strawberries), ice chips, ice cweam, rice, beans and corn. She doesn't care too much for chicken or beef unless it has sauce or is mixed in with something else.
New things this month: Asking to poo-poo-potty. Lots of new words and 3-4 word phrases.
Diapers: Size 5...but may be switching to pull ups very soon.
Clothing: 2T with a few 18-24 month stragglers that are too cute to pack away just yet.
Shoes: Size 5. She adores the Havianna flip flops that Duffy brought back from his first trip to Brazil and she loves wearing all shoes: Julah's, Mommy's, Daddy's...anyone who visits and takes their shoes off.
Facial Expressions: Rolls eyes, tilts chin down and will look at you through her eyelashes like she's mad (but she's not - she's just playing).
Eyes: Brown. My sweet brown eyed girl.
Hair: Brown with curly ringlets. The ringlets are tighter and fuller in the back of her head than they are on top.

Obsessed with: Baby dolls and real babies. When she sees one in a store she points and yells "Baby! Baby!" in the same way that I might yell "Ryan Gosling! Jen Hatmaker!" When she sees a baby she loves to be close to them, hold their hands or feet, and talk to them. She is so gentle and loving.

Doesn't care for: Dogs. She loves to spot a dog, watch them, and even get close to them if someone is carrying her...but the second she is face-to-face with them she starts screaming.

Play: Zoe loves playing with her baby dolls. She'll carry them around the house, push them in the stroller, put them in the high chair and feed them, then lay them down on a pillow, cover with a blanket, and pat their backs till they go to "sleep". She also enjoys blocks, putting shapes into the holes they fit in the bucket, dancing to her favorite songs, and coloring (walls, furniture, paper...it's all good). Not too crazy about the swimming pool although she loves playing with toys in her smaller baby pool.

First Day of School 2014

Ya'll let's just pretend like it hasn't been two years since I last posted okay? I actually have several saved posts that I need to publish...not sure why I keep starting these and then not finishing them. As a fresh off the summer high - shiny beginning of the school year Mom (with many delusions as to what I can or should accomplish this year while the girls are going to school twice a week for 3 hours), I give a hesitate half-hearted pledge that I shall attempt to do better at documenting our family's adventures on this blog (fingers crossed).

Julah, 3.5 years old, on her first day of Beginners at HPPDS. I asked her, "Julah are you excited about your first day of school?" She replied, "MOM, it's my first day of CHURCH school." I stand corrected.

And no. I don't curl her hair. She wakes up with that level of perfection every morning.

 Zoe, 21 months old, on her first day at HPPDS Toddler Class. This morning she said, "Mama, Poo-Poo Potty!!!" Being a good sport I let her sit on the potty to practice and SHE DID IT! She used the potty!

Little girl, I demand you stop growing up so fast. That is an order. This child too also wakes up with perfect curls and a cheerful attitude. (happy sigh) Is it time to pick them up yet?

 How did I get so lucky as to be the Mommy for these two amazing doll babies?! Thank-you Jesus for your precious gifts from above and answering my prayers in such a profound and perfect way. (tears...but happy tears)

  I think Zoe grew two inches last night. Julah couldn't wait to bust in the doors and "pway wit my fwiends".

At Zoe's classroom - she did great! Marched in and started playing. No tears...from Zoe at least. Her teachers this year are: Mrs. Ray & Mrs. Alexander.

So glad I bought size 9 & 10 shoes. The 9's are going to have to be returned - never were worn. I think Julah's feet grew this week because the 9's that fit last week were too tight this morning. No problem...we had the 10's ready to go!

Julah did great! Walked right in and started playing. Not a tear from either child. We're not going to discuss the state of her parents. This year her teachers are: Mrs. Fadda and Miss Smith.

Zoe - 2 Months Old

Date: December 9 - January 9
Weight: 11 lbs 12.5oz (75%)
Length: 22.25" (50%)
Head Crown: 38.6" (50%)
Sleeping: Goes to bed at 11pm, up at 6 am & 9 am
Eating: 4-5 oz
New things this month: Smiling & Cooing!
Diapers: Size 1
Clothing: 0-3 months. Newborn stuff got packed away
Facial Expressions: Smiles, smirks, cooes, and she makes a nasty pouty face when she’s unhappy.
Eyes: Gray/Brown
Hair: Brown. It’s really growing in this month on the top/front part of her head. Sometimes when the light hits it, it looks a little reddish on top. Her eyebrows and eyelashes and starting to grow in.

Zoe is such a sweet easy-going baby girl. Her eyes have been changing this month and everyday they’re a little different. They’ve gone from a dark blue/gray to a light gray/brown and every day the brown seems to be getting more chocolaty. I love staring into those sweet eyes and seeing her innocent peaceful little spirit.

She started smiling this month and it took me by surprise. At first, I just thought it was gas because it was too early for it to be a real smile. Then I realized that it wasn’t too soon – it was just that the time was flying by so quickly. She gives us lots of smiles, big toothless grins complete with cooes and kicks. On the rare times that she is unhappy (usually hungry or gassy) she gives us fair warning by slowly making a big frown, squinting up her eyebrows, and then eventually making a squawking sound.

She’s packing on the pounds and everyday I notice more thickness on her legs and tummy. She’s such a happy baby and such a good sleeper. She loves being held and I love to spoil her. Although I’ve been getting stronger and having more energy, I’ve definitely maximized my recovery time by holding and cuddling Zoe for hours on end.

December 14th – Nana and Poppy visited from North Carolina.

December 16th - Zoe got to play “Baby Jesus” in Prestonwood’s Christmas show “The Gift of Christmas”. Duffy was in the performance again this year, but I had to sit this one out. She did a great job and at the end of the performance, dramatically put her little arm over the forehead.

December 24th – We celebrated Christmas Eve by visiting our friends the Curtis’ and then going to HPPC’s service.

December 25th – Zoe’s First Christmas! All the Boone’s came over for lunch and then we headed down to Bon-Ton to serve, while Aunt Rachael kept Julah and Zoe at home due to the weather…SNOW! Santa made a very special visit and we had a blast opening presents.

December 31st – We celebrated New Year’s at our friend Katie & Scott’s house competing in a Field Day contest. Duffy impressed during the sit-up round by doing 65 in one minute. Charis bombed the jump roping contest when her high heel boots caught the rope after 20 seconds.

Zoe's 1st Month

Date: November 9-December 9
Weight: 7lbs 4oz at birth
Length: 19.25” at birth
Sleeping: She sleeps one hour for every ounce she drinks (2oz=2hrs)
Eating: 2-3 oz
New things this month: Her little neck is so strong that she can already move her head around. When she is awake she is always active and throwing her arms and legs around.
Diapers: Finishing up the last package of Newborns and they are tight!
Clothing: Starting to pack away some Newborn things that don’t fit anymore
Facial Expressions: I think she has a dimple in her right cheek.
Eyes: Gray Blue
Hair: Dark Brown

Zoe’s first month was a little bit of a blur to me as I was readmitted to the hospital with Pre-Eclampsia and Congestive Heart Failure when she was 4 days old. We were sent home from the hospital on Sunday, February 11th. My blood pressure was very high and I was extremely swollen with fluids, but they expected it to normalize on its own. On Tuesday night I had a lot of trouble breathing due to my lungs filling with fluid. I was admitted to the hospital for a week, much of which is a blur to me.

Our sweet friends and family carried us through our scary ordeal with prayer, support, meals, and love. Specifically in caring for the kids: MeMaw (my dear friend Tammy) left work and drove down from Denton to care for Zoe, YaYa and Papa Rex (our kid’s Dallas Grandparents, Elaine & Rex) took care of Julah, and Duffy took care of me. I was in such bad shape on Friday night that Tammy and Duffy had to stay with me at the hospital and Zoe stayed with the Rose family. Her first slumber party at one week old! Grandee & Grandpa (my parents) took their turn with the kiddos from Friday-Wednesday. I made it home in time for Thanksgiving, a huge answer to prayer!

Another huge blessing in all of this was that Zoe was such a sweet and easy baby. She was constantly loved and held by family that adored her, and even made several trips up to the hospital to spend time cuddling with her Mommy.

Snowflakes - Gender Sono Day

May 30, 2012

Dear Baby Love,

Today, we are going to a sonogram appointment at 2pm to find out if you are a healthy boy or girl! My emotions are all over the place and I can only halfway blame it on hormones. When we found out that your older sister was a girl…we still weren’t 100% sure if she was going to get to be OUR girl. That’s how private adoption goes…you just never know until it’s finalized. But your embryo adoption is very special. We know 100% that you’re OUR baby to keep. Today our lives will forever change and there’s very few times in life that one piece of information has so much impact. I woke up early this morning and was thinking about the day that your Daddy proposed to me. I remember so many little details about that day…as I’m sure I will also remember about today.

If you’re a little girl – I will be thrilled. I love everything about little girls and I can already imagine you and your big sister going to dance recitals with little tutu’s on, hair in pigtails, and smiles as big as Texas. High-school drama, proms, weddings…..the future just pours over me.

If you’re a little boy – I will be so excited and a little scared. I’ve never had a boy before – this is uncharted territory for me. I will do my best though to be a great t-ball Mom, rough house with you, and not to stop you every time you want to do some manly thing that’s wild or dangerous with your Dad or Uncles.

Up until today I’ve imagined all the wonderful things a boy and a girl can bring. Today that path has a fork in the road and we’ll be told which way to go…right or left….boy or girl. What seems like a huge unknown to me right now…will be revealed and I think it might be hard for me to ever imagine a time when I didn’t know you as a _____.

As long as you’re healthy – we will be very happy today when we’re told what our lives will behold: bows or bow-ties.
Love, Mama

To my precious snowflake baby,
Today is a big day.  It’s the first time that we will go into see a sonogram that will reveal what’s in Charis’ womb.  I’m flooded with emotions and thoughts this morning as I anticipate the upcoming revelation.  The reveal is huge.  It’s not every day that you hear news that will forever impact your life.  (And I cannot do anything to change it)  If it’s a boy, I get to teach him how to throw a baseball, shoot lay-ups, how to change a tire, how to hit a golf ball, how to treat a lady, how to open doors of a car for a girl, I will get to show him how to love his Mama.  If it’s a girl, I will get to cherish another little lady in our house, put bows in her hair, play tea, tell her how evil boys are, show her how she should be treated; I get to give her away, etc.  I also am wondering how your Mom will react either way.  She has worked so hard and fought so valiantly to carry a child.  I want her to be thrilled today.  Today sets the course for us for the rest of our life.  A long awaited child becomes even more real today.  It’s a big day today.

Love, Daddy

Swimming with the Playgroup

Julah's first time in the pool - Summer 2012 (14 months old)

Our Square One Playgroup:

"I am in a Better Place"

My friend, Julie, and her husband, Warren, brought their beautiful son, Timothy David Reichel, into the world on April 4, 2012 and held him for 20 minutes before he went on to heaven. These are the profound words that Warren spoke at Timothy's funeral. (more of their story at http://thereicheljourney.blogspot.com/)

"Thank you all for coming. Julie and I deeply appreciate all your love and support. We read every note, email, facebook message and text. We felt so encouraged and loved. Because of your prayers, we felt a strength and a peace that only comes from God. I have a few words that I want to say. God has been teaching me so much these past few months and I want to share some thoughts with you.

First, Timothy David Reichel was greatly loved. We loved him every bit of 9 months and 20 minutes that we got to spend with him. Timothy was not a mistake. He was not a fluke. He was not bad luck. Timothy was our son. He was a baby boy. And we loved him and will miss him very much. Timothy came into this world kicking and punching just as he did inside Julie for nine months. We kissed him and held him as our son. And not just us, but our whole family and friends loved him too. Timothy was greatly loved.

Second, I want you to know that it is okay to cry. You are not stronger if you can hold back tears. And you are not weaker if allow yourself to cry. We miss Timothy and are sad that we don’t get to see him here on earth. And it’s okay to cry about that. In fact, your tears show us how much you loved him too. Even Jesus wept when his friend Lazurus died. Jesus also said “blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” This is so true. I would rather spend a few days of sadness intimately close to my heavenly Father than ten thousand good days never needing God.

Third, we firmly believe that we will see Timothy in heaven. God’s word tells us so. And we are assured by the spirit of God that speaks to our hearts that we will spend eternity with Timothy. Without God, our faith is weak, but with God he provides the faith we need to believe these truths. We thank God for what Jesus did on the cross yesterday on Good Friday. He forgave our sins, gave us life, restored us back into God’s family, and promised us everlasting life. We will see Timothy again.

Fourth, I want you to know that it is also okay to smile. It’s okay to laugh. It’s okay to sing songs that praise the lord. And it’s even okay to be angry. You are allowed to have all these emotions. God can handle our emotions. But if you’re a Christian, it’s our joy that is most profound. That even in the midst of the darkest times, we can have joy and peace because we know the end of the story. That God will come back. That we will live forever. That there will be no tears in heaven. And that is profound and amazing. That as Christians, we can have joy in sorrow because we know God will redeem everything in the future. Our smile proves we believe this.

Finally, although Timothy did not speak a single word, his life spoke so loudly that the earth quakes and the mountains tremble. Everyone can hear what Timothy has to say. My siblings will come and read a poem I wrote. These words I wrote are the words Timothy wanted to say to you and me."

I am in a Better Place

Mommy, Daddy

It’s okay to cry.

For by your tears

Your love shines bright.

Blessed are

The teary eyed.

God wraps his arms

Around those who cry.

I am in a better place.

 

I know you ask

Why, oh why.

Why must your son

Have to die?

 

Remember Jesus.

He was like me.

Innocent he died

To set us free.

 

I am in a better place.

 

Jesus rose

Up from the grave.

Your son you love

Will do the same.

No fear in death.

No guilt remains.

Our destiny

Forever changed.

I am in a better place.

The sunrise speaks

Of better days.

God deserves

All the praise.

Jesus loves me

This I know.

For here in heaven

He tells me so.

I am in a better place.

 

Mommy, Daddy

It’s okay to smile.

It proves you believe

You’ll see me in a while.

Mommy, Daddy

I miss you too.

I’m in God’s arms.

I’ll see you soon.

I am in a better place.