12.31.08

A Brief Update

Posted in Belle, Crazy family, Little Pip, The mama grasper at 10:10 am by Missy

For those that know me you’re probably laughing at the title of this post. But I really am going to try to keep it brief. Pip is sleeping and Belle is reading some books but that can change in no time!

I’m happy to say that I’m alive. Just barely. And I haven’t even really been by myself yet with the two little kiddos yet. A few hours here and there but not a full day yet. Although last weekend Hubby had a awful cold that kept him in bed for two days so I was able to get my fill of single parenthood!  My first full day alone will be this coming Monday but I’m thinking about going to spend a few days with my parents. 

I’m feeling pretty good overall. The biggest challenge is I’m not suppose to lift anything over 20 pounds and Belle is definitely over 20 pounds. So when I am by myself that kinda poses a little problem – one I don’t have a solution too. I just try to minimize the lifting as much as I can. Although I’m not getting much sleep at night I’m feeling pretty rested most of the time. I try to sneak in a nap during the day but that hasn’t been too consistent. Emotionally I’m doing ok too. I’ve had a few meltdowns and I cry at the drop of a hat but nothing that I’m worried about. Just your normal post newborn, two little babies emotional wreck stuff.

Pip is doing great. He’s a great little baby so far. Basically just eating and sleeping. The past few days he’s been awake a lot more and it’s fun to just look at him. :-) Breastfeeding lasted about a week. Now I’m pumping and supplementing a little with formula. It was very stressful for me to breastfeed and take care of Belle because breastfeeding took us about an hour. Pip took forever to latch and so I was unavailable for Belle for an hour every 2-3 hours and a little 14 month just didn’t like that. I had a few good cries over that because I felt like I was letting Pip down. But I’ve worked through that. We’re pumping every 3-4 hours and I’m able to keep up with his feeding schedule so he’s mostly just taking formula at night. Plus once I went to the bottle he did not want to go back to the breast.  We have his 2 weeks well baby check today so we are anxious to see how much weight he’s put on.

Belle is doing ok. Some days better than others. She’s been alot more whiney lately and has had some bad nights. But I also don’t know if some of it is teething or if it’s all about the changes. She has been a great help to this mommy, getting me stuff for Pip. Although she hates it when he cries. She’ll start crying/whining anytime he cries. Ya, that’s fun!

We had a great Christmas. Prince was with us most of Christmas Eve and it was such a blessing to see our FOUR kiddos! Two big ones and two little ones. God is so good and every day we thank him for his blessings.

I’m still working on Pip’s birth story – will hopefully get that done soon. Posts will be sporadic for awhile yet. I still have some guest posts to share with you and hopefully soon I’ll be back to a normal schedule.

Ha ha ha ha ha.

Oh ya, I almost forgot. Today is me and Hubby’s 6th anniversary! He has been so amazing in helping me with the kiddos. I thank the Lord every day for him and for the blessing of our marriage. My parents were here on Monday and Tuesday and so on Monday night we took advantage of them and went out on a date! Woo hoo! It’s been awhile! Every restaurant was packed so we ended up going through the drive through at Wendy’s. Not only was it very tasty but we saved ourselves about $40! We sat in Hubby’s Jeep and talked and ate our supper. It was perfect. Then we went to the movie Seven Pounds which was very good. 

I love you Hubby. You are the best!

I was hoping to share some pictures from Christmas but that’ll have to wait til next time! Ok, this “brief” post is now done! Take care.

 missy

12.29.08

My Two Little Munchkins!

Posted in Belle, Little Pip at 5:13 pm by Missy

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12.26.08

A Letter From My Dad

Posted in Stretching my faith, Very cool bloggers at 7:51 pm by Missy

By my friend Gail Mitchell

We sat together before the glowing embers of the fire. I had just spoken with my mom on the cell phone, anxious to learn how she was doing. She was alone now; a widow after 63 years of marriage. No longer would she have moments like the one I now shared with my spouse beside me.
After a few moments, I felt compelled to “do something” so I left the cozy warmth of the fire and went to check some laundry. As I turned from the dryer, I noticed several boxes on the counter. I had meant to put them away a long time ago. Then I would have much more room to fold my laundry. I glanced at one of the boxes labeled “family memories.” I opened the lid and found my Girl Scout hat and membership card and old report cards and class photos. I grabbed a handful of letters and went back to join my husband by the fire.
“Look what I found,” I said, tossing him half of my letter collection. The bulk of the letters were those written by or to me when my twin sister and I went on a short missions trip to the San Carlos Indian Reservation after our freshman year in high school. My husband, Bill, sat chuckling over my mother’s letters as I reread a letter I had written to my folks.
Suddenly Bill said, ” Oh, my! Look at this! It’s a letter written by your dad!” Knowing what a treasure he held, Bill allowed me to read the handwritten letter first. The letter was sprinkled with my dad’s gentle humor and wit. In the letter he complained about how quiet the house was without my sister and I (the “brats” crossed out and replaced with “nice girls”) around, he grumbled about the rainy weather, and said he was depressed over his beloved Chicago Cubbie’s recent loosing streak. (Some things haven’t changed… oh, how I wanted the Cubs to go to the World Series for my dad!) My dad asked my sister and I to call soon, “collect.” He simply signed the letter: “All my love, Dad.”
With tears stinging my eyes, I praised my Heavenly Father for this gift from my earthly father who was now in heaven. What an incredibly gracious God we serve to allow me to find that letter less than a month after loosing my dad.
My dear friend, have you ever heard the Bible referred to as “God’s love letter to mankind”? It is exactly that, and more. Maybe you haven’t read it lately, but tucked it away, thinking you will read it another day. Don’t tuck it away for too long, my friend. Your heavenly Father longs to show you his love and his plan for redeeming mankind. He wants to show you His “first importance.”
Turn with me to the apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 15:3: “For what I received I passed on to you as of FIRST IMPORTANCE: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
Paul delighted to pass on what was of first importance to God, the redemption of sinful man through Christ’s death and resurrection. Consider that your personal love letter from your Abba Father, your “daddy.”

12.22.08

Cheer Yourself Up

Posted in Princess, Very cool bloggers at 3:00 pm by Missy

by Princess

Crank up some Spice Girls and dance around your room with your best friend, and sing along.

Color in a Disney Princess coloring book with bright markers.

Read a fairy tale.

Swing so high at a park that the swing almost flies over the bar.

Fly a bright kite in a wide open field.

Bake sugar cookies and decorate them with homemade icing and add lots of spinkles.

Play with finger paints.

Make a homemade pizza with tons of toppings at midnight.

Pick a huge bouquet of wild flowers and put them in an old jelly jar.

Watch an old Disney movie while eating a bowl of cookie dough.

Gather a group of kids for a game of neighborhood kickball.

Have a chick-flick marathon and pig out on junk food.

Go to the mall and try on 20 pairs of shoes.

Go to a park and pick dried leaves off the ground and press them.

Write a letter to a friend.

Sew a funky purse.

Buy an ice cream cone, and pay for it in nickels.

Who Am I?

Posted in Princess, Very cool bloggers at 12:00 pm by Missy

by Princess

I am a sister:

I care for my little sister like she is my own. I feed her, play with her, rock with her. I scold my older brother and encourage him to shape up before reality bites him. I love them unconditionally forever.

I am a daughter:

My parents raise me, teach me, love me, and discipline me. They support me however necessary. They encourage me to grow and reach my full potential. I love them back, and learn from them. I seek their approval and guidance in all areas of my life.

I am an artist:

My creations hold depth, feeling, desires, and my passions. My pencil glides across the paper creating new images to show the world. I am ready to reveal a new light of creation.

I am a friend:

I love and encourage everyone I meet. I try my hardest to show others the love of Christ through my actions. I love to be worthy of their respect and trust. Everyone deserves a friend, and it is my duty to show them all love.

I am a girly-girl:

I love to dress up in glitzy dresses. I love to wear colorful high heels for no reason at all. Jewelry always completes my outfits. When dressing up I feel important and beautiful. I know it is not my outward appearance that defines me, but looking nice is motivating and uplifting in some situations.

12.20.08

The Child

Posted in Belle, Stretching my faith, The mama grasper at 12:00 pm by Missy

One year ago today I received the call that Belle was not only ours but that we could go get her the next day. Home. Forever. I was just finishing getting my hair cut and colored. I’ll never forget where I was that day.

The day before I had posted this:

I was sitting in the sanctuary the other day. Praying, listening, being still. As we’ve been experiencing the highs and lows of adoption I was feeling very overwhelmed. I had so much joy in my heart that this little child would, Lord willing, be coming into our home. That my husband and I would have a child together. But at the time I also had the knowledge that nothing was final yet and so at times that caused me to have fear.

As I sat there I looked at the beautiful blue banner on the alter. “For Unto Us A Child Is Born”. Yes, that’s true. For unto us (Hubby and I) a child has been born that will be given to us as our own, to raise and love and guide and nuture. A child that I’ve longed and prayed for for many years.

And then Christ reminded me to not forget the real meaning of that verse. For unto us a Child has been born. Unto me. A sinner – many times I’ve thought the apostle Paul was crazy calling himself the “chief of sinners”. I was the chief of sinners. And still the Child was born. I was reminded that as great and wonderful and amazing as it will be to have a child of our own – there is nothing more sweet than the love of the Christ child. Absolutely nothing – not marriage, not children, not health, not wealth. Nothing greater than sitting there with Jesus remembering all that He had done for me. Nothing greater than His forgiveness. Nothing greater than the hope and peace and joy He brings.

Perhaps you’ve allowed circumstances in your life, the busyness of Christmas or trials and fears to draw your thoughts away from the Christ child. Right now as you read this, commit to that quiet time with Jesus. Turn off the tv and the computer. Turn off your radio or ipod. Turn off your phone (trust me, it’ll be ok!). Sit in the silence of your living room, the sanctuary of a church or an office at work. Whether it be December or June, let us be reminded “For Unto Us A Child Is Born”.

The thoughts that the Lord brought to my heart the day before we received the call to go get our Belle still apply today. Be reminded that today, for you, a Child has been born. As wonderful and amazing as it has been to have Belle in our life, there is nothing more wonderful than experiencing the love of the Christ Child.

missy

12.19.08

Don’t Mess With The Little Big Sister!

Posted in Belle, Crazy family, Little Pip at 10:42 am by Missy

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12.18.08

Sorry, Had To Show Off Our Guy!

Posted in Labor story, Little Pip at 11:35 pm by Missy

Really, I’m resting, I promise.

Ok, not really. I can’t seem to sleep when I want to and when I can I have something else that needs done like feeding or holding this adorable baby!

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Little Pip Contest and A Few Other Things

Posted in Crazy family, Little Pip at 9:12 am by Missy

Well, I’m finally starting to feel like I have my head on, at least 1/2 ways. I still find myself falling asleep…like right now as I type if I don’t really concentrate I’m out. Ya, I’m a little tired. So this won’t be too long!

First of all – the winner of the “Guess When Pip’s Coming” contest is Heather! She guessed December 17th at 6:30 am. Congrats Heather! You can shoot me an email or leave a message on Facebook letting me know where you want your gift card from.

Isn’t it cool how Pip was born on the 17th? Even without being induced. And not only that, but because of the c-section, we’ll be going home on the 21st – again a very special day for our family. God is so good. For those that aren’t away of the significance of those dates I’ll share more later when I can think straight!

Everyone is doing so well. Pip is doing great. He’s such a little thing. Belle came home when she was 8 weeks old so to have such a tiny one is something new for me. He’s breastfeeding pretty good. It takes us awhile to get a good latch but once that finally happens then he does well.

Belle is doing good too. She’s not very fond of her brother, although she does love to sit on Daddy’s lap when he’s holding Pip. She’s pushed him away a few times but mostly just wants to touch his head.

Princess loves her new baby brother. The precious girl sat in the waiting room from when we went in at 10:00 pm on Monday until Pip was born at 2:44 am on Wednesday.

And Hubby is doing great. I sent him home last night so he could get a good nights sleep and he was able to so I’m very thankful for that. He loves his little guy and has been a wonderful help for me.

Well I guess that’s about it for now. I finally get to take a shower – it’s only been 4 days! Yikes!

Thanks again to everyone for your prayers and encouragement. We appreciate it so much. God is faithful through all things and we’re so grateful! And also thanks to everyone for your encouraging comments. I don’t have time nor the brain capacity right now to contact y’all personally but I hope you know how much you mean to us. Thanks so much!

missy

Enjoy A Few Honored Guests…

Posted in The mama grasper, Very cool bloggers at 6:31 am by Missy

I’m hoping in the next week or so to put together my thoughts on our labor story to share with you. Some funny stuff. Some not so funny stuff. And of course we’ll share lots of pictures of Pip!

But in the meantime you’ll enjoy some guest bloggers and some of my “favorite” posts.

Starting tomorrow I’ll be sharing a series of writings by Princess that she wrote for a school project. You will be greatly blessed so make sure to check back!

Christmas blessings to you and your family!

missy

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