It's a Tricky Thing, Moving

It's a tricky thing, moving. On one hand, there's the obvious excitement of a new adventure, house hunting, a fresh start, and the much anticipated new schedule for our family. All of these things are so exciting, they overwhelm me. 

 On the other hand, we are uprooting our family after 10 years of relationships and community. Leah will start her third school and Logan his second. We are moving 9 hours further away from my family, those that have invested themselves in our family and kids generously, heart and soul.

 It's a tricky thing, this moving. If I sit on the hard stuff, it hurts too much to be excited and feel confident in our decision. So, I've chosen not to sit there. 

 I choose to remember that Lord willing, Leah and Logan will get to ride bikes with me and Ryan and Brady to school for a long, long time. I choose to dwell on family dinners most nights, where Ryan leads our prayer. My family is generous with their time and will come visit. Four seasons. Date nights. Trees. Hunting for the boys. No city driving. My dream of watching my kids play in the yard together, riding on a swing hung from a giant oak tree...seems very close to my fingertips. 

 God has promised us that He will go before us and make a way. Tonight, with the back door open while I made dinner, I felt great peace regarding our decision to uproot and go. The kids, all three, played outside in the sun. They laughed and ran and rolled and enjoyed the sunshine together. And that's when I remembered moving all those times with my family. We had to pick up and move lots of times. And we were always just fine. 

 It was an adventure. We knew God had a new work for us to do in every new place. We had each other. I had my brother and my sisters there every step of the way. 

 That's how I know we're going to be just fine. The kids are going to be just fine. God has a new work for us and we're ready to start. What an opportunity for me and Ryan to demonstrate our faith to our kids. Im excited to go, and I'm thrilled to have my husband back! 

 And I have a pretty good feeling that we just might find a good yard for swinging and twirling and laughing.

11months

He runs. He laughs. He signs please and milk and more. He says Dada, Mama, milk, deer, "ah-da" (Leah), makes animal sounds. 2 naps a day, wakes up happy even if he only slept for 10 minutes. Doesn't like Bible class. Finished nursing.  Tries to wrestle Logan. Loves books and the muppets and bath time. Knows he's funny. Has the cutest little buns in town! Currently unpacking the boxes I'm packing... 

10 months

You eat everything! You're walking! You moo, say Mama, Dada, tree, ooooh, and more. You growl and whistle. Your teeth are fabulous...they remind me of mine when I was little and I just love them. You light up for Leah and Logan. Leah soothes you and Logan is so much fun! You understand now that you're funny and we have so much fun watching you ham it up. You're still very friendly and happy all of the time. You're sleeping through the night and mommy is happier because of that. You nurse 2-3 times a day and love, love, love food. You're starting to wrestle with Logan and you let Leah tote you around and tickle your tummy...you melt right into her. Your first snow and first Christmas were so much fun this last month! You're hard to keep up with, fella...slow down the growing up!

Leah

Leah Beth...you are your own little person! It's fun to pick parts of your personality or your features that remind us of someone in the family. This last year, and now more than ever, you have come into your own and shine so brightly! I am now more excited than ever to watch you bloom, see who you become. You drum...all the time. You love to dance and enjoy telling stories and even being the center of attention. I have a feeling you will be on the stage in some form someday. You love soccer and are talented. You are fast and are beginning to understand the strategy and appreciate your ability to be aggressive. It's fun to watch you play! 

 You're very smart. You still love to read, chapter books especially. Last week you brought home Lord of the Rings from the library. 

 You're just the best big sister. You and Logan play so well together for hours. Forts and tents and music and writing stories...you're still the best of friends. Another little guy has captured your heart, and he softens you right up. You love Brady too and are very helpful when I need a hand. 

 You are your Daddy's shadow. Whether its food, soccer, movies or an opinion on something simple, he speaks your language. And he loves you to pieces.

 We all do, sweet Leah Beth. You're so much more than I ever imagined...and you're only just 8! Keep up all of your hard work and determination. We pray that God will call you early to Himself and that you will choose to serve and obey Him. We love you, Boo-Ba-Loo! 

 Mom, Dad, Logan and Brady

 

Logan

Our Loag...what a Squeezie young man you are. Kind, thoughtful, stubborn, silly, love to sing and dance, and shy all at the same time. You love kindergarten and have flourished since day one. You argue with Leah and try to wrestle with Brady. They're your favorite people still. You highly value time with Daddy and take every opportunity to help him. You don't miss Mom while you're at school but still snuggle when my lap is empty. Your soccer coach tells us that you always show up happy and ready to work hard and learn new skills. Your teacher says you're a light and for that we couldn't be more pleased. Mom gets sad when she sees how tall you are and as your face thins out...but she knows you're just growing into that servant heart. 

 We plan to treasure this next year as you continue to grow. Our prayer is still that God will draw you to Himself early. 

 We love you so much, Logan Ryan!

9 Months

Nine months old, Monk! I simply can't believe it! Here are a few pictures and stats for the books.

You love food. All food. Spicy, sweet, hot, crunchy, salty...all food. 

You've tried a step or two but mostly you run around furniture while holding on. 

You shake your head no, say "mama, dada, and muhmuh for more. More food, that is. 

You're in your own room now and ever since we've bundled you up you sleep for 7 hours! Phew.

Leah and Logan adore you and I think before long you'll be running after them. You love them.

You like the fox song, much to mine and daddy's disappointment. 

You're still very friendly good natured. 

What a joy you are, Monk!

Brady's Birth

 Eight months old and I'm just now recording Brady's birth story! 

 Mom came to stay with Leah and Logan so that Ryan and I could go for my planned induction. I was 39.6 weeks pregnant, but Brady been measuring 43 weeks for the whole month before! Our original start time was pushed back 30 minutes due to no beds being available. I passed the time waiting by recording Brady rolling around in my belly...Ryan slept! 

 We checked in at 8am, and I was at a 4. The nurses started pitocin at 8:30 and at 9, my doctor broke my water. Brady was still high, so my doctor left. I called my mom quickly because with Leah and Logan, 30 minutes after my water was broken, they were both born. 

 I immediately started having intense contractions, very close together. Those contractions turned into back labor and by 11 am, I had reached a 7. Still no epidural. My thoughts being that Leah and Logan were born so quickly, if I was this far along, he would be here any minute and I could make it without. 

 Mom brought Leah and Logan and Grandma Cealie up and we visited. I was checked, still at 7. Bummed but hopeful, the back labor got even more intense so I moved around in bed, sitting, kneeling, rocking, rolling, sure that this was good progress happening. At 2:00pm, I was still at a 7 and  Brady still hadn't dropped. As a matter of fact, he was all on my left side. 

 Unable to think straight anymore, my mom, being the rational voice she is, calmly reminded me that the epidural would help me relax. She also reminded me how much I loved Leah and Logan's deliveries. Ryan and I decided a little after 2 that it was time for the meds.

 I'm so thankful for that decision! I wasn't a 10 until 7 pm! Also, Brady was turned sideways! All that back labor would have continued for 5 more hours. Now that I was ready to push, it turned out that my doctor was across the street at his office...and his fish tank was leaking. And he wasn't ready to come deliver my baby. The nurses were amazing, and stayed calm for about 30 minutes. The right side of my epidural was completely gone and Brady was coming! They told me with a wink that they'd love to catch my baby so if I didn't want to or couldn't wait for my doctor to finish with the fish emergency, to just go for it. At 7:48, the doctor strolled in, I was screaming, "hurry! Hurry! Hurry!" 

 Brady was born at 7:51pm! Not only was he sideways, he was giant. 9lbs, 7oz. 

 Leah and Logan got to come see him for about 3 minutes, my parents and Brother and his wife too. It was a sweet, quick greeting. I felt terrible, they had waited all day at the hospital and Leah and Logan didn't even get to hold him.

 What I thought would be a swift delivery turned into my most difficult and most surprising! (As a side note, I'm learning that Brady has a serious temper and his delivery totally makes sense.) My moose of a boy was so beautiful and warm and big and squeezie! We're smitten!

Check out those paws!