Dr. Appts.

Last week I had another check up and ultrasound. Things are still going great! Jr. is measuring a little over 2 weeks ahead, so we are happy with that. I keep telling Dr. Cullan that I would much rather have a 10lb baby than a 2 lb baby. Last week, he was measuring 2lbs 9oz. Already bigger than his sisters were when they were born. Woo hoo!!! He is currently breech, but that really isn't a big deal since he will be born via C-section. Here's a few pictures!

I absolutely LOVE profile pictures.

His foot at 26 weeks gestation is already measuring 2.25 inches long! I think he's going to be a big boy, just like his Daddy! :)

It looks like he is almost smiling in this one. :)

~~~

Yesterday, Marleigh, Gigi, and I headed to Wichita. Marleigh had an eye check up and an appointment with her developmental doctor.

I have been so worried about Marleigh's vision since our last eye exam. I am so relieved and thankful that the doctor saw nothing to be worried about. At our last appointment, he was fairly certain, we would be needing to put glasses on her. Now, he feels that unless something changes, she won't need them for at least a while. Praise God! I know glasses aren't a big deal, but I have been praying that her eyes would show improvement, and they did! She was so good for her entire exam and did just what he asked her to do.

After the eye appointment, we ate lunch, then visited the NICU. We got to see some of our favorite nurses and doctors. It was so good to see them. I am going to be honest, going to the NICU at about the same point in my pregnancy was a little tough, but I'm so glad we stopped. Its always good to see the people that took such great care of our girls. Mina, one of our favorite nurses, had a mom of a 26 weeker come meet Marleigh. Mina had said that this young mother had been worrying herself sick, and that meeting Marleigh would help to calm her fears. I hope we gave her some comfort and peace of mind.

Marleigh's developmental doctor was last on our to do list. Since she is now 2, we don't go by her "adjusted" age anymore. They cautioned us to not be disappointed, because most preemies fall behind when they stop age adjusting them. Marleigh is the exception to the rule. She has made more progress since the last time we saw them. Marleigh's due date was April 29, so she shouldn't even be 2 yet. In most areas, she is at the 3 year old age developmentally. The doctors were simply astonished by her. I know I sound like a broken record, but I could not be any prouder of her. There were just a couple of things, that she was only at the 2.5 year level, but the doctor said, in her opinion, it was more because Marleigh is stubborn and independent, not that she wasn't capable of doing it. Her verbal was above a 3 year old level, but that came as no surprise. She is a little chatterbox!

Marleigh was so well behaved and polite for our entire day. She is such an incredible joy and blessing.

My hardest prayer

Okay.... I've decided that either, A) no one actually reads this blog or B) the people that do, chose not to comment. (I think I'll assume B, as to not hurt my ego.... ha ha.)

~~~

My hardest prayer to pray is praying for acceptance: full, whole-hearted acceptance. Praying to accept His will and His perfect timing when His will or timing differs so greatly from what I had in mind is a real challenge for me.

Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.

I can remember when I was in preterm labor. I prayed non-stop that He would keep the girls safe for a few more weeks. We all know that was not in His plans. As the girls were born I can remember questioning His will.

As the first couple of weeks went by, I found it gradually easier to accept God's will that our daughters were born early. They were both doing fairly well, so the acceptance seemed to come fairly easy. When Natalie got sick, I prayed again. I poured out my soul and prayed that God would heal her. I found myself again doubting His will for them to be born so early. Why would He allow that? They were tiny, innocent babies.

After losing Natalie, it was very hard for me to pray. I could not comprehend why God would let our precious little girl die. I was broken spiritually. I was incapable, at that time, of accepting God's will. Over the course of the past two years, God has used Natalie's life to teach me so much. My prayer life has grown considerably. My relationship with God has deepened. He is continuing to use her to work in my life. It took me a long time to fully comprehend that I have to accept, not understand, God's will. He knows far better than I do.

God’s will and timing are perfect. Maybe not in our eyes, but for His purposes it is.

~~~

As it is Easter weekend, I have been doing a lot of thinking about the Easter story. God’s timing and will were perfect in the life of Jesus. It caused tremendous suffering and pain, but knowing it was God’s will, Jesus endured the cross. He knew God’s will and timing were perfect in his life. How awesome is it to be able to draw somewhat of a parallel from Christ's sufferings to our sufferings on earth? Jesus willingly accepted God's plan for his life. He endured unfathomable pain, but knew God had something so much better in store: Eternal Life. Today my prayer is that I can continue to learn from Jesus. That I can be more Christ-like and accepting of God's will.

Question for you.

I'm borrowing this from our pastor:

What is the hardest prayer to pray?

Please leave me a comment with your answer. I would like to hear what you think. I'll post again in a day or two with my answer.

Temper Tantrums

One day last week, Marleigh was a complete bear from the moment I picked her up at Jenni's. NOTHING made her happy. NOTHING. I can't count how many time she threw herself on the floor crying. It was really unusual, because for the most part, she is such a happy little thing.

Marc finally got home around 6:15 and I told him to watch out because she was in a mood. I guess she just had to prove her mama wrong, because she went running to her dad, smiling the whole time. "Hi, Daddy!" She was an angel as soon as he got home. It was like a switch had flipped.

While we were getting ready to eat dinner, Marleigh came up to me and said, "Mommy, I'm sorry I was throwing a fit." Marc over heard her and asked, "Marleigh, were you being naughty for Mommy?" Marleigh dropped her head and said, "Yep." She gave me a hug and said she was sorry again. Later, I asked Marc if he had told her to apologize and he said that he didn't. So, maybe there was a silver lining in her being so grumpy. She knows it is not nice to act that way, and apologized on her own.

I've asked my Mom and Jenni both if she throws fits for them, and thank goodness she doesn't. She must save it just for me. But, I'd much rather her act up for me than for someone else. Hopefully, the days of her being grumpy are few and far between!

My 30th Birthday

Wednesday, April 6, was my 30th birthday. It was an awesome day! Marc and Marleigh sent me flowers to the office. Marc cleaned the house, went to the grocery store, made dinner, AND made me a birthday cake! Am I a lucky girl, or what?!? Papa and Gigi came in to eat dinner with us.

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

I love this pic of Marleigh and Gigi.

Hanging out with Papa.

Marleigh LOVED the cake Daddy made.

Helping Mommy blow out her candles.

Marleigh was helping Daddy in the garage before bed time. He's building her a swingset.

She was reading Daddy the directions.

So excited about her new swing set! :)

I can not imagine a better day. Thanks again, Marc, for everything. I love you!

More Marleighisms

Marleigh's vocabulary never ceases to amaze. She technically shouldn't even be 2 yet!

~~

Me: Marleigh, you're getting too close to the street.

Marleigh (running back to me): Sorry about that, Mommy!

~~

The other night I put on a pair of Marc's boxers as shorts, because most of mine don't fit. Marleigh gave me the strangest look.

Marleigh: Mommy wears Daddy's underwear?!?

~~

A couple of days ago, she was picking out outfits and dressing up her paper dolls.

Marleigh: Mommy, look! She is GORGEOUS!

~~

Last night while eating her yogurt at dinner.

Marleigh: Mmmmmm..... this is delicious!

~~

Instead of just saying, "no", we have been working on Marleigh saying, "No, thank you." This morning Daddy was tickling her.

Daddy: Tickle, tickle, tickle.

Marleigh: No, thank you. (giggle) No, thank you! (more giggles) NO, THANK YOU, DADDY!!!!

2 Years Out!

Two years ago, today, we loaded up our tiny little girl. Cords, monitors, oxygen tanks and all. I remember how her carseat seemed to engulf her (see below). We were so scared of the journey we were about to embark on.

Never in our wildest dreams could we have hoped for more in the past two years. She has THRIVED. Our tiny baby is now a beautiful, perfect toddler.

If you ever need a reason to believe in God and in miracles, stop by our house anytime.

Trip to Hutch

Yesterday we had a check up for Jr. We decided to take Marleigh with us. Dr. Cullan was amazed by her. He couldn't believe that she was a 26-weeker. :)

Everything with Jr. is going well. We have another ultrasound and check up in 2 more weeks. Dr. Cullan wants to keep a close eye on us with my history.

After we were done at the doctor, we headed to my sister's house. Marleigh and Luke had a ball playing outside. It was a gorgeous afternoon. I wasn't sure how Marleigh would feel about Luke's sandbox. It only took her a couple of minutes, and she was scooping and shoveling! She loved it! She must have played in the sand for over an hour! I told Daddy that we have yet another project to add to his to do list: sandbox!!!

We ordered a pizza and then had an ice cream cake that Shannon bought for my birthday, which is today. It was a great afternoon! Thanks again, Shannon, Kyle, and Luke! We'll have to do it again!