The First Birthday: A Recap

Oh my....what a weekend it was for Rachael's first birthday! We celebrated on her actual birthday by going to have 1 year portraits taken. It was a special day for our family and I wanted to have it documented with some professional photos. Rachael was in a really happy mood all day that day and even smiled for the camera!

I was fortunate to have the day off from work to do party-prep and get my hair done. I think it might be a tradition to take the day off and as the kiddos get older,  do something special with Mommy and baby/child that day. Birthdays were always a big deal in my house growing up and I want to continue that. 

The pictures from her party are below...they are all out of order, but, I trust that you are smart enough to figure out which ones went first. :) Hint: The one with Mimi and Rachael is the "morning after". Rachael enjoyed being with some friends -- Ruby, Evan, Claire & Kate (we missed you Samantha & Emma!) and the big people, too! Mommy and Daddy really enjoyed time with the big people (and little ones) and are so thankful to Mimi and Papa for coming all this way to celebrate and help us do everything! 

Year In Review

What a year it has been! We love you, Rachael!

Welcome, Rachael Lenore! January 14, 2010
3 pounds, 6 ounces    15 inches

ONE MONTH

COMING HOME DAY ~ March 8, 2010

TWO MONTHS OLD

THREE MONTHS OLD

FOUR MONTHS OLD

FIVE MONTHS OLD

SIX MONTHS OLD

SEVEN MONTHS OLD

EIGHT MONTHS OLD

NINE MONTHS OLD

TEN MONTHS OLD

ELEVEN MONTHS OLD

Baby Boy update

Contrary to popular belief, I have not forgotten about baby brother!
I am thrilled to report that the pregnancy is going very well! At 29 weeks, we were tested for gestational diabetes (negative!) and at the regular OB check up (did I just use the word "regular" in relation to pregnancy????), my blood pressure and weight were all within normal limits. BP of 105/64 - rock star!
Baby brother is kicking very powerfully so and my belly measured 32 weeks, even though we are 29! Wonder if that's his position or if he's going to be a big little brother?
Our next ultrasound will be at 32 weeks (January 31) where we will get another look at the kidneys (possible bladder reflux, like his sister) and also get a good measurement and projection on his weight.
I will post a belly picture or two as it's much different this time than with Rachael, thanks to having fluid!
We are thankful for your continued prayers that this leads us right down to the 39-40 week mark; we're still thinking about/praying about VBAC v. repeat c-section....our 32 week appointment might help us make that decision, especially if he's breech.
We are decorating the nursery in a choo-choo train theme, as Mike's favorite childhood book is the "Little Engine That Could"...and it would be either that or the Hokies! Hope to have pictures of the nursery up when it's all ready to go.

30 Days of Rachael: Day 1

Our biggest wish for you, Rachael, is that you may grow strong in your faith in God. We will teach you and guide you and demonstrate our faith for you, but, it will be up to you and we pray, that you will find strength and comfort in Him. You are a child of God and with Him, all things are possible.
We love you, little girl!

30 Days of Rachael: Day 2

Can't believe it's ALMOST here! I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas!
Our next wish for you, darling Rachael, is that you will be happy, courageous and confident in your life's work and in relationships with others. We understand that you will grow and define "happy" for yourself and it may not match our definition. However, as long as you are satisfied and content with who you become, that will make your mommy and daddy very proud.

30 Days of Rachael: Day 3

Another wish for you, dear Rachael: to be resourceful. You've already demonstrated pretty solid problem solving skills. We hope it is with this same concentration and dedication that you will know how to ask for help when you need it and to be able to identify and use the resources available to you as you go through life.

30 Days of Rachael: Days 5 & 4 (wishes & a milestone!)

Some more of our wishes for Rachael:
Day 5: that she knows love and gives love in her life...throughout her life. From her family, her friends, and eventually (when we let her out of the house at 40 :) ) from a romantic partner! We hope to show her the love we feel for her and for each other. We also hope to model the love we feel for our families and friends, so that she can learn from our example. It's no small task, but, we're up to the challenge.

Day 4: that she can learn to trust her own intuition. That it might guide her to make both the right decision and the best decision for her life's path.

And...because this countdown doesn't preclude life from happening around it: we have our first WORD! Any guesses?????


SHOES!
Mommy and Daddy both heard it and she has now said it several times! It sounds most like "zoos", but, we know what she means! Is she a girl, through and through, or what? As a matter of fact, she doesn't have a pair like the ones pictured here, but, maybe she needs something like them? :)

The countdown is on, baby girl, to the big #1! We're thankful beyond measure for this first year and are looking forward with excitement to see what the next year brings for you!

30 Days of Rachael: Day 6

As it's now inside of one week until "the diva" turns ONE...rather than looking to Rachael for wisdom, I'd like to spend the next days recording my (our) wishes for Rachael. There are more than six, for sure, but, I'll try to get the biggest ones written here.
We wish for her to be kind and generous without being a pushover or self-sabotaging. How we'll teach her this, I have no idea, but, we'll start with teaching her to be kind and generous and help her guard against being taken advantage of.

30 Days of Rachael: Day 7

When you get bored with all of the fancy toys Mommy and Daddy have bought, just play with the tupperware. It's more fun anyway!

30 Days of Rachael: Day 8

The new definition of the best kind of Friday night...dinner around our own kitchen table, followed by an hour of playing with all kinds of toys, topped off with a big bottle, warm pjs and a cozy family hug.
Absolutely the best way to end the week!

30 Days of Rachael: Day 9

Lesson of the day from Rachael: When you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. :)

30 Days of Rachael: Day 10

Rachael lesson of the day: childproof locks are made to be tampered with. Keep trying, even after Mommy adn Daddy tell you no. When they aren't looking, go back to it. Eventually, it *might* open.

30 Days of Rachael: Day 11

Yet another thing to learn from Rachael....fight like hell for what you want! She struggled and rose to the top in the NICU...gaining 2.5 pounds and 3 inches in a 7 week stay.

30 Days of Rachael: Days 13 and 12

Happy 2011! I can only blame a great holiday weekend for the delay in posting on our "30 days" series.
As 2010 drew to a close and 2011 started with much family fun, I can only think that one of the biggest lessons we've learned from Rachael is this: take the time to enjoy the moment and be present in life -- or you'll miss the magic. She takes each day with wild abandon and unabashed enthusiasm. Her parents need to work each day to do the same.
We hope and pray for health and happiness for our family and friends, today and all year long.