American Cutie-Pie

Okay - now I'm just getting annoying...bragging on how cute my kid is all the time. lol.

But it's kinda hard when he's so sweet to look at.

To be honest, I'm pretty much as generous with my baby compliments all around. I love kids and I'm always saying "oh how cute" only to get a funny look from David. (lol) But there is nothing cuter than the little star spangled tutu's and cowboy boots I saw running around this holiday weekend. Very Americana. And I loved seeing all the flags, coolers and picnic blankets and towels lined up along the streets for the firework shoes - the "small-town" feel was everywhere. The 4th of July is always fun around here especially because my sister's birthday falls on the 3rd so it's always an extra special weekend. She is off camp-counseling this summer so we didn't spend it with her this year - but it made me think of her a lot. (We love you Aunt Kay!)

And speaking of love....David is in love with fireworks.

On our honeymoon we had to see every firework show Disneyworld had to offer and video tape them! lol. However that all changed when once again we're putting Jet to bed amidst the screeching and whistling of the neighbors own fireworks show that last long past the show the city put on. It literally sounded like gun fire and the lights flashing through the window were reminiscent of most emergency vehicles. It felt less and less small town and more and more inner city. lol. Needless to say we couldn't say anything to them....it's America's birthday and we don't want to be scrooges (excuse the cross-holiday reference) but it's sure stressful for parents trying to put their babies to bed.

However we didn't need to worry because Jet did fantastic. Along with his "extras" he has an extra "angel gene" that allows him to behave in a way that makes my mother look at me and say "that's not a normal baby." lol. He woke up a few times (and I held my breath) but then would just babbled himself back to sleep in a way that made me marvel.

Definitely thankful this morning. :)

I hope everyone else's babies slept well and maybe even enjoyed some family time, food and fireworks.

Happy 4th of July!

Summer Magic

Every season has it's own kind of magic.

Fall has long been my favorite with it's cool breezes blowing colored leaves across the yard. Winter's remarkable way of contrasting the icy cold with hot cocoa, soft mittens and cozy fires in the living room. The bursts of color and budding life in Spring that fill my mind with renewal and simplicity.

And the Summer magic?

Summer magic can be found in warm evenings, orange-tinged skies

and rosy lips kissed by vanilla ice cream.

Or maybe it's chocolate...

Whatever the flavor you can always taste the sweetness of summer.

Last summer seemed a frenzy of late night feedings, family visits and frantic outings sprinkled with "did you pack the bottle?" and "seriously this is our last diaper?!".

This summer has had a slower start.

And we have been able to savor simple pleasures of the season like

limitless ice cream flavors,

whimsical nail polish,

sleeveless onesies,

baby curls in humidity,

scuffed up white shoes,

squinty-eyes,

squinty-eyed smiles,

and sticky ice cream mustaches.

Something about summer just makes you slow down,

share your favorite treats,

take candid pictures,

(and not give back the camera).

These simple pleasures and silly moments are so characteristic of summertime.

A time where we can be thankful for the extra time together.

Build new memories and favorite traditions.

Plan vacations and trips to the pool.

and of course....

Scream for ice cream!

Stand and Deliver

Jet certainly "delivered" us a big surprise this morning when we went into his room...

STANDING!

HE JUST STOOD UP RIGHT IN FRONT OF US!

Now Jet has pulled up to stand before with a encouraging and a little foot rearranging or stabilizing from Mommy or Daddy. But never so confidently, and never in his crib (on that bouncy mattress) and never first thing in the morning! And not just once - but he went up and down like 7 times before we finally got the video camera out!

I can't explain how it feels to see your baby standing in his crib - not just because he's getting so big, or growing so strong - but because one day...a day that feels so long ago... you were told he might never do it, because you had to accept that you may never see it, and because until that moment you never knew for sure that he would do it.

You prayed. You waited. You hoped. You worked. And he did.

It's beautiful.

It's not something we had to have to be happy.

We were so happy anyway.

And it's nothing we felt we were owed or deserved.

We were already so blessed.

It's simply one of those blessings that sweetly surprises you...and you're thankful.

In this world of so many uncertainties - where we are told to wait

- there's not a clear answer

- there's not a clear future

- there's not a clear fix to your problems.

The one thing that's clear is Love.

Loving every little moment. Loving each other when times are scary. Loving and laughing and letting go so that you can enjoy happy moments like this without worrying about the next milestone or rain cloud or road block.

I don't know what the future holds...but I know it's moments like these - little gifts from God -that will build us up, make us stronger, and keep us going through the rain to the next patch of sunshine.

So here he is...our little stander...our little sunshine...our little miracle.

Lucky 13

Every month we feel so lucky,

so blessed,

to have such an amazing little sweetie.

Today Jet is 13 months old. He is one month stronger,

one month happier,

one month livelier.

To capture the joy each month holds with this little guy,

here are 13 things we have been lucky enough to see this month. :)

1. Our crawler go from "cruise" to "hyper speed". (Mommy and Daddy are baby proofing for REAL this time.)

2. Jet's new intimidation move - gritting his teeth at you. Grr. Scary.

3.The debut of tooth #6!

4. The "bunny" face he makes when we go out in the sun. Scrunched up nose, squinty eyes, two front teeth sticking out...I'll have to capture a picture sometime.

5. His first attempts at "singing" in the shower (okay it's a bath, but he is belting it out).

6. Holding his own sippy cup!

7. Dropping his sippy cup off his high chair...oh dear...it made the most amazing noise...

8. Holding his own bottle (okay that may seem the same as #6 but it's SO not. lol)

9. A new musical talent -bells. He loves to shake bells in bible class. (Jingle bells is going to be a big hit his winter.)

10. Playing on his back with his legs in the air - cracks me up - he just lays there!

12. Finally saying "Mama" almost (well, almost almost) as much as "Dada"

13. PULLING TO STAND!

Our little guy making his first successes pulling himself of up to stand! Yes it's wobbly, yes one foot is always inevitably out of place, but he has done it 3 time now! In the bathtub, in his crib, and at a bench - all barefoot mind you so once we keep those shoes one like we're supposed to there's no telling how good he'll get at it!

And check out these new shoes to help motivate him to keep up the good work.

Way to go little man!

You are one lucky Penny! :)

Yummy Mummy

If lunchtime with a 1 year old isn't funny enough...

....Let me just say my boy is hilarious.

There's no argument he makes us laugh the most out of everyone in the family

(and my family is pretty funny. :)

He's a total silly man - his shy face, funny noises and facial expressions crack us up.

I wonder if we have a little actor/comedian on our hands.

I'll let you see a little of what I'm talking about.

This is what happens when mommy gets the video camera.

And on a bragging note - look at my little prince FINALLY holding his own sippy cup.

Hooray for little victories. :)

All Kinds of Perfect

I was reading a fellow mother's blog (one of those I stay up late to read) and once again feeling my own worries being echoed in her thoughts. Worries of the future for her little boy - so tiny and new and innocent - and how this world would be to him - a child with SB. How will others treat him, look at him, question them, avoid him? Will it be noticeable that he is different? Will there be prolonged absences from school, daily trips to the school nurse, walkers or wheelchairs or leg braces to set him apart? Will his friends wonder why he can't participate in the football game, or why he has to have surgery again or why he never goes to the bathroom when the class does.

Right now we still have little ones - who depend on us for everything. They just drink in every sound and soak up every image - but aren't expected to do much of anything yet. And as a mother it breaks your heart to think about what your child may or may never be able to do. That perfect picture we have of our children running down the stairs or dancing in the living room...whatever your image is...what if that never happens?

No one should ever have to think about that.

But after moments like this (and we all have them) I take a deep breath - and tell myself what I've been telling myself since that January day. I'm not in control, and thank you GOD for that. My son is a gift that I would never have given myself if I was in control. Because honestly, if we were in charge - and could write our own futures - no one would ever write in "and my first child will be born with a birth defect". There that sounds right. No! Never. We would want everything to be perfect! And in my nearsightedness I would never have thought of giving myself this little boy. And hence my life wouldn't be complete - for with my baby - THIS baby God gave me - things are perfect. Not easy. Not without tears. Not predictable. But perfect.

My sweet SB mommies, it is true our chilren will have hard times...

... and so will every child who loses a parent, battles a behavior disorder, struggles in school, or experiences heartbreak. There are so many things in this world that we, all parents, will try to protect our children from. And sometimes we will - and sometimes we can't. But you know what? They will have wonderful times...maybe a visit to the zoo, a birthday party with friends, popsicles in the summer, snowballs in the winter, game nights with family, picnics in the living room- they will experience childhood!

And what a blessing that is!

So for now, we'll rock them to sleep, see to every need, and kiss them goodnight

...and I don't know about you,

but to me,

that's all kinds of perfect.

Ordinary Miracle

It's late, and I just rocked my baby to sleep. My sweet angel baby whose arms fit so cuddly around my neck. Whose warm cheek rests against my shoulder as tiny baby curls tickle my chin.

My little prince.

As he sleeps I begin my own bedtime routine - pick up the toys that carpet my living room, push the dirty laundry into the laundry room for tomorrow's "to-do" list, put the pillows on the bed and get my jammies on.

And think.

Think about the day, what I got done, what I need to do tomorrow, what I'll actually do tomorrow...

and think about people.

The blogs I need to check (every night or I get (gasp!) behind), the facebook messages I still haven't replied to.

Or in tonight's case, my sweet new friend with a lovely name to match ~ Lorelei.

Tonight (as I have every night for a week since I heard your story) I'm thinking of you.

Sweet Lorelei and her sweet unborn baby boy

- who have just began this journey with us.

The journey of pregnancy, motherhood, and life with a child diagnosed with SB.

It's just beginning, and it's scary, and it's fragile and uncertain in many aspects.

But there are some certainties.

I'm certain there will be healing. I'm certain there will be strength.

I'm certain there will be love.

And I'm certain God brought us together.

I'm so thankful for our friendship. Hopeful for our futures. Trusting in His promises.

Let's keep praying for our babies. Counting every blessing.

Loving every miracle.

And I think we should add this song to the soundtrack of our journey. :) Much love sweet friend. Sleep tight and I hope that little miracle lets you rest without too many kicks. :)

And to all the "little miracles"... you know who you are...sweet dreams.

Ordinary Miracle

It's not that unusual When everything is beautiful

It’s just another ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when its time to snow Don’t need to teach a seed to grow

It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift they say Wrapped up for you everyday

Open up and find a way To give some of your own

Isn't it remarkable Like every time a raindrop falls

It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Birds in winter have their fling And always make it home by spring

It’s just another ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday Please don’t throw your dreams away

Hold them close to your heart Cause we are all a part

Of the ordinary miracle

Its seems so exceptional Things just work out after all

It’s just another ordinary miracle today

The sun comes up and shines so bright

It disappears again at night

It’s just another ordinary miracle today

It’s just another ordinary miracle today.