Dear Ella: A Letter from Mommy at Age 7

Ella my dear, you are becoming more and more beautiful every day. I cannot believe you are turning 7 years old! That seems like a very high number that used to be WAY in the future and now its here. This might actually be the first year I will sit you down and read to you these words I’m writing. I think you’ll love it. You really love to hear Daddy and I tell stories of when you were born (it is quite a story) and what you were like as a baby. It makes you feel special and I love that because you are more special to me than you’ll ever know.

You are maturing so much. I can’t believe the difference between the kindergarten Ella and the first grade Ella. Wow, we can really reason with you and talk to you like a big kid and you can handle it! (Most of the time). It’s really nice. The other day Andrew was playing with his new tractor that has a scooper and a forklift attachment. He love the forklift but that thing will not stay on. He was in the family room playing and I was at the table with you girls. I was helping Avery with homework and you were coloring. There was a period of time when Andrew’s forklift would fall off, he would scream, you would fix it for him and come back to the table, and then the whole scene would repeat again 2 min later. Probably 10 times in a row and you and I would just look at each other and smile. You are so sweet and I love how you care for your little brother and sister.

You are such a good helper. You love to help make snack or dinner and you also LOVE to wash dishes. I think you’re getting pretty good at it too! You can flip pancakes and make macaroni and crack eggs. Pretty soon you’ll be doing it all and the other kids will come and ask you for food instead of me or daddy!

For your birthday party you want a Lion King movie viewing with PJs and Pizza. Just like your SING party last year. All you need to be happy is a couch and a good movie. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree(s) I suppose!

You are very much into the idea of getting your own pet bunny. You probably started talking about it 2 years ago and I thought for sure it would wear off, that you’d get over it or forget about it. Well, you have not. You keep bringing it up and when we went to the pet store with Nonna and Poppa a couple weeks ago you got to go in and pet a bunny. That just made it worse. So I told you that in order to talk about having a pet like this you’d need to keep your room clean for 6 months. Problem solved.

You are also really becoming interested in fishing. So daddy got you a fishing pole for your birthday and has scheduled a date to take you fishing in a couple of weeks. That is going to be so fun for both of you. Not sure if it will stick long term, but I do know that you’ll be making memories with your daddy that are priceless.

Before we know it you are going to be asking for the keys and having boy problems and wanting a job. I love our lives right now, you are so precious and innocent and I wish it could last forever. But I know you have a good head on your shoulders and a solid foundation. You have such a soft and loving heart. You love Jesus and are learning more about his ways and how to know him. I can’t wait to see who you become, and how you bring your beauty to the world around you. You and I are going to have lots of long talks, and I’ll always be here for you no matter what.  You are my only ever first baby. And you always will be.

 

 

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Dear Andrew: A Letter from Mommy at Age 3

Dude. You are my favorite little boy in the entire world. I love that God gave us you because my heart has a different connection with you than the girls. I never had boys in my family growing up so it’s super cool to experience what its like to be your mom. You are different from your sisters in some ways…you recover so much faster from getting hurt and from messing something up. You are WAY more vocal about wanting people to know you can do it and you are “BIG BOY”. If you even over hear someone say you are a little guy or God forbid the word BABY you get this over-confident tone of voice and say “I am not baby! I am BIG BOY!”

You are truly a delight in countless ways. You love to be chased and tickled, but you definitely have a limit because you do not like to be constrained. We tickle you and throw you around and you are all about it. Until you are not. And you let us know! We also have a habit in our family of being a bit pinchy and over-snuggly with our babies and somewhere along the way you got the idea that you have the exclusive right to pinch and squeeze mommy’s belly. This stage has now been going on for about 6 months it seems. You don’t do it to anyone else but me! It is NOT OK! No matter where you are you pinch my tummy with both hands and it hurts! But at the same time I just have to laugh because what a quirky thing to do!? Its your trademark. I’m hoping this trademark dies with age 2.

Your favorite show right now is Paw Patrol and you had a Paw Patrol birthday party. You love Marshall. You sing the song and its so funny because you just sing “paw ptrol, paw ptrol, paw ptrol, paw ptrol.” Over and over. You also sing the PJ Masks song. I love that you sing. You will even sing with me at night time when I sing Deep and Wide. I want to get a video of you somehow but if I try you won’t do it! Silly Goose.

You started going on the big potty this summer. You just tell us when you want to (which is not super often) but you are a champ. You will potty train quickly I think when you are finally ready. Nonna and Poppa got your Paw Patrol undies and I think you are excited about those!

I think you are a leader already. You are completely fine on your own finding something to do, you do not often change your mind or get distracted, and you are willing to go first and do brave things. This summer at Mimi and Doowahs house we went out on John’s boat and he offered the tube for you guys to ride it with daddy. We kept asking Ella and Avery the entire time and they wouldn’t do it. But you said you would! You went first and let Uncle John pull you on that tube with daddy! I was so proud of you. The offer for peach ice cream probably helped, but still, you did it before your sisters, and they also did it after you went because they saw you go.

I am praying big things over you. The world we live in does not make it easy to be BOLD in your faith, PURE in your heart, and FAITHFUL to your family, but I am praying all of these things over you. Trustworthy, responsible, generous, strong, brave, loving. I pray you are able to persevere through hard times in your life and not give up. Jesus is the source of real life. His word is true and is the foundation of a life marked by all these things. Put it into your heart, buddy. Let it grow roots in there. You’ll have lots of ups and downs. You’ll get your heart broken and you’ll do some heart breaking I’m sure (judging on what I can see at 3 years old!). All of these things we experience make us who we are. Never stop looking to Jesus and saying YES to what he asks of you. You won’t be able to contain the blessing that will overflow into and through your life. Its the greatest, most fulfilling adventure of all.

Also, you have no idea how blessed you are to have the daddy that you have. Over the years you will figure it out. Keep your heart clear and open with us buddy, we are always here for you. Love you more now than ever.

-Mommy.

Dear Avery: A Letter from Mommy at Age 5

Today is your birthday Avery! Five years old already! Where has the time gone? My sweet, spontaneous, nurturing, energetic, intelligent little toddler is starting Kindergarten this fall. I can’t believe your preschool years are over.

One of the reasons you are so excited about starting Kindergarten and being at Sakamoto with Ella is that you’ll be able to have your own play dates and go to your own friends’ birthday parties. Its been so sad for you to stay home when Ella gets invited to things. But don’t worry starting in a few weeks you’ll be going to school with lots of friends who live in your neighborhood!

You can remember the words to almost any song you hear so Daddy and I are realizing how careful we have to be about what you hear! Your little brain records things and we catch you singing songs to yourself as you play. I am continually amazed at your intelligence and your ability to remember details and come up with questions about life.

You did so well at Kiddie Kampus and your graduation was so fun and meaningful. One day recently you were singing the words to one of your graduation songs in your carseat as we were driving and it brought tears to my eyes.

You make me laugh out loud almost every single day with something you say. You are recently on a kick about poop and your little friend Karis Wood is your “poo-friend.” However the other day you told me Karis couldn’t be your poo friend anymore so I inquired about why. You said one of the teachers in the turtles class told you guys that when you talked about poo it made her ankle hurt. Brilliant.

This year your birthday will happen when we are on sabbatical and staying with Nonna and Poppa in Wilmington, NC. G-Ma will also be there to celebrate and we will do some other fun thing on Sabbatical that you don’t know about. We will end our trip in Central Florida with your favorite mouse couple. Oh I can not wait to see you guys squeal with delight over those three days!

Your favorite shows right now are Paw Patrol, PJ Masks, and Peep. Your favorite movies are Sing, Cars, Planes, and the Penguins of Madagascar. You LOVE music and love to be with people. Your favorite animal is still your beloved Teddy Dog and you carry him around with your little pink blankie. You are obsessed with gum and you ask for it about 5 times a day. Your other obsession is dessert and you would eat it every meal if we let you. But then again, so would your siblings. One of your favorite things to do is play in the backyard sprinklers (which always means MUD) and you get as dirty as you can! You still love riding bikes and plasma cars in the driveway and you are always up for an adventure.

One of the things we are working with you the most on is honesty. You occasionally will not tell us the truth when you’ve done something wrong. Which isn’t often, but it seems you have a tendency to push limits set on you and you are always looking for a way to up the ante of excitement for yourself. Trust is so significant in families; we always want to be honest with each other. And more important than that is your openness and honesty with Jesus. He will always forgive, and we will too.

You are loved more than you know. We will continue to pray over you a deep sense of respect and submission to Him because of His love for you. His plans for your life are so good, I can’t wait to see them unfold in you my little sunshine.

your preschool years are over.

One of the reasons you are so excited about starting Kindergarten and being at Sakamoto with Ella is that you’ll be able to have your own play dates and go to your own friends’ birthday parties. Its been so sad for you to stay home when Ella gets invited to things. But don’t worry starting in a few weeks you’ll be going to school with lots of friends who live in your neighborhood!

You can remember the words to almost any song you hear so Daddy and I are realizing how careful we have to be about what you hear! Your little brain records things and we catch you singing songs to yourself as you play. I am continually amazed at your intelligence and your ability to remember details and come up with questions about life.

You did so well at Kiddie Kampus and your graduation was so fun and meaningful. One day recently you were singing the words to one of your graduation songs in your carseat as we were driving and it brought tears to my eyes.

You make me laugh out loud almost every single day with something you say. You are recently on a kick about poop and your little friend Karis Wood is your “poo-friend.” However the other day you told me Karis couldn’t be your poo friend anymore so I inquired about why. You said one of the teachers in the turtles class told you guys that when you talked about poo it made her ankle hurt. Brilliant.

This year your birthday will happen when we are on sabbatical and staying with Nonna and Poppa in Wilmington, NC. G-Ma will also be there to celebrate and we will do some other fun thing on Sabbatical that you don’t know about. We will end our trip in Central Florida with your favorite mouse couple. Oh I can not wait to see you guys squeal with delight over those three days!

Your favorite shows right now are Paw Patrol, PJ Masks, and Peep. Your favorite movies are Sing, Cars, Planes, and the Penguins of Madagascar. You LOVE music and love to be with people. Your favorite animal is still your beloved Teddy Dog and you carry him around with your little pink blankie. You are obsessed with gum and you ask for it about 5 times a day. Your other obsession is dessert and you would eat it every meal if we let you. But then again, so would your siblings. One of your favorite things to do is play in the backyard sprinklers (which always means MUD) and you get as dirty as you can! You still love riding bikes and plasma cars in the driveway and you are always up for an adventure.

One of the things we are working with you the most on is honesty. You occasionally will not tell us the truth when you’ve done something wrong. Which isn’t often, but it seems you have a tendency to push limits set on you and you are always looking for a way to up the ante of excitement for yourself. Trust is so significant in families; we always want to be honest with each other. And more important than that is your openness and honesty with Jesus. He will always forgive, and we will too.

You are loved more than you know. We will continue to pray over you a deep sense of respect and submission to Him because of His love for you. His plans for your life are so good, I can’t wait to see them unfold in you my little sunshine.

Dear Ella: A Letter from Mommy at Age 6

My dear Ella, I was just talking to you the other day at bedtime about how I remember the day you were born so well. You love to hear us tell you stories about what it was like that day. What I want you to know most is how that day changed my life. I never knew what it would feel like to have my own baby, and how my heart would grow. And here we are, 6 years later, and you and I are having conversations about friendships, and responsibility, and decision making. You are understanding more and more of the world around you and its exciting to see.

Daddy has recently started working on your concept of giving, spending and saving money. You are starting to see how it works and one thing we are noticing about you is how generous you are. You like to give to people because you know that giving is one way we show people we love them, and that Jesus loves them. I overheard you telling Avery the other day that love is the most important thing. That love makes God happy. You are right my dear, and if you can remember that one thing in your life you’ll be getting a lot of things right!

You had a birthday party yesterday, your first drop off party. We watched the movie sing and your friends came in their PJs and brought sleeping bags. It was very fun. I was watching how you ran to the door and met all your friends. You make people feel good and you express love so naturally. I know there will be lots of time in your life where you’ll get hurt by other people who are acting selfishly or are mean to you. Daddy and I will be here to help you through those times because growing up in this life is hard, but I hope you never lose that quality of expressing love. One thing I am really starting to pray for you and also Avery and Andrew is that God would bless you with real and authentic community in your life. You don’t need a LOT of friends, you need a few really really good ones. We are made to need connection with people.

At this time last year you were still in a full leg cast. That time was so hard in ways but also was very formative for your development. You seemed to grow so much on this inside, and then you started Kindergarten this year and it is truly amazing to watch how fast your mind is growing! You are loving your class and Mrs. Stevens. She is very good for you because she is calm and routined, and also very caring. She works with us to make sure you know what to expect and is patient and kind. God knew what environment you would need to be in this year and we have been so pleased to watch it unfold.

Our morning routine has been an adjustment for you in some ways because you like to go at your own pace! It has really helped you to have a clock on the wall. We got one when Mimi and Doowah came to keep you guys for a week when Mommy and Daddy went on our cruise in October. You are learning to manage your time, and we are trying to lovingly support you by helping you experience for yourself the consequences and benefits of good time management.

One of the funniest things you’ve said recently is how you use your “brain boss” to tell your body what to do. You cry and say your body doesn’t want to get up, or doesn’t want to go to school in the morning. But sometimes when you change your attitude and start to get it done we ask you how you did it and you say “my brain boss!” Props to kids learning tube on that one.

What will you do with your life? I can hardly wait to see. Whenever someone asks you what you want to do when you grow up you leave about a half second of space there before you say “a mom.” I think that is remarkable because you are so little still and you are just so sure that you want to be a mom. I love that. You understand now that you can be a mom and another thing, so recently your other thing is a veterinarian. That was during your unit on veterinarians at school!

Well as we start a new year together I just want you to know that I LOVE how God made you. You were created just perfectly and all the gifts and characteristics and personality that you have in you are wonderful. God gave you to our family and we are so happy. You changed everything when you came into our world, and it is just the best thing ever. We love you more than you could ever imagine (until you have your own kids!) and we can’t wait to watch your life become what it will become. We love you Ella!

Dear Andrew: A Letter from Mommy at Age 2

Hey little dude! Its a big day for you today! You are turning two years old! You are getting so big and becoming less of a baby and more of a toddler. This year has been so fun. Its had its challenges of course with three kids 5 and under but we are so overjoyed that God gave us the gift of you. We are going to have a dirt party for you on Saturday and you're going to eat a dirt cake out of a brand new dump truck that you haven't seen yet! I'm so looking forward to that moment. You love trucks so much, they are probably your favorite thing, and the bigger the better.

I can't believe you are already two. That means your carseat will be facing forward now which is also going to be so fun (though your sisters will be sad they can't see you anymore!). You are learning so much from your sisters, its amazing. You are starting to say their "tick tock" prayer from Kiddie Kampus, and you also are starting to play make believe with them. Yesterday you and your sisters built a house outside and were "hiding from giants" for like an hour. You'll be having a LOT of time with Avery when Ella starts school next week. Avery will only be in Kiddie Kampus two days so you and her will log plenty of play time hours!

One of the things that has been so fun recently is that you've started wanting to go in and wake Avery up in the mornings. You go in and climb in her bottom bunk all by yourself and crawl on her. You say you are tickling her and she LOVES it. Ella also likes to come get in your crib in the mornings (because she is usually the first one up) so when she hears you talking she climbs in with you and you really enjoy that. For about 10 minutes. But it buys me some time!

You've been saying so many funny things. Often when I pick you up after you've been hurt or scared or otherwise crying, I'll say "I got you buddy". Recently you have started saying it back to me! I'll be carrying you somewhere when you are sad and with tears coming down your face in your little raspy voice you say "Ah gotchyou". Melt my heart. You have also started answering requests with "sure" which is quite delightful. Or you may say a soft "hokay" with a little smile. It doesn't always mean you will actually comply but at least its agreeable! You also started this rocket countdown thing that is hysterical. At first you'd say the numbers 1-4 out of order and then say "did it!" and then it morphed into "One! Ten! One! Apt off!!!" or however you say it. I'm not sure if you are saying lift off or blast off but its pretty funny. And you also try to say "on your mark, get set, go," but you say "Monk! Six! Go!" And sometimes the six doesn't sound like six! You will also still dance anytime someone asks you to and I hope that never changes!

For the longest time you had a parent crush on daddy and you couldn't get enough, now the tables have turned and you are so attached to me at times I can't walk or get anything done. Its the worst after your nap from like 4-5 o'clock every day. No matter how long you sleep you very rarely wake up happy from your afternoon nap! You aren't even enticed by a snack (unless its like a cupcake!). Nothing will do at home but a show or going outside. Today we are leaving for Target when you wake up!

You are such a delightful child though. You are so cute I could just bite you and your little terrible two attitude you display at times is quite hilarious to me. Everything is "mine" or "I don't want it!" And that is especially true when you are not in the mood to play but someone else is. We laugh because Ella is like a cat, meaning affection and tickling on her terms, (and only for like 10 seconds); and Avery is like a puppy, always open for tickling and being thrown around. No limit with that one. You, though, seem so far to be more like Ella in that way. You definitely have a limit to teasing and tickling. That's when we often hear your famous "I don't want it" line. And you mean it!

I am praying big prayers for you, little guy. That you would grow up to be a leader with BIG faith. That you would be a faithful, responsible man who lives his life for God's kingdom and holds nothing back. That you would fight for your purity and desire to know God's voice in your heart. This world is a dark and evil place at times and I pray you will love Jesus fiercely and live according to His Word. I can't wait to see who you become. So many great years ahead for you little Drewbug. And as we tell your sisters…you won't be this little for long!

Dear Avery: A Letter from Mommy at Age 4

Guess who is turning 4 today?! My only little Avery bug! You, my dear, are such a special girl. You bring so much joy to our home and we are so thankful that God gave us you. For your birthday we are doing a painting party in the backyard. I am so excited because that really fits your personality. You LOVE to get messy and dirty and wet. You have no hesitation about jumping in mud or puddles of rainwater and you always end up with marker all over you somehow when you color. Every pair of pants you have has a hole in the knee and stains… I have come to accept that if I want you to wear something that looks new it has to BE new! I love that about you though. You live life to the fullest, thats for sure.

You went on a special birthday breakfast date with daddy today and you came home with a fish! You are so thrilled with that little guy and you love to feed him. You named him Andrew!

You have had some major milestones this past year. You have successfully potty trained and you are in undies all the time! You are doing great and I can’t even remember the last time you had an accident. You are sleeping really well in general, for a long time you would wake up and cry or moan at night and even sometimes you were inconsolable like you had a bad dream and couldn’t shake it. But you’ve really grown out of that stage it seems, and you are even sleeping in a big girl bed now because Andrew has your crib. You and Ella have bunk beds and you both LOVE that.

Not long ago you had your first trip to the dentist. We took you and Ella together so you would watch her go first, and you were such a champ! You didn’t even cry! 

You have always been especially brave and willing to try new things (usually). When you do cry though, wow. You, so far, get the prize for the loudest child and you have no shortage of drama! Its really funny to me and daddy that even though you are our kid we sometimes can’t distinguish between your squeal of delight and your cry of hurt or mad. It all sounds the same and its all very… loud. Its who you are though and we just have to smile.

We call you the commentator because whether its a movie or a book or just every day life you usually take the role of explaining to everyone else what is going on. I have laughed many times at night or at quiet time when I’m trying to read you a book because you have to interject on every page to make an observation and often you turn back to the previous page. It cracks me up when I walk by and hear you doing that when daddy is reading too, and he and I laugh at each other trying to get through a book. Extra margin is a good thing at bedtime. You can stretch a 10 min book to 20 minutes with your eyes closed!

You are pretty fast paced in your routines and things. You (usually) just do the task and move to the next. Which means you are regularly done with your checkmarks and bedtime routine first and you’ve been asking for cuddle time a lot. You wiggle and squirm and giggle, coming alive with affection from daddy and I. Your favorite thing is to get the bottom of your foot scratched with is hilarious to me. You’ll lay on your back and stick your foot in the air, and if I start to drift (because tired!) you’ll promptly grab my hand and redirect me to the sole of your foot.

One of the coolest things to see is how you have developed in your care for Andrew. You like to play with him and I’m excited to see how your little friendship with him comes along as Ella will be in Kindergarden during the day starting in a few weeks. You’ll have lots of time with Andrew this next year! Both you and Ella love him so much and are nurturing toward him in such a special way. You are a great sister. You have one more year before YOU start kindergarden too!

At Kiddie Kampus this year you were in the blue class and you learned so much. Your teachers were Ms. Amy and Ms. Dolores. You always got a good report on behavior and you were apparently very independent. They often said you were just fine playing with no one or anyone. You are very independent by nature I think, though you are always up for playing with other kids.

Being independent is a great thing, I believe you will be a leader and you will think for yourself. My prayer for you as you grow and I see more of your sweet personality coming out is that you would have a special place in your heart for the voice of Jesus. That you would submit to him and humble yourself to his word and his ways, because there is where you will find real peace and true joy. He knows the way. He loves you infinitely more that daddy and I do and he will never let you down. He made you just the way you are and has special plans for your future. I can’t wait to see what he makes of your heart and your life. Happy 4th birthday sweet girl. I love you more than you’ll ever know.

 

 

Dear Ella: A Letter from Mommy at Age 5

Ella Dearest what a special girl you are! Today is your 5th birthday! I look forward to writing this post to you every year because I get to think back on special memories and funny things and all the ways you are growing. Lots of things have happened since you turned 4 last January.

The biggest thing that happened this year is that we moved to a new house! Starting in January we were really hitting it hard every weekend going out to open houses with Mrs. Jennifer and you and Avery had so much fun exploring all the houses. Several times it was in the rain. Then we finally found this one and after closing in April we (Daddy and Doowah mostly!) spent like 5 weeks remodeling it! Mimi and Doowah were here staying with us to take care of you kids. You had so much fun with them. Andrew wasn’t even crawling yet and you girls would LOVE to come up to the house and see it. We would bring pizza or burgers sometimes to daddy and Doowah and eat in the backyard before we moved in. One day you’ll understand what a miracle it is that God provided a house for us to buy. I can’t wait to share the story with you.

You are having a blast at Kiddie Kampus preschool. This year you moved from the Peach class with Miss Keri and Miss Miranda into the Yellow class with Mrs. Jen, Mrs. Melinda and Mrs. Frida. You LOVE it and we have seen your development really take off with learning letters and the months of the year and your favorite friends are Emily, Audrey and Ella M. (You now sign your name Ella H everywhere because there are two Ellas in your class.)  It is so fun to see you start to have real friendships with kids your age. Glenn Lally came over to drop off your birthday present and he made you a card and was so excited to give it to you. You wanted to keep it in the envelope and put it with your jewelry to keep it safe.

You are growing so fast and maturing in really noticeable ways. Although you still feel things very deeply and experience quite a range of emotions, you are able to understand things and handle them with more stability because once you get it you tend to be ok with it. We have learned that you like to have the reasons behind things and that helps you buy in and go with it. You’re starting to ask questions that reflect a deeper level of thinking, like about HOW the doctor fixed Doowah’s hip, WHY you can’t breathe under water. You have a new interest in being a paramedic, and when we ask you what you want to be when you grow up you say “an ambulance.” You love to help people and I believe God will use that so powerfully in your life to make a difference for others. Whether or not you grow up to be an “ambulance.”

You have said some funny things too, I always try to remember the funny things you kids say. You call an envelope a “glove” and you and Avery both say “snuffed animals.” You tried a Hansen’s root beer or something one day and out of nowhere came up with “it fancies my tongue.” Recently you started saying “You BET I do” haha. It makes me laugh every time.

You had your first cast before you turned 5! On the day of the Kiddie Kampus Christmas show I dropped you and Avery off for school in the morning and not 20 minutes after I left you had fractured your knee in the bouncy house! I didn’t know how bad it was until I drove you to South Bay Church and you still couldn’t stand on it after 3 hours and you were in tears. Daddy left work to take you to the doctor and you came home with a bright pink sparkly full leg cast for 6 weeks! Needless to say we didn’t make it for the Christmas show! You have been so brave little Ella! I didn’t know what to expect but you have really been so mature in understanding why the cast is important. You are thrilled to sit on the couch all day and have food and things brought to you and watch shows and read books and color. Two more weeks to go now and then we will begin the road to recovery and building back your strength. Doctor Godley says you’ll need crutches for awhile. We’ll see how that goes! Yet again your daddy and I were completely blown away by how brave you were when you got your cast. You had to get X-Rays and everything and you didn’t even cry.

This is the year you will start “big kid school.” We aren’t completely sure yet which one because we have two good options, but I know God will guide us to choose the right one and you will be fine because you are learning to be brave.

You really haven’t had many “bad” things happen to you yet. You have such a purity and innocence, especially when it comes to believing the best about people. You haven’t really been hurt emotionally. I am keenly aware of how sensitive your heart is (you don’t even like to watch movies that have kids temporarily separated from parents, etc. they make you feel so sad). You have a tender heart just like your mommy did, and still does. I want to help you this year to begin to understand that loving Jesus doesn’t mean we don’t have hard things happen to us, and sometimes things in this life really hurt our hearts. What we can always know, however, is that no matter how much we hurt, Jesus is the ultimate healer and he can turn any winter into spring. He uses everything that happens to us in our lives, both good and bad, to reveal himself to us and to others. Knowing Him is the best thing ever. Stick with Jesus, sweetheart, trust him always, and you will be just fine.

Dear Andrew: A Letter From Mommy at Age 1

My dear little DrewBug you are such a bundle of joy! We anticipated your arrival for sooooo long! We were elated when we found out that God was going to bless us with a new baby boy. You came pretty much on time but the circumstances around your birth were quite unique, and you definitely made an entrance that was unforgettable! I wrote a blog specifically about your birth story. God was definitely teaching me a lesson in all of it, as He always is, and I learned through your story that He is always the one who knows the plans and just because it looks one way to me doesn’t mean I understand. He is the one who does. Always remember that we can’t see the whole picture, but we can trust the one who does.

You came into this world at a whopping 10 lbs 7 oz and shocked everyone. When you came out you didn’t cry right away and Lin our midwife was rubbing you down and even blew on your face to make you cry. It worked, and that beautiful newborn cry filled my ears and my heart with joy and relief! You were finally here. There is nothing in the world like it.

Bringing you home was different of course because we now had two toddlers to contend with and they wanted a piece of you every waking moment. So much of your first weeks and months we spent pulling them off of you! Ella was 3 1/2 and Avery had just turned 2 when you were born and neither of them had a clue the difference between a stuffed animal and a real baby. But as you have grown they have also grown and are head over heels in love with you, as we all are. I can’t wait to see the three of you grow up and do school and sports and relationships together.

One thing that was different for us this time around with nursing is that we didn’t realize you had a tongue tie that was preventing you from nursing efficiently. So you got really dehydrated because my milk supply went down and we didn’t know it. We thought everything was fine because the milk was coming but you just weren’t able to take in enough. That was one of the hardest couple of weeks for me. We had to start you on a bottle at 2 weeks to get your weight back up and you did so good buddy you were a champ! You figured that bottle out real quick because you were needing those calories! We had the tongue/lip tie fixed at 3 weeks and you hated it but it was the best thing for you. I had to nurse/bottle feed breastmilk/pump every 3 hours for what seemed like an eternity. It was probably about 4-5 months. When we started you on solids things kept getting better and for the last 6 months we’ve had a much more normal nursing experience.

You had a very large head (shocker) and there was a point in time where we were a bit concerned about it being flat in the back so we went in and turned your head every chance we could once you were asleep, and what do you know? It turned out great! You are a stud and have even already had a haircut. I’ll include a picture of that, it started and ended ok but you were not a fan of the process to say the least!

You got your first tooth around 6 months and you began crawling around. But it wasn’t until just about a week ago actually that you started actually crawling. You really did your army crawl/belly scoot/one foot push-off thing for a long time! You aren’t walking yet but you are so close. You can pull up and even stand with very little help. You do this head throw back thing all the time, when you are really excited about something you swing your head around in a spastic kind of way and its super cute.

You are also incredibly dramatic in the way you “protest cry.” You HATE the changing table and everything it represents so it will always send you into a tail spin even when you are happy to begin with. But one thing that stands out to me so much about you is that you just quit crying when we start singing. Around 8 months I would guess you started this. You can be all-out warring against me about having your diaper and/or clothes changed or not wanting to go to bed, but as soon as I walk toward your crib and start singing you just quit and put your head down on my shoulder. Its like you give up and just decide to admit that you’re tired. I am not kidding, it is the sweetest thing. You do it with daddy too.

You LOVE your daddy. Even from like 5 or 6 months when daddy would come in the room especially after being gone all day you would come alive in such a special way. Your eyes would light up and you’d track him all across the room no matter where he went. Melt my heart!

Well the past month has been really exciting because you are truly starting to try to communicate and are understanding SO much of what is said to you. Your first big trick was “arms up!” and the head shake. You have started repeating sounds and you are waving and saying “bye”. You have said momma and daddy but we still can’t get you to repeat them yet. You LOVE animals and will moo, bark, and quack on command. We are celebrating your birthday in a couple of weeks when Nonna is here. We can’t wait for you to get some good man toys  like trucks and planes and bulldozers! You’ve been playing with minnie mouse and pink tiaras too long already!

What in the world have I gotten myself into little guy? So far you are just like your sisters at this age but soon you will show us all how you are becoming a man, and we can’t wait to see what your personality and interests are. Your daddy will be teaching me a lot as we go and I’ll be stretched in so many ways raising you. You will always have my heart, buddy.

Dear Avery: A Letter from Mommy at Age 3

My little Avery you are growing so fast! Turning 3 already and doing such big girl things! You are precious and smart and bold and energetic. I just want to eat you up sometimes because you do the funniest things. You roll your eyes and cut looks like a teenager yet you are sweet and fun loving at the same time.

You got a new little brother since your last birthday and you were so thrilled when he came. Daddy and I were so glad he was a big baby because you and Ella were too little to understand that rolling and jumping and pulling on him were not a great idea! You’re getting better about that now. You do still scrunch up and snort your nose and squint eyes and get right in his face and make squeal-ish noises as if you just can’t help yourself! I can’t wait to see your relationships with Ella and Andrew grow over the years. I like to think about what you guys might say to each other as you hold the mic at one of your wedding receptions or something. So many wonderful years ahead for our family!You love animals and you have about 50 in your bed. Of course your beloved Teddy Dog is the most prized of all though. Ever since last Christmas he has been your buddy. You and Ella rotate who gets to pick the show we watch and your favorite shows are Veggie Tales, Winnie the Pooh and Bob the Builder (which Ella tries to convince you NOT to pick because she doesn’t like it!). You are doing really well with your eating and will down almost anything for a cookie or ice cream. You like sprinkles on everything (the apple doesn’t fall far from the daddy tree) and you are going to have birthday pancakes tonight with sprinkles on them and who knows what else your daddy will concoct.

One of the funnies things you have said this year was when you were standing on top of the white couch and when I came around the corner and got onto you for the 4th time for doing that you looked at me with the most innocent eyes and said “Mommy, I can do hard fings!” I couldn’t help but laugh. I have lost my composure into laughter several times actually because of your facial expression when I am trying to discipline you or have a serious conversation. You don’t really get the serious conversation thing. It’s not really something you are interested in. You are also saying “this weekend” all the time like you know what it means. Tonight as we were putting toothpaste on your toothbrush you said “mommy my toothpaste is coming out this weekend” and I just laughed to myself because you have such a serious way of saying things like that.

You are starting to potty train the past couple months and you are doing really well with it. Daddy and I are ready but we are letting you go at your own pace like we did Ella so you are ready too. You are able to wash your own hands now and even want to help wash dishes and cook. You have special time with Mommy (and Andrew) every Wednesday morning because Ella has school. You still love to do things like shop at TJ Maxx HomeGoods with me because you haven’t figured out that its not that fun. I like to make it an adventure and ask for your help in finding things and you are all about it. We talk about everything as we go and I hope that never changes. Its really fun to be with you!

Your imagination is one of the things about you that I love the most. You have endless ideas and stories whether you are playing with me or someone else in the backyard or whether you are entertaining your animals. We love how you will disappear into a corner somewhere with a book and read all the words as best as you can start to finish. And you make up your own versions too of course. You have always loved books and stories.

We moved into a new house this year and we have a private backyard for you and Ella (and soon Andrew) to play. You LOVE being outside and I can hear you wherever you are just making up stories. You buckle yourself to the wagon and then cry when you can’t get out. You are very particular and directive when I play with you so its great because I don’t have to think much you just tell me what to do and also when I’m not doing it the right way.

Sound is always coming out of you! Even now as I type you and Ella are in “quiet time” and she is laying quietly on her bed resting and you have not stopped for 30 minutes. You have so much to say whether its thoughts or songs or just noises.

Recently there have been several times that we’ll be riding along and from the backseat with no prompting I’ll hear you say something you have learned about God. You’ll say “Mom! Jesus wants us to love each other” or “Mom! Jesus made people” Or “Mom! God made the mountains”. Its so cute and I love how it shows me what you are thinking about as we drive. I love that you are processing with your little mind the truths that you are being taught. And yes, almost every single thing you say in the car begins with “Mom!”

I can’t wait to see how your little faith develops and what your personality grows to be. Daddy and I are working hard on capturing your heart and building steady character in you so that you will be someone who is faithful and trustworthy and responsible and respectful. We dream big things for you little Avery Faith! I’ve already been blessed beyond measure being your mommy for 3 years so I can’t fathom what the future holds! Love you dearly my little A-Bug!

 

Dear Ella: A Letter from Mommy at Age 4

My precious Ella, you are turning 4 today! What a past year you have had my dear! You started preschool, got a new brother, got your first haircut, and can now put all your clothes on by yourself. You are growing and maturing so fast. You even like to paint your nails now. I love to look back at videos and pictures of you as a baby and pre-toddler, but I wouldn’t trade today for the world. The older you get the more I am learning about who you are, your God-given personality and interests. It makes me so look forward to the years to come. I know you will continue to grow in character and beauty.

Sometimes when I look at you I see myself; what I know in many ways I was like at your age. I see many aspects of my own natural personality in you. It is a very strange feeling that you will likely experience for yourself one day when you are a mom. Looking at a small version of yourself.

You are learning that it feels good to do the right thing, and you are proud of yourself when you (finally) try that new food, or let Avery have a turn with your things, or say thank you to an adult who says something nice to you. You still very much love people, and Daddy and I remark sometimes how sweet it is that you love young adults and our friends, and consider them your own friends. Some of your favorite people (there are many!) are Stacy Johnson, Linsey, Bree Deatheridge, Ms. Jovita, Tien, Cozette and Miss Casey.

You also love, love, love your preschool teachers Miss Keri and Miss Miranda (“Buranda”). When you started Kiddie Kampus in November of last year the transition was so easy because you loved it so much. Daddy goes in early to wake you up and as soon as you open your eyes you often ask “is it my school day?” and then you jump out of bed and get ready. I remember that first day watching you walk to daddy’s car with your backpack and ponytail and you just looked like a miniature 16 year old. Be still my heart.

You are starting to begin to understand context, like days of the week, months of the year, and our weekly family rhythm. Such as when we have BayKids, when you to go school, what are weekdays and weekends. I think this knowledge will help you a good deal because you very much like to know the plan. You have been known to fall apart when you ask what we are having for dinner and I have to say I don’t know yet or I haven’t decided. Might as well have taken your teddy bear. Plans are good for you. Especially plans you like. This makes it a bit challenging when there is a plan you are not especially fond of. We are working on communicating without whining and having a happy heart 🙂 You are very routined and structure is good for you. Even at such a small age. Daddy and I think its so cute how you get into the habit of asking the same thing every day at the same time, for example, for about 5 or 6 months you asked us almost every night the same question . . . “Mommy (or daddy) . . .  when its morning time . . . can I have cereal?” And you also often say “Mommy and daddy I’ll be quiet” when we leave the room at night. (Whether or not you actually will!) And you had a long stent of waking up in the morning asking if it was “fwamwy day.”

You LOVE family day. You love to go places as a family like restaurants and go to the beach or the park. But your favorite thing to do at home is to watch a show or movie. Your favorite shows recently are Cat in the Hat and Octonauts. We often get pizza and pull you and Avery’s chairs into the living room so we can have movie night. You are in heaven.

You also LOVE BayKids. You are learning so much and we can truly see your faith in Jesus budding in your heart. You can tell us stories you’ve learning and you like to read the Bible. For a long time your favorite story in your Jesus Storybook Bible was the story of Joseph. You understand that Jesus is with you, that you can be brave, and that God made everything.

One of your most profound moments this past spring was when you had your first dentist appointment. Daddy and I tried our best to prep you for weeks in advance and help you prepare for what to expect (without really knowing too much!). I woke up that morning and prayed a spirit of bravery over you! I took you to the dentist myself and daddy stayed with Avery. Ella you were such a big girl. You blew me away. You looked at the nice ladies when they talked to you, and you never even cried. You started to when we first put you in that big chair all by yourself but you were ok with it if you could sit in my lap on the big chair. So you laid down on me and wore your eye protection glasses and watched Curious George while they worked in your mouth. Praise Jesus for flatscreens with Netflix. After it was all over I took you to target to get a special reward and you picked out a blue baseball bat 🙂 Girl after my own heart.

Another defining moment for you happened the day we went to the pumpkin patch to buy our pumpkins for fall. We did a hay maze, got ice cream, and rode a hay ride all together as a family. They had a train there with traincars made of blue barrels. There must have been 20 cars on that train, pulled by a huge tractor driven by a man you had never seen before, and you wanted to ride that train all by yourself. There were no other kids in line. Avery would have gone but she wasn’t tall enough. Daddy and I couldn’t believe you wanted to go by yourself, and it was even going to take you all through the corn fields where you would be far away and couldn’t see us. Probably an 8-10 min ride! We let you go on the condition that the driver would watch you closely and stop if you cried. I was so prepared for you coming back in tears, but we saw your little Bermuda hat coming around the corner and you were all smiles and thrilled with yourself for doing it! Daddy and I were so proud of you. Even writing it now I still can’t believe you did that! You showed how brave you really are. Made me so thankful for your BayKids teachers, who are helping us teach you that you can be brave because Jesus is with you.

I look forward with anticipation to see where life takes you and who you become. The future is so bright for you. The older you get, its true that life will bring many challenges, and fear knocks on the door of our hearts. But you can always remember that no matter what Jesus is with you so you can do hard things. You have what it takes because He made you and you are His. He always has the plan, and His plan is always good.

The Story of My Third Labor (Andrew Gregory) Part 3 of 3

Welcome back for the third and final entry of my labor story, hope its been fun to read the details of something so personal and special to me. I love writing the labor stories because I get to relive these days as I write it, and it will be a record for each of our kids to read one day. If you are just joining, click here for part 1 and part 2.

So here’s where it gets good. The ever loving night that something finally happened!! Early in the morning of August 10th I was sleeping on the couch and David was on a twin air mattress next to me. My very pregnant self could not possibly get in and out of bed if I were sleeping on the air mattress! I got up to use the bathroom at 4:00am (like every third trimester mommy does) and I remember feeling soooo much pressure I had the thought “I can not believe my water is still intact with how much pressure I am feeling right now! Jesus please!” Then I got back settled and was drifting off to sleep when pop, there it went, fluid gushing everywhere. Felt like a huge water balloon gently breaking inside me. Sounds so gross, and it was, but it was the most gloriously beautiful gross moment I have ever experienced!!

We texted our doula and told her the water broke. She said just to get ourselves ready and drive straight to the hospital, she would meet us there (as opposed to coming to our house like she had with our previous two). I stood in the shower In my dripping wet clothes for what must have been 10 min trying to figure out what to do! I didn’t have contractions yet but could feel them brewing, so I figured I better take a quick shower while I had a chance!

So David and I woke up my parents and let them know what was going on and took off for the hospital. I rode all the way there sitting on a towel and wearing a size 5 diaper! It was epic. We arrived about 5:30am and got checked in and settled in our labor room. Contractions were coming pretty strong now and were just a couple minutes apart.

I did some various positions with the help of our doula to try and progress things. We tried something new this time at her suggestion that I had never done before which was pure gold. Pure gold, I tell you. During the contractions I would sit on the toilet and she had David sitting in front of me pushing up hard on my tummy with both hands and tucking the baby in and down. He would push for the intense part of the contraction only to work with it and move the baby. It hurt like #%&* but I am not kidding you folks I could feel that baby moving through me with each one. I could literally feel his head pushing fluid out of me as he descended down the birth canal. It was so effective that we sat there in the bathroom adjacent to the labor room for quite awhile doing the same thing with each contraction. David asked me after it was all over to try to explain what it felt like. The best I could describe was that it felt like he was pushing a baby through my pelvis! My challenge was to acutely feel the pain and make myself relax through it. A woman’s body is made for this. God is brilliant. Its just a matter of understanding how to work WITH your body and not against it. If I braced myself against the pain and resisted it, the contractions would not have been near as effective. So ironically at this stage in labor you have to WORK with all your will power to RELAX!

Well it wasn’t long until my body started another contraction just as the previous ones, but before that contraction was over I was pushing whether I wanted to or not! The long awaited urge to push is so strong you can’t not do it! Its like your body goes on autopilot! So once again, you get behind your body with all your might and work with it. This time instead of working to relax you are working to push as hard as you’ve ever pushed anything. Its hard work but nothing to be scared of. With my first baby I pushed for almost 4 hours. I was expecting to have to do this for a long time.

Well after about 2-3 pushing contractions with Tara (doula) and David in the bathroom with me, Tara was all the sudden very urgent about asking me whether or not I wanted to have this baby on the toilet or in the bed! I had to make a decision! I said BED! and out we came. My mom and friend Stacie were outside the bathroom chatting with our midwife Lin and all the sudden everyone is running everywhere and grabbing cameras and all the nurses are rushing in. I made it to the bed between contractions and they put me on my side and held up my right leg in the air. I pushed hard through 2 more contractions and his head came out! Then it was like one more time through and his body came out, face down like it should (or close enough)!

What a truly incredible feeling. There is nothing like it. Holding that baby on my chest and hearing him cry. Everyone is rubbing and wiping him down and checking his vitals and all I can do is leak tears of joy and relief. Nothing compares.

Then I asked for my apple. Because I always eat an apple after pushing out a baby. But that’s neither here nor there; here are some more pics, courtesy of my dear friend Stacie Wood. (You know your friend is a dear friend if you want them at the hospital as you birth a baby in all of your glory. Sarcasm intended on the glory part).

   
    

    
    
   
Well they put this child on the scale and folks he weighed 10 lbs and 7 oz! I am not kidding you. Everyone was so shocked. Most of all me, because the pushing part went so fast if I had to guess I would have said he was 8 lbs! I didn’t tear, had no cuts and no stitches. Natural delivery with no pain meds, no epidural. So over the next several hours as we are celebrating and taking pictures, I am putting it all together in my head and my heart.

I remembered Tara telling me on the phone several days before that half the work was done. The contractions I had been timing for a week prior, though they came and went, were still effective. They had a cumulative effect on my labor. If I had not had all those days of contractions, or if I had gone ahead and had my water broken to start the process, this labor would have likely been what I feared. It would have taken a huge toll on my body. 

God knew what he was doing. All those days of waiting, confusion, disappointment all made sense now. I thought each day that went by was dooming me to experience my fear of having a large baby that would do more damage to my body on delivery. But it was the opposite. God was using each day to accomplish his plan. And his plan was perfect.all those days were the very reason the labor went so smooth and quickly. 

I’m not saying every time it works like this. What I am saying is that trusting God is always a win. He knows best. He works for our good and His glory every time. Even when it doesn’t make sense. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6

The Story of My Third Labor (Andrew Gregory) Part 2 of 3

Welcome back. This is part two of my labor story, click here to catch up and read part 1.

So here we are, living in this holding pattern of timing contractions . . . watching them float away. Hearing promising news from the professionals . . . watching the days drift into nights. Seeing literal physical signs of the beginnings of labor almost day after day. Over and over having something that seemed to point to progress, but disappointment always following.

This was a really challenging time for me emotionally. If any of you have been there you know what I mean. The waiting seems like its going to last forever! But during these 12 days, there were two incredibly significant and personal moments I had with God as I was sitting at my kitchen table before anyone else was awake. Two things that I truly believe God communicated to me. I didn’t hear his audible voice, but he pressed these phrases clearly on my heart.

Stop pulling on my hand. One morning not long after my parents arrived I was sitting at my table journaling and praying, trying desperately to keep my heart connected to Jesus and putting truth in my heart to keep my perspective right. I felt very clearly that God whispered to me, “stop pulling on my hand. walk with me.” In that one moment I began to cry because he exposed the fear that was winning in my heart. I was afraid that every day my baby was growing bigger, and I was trying to control the process to begin labor because I wanted to. I thought it had to be this way. I had to make it happen because it was scary to completely trust God with his timing. But he gently called me to a new level of trust and asked me to simply walk with him. It melted me. I knew it was exactly what I needed.

Let me write it. Another one of those moments, about 4 days later, I was journaling again and praying, and I was asking God to give me a story to tell through this. Give me a glimpse into your heart and ways, God. Give me a story that will show everyone why this happened the way it did. And I sensed him gently press on my heart this phrase . . . then let me write it. He was reminding me that it didn’t matter what anyone was telling me. What all the professionals predicted, or even what evidence I had already accumulated for the labor process to be starting. His way is perfect, and it was His story to write. I was still scared, and definitely had a moment by moment struggle over that two weeks to surrender control and let my heart trust God completely. I failed at times and had plenty of tears and doubts and discouragement, but each time I could return to his promises and remind myself to stop pulling on His hand and let him write the story. Every time I was faithful to do that, peace flooded my heart and washed away the fear.

There were a few Scriptures that I held onto with white knuckles during this time. One was Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” I would remember this Scripture sometimes hourly to keep my mind steadfast, because this truly was the only place I had real peace. And friends I can tell you I really did. Although it was extremely temping to doubt and fear, I’ll say it again . . . when I would remember to keep my mind steadfast and trust God through it, there was truly a peace that passed all understanding. What a gift.

As I’m writing this I’m going back through my journal. I was clinging to God’s word to get me through. I was just writing Scriptures down word for word many days because I knew that’s what I needed to keep my mind steadfast. Here are a few more I recorded and held onto tightly. . . 
  
 So how did it all end up? Oh my friend let me tell you how amazing it was. It blew me away and I would have never believed it if someone had told me how it would all go down. Actually I didn’t mention this but I was offered an ultrasound at 36 and 38 weeks to check the baby and try to estimate the size. I’ll just say I’m so glad I declined. Stick with me for part 3 coming tomorrow!