oh miss molly ...

... we will miss you so much!

We are so bummed that you will no longer be down the street, but we are so excited about your family's new adventure in your new home.  We'll come visit often, promise. 

so i hate to brag but ...

I passed my PNCB board exam today.
I am now, officially, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner.
It's been such a long road! With so much school! 
And I am so relieved to be finished!

Now all I have to do is finish my doctorate. 

Just kidding, honey.

today, i am thankful

Today, I am thankful for a sink full of dirty dishes.
Because they remind me that we had such a good time last night - hanging out with the girls, drinking margaritas, and eating delicious dinner.

Today, I am thankful for the muddy paw prints that Daisy left on my wood floors.
Because they remind me that it is raining outside for the first time in so long.  The dust has turned to mud, and the grass already looks greener.

Today, I am thankful for all the toys and baby things that clutter the living room.
Because they remind me of the new little life that is in this house, and the way he plays with his lion, his hippo, and his little baby dumbbells.

Today, I am thankful that I have not yet had a shower or put on real clothes.
Because this reminds me that we did not have to get up and go to therapy this morning - we got to hang out in our pajamas and play and read and sing and blog.

Luke's therapists have determined that we've done about all we can do for him as far as stretching soft tissue, muscle, skin, ligaments, tendons.  We made some pretty significant progress over the last three weeks, but the progress has plateaued, so all therapy is on hold until our next appointment with the orthopod.  I will confess that I've had so much anxiety and worry and fear and anger over this issue lately.  I saw a really cool kid's bike in Parenting  magazine and it sent me into a spiral of negativity.  Will Luke ever have a bike like that?  What if his left leg can't reach the ground?  

I've felt angry at the doctors for not knowing more, at the therapists for not doing more, and at myself for choosing to believe the lies in my head while ignoring the Truth and the vision I've been given. 

I've felt jealousy towards parents of "normal" kids, who don't have to go to therapy three days a week or specialists appointments an hour from home or wonder how their kid will bear weight to both legs or keep up with his friends.   

But today, I am thankful that Luke's tibia is crooked.
Because it reminds me to lean only on my God, my Healer, my Strength, for peace and comfort. 

happy father's day

Today we celebrated daddy...

For all your hard work, love, devotion, and kisses.   Thank you. 
For the way you handle trouble, blow outs, and broken sprinkler systems.  Thank you.
For the way you make me laugh and the way you make me chocolate milk.  Thank you.
For late night talks and early morning runs.  Thank you.
For your pursuit of God and healing and restoration and holiness.  Thank you. 

four months

My sweet little man, yesterday you turned four months old.
What a great time we've had together!

Over the last few weeks, we've filled your days with therapy, swimming in the backyard, playing on your play mat, playing with your friends in your bouncy seat, going for runs in the stroller, hanging out with our neighbors at the park, visiting friends and family.

You are about 12 pounds and you're just now starting to wear your 3-6 months clothes.
You sleep in your own crib (as of about three weeks ago!)
You've never turned down milk.
You are starting to drool and mama is wondering if teeth are on their way. 

You grab toys and put them straight in your mouth.
You smile all the time, and with your whole face.  You coo and make noises constantly.
You rolled from your back to your tummy for the first time two days ago, and made us so proud!

You sleep from about 8:30 at night until 5:00 in the morning.
I'll nurse you for just a few minutes and you'll go back to sleep until about 7.
Then we get up and start our day together.

You still don't sleep so well during the day, though mama tries to force one good long nap, even if I have to lay down with you.

You are much happier when you are rested.
You absolutely loathe your car seat, and you're still not a big fan of tummy time.
And you don't like to wear your splint.  At all.  
You love bathtime and mornings.
You are so busy!

You are predictable and thrive on routine.
You must be swaddled in order to sleep, and mama swaddles tight.

You are the love of our lives and we just can't get enough.
You make us so happy, and we are so thankful that you are our little man.

luke meets ethan

Luke's newest little cousin, Ethan Scott Riley, came into this world just a few weeks ago.  And although Adam and I went to see him in the hospital, Luke had not yet met him. 

So Granny and I loaded up the car and took little man to League City for a visit.  It was quite an eventful day that included a major tire blowout and several trips to NTB in the 104 degree Texas heat.  But the boys were troopers and we even got to go out to lunch after all the drama settled down.

 
This little guy is so precious, and I have a feeling these two are going to make some mischief together someday. 

Congratulations, Patty & Scott.  He is absolutely adorable.

luke's first crush

Why, hello Miss Molly.

I think that you are beautiful.

 

I could just stare at your pretty little face all day.