Merry Christmas and Happy, Healthy New Year

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

Yes...I am reusing our Christmas picture.  I love it and we really haven't had a chance to get pictures taken this year.

I wanted to share this great poem from Stephanie.  She is the BEST and can express feelings so much better than I.

Twas the night that you joined us, all eyes were on earth
Waiting with joy, for our sweet child's birth.
The angel's stood ready, for each need and care
But all of them knew that the Lord would be there.

And I did my breathing and daddy was scared
We waited and wondered and hoped we'd prepared.
We knew you were special but so very sick
Yet hope had grown in me with every kick.

Soon it was your time, into this world you came
I heard a soft cry,then I called out your name.
And doctors and surgeons and nurses on call
I looked down upon you, so fragile and small.

And God took your hands while angels stood by
Since I could not hold you they hushed your soft cries.
One small angel looked to the father and smiled
"Can you truly teach hope through such a small child"?

An infant so helpless a baby so new
"Oh please tell me Lord, is this what you will do"?
God looked from the angel to the baby's sweet face
"Through her my young charge, they will learn about grace".

I penned this child's journey quite a long time ago
And through her great courage such true love will grow".
Every hair on her head has been numbered you see.."
It's my hope that through her, they will learn to see me.

Oh my little one with a special heart
Great love will see you through
See look that is your family
They've waited so long for you.

I send you to their waiting arms
For a time we'll be apart
But I'll always be with you
For I live within your heart.

And so we held you in our arms
And we thanked our Lord above
We see in you the miracle
Of His undying love.

So when it's Christmas morning
And I watch my children play
I'll need no great reminders
For I see my gifts each day.

~Stephanie Husted
mom to Braeden, age 6, HLHS

Look Mom...No Hands

That's right...she is happily showing off not holding onto the furniture.  My little girl can move around furniture like it is nothing, but this week she has decided to let go.  Not for long and she won't move, but she is letting go.  It makes me so happy...and yet scared as well.  Letting go means almost walking which means eventually she will be free to move around the house...just like the boys.  Independence for my little girl means giving up the control of her surroundings...something I fully admit that I am not good at giving up.  I know...the boys walk and are free through the house.  They get into stuff all the time.  I don't know why Hope doing it is making me so nervous, but it really is scary for me.  She has been my little baby for so long...longer than my boys.  Her being so small also makes a difference...she looks like she is 6 months old.

I will post before Christmas, but I wanted to share the news today!

15 Months

Time flies and the days fly by so fast. I can't believe Hope is already 15 months old.  She is changing and learning so much every day.  She has started standing on her own, but only for a few seconds.  I know when she gets comfortable, she will take her first step.  She is talking like crazy...not really understanding too much of what she says, but it sure is cute.  Notice that I did not say how big she is getting.  She seems to have hit a plateau...still trying to get back to 16 pounds.  I really thought she would be in 12 month clothes this winter and I am beginning to think she will wear out the 6-9 month clothes that she has been wearing since summer.  Oh well...I refuse to get worked up about the weight anymore.  She eats good and takes her bottle a few times a day.  She will gain at her own rate and now I get to convince her pediatrician and cardiologist the same thing.

We are still trying to get ready for Christmas.  The tree is up and a few gifts have been bought.  We are planning a big shopping trip for the weekend when my mom can watch the kids.  No Christmas cards this year.  I am hopeful every year that we will get them made, but it hasn't happened since before Paul was born. 

Now to share some great pictures!

Just waiting to see the cell phone bill as she gets older.

Frogger is the greatest cat in the world.  He may look upset, but he loves the attention!

They are always into something.