Busy Girls

These pictures were taken last night...and they pretty much sum up how our life has been lately. C-R-A-Z-Y! Gone are the days of two sweet little girls sitting for a picture! Don't get me wrong, they are still sweet, they just don't like to sit still & smile at the same time!

It has been a while since I've blogged...busy mom of 2 girls under 21 months! Whew!!! The last week or so I've been a nurse over everything else. Last Sunday Georgia Claire woke up sounding AWFUL so I started running the humidifier and doing breathing treatments. By Tuesday she wasn't better & I thought Ivy Jane was getting sick so instead of going to MDO, we loaded up and headed to the doctor. (I have to take a minute to tell you that they did SO good! I worried about taking both of them by myself, but GC was a great help and got a sucker from the doctor when we were done!) The doctor prescribed a steroid for Georgia Claire to break up the mucus in her bronchial passages...she was wheezing and coughing like crazy! EVERYTHING in East Texas seems to be blooming and unfortunately, I think GC is going to have allergies, just like everyone else that lives here! The doctor thought Ivy Jane's issues were just related to teething...she now has her two bottom teeth! SO CUTE! Wednesday night she didn't sleep very well and Thursday night she was awake every THIRTY MINUTES! She screamed when I put her in her bed and only wanted to sleep on me as I reclined, so I thought it was probably an ear infection. SO, back to the doctor we went on Friday, both of us EXHAUSTED! (Kathy offered to take GC to play group so that she could play and I wouldn't have to take two kiddos to the doctor again.) She had a fever of 101.4 and was like a limp doll laying on my chest in the office. When the nurse came in she picked her head up from my chest, gave a smile, and laid back down...precious girl. When the doctor looked in one ear, she said, "Ouch!" then she looked in the other ear and said, "Ouch! No wonder she has been so fussy...she has a double ear infection!" So, after numbing drops & an antibiotic, our happy baby is back. She laughed at her daddy & me for the first time in a few days...music to our ears!

Georgia Claire is almost 21 months and has become a busy bee who is changing into a little girl right before our very eyes, with a big personality! She no longer has rolls and chunky legs...she's tall and thin! She still loves to read books but doesn't like the whole sharing thing! She's become a picky eater...one day she likes fruit & vegetables, the next day she only wants crackers! She's definitely testing the waters right now! She loves to play outside and usually falls down and has a fit when we have to come in. She loves playing in the bathtub but cries when we wash her hair or get her out and put on her clothes! When she makes bad choices and has fits, she goes to time out. She knows the chair so well that now when she walks by it she says, "NO NO!" I know that this is an important part of growing up and that she is learning every day. I pray that she becomes a happy, well-adjusted, sweet little girl with a great attitude! I also pray that Shelby & I will continue to be firm but nurturing and always consistent. We are definitely praying for wisdom & are learning every day, too! For sure the good times outweigh the bad times by a mile, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Times are changing, but they are SO fun. Even on those days when I fall into the bed from exhaustion I count my blessings!

Happy & Complete

On Saturday we had the privilege of sharing our adoption story to couples starting the adoption process with our agency. Two years ago Shelby & I were sitting in the same room, listening intently to the couples who came to share their own stories. It was at that training that God opened our hearts to open adoption. That was in February of 2009, we were chosen by Julia in April of 2009, and Georgia Claire was born in June of 2009! It was surreal to be sitting on the panel with two other adoptive couples, and three birthmoms...with our two baby girls, just two years later! One birthmom, named Heather, had a baby 14 years ago! Another birthmom had given birth just 3 months ago and her emotions were still so fresh-she had a group of friends with her for support. It was so great to see such a sweet outpouring of love for their friend who had just made one of the hardest (if not THE hardest) decision of her life. And then there was Julia-Georgia Claire's birthmom-who shared her story. Julia is just wise beyond her years...so strong, so determined, so mature. I am SO incredibly impressed with her, and forever grateful! I enjoyed hearing her speak about her decision, and I think it was good for the couples in the class to see & hear both sides of Georgia Claire's adoption.

It was also fascinating to hear about the relationship Heather had with her 14 year old daughter. They still talk on the phone and see each other about once a year (or maybe more). It got me thinking about Georgia and what it will be like when she is 14. I hope that she, like Heather's daughter, knows & is able to articulate that her birthmom didn't give her away, but CHOSE parents for her that would provide a nurturing, loving, and supportive home. About 2 months ago I made a photo book through Shutterfly about our first 6 months with Georgia...in it I included pictures of us with Julia when she was pregnant with Georgia, pictures of all of us when she was born, pictures throughout the first 6 months, and I was able to add captions and notes to Georgia, in terms that she will understand when she is very young. I hope that it is something she will treasure always. I hope that she looks through it one day and sees how much she is loved. I pray every day that Shelby & I can show Georgia how truly special she is and how special our journey was to her! God opened the doors wide open and led us straight to our baby girl...it gives me chills every time I think about the timing of it all.

Because Julia and her family all live in the area we were able to meet up with them and have lunch. It was a good visit...good for all of us, I believe!

I LOVE this picture of Julia & Georgia Claire...

Julia's grandparents Dale & Vicki had us at their home for lunch. Georgia Claire LOVED the little rocking chair they had. She got comfy with her blanket really quick! =)

This makes me smile...

(L-R)--Alma, Vicki, Georgia Claire, Dale, Julia & Stacy (5 generations!)

Good of the adults...not so good of the girls, but oh well!
We love you, Julia. Thank you for the life that you gave Georgia Claire, and have given us! Because of you we have a baby girl that makes us smile & laugh every single day. Because of you Ivy Jane has an older sister that makes her smile & laugh every day. Because of you we are a happy, complete family! =)

Our Funny Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day!

Physical Therapy-Round 2

My baby weighs 19 pounds and is 27 inches long! When did this baby...

become this baby?! I've heard it said so many times that time with your children flies...I'm beginning to see the truth in that statement! Ivy Jane is SOOOO sweet! I'm just as in love with her as I am her big sis, Georgia Claire. These little miracles have me smitten!

Ivy had her 6 month check-up this week and everything looks good, but there is some concern about her neck. About a month ago I took her to the doctor because she was sick but I also had her look at Ivy's neck because I was worried the way she always seemed to hold her head. Her head is almost always turned to the left (you can see it in some of the pictures). I noticed it right away when she was an infant sleeping in her carseat. Everyone told me not to worry that it was just her comfortable spot...probably that way in the womb. My doctor told me last month that she wasn't too concerned but that we would look at it again at her 6 month check-up. As it turns out, it looks like Ivy Jane has a condition known as torticollis or "wry neck" as it used to be called. It happens when the neck muscles contract involuntarily. There are many causes for torticollis...genetic defect, her position during pregnancy or delivery, muscle or bone deformities, inner ear or eye problems, etc. The doctor has ordered a PT evaluation for her. I'm told that usually after some stretching exercises/physical therapy it could be corrected. There is a chance that there is more going on, but I'm praying and believing that Ivy's will be corrected with therapy. We're also seeing a pediatric opthamologist (1st available appt for a new patient was May 9th!) to make sure there is nothing wrong with her eyes. Our doctor has seen children who hold their head at a certain position because they have trouble focusing their eyes. She said that Ivy tracks things well and she doesn't think there is a problem, but she'd rather be overly-cautious. I told her that I'm OK with that...I appreciate that! I'm asking for prayer from those of you who read my blog. Please pray specifically that her issues are tight muscles only, and no other more complicated problems. As you can see, she is a VERY HAPPY baby and it doesn't seem to be bothering her!

A Busy 19 Month Old...

I've learned there's only so many puzzles you can work, so many books you can read, so many toys you can play with before a 19 month old gets B-O-R-E-D! The last few days have been EXTREMELY cold here, so we've been inside ALL DAY LONG. Oh, how I long for the spring days that are right around the corner! I cannot wait to get outside with the girls! But for now, I have to get creative. Especially when Georgia's nap & Ivy's nap don't coincide. Georgia is such a great sleeper that Ivy can holler all she wants and Georgia won't budge but Ivy is a different story. She's a pretty light sleeper, so Georgia & I try to find quiet things to do while she is napping! On Wednesday we made a tent from a blanket, chair, and Georgia's crib. I piled some pillows, got a basket of books, and found a flashlight for Georgia! She LOVED it! It lasted a good 30-45 minutes...impressive, if I do say so myself!

She loved getting to hold the flashlight and shine it on things...

Waiting patiently for Momma to join...
Giving up on Momma and reading a book herself...
The day before I wasn't so smart...Ivy woke up and was hungry so while I was feeding her Georgia busied herself. I realized I forgot to shut the bathroom door and she became really quiet. Here is what I found...
She did that in a matter of a couple of minutes! Can you tell that she is almost 2?! =)

6 Month Old

Ivy Jane is SIX MONTHS OLD today! The past 6 months have been tough at times, but SO happy! Ivy Jane is really starting to get a personality...laughing at her big sister, interacting with her daddy, and still loving her momma! She is sitting up on her own and today I found her first tooth poking through her gums!

We go to the doctor on Tuesday for her 6 month check-up...I can't wait to see how big she is!

This picture was taken literally about 15 minutes after they both woke up...they still have sleepy eyes! I put Ivy in the chair while I changed Georgia and when we were finished she was saying, "Pwee" and hiking her leg up on the chair, wanting to get up and sit with her baby sister.

She is such a happy baby...especially if she's with Momma! =)
Working with Daddy...
I cannot believe we now have a 19 month old and a 6 month old! So very thankful for this life that I have been given...

35 YEAR OLD

Today is my 35th birthday! Ivy Jane wore her cupcake onesie to celebrate...

It was SO cold here today. Georgia Claire wore her furry boots! I bought them back in November and she is just now able to wear them! They were a little hard to walk in but now that she is walking like a pro she doesn't have any trouble! Today was a MDO day...so fun but she plays so hard and doesn't get to nap very long, so she was one SLEEPY HEAD tonight...I sound like a broken record but I am SO thankful for my life...especially my family! I enjoyed my day-lunch with my mom, shopping, playing & laughing with the girls (Ivy Jane is getting to be SO much fun), and ended with a date to eat Japanese food with Shelby while Grandma & Paw Paw watched the girls. Thank you Lord for this life you have given me!