5 Months

Lucy is 5 months old!

(No stats this month - we didn't go to the doctor)

-She is rolling around EVERYWHERE!

-Her toes are still one of her favorite things to play with!

She is still a great eater!

-She is eating oatmeal every night before bed!

-She loves her baths!

-She started to crawl recently (army crawling, but it still counts!)

-She got 2 teeth a few days before her 6 month birthday!

She is just the sweetest natured baby!  We love her so much and can't believe time has passed so quickly!

The Perfect Storm

June 12, 2012 started like any normal day.  Lucy and I woke up, got daddy off to work and started our day.  We were starting to get ready to leave in a couple days to drive out to my parents house.  Some friends from back home were having a "Sip and See" for Lucy and then I was going to stay at my parents while Jared was gone for youth camp.  

About 4:00 that afternoon I was folding laundry on our love seat and Lucy was napping in her pack and play in our bedroom.  I noticed that the sky was beginning to get very dark.  I turned the TV to the news and saw that a storm was coming.  I don't consider myself a "scaredy-cat" but for whatever reason, this fear just overcame me.  I saw the wind starting to whip the trees and the sky was now black.  The rain began to come and the wind became even stronger.  I grabbed Lucy from our room and walked to the other side of our living room where my phone was.  I called Jared and was asking him about the weather at the church and told him I was scared.  About that time, I heard a loud clap of thunder, a huge gust of wind, and BAM!!  I look up and was staring at a very large tree.  It made a very loud noise when it hit the house and it also fell right on a window and shattered it.  I was in total shock and just kept telling Jared, who I was on the phone with, that a tree was in our house.  He told me to call our neighbor and he was on his way.

I called next door and for whatever reason, her husband was home from work that day.  He ran over and began to do things I would never have thought to do.  He moved our dumpster inside to catch the water, because it was POURING down rain in our house.  He also helped me turn off the lights.  I kept waiting for Jared and it was taking a long time so he convinced me to walk next door to his house and wait with his family.  This whole time, Lucy was just looking up at me - calm as can be.  

I text my mom at some point and told her that a tree had fallen on our house, that me and Lucy were ok and I would call her later.  That was probably not the easiest message for a mom to see, so she was very worried.  By the time I got to my neighbors and sat down, I just lost it.  I think my adrenaline was pumping so hard and when I came down from that, my emotions were all over the place.  

My neighbors also went back over to our house and turned the power off so a fire wouldn't start and grabbed a few important things we would need.  I told them I would never be able to repay them for the care they gave me that day.  

Thinking back, I KNOW it was the Holy Spirit putting that fear inside me so I would move away from the window.  Where the tree landed was right above where I was folding laundry.  And He also orchestrated so many things that day - my neighbor's husband being home, Jared making it home safely in that horrible storm with trees falling down all over the roads, and a lady in our insurance office who was off the clock but just happened to answer the phone when Jared called that evening and got our claim started right away.

Lucy and I went to a friends house where we were staying but we had insurance people come to our house that night and many friends come help Jared moved some things out that we would need.    

We didn't get very good pictures.  I took these on our camera the next day for insurance purposes, but you can't even really see the tree, but you get the picture.  It also did alot of damage in our bedroom.

We moved out of our house and into an apartment for 9 weeks.  It was a very hard and frustrating time for all of us, but we survived and the Lord took care of us.  The scenario could have been very different, but we were all safe.  I tweeted a few days after it happened that when things like this happen, you realize that stuff really is just stuff.  As long as your family is safe, that is all that matters.  (I have had to remind myself of this MANY times since then!)

Since this storm, I have let fear control my mind, especially when a storm comes.  My told me to do what she had us do when we were little girls - quote scripture over and over.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart."  "Do not fear, for I am with you."  I have done that - and still do.  What a constant reminder of how BIG God is and how he is ABLE to handle anything that comes our way.

Lucy!

Well, I haven't been good about posting Lucy's monthly pictures, so lets catch up and I'll try to do better from here on out!  

Lucy just born!!

What a little cuddle bug!

Her stats:

Weighs 8lb 8oz

21 in long

She loves to:

-eat (a lot)

-sleep

-poop

-be held by anyone!

Lucy at 1 month

She is getting so alert!

Her stats (at 2 weeks):

Weighs 9lb 10oz

22 in long

She loves to:

-eat

-sleep

-go to church with mommy and daddy

Lucy at 2 months

Her stats:

13lb 10oz

24in long 

She loves to:

-smile

-play with mommy

-talk ALL the time

-and eat!

Lucy at 3 months

We didn't go to the doctor this month so we don't have any stats!  I'm sure you can tell she's very healthy ;)!

She loves to:

-talk

-play with toys

-go for walks

-eat

Lucy at 4 months

Such a happy girl!!

Her stats:

Weighs 16lb 2oz

26 in long

She loves to:

-move all over

-grab and pull anything and everything 

-blow bubbles

-laugh

-and of course, eat!

It is so neat to see her grow!  She is such a big girl and we love her so much!

A Day that Changed my Life Forever

What is a mommy?  My mom is someone who cares for me, laughs with me, cries with me, someone I want to call and tell every single thing to, shares all my secrets, and above all, unconditionally loves me.  The day that changed my life forever is the day I became a mommy.

I'll try not to share all the gory details - but I want to remember this day forever!

This is my last "good" picture pregnant.  I think I was actually 39 weeks here - on my way to church.

I didn't take a picture on the way to the hospital because I was so afraid I would be sent home!  

On April 21st, 2012, I woke up at 3am feeling what I thought were contractions, but I was able to go back to sleep.  The "contractions" woke me up again about 6:30 so I decided to get up and go for a walk.  I called my mom shortly after and she was ready to jump in the car!  I told her to wait and sadly, the contractions started to fade.  Jared was being such a great support that day because I was SO disappointed!  He tried to keep me entertained with movies, trips to the mall and Hobby Lobby!  Sunday morning, April 22nd (my due date), I woke up feeling the contractions again.  But today, they were "stronger."  So again, I went for a walk, even jogged a little!  I was ready to meet our little girl.  I took a shower and was feeling some pretty good ones.  I told Jared I wasn't sure I could go to church!  But, I toughed it out.  I called my mom and she was pretty sure I was going to be having her soon, so my mom and dad decided to get in the car and come.  Jared and I went to church and lunch and then came home.  We already had our bags packed and even packed our toiletries that morning and put them in the car.  We wanted to be prepared!  I tried to take a nap that afternoon and was still feeling contractions but they were very sporadic.  Jared had a meeting at the church and I was planning to stay home - and he MADE me go.  He didn't want to be far away if we needed to get to the hospital.  I wasn't very happy but I decided that it would be good to stay on my feet and active.  So, we went to his meeting and church that night and even out to eat with friends after!  At dinner, I was starting to get pretty uncomfortable.  My parents got here about 9pm.  Mom and Dad walked in the door and I told Mom to put her tennis shoes on - and off we went.  My contractions were getting closer together and my little sister Brennan pulled in our driveway about 11:15pm.  She walked in and we told her to go to the bathroom and grab her purse and we headed out the door for the hospital!  The whole way there I was SO nervous they were going to send me home.  We go to the hospital and we were sent to a room where they would check me.  She told me I wasn't far enough along, but they would let me walk for an hour to see if I progressed any.  Needless to say, Jared and I got a serious workout in and can walk Memorial Hermann with our eyes closed now!  We came back an hour later, I had progressed so she admitted me!  Now is where all the fun begins!

It was about 1:30am by the time I was admitted.  I was trying to not get an epidural so I knew that I wanted to be up and moving.  Once I got settled and the doctor checked me, off my mom and I went to walk again while Jared and Brennan tried to sleep for a little bit.  (PS - my Mom is such a trooper - I think all of our feet were swollen from all the walking!)  Sometime later they wanted me back in my room to check me and monitor the baby again.  They convinced me to start potosin and then I was tied to my room.  I still tried to stay "up" as much as possible.  The hours between 3 and & 7am are pretty much a blur now - I was in alot of pain.  This picture above was taken at some point that morning - my dad doing what he does best - being my biggest support through the contractions.  

Brennan and my mom - they were so tired but they stayed up the whole night.  I will never be able to repay them!  My doctor came in about 7:30am to break my water.  I had progressed pretty far and he even said we would probably have a baby by lunch time.  That news gave me a boost - I knew I could hang in there.  The nurse said to call her if I was ready to push.  I called her a couple times thinking I was ready - only to be disappointed.  The nurse finally pulled my mom aside and encouraged her to encourage me to get an epidural.  She thought my body was too tense through the contractions for the baby to drop.  After a little convincing, I agreed - anything to get the baby here! 

I was able to get a little nap in.  (This picture was after the epidural - can you tell?)  At some point that afternoon was when they realized that Lucy was face up - that was why she wasn't dropping!  My doctor put me in a super weird position and said to not move for an hour.  He had seen a baby turn back that way.  So, we tried it.  He came back an hour later to tell me the baby hadn't turned.  He said it was going to be difficult to get her out, but we could do it - and you better believe I was so determined!  So, I started pushing.  (I won't go into too many details about that!)  After about an hour and a half, I was sick and exhausted - but still determined.  The nurse decided at some point to take my temperature.  The doctor had walked out of the room but I was still pushing.  He came back about 5 minutes later with the disappointing news.  He looked at me and said my temperature had spiked to 103, the babies heart rate was going up, and we needed to get her out - by C-Section.  I looked up at my mom and Jared and started to cry - and so did they!  My mom looked at me through teary eyes and assured me I had done everything I could to get her here on my own.  We needed to think about Lucy and what was best for her.  We agreed and it became a madhouse in my room.  They kicked everyone out and there were doctors and nurses everywhere.  I was scared and afraid with no one there with me.  They had taken Jared to get him changed and prepped.  I rolled down the long hallway crying with my doctor telling me everything was going to be ok.  Apparantly from the minute we agreed to the c-section to the minute she was born was 12 minutes.  Pretty Crazy!  

The c-section was VERY painful because there wasn't alot of time to get the meds back in my system.  But, I heard the nurses say "WHOA - she's a BIG baby" and heard her sweet cry, I knew everything was going to be fine.  And it was, she was PERFECT!

This was our first family picture!

Look at those bright eyes!  I still had kleenex in my hand from crying about the c-section.  HA!

Daddy with his sweet baby girl - he got to carry her out and show her off to the family!

The family who was there to support us - Brennan (my sister), Cathy (Jared's mom), Jared and Lucy, David, and Andrea (my parents).

Our sweet 8lb 8oz baby girl right after her first bath.  She was born at 6:04pm.  

Finally getting to admire her.  I was smitten and so in love.  She was everything I had ever dreamed or hoped for!

Lucy, you made this day one that changed my life forever.  You made me a mommy.  And like my mom, I promise to laugh and cry with you, share secrets with you, and love you with all that I am.   

Nursery Tour!

We had alot of fun decorating Lucy's room!  My sweet sister and brother-in law came in one weekend and we put up the bead board and chair rail.  They helped us so much and I think it looks just perfect!  Then, my mom came in during Spring Break and we organized everything after Lucy's shower and put things where we wanted them!

A friend from church, Maria, bought the letters and somehow painted them to match the colors in her room.  Aren't they just precious?  Then, I thought it might be cute to put frames around the letters.  I think it turned out pretty cute!  Someone gave us the crib a while back and we've been storing it!  We knew we would need it sometime!  And the little rocking chair was in my room growing up!

I wanted to add some yellow to the room.  I know the coloring is a little weird, but the curtains added just the right touch!  Someone gave us the glider and it fit perfect in the corner!

Our good friends Zeke and Melissa, found this dresser and I knew it would look so good in her room.  I added the blue knobs to the top of it.  I couldn't decide what to put about the dresser, but my mom and I found the cute shelves at Hobby Lobby.  I got my "inspiration" from Pinterest.  The shelf on the right was a bright white and I just added a stain to it.  Then Jared and I found little trinkets to put on the shelves.  I love how it turned out!

The piece by the door I found at a garage sale for $5.  Not too bad!  I just cleaned it up and sanded it down and added the burlap to the top!  The shadow box above it is the outfit that I wore home from the hospital.  Jared's sister Erin made the cute bow holder.  She just spray painted a frame and hot glued ribbon to the back and the bows just clip right on.  I love displaying all her bows - although we may need to make another one soon!

This is one of my favorite pieces!  My good friend Becca made it!  This verse has inadvertently popped up in lots of places and what a special verse for our sweet Lucy.  Thank you Becca - we love this!

Lucy's room isn't anything spectacular, but we love it and I think it fits her.  We wanted something that wasn't super baby-ish so we could keep it for a long time!  Hope you like her room - thanks again to all the people who helped make it special for Lucy!  

A Love Story

My beautiful, little sister Brennan got married this past weekend. I remember vividly the day she told me she was dating this guy. I don't remember being very excited about it. You see, if you don't know Brennan, she is a very spirited, passionate person. She had been down in the dumps lately about not finding anybody - thinking she never would and would never get married. So, I just assumed that she was looking for anyone and would date anyone. So that was the start of my skepticism about Cody. But despite how I felt, they started dating.

I didn't know Cody, but I had heard about him. We went to Hardin Simmons University, one of those small schools where you pretty much know who everyone is. I had never heard bad things about Cody, but I did know he was quite a bit older. Spring Break last year, my family was all coming to our house for a visit. Brennan called me and asked if she could bring Cody. I wanted to say no, but that just is not me. So, I said yes, and pouted about it. I wanted it to be a special time for OUR family since we don't get to see one another very often. But, Cody came and that is when things started to change. (Isn't it funny how the Lord works on hearts when we are least expecting it!)

I first realized how easy-going he was - which is quite the opposite of my strong-willed, sometimes (bossy) sister. I then realized how much he cared about Brennan. He fit right in with our family - hanging out when we just wanted to relax, playing games every night (which we love to do) and shopping till we dropped!! It was that special week that I realized this could be my brother in law. He also fit in perfectly with my husband Jared and my dad, both of whom are pastors. My dad is a senior pastor and Jared is a student pastor and so is Cody - so he quickly joined in their MANY conversations about church and theology!

Cody and Brennan soon fell in love and we are all so happy that they did!! Look at their love for one another!

(These are not at all professional pictures - just a few I snapped while the real photographer got the good ones!)

Cody, I hope you know that all I wanted for my baby sister was a man who would love her unconditionally, point her to the Lord, and lead their family! She found such a good man and I am so sorry that I ever doubted that. I just wanted the VERY best for my sister and she found just that!

Brennan and Cody - I wish you all the best in the world! You will have such a wonderful life together! My dad (who did the wedding) quoted a song and it perfectly describes what I pray for you as well.

"Sail on by

Your time has come to shine

All your dreams are on their way"

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Favor

Praying all your dreams come true - we love you!

My Girl

I'm sure most of you have known for a little while that we are naming our little girl: LUCY GRACE I have been wanting to write this post for awhile now and I've been trying to get the words out. Jared and I have loved the name Lucy since the beginning but I wasn't sold on the name until one day I decided to look up the meaning. Bringer of Light -- is what the website said that it meant

Wow - how powerful! I wanted our little girl to have a powerful and meaningful name and I pray this one suits her just perfectly.

I was at Beth Moore's bible study on Deuteronomy - the law of love- a couple weeks ago and she said the best thing we can do as mommies and daddies is to first off "love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind." I hope that Jared and I can live that out for her each day.

Since naming her, I have also loved praying specific things for Lucy and over her little life. It's not as if she wasn't real before, but having her name makes it seem more real to us. I have loved reading Philippians 2 and praying this over her:

"Shine like the stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life."

My prayer for my precious daughter Lucy is she will love her God and she will shine like the stars. Would you join us in praying for her?