Last Weekend

Here are some more pictures from last weekend. Not only did we attend Blakely's shower, but we also had fun at Mimi and Papa's house visiting. We were extra blessed and found Aunt Kirsten and Uncle Keith to be in town as well. They had been furniture shopping that day and stopped in to see us and have dinner before heading back to Charlottesville.

Here is some photographic evidence of Sierra miraculously taking a bottle from Mimi. Sierra struggled with latching on, but Mimi stood up and she automatically started sucking - how random!!! :) Unfortunately though, she has yet to retake a bottle from either Brian or myself this week and it isn't for lack of trying. We keep hoping and praying but it looks like Mimi might need to retire and move to the beach and keep Sierra for us while I am at school. :) She is the only one who has been successful so far. Ugh...who knew this would be the battle we would have to fight??? Certainly not I!!!

On Sunday we enjoyed a delicious, moist chicken dinner. My father recently purchased a new grill with a rotisserie feature and he successfully cooked his own rotisserie chicken. It was sooooo good (I went back for 2nds and 3rds!!!!).

Pictures

Yes, my sister Katie has a new Nikon.

Yes, my brother Michael has a new Cannon.

Yes, my Uncle Rick has a Nikon.

Yes, my cousins just bought a new Nikon.

Yes, I am still using a Kodak.....

Am I envious? Maybe a little.

Am I thankful that they share when I am around? MOST DEFINITELY!

Here are some pictures I took of Sierra on Sunday with Kate's camera:

She is almost 4 months old already and growing so big, so fast!!!




This one is my favorite. Aunt Kirsten was making her smile with the rattle. She loves that rattle!

In the News: Breastfeeding

Good Morning America aired an interesting segment yesterday morning on Breastfeeding. I thought some of you might like to see it. Click HERE to watch the video clip. Although I do not necessarily agree with “cross nursing” as they discuss here, I always think it is wonderful when the media makes a point to discuss breastfeeding and the benefits of it.

I recently was at an event and when it came time to nurse, my mother (who did not breastfeed, but is very supportive of my decision to nurse Sierra) sweetly suggested that I go in another room to feed her; because there were many other women there who may not feel comfortable with me breastfeeding in front of them. I know and understand that this is often the case, people feel extremely uncomfortable when they see a mother nursing. Thus, I get very excited when the media portrays nursing in a positive light. My sister describes me as being very passionate about breastfeeding, and I would agree with that. It is my daily prayer that there will be more coverage done about breastfeeding and the overwhelming benefits of it.

Nursing Sierra for the past 3 ½ months is by far the best decision I have made as a mother so far.

Bridal Shower Blessings for Blakely

Sunday was a wonderful day to shower a beautiful bride!!!

My brother and Blakely's wedding is quickly approaching and we were fortunate enough to attend their first bridal shower. It was hosted by Blakely's Aunt who has a beautiful home out on Lake Louisa. It was a beautiful celebration and we are looking forward to all the fun events that are going to be coming up in the next 2 months!

Here are some pictures I took...
To see more that my sister Katie took, click HERE

Due to our "no-bottle-taking" situation, 8 hours was simply too long to be away from my little one, so Sierra attended with me. Usually I am not pro-babies at showers, but she was well behaved aside from a meltdown near the end of the day because she was tired and missed her nap.

*I made Blakely's "Bow Bouquet" for her...and in case you are wondering, it is super tacky and beautiful all at the same time!!!

Hope

Last week Greg Laurie, Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, lost his 33 year old son Christopher, in a car accident. For those of us who understand grief in the form of losing a loved one, we can empathize with the Laurie family. Especially for me as I fully understand what Christopher’s wife, now a young widow, is experiencing. In a blog that was posted to today, Pastor Laurie makes the statement, “Heaven is closer to me now and earth is less attractive to me …but I have a task to do and I want to do it.”

I remember, after I lost Daniel, I spoke very similar words. I longed for heaven and for Jesus’ return. But we all have tasks to complete and lives to live for God. This is especially true for me, as now I have been called to be a Godly wife for Brian and a mother to Sierra, reflecting Christ each and every day.

Greg describes his son Christopher as a Prodigal Son at times in his life; but explains that Christopher came back to the Lord in the last 2 years of his life and how so very important that was. Pastor Laurie does not grief without hope. He described how certain he was that he will see Christopher again someday. How wonderful it is to know that we have been given that grace through Jesus and the cross! Today, I was reminded about how important my relationship with God is. I pray that each of you who read this are also reminded of the same thing. None of us are promised our next breath.

Please pray for the Laurie family and check out this POST if you get a chance.

Super Duper Saturday!

Today we are at Mimi & Papa's house in preparation for a trip out west (to Louisa) tomorrow morning for Blakely's bridal shower. After we arrived, (Sierra slept the whole way) it was time to eat. I decided to try the bottle and all of a sudden our 3.5 month old baby decided to go to town on the new bottle!!! She drank 6 ounces straight (didn't even stop to burp). I guess the Nuk bottle is where it's at! I think B and I will have a date night and get a babysitter to celebrate!!

We now have a new leader....anyone who is bottle shopping....buy the NUK!!!

Happy Sunday to all! :)

Prayers Needed

I covet your prayers for both of my grandfathers at this time.


My maternal grandfather is battling a mental illness that resulted after a health issue came about this past March. I wrote this post at that time. Since then he has been fighting depression and slight paranoia. I am not sure if there is a specific diagnosis, but as we were with him all last weekend it was very hard for me to see him trapped inside his own body. His mind is making him worry and be concerned and scared about many things and he does not know why he is having these thoughts. It was literally hurting my heart to see him this way. Those that live there and are around him everyday are getting so very frustrated with him, but he has said many times that is he not sure why he is thinking this way and why he is acting this way. He is struggling every day to overcome it. Clearly there is a chemical imbalance going on and he needs your prayers now more than ever! Next week, if all pre-therapy testing goes well, he will begin the first of 6 shock therapy treatments. Of course shock therapy would be scary for anyone and for my 79 year old grandfather, who is having trouble thinking clearly, it is a very scary treatment. Please keep him and my grandmother in your prayers.

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My paternal grandfather was admitted to the hospital last weekend due to low blood-pressure and feeling light headed. The doctors found some bleeding and a large ulcer in his stomach. He has since been diagnosed with stomach cancer and is now at home resting. I unfortunately do not have many details about what is to come. I do know that he has been placed on some medications and will start taking those this weekend. Please keep him and my grandmother in your prayers also. We know that God has a plan for everything, even if we always don't understand it at the time.

Big Girl!

Here is my big girl!!!



Not only is she sitting in Daddy's "big" chair, but she drank 2 whole ounces out of a bottle today!!!!

I stood up and walked up and down the hallway with her while she ate like a champ (Thanks Sara-Beth for the standing up tip!) :)

God always knows just what we need, when we need it. He is awesome!!!

Here is the bottle that is clearly in the lead at this point....


I also bought a Nuk bottle today (that one has been suggested to me several times now). I will update on how that goes. Please pray that we will continue to have much success!!! Clearly, Sierra is not hurting for lost calories, everyone thinks she is at least 6 months old. I have to say, "no, she is just very healthy"! That mama's milk - it's good stuff!! God doesn't mess around! :)

He Missed Me

I think Mannix (my baby boy) missed me, just a little. This is basically where he has been since I came home. Either on my lap, at my feet, or under the blanket with me. He has not been this snugly since before Sierra was born. It is funny to me, he used to snuggle all the time, then stopped after the baby showed up and now that I left for 5 days and have returned, he is super snugly again. Either he really missed me or he is secretly begging me to never leave him alone with Brian EVER AGAIN! :)I am thankful for his snuggles, I will need them when Brian returns to night shift!!!

Here he is saying, "No more pictures, Ma!"

Home Made Baby Food

I am considering embarking on the "Home Made Baby Food" journey. I was looking for some advice and tips though. In my quest, I have begun looking on eBay for food storage containers and books that might be good resources. I have come across many books and many different kinds of accessories that might be needed as my kitchen becomes a "baby food making arena". I am not sure if any of you who read this blog are familiar in this area and could maybe provide insight and wisdom. If so, please comment below. Even though I will not start to think about solids for Sierra until she is at least 6 months old (still another 2.5 months away), I would like to get some books now and begin educating myself on this healthy alternate way of nutrition and feeding. Your advice, comments, and suggestions are much appreciated!!!

"Nurse Karen"

When Brian got home today, as he was unloading all his gear, I noticed a very large bandage on his left middle finger. Of course when I asked him what was wrong with his finger he said nothing and played it off like it was no big deal. The last time that happened, we ended up in the ER till 2 am with several stitches and a tetanus shot.

When he finally got around to telling me that he had slammed his hand in one of the jail cell doors today at work, I immediately told him we needed to head to the ER. His make-shift bandages, which he was bleeding right through, are never sufficient! As he removed the bandage and showed me how some of the "guts" from his finger were hanging out, my initial thoughts about heading to the ER were validated. However, Brian claims that if he goes to the ER for any reason, they will place him on "light duty" at work and he will be unable to graduate from the Academy. He is only 2.5 weeks away from graduation and can't give up now.

So instead, he went to Walmart, purchased supplies to basically "put his finger back together" and nurse Karen did the best job she could do to mend his finger. Thankfully he recently had that tetanus shot that I mentioned before; hopefully the finger will just heal on its own.

We appreciate your prayers for a healed finger with no permanent, long-term damage.

We are home!

We have been home for 2 days now actually; however, those two days have been used to unpack, catch up on sleep, and work on school stuff. We had a wonderfully blessed time in New York with all our family. Sierra did wonderful in the car all the way there and back, I think we only suffered through one meltdown around 8pm on the way back. Poor child was hungry and tired (and a little constipated) all at the same time! After a stop at my parents house in Richmond to stretch out, be changed, and then fed, we hit the road again and we landed in Virginia Beach around 11:45 pm. We were wiped out!!! Sierra and I, both, slept till 10 am on Tuesday morning!!!

Between my sister, Katie and myself, I think we took about 400 pictures. I think she is working on a slide show (which I might "steal" for my blog too) or maybe I will do one myself when I have a few spare moments. :) Until then....we thank you all for your prayers for safe travels and we will be sure to update you on all the things happening in our world sometime soon.

Roadtrip!

So, no blog news from me for a while. Tomorrow Sierra and I are leaving and heading to New York to visit with LOTS of family and to celebrate my cousins High School Graduation. We are piling into my parents mini-van...Mom, Dad, Kirsten, Katie, Karen, Pierce, and Sierra....yes, that is 5 adults and 2 children in car seats + luggage + Golf Clubs + 9 hours = LOTS of fun!!!

We, unfortunately are leaving Brian behind to look after the house and take care of the cats. We are going to miss him so much. This will actually be the longest time I have ever been away from Brian since we were married and of course the longest Sierra has ever been away from Daddy. I know we will both miss him immensely and although we are excited to visit with family that we don't get to see very often, we will be anxiously awaiting our return to him.

Please pray for us on our journey, for safe travels, and smooth riding for Sierra. Also, please remember Brian in your prayers as he is alone for the weekend and holding down the fort.

Can't wait to share LOADS of pictures upon our return!!!

Bottle Struggles

Any advice out there????

I never thought this would be something I would struggle with so much, but our dear child will NOT take a bottle! How contradictory from just a month ago when I posted pictures of her quietly enjoying a bottle from Mimi. Now, just a few short weeks later, she is refusing to take a bottle. It started back a couple weeks ago when Brian and I were preparing to go on our anniversary date. Now, if I have a meeting for school or if Brian and I are both away, she has been going to bed hungry; skipping her nighttime feeding, all over a refusal to suck on a bottle.

We have now tried 4 different types of bottles and nipples. We have also tried moving to a faster flow nipple, to no avail! Sierra is a very content child, however, if you try and give her a bottle she screams her guts out....it is the loudest most piercing cry ever. It is completely horrible. I am totally stumped about what to do next. In the beginning of August there is a Beth Moore Conference and I considered going to the Friday night session and the Saturday session. However, on Saturday, I would be gone from 9am till 2pm....my kid will starve!!! I am starting to feel trapped and afraid that if this continues, next month when I return to school we are going to have big issues! This is really a battle I never anticipated I would have to fight. If anyone has any suggestions, they are greatly appreciated! :)

The bottles we have tried so far....

This is the one that she actually took for us several times in the past; then at the end of June she started refusing it.



This is our most recent attempt...Brian went to the store in search of an answer and came back with this. I have not tried to give this one to her yet. Both times she has had this bottle, she has been with Brian. He said she did good the first time; however, the second time she screamed.

Guess we will see how tonight goes....

Jumperoo

In our effort to try and strengthen Sierra's leg muscles and to introduce her to something new, we set up our Jumperoo. However, I am convinced that she is still a little too young for it. All she really wanted to do was eat it! :) Maybe we will try again next month!

Good Rattles

For all you mommy's out there, you may agree or disagree, but I think it is hard to find a good rattle these days. It seems like all the rattles out there have all kinds of extras attached to them. My nephew Pierce had a really simple rattle and I finally found it!! It is easy for Sierra to grip this rattle without having to try and hold on to all the extra rings and stuff that are on all her other rattles. Even at 3 months old, she really isn't interested in holding toys yet, but I can get her to hold on to this rattle for a little while. Here she is, demonstrating just how easy this rattle is for any baby to play with! :)