Happy Birthday, Noah!

As I write this, I'm thinking about what I was doing exactly a year ago right now.  I was on the way to the hospital, my water had just broke and I was only 2 hours away from meeting my boy. Noah was born at 7:14 am after only 2.5 hours of labor.  It has been such a blessing to watch Noah grow and change this past year.  Noah is very loveable and loves to give us kisses.  He also loves his big sister, Lydia. He loves to tease her and pull her hair.  When she's sleeping, he'll crawl into her room, pull up on her bed and try to get her hair, laughing the whole time.   He loves to play with balls.  He will throw it, then chase it over and over and over.  He also loves trucks.  Grumpy and Grams got them a powerwheels for their birthday and Noah LOVED it. If Lydia would stop, Noah would hit the car as if to say, "Go, Lyds, Go."  He also plays with a lot of toy cars.  The one sound he actually makes is the brrrmm sound of a car.  The other thing he likes is music.  If he hears music, no matter what he's doing, he'll stop and dance.  It is so funny to watch.  He moves his body up and down and he's actually kind of on beat.  It has been fun to watch his personality and interests develop, especially over the past month.  He's not really verbal yet.  Sometimes he will say "Mama" if he's really upset.  I have learned with him that all kids develop at their own pace and to not compare them to any one else.  He's our special boy and I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for him.  We are so thankful that a year ago, despite all the problems with my pregnancy, God gave us a healthy baby boy. And we are also thankful for this year and the fun we have had watching him grow and watching him and Lydia interact.  God had given us 2 precious gifts.

Free-Spirited Cowgirl

I haven't posted in forever.  Moving, 2 kids, and business have just seemed to take over.  But I wanted to post today because it's my beautiful girl's third birthday!  I can't believe she is 3!  I wanted to write a blog for her so that she can remember, and I can remember, what she was like at this point in her life.  She is so fun and full of life.  The words that I thought described her best are "free-spirited" and "cowgirl."  Lydia is just plain fun.  You never know what she is going to say, do, act, or wear next.  The other day, she ran to Daniel's old truck, hugged the front tire, and said, "Oh, truck, how I have missed you!  Daddy, your truck is getting so big now."  Her favorite thing to wear are cotton tights and t-shirts of all colors.  Purple is her favorite color right now.  And her boots - she wears them EVERYWHERE - to church, to play, to ride her bike, to go to the store.  Lydia also loves her brother.  Many times the first thing she says when she wakes up is, "Where's my buddy?" "Buddy, come here! I love you, Buddy." She will tell anyone who will listen about her special buddy.  She also takes care of him.  She tries to feed him or help him walk or bring him toys.  Every now and then, he gets one of her hips to his shoulder or feet to his tummy if he doesn't move when she tells him, though.  Also, she tells them about her 2 pups, Baylee and Aspen.  She loves to brush and feed and play with her "pups."  I think they have brought her some comfort after the long move.  I also mentioned that Lydia is a cowgirl.  She loves horses - well, she's pretty much obsessed.  She will saddle anything she can sit on, from the couch to the dog to Noah's ride-on toys.  Everything for her can be a horse.  She says she wants to be a horse doctor when she grows up now.  She loves being outside and playing, whether it be with her baby doll, her pups, riding her bike and running, or soccer.  She is good a coloring and loves art.  It is exciting to watch her personality shine and watch her develop her interests. 

Lydia, one day when you are older and look back to what you were like as you turn 3, you are a beautiful, spunky, strong-willed, lovable, free-spirited cowgirl.  Daddy and I pray for you daily and know that you will be used by God to do amazing things.  Thank you for being such a good and fun kid to raise.  We love you!