A Day to Reflect

One year ago today, I woke up nervous. It was the BIG day. We were going to see Dr. Rhinehart to have our 19 week sonogram and really check Baby B for any heart defects. This was the big day...only the "big" wasn't what I thought it was going to be. It was a Monday...it was hot...I was supposed to take Reid to swimming lessons after my appointment...I was supposed to do a lot of things last summer...

Today is the day that I was admitted into the hospital last summer. It has been so strange marking the year anniversary. It is so vivid in my mind-I can remember every detail of the day from what I was wearing, who I was texting in the waiting room, what I ordered at McDonalds for lunch - what my first hospital meal was that night...my admission nurse...what Dr. Wells told me...the way I looked at Brad-the way he looked at me...wheeling up to labor and delivery and telling them their new resident had arrived...seeing my family and Brad's family each come in my room that day...I remember it all...

You would think that I would look back on that as such a "not fun" time in my life. But in all honesty, it was probably some of the best 3 and 1/2 months of my life. Even though my pregnancy was far from normal, I LOVED being pregnant...and I wish I could be so again. (Don't freak out--we are SO done--this body can't take another pregnancy) I loved my time at the hospital...no it wasn't ideal...but in it's own way, it was wonderful and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. It has given me a whole different perspective on life and what I want and what is important. It has given me a unique outlook and experience to help others. It created some of the most incredible friendships and relationships I would have never known. It deepened my faith and trust in the amazing God we serve and taught me to solely rely on Him and the people He put in my path to care for me. No, I wouldn't trade those months for anything.

So on this anniversary date, we gathered up some goodies and went to the hospital we grew to love and saw the amazing people we adore so much. I got to see my doctor and finally get a picture of him and the kids. I can't believe that I didn't get one with him and Garrett alone since Garrett "Edward" is named after him. Next visit for sure! Of course the babies were so in awe of everything around them they wouldn't even look at me or the camera! Oh well...it is just so special for me to have a picture of them with Dr. Wells.

Thanks for letting me reflect on my blog today...I am sure there will be more over the next 3 and 1/2 months.

Happy Thursday!

Have a great day!!!

Three of the most special people in the world to me! Mike, Jen, and Ben-we LOVE you guys so much! Can't wait to re-take this picture when Haley is home (we missed you)!! We had so much fun on Saturday and can't wait to plan a swim date!

Eight Months...June '09

Peek-A-Boo... Kathryn is now MOBILE...she is crawling EVERYWHERE-the actually motion now-not just the little leap froggin' she did for so long...she loves to play peek-a-boo in her crib...she is always waiting for us to come upstairs now to get her...she smiles as soon as she sees us.

This is all out of order-but I couldn't help take this picture. Brad had sat down on the chair to blow up the pool. He didn't realize however, that he sat on two bibs...and they went with him outside to fill up the pool. We were laughing so hard for the longest time --- further down you will see how the "first pool experience" went...

Playing with Papa...Garrett LOVED his hat! He played and played with it.

Playing with cousin Will. He wasn't too sure about Kathryn-she was bugging him I think-he wanted her to stay away...it was too funny!

"Hey Mom, why is this girl wearing this skirt thing?" Our good buddy Jace

Garrett has now figured out "Stranger Danger" and makes this pitiful face when he doesn't know who you are...He wasn't so sure about Ty and Mrs. Amber at first.

Our BFF hospital bedrest babies! Jace and Ty! LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!

Happy Babies-we love to play with our basket!

Ole!!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS PICTURE OF GARRETT!!!!! First of all, he was chewing on his hat...so I was "teaching" him that we wear our hats-not eat them...I pushed the sides up b/c he couldn't see and then it turned into a sombrero and he LOVED it! He thought it was quite hilarious. The other reason I love this picture is b/c of his RANDOM outfit. Now around here, we don't care if we end up with a girl bib or a boy onesie on...whatever works...although I do try to have them match -- apparently not...this is the most discombobulated (SP?) outfit we have come up with yet... My baby who HATED his tummy has now found it to be rather comfy!

One of my "lifesavers" - Nurse Diana! We went to lunch the other day and she had the kids ROLLING! All the tables around us were laughing at Garrett's giggles...

We FINALLY got our playdate rescheduled with Jake and Mallory...we were silly though and didn't get them all together...thanks for letting us come play!

Me and my baby girl!

Our Eight Month Picture!

The gang's all here! Our playgroup in birth order...Kathryn ("What am I doing with all these boys?"), Garrett, Tripp, Brody, Luke, and Ranger!

Our first time in the pool...GARRETT WAS NOT A FAN!!!!!!! SCREAMED BLOODY MURDER...he loves it now...we played in the pool inside with no water until he got used to the big blue circle...now he is a fan! Kathryn liked it from the beginning...

Garrett loving on Daddy after his nap after swimming...he was apologizing for throwing such a fit!! So sweet! He LOVES to cuddle with his daddy.