Going Home

Proud Daddy


Cutest in the nursery

It feels so good to hold you Michaela!

Big adoring Sister

Charlize showing "gentle"

Sung as a Bug in a Rug

Charlize "smiling" for Daddy

What a great experience we had at the Prescott hospitol. The staff was really amazing. Unlike our first experience these nurses didn't expect Michaela to be text book. When she didn't feed on a consistent schedule they said, "oh don't worry, it will come. Her numbers are fine, just give her time to rest." They only came in once a night for pills and vitals. This really helped in our recovery. On Wed Michaela went from 5am to 3pm without eating. I was getting really concerned about this as well as mucus problems. We fianlly decided to get her stomach pumped. More commonly necessary with c-section babies. As soon as we did this she realized she was hungry because her stomach wasn't full of mucus and she ate like a champ. Thank you, Lord! She's done well ever since. We were able to leave Thurs morning and had our first dr apt today. 7lbs 5oz and growing. She's quite the sleeper for now and I'm thankful. It's good to be home but I'm needing the reminder to take it slow. Grandma and Daddy are doing a great job with Hurricane Charlie so I can rest a lot. We're just so thankful to be home and healthy. Thank you to all who have prayed us through this season in life. We're grateful.

Happy Birthday Peanut!!

That's right, Charlize is 2 today. What an amazing 2 years it's been. We love our little social butterfly. She doesn't know a stranger and loves everyone she meets. She's become so flexible in being in different places. Her vocab is exploding. She used a 6 word sentence today. She definately gives us a run for our money in training. Doing the same thing over and over after being told, "no". Takes a lot of patience and persistence but we're hopeful that the results of obedience will come. Speaking of training, she cannot get enough of "potty training". Several times after only a minute out of site I've found her with clothes and diaper off climbing onto the toilet. Hmmm, it'd be great if she would chose to do this when she actually needs to go, not right after. =) But glad she's interested. Think we'll start more after the move.

Our best present was getting Daddy home. He got here Sat and Grandma came today! We met some friends at a park to celebrate the big day. It's kinda neat to be able to celebrate our last day with only one daughter. We can't wait for the second one but are so thankful and have enjoyed every day with Charlize. Sunday I was reminded of the importance of talking to and teaching even the little ones. Last week as we drove away from church I pointed up at the lit up cross and told Charlize that symbol was there to remind us of Jesus. This week, after 7 days of not bringing up the topic, like usual as we left the parking lot Charlize called out, "Bye, church, bye toys." and then looked up at the cross, "Bye Jesus". It's amazing what sticks.

37 weeks

Just a few catch up pics. Friends at the womens retreat with Grace Bible, a trip to the prescott zoo with Heidi and Noah where Charlize hit it off with a badger. And our pastors wife recovering from a broken foot. Charlize always hitches a ride when she can.

I'm over 37 weeks now. Up 19 lbs. thought my iron was low because of fatigue and ice craving but turns out it's at a 12 so no problems there. New symptoms are right hand going numb at night, pain around incision and fatigue. Doc says these are all normal and will pass. I have one last apt. and then am scheduled for the 27th. Please be praying for Mike. He got his yearly head stuff which always includes a nasty caugh that lingers. I don't know what the rules are for going into the OR if you are sick. Praying that he will be all better by then. I have a lot going on next week and am thankful for that.

Whoa Nelly!

This is actually our other truck "Midge" but Mike and Charlize have been spending many an hour in the garage working on "Nelly", Mike's truck from highschool. Charlize loves working with Daddy. She hands him tools wether he needs them or not and he gives her stickers. (squares of duct tape)

Last week I came out side and found Mike on his back on the red dolly you can see here under the truck. Charlize had crawled underneath the lifted pick up and was sitting on his stomach playing with a wrench. Ha! She was so at home.

After getting the truck finished and getting a go ahead from Little Caesars, Mike took off for Montana yesterday. It took him 25 1/2 hours which he of course did straight through. He had some bad weather around southern Montana. Snow storm with little visibility but God was good and he made it safely. We were glad to find everything in order in our rental house and no flooding as there have been water issues in the past. We're gonna miss him again but thankful that we are able to get things going. He will be there for 3 weeks.

He will be flying home on the 25th, we celebrate Charlize's b-day on the 26th and then Vernadine is scheduled for the 27th. It's gonna be a busy week! =) We can't wait.