Mac's appointment and the memory of Hope.

Mac had a checkup last Wednesday, January 25th. My little man is getting so big! He's 16# 10oz now, and 25.5 inches long. He got all his shots and did pretty well. I'm glad though that we don't have to get anymore until 12 months now. He'll have another "well baby check" at 9 months to make sure he's doing well. He's rolling all over the place now and is starting to sit on his own a little, when placed that way. He's eating lots of veggies and a few fruits. I just started (within the past week) the fruits and he's loving those of course! I'm making most of my own baby food, which is surprisingly easy. I bought bags of frozen peas and green beans, cooked them until they were super soft, threw them in the blender with some water, poured them into ice cube trays and froze them. After they were frozen, I popped out the "ice cubes" and put them into zip-loc freezer bags. Super easy way to store individual servings! When I need them I just pop them into the microwave. I've also baked squash and sweet potatoes and pureed them and frozen them. It's fun to mix and match the veggies. He's not real fond of the green beans so I sneak them in with something he finds a little more tasty. :)

On a more serious note, its the month of February. And in my life, February is not my favorite month. On February 8, it will have been two years since we got the diagnosis that our baby Hope Catherine was terminally ill. Diagnosed with Cystic Hygroma with fetal hydrops and most likely Turner's Syndrome (they were unable to diagnosis this without genetic testing but was the suspected cause of the cystic hygroma) the doctors were surprised that she'd even made it this far. I got to carry her for another 3 weeks before Jesus took her home. On February 26, at 25 weeks pregnant, we discovered there was no longer a heartbeat, and on February 28, 2010 at 5:15am our beautiful baby was born. We got to spend several hours with her in our arms, which was oh so bittersweet. Leaving the hospital 24 hours later with no baby in my arms was one of the HARDEST days I think I'll ever have here on this earth. Only with the love and peace of Jesus Christ and the love of my family was I able to get through each of the following days.

We'll never completely understand God's plan for Hope in our lives but I do know this. I have two BEAUTIFUL children now who are incredibly special in their own ways. I have an amazing husband who loves me despite my quirks and faults. God has blessed me beyond measure and I'm reminded each day to share his love and how precious this life is. Our days here on earth are numbered, and it's what we do each day that matters most to Him. I know that our experience with our daughter has brought me closer to Him, and made me more bold in sharing the Word with others. If one life has been changed for the Lord because of Hope, then I know her purpose was fulfilled. My beautiful little daughter, Hope Catherine, will never be forgotten.

The kiddos...and Christmas

I never posted about Mac's 4 month checkup! It was on December 9th. He weighed 16 pounds even and was 25 inches long. He's quickly approaching his 6 month check up, which is this coming Thursday, the 26th. Holly and Mac are going to have their pictures take on Thursday also. It would normally just be Mac's 6 month pictures, but Holly did NOT want to be left out when I told her it was going to just be Mac. So, even though we had them taken together at Mac's 3 month pictures, we'll have them done again. Should be fun! Above are two recent pictures of the two of them together.

We celebrates Christmas with Kieth's sister, Karla, and her family this year. This was the first time having them here with us for the Christmas holiday and it was a BLAST! Holly got a new play kitchen and shopping cart from Santa, a cash register from Gramma Katie and Papa Rich, play food from Auntie Karla and Uncle Fred so she's all set now to make anyone a fabulous meal! She and Mac got tons of other goodies and had an awesome Christmas. We got to spend Christmas evening with my parents so it was a great holiday!

Christmas Tree Hunt 2011

Today was the day of the big Christmas Tree Hunt. Along with some friends of ours, we trekked over a crick and through the woods to find a perfect tree. We had a great time with new friends and found a tree that looks pretty cute in our living room! Holly and I had an awesome time decorating after we got the tree up. She's getting to a fun age where she enjoys doing these kinds of things more and is a pretty good helper. Here are some pictures of our big adventure.

Mac...

Mac is getting so big! I just wanted to post a few cute pictures of him since I haven't posted anything on here in SOOOO long. One of his new favorite toys is his Johnny Jumper. Mainly he just likes to chew on it, but he gets a few jumps in here and there. I love his lip in these pictures. He got it over the side and it just looked too cute!

Apples, apples, apples!

As you can probably tell, we are swimming in apples this year! Our tree in the backyard produced more apples this year than ever before. I picked two 18 gallon totes full. Needless to say, I made some applesauce. :) I've made three pots so far this year and haven't even made a dent in the apple count, but it sure is yummy. Also, Carol Lewis, Holly and Mac's babysitter, taught me to put a pack of Jello in with a quart of applesauce and dehydrate it for fruit leather. It adds color and TONS of flavor. I actually really liked that applesauce with the Jello in it BEFORE I dehydrated it! I at several LARGE spoonfuls as I was spreading the fruit on the dehydrator. FYI- I used sugar-free Jello. I made sure to take some pictures so that I could share what we've been doing. I also included some of Holly and Mac that had nothing to do with apple, just for fun! If anyone lives nearby and would like some apples, feel free to stop by and grab some!

Holly and Cheetah showing off our haul

Washing and sorting

All cooked down, waiting to be fun through the food mill

YUM!

Super easy and delicious fruit leather!

My sweet, happy boy :) 

Holly practicing to be an RN

Holly being Holly! And yes, that is a dog leash wrapped around her waist (???)

Mac weight...

So I took Mac and Holly with me to run an errand at the hospital yesterday and the ER nurse, Teirza, weighed Mac for me. He's 11lbs 14oz. My little man is growing up! Right now he's taking a snooze in Daddy's chair. How cute!

Mac's checkup

Mac had his 2 month checkup yesterday! He is 22 1/4 inches long. I didn't get to have him weighed, bummer! His doctor is moving into his own practice and doesn't have all of his stuff set up yet, so no weight, and no shots. Which, to be perfectly honest, the no shots part was okay with me! We're having them done on Monday though. I HATE having to get them shots. As a nurse, I know the necessity of it, but it still breaks my heart to have to hold him while they poke him. Knowing that you're the one helping to inflict pain on them is the worst part! Like I said before, I know it's necessary and that I'm decreasing potential pain and suffering in the future but I still dread going. So pray for me on Monday at 10:30. Mac's head is 16 1/2 inches already. It's grown 3 INCHES since he was born! Holy Big Head. He's going to be just like his sister. :) Only two and a half weeks left until I go back to work. Be praying about that also if you think about it. The closer it gets, the more I'm dreading it. These past two weeks I've really been enjoying being home with my kids and am not looking forward to having to leave them. Thank GOD for Carol! She is such a blessing to our family. If it wasn't for her, I don't think I'd be able to go back at all. I know that Holly and Mac will be well loved and well cared for at her house!