And They Will Become One Flesh: May 2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012

4 Months Old

Dear Zoe,

Don't you remember I told you you weren't allowed to grow up so fast? How did you go and turn 4 months old on us already? You are getting so big. You giggle at us now, somewhat often. It's the cutest thing we've ever heard. You also learned how to roll over consistently one day before your four month birthday. Man it's made diaper changing QUITE the challenge. Let's just hope you don't poop anymore =P. I'm kidding but after yesterday's diaper changing fiasco, I'm not sure I'm up for the challenge. You are also getting quite good at holding up yourself on your tummy.

You my darling, are so special to your father and I. We just can't get enough of you. Daddy loves when you snuggle up to him in the bed. I love waking up in the morning and seeing your sweet sleepy smiles. Although I'm starting to think it may be time to transition you to your crib soon. You've been kicking me out of bed. Move over mom, you say. You love to be outside and love your little yellow ducky lovey.

Mommy has enjoyed having our rocking chair now and sitting in your room reading you the Scriptures every night. What a blessing to sit and rock and read with you. Our biggest dream for you is that you come to know the Lord Jesus. Anything else is secondary. We love you Zoe Joy!

Long time no blog

So being a mom/homemaker has been more time consuming than I realized it would be. Part of it is that I'm just learning how to do things more naturally. I make our own granola cereal and granola bars now. We eat WAY less processed food. There are still some things we eat that are processed but it's significantly less. I've also been trying my hand at making homemade cleaners as well. And dishes, do they ever end? How about laundry? Didn't think so.

In between all of the cleaning and caring for little Zoe, I have had the opportunity to take some pictures as well. Here are a few from the last few weeks:

Snuggling up Dada

Trying to eat her ball

Watch this super funny short little clip of her:

Last time she wore this super cute little outfit. And she's sitting in the chair my grandpa made for me. YAY for family heirlooms!

Super smiley :) Gosh I love her.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Family Portraits

When Zoe was about 2 months old (I think), my mom had scheduled the whole family for family portraits. We went to JC Penney to have them done. I think that the photographer did a great job considering how many of us there were. Here are some of my favorites:

Back Row: Tyler, 14, Kristin, Aaron, Jacob

Middle Row: Colton, 9, Colleen, Me, Zoe

Front: Ryan, 11

My sister Kristin, Aaron and I with our nephews

Aaron, Zoe and Me

Zoe with her aunts

Zoe with her cousins. Tyler was THRILLED to hold Zoe and by thrilled I mean quite the opposite.

Loff my family

Colleen and her three boys

Aunt Kristin and her kids

Precious family photos.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Playtime with Zoe

I know that I should probably make collages instead of sticking a zillion photos in a post, but that takes too long when I only have so much time when my little one is napping and before the electrician tells me to shut down the computer (I hope he doesn't but he's been here almost 4 hours now).

Anyway, last week I took these pictures of Zoe when I introduced her to her lamb from Mongel. This lamb has a tutu (my family is kinda convinced Zoe will be a dancer, I will laugh if she turns out to be a tomboy).

Anyway it made for super cute photos. Prepare for the cuteness overload =D

That's one happy baby

Dat's soft!

My name is Zoe and if you come near my mouth I will eat you NOMNOMNOM

And I will be extremely happy about eating you!

I know this is totally blurry, but the smile, the smile, I can't help but love that smile

And then we finished up by reading!

It's hard to find ways to play with someone so little, but I cherish these times when I can cuddle her and teach her how to read and sit up and play. I know these times won't last forever so I will indulge in them now.

How do you play with babies?

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The Old Will Be Made New

One of the first few gifts we received from Zoe came from her Aunt Sally. Aunt Sally gifted us with some of my mother-in-love's old clothing from when she was a baby. This past weekend at church, I had Zoe in one dress, she decided to have an explosion, so I put her in the dress that was Grammie's. Oh my goodness, so special. I hope that someday I can go back to my parents and find some of my old clothing from when I was a baby for her to wear. How fun would that be? I'm sorry for the picture overload but I just can't help it. I love her and all of her silly little faces! So precious to me!

learning to investigate things.

ready to pounce =P

Now I know that this post is about the old dress being made new again because it's being used again, but Christ can do the same thing with us. He can take the ugly, broken, messed up lives that we have lived and make them new. I'm so thankful that everyday, Christ can make me a new creation. I'm thankful that although I ate very poorly growing up, Christ is making me a new creation in that I can eat better now and lead a better example for my daughter. Hey I no longer live on chicken strips and french fries, Praise God. Recently, I've discovered lettuce isn't entirely evil, and I can eat it, even if it doesn't taste good.

I know I have a long way to go to be the mother God intends me to be and the wife that Christ can make me, but I thank Him for the changes He's already made in me. I pray He will continue to make me new.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

3 months old!

I can't believe how quickly these last three months have flown by! Our little girl has always been strong but grows stronger every day! She is officially a "pre-sitter" as you'll see in the photos. She must also be going through a growth spurt because she's been up the last few nights every two hours eating. Gotta grow big & strong! She has learned to grab things other than my hair now and even likes her bear!

We visited Aunt Colleen and Zoe thought it was great to ride Izzy. Izzy didn't think it was such a great idea.

Zoe has also learned to snuggle up to daddy in the mornings. It's one of our favorite things! Daddy is smitten, I'm smitten and I'm pretty sure she's smitten with us as well!

Zoe and her bear are now friends (Thanks Aunt Barb, Tanya, Saundra, & Tracy!)

Rolling over is something she's been working on. She can almost get onto her side now. She turns her head pretty far back & kinda uses that as a pushing point. However, Zoe does NOT like tummy time. If I read to her though, it's tolerable.