Emery - 1 Month

February 21, 2011

9 lbs 14 oz

22 inches

The Greatest Feeling in the World

Dear Emery, 

Your first month has been quite eventful baby girl! I must admit though, it flew by, and I cannot believe you are already one month old. I'm not going to lie to you Emery, you cry A LOT...it was a lot of work getting grimace free pictures of you to post and finding 5 minutes that you are happily snoozing for me to sit down and write this blog! So, please do not be angry when you are older that Kinley's blog this month is longer than yours...after all, 5 minutes is not a lot of time! :-) 

Even though we spend most of our days and evenings walking, bouncing, comforting and consoling you, I must admit, the greatest feeling in the whole world is your head resting on my chest. You are definitely a snuggle bug, and when you do finally simmer down, and lay peacefully asleep, I first breathe a sigh of relief, and then savor the moment...reminding myself that before I know it, you will not be a little baby anymore. Soon enough, you will be running around with your big sister, laughing and playing, and bringing us a whole different kind of joy. Until then, I treasure every moment that your skin rests against mine, because these precious moments with you are a gift from God, and I know they pass in the blink of an eye. 

I pray Emery that as you grow up you will learn to savor each moment that God gives you on this earth. Treasure the good times and give thanks for the hard times, because every moment is a gift from above. Your very breath and being are on loan...for you are a child of God. I thank Him everyday for you, an amazing gift entrusted to us, to love, teach, train, and eventually send out into the world. It's so sad to think about our little girls leaving us someday, but so exciting to think of all that you will become. I cannot wait to see the person you grow into...but for now, I will treasure this time, and the peaceful feeling of your cheek resting against me...the greatest feeling in the world. 

Love, 

Mommy

'

Our favorite newborn pic of you.

You and your big sister laying so peacefully...you can't
even tell it took four people to capture this brief moment.

The moment passed....why does Kinley look guilty? :-)

Such a sweetie pie!

Yep, that's you in the hospital with RSV. :-(

Luckily you only had to stay 4 days...but
wow, those were 4 long days!

The cool part about your hospital stay? You were made
famous by being featured on the front cover of the East
Valley Tribune! This is the picture they used.
(Picture by Tim Hacker)

Finally back at home resting peacefully. :-)

Getting big so fast!

Yes He does. :-)

Love you baby girl. Happy 1 month birthday! 

Kinley - 9 Months

February 18, 2011

18 pounds

2 feet 4 inches

The Greatest Sound in the World

Dearest Kinley, 

The amount you have grown in the past two months has been incredible. Our little tiny baby is becoming a little girl so fast! This month you have learned so many new things. You have started signing to us and it's so adorable. You  know the sign for "milk," "all done," "up," and have started waving "hi" and "bye" and you love to point at everything. You've been making great strides toward crawling over the past two months, (although you still crawl backward a lot of the time!) and we know we'll be chasing you all over the house very soon! One of your favorite things to do is read books with mommy and daddy (or anyone who will read to you for that matter!). You also love bouncing in your jumperoo (now that your feet can touch the ground), and you love watching Baby Einstein. You still love to eat, although you are starting to become a bit of a picky eater! (Sweet potatoes and fruit are your favorite baby foods, but you LOVE eating crunchy snacks.) And you finally got your first two teeth this month to crunch with! There are so many things we love about our 9 month old girl, but there's one thing in particular that is our absolute favorite....

Your laugh is the greatest sound in the world. Your giggle (and your amazing smile for that matter) are so contagious Kinley. Last month we welcomed your baby sister Emery into the world, and I'm not going to lie, the past month with two babies has been a little crazy! But in a month of transition and at times even chaos, there was one sound that always made me stop and smile, and just enjoy the moment...it was the sound of your giggle. You have become the happiest baby (although you definitely reserve most of your smiles and laughs for mommy and daddy) and such a joy to be around. Your laugh melts away moments of stress. It amplifies moments of happiness. There is so much power in such a little sound....which got me to thinking...which got me to praying...

You have been given a special gift little girl. God has truly blessed you with that amazing smile and a laugh that could warm any heart. My prayer for you, on your 9 month birthday, is that as you grow up, you will use it for God's glory. I pray that the joy you have inside you continues to grow as you do. I pray that this joy will well up inside of you and overflow to everyone around you. I pray that you will spread love and laughter to those who need it the most. I pray that you will extend compassion, empathy and grace to those close to you and even those you pass on the street, because of the ability you will have to look beyond the surface, and see the heart. I pray that you will always treasure the gifts God has given you, knowing that your value comes from above. 

In Luke 19, Jesus tells the story of a rich King and three servants. Each of the servants is given a coin and instructed to invest the coin on the King's behalf. The King goes away and when he returns he asks the servants how much they have earned. The first servant earned 10 coins with his investment, the second earned five coins, but the third servant earned nothing. How is this possible? The servant was afraid to lose it, so he buried it in the ground for safe keeping. Let me tell you a secret Miss Kinley, following Jesus is not safe! God is not concerned with our comfort as much as our character. He has entrusted each of us with some very special gifts, and He expects us to use them for His glory. When we "invest" our gifts and talents, and prove ourselves good and faithful servants, God is pleased and will entrust us with more. Never bury your talents. Use them for God's glory. God has invested in you, so that you can invest in others. It is my prayer for you little girl, that the deep joy I see inside of you will be just the beginning of an amazing return on God's investment! 

Hugs and Kisses, 

Mommy

You love bath time.

Especially your rubber duckies!

You LOVE your pacifier.

And you're even learning to crawl! 

Daddy always makes you laugh the hardest. :-) 

You love your playtimes.

You're learning to be such a good big sister.

Oh wait...that's not nice! Already making faces at her... ;-)

Thanks for brightening every morning with
your smiles and hugs.

Happy 9 Month Birthday Kinley!