Unfailing Love: My Forever Baby....

Vincent Gerard

This is my hubby. Also known as Vinny, Dowey, Dowebally, and (as of last night) Pickle Juice. (You may learn that I have an affinity for nicknames, comes from my daddy!) Unbelievably, the hubs and I have been married for 9 years! I can't believe it! Seems like just yesterday I was a freshman in college and my friend introduced me to this hunky senior with a hot red car! Vince is working hard to support our family and traveling here and there. Vince is a WONDERFUL father and his girls (all of us) are the most important things to him!

Barclay Kathryn

What to say? I'm Barclay, usually known as Barclay (not much you can do with Barclay). I was an elementary teacher for fours years until I had Bella. Now I am doing the job I have wanted to do ALL of my life, being a mom. I love these two girls more than I can possibly express and it is my joy and privilege to be able to spend each day with them. I recently entered the blog frontier, and although my blog followers will probably be able to be counted on one hand, I thought it would be exciting to be a part of something so neat. I love that there are many other moms out there facing the same joys, hardships, questions, surprises, and challenges that I am. I also hope to be a sort of medium to spread awareness for others that need prayers, help, or just someone to walk through life with!

Isabella Kathryn

Usually referred to as Bella. As well as Bells, Bellie, Belly Boo, Bellsie Bubs, Bubs, Bubba, Bells and Whistles.... Bella is our first born daughter. She is 6. Bella enjoys school, reading, riding her training-wheel free bike, she could color and write for hours, she loves singing to the Momma Mia soundtrack, anything princess or pink, having bows in her hair, playing dress up, and her little sisters! God blessed us with Bella a month early but she was perfectly healthy. In six years she has become such a bright, outgoing, sensitive, and fearless little girl. Bella really is the sweetest girl you will ever meet. She is eager to please. If she hurts or disappoints someone it literally crushes her to tears. This last year she asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior and we could not be more proud!! Love this sweet, blonde, blue eyed beauty!

Bryanna Karina

Usually known as Brynn. As well as Brynnie, Miley, Miley Moo, Geegs, Geegers, Brynnie Boo, and many more. Ten days before Bella turned 2 years old we were blessed with another beautiful, healthy girl by planned c-section. This time I was able to see my baby right after birth, watch her get weighed, bathed, etc. I couldn't wait for Bella to meet her. Brynn is now 4 and keeps me laughing all day long. Brynn, since she was about 2 months old has been the smiliest baby I have ever met. All you need to do is look at her and she will flash you a world class smile. Brynn is smiley, more shy and reserved about things than her big sis, can be quite the clown when she feels safe or gets in a silly mood, amazingly brilliant, she's been speaking full sentences since she was 19 months and continues to amaze us with what comes out of her mouth. She loves doing whatever her big sister is doing, dressing up, looking at books, her blankie, being held, twirling in her dresses, singing, and dancing whenever she hears music! Brynn is my compassionate baby, she hates to see people hurting. We just love this sweet, shy, snuggly, smiling little girl!

Brooklyn Blythe

Also known as Brookie, Brookie Cookie, Cookie Lu, Lulu B just to name a few. Sweet, sweet Brooklyn is our family's latest addition! We welcomed Brookie into our family on August 23rd 2010 at 12:23pm by planned c-section. I was nervous she would be a bit high maintenance since she came out screaming bloody murder and continued to wail anytime anyone touched her- get her footprints, take her temperature, etc. Amazingly, she would instantly stop the moment the Hubs touched her or began talking to her. And since her birthday, we have barely heard a peep out of her..... And fast forward 18 months, she definitely makes plenty of peeps now! :) We are full blown in the the terrible twos (which IMO last from 18-36 months) I believe. To make matters worse she's also cutting her 4 molars. She definitely knows what she wants but can't quite articulate it, so gets frustrated. Eating is also a hit or miss these days which is very foreign to me. Mixed with the crabby days though is the funniest personality ever. She is a riot! She LOVES chasing after her big sisters or having them chase and imitate her. She also has this adorable chubby face and will peek out of the corner of her eyes and just melt your heart! She is definitely shy at first but if you can get through to her she will keep you in stitches with her antics. We love you little BB and couldn't ask for a sweeter addition to our family!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

My Forever Baby....

My forever baby turned 21 months this week. I know everyone says it, but time really does goes too fast. Since entering the blog world I think one of the best lessons I have learned is to enjoy every minute, every minute. Literally, the only thing (besides the grace of God) that got me through the nights where it would take me 2 hours to get Brynn back to sleep after feeding her was remembering what a miracle and honor it was to have a healthy baby girl in my arms, no matter how much I just wanted to sleep. During the crying fits that seem to have no reason for their existence and no end to their duration, I would cry from exhaustion and frustration but also soothe myself by being thankful they have healthy lungs and hearts that beat in perfect rhythm. I used to take these precious girls for granted but over the last year I have grown to learn what a miracle it is to even get pregnant, carry a healthy baby to term, have them born completely healthy, and to continue to thrive year after year. And since I don't know the future, and God does, I will cling to Him to get me though the years and I will continue to thank Him each day for the two precious blessings He has allowed me to mother.

Psalm 13:5-6, my theme verse: "But I trust in your Unfailing Love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me."

So I'm nothing but thankful this week as my little one turns 21 months. I love you baby girl!

Born February 15th at 12:34am

3 months

6 months

9 months

1 year

15 months

18 months

21 months

5 comments:

HeatherOz said...: Oh, she is just TOO precious! I can't believe all that dark hair she was born with!; November 18, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Lee-Ann said...: She is adorable! What a smiley girl!; November 19, 2009 at 7:28 AM
Burns family said...: She really is so cute! My favorite was the other night when she so boldly said "I Brynn" to that semi-drunk creepy man! So sticking cute!; November 19, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Unknown said...: So sweet! Thanks for sharing her with us :); November 19, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Kelly said...: She is so precious! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the pictures!; November 23, 2009 at 11:38 AM