Turning 1!

On Thursday it will be a year since Weston was born! It honestly feels like yesterday that I was posing in the picture above... so nervous for my c-section and praying that everything would be ok with our little guy. God was so gracious to us to bless us with a healthy baby, despite our rocky start. All our minor challenges only made our love for Weston sweeter and our trust in God greater. The next couple days I will post some fun old pics over the year to show how much he has grown!

Weston was 5 lbs. 4oz. and stayed in the NICU for 13 days- he was 3 to 4 weeks early and had low blood sugar. After the initial delivery, I didn't get to see Weston for 24 hours. The longest day of my life!

Learning to suck- transitioning from tube feedings

My favorite part of the day...snuggle time with mommy!

Safe in his warm comfy world

First time out of the incubator- Weston had to maintain his own body heat before he could come home. He did great with tons of blankets :)

Resolved

We are in Palm Springs right now at the Resolved conference with 3,000
plus other people who have gathered to hear about this years topic :
Christ! I have only heard one message so far, I have a little 12 month
old distraction this year, but it gave me enough to think upon for the
rest of the week! Andrew has been serving Dr. Lawson and his family
and my mom in law has been soaking it all in and filling me in on the
sermons I have missed. Weston and I have enjoyed listening to the
amazing worship and meeting the other moms and babies hanging in the
back, trying not to be a distraction :) But as usual, it is so
encouraging to see how many young people are passionate for God's Word
and how God continues to show us His grace in saving so many
undeserving sinners!

He's Trouble!

Just this past week Weston has finally mastered crawling which has
changed things a bit around here! Let's just say things don't stay as
neat as they used to :) But that's ok, we are proud of our little guy
for his new accomplishment which is just in time for his 1st birthday
this Thursday!

Happy Father's Day!

We had a wonderful and mellow day on Sunday celebrating Father's Day. Andrew is so sweet and easy to please...he only had two requests for his special day- being together and Costco hotdogs! So that is what we did. ( we also took a 2 1/2 hour nap and almost were late for evening church!)

Andrew is such a wonderful daddy. I can't even begin to explain all that he does for us. He is SO busy with work and school, yet we always feel top priority. I know it takes a lot on his part to manage his time and we so appreciate it! Weston beams from ear to ear when daddy comes home, and begs to be held whenever he is sees him. Andrew has also been the one to teach Weston how to say "Da Da" and "Mom Ma" and how to give kisses :) Bath time and story time are also special times that Andrew and Weston have together. It gives me such great joy to watch the tender sweetness that Andrew has for our little guy. What a great Dad!

I was in Texas last week, with my parents for the birth of my nephew and was able to give my dad an early Father's Day hug and kiss, which was a special treat! We have not been together the past few years, since my parents are in Scottsdale. While I was gone, Andrew's dad came down to help with Weston, so I was able to travel kid free. What wonderful dads we are surrounded with- all willing to be there for their kids when they need them. Thank you to our dads for the years of sacrifice for us. We love you!

Proud auntie!

Meet my baby nephew!

Ryder 6/15/10 1:45 pm 6 lbs 14 oz. Praise to God!

Michigan

Here are the pictures of our trip to Michigan finally! I actually have a few more to post of Weston's first swim in the pool, family pics etc. But this will do for now :)

We had such a wonderful time and it was very special to me to bring our son to where all of my family is from. Everyone, except my mom's sister, had not yet met Weston either! So he was introduced to many cousins, aunt, uncles and of course my oma and opa. I was also special to see one of my closest cousins Ryne get married! His brother Sean and my sister are very close in age, and Ryne and I are very close in age- so as you can imagine the four of us got into all sorts of adventures/trouble growing up! Ryne even saved me from drowning in the fifth grade- u will have to hear that story another time.

It was beautiful there, everything in bloom, and I even got to hear a real live thunderstorm! Something I really miss here in CA. The flower pic above is from my Oma's big beautiful garden.

Vines on the barn at my grandparents farm

My dad with Weston in the U.P. where the wedding was held. ( on Lake Michigan)

In the U.P. we went to this really neat old town that produced iron in the 1800's. It is well preserved and pretty fascinating to learn what life was like there.

Where coal was made- my cousin Peter and his wife Jess with their two monkeys Jack and Brian

My Aunt and Uncle with their grandkids

The beautiful and fragrant lilac was everywhere in Michigan

My cousin Aaron's wife Laurie at the wedding

The wedding was held at a beautiful remote point along the Lake with this lighthouse

My cousin and his beautiful bride Jen

After the wedding we headed down (a 6 hr. car drive) to my grandparents house in Saginaw. We all have taken a turn at this old piano as infants in this pose!

Andrew cutting the grass in this fashion for the first time! He loved it. My grandpa is unable to do this now and really appreciated it.

Make up time! Going out to lunch

Mother and daughter, can you tell ?

My Opa with Weston

A few more to come!

Chicken Lickin' Good

On Tuesday I received this GIANT shipment of chicken for a recipe development project/job! The company I am doing this for is trying to market a new product line of chicken for commercial use- specifically fajita chicken strips. So since Tuesday I have been creating and cooking away, and every one within a 10 mile radius has received some chicken entrees! I have until next Tuesday to develop and perfect 10 recipes- 12 servings each. Lots of work and lots of fun!

Mole Chicken Empanadas

Pineapple Chicken Tacos

Fiesta Quiche

Smoky Southwest Penne

Chicken and White Bean Chili

More to come :)

11 months and 16 weeks

Here is baby #2 at 16 weeks! Growing nicely and right on track. We had an appointment last Thursday and the hemorrhage has healed as well, praise God! We also got confirmation that this baby is definitely a boy. But from the first pics, we had no doubts :) The pic below is me at 16 weeks with Weston!

And Weston is now 11 months old and changing so much socially. He now waves hello and bye bye and Andrew taught him how to give kisses, so sweet!

He also is really enjoying the summer berries on sale these days- especially raspberries!