Happy 2nd Birthday Hope

Dear Hope,

You turned 2 today.  We had a party for you and you had no clue it was your birthday.  Even when you blew out your candles and opened your presents, you still had no idea.

 I ordered a special birthday outfit for you and you were less than thrilled to put it on!

Happy Birthday Hope.  We hope next year you know just how special you are!  You are SO loved!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Dear R2,

I can't believe you are three.  You have been SUCH a joy to me for the last three years.  You are funny, sweet, smart and totally adorable.  You know all your letters and colors and are completely potty-trained.  You LOVE Thomas and Cailou!  You decided on a Thomas party and loved your cake.  Whenever I would ask what you wanted for your birthday, you would say "Thomas cake".  When I asked what you wanted for your birthday breakfast, you said "Thomas cake". 

You are still my little Boo and I love that you are growing into a sweet little boy but I just wish you would grow a little slower.

Happy Birthday, R2.  You are so loved.

Painted toes

Guess who has painted toes?

Hope's First Easter

We had such a nice Easter.  It was Hope's first Easter!  Last Easter, I remember showing her picture to the whole family.  So nice to have her home.

We dyed Easter eggs which she liked.  She cracked a few by throwing gently placing them in the dye cups.

She hunted eggs and then hunted them again but it was hard convincing her to give them up.  She clearly thought they were her eggs.

Steff

Happy 5th Birthday!

Dear R1,

HAPPY Birthday!  I just can't believe you are five.  You were born in the middle of the night(222AM) and instead of crying you looked around for two straight hours.  You were such a good baby and you continue to be such a good son.  You are growing up and learning what it means to be a good friend. 

You chose to spend the night at a local pool and have some good family time instead of a party with your friends.  We just got back from that fun time and you had a blast!  You swam everywhere and laughed! 

You are truly such a blessing!  Your smile lights up the entire room! 

Happy Birthday sweet boy!  We love you!

Pig Tails!!!

Her hair is finally long enough for pig tails. 

Ok, I forced it a little, but I have been waiting 8 years(or my whole life) to do my daughter's hair..and she looked so cute! 

I know they are a little off-center, but I did my best...and had so much fun!

Steff

3 months

Dear Hope,

You've been in this 'ALL BOY' family for three months now!  You are far from the dainty girl that I imagined.  You fit right in with this rowdy and loud house! 

Here are the things that have changed:
1. Instead of screaming when you are giving a hug, you readily give kisses to Mommy, Daddy, and some dolls.

2. Instead of hating your bath, you hear the word "bath" and you scream and run to get your clothes off.  You can't get into the bath fast enough.

3. Instead of speaking babble, you know say Hi, Bye, All Done, Jester, Mama, Yia Yia.  You also repeat all kinds of words.  My favorite is awesome.  You can say a mean awesome!

4. Instead of preferring Mommy for everything, you are now the apple of your Daddy's eye.  You scream and run when you see him and demand to be picked up and snuggled. 

5. Instead of having to really tickle you to get a smile, you give lots of smiles and big belly laughs readily.

6. Instead of having your 12m pants fall off of you, you are moving into 24m clothes and growing so tall!

7. Instead of having very thin, unhealthy hair, your hair is growing thick and beautiful.

You are doing so well Hope.  We are totally in love with our little princess, even if you act more like a boy :)  You do still love to dress pretty.  If I give you a choice of clothes, you always pick the pretty dress!

We are working through eating and playing but you are learning us as your family.  You and R2 fight less and love more!  I caught you both giggling and laughing together on your bed.  I can often find you right beside him doing whatever he is doing.

Hope, thank you for blessing our lives.  We are so happy you are home!

Next weekend, we are doing a photo shoot with a great photographer  through a wonderful NEW program called red thread sessions.  I'm so excited!!

Steff

Snow!

Hope ecperienced her first snow and sled ride and like anything different she said "NO WAY".

 

She had her surgery on the 10th and things are going ok.  She is eating little bits of food, but still drinking her formula.  She just doesn't care for any 'soft' foods. 

She is doing really well though and we love experiencing all her firsts!

2 months

Dear Hope,

You've officially been ours for 2 months!  What a blessing you have been to our family!  You have learned so much in those two months. 

•  Instead of soothing yourself(in unhealthy ways), you cry when hurt. 
•  Instead of screaming at bed time, you put your thumb in your mouth and fall to sleep on your own. 
•  Instead of being underweight(at 19lbs), you've gained 3 pounds and are almost a healthy weight! 
•  Instead of drinking 5 bottles, you are eating some solid food and completely on a sippy cup. 
•  Instead of not knowing how to play with ANY toys, you love your stethoscope and to steal all of brothers trains.

You learn new things each day and we're so happy you're home with us! 

Christmas

Long past due post about Christmas!

Hope had a good time opening the presents!  She liked the paper more than the gifts.  She is still learning to play with the things and has little patience to figure out how things work. 

Real life starts again tomorrow with medical appts, early intervention etc.  It was nice to have a break from the medical things for a few days!

This week she has a consult with two surgeons and an evaluation with early intervention.  On Tuesday, Jan 10th, she'll have her palate surgery.  Please be in prayer for her.

A few fun Christmas photos!

Steff