A Recipe for Life

Let me start by saying that this has been one the most challenging weeks of our lives. We were so excited and waiting to announce that we would be expecting a baby in September only to find out last week that God has a different plan. I went in for my normal check up last Thursday February 24 (suppost to be 10 weeks 5 days) with only positive signs of a healthy pregnancy (feeling tired, nauseous, and even threw up the morning of my check up). I was so devastated to find that our little baby stopped in development with no heart beat. My world was rocked and head was spinning. If any of you have shared in a similar experience I'm sure you can relate to my emotions. What did I do to cause this? Is there something wrong with me? Why did God do this....etc????? My plan for my new family of four had ended. It was such a loss of life and love and to make things more difficult, Phillips was out of town skiing with friends in Steamboat. I had to endure this news alone. I cried more that day than probably in my life. My mom drove in from Lake Charles that evening to stay with me so that I would not be alone. I don't know what I would have done without my friends and family by my side and really don't know what I would have done without precious Isabel helping me to see the GOOD in life.....the blessing God has already bestowed....the gift and miracle of a child. My dear friends (Cori and Liz) kept me busy/walking me through the motions of my afternoon/evening until my mom arrived.

I spoke to Phillips a million times and know that this news was just as hard for him to endure especially so far away from us. He had great support from his friends who kept him busy. It was impossible for him to fly home in time for me to schedule a DNC....so I told him to stay until his normal flight on Sunday. I spent the weekend in Lake Charles with love and support from my family. And on Monday February 28 I went in for my surgery with Phillips and my mom by my side.

By Monday I had come to peace with the fact that God is in TOTAL control. I have to TRUST in our Lord. So I want to share with you the Homily to Sunday's mass. It was a beautiful depiction of how God has a recipe for each of our lives. Just like any recipe if you take an ingredient out by itself.....such as oil in a cake....it would not taste good alone....representing tragedy or hardship. But all the ingredients combined is a beautiful thing.

I am ready for God to show me His will. I have been given the grace to understand that He has a certain plan for us as a family. Until then I am just gathering up the recipe for my life.

Valentines Day

My two loves!

We had a low key Valentines this year. Daddy brought the girls some strawberry cupcakes. We made homemade pizza and exchanged gifts. I love my two Valentines!!! We also allowed Isabel to eat as many suckers that she wanted in a two hour time frame (on her plate she has three).....she got tons of cards and candy from school. And thank you to all the grandparents and great grandparents that sent Valentine happies our way!!! All in all it was a terrific day.

Big girl bed

Isabel climbed out/fell out of her crib last week....so we decided to introduce her to the big girl bed. Big (AKA Rusty) drove in from Natchez this past weekend with a U-haul full of bedroom furniture. Isabel has been so lucky to inherit her grandmother BB's beautiful bedroom suit from when she was a little girl. There are so many pieces....5 to be exact. And I promise I will post more pics when her room is complete.....it is a working progress. Also because this was so last minute isabel will be sleeping on random bedding pieces until her bedding is ordered.

This first night was Saturday February 5th. Daddy read her a book on the floor in her play space. Mommy read her a book in the bed. We did like we always do and said "Goodnight isabel, we love you and will see you in the morning"....hug, hug, kiss, kiss....and that was it she was asleep with no problems what so ever!!! This has been such an easy transition. She even stays in her bed when she wakes and waits for us to come tell her she can get down. She LOVES her new bed and bedroom so much!!!! My baby is growing up!

is

Next move......getting rid of night time pacifier......any suggestions?????

Gymnastics

Isabel started a Mommy and Me gymnastics class on January 17th. We go every wednesday night. She has been 3 times and already doing so much more than the first time. I think this will be a really good activity for her....hopefully wear her out and teach her a thing or two about following directions and taking turns. We need a lot of help with taking turns....when the teacher sets up a new obstacle or task, isabel bulldozes the other kids over to do it FIRST!!!! She sure is cute in that little leotard though!

Jumping along the trampoline.

Pulling herself along the beam.

Doing the bear walk.

Coming down off mat.

Tada!!!

Bringing in the New Year

I don't know how i managed to escape blogging in January.....i guess you could say we took a blogation. We have been so busy January and February 2011. To catch you up to speed, here are some Isabel moments captured in January.

She finally will wear a hat....but only this silly cow hat! At least her ears have been somewhat covered in this crazy cold weather.

Playing daycare with her babies!

Pig tails are a hot commodity lately.

Isabel bakes her first real cake with Mia.

A visit from the Meaders....here is Isabel (2 years) and Sam (almost 3 years). The daddys took them to the Aquarium while the mammas hit up Canal Place shopping!

So long January!!!

2010 Christmas Card

Happy Birthday Isabel

My Dear Isabel,

Its hard to believe that you are TWO years old today. You are the light in both mommy and daddys life and we can't begin to imagine life without you in it. You are such a blessing and a gift from GOD! You have added so much joy and energy to our family and we love you more than you'll ever know. You are such a sweet little girl....that can be somewhat bosy at times. You are smart and beautiful, always smiling and acting silly, very head strong (which will take you far in life someday) and very independent (you get this naturally). Happy Birthday my little tootybear!!!