Our first week as a family of 4

So much to post about. So much to be thankful for. First let me say, as I opened up the blog to make a new post I saw my last post and all the maternity pictures. There was sort of a grieving in my heart...questions like, "Did I enjoy my pregnancy enough." "Will I remember what it feels like to have her move in my belly." Having had such a LONG and DIFFICULT journey to get pregnant I was grieved by the fact that I might never have this opportunity again. Then as I looked up from the pictures I saw my miracle baby girl snoozing away in her favorite chair. PURE BLISS!!! SHE IS PERFECT!

So I guess the grieving is more of a sense that a season has come to an end. 9 months is a long time to have a life growing inside you and then in a matter of hours that season has ended and a new season is just beginning. So I put the past behind and look to the future.

Isabella's first week on the outside has been GREAT! She eats like a champ, even gaining weight in her 1st week check up. She also sleeps ALL THE TIME! I know newborns are supposed to do that, but you forget how much they sleep. I almost always have to wake her up to eat.

Things that I have LOVED this week are:

  When Preston refers to Isabella as 'our' baby
  When Isabella cries as I give her a bath Preston comes to her side and says, "It's okay Im here."
  The smell  of her skin
  The feeling of all 7lbs of her snuggled close to my chest.


 Those are just a few small things. I LOVE being a mom to 2 amazing children. I pray for the grace and wisdom to raise both of my kids the way He wants. My kids belong to God alone and I am but a steward over their lives for a short time. I pray that I can cherish every moment.

2 weeks and counting

Isabella should be here in the next 2 weeks. We are beyond ready and excited. The first half of this pregnancy went by so fast, but it seems that the last 8 weeks have moved SO SLOWLY... here are some more pictures from our photo shoot.

almost 4 wishing he was 5

about 18 months ago Preston saw a couple of guys playing soccer and said I really wish I could be on the team. I told him when he turned 5 we would try to get him on a soccer team in Hanoi.  He has never forgot that promise and still talks about all the things he can and will do when he is 5 years old. He isn't even 4 yet and will randomly talk about, "when Im five I get to..." I keep telling him that he has to stay my little guy forever. The other day we were walking and we were getting on an escalator and he randomly grabbed my hand and said, "mom I'll stay with you forever." SO CUTE!!! Here are some of the pictures that were taken of just him when we did our family pictures. ENJOY!

These cars were given to him from Aunt Kim. Every time we do something Isabella related like take family maternity photos go to hospital for long amount of time to do ultrasound etc. we have tried to give him a present that people have sent for him. On this particular day when we were done taking pictures he opened the cars that Aunt Kim gave him. We still have a few more presents to give him when Isabella comes. Sort of like a CONGRATS you're a big brother sort of thing. He was happy to get the cars and even happier to be done with pictures.