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. 

She is almost HERE

3 weeks ago we decided to do family pictures and preserve the belly moments of Isabella growing in my tummy. We just got some of them back and I think they are GREAT. 3 weeks to go until she arrives. Im so ready to meet her. Today over lunch Preston said when Isabella comes Im going to give her a kiss. He is going to be such a great big brother. Enjoy looking at some of my favorites. There are more, but I will give them to you a couple at a time so I don't overload you with pictures. 

Dentist for Preston

12 days ago Tim and Preston were playing and Preston tried to jump from one end of the bed to the other where Tim was standing. Tim could see that he was NOT going to make it and tried to get him, but Preston hit his front two teeth on the bed frame. It was instant tears and blood.

It took a week for the swelling of his gums to go down and for him to let me touch inside his mouth. I instantly noted that his front teeth were loose. So I made a dentist apt. and today was the day. Since it was a last minute 'emergancy' apt it was at 7pm ( I know for a 3 year old) but I was thankful to get one so soon. We practiced going to the dentist all morning. Laying on the couch and using chopsticks to poke at his teeth etc. I kept telling him, "it might be scary, but it WONT hurt."

He was so excited to go, so after dinner we got in the car and headed to the dentist. At the reception I had to fill out some paperwork, and Preston quickly went up to the counter and proceeded to tell the ladies what happened and that his tooth is loose and might fall out. They were all in awe of his articulation and charm.

A minute later the dentist was ready for him. He skipped into her office and then it hit him...he was scared. He hid behind my leg, but the lady was SO GOOD WITH KIDS. She showed him her tools and then the highlight of his night came. He got to pick out a pair of glasses to put on so the light wouldn't be too bright. Below are the pictures. He didn't scream or shed a tear. He opened his mouth wide and let her poke around. He got x-rays done by himself since they wouldn't let a prego in the room :) SO BRAVE. Below are the pictures. My only question for him was, "why do you scream and cry when we get your hair cut, but are excited and happy to go to the dentist AND get vaccinations?" Yes you read it right. He cries every time he gets his hair cut, but has NO issue with vaccinations and apparently going to the dentist.

What was the outcome you ask? Well thankfully his tooth was not broken and there is no root damage so in another 2 weeks the tooth should tighten back up and in November he'll go for a cleaning. He is excited to return and wear those special glasses again. 

sushi...YUM

Im so glad that Preston likes to eat Sushi with me. It is an inexpensive meal to buy both in Thailand and Vietnam. Yay for healthy and affordable. 

Christmas in Sept.

Last year we started a new tradition in our Advent observations. I made a 'Jesse' tree that had about 20 ornaments that represented creation until the birth of Christ. Since it was more of a last minute idea I worked on the fly last year and this year wanted to improve the ornaments. I have been working diligently on this project while in Chiang Mai waiting on baby Isabella's arrival. Below are a few that I have improved on. 

  Noah's ark

Wall of Jericho

Tree of knowledge of good and evil (sin entering the world)

10 commandments

The above were made from a simple salt dough recipe, but I soon learned that in SE Asia it is too humid and they don't fully dry. So I have since bought air dry clay and am in the process of redoing them and seeing if the clay will dry better. I am almost finished with all the ornaments. I have a few other things we will be doing as a family this year, but I will save that for the actual season of Advent. I know it is Sept, but I also know that with Isabella coming in 5 weeks I wont have time to do these crafty things before Advent as I will be all caught up in staring at our miracle baby.