1 Samuel 1:27-28

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.

 

Matthew and I had serious talks about if we were going to have Isabella baptized or not. I grew up with the understanding that children are baptized as babies and devoted to the Lord by their parents. Matthew grew up with the understanding that children are dedicated to Christ and at a later date the child will decide to dedicate themselves to the Lord with a baptism. After many discussions with our Preacher (who also married us), each other, and hours of prayer we decided that we wanted Isabella to live her childhood led by the Lord. If when she is older and chooses otherwise that is for her to decide. We feel this is what was best for our family and I am not trying to say it is right or wrong for any other family.

 

On September 25, 2011 Isabella Faye was baptized at the same church Matthew and I were married in. It was very special to us. You were dressed in a very simple white dress that Grammy bough you, with white socks, and an embroidered bib. We were surrounded by our family and friends. You did well in church (something that has not been easy for you since you were in my belly) and even slept after you were baptized. Thankfully Uncle Bryan took pictures because I was a little flustered (but atleast we made it to church on time).

 

Pictures From Our Special Day

 

Isabella we have dedicated you to Christ. We will do our best to guide you and lead you through life holding the Lord in our hearts. We are proud of you and love you very much.

5 Months & Happy Birthday to Us

In August of 2010 I was a mess. I was getting very impatient with the entire process of conceiving. I had miscarraiges, taken hormones, taken other meds for other reasons. Every bump in the road I felt was possible had happened. Any women with hormone issues knows the ups and downs. Any couple with problems conceiving knows the highs but mainly lows. And Matthew was sure I had almost hit my breaking point. My birthday was fast approaching last year and he was bound and determined as always to make my birthday special and of course he did. But my melt down happened the day after my birthday. Tears, sobbing, sniffles the whole SHABANG! I just wept to Matthew and told him that all I wanted for my birthday was a baby. I didn't care about any gifts. I knew that God had the only gift my heart really honestly and truely wanted. Little did I know that in August of 2010 He (and Matthew) gave me the best gift I could ever ask for, Isabella Faye! So now in 2011 we get to spend our birthday with you.

This is my birthday gift this year. Balloons (I love balloons) and cute little Isabella!

Of course Matthew and I both celebrated another year of being older we did other exciting things this month.

We took our first vacation as a family!!

We used Great-grandma Mary's timeshare again this year and hopped to one of our favorite destinations, Daytona Beach, FL. Matthew and I have been there three times together. It is getting a little run down and we are probably going to change beaches next year, but it was still good to get away. Another exciting part of our trip was meeting Andrew and getting to spend a few days with him. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our trip:

 This is Andrew flying his kite. It was a major attraction for everyone on the beach. He flew it up above some high rise apartments.

This was the view of the sunrise from our balcony. I definately could've gotten used to this.

You spent a lot of time in your stroller. It was fine with you because you wanted to watch EVERYTHING that was happening. However, it did put your cheaks available for squeezing by the old people at the resort.

The happiest place for you on vacation.

Daddy shaded you while you played in the sand and let the waves roll in on you. You weren't too sure of the waves but didn't want to stop playing.

This picture says enough.



Our family vacation 2011

Another very exciting thing that happened was Matthew's fraternity brother got married! (Finally) Kelly Houston & Michael Foster got married 09/04/2011. It is hard for us to attend many functions because of Matthew's work schedule and now having Isabella, but we are SO glad that it worked out for us. It was beautiful. The wedding was being held just down the road from Matthew's Aunt Janice so we were able to attend the wedding and Isabella could stay with Nana and Aunt Janice. However, Isabella did make an appearance at the wedding. She gave Kelly a run for her money on best dressed though. Congrats Michael & Kelly! We are so happy for you two!

 I told you that Kelly had a fierce competitor.

James, Mallory & Cooper

 Matthew & The Groom

 Leigh & His Girlfriend

 Joey & Mary Scavone

Saying Farewell to the Happy Couple! Congrats again!

What a great month! We are so blessed as a family.



Look What Happens When the Boys Have Craft Stuff to Play With

This was left over from my cute spring wreath. I can't believe it has stayed put as long as it has. Oh well what a cute suprise to come home to. Atleast they didn't suprise me with something worse maybe in the color of brown. Happy Friday!

4 Months!

Little you are growing way to fast for your Mommy & Daddy. You are growing and changing so fast that we are starting to notice little changes just from the time we drop you off with PatPat in the morning to the time we pick you up at night. Your grabbing everything you can get your hands on and it usually goes immediately to your mouth. I think we may have to buy stock in Lysol or antibiotics.

Here are some of the things you are doing now:

• You have mastered rolling from both front and back. We can't let you out of our site.
• Your walker and exersaucer are okay, but you don't like it for long. You mainly just like to grab the toys on them.
• Playing on the floor by yourself will keep you content for a little while as long as someone is in your sight.
• While I am in the kitchen cleaning or cooking, you will sit in your high chair and jibber-jabber to me for the longest time. (I LOVE THAT)
• When your daddy comes home from work you almost jump out of your seat with excitement. And you stay in his arms until its bedtime.
• We are practicing lifting your big 'ole melon and getting some strength in your neck muscles, but honestly that is a lot of work and it just isn't your favorite thing to do.
• Dr. Adams said that we could introduce you to cereal. So we took you to Nana's house and tried our first meal of cereal. You happened to be lucky enough to be joined by Nana, Papa, Great-grandmother Faye, Great-grandma Mary, Great-grandmother Carolyn, and Uncle Andrew. You had no problem taking to the spoon or the cereal. You ate it all up like a champ. However, Mommy will make it thicker from now on.

These are some of my favorite pictures from this month:

This is what I am going to call your "Official 4 Month Picture":

Isabella you are the joy of our lives. We love you so much. Your smiles are contagious and your giggles are as sweet as ever! Can we go to Neverland, so you won't grow up anymore? This stage is so fun and everyday is exciting. You are a blessing to your daddy and I in more ways than you know. I thank Him everyday for you and I will continue to thank him until I can't any longer.



3 Months

3 Months! I don't know if I am happy or sad. I am happy that you are more in tune to the world around you and bight eyed and bushy tailed. But I am sad that you aren't my little petite little snuggly baby. Each day with you is bittersweet and nothing can explain what it feels like to be your parents.

Here is your stats: You are a perfect 0-3 months, but growing very quickly. You wear a size 1 diaper like a VS model wears panties. You are 9 pounds 6 ounces and 21.75 inches long. You take 4 ounces of breastmilk consistently now and sometimes you want a little more. Bad news is that mommys booby milk is going away because of some problems that my gallbladder is giving me.

Your big achievement this month is that you have found your voice and you use it often. You want to talk to us ALL THE TIME and you want us to talk to you ALL THE TIME! I love it. It is like I have a little person to tell all my secrets too. I used to get bummed living here in TN and not having any friends other than your daddy, but you are more than a friend to me now and I couldn't be happier for that.

Another big achievement this month is that you are sleeping in your bed without your bubble seat.Yay! That is mainly due to another achievement of you learning how to roll over. You have no problem rolling from belly to back. And if you give enough push off you can get from your back to your belly as long as your arms don't get in the way. Usually they do get in the way though because you won't keep them out of your mouth. I am suspicious of an early teether.

Each day your daddy and I thank our lucky stars for you. We love you so much. All of your smiles make us melt. You mean the world to us. We can't get enough of you. No matter how rough life gets your beautiful smile keeps us rolling.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the last month:

You are super happy all the time.

Excited to go to church all dressed up!

You and Daddy ready to go to church.

Your not sure about this outfit, but like to chew on the bow.

Uncle Rick & Aunt Karen got you this cute outfit. Mommy loves it!

Official 3 month picture by Mommy.

Watching TV with Uncle Andy before heading to Illinois!

Family Phot Op.

Grammy enjoying your visit.