The most wonderful time of the year

Christmas really is one of my favorite times of the year. The lights, the songs, the truly magically feeling you can get. Yes, I DO love Christmas.

Our family has had a busy couple of weeks. We went on a "staycation" to a hotel in North Myrtle Beach for the night to take Whitney swimming. We had the pool to ourselves both in the evening and in the morning when we took her swimming. She loved the water and had a great time splashing around.
We were busy putting up the Christmas tree and getting the house decorated both inside and out. Everything has it's place and looks wonderful. We even had special visitors last week....my parents came to visit!

Since our babysitter was off for the week they decided to come down for a vacation and take care of Whitney while Andy and I were working. It was such a nice treat to have them at our house for the holidays. Whitney got spoiled with lots of Grandma and Grandpa kisses, playtime and walks around the neighborhood. Since the weather has been in the 70's they were able to enjoy lots of time outside. It is so wonderful to see them together. For parents of little ones who don't have family around, I'm sure you can relate. The special time they do get to spend with family is priceless, I sometimes wish I could freeze time so we could all remember the special moments.

As for Whitney, she is so strong. She's been sitting on her own for the past few weeks, just short of when we took our Christmas photos. We all know she's been rolling over for some time now, but now she's getting really smart, realizing she can roll over to reach things. Things she likes to reach for the most....TILLY! They are special friends and she loves pulling at his hair, ears and bandanna. Luckily, he hasn't minded too much and I think he likes the attention. The holidays are even more special with her around and I know each year they will become more memorable. Not a day goes by that a tear isn't shed about just how happy I am to have her in our life. She is truly remarkable and a living miracle showing us how great God really is!
Now to leave you all with some pictures...

5 months and growing fast

So I'm a little past due Whitney's 5 month update, but only by about 2 weeks, so I'm not fretting. Wow, 5 months already, truly, where DOES the time go? I get it, "they grow up so fast", but why yes, they actually do!
The month of November was fairly calm, for what I can remember of it. No doctor appointments, no trips to Wisconsin, just lots of playing and growing. We've got the Christmas tree up, along with all the decorations, so we're ready to bring on the holidays!

Whitney started eating rice cereal on her birthday and has been really taking to it. The first time was really just getting her used to the spoon and something more solid, but each day after that has been better and better. I think we'll stick with the cereal for the month, and next month start on the vegetables. I'm going to try (keyword try) to make our own food. I know it is the best for them, but if you would have asked me 2 years ago if I would ever make my own baby food I would have laughed out loud. Andy really wants to try it, I think just to use the Ninja blender, but maybe I'll just have in charge of making the food, we'll see.

We also celebrated Thanksgiving at our house, and had a wonderful day. There were 8 of us total, all really great friends of ours and had a super relaxing day with lots of football, laughs, and of course a 26 pound turkey. Whitney did wonderful, playing on the floor, sitting in her chair, and slept all through dinner, which made it great for me, I could actually enjoy the meal. Even though we don't have family here, I'm so glad Whitney will get to grow up knowing our friends. They have become such an important part of our lives, we're happy she gets to be share this now.

Probably the most exciting thing that has happened these past 2 weeks, so slightly past her 5 month birthday, is her sitting up on her own, unsupported and not in the Bumbo. She really seemed to get the strength to do this just in the past few weeks. Today I even had her sitting by herself on the ground and was able to walk away for about 30 seconds and come back to her still sitting. She's really rocking back and forth alot too when on her tummy....she's too young to start crawling!!! Hopefully she'll give us awhile yet before that starts. Either way, having her sit on her own is awesome, really incredible how these little things can make us so proud of her.
Her 5 month milestones include:
-Eat 5 oz every 3-4 hours and 6oz before bedtime / I started rice cereal today / I get a bath at 8:30 & bottle at 9pm. I sleep until 7 am / I enjoy reaching for people and objects / I can sit on my own for a few seconds / I like to roll onto my tummy / I like to smile at everyone I see!

Feeling oh so blessed

This past week has really had me doing a lot of reflection. There has been some heart wrenching news coming my way from friends in regards to babies. Babies (and parents) that really need my (our) thoughts and prayers.
Each day I thank God for all the blessings he has given our family, I am truly so thankful. It makes me step back and reflect daily how everyone's lives are so complicated. It's almost frightening to think of all the personal struggles people are going though, and on the outside, no one knows. Life can be so tough, and certain circumstances can make it even harder. I try to take just a few minutes each day and say what I am thankful for. We all need to start doing this.
I heard a quote a quote the other day that went something like, "What if you woke up tomorrow and the only things left were the things you thanked God for tonight". I think of this quote often and am really taking it to heart.

As for Whitney, I know I may be sounding like a broken record, but she is doing so good. She is such a happy baby and is totally spoiling us (making up for the first month I suppose). She hardly cries unless she is hungry and I cannot believe she will be 5 months old next week. She'll be starting cereal and vegetables soon, growing up so fast.  I'll leave with you some photos, enjoy....and remember to count your blessings!

Happy Halloween

Whitney's first holiday was Halloween (I am not counting 4th of July, since she wasn't home yet) and we had a great time. Unfortunately Andy had to work all night so he missed out on the festivities, but there were many other parents who requested off early to go trick or treating and since he knew we wouldnt be doing that yet, we were all OK with him being gone.

Our neigbors moved their firepit into the culdesac and invited all the neighbors to come sit outside and enjoy the fire. We all brought our candy bowls out with us and we were armed for the little kiddos. We were disappointed that only about 15 kids came around, most of them from our direct neighborhood, but it was nice to sit outside and chat. Whitney was all bundled up, and since she spent plenty of time around a campfire in Wisconsin, she was an old pro. It was a bit chilly but our neighbors kept her warm as she was passed around.

I cannot stress enough how wonderful our neighborhood and neighbors are. The support and love they have shown our family is so wonderful. It is especially great since our family is all back in Wisconsin to have that feeling of closeness and love.  Their concern and care is too much for words, every day I am so thankful for the house we chose to buy, it is truly our "home".

I did get to snap a few pictures of Whitney dressed for the fun holiday. Great Grandma Jackie sent her a Halloween shirt and she received a pumpkin hat and socks from her cousins Ryan and Lauren. Then at night she wore her ladybug costume, and Tilly was sporting his usual bumblebee costume that he has lovingly wore the last 4 years. Happy Halloween and enjoy!

4 months old - October 23rd

A few days ago I posted on Facebook Whitney's 4 month old "milestones" but alas, have neglected my non-facebook friends here on the blog. She is growing and developing, but the worrying never stops. Is she too weak? Too strong? Too short? Should be doing that? Is that normal????

I know all new Moms question their babies actions, but I am in hyper mode. I really do try not to lose sleep over this and am not losing sleep over it, but the mind does race with questions. Poor Andy has to listen to my concerns, but he is great at bringing me to reality, she is doing wonderful and we have a baby who we love, and he is wonderful for pointing that out to me.

Her milestones for this month include:
-Eat 5oz every 3-4 hours and 6oz before bedtime
-Goes to bed between 9 or 10:00 and wakes between 7 or 8 am
-I enjoy putting my hands in my mouth
-I like to smile and blow bubbles
-While lying on my tummy I can lift and turn my head from left to right
-I have already gone flying twice to Wisconsin

Go Whitney!

Best. News. Ever.

For many of you who have been following the blog know that Whitney's MRI appointment was last week Tuesday. This was a source of extreme anxiety for me. This past month I have really been able to enjoy Whitney and watch her grow and develop right before our eyes. She has been progressing right on schedule and as the MRI neared I almost became less and less scared and more and more optimistic - she has been doing SO GREAT.
We received the wonderful news that Whitney's MRI had come back with no brain damage! The doctor was very pleased with how the scans looked and during his checking up on her he thought she looked great and that the cooling treatment was a success. While only time will tell on how she develops both physically and any possible speech delays, the MRI was clean.

What an emotional day that was for our family. As I stood by her while she was in the MRI tube, listening to the sounds and hums and moans of the machine, I could not help but cry. If you would have asked me 4 months ago before she was born, I never would have imagined that we would be doing such things. Words that have become part of our language "delays", "MRI", "brain damage" should not be part of any new parents vocabulary. And standing there, watching your daughter get an MRI, with the outcome unknown, with so many questions running through your head is almost too much. All I could do is let the tears stream down and pray.

The doctor said he wouldn't need to do anymore MRI's and basically wished us well and said he could see us back in another 6 months. The news was great and we are so thankful. We are very optimistic about Whitney's future. We know there could be speedbumps along the way, but with strength, all you can do is take one day at a time.

Wow, time flies

So the saying actually is true, time really does fly when you are having fun.
I was ever so gently reminded this past week from friends, family and coworkers that the blog needs some new posts. Yes, it's true, Whitney and I spent a week in Wisconsin and just returned home today. This would mark the second time flying for Whitney in the last month, two trips to Wisconsin in just under 3 weeks. She is turning into a jetsetter already!
This past month has been so busy. Andy and I typically lead fairly busy lives with work and fun, and now adding Whitney into our lives makes it even more busy, but one thing is for sure, life never slows down for anyone.
At the beginning of October we flew to WI for a long weekend and a little vacation. We were able to introduce Whitney to most of our friends since we were in town for Matt and Jackie's wedding celebration. My parents met us in Milwaukee and watched Whitney while Andy and I had a chance to reunite with many of our Wisconsin friends and stay the night in a hotel. Whitney was able to meet most of her cousins on the Hendricks side and we all got to spend time with family.
We also headed a bit more south to Beloit and spent some time with Andy's family. Whitney had a great "Welcoming Whitney" party and was able to meet many members of Andy's family and their friends. It was a great little vacation and went by entirely way to fast.

I then had work meetings in Wisconsin this Monday-Wednesday so decided to make a long trip out of it and fly back to WI on Friday afternoon. Since Whitney "proved" herself on her first flight that she could behave herself, I decided to brave it, and take her flying with just myself while Andy stayed back in MB. We were able to spend some quality time with my parents and Whitney got to meet more cousins, more friends and more family.

Having friends, family and co-workers meet Whitney has been such a blessing. I know so many of you have been thinking and praying for our family. It just brings tears to my eyes thinking of all the support we have had these past 4 months. It was such a joy to have people FINALLY meet this little miracle they have been sending prayers to. She is doing so wonderful and I'm so proud of her. Having the support we have had has been such a Godsend. Whitney has come such a long way and seeing her now is unbelievable.
THANK YOU again to everyone! We saw so many people this past week, and it felt great. Great knowing that our little one is so lucky to be blessed with all this love in her life. Thank you!