Captured on video: January 21, 2009

Well Mama laid me on my tummy after my bath and was very impressed with how high I was holding my head and ran to get the video to capture it. Neither of us were expecting anything more, but much to our surprise I rolled right over and it was all captured on film.

It's still winter

There haven't been too many warm sunny days since November third I am told, but that's okay because my Mama and Daddy have lots of things they can do to keep me warm. This week they moved me next to their bedside to sleep in my Moses basket again so I could stay warm and you can tell I have really grown because I now fill it up.

My face continues to light up this world and I found a new purpose for my pretty hands--who knew I could fit my fist into my mouth?

Our friend Gabby

Mama's friend Leslie Brown (she lives in Columbus, Ohio) had twin baby girls the same day I was born. One of her twins Gabby was born with CDH and although I don't understand it, she didn't get to come home from the hospital like me. She fought for each breath she took and went to heaven on January 15th. Although we never met Gabby, we loved her dearly and prayed for each day. We are very sad and Mama wrote the following to share with her friends that are grieving today too:

Gabby was a true blessing from the moment she was conceived and for each of moment of the 10 weeks and 3 days that she lived among us. She fulfilled God’s purpose very early in her life and while I wish so deeply like you that she was healed on this side of heaven, she is now perfected through Him, playing at his feet with so many of sweet ones that have come before. She witnessed to us, pointed us to prayer, and ultimately won many hearts for and to God. A testimony that any believer desires to have.

One of my favorite bible verses is from Hebrews 12. “So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall short but will become strong.” Gabby, Leslie, Scott, and her entire family marked straight our path. That path leads to the One who made us, sustains us, and provides us with Eternal Everlasting Life.

Gabby's mom had a blog dedicated to their journey: http://thedecisiontree.blogspot.com/

Bella's Birthday

What a fun week. I become more and more interactive with each passing day and this week afforded those around me with a lot of sweet smiles and simple sounds. I even smiled in the bath tub for the first time. It wasn’t captured on film as it was pretty short lived. Although I don't have words yet, I have something to say and love to say "gee." I really like to kick my legs and am determined that they are going to take me far even when I am strapped in my bouncy chair. I also got to attend my cousin Bella's birthday party—I could tell how much fun it will be when I am three too.

Two months old: January 3, 2009

I am already two months and like a big girl have transitioned to my crib to sleep at night. Mama and Daddy are very proud that I am now sleeping for eight hours each night. Also, it was time for me to go to see Dr. Mathis for my 2 month check up. I now weigh 11 pounds and 7 ounces and am 21 and 1/2 inches long. He said I was in the fifth percentile for weight when I was born, but sure have caught up. I was given 3 shots and they really hurt, but I don't have to go back for 2 months.

Back to work

Mama was really sad today as her maternity leave is over. We had a fabulous eight weeks getting to know each other, but I am really lucky though as Mamama and Tootz are going to take care of me while she is working. My dog Pete gets to go with me.

Mamama has been driving down to pick me up. Pete (we call him 6:15 as he sits in his bucket watching the door every morning for Mamama to arrive) eagerly waits for the word to run to the car with me.

My first Christmas

Santa visited and along with my family I had a fabulous Christmas. I know I will look back at the pictures that were taken and know how special it really was.

Santa Claus

I met Santa Claus this week, and although I won’t remember it, I was awake. Santa admired my pretty hands and commented on what my parents already know: I am the perfect Christmas gift. As preparations around me continue, I sit in my bouncy looking at the pretty lights on the Christmas tree. My Aunt Sheri brought my cousins in town for a visit and to make cookies that I was not allowed to sample.

I am eating like a champ which means other members of my family are now getting to feed me.

Christmas Concert

My cousins Carol and Catherine performed in their Christmas play this week so I rode with Grandma, Mamama, and Mama to Lexington to watch Aunt Sheri direct the musical. I rode very nicely in the car, well I actually slept for the entire four hours. Although my Mama said the program was fabulous I slept through it too. I tried cereal for the first time this week and I really liked it. I am sleeping more consistently at night and my one in the morning feeding has been pushed back to three.

Sling rider

My mama has a few favorite things and so do I. I've already told you how much I like my hands, but I really like my pacifer too as I haven't quite yet figured out how to suck my thumb. Another one of my favorite things came from our friend Holly Burns who sent me this wonderful Infantino sling rider. Each morning Mama puts me in it while she does things around the house. I especially like it when she turns on the vacuum cleaner and rocks me back and forth. My mama must be pretty smart as I think she knows I will take a nap in it while she gets some things done.

One Month Old: December 3, 2008

Where did the time go?? My first month has been a good one. I am now on an eating and sleeping schedule for Mama. She can count on 4 hours of sleep each night from me, although she doesn't get to sleep that whole 4 hours like daddy does. My dog Pete keeps us company in those wee hours though so its very good cuddling time. I have started to tolerate my bath time better--I no longer cry, but my tight fists will let you know I am still not happy until the towel is wrapped around me. I believe I have am now showing "social" smiles--I know how much everyone really loves them. I continue to lead a pretty simple life and next to my family's sweet hugs, my hands continue to be my biggest source of comfort.

My Sweet Hands

My hands covered my sweet face even in my earliest ultrasound photos. They have always been very special and pretty and I am proud to display them in many ways. I often make very tight fists when I am hungry. I also have a power fist that I raise to my face or up in the air to gain attention. Mostly, I like them touching my face so I know right where they are at all times. I love to hear my parents sing "She's got the whole world in her hands," mainly because right now I do./strong>

My first Thanksgiving

We have so much for which to be thankful this year as we are celebrating God's great gift in Martha Ann. We celebrated the special day with family. Uncle Ric and Melissa met Martha and Aunt Sheri was back after missing me for the last three weeks. Although I didn't get to eat any of the fixings, my Mama assures me that the food and left overs were great.

Three weeks old

How fast the weeks are going, but I sure have been busy. This week I slept in my crib at naptime but still hung out in my basket next to Mama's side at night. My Grandma presented me with her second hand knit blanket and it was finally warm enough to go for a walk in the Bumbleride that Mamama and Tootz bought for me.

My first bath

I had my first bath (real) this week and I really didn't like it very much. Actually I screamed pretty hard so Mama did what she had to do and got me out as she doesn't really like to hear me cry. I did like the towel I was wrapped in and how tasty my hands were when they were wet.

My second week

In my second week I still had lots of visits from Mamama as she made sure my mama had good food to eat while we hung out all day. My daddy would come home from work at lunch to see me. I lost my cord so got to have my first real bath, which I didn't like too much. I celebrated my big sister's 15th birthday and went for a Sunday drive to look at the fall color. My life is pretty simple as I like to eat, sleep, and be held (especially during the middle of the night).