Like a Lion...

Let me preface this with, I'm aware Daisy is just 9 1/2 months old. I'm also aware that she has no clue what she was doing. But I know that this was a God touch that was desperately needed.

On the way home from swim class, Daisy and I were listening to the radio and God's Not Dead (Like A Lion) came on. As soon as it finished, Daisy roared like a little lion cub. It was just something I needed to remind me that I'm a lioness and I can keep going and I will keep going. Overwhelmed, or not.

9 months?!

My dearest darling Daisy, you're 9 months old today. How on earth did that happen? What happened to the little baby who was just a few days old. I feel like that was just yesterday but I know every mom says that. Time flies when you're having fun and we are definitely having fun.

You've learned some new things these last few weeks. You've learned to clap, your newest and favorite trick right now, and you've learned to high-five. You've learned to wave but you get it confused with clapping sometimes. You've learned to stand, but not walk, not yet. You've also learned to play peek-a-boo with us. You hide yourself behind anything, a bit of cloth, your bib, a towel...then we say, "Peek-a-boo Daisy!" Then you reward us by pulling down whatever was covering your face and giving us a great big smile and a squeal. This is one of mommy's favorite games with you.

We also found out that you enjoy being held and swung upside down. This makes you laugh. While you're a very happy baby, you don't laugh very often. Mostly squeal and smile at us. To get a real laugh, we have to do something really silly. Like put an e-collar on Lucy's head. This made you laugh right away.

We took you to your first concert, by mistake. We went to Pluto's in Davis after swim class last Wednesday and Band-Uh came through and did their own flash mob type thing. We have a video.

Let's see, you had your 9 month appointment today. You weigh 16 pounds, 5 ounces (11th percentile) and are 27 1/4 inches (40th percentile) in length. You had to get a flu shot and, as always, you yelled. But you got over it pretty quickly. The nurse started playing peek-a-boo with you and that made you happy. The doctor says you're doing great! This weekend you have a play date with three other babies from our mommy group. You've seen Chandler and Sarah before but Ry is a new one. They'll be fabulous, they always are! I'll take your 9 month pictures this weekend I think. Right now you're napping and I wonder if you're actually going to wake before your actual bed time at 7:30.

Oh yes, you have 5 teeth now by the way.

Picture catch up!


At the state fair, July 21, 2012


Gotta teach this girl right!


Always determined to get to me. This was August 15th


If you can't have me, the dog will do. Honey doesn't look thrilled with this idea though.


8 Month pictures. September 2, 2012 - On our way to the beach!


She loves her daddy!


Sometimes she just puts up with me :P


First day at the beach! It was chilly even though it's the middle of summer!




And we had to get a picture on your very own swing set. Too small or not!

Until next time baby girl!

Picture Catch Up:

 2 Months!


Getting a horsey introduction!


3 Months!




4 Months and swimming class! She loves the water!






5 Months and Memorial Day!


So the crawling begins, just a few days past 5 months. Yikes!



6 Months!


First two teeth, just a few days over 6 months. The first one came out a week or so before the second one. We still only have two at 7 months but it's coming. I can tell!


4th of July, she absolutely LOVED the fireworks! It was the first time since 5 months that she stayed up past bedtime at 7:30!




The first time on swings 6 1/2 months! They were a hit!

I haven't done her 7 month photos yet. Have to find the outfit and the scenery for it. Looking forward to it. It's going to be harder than ever before because she is soooooo mobile! She's going to be walking in no time flat!

Until then,
FFR

So basically...

I suck. Well, not really. The thing is, babies take a lot of time and energy. Something I don't have much to spare of. Daisy has established her own routine and, with it, determined mine. Last time I wrote, she was 7 weeks. She's 7 months now (I know, I really suck). She's changed a lot since then. She's still tiny and petite and every day we get people who ask and are surprised at how old she is!

Every single day I realize a little more just how much joy my little girl brings into this world. I know every mom says their baby is the cutest and sometimes, they really are cute. Other times...even I have to agree not always. Let's take this picture for example:

This is not a cute baby. This is my baby but she was not cute here (Sorry Daisy, you're not. I love you though!). Anyway, we've established that not all babies are cute. And not all cute babies are cute all the time.

The other day we walk into a room with a few other babies and everyone stops and smiles at Daisy and talks to and about her. Everyone, adult and child and baby alike is drawn to this enigma that is Daisy. She illicits smiles from everyone she meets. She makes friends everywhere we go. It doesn't matter where, she makes a friend. Everyone wants to talk to Daisy or hold her or feed her.

Before Daisy was born, we had a prophetic word that she would be the joy of heaven. That she is. The way she brings joy to our lives is undeniable, the joy she brings out of people who know her is enormous, and the joy she brings to anyone she even meets is incredible. God has truly given her a gift of joy and the ability to bring joy out of others. I wonder what she will do with it. I wonder more how we can foster this beautiful attitude she was gifted with.

We look forward to raising this little girl

into being a beautiful woman of God. It won't be a simple task but it's a challenge we're up for!

Until we meet again,
FFR

Raw

On my way home from work today I had a raw, real moment. Something that, unfortunately, has been a rarity. What started it? I don't know exactly. I was pondering something and it lead to me thinking this thought, "How do I ask forgiveness for something I am not yet sorry for?" How does anyone? If we are not sorry, we cannot ask forgiveness. Can we ask for the ability to feel sorry? To truly feel the depravity of what we have done?

After this thought came the rawest moment. I listened to "Keep Your Eyes Open" by Needtobreathe and I was suddenly in Heathrow, waiting for my flight to Africa. It has been a long time since I have REALLY thought about Africa. It's a painful thought. Not because it was at all bad in any way. But because I simply don't know how to handle life as I know it and incorporate the time I spent there. As I listened to Francesca Batistelli belt out "Beautiful Beautiful"  I nearly burst into tears.

Why am I so relunctant? Why can't I face it, work with everything that happened there and somehow try to make sense of it all? I struggled there in the car for just moments. Feeling the refreshing waters of Life rush over me.It had been so long.I can't even explain the feeling. Not at all. Words fail me. I should stop here. I can't even try to comprehend everything at this point. I'll have to try again later...