Oddly Thankful...

Today I am oddly thankful for:
-3am feedings
-dirty diapers
-snotty noses
-spit-up
-a crying baby in the car, Target, church...
-worrying about Allee
-the extra "baby fat"
-sleep deprevation
-and all that "stuff"

WHY??? because each of these things means I have a happy, healthy baby at home to love each day and in the past few weeks and months I have been reminded how many people struggle with infertility, miscarriages, pre-term labor, early delivery, frustrating/failed adoptions, and even the death of a child. My prayer is that Brad and I continue to be blessed and that those struggling with these issues may be blessed too...

On a happy note--Congratulations to Pete and Stacey on the birth of a healthy baby boy, Jace Timothy. I hope all the best for them and welcome to parenthood!

On a serious note--a childhood friend and his wife lost their 18 month old daughter in an a freak accident last week. Please keep the Busscher and Frieling families in your thoughts and prayers as they grieve and embark on the road ahead.

Busy, busy, busy...

Here are some recent pics of Allee that I thought were so cute! I cannot believe how fast she changes-and looks more like Brad each day! :] Other than that we have just been busy with "stuff" lately-I have been trying to commit more time to getting planning etc... done before school starts, helping Wendi with wedding details (less that 2 weeks away! I can't wait), and last night were the Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties-great times! Hopefully we have a few more sunny days soon so we can hit the pool a few more times.

First Beach Day!

Yesterday Allee and I went with "the ladies" to visit my Aunt Joy at Sandy Pines. I have taken her to my Aunt Jan's pool but this was her first official day at the beach and the first time she wore a swimsuit. She hung out under the shade tree napping most of the afternoon but later it clouded over so we "tested the water". She loved it!

The Nursery

Many people have asked how Allee's room turned out-Cute I think!

I LOVE the bedding-custom made by WJM (aka my sister). I did the "wall art"--I think I made Wendi nervous when I told her I was working on a project but she said it was cute when it was all done (or she just didn't want to dash my enthusiasm so she lied!) :]

I'm 2 months old!

Yesterday Allee was 2 months old! Time has flown by increadibly fast and God has blessed us with a (relativley) happy and VERY healthy baby.


Today Allee had her 2 month Dr. appointment. Going into it my Mom and I guessed she was 13 lbs--we were close-she weighes 13 lbs 3 oz (97th percentile) and is 23.5 inches long (90th percentile). She also had to have all of her shots-notice the 3 bandaids on those chunky little legs. Yes she screamed and yes I almost cried-I felt so bad and would have if I weren't so consumed trying to calm her down. She has been a little out of sorts today and we will see how she sleeps tonight.

Happy 4th of July!

Allee had a busy day on the 4th of July. She attended her 1st parade (in Allendale) and seemed to "like it" as much as a 2 month old can (she didn't totally freak out when the fire trucks went by-I thought that was a good sign!) :] In the afternoon she had her first pool day at Aunt Jan's-she slept almost the whole time (nice for Mom!). At night Wendi, Dave & Jenna came over for a campfire with tonka pies and smores. Jenna was so cute-as always. Cute moment of the night included her asking if there were more fireworks. There was not but her big softie of an uncle said "do you want more?" Of course she did so off Brad and Dave went to the fireworks stand down the road to get more, and by more I mean not only quantity but "quality". When some got really big she covered her eyes, others were loud and she covered her ears. I think Brad had just as much fun lighting them and deciding which ones to do at the same time as Jenna (and the rest of us did) watching them. Allee just slept-she misses all the good stuff!

Silly Cousins!

Allee is so blessed to have lots of cousins already. That being said, it has been fun to see them all interact. Jenna has been a hoot (for those that know her you can already imagine)! Yesterday we were at my mom's house. Jenna was going to play out on the deck and Allee was in the swing. On her way out the door Jenna told Allee (with finger pointed matter of factly) that she (Allee) was not going outside and she could not cry or be sassy!



On Tues. Elaine watched Allee while I got my haircut. She also watches Hunter (4yrs), Hudson (8months), and Kennedy (3 months) on Tues (full house-brave woman!) As I was packing Allee up in the carseat Hunter was hanging around us. I asked him how he liked all these new babies at grandma's house. He gave me a sheepish look and and told me "not so much". The honest innocence of a child--Too cute!