Congratulations Molly!

Today we officially welcomed our beautiful god-daughter Molly Rose to the Catholic Church. Molly was baptized and was a little angel throughout the whole thing. As an added blessing, God granted us with very cooperative toddlers as well despite their sleepiness. Josiah and Lucy (and Lydia) were all wonderful during mass too. The baptism was just beautiful and the reception with family and friends was perfect... We love you so much -Andrew, Laura, Lucy and Molly!! We are so proud!!!

Very Weird Day

Well... today has been very... weird to say the least. Yesterday the doctor gave me an antibiotic, a stronger one since I was just there a few months ago with an ear ache/infection. I've taken this before, but apparently something went wrong today. I'm assuming it's the medication, but really I just don't know. I took the initial dose last night and was fine, but then when I took it this morning about an hour and a half later I was doubled over in pain. Sharp pain in my stomach. I was speechless and out of breath the pain was so bad. I seriously was VERY close to calling 911 at a certain point. Since I could barely talk, Josiah actually talked to Daddy (after I dialed the number) and I just whispered, "tell Daddy to come home"... He said, "Dad? ... Dad? You need to come home. Mommy needs you, she's hurtin' " ... he's so sweet. I felt bad but when I tried to take the phone and talk to Michael myself another wave of pain came over and I could barely breathe, so I just hung up. Thank GOD Lydia was just in time for her nap so she went to sleep and I put a movie on for Josiah. I did my best to stay a little bit away from him, I didn't want him to be worried or scared. They both had a doctor's appointment in the afternoon and I had no idea how I was going to get them there. Thank God for Grandma, who left work to come and help. I did my best to stay still, but every time I moved and off and on in waves even when I was still, the pain in my stomach would hit, and it was I'd say, a 8 or 9 out of 10 on the pain scale... and that's coming from someone who's delivered a baby with no pain medication- lol, trust me it was bad! So needless to say I'm no longer taking that antibiotic, in case that's what it was, and the doctor is supposed to be calling me back tomorrow. Hopefully we'll get things sorted out... a big THANK YOU to Grandma for all her help today, she's amazing. She also came over later and helped us get so much more packed up... basically we couldn't survive this move without my Mom's help, especially with us all sick right now, I'm getting nothing accomplished. She keeps everything in order for us! Thanks Mom!

Josiah and Lydia both have yukky junky coughs but the doctor said he thinks it's just a viral cold so to let it run it's course for a few days and come back if anything gets worse. I'm glad to have them checked out though for peace of mind, you never know when it's an ear infection or something else that might need treatment. They were especially worried about Lydia's cough (which they heard over the phone) since she's so young still. But, so far, ...everything is okay.

Well, I'm off to get ready for bed. Please say a prayer the Walk family starts feeling better soon!

...Now I have to go wake up my husband, who is face down asleep on the desk next to the keyboard. *sigh* ha ha ha... goodnight!

Happy Birthday Megan!

We spent this past Sunday celebrating the 1st birthday of our beautiful god-daughter Megan. I can't BELIEVE a year has passed already, they are going faster and faster and that's just scary!

We had a wonderful time with our great friends Jess and Brian (Lydia's godparents!) and their girls Leah and Megan, as well as their family and friends. Jessica is by far the most amazing cook ever (okay my sister-in-law is tough competition for that title...so maybe they are tied) but, Jess is extra amazing because all the food she made was gluten-free and you'd never even know it- it was all so delicious! So was her cake! She made the most beautiful ladybug cake that anywhere else would have cost at least 300 dollars, maybe more... she's amazing. I'm totally jealous :) But that's okay, we're friends so she can always teach me- ha ha ha!

Here are some precious pictures from our fun day... I mostly took them of the kids playing at the playground we went to later in the day. Josiah and Leah have been buddies since we met (they were each around 2 months old when we met!) and now they are so close, they have a LOT of fun together and it's really sweet to see!

Daddies and Babies! Brian and baby Megan- birthday girl! Michael and Lydia (I know they look the same size almost but Lydia is 6 months younger- that goes to show how big Lydia is- ha ha ha)

Jessica and Leah on the slide, so cute :)

Lydia snoozing in the stroller...

Megan looking like she's ABOUT to snooze in the stroller... ha ha ha, poor kid had a LONG day!

SO CUTE-- Leah and Josiah peeking out of the play house

Leah in the tunnel

Josiah in the tunnel and Daddy looking through

"wwweeeeeee!"

"Momma look! I'm up on daddy's shoulders!" ha ha ha

Little Buddies :) Josiah and Leah

Illness and Cuteness

Hello my friends and family- Hi Nana!
So... bummer, we are all sick. Well, I take that back- I'm pretty sure Michael isn't really sick, but Mommy is, and so are the kiddos. Not sure what's going on with Lydia, but she had a rough night last night and couldn't sleep well... she couldn't nurse well or suck on her pacifier because she was congested. So she has a runny nose, a little congestion, from what I can tell it's just a cold like we have, but maybe subdued a bit (hopefully thanks to the breastmilk!) She was having a bit of trouble settling to nurse again today... but I'm hoping it's just the cold. Josiah has a nasty cough and sounds all congested, which I really can't help but still think is really cute... (the congested sounding little voice). Not that I'd ever wish him sick, he's cute enough already :o) But that voice... ahhh it's adorable. He folded his little hands to thank God for his PB&J today and then after saying the table blessing he said, "Mwom, we should say a mwawning offwawing" (morning offering) ... but his tiny voice was all muffled and congested. Melted my hear to a little puddle! So of course we prayed some more and asked Jesus to make us all well again, and off to nap he now is. I love nap time! And I'm hoping he can sleep well and start feeling better.

Despite being sick, we are just hanging out and having a relaxing day. Lots of water, and movies. Kid movies of course, which kinda fry my brain... but that's okay, Josiah needs to rest. :o) Mommy's will watch Winnie the Pooh and the Wiggles as much as need be. Today is just one of those days. And Lydia, is just as cute as ever. She was cracking up laughing at me today while Josiah was watching a movie, and despite feeling like my head might POP at any second, I can't help but enjoy how perfectly adorable she is. She's just irresistable!

we hope you all are healthy and doing well. We had a blast yesterday celebrating our god-daughter Megan's 1st BIRTHDAY! I'm going to post some pictures soon.
Love and Blessings!

Thankful

You know, after reading my last post and sounding so negative (thanks for letting me vent!) and reading through some thoughts of some other beautiful people who are going through such tremendous suffering right now... I have to say, I am well. We are good. No, we are GREAT. God is good- ALL the time. Yes things are a little stressful right now... but how blessed are we!?

We have a beautiful new home... so many people are homeless right now, and losing their homes.
We are so excited about our new home... our first house we will own together as a family.

We have two beautiful healthy children... (okay, well, yes Josiah is sick at the moment, but he will be better soon, ... very soon- we all get a stomach bug here and there!)

We have eachother. Michael and I are stronger than ever lately. I think that our love just grows and grows with each new change in our family and our life.

It's amazing to see how God just draws our hearts closer and closer. The only thing hard is letting him go to work each day. (I think I still will always secretly hope he wins the lottery and we can all hang out at home all day long with Daddy every day!) We just love him so much that we anxiously await the minute he walks in the door from work- or at least I do! And yes of course sometimes it's because I need help with the kids, but always more so because his smile lights up my entire world. When I lay my head against his chest at night, all my worries dissapear. I love my husband so much, he is truly the most perfect gift, God knew we were meant to be!

I hope and pray that all of you and your families are filled with Christ's peace today and always. We'll keep you posted on all the upcoming exciting things. Only 16 more days until we're in our new home!

So I'm off to snuggle into my safe happy place on my handsome hubby.... goodnight!

Not so great these days...

Josiah is running a high fever and has a bad tummy ache. Our landlord is being... well, something a nice Christian woman like me just can't say! So needless to say, things here are kinda crummy. Please pray that the Walk family will be up and running again soon... and that we'll survive yet another move.

Ahhh so stressed.

"I'm ready for my close up!"

Aunt Laura captured the sweet little face of Lydia on camera a few weeks ago... these are so precious! Enjoy!

Happy 6 Months Lydia!

Lydia Marie is 6 months old today! (I know, where in the heck did that time go!?!?) She had her well-baby check up today, and she's doing wonderful, as we fully expected. We were actually just at the office last week for an issue we were having which turned out to be excema (sp?) and she got a special cream and is now just fine. She is in the 97% PERCENTILE (!) for both height and weight, she weighs 19 lbs 6 oz and is 27 1/2 inches long! Growing like crazy!!! I was only (slightly) concerned that she can't sit up yet by herself, which I'm pretty sure Josiah was doing by now at this age... and the doctor said with what else I was telling her (that Lydia rolls from front to back- and from back to front- and will try to grab toys and roll over to them...) that she thinks she's just not focused on that right now. The pediatrician explained, "it's sounds like to me that her focus is on mobility right now, so why would she want to sit up straight in one place?" which is a very good point! Lydia LOVES to be in her jumper seat, bouncing and moving, but if she's not in there she'd rather be laying on the floor and rolling around. I intend to keep practicing the sitting skill with her, but I'm sure she'll get it down soon. She can sit by herself only very very briefly, before she topples over and rolls to the next thing! But she also sits herself up if I try to put her in a bouncy seat that reclines back. The doc also said she wouldn't be suprised if she starts pulling up and cruising around by her next visit- 9 months. YIKES!!!! (Of course, we may be seeing a new pediatrician by then... *sad sigh* But we'll see- I'm so sad to have to leave this office, they are THE BEST!)

She (pediatrician) also was watching Josiah and said, "So,... does he occupy himself?" and I said, "yes, as you can see..." (he was quietly reading a book) and she said, "Yeah... well... (looking back at Lydia) I don't think she's going to be like that" ha ha ha. And boy is she right... I told her she's on to something there- the past couple days, I've realized she has really become a social butterfly. She HAS to have someone talking with her and playing with her and toys are okay- but better if someone is playing WITH her with them... if it weren't for her big brother (YAY!) I'd be going CRAZY! Like today she was in the jumper and Josiah was jumping with her and she was happy and bubbly, and then he walked away and she immediately cried! And then he hears her and goes, "oh... Lyddie bug! Lyddie bug! It's okay I'm here!" and hops around the corner, and she's all smiles again! It's too funny. So it's a great thing that she has another companion, because otherwise I'd never have a free second what with her needing to be entertained all the time! Josiah was so opposite, he sat up at 5 months I think, and still at 7 and 8 months would just SIT there... toys all around him... but not reach for one. Just sit there... happy as can be just in his little spot. I remember once I put him on a big blanket, right in the center... and put all his toys all over the edges of the blanket, out of his reach. I was trying to encourage some movement, some reaching and getting on his tummy and rolling/scooting/crawling- whatever! But he looked around at his toys, tried but realized they were out of reach, looked frustrated for half a second, and then ... just gave up and started playing with his feet and toes! ha ha! Lydia ... oh boy, she's going to be my INTO-EVERYTHING child I can tell!

Today she also drank breastmilk from a sippy cup! (see pictures) You should've seen the surprised look on her face when she sucked on a cup and out came milk! It was too cute. I called Daddy to tell him that she was drinking out of a cup and he almost flipped... "whhaaa?????" ha ha ha. I told him..."Growing up right in front of our eyes, I know." I'm not sure he's so happy that his little baby girl is growing up so quick!

Hope you are all doing great- God bless!

Conversations with a 2 year old are always interesting

ME: Hey Josiah, what's your favorite color?

Josiah: *very thoughtful* "Hmmmm...... gray-blue-yellow!"

ME: WHHATT???

ha ha ha.

Another funny conversation...

ME: You want to read this book next? It has sing along songs.
Josiah: YEAH!
ME: Okay... "Ring around the rosie! A pocket full of Posies, ashes ashes, we all fall down!"
Josiah: *Laughs* then seriously said, "Hey!!! Mom, remember we got ashes at church that time??"

ha ha ha... Ash Wednesday memories!

Oh I have so many more, and so many funny ones, even more hilarious... but I'm drawing a blank on recent hilarious conversations. I'll make some more notes on this soon... it's great to have it on record for him to hear some of the stuff he used to say. When he's older he'll get a kick out of it!

All is well here, ... just trying to pack and get things ready for the big moving day... Josiah is doing GREAT (excellent!!) with his potty training, and it's really exciting! Yesterday was absolutely accident free.... he even told me when he needed to poop in the potty, AND he pulled down his own pants to pee in the potty! I was so proud. Go Josiah! (Although he's growing up too fast...) :(

Pictures of Molly Rose!

Here is our beautiful new neice!

* Josiah looks really frightening in this picture-I know- HA HA, he was immediately saying "CHEEEEESEE!" but it's a pretty scary face! But it's a great one of little Molly!




Kisses from cousin Josiah

Teeny Molly sleeping in Uncle Michael's arms!

This picture is fun because it shows you her size.

Mom and Dad's average size cat, Maggie, is about 3 times the size of Molly!!

too funny...

Welcome to the world Molly, we love you! It was great to see you today!

Another Growth Spurt...

Do they ever stop growing!? Well, that's a crazy question, but do they ever stop growing so FAST!? I think the childhood growth rates are even more astonishing when looking at my children, who are always bigger than their ages say they should be... I have a 6 month old (just about) and a 2 1/2 (okay... almost 3 you could say) year old boy, and yet, Lydia is now reaching 12 month size clothes (!?!?!) and Josiah is outgrowing his 3T clothing and is definitely a 4T. It's unbelievable. THANK GOD for my cousin Jenny who's passing on her little girl clothes to us!!! Luckily her 1 1/2 yr old is growing out of clothes just in time for my abnormally huge 6 month old to fit them right behind her!! :)

Lydia has been sleeping more the past couple days, and Josiah was doing the same thing last week... taking REALLY LONG naps. And I swear I put on a pair of pants (or PJs?) that used to fit him, and now they don't!! Once again, unbelievable.

Anyway I have some cute recent pictures to post! (Here they are Nana!) I wish blogger would let me upload videos, I've taken dozens of cute videos but it never lets me post one! I'll try again sometime soon.

Daddy was home today (YAY!!!) and kinda took a snow day. He went out with Josiah first thing in the morning to pull him on his sled and play in the snow. And then he worked from home for a while, and then made a trip to the store for me (gotta love husbands for driving in the snow!) It was a great day. I have a couple cute pictures of the boys all bundled up, but they aren't uploaded yet, so maybe next time. Take care!

Lydia looking at her book waiting patiently (HA!) for me to make her food!

Josiah's squishy smiley face is just priceless!

Daddy reading books :) One of Josiah's current favorites, "The Berenstain Bears: IN THE DARK"... Josiah's never been "scared of the dark" -- at least not yet-- but this book may start it! LOL.