Wednesday, February 24, 2010

we can't wait!

When I was single and in college I wasn't necessarily thinking when I met guys about how good they would one day be able to pretend to be a horsey or if they could come up with a voice for each animal while reading the book "Duck on a Bike". I always knew that I wanted kids, so I knew that I wanted to marry someone who shared that desire...and I have found that actually becoming a parent and sharing that responsibility with someone is different then just helping me babysit for a few hours.

Becoming Griffin's mom & dad has been a journey for us. Those months before he came were spent thinking, talking, worrying, wondering...in anticipation for him! Since the night we found out we were pregnant we've been on a lot of highs as a couple...but that also comes with a lot of lows. It's hard to collaborate ideas, choices, feelings, opinions and backgrounds all together into one parenting model. We haven't quite perfected things either, but I guess you never really do right??? Isn't that the glory in living and learning! Thankfully, because of the awesome God we both know and love, instead of falling apart in the early days of no sleep, figuring out how to feed him, when it's ok for him to nap...and the cursed adventure of putting together all of the baby gear we continued to fall more in love with each other. A joint interest in this little life that God helped us create together made us see yet another reason to feel blessed that we were lead to each other.

It hasn't been easy, but worth it...for sure! Last night as I sat in G's room and watched the boys do their bed time routine I couldn't help but love both of them a little more. The best sound in our house is the two of them laughing together...playing cars, wrestling, or making weird faces at each other that makes them both crack up! Ryan does this hilariously ridiculous pony shake when he's giving Griffin a ride and his voices for the cat and the horse in one of Griff's favorite books makes me dye laughing, which in turn gets Griffin cracking up. After I kissed little man nigh night and walked out while the boys started their prayers, I couldn't help but think about all the things that we will laugh about with this next baby and how blessed I am to be doing this with someone who is so good at reading good night stories. Becoming a family has it's fair share of difficulties and heartbreaks and all of those things have only lead us to this point, where we can say we are more than thrilled to add to our family and share bed time rituals and funny voices and the idea of family with someone else. Although I am sure it will just as full of worry, doubt and frustration...we can't wait!

That all being said (sorry if I am getting sappy on you:)!) baby # 2 is scheduled to have an ultrasound on Monday! I am so excited I could burst. In less than a week we will get to see our little peanut again bouncing around inside of me, amazing that they can do it, really! We are just busting to know boy or girl too, and hopefully the baby will cooperate enough for us to find out! We have names pretty much narrowed down either way and as Ryan is anticipating, I can't wait to get the nursery all put together for Griffin's little brother or sister! We were excitedly out preparing/anticipating in baby gap this weekend, wondering which swimsuit we will be picking up for our new family member so we can all head up to the lake house after their arrival!!?? Aren't both ridiculously tiny and cute!?? We'll keep you posted...do you think PINK or BLUE?

In conclusion, no I didn't have try outs for pony rides and story time when I was dating, but thankfully God says that he knitted me together and has plans for my life. Those perfect plans included Ryan, Griffin, Maci (although depending on the day Ryan may or may not agree) and now this new little one who is already a boy or a girl created to fit right into our little family.

"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, I will tell of all the great things You have done. I will be glad and full of joy because of You. I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High."
Psalm 9:1-2

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Heart Day!

Happy Valentines all:)! Hope you have an extra sweet day full of love!
This is our Valentine to you...
I wish I could make the song from Plain White T's play first, but I haven't figured that out yet...
soooo you can go over to the side and click on 1,2,3,4 and give it a listen! It goes with our Valentine!
Hugs & Kisses
Ryan, Abbi, Griffin, Baby E...and of coarse Miss Maci

Saturday, February 13, 2010

How February became our month....


Once upon a time, long ago (but not too long ago:)!) 4 young Nebraskans fell in love and got married (not all with each other...but to their respective mate) in the winter time.
(Harry & Lori, February 16th, 30 years) (Wayne & Suzi, January 7th, 33 years)

A few years passed and the same year both of them had a baby, the same month 6 days apart.

Ryan, born on February 14th
Abbi, born 2 weeks late (I know none of you are surprised...see I started out late!)
on February 20th

Both were very happy 1st born babies...

...and eventually got lots of siblings to keep us (and our moms) very busy!

Both had lots to keep them busy growing up like friends, church stuff, sports....

(playing basketball & football)

...and our grown up families

...at this point, Abbi had driven past the interstate exit to Ryan's house on the way to see her grandparents millions of times but never knew it and in the year 2000 both decided to go to college at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

Abbi, with Andy dressed to go to a football game
Ryan with his sisters and friends dressed and ready for the game as the actual mascot!

...and I am sure it is not hard to guess what happens in the story now...
After 19 February's apart, we spent the next 4 deciding that the rest of our family pictures & birthday's would be spent together...

at a dance in college
our wedding, May 05
the fam now, still growing:)

So I have now put you through a brief family history all to say that February at our house is a big month of celebrating and being thankful for all the little ways God tied our stories together so that we could always eat cake and valentines candy together! Happy Birthday to my big Valentine...and to my 2 little Valentines, I am so blessed to share the rest of my life and love with you!
xoxo

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Thanks God!

G's surgery went so smooth, we're at home and he's doing well! They had such an awesome staff at the hospital and we felt like he was treated with the best TLC! Thanks for the prayers everyone, it's awesome for it to be over!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Another prayer request...for G this time:)

Hey guys...
I am posting this in not too much notice, but tomorrow, early in the am Griffin is having surgery to have his tonsils and adenoids removed...ahhhh! They have to put him completely under and it will take about 45 minutes! This is a very routine surgery and it's a great hospital with a great doctor, so we feel good about it, but it's still my baby! Please pray for the doctors and staff involved, that Griffin handles everything good and that Ryan and I can stay peaceful as it's being done! Thanks so much! Love you!