February Photo Dump

Helping Daddy drive to Ikea.

One of my favorite places on earth!

Hanging out with Mr. Fox 

Getting in a little tummy time before surgery, and letting it all hang out. 

Getting ready for surgery

Just came out of surgery.  

Headed home from the hospital! No ng tube!

Helping mommy make the bed

Hanging out with the bff

Just discovered her toes, and will.not.stop. putting them in her mouth

Saying goodbye to sweet friends before they move to Canada.

Lunch date with daddy.

Cheers,

Laura

February Photo Dump

Happy Wednesday!

Laura

Date Night?

What can a momma do around here to get a date night with her hubs and some friends?  Apparently nothing, because it just ain't happening.
At least according to my child.
So each year Mr. T and I participate in Restaurant Week by going to Ruth's Chris for dinner.  (It's the only time we can afford it, and even still we have to eat only bread and water for the next week to make up for it.) Anyhow, we confidently left the fed, clean, and prepped for bed Sweet 'P' with the babysitter, and headed off into the night.  Everything was going well, all of the party had arrived, and we set off to eat until our arteries couldn't handle anymore of the goodness that was once Ruth's Chris.  (Sidenote: Can anyone explain to me the title of this restaurant?  I mean who is Ruth, and Chris? Did Ruth own Chris?  Was Ruth Chris' mom?  Did he ruin her date night dinner too?)
So, about 30 minutes and 3 glasses of sweet tea into dinner, I decided to check in on the posse back at home.  Apparently the 'child' had decided to have the melt down of melt down's about 10 minutes after we walked out of the door.  I couldn't even hear what the babysitter was saying on the phone.  No joke, it sounded like there was a half starved monkey ripping it's fur out in the background.
After about an hour of this going on, I finally decided to head home without the hubs, and without even tasting my steak dinner which was on a platter ready to be set before me and be slowly devoured by a half starved monkey's mom.  I can't say that I didn't break any laws on my way home, but upon arriving, and picking up the wild child, the cries immediately ceased, and on her own popped in her paci, and promptly went to sleep.  Seriously?!
But my hero arrived shortly after with my meal in a lovely to-go bag, and I happily enjoyed my not so hot dinner.
How was your night?

PS.  Here is a snippet of the calm Sweet 'P' taking a bath.  Gotta love those rolls!

Sweet 'P': Six Months

So...

Piper is now 6 months old!  Whoah!

Here are some stats on her

1. Her weight is 14lbs 4ozs

2. She 'talks' all the time...I mean ALL the time.  Actually I wouldn't call it talking, more like squealing, loudly, for all to hear.  

3. Throwing her toys is her new favorite hobby.  Probably watching mommy pick them up every 5 seconds is more amusing.  

4.  She is really out-growing many of her clothes, which is awesome!

5.  Two teeth have made their appearance. So cute.

6.  Sweet Peas, squash, sweet potatoes, and bananas are on the menu.  But I don't think she likes the bananas very much. Oh, and Mr. T fed her some nutella...without telling me. 

7.  She loves to hear people sing.  Fascinates her.  

8.  Napping is sometimes a chore.  

9.  She has now figured out how to splash in the tub.  Fun for her.  Not fun for mommy.  

10. Loves to touch things, especially faces.  And tries to put everything in her mouth.  

Overall she really is doing quite well.  She still feeds mostly by an NG tube, but we are hoping that soon she will start liking the sippy cup and will not need the feeding tube anymore.  She is finally on the charts in weight and length.  This is a first for her.  Even though she is in the low percentile, she is tracking.  

We are in love even more with her than we ever have been and love living life watching her grow and change everyday.  

December Photo Dump

Hot chocolate date nights with Mr. T.

Vance and Katie's first Christmas married

We got a new dining room table.  

Tell you more about it later...

Sweet 'P' and her bff Cara

Chillin in the bumbo

First baby foods

Merry Christmas

Sorry this post is a little late, but I wanted to send a little Christmas love and cheer your way.  I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas season and remember the reason why we celebrate.
Much love!
Laura

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 
Isaiah 9:6

Professional Photos

So...

Mr. T randomly decided to enter into a facebook contest for a free photo shoot a couple of months ago that was being given away by a photographer that was moving to the area and trying to beef up her business here.  And, well, we won!

Ya'll it really is a God thing.  When we first got pregnant, one of the things I knew I wanted was professional newborn/family photos once our little one got here.  So we saved up some mulah, but once Sweet 'P' was born, and we realized that she would be in the hospital for a while, the photo idea was dismissed and I honestly wondered if 'P' would ever be able to leave the hospital and have her picture taken.  As you know, she is home, and we were able to finally have pictures taken, for free!  Can I please tell you the wonderfulness of the situation?  Come to find out the photographer was once a NICU nurse at John's Hopkins and was now a stay at home mommy, so she knew all about our kind of situation because of her past job, but she didn't know anything about 'P' before she choose us.  How crazy is that?

So for real, ya'll need to check her out.  Not only is she a great photographer, but has now become a new mommy friend.  Give her some love, and tell anyone you know that needs a photographer about her website.  Christmas is almost here and you know you want some family photos done in front of the Christmas tree.  Here is her info: www.kristinsolomonphotography.com

Thank you Kristin!  We love the photos.  You did an awesome job!

Piper Stats

So most of you know that Piper is home now and recovering from her open heart surgery and she is doing awesome. We still have a few things we are working on but Piper wanted to give a few stats on her and how she is doing:

1. I weigh 9lbs 3ozs
2. I can hold my head up on my own now
3. I love looking in the mirror
4. My hair is still red. :)
5. My mommy and daddy make me smile.
6. I still haven't laughed out loud yet but I'm close.
7. I have discovered my ears and I love them!
8. I also love hanging out in the Bjorn.
9. I sleep about 10 hours a night. This makes mommy and daddy happy.
10. I've started taking entire bottles but I still have a ways to go.
11. I still don't like being on my tummy.
12. My eyes are a pretty shade of dark blue/green.
13. My paci is my best friend, and mommy's.
14. I'm starting to out grow my newborn clothes. YAY!

 This is mommy again. Piper is working on a poop. She really is a different baby since her surgery. She seems so much happier, breathing better, gaining weight. Dr's said that her heart murmur is completely gone. Woohoo! She still has some reflux that we are working on and she also still has an NG tube. Until she starts taking entire bottles consistently and her weight is back on track, the tube will stay in so that we can give her whatever she doesn't take by bottle. Todd and I are in love and so thankful. It hasn't been the easiest ride but we wouldn't change a thing. Here is a little photo treat for you.

Two words

'Jesus wept.' Right now I am clinging to those two words. In my life I have heard many sermons on the eleventh chapter of John. Everything from this was one of Jesus' greatest miracles to the theological importance of Jesus' answer to Martha (read the chapter). But I can honestly say to you that right now I could care less about those other 56 verses. All I need are those two words. You see, in those two words I don't see theology, or some random act of emotion. I see a savior who feels the same way I do and is willing to sit on a hospital floor and cry over the possibility of a little girl named Piper Grace Hendricks losing her life. I see a friend who is upset about the fact that a three month old has to struggle to breathe and cry when she is in pain. I have never had to face anything this hard in my life. I am a child of God and would dare say I'm a mature Christian. But with everything I have learned about my heavenly Father, all I need to know in this moment is that He feels what I feel and and loves my little girl more than I ever could. I know this is an obvious statement but until you live it then it is just a cliche. All those commentaries I read and papers I wrote in seminary do not compare to the depth of what I am learning right now sitting next to my daughter's hospital bed. I know that I am called a daughter and friend by the most high God. But more than that I know that when I weep, Jesus weeps with me.

August Phone Photo Dump

Birthday Dinner at Melting Pot

Piper came home!

The only thing that gets me through the day...

Sleeping like a champ

Getting ready for West Elm's grand opening

About to enter the wonderland

Snuggling with mommy

Piper's poop face

A little DIY in the kitchen

Hope you have a grand day!