8 Months of Haven's Joy

Oh my sweet beautiful girl how are you 8 months old (and two weeks but whose counting)??

Haven you are in to EVERYTHING! You have discovered drawers, cabinets, doors that I never thought would be an issue at this age. If you can get your hands on it then you grab it and put it straight in your mouth. You have successfully un-decorated the bottom of our tree twice!

You are on the move Sissy. Nothing can keep you still for long except your evening bottle. Otherwise you are squirming or crawling all over the house! You can always find me in the house in record time cruising on your hands and knees. With the new mobility you are finding lots of fun new toys your brother had previously kept out of reach and are loving getting to play with new fun things!

Haven you like to be where the commotion is and still can not stand an empty room. You particularly like to know that Mom is within eye sight of you and you are happy, If I leave a room you go into a dramatic meltdown. Other than these few cries and the ones you do when we don't get you a bottle fast enough you continue to be the happiest baby! I have carted you all over town, all over Nana's nursing home, all over store after store and you just ride and smile! When I make eye contact with you your whole face lights up and you let out a little giggle and it absolutely melts my heart.

"Dada" continues to be your first and only word and you love to just say it over and over and over again, rubbing it in my face. It is pretty sweet to hear you say that and your Dad just adores to hear it! You like to mumble a lot of other things as well but no other words have formed.

Haven you aren't drinking your full bottles right now which have still been 6 ounces every 4 -5 hours. We are giving you baby food and you are loving everything. We did discover that you have a peach allergy after you at them , twice, and both times your face immediately turned into red splotches. Your Dad let you try french fries while Mom was away for the day and he said you loved them!!

You are sleeping great at night right now! You love to snuggle your bunny stuffed animal we bought you the day you were born in the hospital. As soon as we lay you down  you immediately turn to the side or on your tummy with your bunny safe in your arms. It is really the sweetest thing! We are no longer using any form of sleep sacks and lay you down in your clothes with a blanket on top of you.

Haven you continue to get stronger and more agile every day as you make new discoveries. You are really sitting up on your own now and we are always worried about you hitting your head if you fall over. You are really good about catching yourself with your hands if you do fall over though!

Your brother becomes more smitten with you every day as he is discovering what a fun playmate you are. It is truly my absolute favorite thing to watch. He likes to go into your room in the morning at 6 am (way to early for me) and turn your lights on and wake you up. He then comes into me and says "Mama, Sissy up Pease" repeatedly until I come get you out of bed where then insists on giving you sugars on the head before I change your diaper.

Haven Molly it is safe to say we are all completely infatuated with you!! I love and adore you sweet girl!!

Alzheimer's Walk 2016

Last year we missed the Alzheimer's Association walk. I was a little overwhelmed with having just moved in with Mom and finding out I was pregnant. I didn't want to participate if we couldn't do it the best we could and ended up skipping the walk. This year was very different! I began thinking about the Walk months in advance. I knew that we would soon be facing changes with our living situation once again due to Mom's slipping farther into the holds of Alzheimer's. The walk meant something different to me this year. In the past my focus has been on representing a strong front for Mom, showing her that we stand with her and are fighting for her. Although this year all of that was very present for me I was also very aware of the fact that Mom isn't getting better. There will be no cure found in time to save her. That made it all the more important to me to help raise whatever awareness and money we could to help find a cure for the next victims. It could be me, my brothers or my children who find ourselves the next victims. Our world with Mom was so much out of our hands, her actions, her eating, her attitude, her movements that I was in a desperate need to do something.. anything to help fight Alzheimer's! I resurrected our Team Miles for Molly and was overwhelmed with the response and support we recieved. With the help family team members, especially Patrick we were able to raise the most money for Amarillo's walk. Our total came to $ , more than any other family team of cooperate team in the area. Although we were just happy for all the teams involved we were completely thrilled to have Miles for Molly announced as the top team and share the pride and love we have for our Mom. Not only were we humbled by the amount of money raised we were overwhelmed by the number of family members we had join us this year! We had our whole Amarillo crew including Nana, Aunt Tammy, Kelsey, Neeley, Lane, Norah and Merritt, Doss and Charlotte in addition to Drew, Everett, Haven and myself. Patrick and Taren drove in from Dallas. Pat, Paula, Stetson, Rebecca, Taylor, and their kids also came in from Ft. Worth. Cindy, Matt, Tenell and her boyfriend were there to join us as well! We had friends from church who love Mom come out to walk with our team. It was such a great time to bring awareness to this horrible disease that has claimed too many victims including my Hero. We had moved Mom into a nursing facility a few weeks before the walk. I was very emotional at the walk because I remembered it was just a few years ago that Mom stood up in front of the crowd holding a blue flower which represented someone living with Alzheimer's and vowed to fight this disease for all those suffering thinking of others and not of herself. I had hoped we could push Mom in a wheelchair this year, I knew she wouldn't have the energy to walk the whole way. When Patrick and Taren went to pick up Mom from her home she was very agitated and wouldn't leave with them so we decided it was better she just stay there. It was a heartbreaking decision for me, I desperately wanted her to be apart of this and to feel the love and support around her but ultimately it was the best decision for her. This year Patrick held the yellow flower which represented the caregiver because he has been such an incredible support for Mom and I though there have many miles between us. I am so grateful to everyone who participated with us this year either through donations or joining us in the walk. It was such an amazing year and time to rally and support my Mom!

 

 

Halloween 2016

We had two little dinosaurs that we took out Trick or Treating this year! If I do say so myself they are the CUTEST dinosaurs ever!! I had given Everett the option of "Buzz Lightyear" of Dinosaurs for Halloween and he choose Dinosaurs. I decided to take advantage of getting to dress the kids the same while I could so sweet Haven got to be a dinosaur too! Everett was a little nervous to trick or treat at first this year and wasn't too keen on walking up to stranger's houses even if it was for candy. He insisted on being carried and would eventually ROAR at the people giving out candy. After a while he got the confidence to walk up to the houses himself and immediately tried to consume his candy. We went out trick or treating with Lane, Neeley, Norah, and Merritt again this year pulling the Bigs along in the wagon from house to house and pushing the littles in the double stroller. Norah and Merritt were matching adorable kangaroos. Norah did really well trick or treating and was hand in hand with Mimi who joined us along with Kelsey and Aunt Cindy. Merritt and Haven kicked it in the stroller sleeping for the first part of the night and then just quietly and sweetly taking in the chaos around them. We started the night visiting Mom at her home and all the ladies loved to see the kids in costume even when Everett was roaring at them. Mom was a little overwhelmed by all the action so we didn't stay too long. From there we went to take the kids to see Doss and Charlotte, their neighbor Pat, and finally Grand- Nana. The kids got lots of little treats and we could have stopped there but Mom and Dad wanted some more candy. The night was long and we finished with a family dinner back at Grand-Nanas. Overall it was a successful trick or treating for everyone involved and a fun night full of memories!

We took the kids up to the local park to take their costume pictures. It was a little hectic but we managed to get some keepers in the end. This has been one of my most favorite traditions with Everett and I was so excited to get to have Haven join in on this. I love looking back at the costume pictures over the past two years of Everett and seeing how much he has grown and changed. Through it all our trusty Meyer bear has been with him!

The week before Halloween we coordinated the kids and took them to the pumpkin patch for our annual Fall Pumpkin photos. I looked back over these and couldn't believe we have two precious babies that we have been entrusted with. They are the most precious sweetest kids ever! I could seriously spend my whole day giving them sugars!

Happy Girl is 7 months old

Beautiful Precious Haven... you are 7 months old! You are THE HAPPIEST BABY EVER!

Haven my love you are such a joy! You cry only when you are hungry or I walk out of the room where you are. Two very good reasons to cry if you ask me. Other than the occasional boo boo you get you are always smiling. You are a source of sunshine to all who are around you!

You are sitting up now on your own! You are also crawling like a maniac so you don't like to stay sitting for long. You are quickly moving from one room to the next on your hands and knees chasing the action around you. Nothing can stop you now little girl!

Haven you are so sweet and love to go on errands with your Mom and brother! You really like going to visit Nana at the nursing home. I put you in the umbrella stroller and you just chill while Everett pushes you around as we walk with Nana. When we stay for a meal you sit calmly and quietly playing with your keys or another teething toy. You and Everett bring so much delight to the sweet people there, especially your Nana. Everyone is so amazed at how well behaved you are the entire time we are there.

Haven you are sleeping 3 hour naps during the afternoon and still going to bed between 8:30-9 pm. You wake up occasionally for a bottle in the night but sometimes sleep in till 9 am. Your nights are really unpredictable. You like to tap your foot while waiting on someone to come get you from your crib or really any time you are just waiting. It is pretty hysterical and cute to watch you just tapping your foot away! You love to put any and everything in your mouth. Your two front bottom teeth have come in and are sharp! You are enjoying munching on disovable foods when you aren't eating baby food. You still are loving to eat baby food and have really liked everything you have tried so far!

Haven we are so in love with you and love to watch you grow and learn each and every day!!

Haven Molly's 6 month update

My Precious Haven how is it you are already 6 months old?!? My darling girl you are an absolute angel!

Haven we thought we struck Gold when we got your brother and experienced the most content, happy and delightful baby ever... well God has beyond blessed us and we have struck Gold twice because you may be more happy and more content than even Everett was. Something we never thought possible! You did reign a little terror in your first few months but we will chalk that up to just being a girl.

Your 6 month update is coming a little late because we have just experienced some big changes in our life. For  your whole existence to this point we have lived in a house with your Nana. She loved to come marvel at the beauty that you are. She loved to come coo at you while you sat in your bouncy chair or your exersaucer. She deeply loves you sweet one. Her disease has progressed and we just recently moved her into a memory care unit where she can get better care, this meant we also needed to move and we have just moved into the second house  you would live in (your brother's third). You have not let this change mess you up one itsy bit. You are actually sleeping better at the new house than  you were before. The new house is all hardwood in the living areas allowing you to master your new skill of rolling around in the walker. You just scoot from one end of the house to the next following me as I do chores in each room.

Haven after what felt like months and months of you teething you are finally cutting your first tooth. It is on the bottom right side of your gums. You have been more fussy than usual and wanting more snuggles with Mom but that is just fine by me! You are really enjoying to chew on anything you can get your hands on. You have also become quite handsy and grab at everything. You have gotten into cabinets, pulled down lamps, and yanked on my glasses and that was just in one day! You are really loving to explore the world around you and get your hands and mouth on everything  you can.

Eating is such a fun thing to you sweet Haven. You have really liked eating everything you have tried so far... squash, sweet potatoes and peaches were favorites. You cleaned up your green beans but gave a little shiver of disgust after each bite. This didn't stop you because you were quickly trying to get the next bite. You were not at all a fan of bananas. You are still taking a bottle of formula every 4-5 hours. During the day it is 6 ounces and for your last bottle at 9 pm it is 8 ounces. I am so excited that you have learned how to consistently hold your bottle on your own! This is huge win for us and gives me time to do things while you are drinking, at night though I still like to hold you and rock you while you eat!

You started rolling over in your 6th month and therefore we had to move you out of your swaddle sack. I tried to have you sleep without anything for a few nights and after you being up every hour we got you a  sleep sack that allows your arms to be out while the rest of your body is zipped in a blanket. This was just what you needed because that night you slept soundly through the night again!

Haven your brother is your biggest fan! He wakes up in the morning asking "where sissy?" I am not sure he knows your name because we always refer to you as sissy. He usually wakes before you in the mornings and I have to persuade him to not go in and wake you up. If he ever disappears for a minute I can hear him talking to you in your crib. He will then run to me and say "pease Mama pease Sissy pease!" then he grabs my hand and drags me to get you out. He shares his toys with you and has tried to share dough nut holes and goldfish with you. Any person who comes up to us he immediately says "sissy" and points to you so everyone knows you are his sissy! It melts my heart! He adores you just the like rest of us!!

At your 6 month wellness check-up with Dr. Fletcher you weighed 17 lbs 11.5 ounces, your head was 17 1/4 and  your height was 26 1/2 inches putting you in the 50-75 % for both height and weight. He said you were absolutely perfect and advanced in your development!

Haven Molly we are madly in love with you and the joy you bring to our home! We could not be more proud to be your parents and have the gift of raising you and watching you grow and learn each day!

Mom-
I miss you. I miss you so much it hurts. I miss you both emotionally and physically. Yesterday we moved you to Heartis Memory Care center and it was truly the hardest thing I have faced yet. I hate seeing your empty room next to mine with all of your stuff gone. I am trying to trick my mind into thinking it is temporary. That we just moved you into a dorm room for college or away for summer camp because the truth is too hard for me to swallow. My heart feels like there has been a goodbye between us and I can not bear it. I have thought about what this Earth would be like without you. Even though so much of you is already gone I can still see you, hug you, kiss you. I can't face the thought of existing without and yet I know that is inevitable. They have recommended that we give you time to adjust to your new surroundings. A week away. It feels like a form of torture. I just want to drive up there and crawl into bed with you. I want you to know that this decision was not an easy one although I am sure if you could you would have insisted on it a long time ago. Patrick and I searched long and hard for the perfect place for you. We felt like God placed this one right in our laps. I know that God is covering you and protecting you... he commands us to release loved ones into his care but it is very hard for me to relinquish that. For the past  year we have lived together and I have managed your daily care. Sometimes it was so hard and sometimes I wanted to run away but I was always honored to be the one to care for you. Always! I have watched as you loved on Everett and eventually Haven in the best way you could. You and Everett developed the most incredible bond and I pray he will remember and cherish that the rest of his life. I am so thankful for the experience of the last year and what it has taught me. I found courage I never knew I had.  It showed me the strength and love my husband has for me and more importantly you. I am honored to give you a touch of the care you gave me as a single mom all those years. I pray you always know the love I have for you. The last few days in the house together you weren't very verbal. Walked with your head down. I cried every single day about losing you. But I would tell you constantly that I loved you and you more often than not would always say, "I love you." Hearing you say those words gave me more comfort than you know. The day we moved you, you started lifting your head again and being more verbal. I think that this was God's way of making it easier for me to release you to a new caretaker. He gave me such peace yesterday as we moved you and I only teared up a few times. It in know way made me less sad but was God's presence in our situation knowing that he can care for you and protect you way more than I can. Mom I cannot wait for the day we are united in Heaven together. I can't wait to hear what you really think of my sweet babies and the tips you would have given me in raising them. But more importantly I want you to tell me you are proud of me and approve of the decisions we made for you. That will be an amazing day. Words cannot describe my love for you. You are my hero. The most courageous woman I know, the strongest woman I know. I am beyond honored to be your daughter!

Meg

Haven's 5 Month Update

I feel like I literally just posted about Haven's 4 month update... guess that's what happens when you do a monthly update 2 weeks late. With another month having passed this sweet girl is continuing to show the most delightful personality!! Our girl is Happy Happy Happy! Haven wakes with a smile, burps with a smile, spits up with a smile, and watches the world around her with a smile. It is the sweetest little gummiest smile ever.

We have tried Haven on a few solid foods as suggested by the Doctor at her last appointments. She is not interested one bit. We have tried Bananas and Apples and she spits them all out. She is also drinking some rice cereal in her formula and does OK with it. We are STILL taking 6 ounces every 4 hours. I am really hoping to stretch out to 5 hours soon.

Haven has officially been moved to her crib and is sleeping like a champ! After her last bottle at 10 PM we put her in a sleep sack and lay her down. She has been sleeping until 7:30 in the morning. I am one happy Mama! She usually takes a nap in her crib and sleep sack in the afternoon as well for 2 - 2.5 hours. This is about the same time Everett goes down every day so Mama gets a little bit of a break.

Dad bought Haven a cute little exersaucer since we sold Everett's when he grew out of it. She is absolutely loving getting to stand up while supported and play with some toys. There is a little cake it that stacks and she loves to knock it over. Haven is really getting good at grabbing things with her hands. The favorite thing she grabs is take her paci in and out of her mouth. She also loves to hold my fingers with her little hands. If Haven is not in her exersaucer she can be found laying on the floor on a play mat or snuggled up in her parent's arms.

Haven is continuing to find her voice and is beginning to laugh a bit. It is the sweetest little laugh! She laughs the most when we swing her a bit... the fast movement makes her so happy. She has also discovered her feet. She loves to hold her feet up and try to put them in her mouth, especially when getting her diaper changed which makes it all the easier for the person changing her diaper. Haven also loves to chew on everything including hands.

Haven Molly you continue to bring absolute Joy to everyone around you! I love to hang on to you a little longer before putting you down because these days are going way to quickly. I hope that will snuggle with me forever. We love and adore you sweet sweet angel!!