4 Months Never Looked So Good, or So Chunky!

Yep, you guessed it, this head is not just incredibly adorable, it's also off-the-charts huge! Today, at Isaiah's 4-month pediatrician's appointment he went off the charts in length and head circumference. He was 27.5 inches long and 17lbs 13oz, still in the 89th% for weight.

For the most part he continues to be the same old good natured munchkin, but he's starting to hold onto things which makes toys way more fun, and he's learning to drive.

He's always sure to check his blind spot.

He still hasn't fit both hands in his mouth, but not for lack of trying.  No teeth have broken through yet, but he's got a white spot, a clear ridge, and a whole lot of drool to prove he's working on it.

Jon's favorite picture of him reveals that he doesn't miss a meal, unfortunately even in the middle of the night these days. He was sleeping for 6 hour stretches, but has regressed a bit to waking up more often in the wee hours now, but how could you be upset with this face or these rolls??

He and Ruby still aren't sure what to do with each other, but he's getting used to having someone else around who slobbers about as much as he does.

Today, he received his Passport in the mail, so he's ready to travel internationally for the first time in July, when we visit Bolivia. This month, he added Indiana, South Carolina, and Colorado, to his list of states already including Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and of course Kentucky. He did awesome on his first flight, which bodes well for our 2 full days of airports and planes on the way to South America next month. God gave us a great little traveler to jump right in as my sidekick as a Region Rep for CVM.

And the highlight for my time with Zy this month, was introducing him to swimming via the lazy river at our hotel in Myrtle Beach. What a peaceful place for a peaceful little guy. 

We couldn't be more enamored with this precious gift from above.

Coming of Age

Angie, you've arrived!!

You've finally made it to the ripe old age of 13. The age of legal access to your soon-to-be social media obsession with Facebook and Instagram. The age in which you think you'll be allowed to watch PG-13 movies. The year when you add "teen" onto the end of your age, symbolizing your departure from childhood and entry into adolescence and adulthood. Many expect this birthday to be accompanied by a declining attitude from sweet and loving to sassy and disrespectful, but we know you're very advanced and so instead of spiraling down into pubescence, we expect you to make a full recovery and rejoin us on the other side of that valley any day now. 

Although, you've been well on your way to womanhood for three years, I wanted to take this opportunity to share some of my visions for your future, as this birthday, although just an arbitrary day, is a sentimental coming-of-age celebration.

For this, your 14th year on our lovely earth, I pray that you will continue to grow in the bravery it took for you to go to middle school camp without knowing anyone else there. It's my prayer that you will use the courage it took you to conquer the mega-zipline to stand up for others when it's not easy. As an eighth grader, I pray you'll stick up for the timid little sixth graders, and set an example for your peers of how to defend the helpless and look out for interests beyond your own. This would be a bold feat rarely achieved at the fragile self-protective age of 13, but if anyone is strong enough to do it, you are.

At 18, I dream that your strong-willed personality will have turned from a nuisance for your parents into a gift that's helped you stand up to peer pressure throughout high school, and influence others for good instead of allowing them to influence you. I dream that this same strength will have kept you on the honor roll, not because we pushed you or even cared about your grades, but because you decided to give everything your best effort from schoolwork, to tennis, to friendships. And that when you graduate from high school you will be remembered not for the color of your skin, your exotic accent, or your gorgeous hair, but for your compassion, your honesty, and your integrity.

In your 20's, I hope that you will find happiness. Not that happiness is the meaning of life, but it sure is the icing on the cupcake. I hope that you will play sports in college to make lifelong friends and to continue to build your character through hard work. I hope that you will decide on a career that brings you fulfillment whether it's lucrative or not. I hope you will be pursued by a man who recognizes he is being pursued by his heavenly Father, and that this man will help you to understand God's love for you better than you ever have. And because I wish I'd found my husband sooner and had even more time with him, I hope that in your 20's I will have the delight of watching you dance with your daddy again, this time at your wedding instead of his.

In your 30's, I would love to become a grandmother. I would love nothing more than to snuggle your beautiful darlings and admire your God-given mothering expertise in full bloom. I see you with your baby brother and I know God has put it in your heart and in your DNA to be a mommy. You come more alive around small children than any other time, and I can't wait to watch you train up your own little ones both biological and adopted.

In your 40's, my wish is that those little ones will come to know Jesus. Through your constant example of love and grace, your children will understand Christ's sacrifice and want a relationship with Him. I wish that you will have the sweet privilege, like I did and do, of baptizing them and watching them grow into humble servants of the Lord.

"I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." 
- 3 John 1:4

In your 50's, as your beauty inevitably fades, I know that you will have confidence in your inner beauty as all your insecurities will have faded away with your youth. I know you will understand the peace that comes from trusting the Lord even when the world sometimes seems to be falling apart all around you. And I know that you will not forget where you came from and will find joy in giving sacrificially to ensure that others have the same opportunities you were given.

In your 70's, it is my goal that even if Daddy and I have gone on, that you and Isaiah, and any other siblings you may be blessed with, will continue to be the best of friends. That even though you may no longer have tickle fights, you will still laugh together till you cry. And whether I'm there or not, that I'll be comforted in knowing you have each other.

And in your 90's, it is my vision that you will be the matriarch of a large family. That your great grandchildren will come to you for your renowned wisdom and kindness. That you will look back on an abundant life full of serving others and being a voice for the voiceless. And that your legacy will be carried on for generations as one who loved and walked with Jesus.

"And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." -Micah 6:8

Hermanos

I think Angie was probably hoping and praying for a sibling even before she thought about getting new parents. Now that she has both, she's almost grateful for the bad things that happened in her past, because they brought her to where she is now. With wisdom beyond her years she recognizes that without the traumatic beginning to her life she never would have experienced this fresh start and this loving, although far from perfect, family.

On Facebook, pictures of Angie and her new baby brother are some of the most popular of my posts. In honor of her birthday month, I thought I'd share a collection of photos of the dynamic duo here for those who aren't on Facebook, and for those of you who just can't get enough.

Although, the novelty has probably started to wear off, and Zy's fussy days can get on Angie's nerves, these two are certainly going to be a pair to be reckoned with. She will entertain him endlessly and dote on him for years to come. He will adore his big sister possibly more than anyone else, and as he outgrows her sooner than we can imagine, he will likely defend and protect her with everything in him.

Long before she met him, she loved him.

Less than 5 hours after he was born her arms and heart were full.

On his second day of life, they were already hard to separate.

Zy quickly showed that he will be a talker like his big Sis.

At two weeks old Isaiah had no idea what kind of fun is in store for him with this girl.

Reading him his first Spanish book, "Huevos Verdes con Jamon."

Angie may not have gotten the sister she'd hoped for, but even little boys need manicures.

She is an excellent helper, better than I am at getting him to nap.

I asked Angie to go help her brother fall asleep, looks like he did the same for her. 

Getting some Vitamin D together.

Teaching the little guy to make cookies. Look out world, the blind leading the blind here.

 Angie assured him that she was pretty nervous on her first flight too, but everything went just fine.

She has big plans for his fashion sense, just because he's a boy doesn't mean he can't have style!

She may not be able to hold him in her arms much longer, but Angie will forever have a sweet spot in her heart for her baby brother.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights," -James 1:17