Jeremiah 1:5

Before I formed you, Mavery, in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

6 months of Mavery


Dear Mavery,

6 months ago we met for the first time. I remember thinking and wondering what life would be like 6 months later with you. And now here we are. We survived! ;-) We have both changed and grown and sometimes we are still trying to figure out this road that God has us traveling on together.

You have come a long way in these 6 months. Sometimes I am so focused on NOW and where we are going, that I forget to look back at where you were.


You sleep GREAT now. We still share a room, but with in the next few months you will be moving to your OWN room. When we first came home bedtime was not a fun thing. Now, when we say night night, you know what to do. You will lay in your crib and sing for a long time after we turn the lights out. You have attached to a panda bear that you insist on snuggling with. You also now like blankets and pillows, those were a no go at first. And once you fall asleep, you STAY asleep. Our only complaint is how early you wake up! Did you not get the memo in China that we sleep late here? That we stay in bed at least till the sun is up? ;0)

You are a hearty eater! In fact, the doctor told us we need to start controlling your portions. You do scream for food at times, and we are trying to figure that out. Is it because you were not always allowed enough food? We are not sure. You can eat ALOT at a sitting, but will eat healthy snacks if offered. I hope that after your heart is all fixed, you will be able to be more active and I know that will help in this area. (you run out of breath easy and so tire out much faster than your siblings)

You do move! You do not sit still at all. A little wiggle worm. Trying to get you to sit and do ANYTHING is a challenge. You do not watch TV, though you know the names of shows from Sage. You will ask to watch "dola" and Diego, and they might catch your eye for about 20 seconds. Coloring? Well, that might keep you busy if Sage is able to be your canvas, or my tables or walls. but sit with you and give you a coloring book? Forget it. You LOVE to dance with your sisters, and can shake your hips and booty! Sage has taught you gymnastics well and I have to keep an eye on the two of you for fear of what you will be doing flips off of.

You are a people person, as long as it is on your terms. Sometimes you walk up to people and talk to anyone. Other times you swat at them if they look at you! Typically though if we are out you are yelling hello at everyone we pass.

You LOVE to be outside. Pushing the baby stroller & baby are your favorite. It really does not matter what we do, as long as we are outside. I am thankful that we are finally getting to spring with sunshine, it does us all good.

Your language is good. You can carry on a conversation, though some of your words are a little "off". My favorite is "I got my hungry" when you have food at the table.

You and Sage are very close, though you love all your siblings. But Sage, she is your favorite. You do tend to get very jealous of her at times, but are also starting to play well with her. You love to dress up and you can run so fast in your little dress up shoes, it makes me laugh!

There are days that are challenging as you learn what it means to be in a family, to have rules and limitations. But we are all learning together. You have come an amazing distance in 6 months, and I know that in another 6 months we will see even more changes.

We know that God has placed you in our family, and we are forever thankful for that. When I watch you fold your little hands in prayer and say "thank you Jesus for mommy, daddy, kenna, sawyer, lainey, Sagey AND Mavery!", I am reminded of what He has done for our family.

I love you Mavery, I really, really do.

Mommy


Monday, April 13, 2009

Now & Then 6 months later!

6 months together!
5 months together


4 months together

3 months together

2 months together

1 month together

Gotcha day

Friday, March 13, 2009

Now & Then- Five Months Later

Five Months Together!

Four Months Together!

Three Months Together!

Two Months Together


One Month Together!Gotcha Day! October 13th, 2008

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Maverys Open Heart Surgery Today

If you have not been over to our family blog, please visit and read about Maverys surgery today. We are asking for lots of prayers for our sweet girl. Please click here to read..

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Mavery Photo Shoot

Say Cheese!
Thick hair!

Kisses to all of you from Mavery, she is saying thank you for praying!



Isn't she looking older?


Mad Mavery




This is the part where I am holding skittles trying to bribe her into a picture. Let me tell you, she is stubborn and it took alot to get her to cooperate. She can turn on the tears.




And she won a skittle!

Maverys Hair 3 months later


Look Closely, do you see??
Closer, do you see yet?


How about now? Yep, we got a ponytail in that actually holds a bow! I am one excited Mavery!

Now & Then- Three Months Later

3 months together-January 13th, 2008
2 months together-December 13th, 2008

One Month together-November 13th, 2008


Gotcha Day! October 13th, 2008



Monday, January 12, 2009

Three Months of Mavery

Dear Mavery,



3 months ago we finally met in person. 3 months is just not that long. And I know that every mom says this, but it really feels you have been with us for so much longer. It is hard to remember the days before you were here, though the ache of waiting is hard to forget. And now that ache of waiting has been replaced with an ache for what you are facing.



In less than 3 weeks, you will have your 2nd open heart surgery. So many times I have envisioned your first surgery and it hurt me so much to think you went through that alone. Now, we are going to walk through one together. My heart feels as if it is breaking into a million pieces, to think of your little heart and how sick it is. To think that I have to once again, send you away from me. To know that you will wake up hurting and not understand why. I know it is going to be horrible, but I will be there, and we will get through it together. I wish I could take your place, and carry the hurt for you, I would do that if I could.



In 3 months, you have changed so much. You are a mamas girl and there is no doubt we have bonded well. I am so thankful for that as we go in for surgery. I have wondered if afterwards you will be mad at me and we will have to start over with our relationship, but I do not think so. I believe that God has allowed you and I to come together so closely for this very reason.



Your hair is growing, it seems slow to me, and to you! But it is getting there and when I look back at your first pictures I can see how much it has grown. Oh it is going to be beautiful and while you envy your sisters hair now, they will envy your long thick mane very soon. I promise.



Your language is amazing. You follow most directions and your favorite phrase is "Sage did it"! Our favorite is " I need some help!"



But though your language is exploding, there is still enough of a communication gap that you get frustrated. And we get frustrated for you. Some days, there are alot of tears. You do not have alot of patience. Your daddy has told you on more than one occasion that you can blame that trait on me! ;0) You do not like to be told no, and when we say no, it typically involves a meltdown of you showing us every owie and how hurt you are. I prefer that meltdown over the spitting or even hitting that you do at times. That is not often, but it is sometimes the easiest way for you to get your point across.



You are sleeping in our room still, but in your crib. You were sleeping well till your heart cath last monday. Since then you are back to crying out in the night. You do go to bed easier than you did at first, though if I put you to bed, which you prefer, you drag it out. And call me back 100 times. And I typically go back 100 times. For the "other blanket" or your bear that you threw on the ground, or for "kiss". You need a kiss standing up, a kiss sitting down, a kiss laying down, a kiss through the bars of the bed. You are a snuggler that is for sure.



You are starting to play with Sage more out of my sight. Sometimes. You are still happiest typically to sit on me. But if Sage has something, you must have it to. Your favorite activity is dress up. We have discovered that some of those dress up dresses were not made for big bellys! But you insist on wearing them anyways. You LOVE all things princess and lipstick is the best!



We have been amazed at how your coordination has changed for the better. You can run now, and jump and I don't hold my breath as you go up and down the stairs. I do hold my breath as you think you are a monkey just like Sage and insist on doing flips off my couch!



You still remember your Chinese and we enjoyed hearing you speak to Esther when she was here for Christmas. I wish we could speak it and hold on to both for you.



You love stickers and candy and with those 2 things we can get anything we need done!



You are amazing Mavery. I am blessed to be your mommy. I am so thankful for 3 months of having you here. I am sad for what is coming up, but I know that God chose this path for us and we will be ok. He has written your story,and allowed me to be your mommy. I know I am not perfect and sometimes you probably wonder why you got stuck with me. But I hope that no matter what you will always know I love you deeply and no matter how many scary things we go through, I would not change a thing. You are mine and I am thankful.

3 months Mavery! We are half way to half a year together!

All my heart,

Mommy

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Mavery's Pre Testing


Maverys pre-testing is tomorrow, January 2nd at 11:oo AM. I will most likely be posting everything over on our family blog. The "procedure" is Monday at 8AM. I think I should be able to post from the hospital with updates through my friend Jenny, (who will be with us and knows how to blog!)but again will probably do that on our family blog to keep things simple. Click here to go there! We appreciate your prayers, we feel them.