A new kind of normal

Thank goodness that things are finally starting to get back to somewhat normal around our house. Well, it's definitely a new kind of normal that's for sure, but nevertheless, normal. Thankfully, I started to feel better last week. Apparently after the pregnancy I developed a stomach ulcer that was causing all of the nausea. After we figured out what the problem was it has greatly improved! And just in the nick of time. I have to go back to work this coming weekend, so I am so grateful to be feeling better for at least 2 weeks before I have to go back. Viv is doing wonderful. She still eats about 6-7 times a day, and usually only once during the night. It is obviously a huge adjustment to have a baby, and I have to say I love our "new normal".

Last weekend we had Vivian's baptism and it was just the sweetest thing ever. During the service she looked right up at the pastor and was so alert, like she knew exactly what he was saying. And what a good reminder for all of us that baptism is a sign of God's unfailing love for us, and that it opens the door to new life in Jesus Christ. The service really opened my eyes to the huge responsibility that Chris and I have to train Vivian up in the ways of Christ. After church we really had quite the celebration with both of our families. We had a delicious meal of roast, mashed potatoes, carrots, slaw, green bean casserole (my favorite!), and cake and icecream! My mom was a huge help with making the food and cake! We really had a great weekend with the fam. They adore Viv and it is so sweet to see that she will be so loved and supported by so many people. Here are a few pics from the weekend.

My sweet babe and I

A family pic

"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see everything has become new!" 2 Cor 5:17

The 4th

Oh the 4th of July, my favorite holiday! I know this post is a couple days late, but I just wanted to travel down memory lane to three years ago. If you don't know, the 4th has always been my absolute favorite holiday! Chris also knew this and chose to propose on this day three years ago. Along with the help of our friends Jake and Christy, he planned out a whole day/picnic/proposal. He also invited them along so we would have pictures, which was awesome! The entire thing was planned out very well because he actually made me think that I was coordinating a picnic with Christy at the Palisades Park, when he was actually master-minding the entire thing. Very, very clever. I had no idea and was completely shocked. I love the photos we have because they were right when it happened and they bring back such sweet memories.
Then of course there is the video, which completely cracks me up. "Ah, now we have to have kids, Ahh" Enjoy!

Summer Sickness

Oh my word I am obviously long, LONG, overdue for a blog post. Unfortunately this mama has been out of commission for the past couple of weeks. Around the beginning of June I starting having some symptoms of what I thought was Mastitis with some nausea and vomiting. I know, gross! I went to the Dr and got started on some antibiotics which I thought should clear everything up. Wrong :( The antibiotics did nothing but make my stomach even more upset. Too make a long story short, I have re-visited the dr a couple more times and tried another antibiotic but nothing is helping. The mastitis is not as bad as it was, but I am still constantly nauseated. And no, I'm not pregnant again haha. This is actually much worse then any pregnancy nausea I ever had.

So I return to the Dr yet again tomorrow and we will discuss more tests to try and figure out what is wrong with my stomach! This is definitely the most frustrating thing I have ever gone through. I finally feel healed up from delivery and just want to enjoy the rest of my maternity leave. However, I have zero energy and feel like a limp noodle. So please keep me in your prayers that the Dr can figure out what is wrong with me so I can start feeling better again!!! I've said it before and I will say it again, thank goodness for Chris. Poor guy has been working full time and then had to come home to a sick wifey. He has been helping to keep the house in order, holding my hair when I puke, and being an excellent dad :)

On to a happy note, baby Vivian is doing amazing! She is just the cutest, best, baby ever :) She is growing like crazy, a little over 10 pounds, and 24 inches long! She has started smiling up at us and just makes the cutest little expressions. She has been doing pretty well with sleeping at night. A couple times last week she slept from about 11 pm to 4 am or 5 am. So those 5 hour streches were nice! She naps throughout the day and is generally really happy. Here are some pics I snapped about a week ago.