This Weekend we went to Iowa to visit Josh's parents and introduce them to Adelyn. Good times! Here are a few pictures!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Iowa in January
This Weekend we went to Iowa to visit Josh's parents and introduce them to Adelyn. Good times! Here are a few pictures!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Hunter: 30 months
Hunter is now 2 & 1/2! He is transforming from a baby into a little boy before my eyes. He continually amazes me with his ability to listen and follow directions. Every day he matures a little more. He now calls me, "MommaKim" when he is asking for something or trying to be charming. This nickname always makes me smile! He calls Josh "DaDaJosh" which is equally adorable. His vocabulary is huge.
He loves to play with trains and cars. For Christmas, he was given a parking garage and though it is made for little people cars it has become a beloved home for all of his cars from the movie Cars. He plays with that garage for hours at a time, seriously. He commands, "Momma sit on the floor and play cars with me!" Another favorite is his train track with all his trains. This captivates him for a long time, too. He loves to sword fight and pillow fight daddy in the evenings and cuddle mommy with a book before bed.
We are still working on expanding his diet. He loves bread, cheese and milk and we have been offering more and more vegetables and fruits daily. He likes orange juice a lot!
He loves being around baby sister. He turns on music for her and gives her lots of kisses. Today in the car she was crying a little bit and Hunter turned to her and said, "Shhh Shh sister, we'll be home soon."
He makes us laugh all the time! He loves to be a stand up comedian!
Here are some of my favorite Hunter stories lately:
1. Today he requested orange juice. I got him some and he sat down and drank it. Then he said, "Mommy, I talking. My mouth has new batteries!!"
2. He came home from the log cabin on Wednesday singing the song deep and wide. He was also singing something that had the line, "down in my soul." I was prompting him to sing more of the song so I said, "Hunter, what is down in your soul?" He thought for a second and then said, "COOKIES!"
3. He has started to show fear at night when we leave him in his dark room. He is particularly scared of shadows. He told us that a shadow touched his head and played with his hair and that he didn't like it. We have told him that God is with him at night and that he doesn't need to be afraid. Last night as we were putting him down he said, "Jesus is in the dark, Mommy."
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
1 month: part 2
Yesterday Adelyn had her 1 month appointment, so I have to post again! We just love our new pediatrician. She is a mom as well as a doctor so her advice is both medical as well as personal. We feel so blessed to have her as our doctor. She has taken on Hunter as well! Hooray! We have never been pleased with Hunter's doctor here in STL so what a blessing to now find someone we like that will accept our insurance and care for our kiddos!!!
Adelyn's 1 month stats:
weight: 9 lbs, 15.8 oz (68%)
height: 21 inches (50%)
head: 14 7/8 (61%)
Adelyn got a great report from the doctor. She said Adelyn's body control is more like a 2 month old baby. The way she moves, holds her hed up, and lays on her side were all markers of a baby older than one month. In fact, at one point during the appointment the doctor started shuffling papers and said, "This is her one month check right? She isn't two months old?" We all laughed and I assured her that Adelyn is still just one month old. I have felt from the beginning that Adelyn was born with the skills of a baby a few weeks old. She fights to hold up her head and she has done that since day one. Physically, she above the curve.
Adelyn ready to go to her appointment:
The doctor also commented on how social she was already. She smiled at the doctor! It was a great appointment. Adelyn only had to get one shot. Here she is showing off her band aid:
Here is Hunter loving on her as always:
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Adelyn, 1 month
Adelyn is one month old today. It is crazy how fast these early days go. She has been a wonderful baby. Seriously, she has been such a little pleasure to have around. She nurses quickly and quite well, she sleeps great and when she is awake is generally happy and pleasant. She loves to cuddle and spends her free time swinging or staring at the Christmas tree.
She sleeps in mommy & daddy's room in her bassinet at night. During the day she sleeps in her swing, her bouncer, or on mommy's lap. Right now she is taking her very first nap in her crib.
She eats between 8-10 times a day, usually. 
Hunter is so good with her. He loves being near her, giving her kisses and touching her "nicely." He is still learning how to be gentle with her and he is sometimes disappointed that she won't play with the toys he offers her. But overall he is really a great big brother. He calls her "my baby" and "baby sister." He says she is "soooo cute" and he laughs at all the little noises she makes.
Adelyn fits in the family quite naturally. It has been an easy transition adding her into the mix.
I am still healing but doing so much better than I was after my c-section with Hunter.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Goodbye 2011
There is a large part of me that wants to say, "Good Riddance" to 2011 and leave it behind forever. It has been a rough year on many levels. We have faced grief, pain, loneliness and anger this year. But at the same time I have come to know more freedom, more joy, and more of God than ever before. So while I am so ready for this year to be over, I am truly thankful for the growth that the pain has brought about.
We started the year in heartache over the loss of our second child, just a few weeks after knowing of his existence. I had a miscarriage on Christmas Day 2010. This loss sent me into a dark place. I was forced to face the question of why God allows things like this to happen. Were we being punished? Had God forgotten me? Naturally this led me to grieving my father again. I felt shame over my body, anger toward God, and confusion over what I was supposed to do with my life. We met with a doctor and he assured us that there was nothing wrong with me physically and that these things happen due to no fault of the parents. Josh and I cried together and we named this child Patrick.
In March, I became pregnant again, though the numbers were quite low. The doctor told me from the beginning that it didn't look like this pregnancy would make it. Just a few short days later, I lost this child. Instead of sadness, I felt great anger after this loss. I was certain I would never have any more children and that God had forgotten me.
In April, I found out I was pregnant again. Though I was absolutely elated a great fear welled up inside of me (along with a lot of nausea). The only way I got past the fear was deciding to enjoy the pregnancy each day and not think about the future. On April 11, we got to see a tiny heartbeat on the ultrasound machine. On April 26 we saw the heartbeat and saw how the baby was growing. And I was getting sicker by the day--- all good signs of a healthy pregnancy.
In May, Josh and I finished the Spring semester on a Monday and then Josh packed up and left for Army Training that Saturday. He spent 90 days in South Carolina while Hunter and I remained in Missouri. I was 12 weeks pregnant the day he left and was praying for the morning sickness to go away. It lasted about 13 or 14 weeks with Hunter. But it did not go away. I spent most of the summer feeling icky and unable to eat. I missed Josh so much. I really struggled taking care of Hunter and myself through the morning sickness. I was lonely for Josh.
In June, Hunter turned two! I threw him a birthday party with lots of his friends. We ended the day talking with daddy on the computer. I missed Josh so much that day. I hated that he missed his son's second birthday. We were so thankful for modern technology so Josh could still see Hunter and celebrate from a distance.
In July, Hunter & I went and visited Josh in South Carolina and then went to New Mexico to see my mom. This truly helped to break up the summer. I was so ready to be around family again. Then, my mom came to STL to be with me when I had my ultrasound to find out the baby's gender. It was so fun to celebrate with my mom the news that I was carrying a little girl!
In August, Hunter & I drove to South Carolina with our friend Angela. Finally, Josh's training came to an end. I got to see him graduate! One night we were there, I started bleeding. I was 25 weeks pregnant, still having morning sickness, and now the horrible fear of losing the child came back. We spent our 4th anniversary in the hospital on the Army base. The next night we had to go to Columbia for care that the base did not provide. I was placed on bedrest and that lasted the next 8 weeks.
In September, I was so thankful that Josh was able to be with us again, but being on bed rest was not the "welcome home" I had envisioned for him. Our fall semester had to be tweaked in order to handle me being placed on bed rest. Josh dropped a class and I only took one. Even though it was our lightest semester academically it still felt busier and at least as stressful as the rest.
In November, I finally started to feel a little better and the thought that I had almost made it to term with this little girl kept me going.
Finally, December 1 arrived. Adelyn Taylor was born with no complications at 7:57 a.m. I feel like December redeemed 2011. All the struggles of this pregnancy were made completely worth it when I was able to hold little Adelyn close to my body, knowing she was safe and healthy and finally here!
As I type all of this out I am realizing I have a hard time putting into words the comfort that has come from the Lord amidst all these struggles. At the beginning of the year I was certain he had forgotten me. But now, on Dec. 31, I have a completely different perspective on suffering. I am convinced that God is good, and that he cried right along side me this year as I grieved the loss of 2 children. This world is fallen, and even Christians are not exempt from the consequences of that. One day we will get to experience glory but that will not happen until Christ returns. Until then we must face the truth that this world is broken.
I have been reading a book called, "Where is God When it Hurts?" by Philip Yancey. He said, "Where is God when it hurts? He is in us--not in the things that hurt-- helping to transform bad into good. We can safely say that God can bring good out of evil; we cannot say that God brings about the evil in hopes of producing good."
I can testify that God has been near to me this year, revealing himself to me in spite of the pain and darkness. And in light of that, I can relate with this prayer, and I hope that God makes it true in me in 2012:
"I ask you neither for health nor for sickness, for life nor for death; but that you may dispose of my health and my sickness, my life and my death, for your glory... You alone know what is expedient for me; you are the sovereign master; do with me according to your will. Give to me, or take away from me, only conform my will to yours. I know but one thing, Lord, that it is good to follow you, and bad to offend you. Apart from that, I know not what is good or bad in anything. I know not which is most profitable to me, health or sickness, wealth or poverty, nor anything else in this world. That discernment is beyond the power of men or angels, and is hidden among the secrets of your Providence, which I adore, but do not seek to fathom."
--A prayer by Blaise Pascal
We started the year in heartache over the loss of our second child, just a few weeks after knowing of his existence. I had a miscarriage on Christmas Day 2010. This loss sent me into a dark place. I was forced to face the question of why God allows things like this to happen. Were we being punished? Had God forgotten me? Naturally this led me to grieving my father again. I felt shame over my body, anger toward God, and confusion over what I was supposed to do with my life. We met with a doctor and he assured us that there was nothing wrong with me physically and that these things happen due to no fault of the parents. Josh and I cried together and we named this child Patrick.
In March, I became pregnant again, though the numbers were quite low. The doctor told me from the beginning that it didn't look like this pregnancy would make it. Just a few short days later, I lost this child. Instead of sadness, I felt great anger after this loss. I was certain I would never have any more children and that God had forgotten me.
In April, I found out I was pregnant again. Though I was absolutely elated a great fear welled up inside of me (along with a lot of nausea). The only way I got past the fear was deciding to enjoy the pregnancy each day and not think about the future. On April 11, we got to see a tiny heartbeat on the ultrasound machine. On April 26 we saw the heartbeat and saw how the baby was growing. And I was getting sicker by the day--- all good signs of a healthy pregnancy.
In May, Josh and I finished the Spring semester on a Monday and then Josh packed up and left for Army Training that Saturday. He spent 90 days in South Carolina while Hunter and I remained in Missouri. I was 12 weeks pregnant the day he left and was praying for the morning sickness to go away. It lasted about 13 or 14 weeks with Hunter. But it did not go away. I spent most of the summer feeling icky and unable to eat. I missed Josh so much. I really struggled taking care of Hunter and myself through the morning sickness. I was lonely for Josh.
In June, Hunter turned two! I threw him a birthday party with lots of his friends. We ended the day talking with daddy on the computer. I missed Josh so much that day. I hated that he missed his son's second birthday. We were so thankful for modern technology so Josh could still see Hunter and celebrate from a distance.
In July, Hunter & I went and visited Josh in South Carolina and then went to New Mexico to see my mom. This truly helped to break up the summer. I was so ready to be around family again. Then, my mom came to STL to be with me when I had my ultrasound to find out the baby's gender. It was so fun to celebrate with my mom the news that I was carrying a little girl!
In August, Hunter & I drove to South Carolina with our friend Angela. Finally, Josh's training came to an end. I got to see him graduate! One night we were there, I started bleeding. I was 25 weeks pregnant, still having morning sickness, and now the horrible fear of losing the child came back. We spent our 4th anniversary in the hospital on the Army base. The next night we had to go to Columbia for care that the base did not provide. I was placed on bedrest and that lasted the next 8 weeks.
In September, I was so thankful that Josh was able to be with us again, but being on bed rest was not the "welcome home" I had envisioned for him. Our fall semester had to be tweaked in order to handle me being placed on bed rest. Josh dropped a class and I only took one. Even though it was our lightest semester academically it still felt busier and at least as stressful as the rest.
In November, I finally started to feel a little better and the thought that I had almost made it to term with this little girl kept me going.
Finally, December 1 arrived. Adelyn Taylor was born with no complications at 7:57 a.m. I feel like December redeemed 2011. All the struggles of this pregnancy were made completely worth it when I was able to hold little Adelyn close to my body, knowing she was safe and healthy and finally here!
As I type all of this out I am realizing I have a hard time putting into words the comfort that has come from the Lord amidst all these struggles. At the beginning of the year I was certain he had forgotten me. But now, on Dec. 31, I have a completely different perspective on suffering. I am convinced that God is good, and that he cried right along side me this year as I grieved the loss of 2 children. This world is fallen, and even Christians are not exempt from the consequences of that. One day we will get to experience glory but that will not happen until Christ returns. Until then we must face the truth that this world is broken.
I have been reading a book called, "Where is God When it Hurts?" by Philip Yancey. He said, "Where is God when it hurts? He is in us--not in the things that hurt-- helping to transform bad into good. We can safely say that God can bring good out of evil; we cannot say that God brings about the evil in hopes of producing good."
I can testify that God has been near to me this year, revealing himself to me in spite of the pain and darkness. And in light of that, I can relate with this prayer, and I hope that God makes it true in me in 2012:
"I ask you neither for health nor for sickness, for life nor for death; but that you may dispose of my health and my sickness, my life and my death, for your glory... You alone know what is expedient for me; you are the sovereign master; do with me according to your will. Give to me, or take away from me, only conform my will to yours. I know but one thing, Lord, that it is good to follow you, and bad to offend you. Apart from that, I know not what is good or bad in anything. I know not which is most profitable to me, health or sickness, wealth or poverty, nor anything else in this world. That discernment is beyond the power of men or angels, and is hidden among the secrets of your Providence, which I adore, but do not seek to fathom."
--A prayer by Blaise Pascal
Monday, December 19, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Bringing Adelyn Home
We brought Adelyn home December 5, 2011. We left the hospital around 11:45 a.m. I had been there so long it took me a while to pack everything up!
Here we are preparing to leave the hospital:
Here she is in her car seat for the first time!
On our way home from the hospital with Hunter, we got Chick-Fil-A. We decided we needed to do this again with Adelyn! So with our chicken and fries in hand, we headed home with our beautiful baby girl. It was so much fun to come home to balloons and signs on our door!
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