The years seem to just be flying now. I cannot believe 2009 is coming to an end. Here are some of my most favorite highlights:
January- We found out we were expecting a baby boy. When we saw Hunter on the ultrasound machine we both cried a little and were so excited!!!
February- Josh & I took a weekend trip to Washington, D.C. It was our "babymoon"-- the last trip with just the two of us. A quick trip, but quite special.
March- Josh & I started our childbirth class and I was able to go on a women's retreat with my church.
April- We worked hard to prepare the nursery to welcome Hunter. Josh added a chair rail and painted the room. I was so pleased with how it turned out. It was the perfect place to bring my newborn!
May- Josh & I finished up with the youth group we led in Virginia Beach. We were so blessed by those students and grew together as a couple.
June- The long awaited child was finally born! After 40 hours in the hospital delivery room, Hunter Daniel entered the world. It was a glorious day! We are so blessed by this child every day. My mom and Glen and Paul and LaVonne were all able to come out to Virginia to meet Hunter and spend time with us. It was a good month!
July- We settled into being parents and being sleep deprived! ha! We also decided to put our house on the market to see if we could get any traffic as we contemplated moving.
August- Josh & I celebrated 2 years of marriage by hiring a babysitter for the very first time. We went to the Melting Pot and enjoyed alone time. I was soooo tired and a little bit freaked out to be a part from my baby for the first time, but it was a wonderful date. I also started my blog in August and I have really enjoyed it.
September- Hunter began sleeping at least 10 hours every night; we were debating almost everyday about what to do when Josh's job ended; and we were getting used to being parents!
October- We decided that we were going to move to St. Louis for sure. We began marketing our house even more and showing it all the time. Hunter got quite sick which was a big scare for us.
November- All our belongings were packed up and our move became real. We said many goodbyes, cried many tears, and began the transition to St. Louis. We left Virginia Beach mid-month and started a 2 month road trip across the country. Hunter was able to meet a lot my family!
December- The travels continued! We were in New Mexico at the beginning of the month, Colorado in the middle, and Iowa at the end. Whew!
We have had quite the year. Lots of change in the Hammans family--but it is exciting! Here's to 2010!!!!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Hunter's first food!
Hunter just had his first food! He has been exclusively breastfed for 28 weeks and 2 days. Today, he had his first taste of something else. Hunter was given Rice Cereal with breastmilk and water and probiotics mixed in. He really liked it!
Grandma LaVonne, Aunt Alyce, friends Keri and Ephraim watched as Josh fed him and I filmed. Here is the video:
Grandma LaVonne, Aunt Alyce, friends Keri and Ephraim watched as Josh fed him and I filmed. Here is the video:
and my favorite of the day....
This photo is not edited or changed in anyway. Oh how I love my Nikon D5000!!!
We had a wonderful Christmas in the country. The white ground welcomed more snow all day long as we cuddled inside. The Hammans have a tradition of opening presents on Christmas Eve. The presents were piled so high- all over the house. It took us hours to open everything and even then we didn't get it all done! Hunter slept through much of the Christmas Eve present time, so he had a lot to open on Christmas Day.
Christmas morning was quiet and slow. We all slept in and relaxed. I took about a million pictures of Hunter. LaVonne made her famous blueberry buckle and we gathered around the table for a late breakfast. I was able to talk to my family via skype. Then we all opened our stockings and Hunter opened his gifts (with mommy and daddy's help, of course!). We ended the day by watching A Christmas Story . The Hammans had never seen it so it was fun to introduce them.
We had Christmas Dinner the next day with LaVonne's mom and stepdad. It was wonderful: ham, mashed potatoes, beans, beef with noodles, green bean casserole, and many tasty desserts.
I was so excited for Hunter's first Christmas! He loved the tissue paper the most!
We had a wonderful Christmas in the country. The white ground welcomed more snow all day long as we cuddled inside. The Hammans have a tradition of opening presents on Christmas Eve. The presents were piled so high- all over the house. It took us hours to open everything and even then we didn't get it all done! Hunter slept through much of the Christmas Eve present time, so he had a lot to open on Christmas Day.
Christmas morning was quiet and slow. We all slept in and relaxed. I took about a million pictures of Hunter. LaVonne made her famous blueberry buckle and we gathered around the table for a late breakfast. I was able to talk to my family via skype. Then we all opened our stockings and Hunter opened his gifts (with mommy and daddy's help, of course!). We ended the day by watching A Christmas Story . The Hammans had never seen it so it was fun to introduce them.
We had Christmas Dinner the next day with LaVonne's mom and stepdad. It was wonderful: ham, mashed potatoes, beans, beef with noodles, green bean casserole, and many tasty desserts.
I was so excited for Hunter's first Christmas! He loved the tissue paper the most!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
6 months
Hunter is six months old now~ a half of a year. We are so blessed by him everyday. He is such a happy baby who smiles nearly all the time. He is very social. A few days ago we were in Des Moines with Josh's sister Alyce eating at a Mongolian Grill. Nine-month-old Dorothy was across the aisle from Hunter and they both had a grand time looking at each other and laughing and cooing. It was adorable. Throughout all of our travels he has made many friends.
He had his 6-month well-visit yesterday in Winterset, Iowa. Dr. Amy was wonderful with Hunter. Hunter is still on his antibiotic from his UTI and possible kidney infection. Being on an antibiotic for this long is tough on any body-- but especially a body as little as his. He has not gained any weight in the last month. This was scary news for Josh & me, but the doctor has assured us it is due to Hunter being more active as well as the antibiotic causing his belly to be a little bit upset. Dr. Amy gave Hunter some probiotics to help replace some of the negative aspects of antibiotics. We are hopeful that will help Hunter feel a little better.
Hunter's 6 month Stats:
Weight: 17 lbs, 10 oz. (50th percentile)
Height: 27.5 inches (75th percentile)
Dr. Amy is going to help us get an appointment with a urologist in Des Moines, Iowa so that Hunter can have his final test and hopefully we can put this all behind us. The doctor in Virginia required Hunter to be on antibiotics for 10 weeks in order to ensure all infection is gone before proceeding with the next test, a VCUG***. If this comes back negative- we are completely done with treatment. If it comes back positive, there are different surgical procedures we will be forced to chose between.
We are hoping for the negative results, of course. We would really like to be done with this sickness! Hunter seems like a healthy baby. He is making all of his developmental milestones just fine and his little body looks healthy.
He says, "DaDaDaDa" now. He can roll over and over and over to get wherever he wants to go! Everyday his hair gets more and more red. Could it be that I will have a red-headed blue-eyed boy?
*** In case you want to know: A voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) is an x-ray test where a small tube or catheter is placed into the bladder through the opening where the urine comes out. A special liquid called x-ray contrast is used to fill the bladder through the catheter. When the child's bladder is full, the child will urinate into a special container while on the x-ray table. While the bladder is filling and the child is urinating, x-rays are taken.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Feeling Blessed
In the past month, I have seen so many people who are very dear to me. I have been able to see friends from all different stages of my life:
In New Mexico I spent time with friends from high school and my very loving family.
In Waco and a few weeks later in Houston, I spent time with friends from Baylor.
Here in Colorado I have spent time with friends from Youth for Christ, Colorado School of Dance and friends from the church where I interned.
AND…I have been able to spend time with Josh’s friends from when he was stationed in Colorado Springs.
I have a very blessed life. The Lord has given me amazing friends through all the stages of my life. Everywhere God has called me, he has surrounded me with amazing men and women who have a heart for Him. I have been mentored, discipled, encouraged, and sharpened by so many people. I am thankful for each of these men and women. I know that God has used them to make me who I am and to call me more deeply to Himself.
I am also feeling inspired. Inspired to reach out, to sharpen, to mentor… I want God to use me in other’s lives as I have seen Him use people in my own life.
The time with all these very special people has reminded me of this fact: life is not meant to be spent in isolation. Life is so much fuller and richer when it is shared---and not just in the good times but also in the hard times. The relationships I consider the most dear to me are the ones where we have walked through the real, often painful, places in life.
Dear friends and family who are reading this: open yourself up to know and be known. Take the risk of entering into relationships with those around you. You will not regret it. Because being known brings freedom. We truly are made for relationships.
In New Mexico I spent time with friends from high school and my very loving family.
In Waco and a few weeks later in Houston, I spent time with friends from Baylor.
Here in Colorado I have spent time with friends from Youth for Christ, Colorado School of Dance and friends from the church where I interned.
AND…I have been able to spend time with Josh’s friends from when he was stationed in Colorado Springs.
I have a very blessed life. The Lord has given me amazing friends through all the stages of my life. Everywhere God has called me, he has surrounded me with amazing men and women who have a heart for Him. I have been mentored, discipled, encouraged, and sharpened by so many people. I am thankful for each of these men and women. I know that God has used them to make me who I am and to call me more deeply to Himself.
I am also feeling inspired. Inspired to reach out, to sharpen, to mentor… I want God to use me in other’s lives as I have seen Him use people in my own life.
The time with all these very special people has reminded me of this fact: life is not meant to be spent in isolation. Life is so much fuller and richer when it is shared---and not just in the good times but also in the hard times. The relationships I consider the most dear to me are the ones where we have walked through the real, often painful, places in life.
Dear friends and family who are reading this: open yourself up to know and be known. Take the risk of entering into relationships with those around you. You will not regret it. Because being known brings freedom. We truly are made for relationships.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Josh is 30.
My husband just turned 30 this week. 30! I used to think that was so old!! But now I can see that we are just getting started.
In honor of his birthday, here are the top 30 things I love about Josh:
30. He loves Colorado as much as I do.
29. He looks great with facial hair.
28. He has a sensitive side—one that cries at movies and is moved by music.
27. He started a blog: http://theseminarianview.blogspot.com/ .
26. He likes to play board games with me. Our favorites are Settlers of Catan and Monopoly.
25. He is good with computers. He understands how to set them up and get them working!
24. He is a loyal friend.
23. He is creative. He is currently working on a novel with two of his best friends.
22. He is great with Hunter.
21. He knows how to drive a stick shift.
20. He is very manly and strong.
19. He gives really good back rubs. And foot rubs.
18. He is willing to help out around the house—even after a long day of work.
17. He loves the Lord and wants to reach the lost for Him.
16. He understands my need for girl time and will do whatever he can to make sure I have time for myself.
15. He is smart. Like really smart. If I have a question about pretty much anything he is like my walking google.
14. He can make Hunter laugh so easily. Hunter loves him so much!
13. He has a passion for Theology and Truth.
12. He is a hard worker. He was able to complete his Bachelor’s degree while working full-time and serving in his church.
11. He is willing to listen and work things through—an essential character trait in any marriage!
10. He cares about physical fitness and wants to stay healthy.
9. He will go shopping with me for hours if I want.
8. He loves Starbucks and will go with me anytime I want.
7. He can turn almost any moment into a celebration of some sort. (ex: let’s celebrate the fact that it is Tuesday and it is sunny.)
6. He is following his passion and calling and going back to school…even when it seems a little frightening.
5. He is adventurous. I know life will never be boring with him!
4. He always encourages me pursue my dreams, desires, wishes, and goals.
3. He is always willing to help people, whether it is a physical or emotional need, Josh will always be there.
2. He is a family man.
1. He is a man of God. I can trust him and his leadership for our family.
I love you, Josh! Happy 30! You are half way to 60 now!
In honor of his birthday, here are the top 30 things I love about Josh:
30. He loves Colorado as much as I do.
29. He looks great with facial hair.
28. He has a sensitive side—one that cries at movies and is moved by music.
27. He started a blog: http://theseminarianview.blogspot.com/ .
26. He likes to play board games with me. Our favorites are Settlers of Catan and Monopoly.
25. He is good with computers. He understands how to set them up and get them working!
24. He is a loyal friend.
23. He is creative. He is currently working on a novel with two of his best friends.
22. He is great with Hunter.
21. He knows how to drive a stick shift.
20. He is very manly and strong.
19. He gives really good back rubs. And foot rubs.
18. He is willing to help out around the house—even after a long day of work.
17. He loves the Lord and wants to reach the lost for Him.
16. He understands my need for girl time and will do whatever he can to make sure I have time for myself.
15. He is smart. Like really smart. If I have a question about pretty much anything he is like my walking google.
14. He can make Hunter laugh so easily. Hunter loves him so much!
13. He has a passion for Theology and Truth.
12. He is a hard worker. He was able to complete his Bachelor’s degree while working full-time and serving in his church.
11. He is willing to listen and work things through—an essential character trait in any marriage!
10. He cares about physical fitness and wants to stay healthy.
9. He will go shopping with me for hours if I want.
8. He loves Starbucks and will go with me anytime I want.
7. He can turn almost any moment into a celebration of some sort. (ex: let’s celebrate the fact that it is Tuesday and it is sunny.)
6. He is following his passion and calling and going back to school…even when it seems a little frightening.
5. He is adventurous. I know life will never be boring with him!
4. He always encourages me pursue my dreams, desires, wishes, and goals.
3. He is always willing to help people, whether it is a physical or emotional need, Josh will always be there.
2. He is a family man.
1. He is a man of God. I can trust him and his leadership for our family.
I love you, Josh! Happy 30! You are half way to 60 now!
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