Milestones

I have many updates since the last time I posted. First of all I want to share some of the pictures from Alexa's Baptism last weekend. Even though it was hot everything went well. We did discover that despite going to daycare, having numerous visits from all sorts of people since she was born and traveling all over the state already at only 4 months old, Miss Alexa is a little shy of strangers. That coupled with the fact that she is definitely going through some sort of developmental phase and we had one upset baby several times throughout the day. However, she charmed everyone at the church by LOVING the water being poured over her head and smiling at her daddy!

As I said before, we have known the last few weeks that something was up with Alexa. I have researched something called the Wonder Weeks (based on a book) since Alexa was born and she has pretty much fit each predicted fussy week perfectly. This happened to be Wonder Week 19 (please cue the dramatic music here) and we checked off all of the signs exactly: loss of appetite, sleep regression, clingy, demands more attention, shy around unfamiliar people, etc. Oftentimes these Wonder Weeks lead up to a new developmental milestone (i.e. cooing, discovering hands/feet) which in Alexa's case was ROLLING OVER!!! This evening after Aaron laid her down on her tummy, for the first time ever she immediately flipped over to her back. As this Wonder Week comes to a close her appetite is slowly coming back, she is sleeping better and new milestones are revealing themselves. It hasn't been easy, especially on mom and dad haha but so worth it to see these new discoveries.

In other news I have made a big decision to take a new job at a local school as their Speech-Language Pathologist. I will be starting in the fall. While sad to leave all my co-workers at the hospital I am looking forward to this new change and what it has to offer for my family!! Wish me luck!!

4 months old!

Alexa is such a happy baby! I can't believe how fast four months has gone by. She is definitely a daddy's girl, loves to put just about anything in her mouth, recently discovered she has feet and steals just about everyone's heart she meets. We have her Baptism this weekend and we are looking forward to spending lots of time with family, including getting to see Alexa's birth family. Here's to hoping for good weather this weekend!

Exhausted!

I'm exhausted! That was exactly what I was thinking when I finally came home this evening. Many people, most people, with and without children, feel this way often. I was so delighted to come across today's Girlfriend In God devotional. I can't get over how fitting it was for my exact feelings today. However, I really shouldn't be surprised. I know God works in amazing and awe-inspiring ways. While getting my haircut tonight, exhausted, hungry and really wanting my bed I saw a new friend I only met a week ago walk through the doors. Just a week ago I was praying for her. More specifically I was praying she would find a job. Come to find out 3 days after we met, 3 days after myself and several others began to pray for her, a job opportunity arose. Now, she is completing her first full week at her new job! AMAZING! I am pretty sure my jaw fell straight to the floor when I found out. Praise the Lord!

Our Miracle

Well happy May everyone! The weather has been really beautiful here. We have been able to enjoy it some but it is hard when we don't get home until after 5, need to get dinner ready and before we know it, it is time to start getting Alexa ready for bed. Hoping to get out for a walk today sometime together! I also haven't had much time to do my daily reflections and I sure am missing them. I have tried getting up a little earlier, staying up a little later, put off housework etc. but it just seems that no matter what something gets in the way. My little love bug is napping already this morning as she was up very early today. We had to switch formula again for various reasons I won't go into. I think it is making her gassy as she was up and down all night which is very unusual for her.

(By the way any other moms out their have a 4 month old who will only nap in their swing? We have tried multiple times to get her to nap in her crib during the day but we only get 30 minutes out of her no matter what and then she is crabby the rest of the day. She sleeps perfect in her crib at night! Any ideas are welcomed. At the moment I am taking what I can get otherwise it just makes our weekends miserable. I know she won't nap in her swing forever and that eventually she is going to want more room to spread out just like she did for night sleep. However, it is hard to get anything done around the house with a baby sleeping in a swing. She does sleep through most noise but I think you get the point that we would like for her to be in her room.)

Anyways, I am thanking God this morning for this moment of reflection as it has felt like we have gone too long without a good conversation. Since Alexa was up so early and is already napping Aaron said he would go to the grocery store early so we could spend more time together today. So I am sitting in peace and quiet at the moment, taking this God-filled moment in. This week I was very happy to know that my blog continues to intrigue others and is being used to help and educate other couples struggling with infertility. Although that was not the main purpose when I started this blog it has become a place that many are telling me they feel like they can go and not feel alone. My mom texted me on Monday I think it was for the web address again. She was at work and got to talking with one of her patients about her family. Come to find out one of her children and their spouse was having trouble conceiving. My mom shared our story and the woman asked for this web address to share it with her daughter. This made me smile and I hope this particular woman is reading my blog as we speak.  While adoption may not be for everyone I hope it helps her find hope and comfort. We are part of an ever-growing issue that is still very much taboo and misunderstood at times and need to stick together. If I had to tell her one thing it is that no matter how her future children come to her or what her future brings, God does not make mistakes and every step along what may seem a torturous journey is worth the miracle at the end.