Christmas Card

Out of literally 500 pictures I took, these were the 5 most decent ones. It is near impossible to get a good pic these days!

Merry CHRISTmas to you and yours!! 

Thanksgiving Recap

I have been a slacker lately, so I have lots of events to blog about! Thanksgiving this year was full of many blessings to be thankful for. We didn't get many pictures unfortunately. We were supposed to go to Raleigh for lunch with Brians family. But...Maggie came down with a horrible case of bronchitis and we shipped Miller off to my moms for a few days and I stayed home with Maggie in bed...for days.  Brian ended up zipping off to Raleigh to see his family for a few hours. Late Friday night, Maggie was feeling a little better so we headed over to my parents for  a late Thanksgiving celebration. These were the only pics we got.

The next weekend, we all headed over to see the Lewis Lights. I want to make this a yearly tradition. We had everyone over for dinner at our house afterwards! We did this last year with Maggie and she had a blast. The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves if you can't tell!!

Brian and I snuck away to Caroline Webb's wedding. We got our FIRST babysitter ever! Yes, Maggie is 3 and we've never had a babysitter. It went really well. The babysitter did call me a few times to tell me Miller was crying for me, but he was still alive when we got home.:)  Brian and I enjoyed the photo booth best!

Maggie bumped her front tooth and knocked it so hard the nerves died. She says she did it at school on their jumpy. We thought she did it when she fell off our swing set, so who knows?!! But she had to have a little procedure done to fix it. She was given some medicine to make her very "out of it" but was awake during the whole thing. You would have had to knock me out cold if they drilled on my front tooth!! She did great and is such a BIG GIRL now.

this is her waiting on the meds to kick in

playing in their really fun waiting room

We had a big milestone with Miller! He visited his very first "mothers morning out" class at our church! Mommy needed to do some Christmas shopping alone so Miller went and played for a few hours. He had a blast! I think for the new year we will let him go with sister a few times a week. He loves to play with other kids and needs the time off of my hip! ha!

all ready for his first day at First Discovery at First Baptist Church

Red Wagon First Birthday!

I remember having dreams when I was pregnant with Miller that something was wrong. In my dreams, I never knew what was wrong with him, but it always ended up being ok in the end.  I thought the dreams were just the aftermath of the previous miscarriage.  Even after Miller was born, and they told me he scored a 9/9 on his Apgar test, that uneasy feeling that something was wrong did not go away. I think early on God was preparing my heart for what was to come.

You cannot even imagine what a milestone his first birthday was to us. I remember sitting beside his hospital bed in the ICU, and the numerous doctors and nurses telling us this first year would be the hardest. We knew there were multiple surgeries, possibly multiple complications, hospital stays, sickness, trouble feeding, trouble growing, the list went on and on. The doctors kept telling us to just take it one day at a time and get through this first year. I remember Brian and I talking about how joyous his first birthday would be. We dreamed of having this big huge celebration, and having a healthy baby boy to show off.

On this day, his birthday, we had more than we ever dreamed of. All of those things that were supposed to happen, never did. He ate good, he grew good, he met all milestones, and with very little complications! This year has been the hardest year of my life, but the very best yet. I am telling you...God knew exactly what he was doing when he prepared this amazing journey for us. 

We celebrated with good friends and family and it was exactly what we dreamed about. It was an incredibly special day. I can't believe we have made it to this day, and I can't help but give every.single.bit of the glory to GOD. We chose a red wagon theme for several reasons. First, when he was released from the ICU and taken to the 5th floor to recover, they wheeled him up there in a red wagon. I have a picture of him with his little scar showing and he is smiling ear to ear, just full of joy. It is by far one of my favorite pictures of him. Second, we go on a red wagon ride almost every day and it is our special time. He loves it!

Praise God for our healthy Miller Man!! Happy First Birthday baby boy. Here's to many many more!!

I got this little wagon as part of his bday present, and put all of his toys and gifts inside. I figured he could pull all of his toys around in it. WRONG. He climbs inside every time and screams until someone pulls him really fast around the house!

11 Months Old

I am home today with my favorite little man, who turns 11 months old today! I'm busy planning his first birthday, which we plan to make a big celebration out of it! We are full of gratitude for our little guy, and for the amazing journey we have been on. I have grown as a wife, mother, and faithful follower of Jesus Christ more this year than any other year in my life. God always uses these storms for something way beyond our comprehension, and I'm just starting to see a glimpse of what is in store for us and our family! And it is AMAZING! I have truly learned to give all worries to him, and trust him above all else. I can't say I've always done that my whole life, because I have the personality of being the "do it myself" kind of girl. Well...I'm not anymore. Because truth be told, I couldn't do any of this without HIM!

Miller may have half a heart, but I can assure you, he has twice the JOY. He is the happiest little thing. He smiles all day long and is a total BLESSING to our family. I have been rather emotional lately. As the holiday season approaches, I can't help but remember last year, the emotions, the smell of the hospital, the longing to spend time with Maggie, the sleepless nights, etc etc. When I tell you we CANNOT.WAIT until this Christmas, that would be a huge understatement. Not to give Miller extra gifts, or decorate the Christmas tree fancy, but to celebrate the birth of our LORD from the safety and comfort of our own home, making precious memories with our precious children.

*on a side note, flu season has started in full force. several friends have already had it. please say a special prayer for Miller that he remains well and healthy this season. the thought of another hospital stay is just too frightening. and if you come visit, don't be surprised if I make you bathe in hand sanitizer. thanks:)*

Election Night, George Washington showed up!

This is my view all day every day. "Mom, I'm down here. Pick me up. Pick me up pleeeeeease."

As soon as he wakes up, this is where he goes. Boy wakes up starvin like marvin, just like his Daddy!

He has learned to brush his teeth and it might be his new favorite past time!!

Pumpkin Patch 2012, he was all smiles while watching his sister do everything!

We have nicknamed him "Miller the Destroyer." Just lately, he has torn up several sets of blinds, shredded all my old Southern Living magazines, dismembered my Roomba, got a pencil stuck in the electrical outlet, ate a bar of soap, the list could go on!!

A recent doctor check up. He was all smiles until he got the flu shot!

He LOVES this kitchen. He cooks me up some good snacks all the time!

Man, this guy totally melts my heart. My heart is overflowing with gratitude, joy, faith, and love.

A few facts about him...
He wears a size 4 diaper.
He wears 18mo-2t clothes.
He has 4 teeth.
He weighs 24 lbs.
He doesn't like to sleep. AT ALL. He doesn't nap much or sleep through the night.
He is a Nosy Rosy. He will about break his neck to see what someone else is doing. He can't stand to miss a thing!!
He doesn't like his bottles much anymore. He wants real food! He is a good eater. Obviously;)
He can say mama, dada, ball, more, bye bye, and dog. I swear the other day he said Maggie too! He looked right at her and said it.
He is pulling up on anything and everything. He crawls around the house in lightening speed.
He always has his fist clenched bc usually there is something in there he is saving. A piece of cheese or cracker, a bug, a wad of dog hair, a wad of Maggie's hair, a piece of carpet, a bar of soap, a Barbie shoe that he is going to choke on later, you name it! He is a MESS.

Recently I have caught him playing in the toilet several times, or unrolling the whole roll of toilet paper then proceeding to eat it. He is obsessed with wires and electrical outlets. Or pulls on cabinet drawers. Or books that he can rip the pages out. He is going to give me a run for my money and I wouldn't have it any other way! So thankful he enjoys life so much!!