Finally a nice day outside

We finally had a day that it didn't rain and wasn't too cold, so I took Melora outside to sit in the grass for a bit. This was the first time that she had ever sat on grass or felt it so she wasn't quite sure what to think.

Once she figured out that she could pull the grass and play with it she liked it.

A while back I got her some cute sunglasses to wear this summer. If only I could get her to keep them on for a bit rather than take them off.

Sorry for all the pictures, but she was just so happy and photogenic today.

$5 Footlong Birthday!

Today is my nephew Jake's 5th birthday! His mom asked him what he would like for supper on his big day and he sang the Subway $5 footlong song. haha So my sister and her husband took him out for Subway.

Happy Birthday Jake! We love you so much and are so lucky to be able to see you and spend time with you. We love the fun little boy you are becoming and are excited for many more fun times ahead.

My first Mother's Day

Today was a great day. It was my first Mother's Day! Melora and I stayed over at my parents' house last night and went to church with my mom this morning. It was nice to get to spend some quality time with my mom and she enjoyed having Melora at her house. This morning Melora was showing off before church. My parents' have a motorcycle rocker at their house. I put Melora on it for the first time and she knew exactly what to do...

After church we went to Pizza Ranch to eat with my dad, sister, brother-in-law and my nephew Jake. It sure was yummy! My sister created a really cool little box for me. When you open the lid there was a bunch of pictures of Melora from this past year. Very cool! After lunch it was time for me to head for home.

When Melora and I got home there was a vase with three red roses and a sweet card that was from Melora. Pretty sure George helped her write the card. :)  Here is my other Mother's Day gift that I received.

I got to help design the piece. It includes Melora's birthstone and behind the heart is Melora's date of birth. Such a fun way to honor such a sweet little girl. I'm so lucky!

How to melt a heart...

just look up and smile. This is what Melora does each and everytime she smiles. Those big brown eyes and that gummy smile. She truely is a delightful child. George and I are so lucky to have been chosen as her parents.

It was hard to go to work today after spending the weekend with her. I used to always want a snow day from work so I could sleep and relax, now I want one to spend more time with my family.

Thank you Lord for my wonderful, healthy, happy daughter. Thank you for her smile that can brighten anyone's day.

5 months and counting!

The old saying goes, "Time flies when you're having fun." Whoever said that was so true! Hard to believe our little girl is 5 months old. George and I were reminicing today of the day we had her and how much she has changed our lives in the short time she has been here.

Melora and I joined my parents and my sister on a trip to Iowa City today. Someone took a nice long nap on the way. We went to see my great uncle Irvin Garber, his wife Betty and their daughter Jan and her husband Mike. Irvin's health is not good and we definitely wanted to see him before things get worse. It was so delightful to spend part of the afternoon with their family. We were all happy that we made the trip down.

Holding her tighter...

I like to visit the babycenter.com website. I have got to this website ever since I found out I was pregnant. It has been fun to see pictures of other babies that were born the same time as Melora, ask questions and find answers. It has been really helpful as a first time parent.

Recently while on the website I came across a post of two little girls battling for their lives. The first little girl is two month old Scarlett Grace. Her parents took her in for her well baby visiting thinking everything was fine and found out she has a brain tumor. I just can't imagine what her family is going through as they fight to save her life. Each time I read their blog I end up in tears as I think about our daughter and how blessed we are. Check out their website at http://www.brandiandchris.blogspot.com/

The second little girl, Cami as born with hydrocephalus, holoprosencephaly & a hole in her heart. Their blog chronicles the family's struggle with paying the bills and helping to save their daughter's life. How sad. Check out their blog at dailynewsofus.blogspot.com/

I know that these two little girls aren't the only sick babies that are out there in the world. It is so hard for me to read these and not get attached to the family. My heart aches for them. They can't always hold their little girl in their arms. This has made both George and I hold Melora a little tighter. We love our little girl and like these families we would be crushed if anything were to ever happen. Cami and Scarlett are sleeping in hospital beds and Melora is sleeping in her bed. Each night before bed we pray for our daughter and the sick girls. I just can't imagine.