Happy Birthday, Jesus

We spent Lyssa's first Christmas at home, with Christmas carols, candles, gifts, yummy meals and holiday treats, naps, pictures, fun and games, and memories. Lyssa was so much fun to open gifts with... While she doesn't yet get the idea of Christmas, her excitement with each gift was precious, whether it was the package or the item inside. Her favorite gifts are a walker on wheels, a doorway swing, a little Christmas doll, and a Taggie blankie. She topped off her Christmas fun with a yummy butternut squash dinner.

20 weeks

Lyssa's second bottom tooth is poking out. And still she remains sweet and happy- no typical signs of teething other than lots of chewing and drooling.
She is starting to expand her vocabulary with ma and bu sounds. Mamamama has been expressed a few times- obviously with no knowledge of forming a word but it still warms my heart.
Activity is increasing, as is her awake time. She skips naps now more and more, sleeping longer in the morning and afternoon than in between feedings. She is very intense, focusing on her taggie owl plush for long stretches of time; she also loves her Nuby ring, which makes sense due to her teething. She pushed up on her hands and knees yesterday, giving mommy quite a thrill.
We are looking forward very much to this week- Lyssa's first Christmas is on Tuesday. I'm so deeply grateful to God for this precious little gift He's given us that I don't need anything else, other than His blessing on my little family and His pouring out of love on our friends and loved ones.

19 weeks

Lyssa has a tooth. 4 1/2 months old and she has a tooth peaking through. My baby girl is growing up too fast.
Her godparents, our dearest friends from our time in Walla Walla, came to NJ this week; Uncle Denver and Aunt Liz flew into Newark from their ranch in Montana on Wednesday. We've had a wonderful time visiting so far. It's been over two years since we've seen them and our lives have changed drastically - theirs by taking on Denver's family ranch in 2011 and our's, obviously, by the new role of parenthood. The week is going by much too quickly, but we are treasuring every moment.
Yesterday, Lyssa was dedicated at our Hightstown church by Desmond Dunkley, our head elder. A webcam connected us to mom and dad in NC; they were unable to travel up for the dedication service. It was a beautiful dedication; made very special by the presence of our friends and church family. Joy sang Wordless One by Michael Card; the words expressed our sentiments of this precious moment...

InYour loving arms we lay, this wordless one so new

Theincarnation of our love we dedicate to You.

Hopeless,yet so full of hope, we make a solemn vow,

Notknowing when the time will come, not even knowing how.

Andthough it seems, we try to make a promise that is true,

Wereally only claim for her the promise that is You.

Theholy sleep which falls so deep, a blessing from above,

Willnow embrace our little one in simple trusting love.

Weoffer You this child, who’s only ours for just awhile.

Howcould we keep her back from You, when You gave Your only child?

First supper

Baby girl had her first meal tonight, consisting of rice cereal. She ate like a champ and opened her mouth for more even after she finished her last bite. <3

18 weeks

Lyssa is now 4 months old as of Wednesday, December 5. Our baby girl is getting so big! She had her 4mo appt with Dr Malaty and we discussed starting solids. So rice cereal is first on the menu, beginning tomorrow. Oatmeal is next week, followed by orange and yellow veggies. We can't wait to feed her for her first meal :)
She is doing so well developmentally. Major progress this week: wiggling her way off her playmat to other parts of the room (do I sense an early crawler?), beginning to push up on her hands and knees, discovering her feet, and blowing bubbles.

17 weeks

Lyssa's hand-eye coordination has improved drastically over the past week. She sees something and her hands immediately begin to reach for it. Then said object and hands go directly to mouth... So cute :)
She is also trying desperately to stand up. She loves being held so she can stand on our laps and is building her leg muscles very quickly.

16 weeks

Came and went... More to come.

One year ago...

...we found out about our sweet baby. It was the most incredible moment to experience. We cried and laughed and planned and dreamed and began counting down the days until our sweet Lyssa would be here. And the long months of waiting that followed were so sweet and special as we prepared for the little life that would change our world forever.

15 weeks

It amazes me that Lyssa is already 15 weeks... Time is flying, but we are adoring every moment of it!!
We drove to NC on Friday; it was a long trip, but Lyssa did amazing!! She was her sweet self the whole time and even kept to her routine beautifully these few days that have followed. She's had busy days, meeting friends and family and being inundated with love and attention; mommy is making sure that she stays on routine and has some down time each day so she doesn't get overwhelmed. But she is taking it all in and doing so well- very minimal fussing and grumpies. Mommy and daddy are amazed, proud, and blessed at her sweet, happy self.
Lyssa went to church with mommy and daddy on Sabbath and got to meet people who are very special to us. She was instantly adored. It was fun to introduce her around and to be back in a place so special to us with such a precious treasure.
Today Lyssa got to meet her great-aunt Jane, great-uncle Steve, and momma's cousin Jennifer. Everyone gathered at Kates house for a big family party. She took it all in very bravely, with the noise and activity constant around her. The little ones especially enthralled her; maybe because they're more her size?
We are at Nana and Papa's till Tuesday then we head over to Aunt Kate and Uncle Brett's. We are having fun hanging out with everyone and being loved on. :)

Road trip

We are on our first road trip with Lyssa, driving down to NC for thanksgiving with the family. She's doing amazing. So far we've stopped to feed her every three hours and to give her a chance to stretch and move around. It's been a long trip though and two hours out, it's now Lyssa's bedtime and she wants to stretch out on her belly in her crib. I feel bad for my little doll.
I'm so proud of her and how's she's held up. She is such a sweetie!!

14 weeks

Milestones: Lyssa reached 3 months last Monday (11/5). At her 3mo appointment, she weighed in at 15lb 11oz and 25 1/4in, putting her up to the 97 percentile for her age. Dr Malaty said that if all continues to go well, we can wait till 5mo to start her on solids. Mommy and daddy couldn't be happier.
She is on a solid routine, eating every three hours between 8am and 11pm, with her nap times about an hour after she finishes eating and has playtime. Her bedtime is at 7 and when she goes down after her 11pm feeding, she is down for the night until 5, sometimes 7:30am. It is delightful having such a consistent routine and a happy baby. She goes right down without a peep every time and wakes up smiling and happy.
Developments: sleeping all night (hallelujah momma's sleeping again!!); giggling; traveling (mainly in her crib); reaching for and grasping things; noticing her hands and things in them; making letter sounds (favorites are n, g, agh, and e).
Improvements: following movements with her eyes more and more; lots more cooing and talking; staying up on her elbows for longer periods of time; strengthening legs, arms, and neck (I'm sensing an early crawler).
Other: drooling; everything in hands goes directly to mouth, including hands; lots of necessary outfit changes (both mommy and baby, if you get my drift... haha!).
Loves: airplane; bath time; being read to; playtime on her mat; walks in the baby bjorn; listening to mommy play the piano.