Friday, February 28, 2014

Happy 33rd Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary, Grammy and Papa!!!


I'm sure glad you got married 33 years ago.


You're the best maternal grandparents a baby could ever hope for!!!
I hit the jackpot!





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Thursday, February 27, 2014

Night Lights

 
Parenthood has helped me to see a number of things from a new perspective.  One such thing is the purpose of the night light.

When I was a child, I didn't have a "night light" in my room, but my parents would leave the hall light on outside my room providing the same effect as a night light for me as I fell asleep.  I always assumed that the entire industry of night lights were for the benefit of the child.  The night lights provided comfort, light for getting up if needed, and assurance that no monsters are coming out from under the bed.

Not until Tracey Ann joined our family, a little over a month ago, did I ever consider that night lights are most importantly for the benefit of the parents.  Our one-month-old baby girl is not afraid of the dark, and could sleep just fine without a night light.  However, one or more night lights have been on EVERY night since we brought her home from the hospital.  The night lights are for OUR benefit.

The night lights serve the practical purpose of providing light when we need to get up with her several times a night -- feedings, diaper changes, general comfort, etc.  But, more importantly, the light provides comfort to me, the new mother, who needs to be able to look over from my bed and know my baby is still in her bassinet, alive, healthy, warm, and safe.

Tracey Ann does not sleep in our bed, she is about two feet away from our bed, and there are times that two feet distance feels way too far to be separated from my baby girl.  I can assure you, that night light is useful and comforting for this mama, and will not be shut off ANY time soon.

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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The New Family Picture

I guess I need to get used to a party of three (well, three humans, and two animals, when available) posing for our family pictures...









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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Petting Lloyd

Tracey Ann is learning how to pet Lloyd... and Lloyd is learning how to love Tracey Ann.



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Monday, February 24, 2014

Life Update

Today's blog post coming to you from the Iowa/Nebraska boarder...

Here is a quick life update --

The woman who has been my honorary grandmother my entire life went to be with Jesus on Saturday evening.  She was 92 years old, and very ready to go home by the end.  Her death is a culmination of a beautiful life well-lived, and I am not so much saddened by her death as I am overwhelmingly grateful that I was considered her honorary grandchild.
 


With her death, our little Tracey Ann's first long road trip is occurring much sooner than we anticipated.  Hubby and I are headed to Michigan to celebrate Grandma's life and attend her funeral.  We are quite the circus headed down the interstate -- Daddy, Mama, one-month-old Tracey Ann, cat Lexie, and dog Lloyd.


Speaking of our little Tracey Ann, she is ONE MONTH OLD TODAY!!!  I cannot believe it -- talk about the fastest month I've ever experienced.  I will write a post soon about what Tracey Ann is up to at one month of age, and how much she has changed.  This has definitely been the best month of my life thus far!


Please keep in prayer as we travel.

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Saturday, February 22, 2014

Newborn Professional Pictures

Here are some more professional pictures we had taken of Tracey Ann when she was four days old.  Prepare yourself for photograph overload...


I love this picture of my Hubby and daughter... in my head she is saying,
"Your whiskers tickle, Daddy."





We were so fortunate to have both Chris' parents and my parents visiting us when we had these pictures taken.

I love this picture of my parents, Grammy and Papa, with Tracey Ann.





Here are Grandma and Grandpa Miller with Tracey Ann...






Look how tiny she is in her Daddy's arms.



My dad is a pediatrician, and Tracey Ann nearly fits inside his medical bag...


Papa says she has a healthy heart beat.





Tracey Ann is named for my sister, Tracey who died in 2002.

Grammy, Mama, and Tracey

Go Cardinals!

This is the most precious face!

We are so blessed!

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