Sophia's Art Gallery...

Sophia has been busy at work creating some masterpieces! Go check them out on my art blog!!!

Answer to Prayer!

Today was Peyton's check up to get her head measured, to see how much the circumference of her head had grown in a month. As I walked in, I felt very at peace and felt no worry or anxiousness. We were placed in the room, got her head measured, and then the doctor came in with the results. She showed me the rate at which her head had grown in a month, and the growth had significantly slowed down! Her pediatrician said there was no longer need for concern and that everything looked perfect, whewww! Thank you everyone for your prayers! It truly is comforting and encouraging knowing there are others out there lifting our little girl up to God!

I then took the opportunity, since we already were there, to ask a few other questions that had been on my mind. I just noticed this about a month ago, but the muscle that attaches your upper lip to your gums is more prominent on Peyton. On her, the muscle actually attaches in between her teeth creating a small split in her teeth. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't going to affect how her teeth came in as far as crowding an not having enough room for all of her baby teeth (she already has my narrow jaws and tiny mouth). The pediatrician also said that there was nothing to worry about for right now and to wait until she is three and gets her first dental check up. Sometimes when all of the baby teeth come in, it actually shift everything and pushes the muscle up, closing the gap in between the two front teeth. So that was another thing to put on the back burner for now. Lastly, I asked the doctor about Peyton walking, or rather NOT walking. The general rule of thumb is that a child should be walking very well all by themselves by 15 months. So the doctor tried holding Peyton's hands and having her walk to me. She then saw the dilemma. It's not that Peyton can't, she just won't. In other words, she's getting where she wants to go fast enough with crawling and is refusing to try to walk. But again she said there was no real concern, and that if by 15 months Peyton still wasn't walking, we would go back in and then talk about a plan of attack. So for now, my list of worries (rather unanswered questions) is all blank and I am just enjoying my growing little girl!

In not so many words...

When I first found out I was pregnant with Peyton, my two thoughts were:(1) "I'm so excited for another baby!", and (2)"How am I going to love this one as much as I love Sophia?"

Well, I can honestly tell you as I saw the doctors carry her from the surgery table to her little bed to clean her, all of the worry melted away, and I felt an overwhelming amount of love for this little person, so much that it made me bawl, not just tear up, but out of control tears streaming down my face. I had such a connection with her from the moment I laid eyes on her!

Having two girls, it is so neat to see the similarities and differences, especially as Peyton gets older and becomes more independent and self sufficient. Peyton is more quiet and observes everything, where as Sophia will talk your ear off. And though Peyton is behind in some areas such as talking and walking, she definitely is not lacking in brains. This girl tells me when she wants to take a nap! Yes, you read that right, she literally puts herself to sleep! Today she was ready to take her nap, so she came to me, binky in her mouth, and blanky in hand and put her hands in the air and motioned me to pick her up. I then asked her, 'Are you sleepy Peyton, ready to go night-night?' While still holding onto her blanky, she then crawled over to our stairs and proceeded to climb up to her bedroom. Peyton also amazes me at how fast she picks things up! She will see Sophia do something once and next thing you know, she has mastered it! She already tries to put her shoes on and prefers feeding herself. She is also a pro at climbing our stairs and can go both up and down them with no problem.

She is a VERY happy baby that is always laughing and usually entertains herself. However, don't try to tell her 'no' or she will give you the evil eye (it's actually pretty cute and is hard not to laugh at). Just like her big sister, Peyton is determined and focused. She knows what she wants and she goes after it 100%, which I think is a good thing, especially as she gets older. She knows that for now, crawling gets her where she wants to go, so she's not interested in walking. She loves fruit, veggies, pasta, sandwiches, and chicken. She's not much of a fan of yogurt, cheese, or cottage cheese, which seems to be due to texture. Her big sister is her idol, and she constantly follows after her as her little shadow trying to keep up with every activity.

I never knew I could love another child as much as I loved Sophia, but now that love pours out of me and continues to overflow in the form of hugs and kisses, and night time snuggling. God has blessed me with two little angels and I pray I can be the mom they deserve!

Still just two teens in love...

Our trip to Palm Springs (Palm Desert), was oh-so relaxing and just the boost of vitamin D that Jeff and I needed! Though we missed our girls VERY much, it was a great time for Jeff and I to enjoy each others company and some alone time! We went to the pool to soak up some sun a few times, read together, enjoyed junk food and watched a movie in our hotel room. I don't think I have ever laughed so much, but then again my hubby has me laughing all the time. When we would be at dinner with his reps, or just in our hotel room late at night after our busy day, Jeff and I would be cracking up together. He would say something, then I would feed off that, and next thing you know we are acting like two big kids being goof balls! The one characteristic that attracted me to Jeff, was his sense of humor, and how even when we just began dating, he would constantly be cracking jokes and making me laugh. I love that we still have that spark and that after 12 years of being together, we still have SO much fun together and our love is only growing as the years go on! I feel like we are still just two teenagers in the giddy-love stage. My husband is an incredible man, and knowing I have my best friend beside me for the rest of my life is such a wonderful feeling of contentment. This line may sound like it came from a cheesy movie, 'but I seriously want to scream it from the rooftops...I'm SO in love!!!'

Jewels...

It's 2:00 a.m, and I should probably be in bed, so this post won't be too long. I just want to share with you the jewels I have in my life and how much they brighten and bless my days! These jewels are not physical in the sense that I wear them for all to see, but rather names that are written on my heart. I feel SO incredibly blessed to have so many amazing people in my life that have such huge hearts and really, truly live for others! Both my friends and family go out of their way all the time to bless either Jeff and I, or our girls and it is so encouraging and inspiring! I sometimes run around like a chicken with my head cut off, because I often put on my plate more than I can balance, but I want you to know (because I may have left or hung up without saying it) how thankful I am for all that you do! Every single act you all have done is such a gift and I am so incredibly blessed by you all (you know who you are:)!!! I hope you all are blessed this week and know what jewels you are to this spastic momma, lol! xoxo!!!

Love,
Lindsi (or Linz as most of you call me)

Prayer brings peace...

Not that I want to sound an alarm, or cause a huge panic, I simply want to inform those close to us about a prayer request. Last time we took Peyton to the doctor for her routine one year check up, they did the normal measurements of her height, head and weighed her. She was in the 75% for her height, the 25% for her weight and the 92% for her head circumference. They printed out her growth charts, came back in and brought up the concern that her head has grown quite fast the last few check-ups in comparison to her height and weight. I just kind of laughed and said, maybe she'll be a genius.? But then her pediatrician said there it actually concern when this is the case because it could mean there is a tumor in the brain causing the skull to grow rapidly. My joking came to an immediate halt as I heard those words. After bringing Peyton home, I found myself watching every move she made, wondering if there could be any other signs that something 'not right' was going on. I have a tendency to want to fix anything and everything and in this situation knew I had no control. I also found myself thinking, 'I wish I could just have x-ray eyes that could see into that little head of hers and know that everything is okay!"

I know I just have to trust God and pray that He watch over Peyton and keep her in His loving care. At night when I put her to bed, I rock her for about 3 minutes in my arms and hum gently to her, and she often hums back;). Now as I rock her, I kiss her head, and pray to God that there is no tumor and that she just has a fast growing, gorgeous head. I feel the tendency to want to wrap her in bubble wrap and protect her from every single thing. But I realize that this is just preparation for the future with our girls. As parents we can love on our children and do our best to raise them and teach them life's lessons, but in no way can we keep them trapped and scared of experiencing life.

The other night, despite my many prayers, I had an out of no where cry-fest and couldn't stop. I believe it was because at that very moment I gave Peyton over to God and accepted His plan for her. We can say we trust God, and that we want His will, but to actually feel it and experience it is a completely different thing. It's throwing your hands in the air and praising Him whether He answers your prayer the way you wanted Him to or not. The tears were a mixture of letting go, not knowing, trust and finally peace.

I can not imagine going through life and it's struggles without a personal relationship with God. He is my inner peace and strength. Knowing He is there to listen and provide what we need, when we need it, just makes me picture His arms around me cradling me in times like these. So I ask you, if you can to please keep Peyton in your thoughts and prayers. I will keep you posted as we find out more! Thank you all SO much!!!