16 weeks Already

Well, actually Megan will be 17 weeks tomorrow, but with our computer being in the shop it has been really difficult to upload photos. Right now I am using Mike's work computer and as you can see from the red eye, no editing programs. Oh well, at least I got something up.

I can't believe that it has been 16 weeks already. Megan is changing so much everyday. Some of her new talents are grabbing her feet, pulling herself up to the sitting position when holding your hands, and Momma's favorite sound Laughing!! As you can see, Megan is a really good eater, and is starting to bulk up. LOVE those chipmunk cheeks and of course the chubby legs. Hopefully, our computer will be back soon and I can complete a 4 month post with some of Megan's stats.

31 Times Thankful!!

Since last year was the "30 days of my 30th birthday," I thought that this year, with all the blessings in my life, I should do the 31 things I am thankful for.

1. My wonderful little family
2. My beautiful daughter
3. Our beautiful new house to live in
4. Having enough money to always afford what we want
5. Having my mom live close
6. Never going hungry and always having the food we want
7. Being able to wash my clothes and always have them clean
8. My wonderful husband who has been there for all the ups and downs
9. Waking up to my daughter's cries every morning
10. Being able to feed my daughter
11. Having gas for my car so I can go where I want
12. Living in a country where I can believe what I want and not be persecuted for it
13. Great friends
14. A good stable job
15. A loving/caring extended family
16. Good health for myself and my family
17. A soft bed to sleep in every night
18. The angels in heaven that watch over me
19. My daughter's smiles
20. Having health insurance and access to care
21. Cuddle time with Megan
22. Being able to work part time and spend time at home with Megan
23. A wonderful mom who watches my daughter and also cooks and cleans
24. ABC Supply for bringing us to Wisconsin and starting our new life
25. Clean water to drink
26. The ability to shower every day
27. Having a career that I love
28. Being able to afford heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer
29. Having my husband home every night and not travelling for work
30. My education
31. Another year of life
    
    
    
    
    

31 Years Young

Today I turned 31 years old, or young, however you look at it. Though not a momentous Birthday or age for most people, it marks the end of an Extremely Monumental year in my life. I would like to take this opportunity to share a little bit about it.

One year ago around this time Mike and I were able to achieve our long sought after dream of conceiving a child, though this is not an issue for many couples, for us it was a struggle that included the loss of our first Precious Peanut. Last year around this time, that all changed and we became pregnant with the most wonderful girl in the world,  Megan Janell.

This year also included some level of letting go. My Mom moved here to Janesville, which while being one of the best things that could have happened to Mike, I, and eventually Megan, meant giving up some things as well. When Mom moved here she sold the house that her,  my Dad, and myself had lived in since I was a teenager. Though it was only a house, it was the last place where my Dad had ever lived, and there were a lot of memories attached to it, good and bad alike. While letting go of the house, we also let go of one of the strongest ties to the town where I grew up and my parents had lived for there entire lives. Of course we will always go back and visit Holland, but it will never be the same.

Of course, the biggest change/event of this past year was the birth of one Megan Janell Stormes. This 7lb. 3oz. bundle of joy changed our lives forever and made me the Momma that I always wanted to be. Spending these last 4 months with her has brought me more joy and stronger love then I ever imagined I could feel. To celebrate my Birthday with her today was better then any present in the world.

I look forward to spending this, the 31st year of my life and many more to come with her and the family that I love. Here are some pictures of my Birthday weekend, I hope that they give you as much joy as I had making the memories. Happy Birthday to Me!!

Mike’s Mom and Dad brought me a Birthday cake all the way from De Boers bakery in Holland, my favorite!!

Little celebration Friday night

 

Megan with Grandma and Grandpa Stormes

Our little family with my new bike from Daddy. Megan got Momma a beautiful pair of earrings, she has GREAT taste

 

Megan “singing” Happy Birthday to Momma in her special I Love Mommy outfit for the occasion

The guests at my Birthday lunch at Grams, it was super Nummy

My Mom made me a special lemon pie, it was so good

Momma and Megan, snuggling after a GREAT BIRTHDAY!!

Tomorrow, watch for 31 things I’m thankful for. I can’t wait to put them all down on screen.

Fantastically Fun Friday:

While a fantastically fun Friday used to consist of dinner, bar hopping, and staying up till dawn, here is a photo montage of our new FANTASTICALLY FUN FRIDAY!!

The above shows 20+ minutes of tummy time, at least 15 minutes longer then ever before. It included lots of head lifting, push ups, and some rolling over. Not only did this make Momma and Daddy  incredibly proud and evoke lots of clapping/praise, but as you can see from the last photo it tired Little Miss Megan out and made bedtime come early.

Oh how life can change…we never knew what we were missing and would never go back.

Momma and Daddy are going to head to bed early as well, tomorrow brings Megan’s first trip to Ikea. Being well rested is a must!!

Megan’s 3 Month Professional Photos

I like to call this shoot:

The Very Pink of Perfection

Don’t you agree?

Spring has Sprung

Spring oh dear friend, how we have missed you!!

Wednesday March 31st:

Megan’s first walk around the neighborhood. As you can see she was totally enthralled.

Momma was much more excited to be out and about with her baby girl!!

Thursday April 1st:

This was our Megan’s first trip to the park in our neighborhood, she loved looking around.

She already likes the swing, she must get that from her Daddy since her Momma would only get on a swing for a photo op.

Here’s hoping that these last 2 nights outside will be the first of many to come.