The Fall preview Weekend

This weekend's weather was AWESOME! It felt just like a nice, crisp autumn day in November. I can not wait! I love autumn and everything that goes with it! You can't wait either, huh? Well, this weekend was a definite preview of the upcoming season and it felt wonderful.

Saturday we were lazy most of the day. D had to work in the afternoon so we didn't really plan to do anything. I had promised Gabe to go to the zoo with one stipulation:we had to take a nap first. Hannah and I napped for a very long time. Gabe didn't sleep a wink. When I woke I thought it was too late to go. I checked online. Thank you Jesus! The zoo didn't close until 7 pm. Gabe, Hannah and I packed up the car and left around 4:30pm.

We got to the zoo around 5pm. Gabe wanted to go to the barn, so off we went. But not without a hitch. Hannah started crying(actually screaming). She didn't want to sit in her new stroller. She didn't want to be held. She was just super cranky! We had to make a pit spot by the carousel to feed Hannah her dinner. After finally getting her to calm down we headed to the Barn to pet some of farm animals.

We walked all over the zoo. Looking at all of Gabe's favorite animals. We went to see the lions and tigers. The white tiger was very active. He didn't like having his pic taken. He kept jumping at the glass and scaring people!

It was a perfect day to be outside! We very much enjoyed ourselves. On our way home, Daddy called and said he had already gotten off work. We were EXCITED! A Saturday night with D home! He arrived before we did, so he started dinner. We had breakfast food, which was yummy!

Sunday we went to church. Very good service! "Bishop" John delivered an amazing message from God. We are so thankful he allowed God to speak through him. The message was on evangelism and how we all are commanded to do so. Mile 1 = easy. Mile 2 = this is where you want to give up.(but stick it out!) Thank you John! We needed this!

The rest of Sunday was just lazy and nap day. We went to Nana and Papa's for Sunday night dinner.(some of my fave food! pork chops, cornbread, beans, potatoes)

Since I didn't post over the weekend I've got to catch up.

Things I am thankful for: 1. days I get to spend with my family. 2. Crisp morning air filling my lungs. 3. snuggling up with my babies for naps.

Have a great week!

Gabe checking out the otters.

showing sister the otters.

My ferocious lion!

The tiger showing off his teeth.

Looking at the white rhinos

Gabe exploring

Hannah enjoying her finger

Hannah, Gabe & the African mask

Baby giraffe

flamingo

Is this really how he acts? & other mishaps of a Friday

So. Today I was off work. How awesome to be home for just a day. Refreshing! I got to finally meet Debbie, Hannah's physical therapist. I've talked with her numerous times on the phone, but never got to meet her in person! Susan came to do therapy also. She is Hannah's service coordinator and special instruction therapist. I was so thankful to be able to sit in on therapy. Hopefully one day I will be able to sit in on all therapy session, but right now I'm where God has me.

Hannah was not a happy camper for therapy today, though. She cried. and cried. and cried. She didn't calm down until I sat down with her and we did patty cake. She was super tired. The girl didn't go to sleep til 3:30 am and we had to wake her at 9:15 for 1st session of therapy. So needless to say Susan or Debbie didn't get to work with her very

much.

Being home today made me realize how much I do not know about Gabe. He was an absolute terror while therapy was here. He was running from one end of the house to the other. (&we live in a small home!) He would not listen and calm down. We did time out and he FREAKED out! He screamed. He cried. He talked back. all while sitting in time out.

I have noticed he only acts out when David and I are home together. He is perfect for me while D is at work at night. He helps me, he is polite, doesn't talk back, but when D is here Gabe is a terror. He is like this also if we are around others(i.e. church). He wants to run amok.(if that's how you spell it) If anyone has any suggestions on discipline, please let me know!

I sometimes feel like I need to call Nanny 911, no joke! Whenever I say something, everyone just says "Oh he's being a boy" I'm fine with the rambunctiousness, but not the talking back.

We went to Red Robin for lunch. It was good, but not my first choice. I wanted Jason's Deli. We did time crunch and didn't think it possible. Next time we will try it. Red Robin was way too much for lunch-we spent $42(w/tip) Entirely way too much!!! We would have spent around $20 at Jason's Deli and would have eaten a whole lot healthier! Definitely Jason's Deli next time.

We then proceeded to Target(a fave store of mine) where Miss Hannah got a new stroller for her birthday present. We were going to wait and see if we could get one through Children's Rehab Services, but we needed a new one now. The one we have been using was Gabe's old one. It is way too big and bulky, especially since we have to take it in everywhere with us. Hannah can't hold herself up so she can't sit in shopping carts, restaurant booster seats or high chairs. We needed a small compact stroller that would also be able to support Hannah. No ordinary umbrella stroller would do, so Hannah got a Cosco Umbria Stroller. We've had to modify it just a bit. We put Fun Noodle on the side bars to keep her from hitting her head. She looks so big in it!(I understand she is big, but you know what I mean) I can't find my camera but when I do I will post pics of her sitting in it!

Gabe and Hannah are both asleep at the moment. Gabe is on the sofa and Hannah is on a blanket on the playmate. It took me forever to get them to sleep. I will not be moving them anytime soon!

I've decided to try and post something I am thankful for everyday. I feel I don't tell God thank you enough for all the blessings He has given me. This is new, so bear with me.

I am thankful for slobbery baby kisses and sweaty, sticky big boy hugs! I know I need to get as many I can now, because one day it will not be cool to hug and kiss mom.

Have an AMAZING weekend!

Here are few pics of the kiddos.

Gabe showing of his Mickey Mouse shirt.

Isn't he cute? I have no idea why he has a marker behind his ear.

Movie night: super hero movie of course!

Getting ready for church.

Blowing raspberries & rolling over!

exploring her hands.

Hannah is 1!

Welcome to the world Hannah Elizabeth!!

9lbs. 13oz. (she was 3 weeks early)

Isn't she beautiful?!

Daddy getting to hold his baby girl for the 1st time!

1st day in NICU.

Mommy getting to hold her baby girl for the 1st time!

Hannah in her cool shades! :)

She was too big for the blankets in NICU!

First family picture

Gabe holding Hannah for the first time!

Daddy getting ready to bring Hannah home!

I meant to post this last week. Our baby girl has turned 1. Her birthday was on August 13. I can not believe a whole year has gone by! Whoever said "time flies" was not lying. I wish I could slow it down. I feel like I have missed so much in a year. Having to work outside the home stinks, but I'm grateful I have a job.

I pray that this coming year in Hannah's life will be nothing but extraordinary! I pray God continues to guide us as her parents and lead us to where He wants us to be. I know Hannah is going to do great things for the kingdom of God(she already has).

Hannah's therapy is going great. She is progessing wonderfully! Thank you ARC for all your hardwork and dedication. You guys are AWESOME!!

So, in true blogger fashion,(I'm new at this) I am going to attempt to write a list of my 12 favorite things about our Hannah.

12 Things I Love About Our Hannah Elizabeth:

1. I love your chunky monkey cheeks. They are great for kisses!

2. I love the way you light up when I come home and start talking to you. She get so excited!

3. I love your red hair.

4. I love your 12 toes. yes I did say 12 toes. Hannah has biphid toes-her great toe on each foot actually has 2 and they fused together while she was in utero.

5. I love your little nose. It is so very cute!

6. I love that God gave you to us exactly when He meant to. He knew how much we longed for a baby. You were an answered prayer!

7. I love how much your big brother, Gabe loves you and loves on you! You get so excited when he gives you hugs and kisses.

8. I love how you have taught me about patience.

9. I love how you have taught us all about prayer and how God answers those said prayers. He is AWESOME and MIGHTY!

10. I love how you smell from a nice, warm bath. Baby scent=heaven!

11. I love that no matter who is holding you, when you hear Mommy's voice you start smiling and kicking and wanting Mommy to hold you!

12. I love that no matter what is going on in our lives that you have made us realize that God is in control and whatever happens is in His plan. You are His, first and foremost, and He is taking the greatest care of you!

Have a great rest of the week!

This is a real quick post. Just wanted to ask for prayer for my coworker, Tammy & her family. They found out today that youngest daughter Kendal (19yrs) has leukemia. She is travelling to Austin, TX next week to start chemo. Pray for comfort & peace for the family. Pray for wisdom for the doctors. Pray for complete healing! Thanks!!