Laughing with granny nanny

Tummy time

Bath time!!

My Ladies Man

Cib's Baptism Sermon

The sermon given during Cib's Baptism service was wonderful. You can listen to it here:

http://newstpeters.org/MP3/2009Jan25.mp3

Another Great Weekend

Lately things have been going (consistently) well! It's the consistency I am so excited about. I had a really great couple of conversations with my mom - just talking about normal mother/daughter stuff, we celebrated my dad's 51st birthday, today a great friend of mine took home her beautiful daughter - Ella and I had another great weekend with my two boys. 

Friday Austin planned a family date. (HUGE brownie points) We went to Central Market's Chocolate Festival and ate plenty of tasty treats. Then we grabbed a pizza. It was a great end to our week. Saturday Cib went to his first birthday party! We had a good time celebrating our sweet friend Nicholas's first birthday. And today Austin and I took Cib for a spin in the new jogging stroller after brunch with friends...um, total slackers and skipped church. I know this all sounds like normal every day stuff....but it was really great to just do normal every day stuff. What a blessing! 

Update on my mom: She is attending outpatient rehab three day a week. I am so proud of her! She is making such strides. The upbeat tone has returned to her voice when she answers the phone. It warms my heart. Despite the constant pain, that we pray will one day subside, she is doing wonderfully well. She is excited to take driver's ed for her new retro fitted van and start getting on the road -- so watch out! 

King for a day

Cib at play

Family Date

Austin planned a fun family date for the three of this past Saturday. Thank you Austin! We went to the Heard Nature Park in McKinney TX and saw the dinosaurs and animals of the world exhibits. Cib was totally mesmerized! We ended with lunch/dinner at Chuy's - Yum!

Cib's Baptism

Watching my son being baptized was amazing. I hope you guys enjoy the wonderful pictures Meena took!

www.meenajeanesphotography.com/cibsbaptism

Sweet Memories

Well we are off to a running start with the new year! Things here are good and returning to a new sense of normal. My family is doing well and we are all looking very forward to the celebration of Cib's Baptism coming up. Here are some photos we have taken over the last month or so. Wow! Time flies! My precious little one is already 6 months old!

First trip to the playground in Houston

Story time with Daddy

Mom, I am having a private moment here

A kiss for you

Off to the library

Cib says, " nana, I love to love you!"

I'm on TV

Cib's 6 month stats

Today was Cib's 6 month check up and shots. He was such the ham - smiling and giggling a the doctor and nurses and then poor Bits - Four shots! Boo! He only cried for a second and then just wanted mommy. Sweet boy.

He weighs 23.8 pounds (95%) and is 31 inches long (95%) He is a growing boy! The doctor said he looks great and really healthy! He said he wouldnt be surprised to see him far surpass his daddy's height....yikes! I have to feed and cloth this boy at 18 years old?! Better start saving for groceries now. - wink.

As most of you know Cib's favorite things to do right now are eat (duh) - he is eating three meals a day and loving every bite, sitting up and playing with EVERYTHING and chewing on his arm. This last one is something we are working on...come one - he is just a baby! :)

All in all Cib is great!

My family is doing well too. My mom is home from rehab now and getting re-adjusted to life there. My dad is continuing to get stronger everyday. They are both looking forward to seeing what the 'new normal' of their life will look like.

My mom came to our home for the first yesterday, time since her accident. It meant the world to me to have her in our home. It was a very sweet time for all of us. I continue to ask for your prayers as we press on to health and happiness.

In other news - Due to upcoming insurance changes at Austin's job for 2010, we have decided to begin another round of IVF. This will be a shorter version (and hopefully less painful physically for me) than the last one. I will be undergoing a few short months of hormone therapy followed by placing a frozen embryo sometime in Mid May of this year. I have struggled with rather to once again share this journey, but again I hope this helps someone going through IVF no matter the outcome. We are looking forward to seeing what the Lord has for us and our future children. I would ask for your prayers for Austin, Cib and I as we begin this new journey in parenthood. We are excited and cautiously optimistic.

Keep you posted!

Old Smiles bring New Joy

Wow! My aunt sent these great pics from New Year's with my family. It absolutely warms my heart to see my parents both smiling and acting silly.

Happy New Years!

r
We had a great New Year's and an AMAZING dinner by Chef Dale. Dale, when you are rich and famous and the next top chef -- please remember us and save us a seat at your restaurant.

Cib is doing well although really irritable lately. I am fairly sure he is teething. Bless his heart he is waking up crying in the middle of night and just wanting to be held during the day.....not acting like him self at all. I hope this doesnt last too long?

Austin has been off of work (partly working remotely) for two weeks now. It has been great to have him here.

We saw my mom and family on New Year's day. My mom is making leaps and bounds progress at rehab. She can get herself from a complete lying down position in bed to setting up and then into her chair all by herself! This is huge! Mom, I am SO proud of you! You never seem to give up!

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support, as always. Keep those cards coming to mom - they REALLY brighten her spirits and reminds her she is not alone in this fight.

We have enjoyed the holidays but are now looking forward to returning to 'life' and hopefully losing our holiday and remaining baby weight.

Cib is sitting up on his own!!

Although still a little shaky at times, he has been sitting up for 15
min unassisted for two days now- go Cibbers go!!

Napping with nana

Happy new year nana and aunt cindy

Merry Christmas

Cib's First Christmas was everything I hoped it would be and more! He is at a magical age where he is very aware of his surroundings and just lights up at the sight of me, which selfishly melts my heart. He was of course showered with gifts and love. I personally had a wonderful Christmas, but can honestly say that my best gift comes every day when I dress, bath and coo at my precious little miracle. A year ago I had just lost the twins and spent my days praying for the Lord to watch over a little baby I loved so much and yet had never met. Today I count him as on one of my richest and most undeserved blessings. He is a miracle and I am SO thankful for him.

7th Annual Christmas Date

Have Yourself a Merry Little Cocktail

We had a small Christmas gathering in our home last week. It brought us such joy to have our home filled with joy and laughter.

December Update

I wanted to give everyone some updates. My mom is back in rehab at East Texas Medical Tyler and is doing well. My dad is resting and getting better every day. Please continue prayers for my families health and that my mom will have unearthly strength, joy and understanding during this time.

Here is my mom's new address at rehab. I know she would appreciate words of encouragement.

Renee Templeton Room 305
c/o ETMC Rehabilitation Center
701 Olympic Plaza Circle
Tyler, Texas 75701

SO many of you have been angels to me during this time. Heather, Natasha, Nancy and my sweet husband - Thank you! Your investment of time and prayer for me is felt and is truly getting me through each day.

The Lord has blessed us with some sweet moments of friends and laughter despite the whirlwind of recent activity. I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Cib has a new big boy toy! Did I mention it constantly plays music?!?!