Life is Fun!

It is such a joy and blessing to have a little one running around the house again. Maryn is learning new signs from her Signing Times DVDs and is starting to say more words. Yesterday she said "Bible." Last night she was hiding around the corner from where I was sitting and popped her head around and said, "Boo!" So cute!

Of course along with those blessings are the not so pretty scenes in life, though some of these you have to laugh at as well. This morning I was emailing our pastor when I heard the toilet seat drop...Maryn was trying to raise the seat so she could wash her hands. How do I know? She smiled at me and signed "wash hands!" I laughed, then promptly shut the bathroom door.

15 Month Stats

Maryn had her 15 month check up this morning. At her 12 month check up she weighed 16 lbs. 4 oz. and was 28 3/4 inches tall. Today, she weighed in at 20 lbs. 2 oz. and was 31 1/2 inches tall. This puts her weight on the growth charts in the 10% (for the first time) and is now in the 75% for her height (she was in the 50%). She says about 8 words, normal at 15 months is 3 words. The doctor is thrilled with her progress and says we have a smart little girl. The only other hurdles to jump are routine eye and ear screening. The only down side of the visit was 3 shots - OUCH! Maryn took a marathon nap today(6 hours) and went to bed an hour earlier than usual. Hopefully we'll have a quiet night! It's amazing to see the tremendous progress Maryn has made in such a short time. I know I have said it before, but we are truly blessed!

No?!

I can hardly believe the injustice of it all...I waited so long for this beautiful little girl. We've only had her 4 1/2 short months. She's learned so many things and starting to speak more, included in her repertoire is "No!" She used to shake her head no, and that was very cute. Sometimes it's funny when she says "no" and she certainly hears it as she "trolls for trouble." (My phrase for her when she is in "stinker mode" looking to get into trouble.) I've also heard of little ones entering the "terrible twos" around 18 months and (encouragingly, NOT) lasting until they turn three when their catch phrase becomes "why," and of course every parent wishes for their child to be gifted, but gifted in "NO?" I think not! I've been told, be careful what you wish for! Seriously, this new found independence is sure to challenge me, but I wouldn't trade it for the world! The pictures below were taken on a Sunday morning before church, this was before Maryn said no, but as you can see her actions were saying no. She did eventually give us a smile!

Sharing my Mommy?!

The day after Christmas we visited
Mommom and Pops at Lake Anna. All our nearby family was there for the fun. Joanna started in my lap (her mom's lap was occupied and I was the only available lap at the time). Shortly after, Abby arrived and joined Joanna. Soon after Abby climbed up, Maryn toddled in the room and saw that someone else had "her place" on Mommy's lap. So we decided there was plenty of room and took advantage of the photo opportunity. The funny thing is, Maryn does not like when someone has her Mommy...she got upset at the chiropractor's office, fusses when Rich hugs me and loudly protests when I'm holding another baby in the church nursery. Maryn is clear about what is hers and sharing...well we're working on that!

Christmas Blessings!

I could spend some time listing all the wonderful gifts we gave and received this year...the beautiful treasures we brought back from China, the great new Wi games the boys received, but I have to say one of my greatest blessings this Christmas was the feeling of completeness. My girlhood dream was to be married, live in Virginia and have two boys and a little girl. Little did I know then that God would grant all these desires and little did I know how long it would take before we would have Maryn in our family. Little did I know the wonderful lessons God would teach me as we brought this little girl home. As I think about the tremendous blessings of 2007, ponder the joys of this Christmas season and think about the coming new year I am reminded of a verse from Luke 2 that says Mary treasured all these things in her heart. I too, have many things to treasure!

Merry Christmas!

This year we celebrated Maryn's first Christmas. I'm not sure she really understood what was going on, but she sure enjoyed all the extra sweets around the house and opening her presents. She took her time opening each gift and wanted to play with whatever was inside. Of course, if you've opened children's toys recently you know what a task that is with all the twisty things. It's hard for a little one to be patient as their mom, dad or big brother work to "free" the toys! Below she is signing "baby" as she wait for Daddy.















Mommom and Pops joined us early in the morning for presents, then later in the day they were back for dinner along with more family. Maryn and her cousin Abby patiently (really) waited for their presents sitting side by side in the little chairs. We also had a birthday cake for Jesus.

First Snow

Those of you who know the DC area know that we panic when a few flakes drop from the sky. Traffic is a million times worse than normal and schools have closed with even just the threat of snow. We don't get much snow so we have to take advantage of whatever we get. We had our first snow last week and I just had to get Maryn outside complete with snow boots, snow pants, hat, mittens, coat - the whole nine yards! The boys were home, school was delayed, so we got her suited up and took Maryn outside to experience her first snow. She didn't know how to move in all that bundling, pretty much just sat down, tasted a little snow, then held up her hands to be picked up. I can't say she was all that impressed, though tasting snow may have been the highlight. I don't think she was too amused by all the pictures we took, but we had to record it! All in all, it took longer to get her bundled, and unbundled than the time we spent outside!