Two Weeks

So, two weeks ago today, on the way to church, out of the blue I really felt God tell me He wants us to adopt.  (Because "out of the blue" is God's style, right?!)  Let me back up and say, We've been going back and forth about a third child for a while now.  The biggest drawback is that when Brodie switched jobs last year, we had to take out insurance on our own.  and because of that, they (the insurance companies) won't cover c-sections (which I have to have), so if we do have a third, we will pay 100% - at least $20g's, probably more.  Nice, right?

SO, back to that drive to church.  I really felt like God was telling me that we needed to adopt - something I'd never really, honestly considered before. (I mean, have you seen the quality of kids we produce??) But, I just kept hearing it over and over and over.  On the plus, most adoptions are less then the amount we'd have to pay for a biological baby, and we'd be giving a new life to someone already in need.  It made me think of one part of our pastor's message last week - passing on something good (a baby biologically) for something great (adopting a baby who needs to be loved.) Flash forward two days and a horrible, devastating earthquake destroys most of Haiti - one of the poorest countries with tens of thousands of already orphaned children.  I was reading online about it and came across this video http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/19/haiti.obrien.orphanages/index.html with Soladad O'Brien.  I could not stop watching it and crying for these babies.  From then I began to wonder what could I do, how could I help.  Then I heard that Voice again.  That evening, I told Brodie instead of a weekend away for my birthday (a few days away) I wanted to adopt a Haitian baby.  He looked at me like I was nuts. (I just may be.)  After talking it through for a few days, we are now diligently praying about adopting one of these precious babies. 

Since then, I have prayed, read, researched, immersing myself in all things Haiti.  It makes me truly sick at the amount of red tape and restrictions that come along with the adoption process.   Pre-quake the Haitian government required you be 35 and married at least 10 years to adopt.  Strike one and two - we are 30 & 31 and have been married 5 years.  But, I truly believe if it's God's will, it will happen.  I have come across this blog http://thehowertons.blogspot.com/ which is the story of a family in Cali who has been in the process of adopting a Haitian boy for almost 3 years.  He finally came home yesterday thanks to the humanitarian parole the US govt is granting to those who were already in the process.

I truly believe God has a reason and a purpose for everything. Maybe we will become parents to one of these precious babies, maybe we won't.  I do know though that no matter what our outcome may be, I will continue to pray for all those affected by this horrible tragedy. 

big girl panties, x-rays, and everything in between...

So, it's been awhile, and that means, there's been a lot going on since I last blogged! I'll touch on a few of my favorites...

About a month ago we (okay, I) decided to start potty training Madeline. I had been reading all the books, talking to all my friends who'd been there/done that, & stocked up on the candy, juice, and Dora Dora panties. We were set. We started on a Friday (lock down in the Tucker house...) and she did really well - just a couple accidents. I was so proud!! She loved her big girl panties, and really loved the candy she got for making it to the potty. During her naps and at bedtime, we'd put her in Pull-Ups (aka night night panties). Well, by Saturday night she was fighting going to the potty and I couldn't figure out why. Long story short, she had an allergic reaction to the Pull-Ups and her bottom and legs broke out in welps!! It was AWFUL!! Needless to say, the diapers came back and we took a break until I order some chemical-free all-natural pull-ups. But, she sure did rock those big girl panties!

For Valentine's Day we went with our Lifegroup (minus the Haggards) to dinner then bowling at Red Pin. We had a great time! I am so thankful for everyone in our group - God has truly blessed us!

One last story - so, this past Friday, I was getting the kiddos ready for their bath. I had sat Wyatt on his changing table to strip him down when I realized I forgot to get a shirt out for after the bath. So, I walked over to the closet and as soon as I walked in, I heard "THUD". Yep, he fell right off. He was crying sooo hard! Of course, I scooped him up and was trying to comfort him, but no avail. Even after a bath he still kept crying, so Brodie and I decided we should take him to the dr. just to be safe. I was so scared they were going to turn me in to DHS or something. After we got to Dr. Stephens' office they decided to do an x-ray of both legs. I wish soooo bad I would've taken a picture. (I will forever have the mental picture) There I was, holding my 7 month old's hand as he laid on that big ol' table while the nurse put the slides under his legs. She had put a pillow under his head, but he kept scooting down. Every time he'd move his shirt would creep up so eventually, he was laying there with his belly hanging out. He looked over at me and grinned like he was thinking, "yeah, mommy, this might be the first time, but it won't be the last!" I seriously had a flash forward of all the future trips he & I will make back to the x-ray table. I'm pretty sure he's going to be all-boy! Good times!

Little Man

My Sweet Little Man,

I cannot believe 6 months has already flown by. It truly seems like yesterday I was sitting in the living room just waiting for your Daddy to get home so I could see the shock on his face when I told him we were expecting you. You may have been a huge surprise, but you are a huge blessing. I have loved being your Mommy more than words could ever describe. I find myself wishing so badly I could just slow down time so you and your sister would stop growing so fast. The two of you are truly a joy to me. You both adore each other. If she's in the room, you will not take your eyes off her. You just sit and laugh and babble at her while she smothers you in kisses and hugs. It's the best! And you are such a Momma's boy it's not even funny! (I love it by the way.) I love that when I walk in the room you get the biggest smile and just start squealing! You and Madeline bring me such happiness. Its so true that every good and perfect gift is from above. Thank you Lord so much for allowing me to be a Mommy to these two amazing little babies! I am so blessed!!

Nighty-Night

One of my favorite parts of the evening is bedtime. We have a nightly ritual in our house when it comes to going night-night. Around 8:00 Little Missy gives Daddy & Bubba night-night kisses and hugs. Then she and I head off to her room where she picks 3 books ("I'm A Big Sister", "Goodnight Moon", and "No Matter What" are the favorites right now) then she and I crawl in her bed (with the baby doll of choice) and read the above mentioned books. She loves being read to and usually offers sound effects to go along. (i.e. in the big sister book, there's a page with the Mommy taking the babies picture. As soon as we get to the page she starts saying "cheeesse" and making camera noises.) After we've read our books we sing 2 songs. The first one is ALWAYS "Blue". This is one we've made up about the colors blue and 'lell-o'. The second is either "Jeez" (Jesus Loves Me) or "Sun" (You Are My Sunshine). Finally, we say our prayers and then we cuddle until she goes to sleep. Once she's asleep, I kiss her sweet face then crawl ever-so-carefully out of her bed. (This is a bit difficult to do with rails up.)

While I'm laying there next to her I say my own prayers and praises. I am tempted to cry pretty much every night because while I lay there cuddled up next to my sweet little girl who is growing entirely TOO fast, I have to praise Jesus for allowing me to be the Mommy to these two amazing babies. They are the most amazing little people I've ever known.

I know most people think I'm crazy for laying in her bed with her until she goes to sleep, and that's okay. My thing is, before I know it, she won't even want me in her room, much less her bed! They are only little for so long and I want to savor every minute I can. That's also the reason Little Man is still in our bed. I love hearing & feeling his sweet little breaths on me. And the way he snuggles right up next to me. Priceless. I keep saying I'm going to put him in his bed at night, but I can't really lay in the baby bed with him so... :)

twenty-nine.

It's naptime here in the Tucker house, so a blogging I will go.

This past week was my birthday. You'd think there wouldn't be too much exciting about turning 29. You get a lot of the expected "wow, you're almost old" but that's about it. I will say, before this birthday, my 21st was my favorite. My parents surprised me with a trip to NYC and I was on The Today Show on my actual birthday. Dream come true. It's actally the reason I moved back for a summer. I didn't get enough of the city in a 3 day weekend so I went back. (Summer wasn't long enough either. I so adore that city.) All that being said, good ol' 29 kicked 21's bottom. This is how it went:

• Wake up with both my babies on top of me "happy birth day mommy" (birthday was 2 words for her, thus the reason they are seperated.)
• Have a yummy breakeast made by Brodie & Madeline. Omlettes & Coffee. Yum.
• Put on my new (almost) skinny girl pants and tank top. Yes, TANK TOP. In Janurary. 77 degrees. Freakin' Awesome! Naptime...
  
• Meet Mom and Jason with my babies at, you guessed it, Cafe 501, for a tasty Cali Club (minus sprouts and mayo) and Spinach-Pear Salad birthday lunch. So tasty.
• Left lunch and headed to dessert (of course!) There's a new little joint in town called Cuppies & Joe. I highly recommend it! Delicious cupcakes and awesome coffee. Mom's skinny hazelnut latte was so good - dare I say better than Starbucks??
• Off to the park! We had to take advantage of the beautiful weather and get our swing and slide on. Madeline & Wyatt had a blast!
• Back home to get ready for dinner and wait on Daddy to get home from work. Madeline took another nap! (2 naps in one day is a present all in itself...)
• Dinner with Mom, Dad, Jason, Heather, Brodie, & the kids at Budda Tao for sushi. Madeline had to carry her card she got me in her purse with her to dinner. She wouldn't leave it at home. It was really cute.
• Back home for cake, made by Madeline! I loved it!! She was sooo proud of it too! I got some good gifts (money, williams-sonoma goods, and a massage by Harold..ahhh yeah!) but more importantly, finished up a great day with my family, cake, and coffee. What could be better??!

Now that I typed it out, it sounds like we did nothing but eat! I just really enjoyed spending the day with my babies and family! I am so incredibly blessed!

Taking A Sick Day

So, it's been a couple of weeks since I've blogged due mainly to the fact my babies are STILL sick. They've been fighting sinus infections, croup, and bronchitis since the day after Christmas. This is my first go 'round with sick kiddos. I don't recommend it. I mean, I caught projectile vomit with my bear hands - no gagging. Impressive, I know. :)

Then there was the night they were up from 1:00 till 5:30 (yes, AM). At one point, around 4ish, Brodie & I just looked at each other and started cracking up. I mean, really, what else can you do?! (Good news though, Noggin plays cartoons 24 hours a day! Who knew!)

Thankfully, I think the end is in sight and they are both starting to feel a bit better! I'm ready for snot, goopy eyes, and coughing to be gone. Keep them in your prayers!!

the difference between a "M" and a "Y"

mom-mom and madeline after her first hair cut - 12.23.08

so, for sometime now, madeline has called me "mom-mom" - and of course, i loved it. she's just original like that. well, yesterday, out of nowhere, she walked in and very clearly said "mommy" (emphasis on the "momeeeeee"). it took me by a bit of surprise, but i didn't think much of it, that was, until she did it again. and again. and again. it sounds silly i know, but it's like she grew up a little bit. again. it's adorable, don't get me wrong, i actually love hearing her say it. but, it did bring me to the reality that she's getting too big too fast. seriously.

i cannot believe my sweet baby girl is pushing two. i can't believe i'm getting ready to buy big girl panties. and what's the deal with sentences? one day it's "ughh ughh" while pointing to the pantry, and then "candy" and now "mommy, candy, pleasssseee". it's the little things that i don't want to let slip on by. so, i'm hoping, i'll get at least one or two more "mom-mom"s for purely selfish reasons. and if you have any tips on how to slow this all down, please let me know!

*yes, i feel the same way about my son too, but that's just too much for this mommy in one post!