Monday, December 20, 2010

KARIS: to pursue with grace, compass with favor, to honor with blessings

Your name means....
-to show one’s self gracious, kind, benevolent
-to grant forgiveness, to pardon
-to give graciously, give freely, bestow
-beauty
-the gift of divine grace
-the gift of faith, knowledge, holiness, virtue
-the divine gift of extraordinary power
-a gift
-to favor, gratify, grace
-an extraordinary power as of working miracle
-charming
-lovely
-agreeable

We claim each of these over you as we walk through this season with your health...love you sweet girl!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

6 months in....


Let's see at 6 months you...
-Are ALMOST crawling, you scoot everywhere!
-Love pears and apples...if I mix one of those two with anything you'll eat it.
-Are getting better at eating. It's actually not too messy of an experience anymore.
-Are obsessed with keys...which is pretty gross because I know they are just full of germs.
-Have recently decided - after literally 5 months of sleeping 10-11 hours at night - that 2:00am is a great time to eat.
-When you cry/complain you go "mama mama mama".
-Are getting some hair on you! Which to our surprise is brown and not blond....coming from two parents who were complete toeheads it's quite a shock!
-Still have a strange fascination with headbands:)
-Have taken quite an interest in our cats.
-Put EVERYTHING in your mouth! Most recently people's hair when they hold you....
-Love your door jumper.
-When your awake, or asleep for that matter, you are constantly moving. A BIG time wiggle worm!
-Are sitting up on your own for the most part....unless you're tired then you just fall over in one motion. 
- Love being outside! Unfortunately it has been so cold and rainy lately!
-Are finally getting an eye color! Looks like you got mama's hazel eyes instead of daddy's blue....
-Are VERY ticklish and have the BEST laugh!
-Talk to yourself before your go to sleep for a good 5-10 minutes.
-Are such a blessing and we are so thankful for you!!!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Thankful

As I reflect on the past year I find that I am perhaps more thankful this year than I have been in the past. This is the year that I become a mommy and for that I don't think I can ever stop being thankful. This is the year I have been married to my best friend for 3 whole years. This is the year that my mom got diagnosed with breast cancer....and I can say with complete trust...that this is the year that she is claiming victory over it! This is the year that I started teaching kindergarten. Love all 24 of my little people, their little voices, their passion to learn, and love having the opportunity to be their first teacher! This is the year I will learn to love running again (hence the words WILL LEARN...still working on it). This is the year I said goodbye to my grandpa but can rejoice because I know he is rejoicing over with our maker. This is the year I have 3 beautiful nieces and 1 handsome nephew. This is the year my baby brother got engaged and I get another sister. This the year that I have to lean on God more than ever and through that it is the year I am learning to see God's love for me in a whole new way.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Another update on baby K....


It's been another tough week in this house. Thursday Karis had another seizure and we made another trip to the ER. Brad actually was out of town for work but God made sure that I was not alone when it happened. My girlfriend Allison and I were at a restaurant for a late lunch when it happened and rushed straight to the ER after it happened. It was very similar to her last seizure- about 2 minutes, minor shaking, clenched fists, and blank stare. Thankfully, Allison was able to be my voice in the ER and I was a sobbing mess. I'm so thankful she was with me- I could not image having to be at the hospital alone (have I mentioned how much I HATE hospitals?). Luckily, the doctor's didn't keep us to long and let us go after checking Karis out- which she was perfect by then- and ordering a few more upcoming tests. Karis will have a repeat EEG and will have to have a sedated MRI. Her neurologist still believes that these are just benign seizures that she will outgrow and does not believe her to have any true seizure disorder such as epilepsy. The tests will be able to tell us for sure. In the meantime, we would love your prayers as we walk through this.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Our Little Skunk!

Project: Homemade Babyfood

I was feeling a little like super mom and decided to attempt making my very own organic baby food. It actually was easier than I thought. A $13 trip to the farmers market, a messy kitchen, and 2 hours later I now have a freezer full of sweet potato, grean bean, and apple babyfood!


Sunday, October 31, 2010

Hitting the pavement....

I've decided to start training for another half marathon. I've a nice break from long distances these past few months but I'm starting to get an itch for another race! Brad & I ran a few miles this Saturday to kick off my training....now if only I could get Brad to go on all my runs with me to push the stroller:)

my two favorite running buddies



The running really did her in....


Friday, October 29, 2010

Play Date!

I have a great group of mom's and babies and we like to get together once a month! All of us did prenatal yoga together and all have babies a few weeks apart! A few pics from this months play date....

Lot's of babies!


Me & my SKUNK


Double-Duty

We were lucky enough to get to babysit some of our good friends little girl, Tyler! We had fun! Double the diapers, double the feedings, double the smiles, and double the fun!

Tyler- 8 months, Karis- almost 5 months- SAME SIZE!


Just before bedtime...

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Neurologists, Tests, Mirrors, & Blowouts

Had an appointment yesterday morning with the neurologist....hopefully the last appointment for a long time. As great as Kaiser has been, I would be okay not visiting them again anytime soon. Yesterday was the last of many tests for my little one and once again she had perfect results! What an answer to prayer! My sister in law was in town so it was a treat to have her come with me to the appointment. The doctor basically said it is a toss up if Karis will have anymore seizures (not the most comforting news) but he did say that since all her tests results- and there were A LOT of them- came back perfect and because my husband had a single seizure and then never another when he was a kid, he believes the odds are in our favor that she won't. Phew! Thank you so much for all of your prayers! God is so good!

On a side note: Karis has recently become quite taken with herself and is fascinated with mirrors. Sadly, this cute little outfit she is wearing in the photo did not last long. We made it out the door, into the car, and into the parking structure at Kaiser before one of the biggest diaper blowout I have experienced....I'm talking through the onesie, through the pants, and all over the car seat. Such a lady I have!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Karis Update...


Last Sunday, Karis had a seizure-something I would not want any parent to ever have to watch happen to their child. While the seizure was happening I immediately called upon the name of Jesus and apparently (according to Brad) started praying the blood of Jesus over Karis REALLY loud. This a trait I get from my mom. I've actually have always laughed at her because in certain situations like the Northridge earthquake while my family was on the 17th floor of the Disneyland hotel or my 32nd hour of labor and 3rd hour of pushing, she very LOUDLY starts praying in the spirit. Apparently this is how I respond in such situations. And so, after an all day family trip to the ER and 4 or 5 follow-up appointments, 4 months shots, an EKG, and ECHO, and EEG this past week I am happy to report that Karis is doing great! To be honest, she was doing great within 5 minutes of actually having the seizure. I however was not. This week I must have heard 10 different times "welcome to parenthood". This is the part that no one tells you about. I never realized I was capable of being so scared in my life. I had a few uneasy nights of sleep following the ordeal. On top of everything my husband was going out of town. Brad rarely travels for work, but this was the one week in the past year he was going to be speaking at a conference in Ventura. Luckily my mom flew up from Camarillo so I wouldn't be alone. I think having her here was just what I needed. I actually ended up having a great time with my mom and she was able to be there for some of the appointments so I wouldn't have to brave them alone. I'm pretty tired of seeing my little one with wires all over her body.
   And so today Karis had an EEG-translation- I had to sleep deprive her since 7:00am so that she would be nice and tired for her test (they need her asleep for the test). It was an interesting morning keeping her awake considering her test wasn't until 12:30. I did everything I could think of- diaper change, bath, outfit change, diaper change, swing, tummy time, shop at Target (we love Target), diaper change, go outside and watch cats, outfit change, diaper change and finally get in the car to go to Kaiser. Within 3 minutes of being in the car she was out. I finally just let her sleep. I secretly wanted to hop in the back seat and join her. It's exhausting keeping a 4 1/2 month baby awake against her will! We got to Kaiser 20 minutes later. She was NOT happy about having to wake up. Luckily, and I honestly believe thanks to many of your prayers she slept like a champ throughout the entire EEG, even through the nurse attaching 23 prods to her cute little head. The EKG and ECHO came back perfect and we will know the results of the EEG in the next few days. The nurse did tell us today after the EEG "She has beautiful sleep!". Brad and I have felt so blessed by your prayers and encouragement this past week. We have felt completely loved by our family, friends, and church- what an awesome community for Karis to grow up in! We are trusting that God our little one in the palm of His hand!

A few verses I've been clinging to this week:

Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

 Psalms 55:22
"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."

Isaiah 26:3
"You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast because He trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock eternal"

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Mmmm...first foods!

At her last appointment Karis' pediatrician suggested we start rice cereal, thinks she might be ready for some solids (my all-star sleeper has started waking up in the middle of the night again after sleeping through the night since she was 3 weeks old). Wasn't sure how she would respond to food and wasn't sure if she was ready. The doctor told me that it would take at least the first couple of times to get her used to opening her mouth for a spoon. Clearly he has not met my child. She couldn't get enough...guess she was ready! Oh and we're back to sleeping for 10+ hours at night:)


Rainy days call for cute rain boots...

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

4 Months

4 Month Stats: 16lbs 3 oz, 25 inches long
To Karis at four months old,
*You are morning girl and I love that I can count on you smiling and laughing in your crib when you wake up.
*You love your hands- you constantly have them in your mouth! (see post below)
*You have discovered your voice and are constantly babbling.
*You are terrified of sneezes.
*You are a big time smiler and have the loudest, cutest full belly laugh!
*You love your daddy-when he get's home from work you can't take your eyes off him.
*You are constantly moving- you're starting to shuffle your way all around our living room.
*Right before you cry, you make a complete pouting face complete with your entire lower lip frowning over your top lip.
*When you're hungry you kick your feet- wiggle your arms- and thrust your entire body.
*Which reminds me...you have a flair for the dramatic
*You are in 6-9 months clothing.
*You've decided you no longer like laying down-all you want to do is sit up.
*You love to accessorize and are rarely seen in an outfit without a matching headband- I may or may not have a slight part in this:)
*You are fearfully and wonderfully made and we are so blessed and privileged to raise and love you!
Love,
    Mom

Bounce Bounce Revolution

We put up a new swing for Karis...she was pretty into it:)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

5 Freeway Blowout

Births, funerals, and weddings have all brought us down to so-cal  3 times in the past two months. Karis has been a total trooper. Once we flew, she did great. The other times we have driven, she did great. Poor kid has experienced more of the 5 freeway than most adults. This past trip I think she let us know that she had had enough of the long car rides. I heard a strange noise coming from the backseat...I turn to see this face-
Me: "Hmmmm....Brad maybe we should pull over."
Brad: "We're like 30 miles away from where we were planning to stop. Let's just keep going."
Me: "Yeah I think she can make it, she seems to be drifting off back to sleep."

15 MINUTES LATER
Please note: Once we made the decision to keep going the 30 miles there was literally no where else to stop.

Karis: " WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA  WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
Brad: "It's okay sweetie we're almost there, only 12 more miles."
Me: "Wow, she is angry!"


Once we get there I quickly hop in the back to get her out when I see the real reason why she was crying, I see the reason behind the face above, I see the reason I heard strange sounds coming from the back seat.

MAJOR DIAPER BLOWOUT

We were quite a scene in the parking lot of In & Out trying to clean her up. Literally poop everywhere. I think we learned our lesson in trying to just push that extra 30 miles. Luckily, next time we go down- we're flying!

Monday, September 27, 2010

A year ago today....

A year ago today I thought I had contracted some rare illness. Surely there had to be some reason that I was so tired I could barely make it home from work without literally falling asleep at the wheel. Perhaps it was the first month of school that had done me in, maybe it was my early morning runs catching up with me, or maybe I had somehow contracted a rare illness. On this day a year ago I remember Brad had a double header softball game. I went to cheer him on the first game and had to leave home before the second game even started for fear of falling asleep in the bleachers. It was then on my drive home that I started thinking about this "rare illness" I had. While putting the pieces of it all together I suddenly remembered my mom telling me, "I never really got sick at the beginning of pregnancy, just really really tired." UH UH OH MY GOSH UH UH....was said out loud multiple times in my car as it all started coming together. When Brad got home that night we got a pregnancy test. Surely it couldn't be positive...I was after all on the pill.

A year ago today I had no idea our lives would be changed forever. A year ago today we had not planned on having a baby.THANKFULLY, a year ago today God knew EXACTLY what he was doing. A year ago today we discovered I was 4 weeks pregnant and God began preparing our hearts for the best gift we would ever receive. A gift we can't imagine our life without!

Karis & her hand...

Lately it's been hard to snap a picture of our little one that doesn't include a hand in her mouth. I'm pretty sure she's convinced if she sticks it in there far enough she will be able to swallow it....so far it has only proven to lead to continuous gagging sessions.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Circle of life...

This past weekend we truly experienced the circle of life. We said goodbye to my Grandpa and hello to our new nephew! Grandpa's funeral was perfect. Complete with an official folding of the American Flag to honor his service to our country. Each of his kids spoke sweet words and my dad led an amazing service, which felt more like a celebration for Grandpa now that he is with our maker. How exciting for him! After the funeral the whole family came back to my parent's house and we shared funny stories and memories about grandpa and were each reminded just how important family is.

Most of the family in front on the playhouse....
  The day after the funeral the three of us headed to Long Beach to meet our newest family member. May I introduce Blake James Boekestein....




God has such an amazing way of weaving our lives with a balance of goodbyes and hellos. It was a weekend full of love and gratitude at an awesome life lived and the hopes of beautiful life ahead!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

May I introduce....

My little family...

These are my loves...

And this is KARIS!



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