New Things

Halle is loving her new exersaucer! She is obsessed with this barrel of monkeys that she can spin.





And everything has been going in the mouth!



Even the thumb!





I just think she looks like such a big girl in this pic!

3 1/2 Months

Halle finally got her 3 month pictures taken, although she's 3 1/2 months. One of our college students took them outside and I think she did a great job! I will be getting wallets soon for those of you family members! Here are some fun shots that we're not using, but look great! I can't figure out how to rotate them, so you'll have to look sideways! :)

Tonight is our first college service and we are so excited! We took our college leadership team- all students- on a retreat this weekend. It was a ton of fun and we were all pumped for this year of ministry!

Thoughts

I was looking back over previous blogs and realized that I used to do a lot more writing, so I thought I'd jot down some thoughts as of lately, and of course a Halle picture!

1. I feel a huge sense of freedom!! In a way that sounds weird because most days, I am tied down to Halle's schedule and things revolving around her. But, I think I feel a huge burden lifted off my shoulders now that I'm at home. It's interesting because I don't know if I feel that way because teaching isn't for me, or if it's that I'm just really doing what I truly want to do, and that's being with Halle. But it seems like most of my time is taken up, but I really feel like I'm able to pour more into the students here, and that makes me feel great that I'm involved more with Brian's ministry and even great for myself.

2. I've been reflecting lately on how much has happened in this past year, and I just feel like I'm in a totally different place. I think it's taken a full year to really adjust to being here. And I can truly say that I'm so happy to be here with where we are in life right now. I see a lot of God's purpose for us and find a ton of joy ministering to the college students here. Plus I've connected with a lot more people, so it feels like I'm finally getting friends!! So thanks to you who have helped make it feel like home here!

3. Realizations- I feel like I've come across quite a few of those lately, which are important to have those moments. Here are a few...
- I need to do the things that fill me up
- There are never enough hours in a day to get everything done
- You can't change people, they have to change themselves
- God's will is not black and white

These totally have nothing to do with each other, but just some thoughts

4. Motherhood- I absolutely love my little girl!! She brings so much joy to our lives. I never get tired of making her smile. She loves it when I sing to her, and she tries to sing along. She's starting to hold things now, and having more control of her hands. Things are moving so fast- so I feel blessed to be able to watch all of her first steps in life!

Uncle Quinn

This weekend was Halle's fist meeting with my brother, Quinn. He was doing some course work for his master's degree all summer up in the UP and was unable to make it down to see Halle. He has seen plenty of pictures, but nothing like the real thing. He was mesmerized by her beauty and spent so much time with her. It was so fun to see him feeding her and holding her. She loved him! My parents were also here with us and they loved every minute. She's getting cuter by the day and loves smiling lots!


Smiling at Uncle Quinn


Posing like Halle


Brother and sister


Smiling at Nana


Even Aunt Kelsey came


They didn't want to leave!

We love you Gervel's!

Antoher week!

Halle rolled over! Yay! I put her in her crib on her back and when I went in there a few minutes later she was on her tummy! Fussing of course, because she doesn't like it. The next day, Brian and I actually witnessed it as she was playing. It was a great moment.



One minute we were reading...




The next, they were sleeping!



Halle can wear a bow!




Trying to enjoy some tummy time!

Halle's getting so big- I think she's chunking up!

Changes

Lately, I think Halle's look is changing. I know it will a ton throughout her lifetime, but I'm excited because I actually think she's looking more like me. In her pictures her hair looks reddish, which in person, I don't think it does, but we'll see! Here is Halle in her Bumbo chair that she can fit into now and her bathing suit from Great Aunt Patsy! It is really for next summer, but I couldn't resist having her try it on! She is sleeping better at night and if she doesn't I'm going to try and cramp down and let her cry. :( I hope she just naturally falls into it! I don't like hearing her cry! She is such a joy!

Home again, home again...

Back again from visiting the grandparents! They can't get enough of Halle. I was able to get with my 2 cousins and their babies. All born within 2 months of each other. They are all adorable and did not get as much a kick out of our photo shoot as we did. Halle's update- she's doing great on formula and pooping!!!

A sad day...

So today was Halle's last day of breast milk- first day of formula. I have been pumping and bottle feeding Halle for about 4 weeks since she refuses to breastfeed after we had to bottle feed her for a few days because of thrush. After about 4 weeks, it really started to wear on me and I started to think about formula. Now, I know nothing is wrong with it, but I have been really disappointed since breastfeeding was my first choice. It's been really encouraging talking to people who have been in the same situation as me and made the same choice, but I can't help but feeling guilty. I felt like her last bottle of breastmilk was like a funeral and all day I dreaded the formula. Not to mention worrying about it she'd take it or throw it up. I didn't want to have to go through changing formula 10 times to find one that works-plus the cost.
Well 2 bottles later, she's eating like a champ! So there's no turning back now. I appreciate everyone who says good job for sticking it out, and not to worry about the decision we made. She'll never know how much I worried over what she ate!! So I guess I can be at ease!! Plus I am excited to have my body back to normal- well it's still taking awhile, but we'll get there- man it just takes forever!! But it was worth is while it lasted. Goodbye to breatmilk!

The many faces of Halle

We've just returned from all of our travels! Wow, it feels good to be home!! Halle gets cuter everyday. I spend a lot of time sitting with the camera trying to get her to smile. She is precious! But she hasn't pooped in 5 days- we've tried all the remedies! They don't work! Poor thing! Any ideas??

The Great State of MI!!!

Halle's second road trip= MI! We went back to Grand Haven for a few days for a wedding and to see many friends there! It felt like home again. It was so much fun and so great to be there and to show Halle off! One of my sorority sisters got married and it was so great to see a bunch of friends. Halle met many people who couldn't get their hands off of her. Grandma and Grandpa even made the drive to babysit!! They didn't mind a bit!




Looking like tourists in our old town!



Delphi's at Sarah's wedding



More girls



Girls from small group



All of our kiddos!



Lake Michigan- it doesn't get any better than that!

Halle's first road trip

We just got back from visiting Grandma and Grandpa! Halle loved being there and had soooo many visitors!! It was great to see so many friends and family. And of course, nice to have my parents help so much! Halle's first smile happened a few times at her grandma!! Bri and I are still waiting for our turn. Halle did such a good job in the car as we traveled and it seems that we are getting her reflux under control. She still has thrush- so we have been bottle feeding which is a pain, so that she doesn't give it back to me. Hopefully it will go away soon! Our 6 week check-up is Monday. She's getting so big!

Pics!

Here are some pics from our family get together. The 4 generations on my mom's side and Halle's new cousin Josiah