Day 30

Henry's hair stands straight up!


Sweet babies


This is the last day of the 30 day challenge! There is so much to be thankful for, and listing something each day has truly helped me see just how blessed I really am!

Today I am thankful for...

- a good nights sleep! I don't want to jinx myself, but Henry and Harper slept through the night last night without waking up once! This has NEVER happened! I'm sure it's just a serendipitous occurrence, but I'll take it! Especially since I've been up at least once an hour for the past few nights.

- Mark surprising me with lunch!

- the visit from our home health nurse today! Henry seems to be doing just fine after this last shot! Praise God!

- the fact that our sweet Harper girl is now just 2 little ounces away from weighing EXACTLY what Henry weighs! This isn't great for Henry, but it's huge for baby girl!

- baby wipes! I should probably also be thankful that Mark doesn't seem to mind that I use about 20 each time I change a diaper! It goes back to me being a clean freak!

- foster and adoptive parents! Mark and I have some dear friends who are currently waiting to become foster parents, and we also have some friends who are currently going through the process of adoption. I know their journeys aren't easy. I'm so thankful that they are answering God's call to love these special children! Praying for them always!

- Netflix!

- my mom! I know I've listed her about a dozen times now, but I'm truly so grateful to her for everything she does for us. She is sick this week and therefore cant come to my house and I am honestly lost without her. I take for granted all the little things she does each week that help me out immensely!



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Day 29

Today I am thankful for...

- nap time! Our babies are currently taking a nice long one!

- Henry taking 100cc's awake! That's the most he's taken awake in over a month!

- the prayers that obviously were prayed for Henry's little appetite to return. Thank you, and please keep them coming!

- witnessing Mark set off our alarm last night. Not sure I've ever laughed that hard or been that scared in my life! I wish I had that moment on camera so I could watch it over and over again!

- downloading the Hunger Games on my kindle. Not sure how much I'll get to read each day, but I've been dying to read this series!

- the fact that my life is not perfect! Yes, I'm thankful for that! Because my life is not perfect, I've learned to lean on and trust in God in a way that I'm not sure I could if my life were perfect.

- restaurants that deliver! I think I read today where a local Thai restaurant now delivers! It's honestly sad how excited I got over that little piece of information! I've got to call and see if they deliver out where we live, because if they do, so much for WW! (joking) (kinda)




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Day 28

Today we went to the doctor to get H&H's RSV vaccines, and to get the first round of Henry's 6 month shots. As busy as we've been this weekend, I had forgotten about this appointment until late last night. I guess that's a good thing considering I got a knot in my stomach the second I remembered. I am thankful that so far, our little man seems to be doing great. We have hoped and prayed that he would be big enough for these rounds of shots to not bother him. We did find out that he has lost a little weight. We are praying that his appetite returns and that he gets over his aversion to the bottle ASAP! I know babies lose weight sometimes, but our little man burns twice the amount of calories than a normal healthy baby just by working so hard to breathe, so any time he loses weight I'm going to get scared. We will be going once a week to Dr. Fowler this month so we will be able to closely monitor his weight gain or loss. We are scheduled to go to the feeding clinic at LeBonheur in January but I'm praying that visit won't be necessary by then.

Harper girl of coarse did awesome. I'm so thankful that she is just growing and getting stronger and stronger. You would never know that she weighed 2 pounds just 6 months ago! Our little chicken nugget has turned into our little butterball!

Very thankful today and every day for these two kiddos.

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Day 26-27

We made a pallet on the floor to watch Christmas movies and decorate our tree.

Henry loves his daddy.

So does Harper girl

Just hanging out in our pj's, watching mom and dad decorate the tree.

Today I am thankful for...

- the daddy that Mark is to our children.  

- the memories I have of my grandparents and their house at Christmas.  This time of year makes me miss the days where my family would gather at their house to eat and visit.  It seems like after they both passed away our families don't get together nearly as much, and I miss it.

- my sister, who is also one of my best friends.

- Christmas, and all the joy that the holiday brings.  Christmastime is my favorite!

- hot chocolate and my new favorite show, "Once Upon a Time."

- the website www.skinnytaste.com.  Lesley, thank you so much for sharing with me!  I'm obsessed!

Day 25

Today I am thankful for...

- my good health.  So many people take it for granted.  I know I do sometimes.

- my lunch date with a sweet college friend.

-a clean kitchen.

- technology.  It is so nice to be able to stay connected with friends and family, especially since we aren't seeing many of either these days.

- being able to avoid Black Friday.

-the weight watchers app I just added on my phone!  (Even though I don't believe in dieting during the holidays!)  If anyone has any great WW recipes I would LOVE to have them!


Also, I wanted to include a picture of our 2nd Thanksgiving meal.  I said earlier in the week that I was going to do a traditional dinner, and then a non-traditional dinner.  Tonight I made fig glazed cornish hens with sausage and fig cornbread dressing, sautéed green beans with caramelized shallots, and potato and leek gratin with gruyere cheese.  About 3 years ago my sister and I watched a food network special where Tyler Florence made this meal.  I've been talking about it ever since.  I finally decided to give it a try, and I HIGHLY recommend it!  I tried to link the recipes to this post.  Hope it works.  The babies are finally down for the night, so Mark and I are about to watch a movie.  Hope everyone enjoys their holiday weekend.

Turkey Day with our Little Turkeys

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalms 107-1

Today, and everyday, I am so thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Without Him, nothing else that I have listed during this 30 day challenge would even matter.  God has blessed Mark and me this past year, showing us that we are not in control, and that His plans are so much better than our own.   I am so thankful this Thanksgiving for His grace, mercy, and love.  God is good, all the time.

This Thanksgiving Day it was just the 4 of us.  As we sat down tonight to eat dinner, Mark and I both teared up.  It is so surreal to think that on this night last year we were trying to decide on names for Baby A and Baby B.  So much life has happened this past year, and we have been blessed greatly.  Although we missed being with our families, today was very special for us.  We have our babies home, they are doing well, and we are happy.  I can't imagine wanting anything more.  I even cooked this year, and it wasn't too bad!  Actually, Mark keeps raving about it, but then again, he's a smart man, so he knows it's in his best interest to tell me it tasted good.  But, I thought it was great, considering this is the first year I've ever cooked a thanksgiving meal all by myself.  Yes, last year I hosted Thanksgiving dinner for Mark's family, but I had horrible pregnancy sickness, so my mom and sister ended up doing all the cooking.  So this year, I was completely flying solo. I made an apple cider brined turkey with an apple cider glaze, cornbread dressing, green bean casserole with a homemade béchamel sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, sautéed bacon and bourbon collard greens, and homemade buttermilk parmesan rolls with cracked black pepper.  And, to top it off, I baked a pumpkin caramel cheesecake with pecan pie glazed pecans.  TO.DIE.FOR.  Calories don't count on holidays, right?? Well, I'm not gonna count them today.  Below are some pictures from our day, and proof for my mom and sister, and Henry and Harper one day, that I really did pull it off.  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  I pray that if you are reading this, you have been blessed with friends, family, and health on this special day.

Our sweet little turkeys

I even used our fine china.  Only the second time in our marriage that they've been used.

These little turkeys are trying out their new high chairs.

Henry really liked sitting with mommy and daddy at dinner.

Harper was not so sure, but she ended up loving her chair.  Almost fell asleep.

Here's the proof

Why, yes, that's the same as the cover of Southern Living.

My little snuggle bug.  I believe I was in a semi-food coma.  

Days 20-23

I am so very thankful to be able to give a WONDERFUL report from Henry's pulmonology visit this past Monday. He is doing great, and I credit that to all the prayers that continue to be lifted for him. To just give a quick summary of his visit, they checked his O2 sats, and it wavered between 98-99! Y'all, that is AMAZING!!! He has NEVER had O2 sats that high without being on oxygen. I can't tell you what a small miracle that is alone! We were/are so excited. His doctor in Memphis thinks he is doing awesome, and that his lungs are getting stronger every day! He wants to try and cut his meds in half again. Since he is scheduled to get the first round of his 6 month shots next week, we are going to wait until that next week to start cutting his meds! Praying for no crazy reaction when we do. Now, if we can just get him to eat! That's the next challenge.
I believe with all my heart that if we can keep these babies from getting sick this winter, we'll be able to get out and about by early summer. That's my prayer at least. I want H&H to meet all of our family and friends who have prayed so faithfully for them! I'm so very grateful for these two little angels, and for our many prayer warriors! God has blessed us greatly!




Harper was mad that I put her in a dress!


This is what a typical morning looks like at our house!!


So, I'm not doing so great keeping up with this daily thankful challenge, but I'll make up for it with my next post with lots of pictures from our first Thanksgiving with our two little turkeys! This year, it's just going to be our little family of four. Since the cold and flu season is here, we're staying home for the holidays. My mom and sister have offered to cook for us, but I want to do everything myself this year! I'm crazy like that! Since my tv stays on the Food Network, I've been inspired to branch out a little this year with our menu. Tomorrow, I'll make a traditional Thanksgiving meal, then Friday night I'm going to try something different. Just go ahead and call me Martha Stewart! FYI, I bought a frozen pizza just in case the meal is a disaster! If it turns out halfway decent I'll post pictures. Just, for no other reason, than to show my family I really did cook, and Mark survived! Ha! Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!


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Days 17-19

Harper girl ready to try sweet peas for the very first time.

Not really sure about them

Priceless

Henry is not so sure

trying them

not his favorite

too funny

We had to play to make up for those nasty peas

Thankful challenge Days 17-19:

I've sort of fallen behind on this challenge, but I'm trying!!!!

I am thankful for...

-the time that I have been able to be home with my babies.  I cherish every minute.

- being able to "sleep in" on Saturdays, thanks to Mark.  However, "sleeping in" for us is waking up around 7 am as opposed to 5 am.  It's amazing how much those 2 extra hours make in my day.  

- being able to keep in touch with friends that we made at LeBonheur.  Facebook is a wonderful thing sometimes.  I love seeing pictures of sweet babies that I continue to pray for as well as some of the sweet doctors and nurses who cared for H&H. 

- a very sweet friend who called to tell me she had a cold and understood completely when I had to cancel our plans.  Plans that we had made well over a month ago!  I am so very grateful that God has placed some really special friends in my life. 

-the fact that Mark only has to work 2 days next week!  I love, love when he is home with us!! 

Day 16

Sweet Henry after his bath.

Today I am thankful for...

benadryl. (Harper had an allergic reaction today.)

a good night's sleep.

freshly painted fingernails.

oatmeal scotchies.

my mother, who is the most selfless person I know.

my Southern Living magazine for giving me great ideas for our Thanksgiving meal.

the fact that it is now 8:15 pm, my babies are asleep, and I'm about to go to bed. The best part is, I don't feel one ounce of embarrassment for going to bed so early. I'm exhausted.




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Days 14 and 15

Just a little video of Harper girl blowing a raspberry! I probably shouldn't encourage this, but it's just too cute! This is the sound that I heard at 4 am a few mornings ago!

I am very thankful today to be able to report Henry and Harper's 6 month stats. We went yesterday for their 6 month check ups. Harper had her 6 month shots and did great. It broke my heart to watch her get her shots, but she was such a big girl! I think the shots get harder for the parents the older the children get. We are going to wait a few weeks before we start Henry's 6 month shots. Once again, we will break those shots up and give one each week until he gets them all. I'm praying that since he is older, and bigger, his little body won't have such a horrible reaction. We also start their RSV vaccines this month. We can't get those fast enough. This is the time of year that I've been dreading. Cold and flu season. I just keep praying for protection over these babies, and for Mark and me as well. I'm trusting and praying for God to get us through to Spring with no flu, RSV, or virus of any kind.

Harper girl now weighs 13 pounds and 15 ounces! She is 25.25 inches long. She takes 6 bottles a day, and she gets oatmeal twice a day. She loves her food. She still loves to be held, yet she does great with her independent play. She is honestly the easiest baby I've ever been around. She has started taking her hands and grabbing my face and pulling me closer. I think she's trying to give kisses, but Mark says she just wants more to eat. :) She has also started rolling over, a lot! Her favorite position is on her tummy so she can kick her legs. I love this little girl so much. Her little smile just makes my day.

Our sweet Henry now weighs 14 pounds 9 ounces. He is 27 inches long. Henry has recently gone from taking 7 bottles a day, to 6 and he gets oatmeal twice a day, too. We are hoping maybe by giving him fewer bottles he might decide to eat a little more. Henry has started sticking his tongue out. I think his daddy might have taught him this, but it is so cute to watch him. ;) He raises his little eyebrow every time. Just precious. Henry has started rolling over a lot, but does not like to be on his tummy. I think his reflux has a lot to do with that. He is just the sweetest little boy.

Mark and I are going to be in big trouble when they get older and figure out that they have their mom and dad both wrapped around their little fingers. We love them so much! Just when I think they can't get any sweeter, we start a new phase, and it's better than the one before.


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Days 12 and 13

Harper sitting by herself. Well, by herself for .25 seconds.


Excuse the dirty pajamas. Henry had just finished eating when we took this picture.


Just hanging out with mommy.

Today, I am thankful for...

-lazy weekends.

- a surprise visit and getting to catch up with one of my best friends.

- strawberry cake.

- hearing Harper blowing raspberries at 4 am.

- a girl's night out, and my sweet husband encouraging me to go.



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