Nine Months Old

In her ninth month Little Miss Lena has been on the go!  She crawls like a little speedster dragging her favorite toy around with her.  She is going to be a climber for sure as she loves to pull herself up on everything.  She now has two teeth (the bottom front) and has learned to chew!  She can eat puffs "faster than a speeding bullet", especially the sweet potato ones, and now eats third foods with little chunks.  She is learning her first word with meaning, "Hi!".  Usually she says it when she sees our dog, Jersey.  Just lately has she been adding the "dog, dog" to her chipper "Hi" for her first sentence, "Hi, Dog Dog!".  She loves animals and as my mom pointed out she prefers toys that have a face, i.e. dolls, stuffed animals, etc.  She continues to be extremely social.  She is WAY less fussy when we are out and with people.  As a homebody myself it has made me think of ways to incorporate visits with other people during our long day at home together.  She craves social interaction and loves people watching (that at least we do have in common).  We really enjoy sitting on the porch watching people and dogs walk by.

Lena and her signature tongue and blue eyes!

One funny thing that happened this month was when at the end of a long day Dan and I and Lena were at Sam's Club.  While we waited in line at customer service Lena began to fuss a little.  I was so tired and accidentally unscrewed the entire top of her bottle instead of just taking the cap off and I promptly doused the poor girl with her formula.  She just froze and stared at me blinking quickly in disbelief.  Dan looked at me like I was crazy and so did a few others who were near by.  I burst out laughing so hard and promptly wiped Lena down and apologized.  She took it well, ha ha!  Is that what they call "Mommy Brain"? 

Lena living up to her middle name (JOYce).

At her nine month appointment last week we learned that she now weighs in a sixteen pounds and ten ounces.  She is still in size two diapers and is wearing 6-9 month clothes.  Six month clothes and now getting a bit too small.  She measured in at 30% for head, 20% for height, and still about 10% for weight but the doctor called her nicely proportionate.  He seems happy with her rate of growth and thinks she is very strong and physically advanced for her size and age.

It has been VERY hot lately so we have been enjoying the pool a few times each week.  Lena loves the water and can splash, kick, and doesn't mind one bit if her face gets wet.  She definitely continues to be a water baby and I think she will enjoy Hawaii very much when we go there in the near future. 

Always exploring...and tasting...

Lena still doesn't have separation anxiety.  While she does prefer Dan and myself, she doesn't mind being held by others and is okay when she is away from us for long stretches of time, i.e. nursery, baby sitting, etc.  She is going to be a fabulous big sister as she really enjoys her social interaction.  I kind of think it would be a social injustice to make her an only child. 

Pop and Peanut love spending time together!

Her nap schedule is beginning to change a bit.  She still mostly takes two naps but they are getting shorter.  1.5 hours instead of 2-3 hours each.  I hear this usually results in one longer nap instead of two short ones. We'll just take it a day at a time.

Lena's first time at the beach.  She loved it!

I find myself just in awe that this is my life right now.  All my teacher friends are getting ready for another year and I am preparing to take off for a family vacation to Hawaii followed by my second triathlon, and then another FET cycle for a sibling for Lena.  I feel so excited, so blessed.  Being a mom is awesome.  Lena brings me such joy.  I still marvel that she is with us as a permanent part of our growing family.  I can't wait till I can tell her about the beginning of her life.  About how wanted she was; about what a miracle she is; about how hundreds of people prayed over her and how she is a living answer to prayer and testament to God's goodness and grace; about how truly and deeply loved she is by so many.  You too can help me, help her remember the incredible story of her life as so many of you have lived the journey with us.  I am already beginning to prepare for her first birthday.  I love that she was born in the month of Thanksgiving.  So, so appropriate.

Getting Ready For Round Two

Dan devoted his body and soul to the yard sale in 100+ degree heat and was still able to maintain a sense of humor.

Our family still has eleven embryos in frozen storage waiting patiently for a chance to grow and be born!  Dan and I definitely don't take this lightly.  I feel the weight of responsibility for their little lives.  We are finally getting ready for our next frozen embryo transfer (FET).  We are not sure about the timing yet.  We prefer sooner (especially Dan) but don't want to rush things considering how hard it has been for me to lose my pregnancy weight.  We are thinking somewhere between this November and February.  Regardless of the exact date, we are excited at what God will do to grow our family and feel ready for the challenges that the FET process can bring:  i.e. daily injections, waiting, two hour drives to Dr. K's office, more waiting, bed rest, more waiting, lots of blood withdraws, waiting some more, the excitement of anticipation, the fear of disappointment and loss, and... medical bills.  As familiar as we are to the FET process this time it will be decidedly different.  After having Lena we have hope that this process works.  We have a realistic perspective (from experience) in also knowing that the FET process sometimes doesn't work.  I am not working full-time except as a wife and mother which is far less stress!  We are now on one income and have less insurance coverage for our procedures.  We have Lena.

I made 20 loaves of bread to sell at the yard sale. (Banana walnut streusel, banana chocolate chip, lemon poppy seed, zucchini spice, and zucchini walnut spice)

One of our first steps we have taken towards our next FET (besides getting back in shape) is raising money for our meds ($500+ a pop), FET costs ($2200), and other associated medical expenses (unknown just yet).  Our frozen storage fees ($600 per year) are also due in the fall.  This past weekend we held a two day "Shack Adoption Yard Sale" and we were able to raise $1501 towards our adoption expenses - and in 100+ degree heat!  It was amazing and touching to see so many of our friends and family help us by donating items for our sale, shopping the sale, helping to run the sale, etc.  My parents helped watch Lena and organize the sale at their house and sweat buckets moving boxes and tables etc.  What was also great is that we were able to talk to so many people about embryo adoption and share our story with them.  When our kids get older I am going to love telling them how much people prayed for them and worked for them to be born.  They were loved and served by so many before they were ever a few days conceived!  I get emotional just thinking about what a miracle Lena and her siblings are and how privileged Dan and I are to be their parents.  I can only pray that by God's grace more of Lena's siblings will be born to join us on this earth.  Let's get this party started!

Adoption FET Booty - and we also sold our 2001 Chevy Tahoe at the sale!

(We will be having another yard sale towards the end of September and possibly a photography fundraiser sometime in October.)