New Beginnings

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Welcome to Londyn's Pond

We had a Birthday Weekend!

On Friday we celebrated with mini cupcakes and our Kiddie Kollege friends...

"Yum, this is different"

"Where have you been my whole life, I love you cupcake!"

"I can't let it go to waste"

On Saturday we celebrated with family and friends...

Birthday lunch...before she peed through her Birthday dress

Finally dressed and ready for the party

Happy Birthday to Londyn.....

Not a fan of the duck cake

Always a fan of a mini cupcake

Opening Birthday presents....

Loved her water bottle

"Eating shoes is what I do best"

My new ride

Add caption

Birthday nap

Birthday pajama's in daddy's little rocking chair

Birthday rides in a basket from "RaRa"

Ready for church

Ending the Birthday weekend with a cupcake

Birthday decorations for those who were not able to come to Londyn's pond......

Follow my footsteps

A chart of my growth and milestones

Ducky bath on tables and bubbles on the floor

Thank you Julie for making the cakes

Londyn's Birthday cake (Notice the flower:))

Ducky in the bath

Don't forget your duck feed

Duckies in the water

We had a wonderful Birthday weekend. A big thank you to our friends and family for making this a special day for our miracle baby!

Monday, March 28, 2011

The day I became a mommy and my God became so BIG!

Wow! One year already!?!?! It's hard to believe that our lives were changed a year ago when the doctors placed our miracle baby in our arms on April 2nd at 8:15am. I have been thinking about what I would write for this special blog. Maybe our journey to today.....

I've told the story a few times about all of my complications in my pregnancy with Londyn. The one day of my pregnancy that was filled with so much joy yet filled with the scare of my life.

It was Friday, December 18th..... I went over to visit Keith and take a little break. We were talking about our trip we would take at the end of the day to Southern Indiana. Out of nowhere it was like there was a bouncy ball that was trying to escape. Londyn had her first BIG kick. The moment was filled with tears of happiness and awe-ness of God's creation. The rest of the day she was going strong. Keith's family was able to see and feel that little foot.

Saturday, December 19th at 1:30am.....Our BIG scare. I woke up in a puddle of blood scared out of my mind. "(thinking) Surely I was miscarrying another baby.I was not meant to be a mom who was I kidding anyways." We had a mad rush around town at 2:00 trying to find a hospital that would help me. The first one would do nothing and showed very little concern for our health. Finally, after arriving at the hospital, getting the bleeding to stop, going from the OB to the ER back to the OB,talking about being life lined to Indianapolis to save me if I lost the baby (All of the emotions are flowing back as I remember that day so clearly). I was a few days away from 24 weeks. We knew that if Londyn was born at this time she had no chance to survive. Around 3:00am they began to monitor the heartbeat. Because Londyn was so small the monitor was having a hard time detecting her HB. I remember every time the alarm would sound the nurses would rush in, in search of her HB again.

After leaving the hospital I was placed on bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy. Every time I felt her move you better believe I embraced it, everyone embraced it.

When talking about names Keith mentioned Londyn. I thought how perfect it is a strong, powerful name, just what she needed. When discussing middle names all I could think of was Rae, like a ray of sunshine. Yes, Londyn Rae is strong and is my sunshine.
April 2nd 2010....We welcomed our miracle into this world! I remember when they pulled her out she wasn't crying and panic hit me. After a few seconds she screamed and didn't stop:). This was one of the best moments of my life....the moment I became a mommy.

We have had overall a healthy year! Besides the little bit of pneumonia, ear infections, constipation, and trying to gain weight. We have seen each of her milestones and have rejoiced. I never imagined how much this little girl would tug at my heart and rock my world all at the same time.

As we are preparing for her first birthday I am filled with emotions again! God granted me with this wonderful gift. He decided that Londyn Rae belonged to Kimber! Crazy! My God is soooo Big!!!

Next week I will try to get some pictures up of her magical day.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Ash Wednesday and Lent

Every Wednesday most of the 75 children at Kiddie Kollege get together to worship in chapel. Anyways today is Ash Wednesday on the Christian calendar. I try to include my students in all Christian holidays.
I have to confess I was very nervous about today and how I would be able to explain putting ashes on your forehead to a bunch of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 year olds. After really seeking and praying about it this was the final product.

Started with Song: You Never Let Go
Prayer
Talked about the different steps of Ash Wednesday: Pray, Fast, Give
Read The Very Hungry Caterpillar and discussed that when the time was right the caterpillar became a Butterfly
Afterwards I wanted to have a small group time where we could make sure it was sinking in.
After each class got into small groups we played worship music in the background and they discussed changes that could be made to help others. Each child was giving a bean to place in a jar to represent all the changes that we could make with prayer. We will continue to fill our jar during this Lent season.
I gave each child a bracelet that had a cross and said Ash Wednesday: Pray, Fast, Give. This is a reminder of what this season is all about. I also thought this was a great way to share with our families. The last thing I wanted to do was put a cross on the foreheads of each child with vanilla flavoring. I was nervous about this one because I'm not sure that it is my place to do, but I felt the children needed to experience the full meaning. The children were asked that once they received their cross that they quietly headed back to their classroom.
I can honestly say that God was in that service. The teachers and children took this time very serious and were very interested in all that we were doing. I mainly wanted to blog about today because I want to do this same service next year.
It is a blessing to care for all 75 children daily, praise the Lord! It is our responsibility as a Christian school to teach the children about the life of Jesus and all that he has done for us.

Onto my own season of Lent.... Last year I gave up turning on the lights or leaving the lights on at night when I slept. Call me crazy, through that I was able to overcome a fear that was about to swallow me whole. This year I have decided to do the traditional, give up pop. I usually get a can of pop to start my day every morning. This will be a challenge for me. This year Lent has a different meaning. I have a lot of worries and concerns that need to be laid down at the alter. I am hoping that during this season of Lent I can do this. I know that God will provide for me in every way needed. That is why I have to lean on Him.

May this all be done for the glory of God!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

From one beginning to another: Londyn's transition in childcare

WoW! I am full of some many emotions this week. I honestly don't know where to start. I guess I could start with how lucky and thankful I am.
When Keith and I found out that we were pregnant we began to discuss childcare options for the first year of our baby's life. After prayer and casual conversation, a great woman of God offered to care for our precious jewel. Ms. Heather or "Hey You" (as she referred to herself at times) was a gift from God to us. Those who truly follow my blog know that leaving Londyn the first weeks after going back to work were hard. I remember crying myself to sleep at night (funny I am crying now thinking of all the emotions I felt at the time), soaking every last minute I had with Londyn, praying that I would become a stay at home mommy. After six months of being in the care of Heather I can honestly say that was one of the best decisions I have made. We would drop her off in the mornings and Londyn's little face would light up with joy. When we saw Heather on Sundays she couldn't get to Londyn fast enough. As I admitted yesterday, Londyn had a second mommy. While with Heather Londyn learned to roll, sit, crawl, pull up, smile, laugh, play peek-a-boo, do the motions to so big, wave, the list could go on forever. The biggest thing that Heather gave my sweet girl is love. I know that Londyn would go to Heather in a heart beat if I ever needed her. Love, Love, Love is what we felt.

We made the decision to move Londyn to Kiddie Kollege when she became old enough. I was so excited to have her at the same place as us, give her the quality education that I know Kiddie Kollege has to offer. This was her big week to began the next journey in life. She has a loving teacher, Ms. Gail. I think Ms. Gail is going to be Londyn's Grammy. I had no fear moving Londyn over. But this week has been disastrous in my heart. Londyn is suffering from major stranger and separation anxiety. Monday and Tuesday I am pretty sure she cried all day. Yesterday she did better and even had more than a 30 minute nap for the day. Today is the hardest of all. She has done great, it is me that it is hard on. She saw me this morning while in the gym so I stopped loved her played for a few minutes and then went back to what I was doing. As I turned around she was looking at me with those big elephant tears. It broke my heart. My heart is very heavy today. I don't want to see her have mommy-aches, eat little, cry constantly, and sleep little to none.

As I have thought about writing this blog for 2 weeks, I was excited to report that she is transitioning well and that no tears have been shed. That's not true in our case. I know that for the growth/education of Londyn we have made the best decision. I know that Gail was heaven sent for Londyn. I have seen her work with other children and care and love them so much. She is awesome! It's easy to tell the parents that their child will be fine (most of the time they are after 5 minutes), but when I hear my little girl cry and ache for her mommy I have a hard time practicing that. You want the best for your child, every mom does. I KNOW that we are giving Londyn the best care that she could get, from birth til now.

Today I stand here to say that God placed two special women to care for my little blessing. I also know that God knows how this is all going to play out. I am sure that Londyn is going to love it at Kiddie Kollege, as I have seen this many times before. I know that she will have the same love for her Ms.Gail as she does for her Ms. Heather. She is going to make great friends, learn so much about God and His mercy, get the best education possible, and will have the love of her teachers that will awe us.

As my heart sits heavy today (as it did 7 months ago) I know that God is in control. As Beth Moore said last night "who knows? God Knows" So true. Please pray for us as this transition continues from week to week.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Our trip to NC

For those of you who don't know, my wonderful husband bought me and Londyn a ticket to North Carolina. That was one of the best presents I have ever received. I got the tickets on Saturday and left on Thursday morning.

I was so worried, sick to my stomach worried about the plane ride. I didn't want my kid to be one of those screaming, throwing food, and pulling the passengers hair beside me kids. She did great! She slept all the way to NC! Our flight was delayed by 3 hours to leave Indiana. I guess I was really excited because I was still ready to leave at like 5:30:). Leaving Keith was really hard for me. Not sure if he noticed but I was crying when he left us on the airport curb.

Once we had boarded the 13 row plane. We got in our seat, 13B. The flight attendant came to me and says this, "Just in case you need a floatation device for her they are stored in the front of the cabin." Panic had to have hit my face because she followed with this, "But that is just in case of an emergency, I am sure nothing will happen". Seriously, if we are sinking or wrecking how am I going to physically be able to carry her all the way to the front to get it. So as I was trying to over come my fear I said a little prayer for us.

Anyways, we had a great time in North Carolina. Friday morning we left for Myrtle Beach and stayed there through New Years leaving on Sunday afternoon. Our hotel was on the beach so we were able to sleep with the door, which was peaceful. When we arrived at the beach on Friday I could hardly wait to see Londyn's reaction to the ocean and beach. So we hurried down there and us girls rolled our pants up and walked right to the edge of the beach. Londyn screamed! I have to admit the water was freezing! It was kind of like a brain freeze you don't like the feeling, but the ice cream is delicious.

Since the first day was kind of cold I took her out the second day to just feel the dry sand. We rolled our pants up again and stepped into the sand. Yeah, she still hated it. She just screamed, lifted her little foot up out of the sand and cried. I picked her up calmed her down only to upset her again when I had to wipe the sand off of her feet. Like I said before our hotel was on the beach so she had many trips to the balcony to take it all in. She was amazed by it. There were seagulls on the beach and she kept waving to them.

For New Years we hung out in the room and watched the fire works on the beach. Londyn was making sure that she stayed awake for the New Year. At 11:59 she was awake, Keith called me at midnight and she was past out in the bed beside me.

She missed her daddy a lot, I think the feeling was mutual. Every time I would try to get her to say mamama, she would say as loud as possible dadada.

On Tuesday we got to the airport a little early and walked around. She loves stroller rides. By this point I was ready to be home. (I love vacations but at the end I am always ready for home). On this flight she woke up with about 20 minutes left. We talked about our daddy and all the sounds animals make. The make some funny sounds according to Londyn. When we got to the airport we headed for the baggage claim. To our surprise our daddy was waiting on us! As soon as Keith picked Londyn out of her stroller she just laid her head on his shoulder and snuggled. So sweet. It was the best part for sure!

I had a great time with my mom. It was a treat well passed due. I needed a time of renewing my strength. Looking out into the ocean was a sign of how big my God is! I have been struggling with some things lately, have had my feelings hurt, and have wanted to give up. This trip gave me time to recollect myself and come back strong. No the issues are not gone, the feelings are still hurt. But a renewing of my soul was just what I needed. Who else to spend my time with but my mom.

Below are just a few pictures of us on our trip!