A year ago at this exact time I was headed to the hospital as I had been in labor for 18 hours and it seemed that baby girl was on her way! Today was Thanksgiving last year and it was the most special day! After laboring quite awhile, a scary time when they couldn't get her heartbeat down, an emergency c- section and a brief stay in the NICU, Josie entered our life and has filled the last year with so much (needed) JOY!
It has been quite the year. Days before Josie was born we were asked by the Navigators to move to UW-Whitewater. We spent the first 6 months of Josie's life caring for a newly-walking 1 1/2 year old and a crazy spit up newborn. We were scrunched in our old house- Josie's crib in our room, the changing table in the dining room, Noah's dresser in the basement and his clothes upstairs by his office. We were cozy but filled with SO much love.
Ellie took to being a big sister right away and has been amazing all along. (We frequently here her say "You are so cute baby sister. You're a cute little girl. I love you cute little girl. Or "How did you sleep little girl? I love you Josie Kate"
We wrapped up life in Champaign, spent two weekends in Chicago celebrating my brother's graduation and wedding and then headed to Wisconsin. We moved into our first house and are so grateful!
The second half of Josie's first year was spent enjoying our new town and home and watching Ellie & Josie learn to interact. We are all grateful for our own rooms :-) And have made lots of memories already in Whitewater!
A month ago, the day before Josie turned 11 months, I was diagnosed with MS and our life has changed. It feels like the rug got slipped out from under us. I went from being a full-time mom of a 2 year old and almost 1 year old to being a side-line caretaker and manager of our family. We have a lot to learn but still so much to be thankful for.
All that to say, as I look back on Josie's first year of life I realize it was very FULL. As much as I have loved every moment with HER I feel like we have been on a roller coaster and Josie has simply been along for the ride. :)
This last month has been beyond-words hard. Someday I'll look back and wonder how we made it through, but in the meantime I am doing my best to keep life normal for the girls and to ENJOY the everyday moments.
Josie has been the JOY that The Lord knew my heart needed throughout all of the twists and turns of the last year.
We love you more than you'll ever know Josie. And we NEED you in our family. We joyfully celebrate your birthday tomorrow, but more than that we celebrate the blessing of your life.
One of the sweetest memories from the last few weeks was when I was rocking you before bed and almost crying but trying to hold it together while I read to you. I started singing "Jesus Love the Litlte Ones Like Me" and you caught on to the actions right away.
When I have been down, I can start singing that song to you and you smile and do the actions. You remind me that Jesus loves YOU and he loves Ellie and he loves me and Daddy. He loves us all and we can "Trust Jesus with All Your heart" (one of Ellie's verses)!
We love you Jos. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
It has been quite the year. Days before Josie was born we were asked by the Navigators to move to UW-Whitewater. We spent the first 6 months of Josie's life caring for a newly-walking 1 1/2 year old and a crazy spit up newborn. We were scrunched in our old house- Josie's crib in our room, the changing table in the dining room, Noah's dresser in the basement and his clothes upstairs by his office. We were cozy but filled with SO much love.
Ellie took to being a big sister right away and has been amazing all along. (We frequently here her say "You are so cute baby sister. You're a cute little girl. I love you cute little girl. Or "How did you sleep little girl? I love you Josie Kate"
We wrapped up life in Champaign, spent two weekends in Chicago celebrating my brother's graduation and wedding and then headed to Wisconsin. We moved into our first house and are so grateful!
The second half of Josie's first year was spent enjoying our new town and home and watching Ellie & Josie learn to interact. We are all grateful for our own rooms :-) And have made lots of memories already in Whitewater!
A month ago, the day before Josie turned 11 months, I was diagnosed with MS and our life has changed. It feels like the rug got slipped out from under us. I went from being a full-time mom of a 2 year old and almost 1 year old to being a side-line caretaker and manager of our family. We have a lot to learn but still so much to be thankful for.
All that to say, as I look back on Josie's first year of life I realize it was very FULL. As much as I have loved every moment with HER I feel like we have been on a roller coaster and Josie has simply been along for the ride. :)
This last month has been beyond-words hard. Someday I'll look back and wonder how we made it through, but in the meantime I am doing my best to keep life normal for the girls and to ENJOY the everyday moments.
Josie has been the JOY that The Lord knew my heart needed throughout all of the twists and turns of the last year.
We love you more than you'll ever know Josie. And we NEED you in our family. We joyfully celebrate your birthday tomorrow, but more than that we celebrate the blessing of your life.
One of the sweetest memories from the last few weeks was when I was rocking you before bed and almost crying but trying to hold it together while I read to you. I started singing "Jesus Love the Litlte Ones Like Me" and you caught on to the actions right away.
When I have been down, I can start singing that song to you and you smile and do the actions. You remind me that Jesus loves YOU and he loves Ellie and he loves me and Daddy. He loves us all and we can "Trust Jesus with All Your heart" (one of Ellie's verses)!
We love you Jos. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
