10 Years!?

This past Sunday was my 30th birthday. 30! 30? I just can't wrap my brain around that number. I certainly don't feel like the college girl I am going to tell you about in this post, but I also certainly don't feel a day over 25. Matt tried so hard to make my birthday special. He knew I would not want a big hullaballoo, lots of people, or lots of attention. He also knew I wanted/needed sleep. He took the boys to get me breakfast, a latte, a card, and balloons. I didn't wake up until 9:00! Margot did her part just by sleeping. We then all got ready and actually made it to church (on time!) On the way, Matt said "I want to do something special for your birthday." My response was "Oh, don't worry about it, it doesn't even feel like my birthday!" I meant it to sound reassuring, like "I don't need anything else, I'm not sad about the way the day is going." He took it as though he wasn't doing enough to make the day special. I immediately pointed out all the nice things he had done the whole week. We went on two dates, ate great food, had the boys spend the night with my in-laws, and loved and stared at our new baby (talk about a great birthday present). Most of all, he had been there to hug me when I felt like I wasn't going to make it, to step in and be super dad when I needed a bath, to come home on any break he had to give me a moments relief so that I could make it through the rest of the day. My husband is my hero! The most special thing about my birthday this year was remembering that it was our 10 year anniversary of our first date. I want to jot down some of the memories I have of the time-I know it will be something fun to show the kids one day.

I met Matt during the second quarter of our freshman year at Auburn. We ran into each other some at his fraternity house, we shared a chemistry class, and I had somehow come to find out that he was a "presbyterian!" I remember inviting him to freshman bible study with RUF (we would later lead that study together) and being so surprised/happy when he showed up and sat in my group. We learned a lot about each other just sitting in those small groups and listening to what the other had to say. We knew we shared common beliefs, and I knew that I had a BIG CRUSH! We ran into each other off and on the rest of the year and once over the summer. Matt somehow found out that I was in a music appreciation class on Tuesday nights that first semester of sophomore year, and he enrolled. I thought he just wanted to be in a class with a nice over-achiever so that he wouldn't have to do much work; he claims he enrolled because he had a bit of a crush too. We met at the library and listened to countless music recordings (way more than we needed to, but hey-we both got A's). He playfully put me down about my lack of knowledge of the instrument,; I loved that he knew something about music. My 20th birthday was quickly approaching, and it happened to be on a Tuesday night that year. I made sure Matt knew that it was my birthday (though I'm not sure how), and he suggested we ditch class during the break and get some dinner (a big deal for this rule keeper). He made it seem like he was just being nice and didn't want me sitting in class on my birthday. I didn't want to get my hopes up that it was a date. I tried to guard my heart from all the thoughts that young girls have when they have a crush on a new guy. I am pretty sure I had already pictured myself standing beside him in white, and having many of his babies! At 8:00 we left class, and I tried to keep my wits about me (and not say anything stupid) as he drove me to Noodles. We sat outside on the second floor over-looking college street by ourselves, the waitress forgot about us but we didn't care, we talked for a long time, enjoyed a dessert, and he gave me a card. The card (I have it somewhere) said something about how he was happy about our relationship. I remember thinking "what? relationship? like our friend relationship, or some other sort of relationship?" Matt would go on to confuse me for a couple of weeks before he told me how he felt. I remember feeling on top of the world the night he told me he wanted to date me. I also remember feeling like I would marry this man some day. The Lord blessed us with two great years of dating before we married in December 2002. They were no doubt some of the best times in our lives. 10 years later: I am still, truly so deeply in love. That part has not changed. Matt, you are my birthday gift from 10 years ago that keeps giving. Thank you for loving me, for all that you do for us, and for 10 years of great birthdays!

"Margot-licious"

Happy two weeks, our Margot-licious baby girl! This is what your Dada likes to say about you, and I think it is hilarious. We are so in love with you, Margot and don't want to forget a minute with you. So... here goes a random stream of consciousness of life these first two weeks.

I have yet to experience real life with you and your brothers as we have had so much help since you were born. However, I am so thankful for all the bonding we have been able to share. You are the sweetest baby we have ever met. You are so calm and peaceful, you sleep all the time, and during your longest stretch of awake time (8-10 am), you try so hard to smile at me. You almost wear a half smile the whole two hours.

You are sleeping well at night-better than Micah did, not as well as Owen did, but we can't complain. You like to eat at 11, wake up at 1 for a snuggle, eat at 4 and again at 8. I often wake up at 4 with you in my arms because I fell asleep and forgot to put you back in your bassinet. I guess the real test will be when we move you to your crib!

You love to eat (sometimes not even waiting 2 hours during the evenings), so we have also given you the nickname "Miss Piggy." I have been advised to take it easy on the common allergens with you as your brothers both had allergies as babies. Because of this (and the fact that you were nearly 8 lbs at birth), I have lost over 20 pounds already! It just isn't as fun to eat when you can't have peanuts, dairy, soy, egg, etc. Of course I have a little of these, just not a big bowl of ice cream like when I was pregnant. We are praying you won't have allergies, and if sacrificing some foods may help- it is well worth it. I have to say that I am going to cheat tonight when your Dada takes me out for a sushi birthday dinner. Hopefully, we just won't pay for it tomorrow with a belly ache! You are our squishiest baby, but maybe that is a difference in boys and girls.

You love your baths, (as long as they are warm enough) and the lotion massage I give you afterwards.

You have a very strong neck and lift it very high when you are on your belly. You love being on your belly and sleep best that way. I am too nervous to let you do this at night, but during the day, you are on the floor on your belly most of the time.

We think you look most like Micah, but have more of an Owen hair style. Your chin is a little pointier than Micah's was, but your nose and lips are almost identical. We can't tell about your eyes yet, but you already sport such long lashes. Maybe your eyes will be like Owen's? So basically, you will probably look just like your Dada with your Mama's nose and hair! We love it that we recognize you and that our children have common features.

I am so looking forward to the coming weeks, months, years with you baby girl. May the Lord bless you and keep you. I can't wait to see how He will shape our family with you as a new addition.

Sweet Baby Girl

Baby Tyler is Here!

Tyler and Jessica

My brother and sister-in-law had their baby on the 10th, and Margot, my mom, and I dropped by for a visit yesterday. We tried to snap a few pictures, but they were having none of it. Once Nana got them all wrapped up and in her arms, they were just fine!

Time with Brother

Owen and Margot watched a movie in our bed the other day. Owen is absolutely smitten with his sister. He asks about her all day, and loves to help get anything I need for Margot. I know they will have a special relationship. He commented to us "when Margot is a little bigger, she can sleep with me in my bunk bed."

So in Love

There are no words.

They Say...

Your other children will look enormous!

Meeting the Family and Coming Home

Margot was born at 1:01. The boys were at the park eating a picnic lunch with Grammy and so were able to come around 2:30 to meet their sister. They were so precious and walked into the room smiling and looking around for Margot. They couldn't wait to hold her. Owen spent the rest of the time looking at all her features and talking about how small she was.

Really glad to be a big brother. I think these two will have a very special bond. Owen has been talking about how he will "take out anyone who tries to hurt Margot."

Margot's first bath. She loved getting her hair washed especially. Matt and I just couldn't stop staring.

Taking a rest after getting all clean.

Going home-finally!

Night night baby girl. She slept great her first night home, waking to eat at 1 and 4. At 4, we had to snuggle for a little while because she was cold, but then we all slept till 7:45. Hopefully, it will continue to got this well.

First thing this morning Micah wanted to hold his sister. We set him up with the boppy and he snuggled her before breakfast.

Margot Josephine

Margot Josephine
7lbs. 15oz.
20.5 inches
Born 1:01 pm 10/06/2010



You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

That my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Psalm 30:11-12

Margot, our precious daughter, we never knew how hard we would fall in love with you. We can't take our eyes off you; we can't stop marveling at how greatly the Lord has blessed us. We are beside ourselves with joy. Welcome to the world little one!

*These beautiful pictures are thanks to our wonderful friend Raechel, who was kind enough to capture one of the best days of our lives.