Before our eyes

The other night I was sitting in the living room folding laundry while Campbell laid on her activity mat (you know, the pad on the floor that has an arch of toys attached to it). She has just recently gotten to where she likes to spend a little time on it. She has not, however, made any attempt to play with the toys, beyond the occasional bump of a toy by her little flailing arms and legs.

As I sat and watched her, she reached her tiny hand up and touched one of the hanging toys. It was the first time I have seen her intentionally reach for something with her hand. She continued to study the toys with such intensity. I have never been so amazed at such a simple thing. To watch her slowly begin to comprehend that those hands belong to her, and to see her studying something other than a person, blew me away.

I started to think about how incredible it is to watch her change in front of our eyes and to see her take developmental steps like that made me think about what it will be like as she grows to know the Lord. How amazing will it be to see her begin to comprehend God's love for her, to see her begin to experience the fullness, freedom, and love He desires for us, for her, to live. I pray that God would give Russ and I the clarity to see her take those spiritual strides, as clearly as I saw her understanding change that night.

What a week!

This past week was filled with a lot of "firsts", milestones, and general craziness for our little family.

Sunday we made it back from our first road trip to Waco. Mid-trip, Russ and I made the decision to move Campbell from the bassinet in our room into her own room. This was a great move for all. She sleeps much better, as do we, now that she is in the quiet of her own room.
We decided we had to purchase a video monitor to feel comfortable with her in another room. Best purchase we ever made. Russ even hooks it up to the TV sometimes.

Monday Campbell reached two months old. Time sure flies. We took her for her two month appt/immunizations. Immunizations did not make her a happy baby. The rest of the day was basically like this....
We already knew she was a big girl, but we were astonished that she weighs 13 pounds and is 25 inches long. She is basically the size of 4 month old.

Tuesday I went back to work. God has graciously paved the way for me to work part-time (3 days per week). Since Russ is still on summer vacation, he is home with her for now. There are no pictures of these three days, because it is basically a blur for both of us. I have a new respect for working mothers...those three days wiped me out!

It was nice to get back to somewhat of a normal schedule again, but by Thursday night I was so ready to be home with my sweet girl again. Friday we worked on getting ready for a baby shower we were having at our house on Sunday (and I fought a cold). Saturday we went to Aunt Amy and Uncle Drew's house to work on a special project for our new cousin, Preston, who will be arriving in September. Sunday we hosted a baby shower for the Bartlings, a sweet couple in our small group. They are expecting Baby Girl #2 in September. Campbell was a great hostess.

Needless to say, Sunday night we crashed! We did manage to take some pictures of family time though.

We love the Rhodes

Most everyone who reads this blog (or knows me at all), knows that Nikki Rhodes has been my best friend for a lot of years. Through the second half of high school, as college roommates, and into "adult life", we have experienced so much and shared so much (the very least getting married two weeks apart and having sweet baby girls five months apart).

As we have walked through so much of life together, Nikki has remained my sounding board, my trusted council, one who shows me God, who loves me so unconditionally though at times we clash so much, and my constant entertainment. I am who I am in great part because of who she is in my life.

I have always loved Jeremy...what's not to love? He is both the most intelligent and most hilarious person I know, and became a trusted friend way before he was my best friend's husband. Over the past four years, the four of us have continued to cultivate a friendship that knows no distance or time, as we learn to be married couples, adults, and parents together.

This past weekend we took a road trip (Campbell's first road trip!) to Waco to visit our precious friends. I was so struck over the weekend, and as we have come home, at what an incredible gift we have in this friendship. We never do all that much when we are with them (besides shopping and eating!), but yet these are some of the most precious moments to me...watching Campbell and Eleanor together, loving on each other's babes, and dreaming about what our girls will be like together when they are older.

I feel like everyone needs a Nikki and Jeremy in their life.

All packed up and ready to go.

Busy Busy Girl (longest blog ever!)

Campbell has been very busy lately.

She went to watch her cousin, Gregory, play baseball.

She went to her first baby shower, for her new cousin, Zuriel.Campbell & Great-Grandma Helen

She fell in LOVE with her swing.

She went to a 4th of July party at GiGi's house.

She went to Mr. Spencer's birthday party.Campbell & Miss-Miss

She went to the hospital for Zuriel's birth.

Campbell, Cousin Benjamin, and Aunt Mary Ann

Sweet Cousin Zuriel

Cousins Trynity, Benjamin, and Zuriel

AND she had a photo shoot with Mom & Miss-Miss (our next door neighbor-friend). What photo shoot would be complete without some projectile vomiting, right?
She also had a wonderful visit from K. Thorn...but sadly we didn't take a single picture!

Baby Dedication and Father's Day

This past Sunday was not only Father's Day, but also Baby Dedication at our church. We became a part of the wonderful community that is The Waters Church this past January. After a long search for a church home in Houston, God led us to the most amazing community of believers. Never have we experienced the outpouring of love, support, encouragement, and sharpening from a church family. We feel so honored to be called there and to be raising our daughter with such an amazing church family.

Baby Dedication works differently at this church than any other I have ever experienced. Each child is honored individually and our pastor talked about each child's individual qualities, the church dedicated to support each child and family, and our pastor prayed individually for each child.

Our church also has a neat tradition using the Hebrew prayer shawls. When a baby is born, one of the ministers comes to the hospital, wraps the baby in that minister's prayer shawl, and prayers over that child. That minister commits to praying weekly for the baby until he or she is saved and baptized. At the baby dedication, each baby was given a prayer shawl of their own, with the name of the church, the date, his or her name, and Scripture on it.

Sunday was also Russell's first Father's Day. Here we are getting ready for church.

Words cannot describe my emotions as I watch Russ with Campbell. His gentleness and patience, his obvious overwhelming love for her, and his excitement to learn about her and take care of her have caused me to fall even more in love with him than I thought possible. There is no one else I would rather be on this journey with and Campbell and I are so blessed to have such an incredible father/husband!

Almost three weeks old!

Campbell will be three weeks old on Wednesday. It is hard to believe she is already so old, yet at the same time I can't remember what it was like before she was here! Here are some highlights from the last few weeks....

Photo shoot at Mimi's house

Sleeping with Mom and Dad (definitely an important part of most days!)

First Real Bath

Visit from Aunt Nik, Uncle J, and BFF Eleanor

First time going to church (she really did like church...)

First Family pics (by Aunt Nik)

We went to the doctor last week for Campbell's two week check up. She already weighs 9 lbs and .5 ounces. Can't believe how fast she is growing!

A HUGE thank you to our precious friends, family, and church family. We have so enjoyed the last few weeks of getting to know our baby girl and feel so blessed by all the meals and help provided. Having that stress removed from our daily lives has allowed us to enjoy her without the added concerns of where our next meal is coming from! A special thank you to Aunt Nik and Uncle J for the wonderful visit, meals, and organizing our house and all of Campbell's stuff!