If you know me then you know I love numbers and think everything is a sign. Well, today is my 500th post (gasp) and it just so happens to fall on Grady's Baptism day!! Words will cheapen the love and magic I felt during his baptism so pictures will have to do. I can't believe I've written 500 posts, but the even crazier part about it is that this blog started off as a infertility blog and was called "Life Thu IVF" because I thought it rhymed (doesn't) and I needed support through the toughest trial of my life thus far. My first post was written on
December 1, 2006 and when I read it back, it's like another person was writing those words and I'll sometimes skip back to a random post and remember the angst and worry that I had then to help put the angst and worry of today in perspective and my heart is so filled with gratitude for Lily and Grady I could just cry thinking about it. Oh and did I ever cry during the baptism. People watching me must've thought I was a lunatic with all the tears; not to mention the entire section that should've been roped off like at Sea World called the Splash Zone for all theh waterworks. It was a beautiful hour out of our life that will be cemented in our hearts forever.
Pastor Ted walked around holding Grady showing him off like a trophy and my heart almost melted right there on the stage....
How did we get so lucky?
times 2? (uncanny resemblance here)
It felt like my wedding day being up on stage professing our love and commitment in front of God and the entire packed congregation; except this time it was to Grady and promising how we'll raise him with love, laughter and faith all intermingled.
All the while Julie and Eric his Godparents, praying and helping to guide him on his journey through life. If you've ever met thier kids. Nathan and Erica, it speaks to what amazing parents they are. Julie and I worked together when I was going through the worst of the worst so to speak. Many tears were shed together. Within a month of working together I had my first miscarriage and things went downhill from there , but she was always there helping, healing, guiding, loving and most of all praying the whole way through practically in my body going through it with me. I felt like Whoopi Goldberg from Ghost with so many people in my body feeling the same things I felt. Since then we've been able to celebrate and share in all the wonderment of motherhood; albeit our kids being at different stages, but still the parallels are there. Eric is the sweetest man on the planet and happiness seems to follow him everywhere with his big smile. Eric has the same birthday as Grady and it just so happens that the day Grady was born, Eric turned 50 on 10/10/10 so Eric will always be exactly 50 years older to the day than Grady! Another sign. My heart was so happy standing there with them.
And the highlight of the day was my dear friend Andrea sang at the service. She and I both struggled to conceive, but then we both got pregnant and delivered within a day of each other. Another sign. Not only did she sing the baptism song
to Grady as Pastor Ted walked him around the congregation, but she sang the special song we had playing the
exact moment Grady was born. And when I tell you I was crying, that's an understatement. Andrea and I couldn't meet eyes during the song or she might've forgotten the words. I don't know how she got through it with such grace. My head felt like it was going to explode as I held Grady listening to her sing Hallelujah and it was as if my life flashed before my eyes during that song.
My mind was going off like rapid fire as snapshots of the last 6 years literally fired off in my brain; one half of a super split second I was in the delivery room and David was telling me Grady had blonde hair,
then the next millisecond, I was looking upstairs into 2 empty bedrooms that should be nurseries,
then the next I was watching Lily about to walk,
then I was at our wedding,
then I was getting shots from David,
then I was finding out there wasn't a heartbeat at our ultraound,
then I was at happy hour crying about not being pregnant,
then I was pushing a stroller for the first time at CPK,
then I was crying in David's arms,
then I was painting Lily's room,
then I was at Grady's shower,
then I was hugging a tearful David finding out we were finally pregnant,
then I was singing this beautiful song that I have listened to 124 times since Grady has been born, but never has it been more meaningful than hearing Andrea sing those words that we all feel. Her voice is just breathtaking. Listen for yourself. I know I have about 53 times since yesterday.
Beauty...
Can't see video? Click
here Even Lily sang along...
I wish i could put that hour in a bottle and sprinkle it around the world. I knew it'd be special, but never dreamed it'd be
that special...
Ella and Grady reunite...
and of course he was dressed for the occasion. We skipped the sweater vest this week and went with a bowtie.
And Lily, of course, had to have a new dress paired with her Stella and Dot jewelry and her baptism bracelet. Thanks Trish! :)
These 3 are like sisters without the sibling rivalry and fights about sharing clothes...
Jen almost recreated her octomom shot, but came up a bit short this time...
Ella was making the moves on G-Money and we caught it on camera....
I had to do a double take with this picture because I expected Eric to be standing next to Julie. LOL
boys will be boys...
Steve is going to be a Grandpa in a few months so he was getting a little practice in early...
All the singing and bowties tuckered little Grady out and he was passed around like a hot potato. Feeling full and fulfilled knowing that my reason for living is finally here and my heart could fall out of my body when I look at Lily and Grady knowing the amazing responsibility we have been given to raise them. It won't be a perfect ride, or even close to it, but it'll be our very best we can give and we have the whole world of love surrounding them helping to make that possible.
Happy Baptism Day to you sweet little Grady - you are loved beyond measure.
Grady, Grady, Grady, what can I tell you I haven't already whispered 100 times in your ear while nuzzling your sweet neck. I just love your sweet little old soul. You are always so calm and happy no matter what the circumstances are around you. Your sister could be having a tantrum, having a dance party, singing in your ear, reading you books or we could be cooking in the other room and you just look around so innocently asking for only one thing and that is our love. Your needs are so simple, yet so complex because we want to fill you up with everything good and yummy to pay you back for all the delicious gifts you give us everyday. You love to eat and can guzzle down mommy's breastmilk in 6 minutes flat and let out the biggest burp of your life then return back to your normal chill state. And when you do cry, you give us so much warning that it's going to happen that if you ever go into a full wail (which is rare) then it's our own fault. Thank you for filling us up this month and being the sweet soul that you are. 
lily, life is starting to settle down for you this month as you are adjusting to becoming a big sister. It was a bit difficult for you in last month when you saw mommy and daddy giving their attention to Grady, but we kept reassuring we still love you to the moon and back and finally you believed us. You are having so much fun being a big sister and being such a good listener to mommy and daddy as you're delineating the difference between what babies and big girls do; all the while imitating both at all times. Sometimes you forget the rules like when you slammeed your bedroom door like a teenager and said no to going on the potty or your meltdown in Target because you couldnt play with the registry computer. But, you always apologize, kiss our heart and remember the rules for the next time and that's the most important part is that you are learning. You are 2, but have the heart big enough for 2 kids because you always want to do your best and try so hard to be a big girl. You embarrassed mommy in the WalMart bathroom telling the entire bathroom that I had "big poo-poo" or when you pointed to the lady walking with the cane and said "what's wong wit that lady leg mommy". You love to paint, are obsessed with glue and just started with a new fascination with scissors; cutting paper into tiny pieces then meticulously coloring each piece with marker. You also can't stop dancing. You beg for music and stand in front of us bouncing up and down cracking yourself up. And us too. Spending our days with you is like a gift everyday and we can't imagine life without you! DECEMBER 2010:
Lily, You are so excited about Christmas this month and you finally get it. You know that Santa is your friend and even though you wouldn't sit on his lap, you stood next to him for a long while for the picture and mommy helped you tell him what you wanted for Christmas. All you wanted was a Barbie car. You wouldn't put anything else on your list, but that. And boy did your face light up when you saw it...it's about the cutest thing ever to see you zipping around in that little hot rod like you're Mario Andretti. You also fell in love with board games and will sit forever playing CandyLand, Hungry Hungry Hippo or Chutes and Ladders with anyone or even by yourself. You've become this amazing color'er this month; insisting on coloring in the lines even though we've never encouraged that. You tell us that babies scribble (with demo) and big girls color pretty (with demo). You say things wrong lately like "Oh Me Goodness", "Here Me Is", "Where is Him?" and "batter-berries" for batteries. You love to do things independently like getting in and out of the car, cleaning up, and are trying to master undressing alone, but you can get your head out, but not the arms quite yet so your shirt is stuck behind your neck and you look so proud regardless saying "yuk mommy". We don't want you to ever change and are holding on to your goodness with every fiber in us and thank you for teaching us how to be the best version of ourself that we can be. You prayed with mommy today at church kneeling on the pews, clasping your hands together like a big girl and said the 3 little words that sum up how we feel everyday.., "Thank You God". Grady, you are all smiles and laughing this month. You coo a little here and there, but mostly like to observe and take it all in. You slept through most of your first Christmas, but were still showered with gifts and so much love by all of your family and friends. You love to sleep on your side or your stomach which we let you do for naps, but watch you like a hawk to make sure you're safe. You're growing like a weed and eat like a football player and sleeping great at night. We couldn't ask for anything more. You love to stand in laps and your head isn't so bobbly anymore either. You love taking a bath, going to the park, riding in the car and are happy with just about anywhere we take you. We never worry about having to settle your fussiness because you're always so chill and filled with goodness. January 2011:
Lily, You are so much fun to be with and ask “why?” every other word. You also think everything happened “yusturday” like your birth, going to the park, crawling, and Grady being in my tummy. You love to say “bless you” when people sneeze and even bless yourself which is adorable. We thought you were sound asleep in your crib when mommy sneezed and you yelled out from your crib “bless you mommy” which made us double over laughing. You put all your babies down for naps face down, pat their back for 20 minutes and make us all use whisper voices while they sleep. We went to a Super Bowl party and you got up in front of everyone and danced like a maniac in front of 30 strangers during the half time show. Just when I think I know you like the back of my hand, you do something that surprises me and shows me how much you’re growing up into a beautiful little girl with a heart of gold. 
Grady, how did we get so lucky with you? You are the wonder baby. You have turned into this smiling & talking machine that asks for nothing from us. You stare at everyone trying to catch their eye to flash them a smile or a giggle. You moved to your big boy crib this month which you were more than ready for because your feet were practically hanging out of the bassinet weighing in at 15 pounds. You go to bed smiling and wake up in your crib just laying there looking at your mobile chatting away to those bears even though you’re probably starving from not eating for 12 hours. You are such a chill baby and don’t ever wince when you hear your sister crying or when she awkwardly tries to hold you because she loves you so much. She tries to help you roll over every night and wants it for you so badly. You are genuinely loved by so many people for your amazing heart. FEBRUARY 2011
GRADY'S BAPTISM. MARCH 2011 
MARCH 2011
phew, that was a lot of work, but so much fun it didnt feel like work at all. it's neat to read back the last few months and see how much has changed and nothing has changed at all at once. life is good.
