7 months!

She loves her food! I held off starting food until she was 6 months...just clinging onto the little baby stage as long as possible. It was so funny watching her watch us eat...she'd study our utensils...study our chewing...she'd reach out to touch our mouths...she was definitely telling us she wanted a part of what we were eating.

I had fun shopping the Gerber flavors...until I could make some homemade baby food. She's pretty much enjoyed every bite...as you can see by her chubby little cheeks!

6 months!

Well, we are moved in!

Anna's first picture in her NEW room :)

Boxes Everywhere!

Thankful for space to share with visiting relatives!

Bring on the Holidays...

5 months

We braved the cold weather for our last chance at some outdoor pictures. My friend Jen met us at a nearby park and took some family shots for us! Can't wait to hang them up in our new house! We had to be out of our old house on Halloween...so we moved into a small rental for a month until we can move into our new home.

I grabbed a box from the rental garage before we left...we thought this picture was so appropriate for this time in her life...we've been living amidst boxes for a long time...looking forward to unpacking for good!

Fall Festival...a.k.a...

Halloween.

My little Monsters!

Yes, I totally raided their CANDY stash!

Course it's not real hard for the boys to share when they DON'T like CHOCOLATE anyway!! 

Yummo!

4 months

Just LOVE experiencing being mom to a girl! I love having time just her and I while the boys are at school! She is a good sleeper and she is a pleasant and happy baby! I keep telling people when they comment about her surely being spoiled that it's really ME who is spoiled. I'm so thankful that I get to thoroughly enjoy the time with her - with grins and giggles and not fussing - though I guarantee that it does happen... even still I smile when it's hard and take the good days with the bad!! I just have a special appreciation for this precious girl we get to raise!

Thanks for praying us through "the valley of weeping to the place of refreshing springs"  -Ps 84:5-6

3 months

It has been fun to try and capture a good shot of her each month. I opened the front door to let in some light, set her on a bean bag, got down on my belly and caught this happy face!! Her cute bow a friend of mine made along with a dress up princess-super-hero-cape...can't wait to see her zooming around the house annoying chasing her brothers.

Packing and house showings are in full swing! We are excited to see what the Lord will provide...meanwhile I'm enjoying a clean house :)

Changed Much?!?

Last week I got out some of the newborn outfits Anna wore when we first brought her home.  Looking back at those pictures it looks like she had plenty of room to grow...but now...wow, she's busting out of them.

(and speaking of busting out - we are going to have to go up to the next size diapers - let's just say I've been using A LOT of spray 'n wash lately) #explosions

Bittersweet...she's growing and changing so much.  It's been so fun to interact with her - batting at toys and smiling back and cooing now - just makes me realize those newbie days are a memory. So glad for pictures!!

Here, see for yourself...

The Great

We had the chance to see my grandpa and step-grandma at the beginning of August.  They were visiting Ohio from Florida and so I took the kids on a short trek to meet up with them. He hadn't seen Annalise yet - and after all our losses and g-pa and g-ma's many prayers...it was an emotional introduction! This makes the 7th living great grandchild for them :)

2 months!

Can you tell she has grown just over 2 lbs and an inch in length?!? Annalise is beginning to coo and follows us with her eyes. She loves being talked to and we've discovered she has dimples when she smiles!! So cute.

I did a little photo shoot the evening before we left for vacation. I've seen some simple, yet beautiful pictures (yes, most likely on pinterest) of a newborn on a bed and so this was my humble attempt to capture OUR personal memories of places and spaces and sizes :)

One Month!

Can't believe it's been a month already! Time has flown and we are trying to take in every minute. We really understand the value of time after the last 6 or so years and 3 losses and I'm trying not to be too sad as we begin hitting new milestones.  We just love this girl to pieces. We are excited she is growing and thriving...just know this newborn phase is so short!

Emotionally we are doing well. Annalise is healing the hole in my heart that I never thought possible this side of heaven.  She will never replace Noah, Joanna, or Emilie. However, she has brought us some pure joy...you know that comes naturally without effort (the can't wipe the smile off my face kind), not the kind you have to choose and work at through the grief (cause that is real too)! I know the emotions will come as we hit milestones with Anna we missed out on with the other 3...but I know His grace will continue to meet us in those moments. We've actually caught ourselves more than once calling Anna, Emilie. This can throw me for a crazy, sad, teary loop...but in some ways I'm grateful for the tangible reminder and opportunity to choose to give Thanks in every circumstance! I'm working on it...

I took some pics outside yesterday :) It wasn't so hot and the natural light was nice. Although it was a bit tricky holding up the big golf umbrella (to avoid the shadows) and snapping the shutter at the same time!

So here are a few attempts from yesterday along with some photoshop fun today:)

Our Baby Girl!!

I thought I'd start something fun for me our family to look back and see how Anna has grown. I know she will change so fast! I wish time would slow down. I'll just do my best to soak in each day, each month, each stage.

Although I did a scrapbook for each of her brothers first year, I don't know if I'll be able to do that, so this is my feeble attempt at doing something creative for her. Each pic will keep track of her weight and height and then I add a couple words or phrases to describe her. Sound like fun? Ok, watch her grow with us...

A few peeks...

Here are just a couple pics of the adoring brothers and our sweet little bundle of Joy!

Little Footsies...Precious Wonder!

Can you believe she is Really HERE?!?

One Sweet Sista!

Love at First Sight!

Surprise..."Do you have a name?"

As Mike and I tried to come up with a name...I found it was going to be no small task!  I searched books and websites for ideas. I shared them with Mike and the response was always the same..."I don't really like that."  So when I suggested he come up with some ideas for me to critique...and he couldn't...we finally settled on one that we both thought was OK.  He said more than once, "I don't know what I like, I just know what I DON'T like."  So you can see I had a lot of help :)

The meaning of the name was a significant factor to me.  Many people suggested "Grace" but I wanted something not so obvious...though perhaps with that in the meaning.  I began to search and found that ANNALISE not only meant "graced with God's favor" but it also had special ties to her two sisters, Joanna Claire and Emilie Alyse. (click on their names to read the meanings behind their names)  I didn't think it'd be too creepy or too forced, though I really pondered whether it was the right choice...nope, this was indeed a unique AND special name - with a very special meaning to me...and I liked that we could shorten it to Anna as a cute little nickname.

It was at Mike's prompting that we go with her middle name...JOY.  It not only happens to be my middle name, but I thought it would be a wonderful reminder of the choice we have each day.  What do I want to be "known" for...what characteristics do I want my little girl to embrace and radiate as she lives her life?  YEP, Joy about sums it up!

I've been reading a book throughout this pregnancy that has helped me to be more aware of HIS gifts of Grace each day, to be Thankful for them - recording them or speaking them out load in praise and worship of His love for me...and oh, what Joy that can bring to my heart - no matter my circumstances!!  After all I agree with Joseph Campbell who says, "We cannot cure the world of sorrows but we can choose to live in joy."

I also came across this verse several times in the last few weeks...it is an encouragement to me as we seek to raise her up to know and love the Lord we have CLUNG to these last 5 years with all our hearts!

Annalise Joy remember that:

"The Lord your God is with you.  He is mighty to save.  He will take delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."   -Zephaniah 3:16-17