perfect combination!

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family history sites - Free family tree

smiles and sickness

Here is one of our favorite pictures of our little pumpkin. She's been smiling and cooing for awhile now but today marks the first time we've really seen her look at us in the eye, stay focused and socially smile (and giggle!!) at us! It was such an amazing feeling to connect with her in this way! She is our little ray of sunshine!!

Unfortunately, these smiling moments have been few lately as we learned today that Teagan has thrush and is also suffering from GER (gastroesophageal reflux) for which she has been given medication for. We're glad that we took the initiative in calling the doctor today to get her seen as we had a gut feeling that something was not right. Please pray for her (and patience and rest for us as this is adding to the already "peak" season of fussiness for infants!) that these conditions would pass soon and she can be feeling more comfortable and more like her beautiful, happy self!

job news

In addition to being a full time Mommy, I'm excited to share that I just accepted a part time job (2 days/week) as an International Adoption Worker at Bethany Christian Services in Holland! I have always dreamed of working in this program and feel so honored to be offered the job! This is the same office that I have been working at for the past few years and I am so happy to be staying a part of this "family!" Although I will miss the Families First Program and working with local families and children at risk, I am looking forward to the change and the ways that God will use me and teach me on the journey ahead which is set to begin after my maternity leave ends (beginning of April). We praise God for His awesome provision!

cozy weekend

0 degrees (feels like -25) means a weekend of cuddling up in pj's, eating pizza, watching movies, warming up by the fire and sleeping in. That's basically what our weekend has consisted of so far (besides an awesome night with friends at the Marsman's on Friday night!). Even though we're ready for this snowy, cold weather to leave for good, we enjoy being able to just "be" at home and spend time as a family (when Tim's not out plowing)!

We figured out that we can take pictures with our video camera and we finally uploaded them to the computer so we can post some updates of Teagan. She is growing so fast! She is definitely losing that "newborn look" and turning into such a big girl!


sweet pea

I like to sleep with my arms in the air!


I love hanging out with my mommy, daddy and big "brother" bailey!




cutie pie



I love my swing!

update

Can you believe Teagan is almost one month old already?! Time has gone by so fast yet it seems like so long ago that we were in the hospital and entering this new journey in life.
Amidst the diaper changes, feedings, late nights, interrupted sleep, Tim's odd schedule with snow plowing and firefighter classes, lessons on "timing," first ventures out in public etc., the transition of having Teagan in our lives is going quite well (kudos to my hubby who has been an amazing father as well as an amazing support to me over the last 4 weeks)! We are experiencing a love like none felt before! She is growing so fast...almost out of her newborn stuff! At her doctor's appointment 2 weeks ago, she weighed in at 8 lbs. 12 oz...almost exactly a pound heavier than her birth weight! She loves to cuddle and flash her adorable smile. She is almost at the point where she's smiling reactively rather than just because. She is focusing on us when we talk to her and this has made interacting with her even more enjoyable! She's also proven herself to be quite strong as she lifts her head from side to side and almost rolled over once during tummy time! She is the cutest thing we've ever laid our eyes on and we just can't get enough of her!

Unfortunately, because our camera is not functioning properly, I don't have any updated pictures to post of Teagan. Hopefully this will be remedied soon, however, the cost to get the camera fixed will be more than the camera is worth. :( Looks like we may have to take the plunge and get a new one. I don't like missing out on capturing these precious moments! We did get a lovely video camera for Christmas though and we hope to post a video of our lil' pumpkin pie in the near future.

precious baby

My sister, Tara, is a gifted photographer and was able to take some adorable pictures of Teagan when she and Myles were in town visiting last week. Thanks again Tara!
Click HERE to check them out!

Home At Last!

As of yesterday morning, our precious Teagan is home! We are adjusting well to a life which revolves around lots of feedings, wardrobe changes, dirty diapers, more feedings (feels like a full time job!), sleep times, wake times (when it should be sleepy time) :) and LOTS of cuddling and kissing! She's been smiling a lot (I don't believe it's "just gas"), :) often a cute, crooked smile. It's adorable! We just can't get enough of her! She and Bailey are enjoying getting to know one another as well. :)
Being at the hospital all day with her last week helped prepare us for what her schedule is like and in a way, was somewhat of a nice transition into being home with her 24/7. That's my one positive note about the longest week of our lives. Actually, in spite of the circumstances, we had a great experience at Holland Hospital and were cared for by some truly amazing nurses and doctors. We deeply appreciated how they loved and cared for Teagan as well as for Tim and my physical and emotional well-being.

Here are some pictures from our day yesterday. We apologize if they appear with lines through them. Our camera took a terrible fall and we are going to have to look into getting it fixed asap. :(


My take home outfit!


Mommy liked this cozy "bear" snow suit for me but it didn't work out aa well as she hoped in my car seat.


Bye Bye!


Oma and Aunt Andrea surprised me by making this cute poster and putting balloons up to welcome me home!


I love my Daddy!


My first bath at home! I'm a little ducky!