Brian and Joelle » 2008» June

Jun 20

So, we went to the orthopedic doctor this past Monday with high hopes of Emmelia getting her brace taken off with no such luck. The challenge: she still has to wear it for three more weeks full time and then three weeks 12 hours per day. The blessing: her hips are getting better. So, we are thankful but also bummed that this harness is still a part of her life. And, on the materialistic side of it, she has so many beautiful 3 month clothes that she will never get to wear L But, we praise the Lord that He is faithful.

Attached are some photos of more blessings this week. Emmelia laughed for the first time the other day! (see photo) Both Brian and I were there for this milestone so we were so excited. She is still sitting in her bumbo seat and getting better and better at tummy time (see photos). We also put her into the walker for the first time, hilarious! (see photo) She doesn’t even reach the floor she is so small! The doctor said that she is growing at a good rate, she is just small. She loves to play on the floor on her new quilt that her second cousin made for her. And, she loves to read with mommy (see photos).

We had fun for Brian’s first father’s day. We went over to grandma and grandpa’s house and had a yummy tritip dinner with nana and nono as well. Uncle Harry and Tre got to go but we missed Auntie Shannon and Zeke. We got a couple of photos with us and Emmelia, boy does she look like daddy or what?

It is so fun to watch her grow and see the world for the first time. What an amazing walk this parenthood thing is. The joy is never-ending and the love is immense. I got this overwhelming feeling the other day that it was all going just too fast and that I will miss these days all too soon. We are trying to soak up each and every moment and praise God for His handiwork.

Jun 3

2 weeks to go!!!

We have made it more than one half way through the time in the hip brace, Emmelia is doing great, all things considered. We attached a photo of her wearing the harness, some of it is covered up by the bib, but you get the idea of the position it holds her in. She is such a trooper. We have two weeks left before we go back to the doctor for an evaluation. We are praying that she will be done having to wear the harness, please pray that her hips are healed and that she does not have to wear the harness any more. She still hates the brace but she is sleeping through the night again and she is hanging in there, despite her discomfort. She is such a good girl!

She started batting at the little hanging animals in her play gym this week, so exciting! She likes her bumbo seat, (see photo). She is smiling more and more now, too cute. And, when we take off the brace, even if she has been crying and is tired, she stops crying and smiles and smiles. She stretches her arms and legs out and just grins. She is trying to get the point across to us that she really likes being out of the harness, (see attached photos that were taken right after we took it off).

We love being parents, I mean, I never knew that I could love someone so much, it is crazy. I just cannot get enough of her. The transition into parenthood was so rough but at this point, my life has changed so much, I cannot imagine it any different. Time is going by so fast with my time off, mommy has to go back to work in a couple of weeks. It will be four months total that I was able to take off by the time I go back, what a blessing it has been! I know that the transition back to work will be a bit difficult, especially considering my profession as a social worker. I defenitely cannot stomach the things I used to in regards to tragic things happening to children. And, I know that it will be really hard for me to be away from my little luv bug but, the Lord has blessed us and I will be going back part-time. We also have Nana and Grandma who are also going to bless us and Emmelia and split caring for Emmelia when I go back. How great is that?