Back to Reality

I know I've stated in other blogs that I am trying to figure out how to live this new life we are now living since losing Charlotte.  Our lives will never be the same as they were before and nor do I want them to be.  Each day I have the choice on how I will live the day and if I choose to bring honor to God in my choices.

Well, this week reality hit.   I am still a mom to seven living children.  And my life with those kids moves on.  Zoe is sick.  She has the nasty intestinal flu, as the nurse put it.  Today, we are on day three.  This mommy is tired.  I do admit that I LOVE the snuggles that come with my little girl being sick.  I am hugging her extra close this time.  Remember how I stated I have a choice in my actions?  I am cherishing time with my youngest, praying with and for her and trying to not be consumed with the other things that "need" to get done around the house.  I could easily, and I have to fight it with the Lord as my strength, get discouraged with the whining, vomiting, lack of sleeping, and the other yucky things that come with the flu.  But over all of that I want my little Zoe to know that her mommy loves her and that her mommy is willing to spend the day just sitting and holding her.  What a perfect example of how I've seen my Jesus holding me these last few weeks.  He just keeps loving me and carrying me, even in my yuckiest.  He never grows weary of loving me.

I am once again reminded how blessed we are right now.  We have so much help and support from friends and family.  We are still getting meals from our church body.  Because others have been bringing us our dinner, I have had more time to sit and hold my sick little girl.   We are also blessed with a neighbor/friend from church who is continuing to come get our laundry, take it home with her to wash, dry and fold it.  If I had to do my own regular laundry right now, the laundry would be getting piled up with the "sick" laundry that needs to get washed.

Today, I am still in awe of my great God.  He knew Zoe would be sick this week and he knew what I would need to get through it.  He has poured out His grace so graciously on me lately.  I am so grateful for His hand and the way He works and cares about everything in my life.  Lord, continue to help me to trust you and heal my little girl.

Zoe's Room

...and a couple cute pictures of our baby.

These pictures are the other project I mentioned I was working in the last post. These bird pictures completed the wall space in Zoe's bird themed room. They were super easy and also very cheap to make. I think the cost under $10 for both of them, maybe even closer to five. I bought the canvases when they were half off at Hobby Lobby. That made them $4 for both of them. Here is the link where I got the idea and the directions. I do have to say that my new favorite thing to craft with is Mod Podge.

I'm not sure I have posted photos of her room before, so I thought I would post the other walls too. I've not been into themes with the other kids, so it has been really fun to do it for Zoe. The other kids even comment on how Zoe's room has birds all over it. Next on my list to get for her room are a vintage bird cage and a bird house or two.

Zoe's First Birthday

I really don't know where the last year has gone to. It feels like I have just blinked my eyes and my baby is one year old. Zoe is such a delight to our entire family. It is rare for her not to have a smile on her face. She eats absolutely everything, which is such a relief since her bigger brother Nate will not touch a vegetable. She is also quite the comedian at the table, able to get everyone's eyes focused on her and laughing at her. We often time have votes while we are at the table and the kids raise their hands with their opinions. Well, Zoe can now be found raising her two little hands along with the rest of them.

Zoe isn't walking yet, but she is beginning to push things around the house. She got a little baby doll stroller/walker for her birthday and she is constantly pushing it around. She just stuffs her baby in and off she goes.

Zoe is also quite the daddy's girl (more than our other girls have been). When he walks into the house and she hears his voice, she crawls quickly to wherever he is. If he doesn't pick her up immediately, for instance if he goes to hang up his jacket, she breaks down and cries hysterically. She acts as if he has just broken her little heart. It is priceless.

Since it was a snow day and mom wasn't feeling all the way better from Strep, we decided to do Birthday Pie!

I don't think Zoe minded one bit!

Peaking into the empty box from her birthday gift

Now that she is one, she has a new trick...Climbing. Oh, dear!

Pushing her baby around

Throwing a fit/tantrum when daddy didn't pick her up as soon as he walked in.

Zoe - 6 Months

I can't believe she's half way to a year.

Zoe sits and is just starting to get up on her knees. I don't think it will be long before she is going places. She does scoot herself around on the floor, only it is backwards. Today I caught her saying "babababa."

I absolutely LOVE this age. She is so much fun!

Zoe has been eating two meals of baby food too. She loves her food. She is ready for the third, but I am waiting until the kids start back to school next week so we can get in a normal routine.

Her smile makes me wonder if I smile with my mouth wide open too!

Zoe Is Five Months

Zoe turned five months on July 2. She definitely had a rough start in our family. She has been the fussiest newborn we have ever had. Once she hit four months, though, things got much better. Now I look and she is already five months and I wonder where the time has gone.

Yesterday, she tried rice cereal for the first time. I actually cried, because this means she is growing up. She isn't a little newborn anymore. She is rolling all over the place and I know soon she will be moving everywhere. Zoe is well loved and gets lots of attention from all of her siblings. She even cries when she is left alone in a room because she is used to all the chaos and noise.

One thing I do know after having so many babies, is that they grow way to quickly. I know that I need to enjoy everyday with her and cherish every moment, milestone and memory. It may have been hard the first few months with her and she will continue to be lots of work with less sleep for me for a while longer, but I know it will only be for a season and I want to embrace it all. Because before I know it, she will be ten just like her older brother, our first baby.

Her first bite of cereal.

She loved the cereal after a few bites and ate a whole bowl full.

Trying out her new Bumbo seat

The Girls

Here are some random pictures of the girls. The were all taken within the last week. (See Glenda, I'm working on being back).

Best Friends

Rolly Zoe

A few weeks ago, around the time when Zoe turned four months. She surprised us all one evening as she rolled over for the very first time. She is one antsy little girl. Zoe is one who will be up and running with the rest of them before we know it. She keeps her eyes and smiles on her brothers and sisters at all times. They don't intimidate her or over-stimulate her. They make her laugh. I am glad for this since she is number seven. Zoe is a joy and adored by all.

Introducing the Newest Member of Our Family

Zoe Elisabeth

Born on February 2, 2010

At 11:17 a.m.

8 pounds 7 ounces

20 inches long

Zoe has been well welcomed and adored by the rest of her siblings.