Miss Independent

Evelyn has been slowly developing her own little personality, and it is so fun! For so long she was just this "sick" baby. There was so much that went along with that, that I wondered if she would ever just be a "normal" baby. The answer is yes, she is turning into a very "normal" baby :). She wants to do everything herself these days. I think she has finally had enough of everyone poking her, prodding her, doing tests on her. Last week at her Neurology appt she refused to do the tests the doctor wanted. Then she did it on her own after he left to write stuff on the computer. He watched her and said, "Wow. She is a pill." She has an attitude, and I LOVE it! ;) (Though I admit there are times I don't. Like when I want to help her not make a mess eating and she refuses my help, making a bigger mess in the process...) It is just great to see that she isn't going to take all her struggles lying down. I knew she had fight in her, but she has more than I thought!!



She loves this rocking chair. And of course she doesn't want help getting into or out of it. The other day she face planted it trying to get out. It gave her a little bloody nose.  But do you think she would let me help her 15 minutes later? NO. She wouldn't. And she has her daddy and siblings completely wrapped around her cute little finger. But I wouldn't have her any other way. It makes me so happy to see her testing herself, determined to do things that others say she shouldn't. She has so much spunk and life in her. She needs it. She is still a little behind, but she is catching up. She is able to eat solids (yay!!!) and she is starting to babble and make sounds!!! Her progress is slow, but it is progress. And with an attitude like she has, it won't be long until I hear the infamous "NO!" that kids her age love so much ;)!!!

Amendment

Remember THIS?? When Lily was a toddler, I often wondered if she would EVER grow out of her defiant, stubborn, ornery, getting into everything stage. It is now hard for me to even remember her being that way!!! Because of weather and spring breaks, Lily has not had preschool most of March. Which means she has been home with Evie and me every day. Now I may not let her go to school in the fall!!!! She has turned into one of the sweetest, most helpful, loving, kind little girls I have ever known!!! Today I was trying to get the down stairs picked up and trying to make lunch. Lily had wanted to help me, but when time came I couldn't find her. I yelled for her, but she never came. So, I just did it all without her. A few minutes later she came down the stairs and before she could say anything I said, "Where have you been?! I was calling for you to come help, but since you didn't come I did it without you!" She looked so sad and in a small voice said, "Well, I was up cleaning the play room for you since you always have to clean everything by yourself." (Oooops mom!)

She does stuff like that all the time. She will see Evelyn crying and run to help her before I can even think to react. She loves to draw pictures for everyone (chances are she has drawn one for you, but I just never have stamps to send them...) She ALWAYS says thank you for the "delicious" food after anything I make for her. (Even if she doesn't like it.) She will notice when you are sad and goes out of her way to make you happy. She is a gem and I just wanted to make sure I wrote that down for her to see in the future :).

Sweethearts Dance

Way back at the beginning of February, the kids school put on a Sweethearts Dance. It was a family affair, but since Luke said he did NOT want to go, and it was during Evelyn's bed time, we made it into a Daddy/Daughter date!!! The girls were so, so, SO excited!!! We had fun picking out their outfits and then making necklaces to go with their dresses so they felt all dressed up. (Please note that I did NOT pick out their shoes. Lily has these lime green shoes and these neon orange shoes-thanks Travis and Oriana!!!- that are her favorite and she insists on wearing them EVERYWHERE!!!)

 

 

 What dance is complete without taking pictures?!

Nate was a good sport about it, he hates dances ;)!!

They had a wonderful time and the girls still talk about this date!!! Best part for me??? I got to stay home and hang out with Luke! We watched a "scary" movie together (Lord of the Rings). Yup, he is my boy!!! :p

One Year

It is amazing what can happen in a year.

One year ago I had the easiest delivery and recovery of my four babies. We welcomed the second biggest baby and third beautiful girl into our family.

 

One year ago I had the sweetest baby enter my life and four days later learned her life was not going to be an easy one.

 

 I learned how to put a feeding tube into a babies nose. I lived through watching my baby struggle to take each breath and to eat a single ounce.

 We grew together as a family, learned how to rely on others for help and learned to love this precious little angel.

 We had to take our 6 week old little princess in for open heart surgery.

 We had to watch her struggle still. Knowing the surgery had not gone as planned and that we would have to go through this all again. But we grew stronger together.

 We got to watch this baby recover.

 To finally start to grow!

 To become more alert and full of life!

To develop a spunky, fun personality.

 We got to share her sweetness with friends.

 To see her light up our lives as well as many others.

 Last year, when Evelyn Rose Tracey was born, I had no idea what the year held for us.

 But looking back now, I am absolutely amazed and thankful for all that we have endured and experienced because of this little 8lb 2 oz bundle of joy.

  She has shown me how to not take things for granted that I normally would. She has taught me that I need help. 

 She has allowed me to enjoy the baby stage for way longer then any other child ;)! (This is her with her banana birthday cake, that she can't eat. Hopefully physical therapy will help with her ability to eat solids soon)

Most of all, as I look back at the past year I am so amazed at the amount of love that I feel as I remember these things. Love from family, friends, strangers and most of all love from my Heavenly Father. I would not have made it through this year without my faith and without His support and Love. I would not have imagined all this growth and change was possible in just one year. And yet, here I am. Happy Birthday my sweet little Evelyn Rose. You are one special little girl and I love you so much! Thank you for the gift you have been to our family!



A pretty big day

I have a lot of blogging to catch up on, but I wanted to make sure this was blogged now.

This past Saturday, February 2, 2013, my little Gabby was baptized a member of our church! It was absolutely beautiful and perfect. (If you don't mind 12 degree weather and a blizzard!) It was a little treacherous to get to the church because the weather was really bad, but we all made it there safely and were able to enjoy a very lovely program. My mom and sister Tori had come the week before and Nate's mom and step dad flew in the night before. It was so nice to be able to share such a special event with so many loved ones (although we missed all the ones that were not able to make it).

 Gabby wanted to be baptized in a dress, like I was, instead of the jump suit. So, I made a really simple one and she was happy with it.

 I am so proud of this young lady! She really was so ready for this day and I had to keep reminding myself that she was only 8. She is just so mature for her age! We had the sister missionaries come give her a special baptism lesson and she gave half of it for them! They were amazed at her knowledge and depth of preparation.

Isn't she so adorable?!

 Gayle got Gabby this beautiful dress for after and I thought she looked like an angel!

It was a wonderful and monumental event in our home and I am just so grateful that I get to be the mother of this amazing young lady! I love you Gabby girl!

Snow much fun! (haha)

It is a good thing we like snow, since we live in Cleveland! We have had a good year of snow so far and we have loved playing outside in it. I really do love the snow. I don't love it all the time, but I love that my kids love it!

 Poor little Evie was so sick, but she LOVED being outside!

 This picture totally represents the girls personalities. Gabby is lovingly doting on Evie, Lily is trying to bury Evie in the snow, and Evie is just patiently wondering what is going on :).

They didn't even mind the cold, especially since we got hot chocolate and hot apple cider after!!

Ahoy thar matie!

 Those of you who know Lily well know that she has mostly friends that are boys. She just gets along with them better. She has friends that are twin boys and they just adore each other! They had a pirate party and Lily was SO. EXCITED. to go to this party!

 While there, she got this snazzy eye patch that she wore for two days straight. She also got some tattoos. Those tattoos stayed on for almost a month, and she didn't mind one bit!

I sure love this crazy girl! Life would be SO dull without her!!!