5 months old!

As you can see... I am wearing special braces on my legs.  (Shoes with a bar connecting them.)  At first I was kind of annoyed by them, but now I am used to them!  It does not stop me from playing, or rolling over!  Mommy says I have to wear them 23 hours a day!  But soon I only have to wear them at night/nap time!  YEA!!!

 So I'm 5 months old...and I am pretending I'm at school...

On second thought....I don't like this school thing, it is over yet!?

Play time with daddy!

I know i am cute!

So dad went gourmet and bought organic sweet potatoes and squash, baked them and pureed them.  Jack got his first taste and LOVES them!  Making baby food is not all that difficult after all... and it is kind of fun!

Yummy rice cereal

Trying to suck my thumb AND hold my spoon at the same time takes skills....

the prepared gourmet meal...squash and rice cereal

 

my crazy shirt dad bought for me....

Our new Bedroom!

Finally, After 6 years of marriage and a baby...we bout some bedroom furniture and new bedding!  All are courtesy of over-stock.com and Costco! (can you believe it!?!) I was jealous that Jack had pretty nice furniture (that we splurged on - hoping he will keep until he goes off till collage.)  I finally feel like an Adult!  It is finally relaxing to come into a nice, soothing bedroom!

Dancing in mindfields

James and I met when we were 18.  He is my very best friend, and I love him more today than ever before.  He has shown me steadfast love and has an endurance to run the race of life like no other.

I feel like we have endured things we have never dreamed of these past few months.  My heart does ache some days to know what the future may hold for Jack.  I am sure this is a normal parent feeling, none-the-less.  Sometimes, I feel like we are dancing in minefields...but I am so thankful God has blessed me with James to dance along with!

The Hiding Place

---

In a time of trouble, in a time forlorn,
There is a hiding place where hope is born.
There is a hiding place, a strong protective space,
Where God provides the grace to persevere;
For nothing can remove us from the Father’s love ,
Tho’ all may change, yet nothing changes here.
In a time of sorrow, in a time of grief, There is a hiding place to give relief.

In a time of danger, when out faith is proved,
There is a hiding place where we are loved.
There is a hiding place, a strong protective space,
Where God provides the grace to persevere;
For nothing can remove us from the Father’s love ,
Tho’ all may change, yet nothing changes here.
In a time of weakness, in a time of fear,
There is a hiding place Where God is near.

~Bryan Jeffery Leech

Photos of Jack at 4 months!

Not so random

I was on-call from work.  It was a wonderful Sunday for some much needed time for James and I to be together for more than a few hours with Jack.  We decided to go to Bed bath and beyond to look at some new bedding and get inspiration for the new furniture we bought for our bedroom (finally!). We were aimlessly walking around, James pushing jack in the stroller and I was looking at 400 thread count sheets. And then, it seemed out of no-where,  a woman in her 60's appeared.  She had an arm just like Jack.  I could not help myself, but to approach her.  (James said i literally leaped to her!).  "You don't know me, but I could not help but notice your arm!  Our son has an arm similar to yours!" She smiled as i led her over to the stroller to see Jack.  Then began our short but meaningful conversation. She proceeded to tell us how she was able to do most everything through her life.  She has worked at the same company for 20+ years here in Charleston, married, has 3 children, has learned to do everything with her other hand.  "Sometimes it is a little annoying, because I can't bend my arm (like Jack) but that has not stopped me!"  She re-enforced our perspective, saying Jack will be able to do anything he puts his mind to.  "People will be cruel and kids may make comments, but that is with anyone."  I know the feeling, as I was made fun of growing up for having red hair and freckles, wearing glasses, wearing braces and the list goes on...and I ache to know Jack will be pre-disposed to such comments.   Yet, she was like the light at the end of the tunnel.  She shed a ray of hope on James and I.  She said "When I found the Lord, I knew my life was made for a purpose, and sometimes we never know what that may be"    I thought to myself, this is part of your purpose...to be HERE in the middle of this random place in a random time, to encourage us, to inspire us!  Again, God has reviled to James and I how beautiful his plan is...

New perspective

How amazing it is when you cross paths with people you meet for the fist time - and they inspire you.  Since Jack was born, we have meet and continue to meet some amazing people, and hope to develop some wonderful friendships.

A few days ago, we meet with a family here in Charleston, Sc who has a daughter (Genny) now 19 years old, that has the exact same condition that Jack does (fibular hemimelia)!  Interestingly, they live a few streets over from us (how cool is that!)!  We arranged our meeting through facebook (what would we do without this social-networking concept that consumes way too much of our time?!?).  Anyway, our visit was short but very enlightening. ( Jack was having a little drama and not wanting to pay attention to what they were talking about - but what do you expect from a 5 month old?!)  First, I was so impressed by the solid Faith in GOD they all had, re-enforcing that the foundation of anything in this life starts with God.  All our negative thoughts, fears, anxiety, worries are put to rest knowing that HE has planned out our life, even before we knew and he has a plan. (Ps 139 and Jer 29:11). 

Genny's parents had made the decision to have her Right root amputated at 1 1/2 hears old.  She has an amazing personality, perspective and attitude about LIFE.  She has done more in her 19 years, than I have done in my 30!  Having a prosthetic leg has not stopped her from playing soccer on her collage team, going to the beach, traveling.  It has driven her. 

My eyes were opened to new possibilities, new reality and new hope.  That is what Genny has given us.  We are so fortunate to live in a world of ever-changing technology and medical advances.   There is no telling what will be available to Jack 20 years from now...

Goin for a swim

Me and Jack before his 1st swim at the local pool on July 4th weekend

my cute hat! (gotta keep that pretty face from getting sun-burned!)

Not to sure about this water thing...but I LOVE spending time with my daddy!

1st Baseball Game!

Jack's 1st official outing at the Charleston Riverdogs baseball game at 3 months old!  We went with other people from James' company - Berchtold.

Jack just took it all in! He was easily amused by all the sights and sounds.  He sure loves to look around and be nosy!