Too busy!

I've been reminded by a couple different people that I haven't written anything for about a month now. But, for good reason - it's been a very busy month! Brandon is gearing up for a mission trip to Peru; which means he's on the road most weekends or at least Sundays, leading services with his team in various cities. Some of them are over-nights. I've been getting ready for the 30 Hour Famine, which is always involved and full of little tasks for me. My youth and I are fasting tomorrow, and we have a lock-in which ends with a free meal for the general community. So today I did the grocery shopping, and have been gathering supplies for the games and lock-in all week. Plus, we've both been sick with colds and flu and possibly laryngitis that all just seems to drag on and on.

The biggest thing at the church though is our Pastor, Brad. He found out he had a brain tumor about a week and half ago. Had surgery last Friday to remove it, and is now in recovery for a few weeks before starting cancer treatments. The surgery actually went really well. In his absence, the few of us in the office have been scrambling to fill all his duties. Mostly this week we've been trying to figure out meals and help for him and his wife around the house (she has MS and limited activity.) I don't mean to complain that his illness has lead to extra work for us, I'm more than ready to do what I can to help them out - I just write about it to ask for prayers for Brad & Joan, and our church in general to keep moving forward.

In brighter news, Miranda is light and joy and laughter everyday. No matter what the day brings I can't wait to play on the floor and blow strawberries on her belly. She's really good at grasping now and will grab our cheeks or nose and giggle, giggle, giggle. She plays in her 'exersaucer' that spins around to give her access to 6 different toys. She doesn't really roll over yet - I think she can, just isn't interested. She recently discovered her feet, so whenever she's on her back she grabs them right away - thus she'll fall onto either side, but keep holding her feet and can't roll over! Everyday she seems to 'talk' more and laugh more and play new games - she's just awesome!

Say a prayer for my teens tomorrow night - they'll be tired and cranky, and HUNGRY. Come to think of it, say a prayer for me!

World of firsts!

I'm sorry I haven't written in awhile. Miranda has kept us hopping with lots of new activities; actually the rest of life is busy and she's a welcome respite. But we have had some firsts. She's just now getting over her first cold. That was a sad series of events. I had a cold and just as I was getting over it she started getting stuffy and weezy. By the next day her nose was running and she was just full of sneezes and coughs. Her little watery eyes and red drippy nose looked just absolutely pitiful. Meanwhile she had her 4 month check-up and had to get some more vaccines. So, she was a little feverish from that too. But she was a little trooper and after a day of sleeping and plenty of Tylenol she was doing much better. Today she was all smiles and giggles again. The giggles would be another one of her 'firsts' in recent weeks.

Her check-up had all good reports. She's up to 13 lbs and 13 oz. I was actually surprised, because I was sure she was over 14, maybe 15 already - she seems so big to me! But she's growing right on pace; she's consistently been at the 51% at each dr visit.

Other firsts have been: first birthday party (which was really just going out to dinner for Daddy's birthday) first pair of jeans (worn to Daddy's birthday) first bath without crying (mommy's happy about this, now we bathe every other day because she really likes it!) first taste of food (rice cereal, hopefully will help her sleep longer at night) and just for fun first time trying on Daddy's clothes (they're a little big).

There's lots of good new pictures on Picasa, follow the link to the right.

so much to learn...

(Conversation at the Vetter house after returning from Christmas vacation)
Brandon: Miranda's happy to be back in her familiar swing.
Vicky: Yeah, it's too bad this one doesn't recline though, like the other one at home, that was nice.
Brandon: Seriously, you think all swing makers would think of that, since all baby's necks are so floppy.
Vicky: I know; wait, what does that metal bar on the back of the swing do?
Brandon (messing with the bar) Oh, it reclines the seat, so she doesn't flop around.
Vicky: Good to know, after 3 months of trying to prop her up in there!

Tip to future parents - if something seems inconveinent, check if there's a quick fix already available...Seems like the makers of baby-things have already figured a lot of this out. We've had about 3 simular scenarios to the one above already. So much to learn in baby world.

Big news: Miranda rolled from her belly to her back. To be fair, it was mostly like falling...she pushed up with her arms, and her heavy head just flipped her right around! But, nonetheless, we'll claim it as her first rolling action. Every time she's laid flat on her back now she twists up her back and legs and cranes her neck around. It looks terribly uncomfortable; but also seems like it'll lead to rolling eventually. Such a talented little girl :-)

She has a new favorite toy; it's a piano-like stand, with 5 big buttons that light up and play songs. She loves to lay on her back and watch all the flashing lights. Best of all, if it stops singing, she can kick her feet to hit a button and start it again. Oh the joy!

Baptized: Miranda Ann, Dec 21, 2008

(old: Vicky's baptism, 13 weeks old, 1981.

new: Miranda's baptism, 12 weeks old, 2008.)

The much-anticipated baptism for our great baby girl was yesterday! It all went very well. I was struck by the 'full-circle' nature of it all when my mom and I dressed Miranda in her pretty white baptism gown. It is the beautiful silk and lace gown I wore 27 years ago. But even more meaningful to me than her being in 'my' gown, was the neat moment of dressing her in the same room I put on my pretty white wedding dress just 5 years ago. Then, standing before the same altar where her daddy became my husband not too long ago, we vowed together to raise her to know the Lord and His love for her. To top it off her godfather is Brandon's best man Andrew, and her godmother my maid of honor, Jodi. It's amazing how much has stayed the same in all the things that have changed throughout the course of our marriage!

The morning, and well into the afternoon, was filled with family and friends that came to meet Miranda and celebrate this special day. Grandma had prepared a wonderful party in her honor. It was kind of surreal, actually. This is the way we marked big milestones while I was growing up. Now to gather together to celebrate my daughter's first big special day really made me feel 'all grown up'. Let's hope Miranda grows up always knowing how loved and cherished she is by this family, our friends, and most importantly our gracious God.

Very Thankful

Well it's Monday, that this particular Monday means 'get back to reality'. We had a fantastically fun Thanksgiving break. We ate (and ate well), played crazy games, watched cheesy Christmas movies, cooed at the baby, and laughed the entire long weekend away. I am seriouslly so grateful for my family! We have such a good time together. My little brother always has the best stories and most refreshing laugh; I wish I could hang out with him way more than I get to. My father keeps the room in stiches whether he means to or not; everyone should be so lucky to have someone as easy-going and fun loving as this man in their family. My mom and grandma effortlessly made amazing meals over and over this week, and Mom even squeezed in some laundry and plenty of kitchen clean up in between hanging out. When we started playing games mom and grandma were both laughing so hard no one could speak anymore! My grandpa quietly takes it all in and reminds us all to enjoy the moment; I don't know quite what it is about his personality, but his very presence makes people happy. My husband - my wonderful husband - actually enjoys being with my family and celebrates these times with me. He cracks everyone up with his wit and keeps everything running smoothly. Meanwhile my best friend was in town, and she lights up any room - my family was seriously sitting around anticipating her visit with excitement. It was like the joy arrived when she walked into the room. To top it all off...my beautiful daughter was smiley and flirty and happy and fun much to the enjoyment of all. I could go on another whole story of the delights of watching various family members holding and loving her. Papa Pete and Grandma (hers, my mom) really take the cake here - they just adore her and it's such a blessing to watch! But, I'll close this out, because that beautiful baby wants to be fed now! In sum - I'm thankful for family this year :-)

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone is having a nice Thanksgiving so far. Our first two hours of the holiday have been just peachy! My parents and grandparents are here for a few days, so it's a full happy house. My brother is still on his way some time today. I'm excited for a family filled weekend! Miranda's Godparents are in town too; what fun!

Well the other day wasn't a fluke, Miranda does sleep about 6 hours each night now. It's been really nice. She had her 2 month check up this week. She's 11 pounds exactly! What a big girl. 2 month check up though means lots of vaccines. She had 3 shots with 7 total vaccines in them. She's never cried quite so sharply as that! Just pure fear and shock in her eyes when those first two shots hit her. Poor little thing. But thankfully she was consoled before too long with some cuddles from mom. She didn't have any bad reactions; no fever or anything so that's all good. She did sleep a ton afterwards, either from the trauma or the tylenol!

We're doing our Thanksgiving meal tomorrow. So today is prep and cooking. Thankfully my family is smart enough to know I'm not going to prepare a big family meal. So mom and grandma came with 3 coolers of food and tons of supplies yesterday, ready to cook! Maybe we'll go to a movie today too, there are a lot of good ones out right now. Miranda's never been to the movie theater, we may need to experiment with that. She did great at the basketball game the other night, slept straight through it.

Have a happy turkey day everyone!

What just happened?

I woke to the familiar sounds of a hungry baby this morning, about 7:30. But I had one blaring questions in mind - what just happened? See, the unfamiliar thing about this morning, was I had been sleeping since 1 am. That's a long time! That's the longest I've slept since Miranda was born; it....was.....awesome! But here's the thing - I'm not 100% certain that she did sleep through the night. There's this little suspect notion in the back of my mind that we got up and did a feeding, and I just don't remember it at all. So, I'll still say that I slept through the night, but I'm not for sure that she did. I think so; she's been building up to an over-night sleep pattern. I just know it's very possible that I could, at this point, get up, feed, burp, change, rock, and put her back down and not really know about it. The mind gets a little fuzzy when you don't let it sleep for 7 weeks.

Anyway, here's the really cool thing about last night. Andy was fighting bed time with all she's worth. From 11pm to 1pm Brandon and I were passing off turns trying to get her to sleep. Typically, after her evening feeding, we lay her down, go to bed ourselves, and she falls asleep. It's a pretty easy pattern. But last night she kept getting up again, crying, wanting some cuddles. So, each of us would rock her to sleep, put her down, she'd wake up, we'd send the 'other parent' to start over. (wondering about the 'cool' part? getting there...) This was wearing me out, I really wanted to go to bed; at least for my new regular 2 hours of rest. So, I prayed in exhaustion, 'God, let this child sleep; I need some sleep.' I don't think I'd ever actually prayed that God would knock her out, we've just been going through the routine every day. But I prayed it, and meant it. So this morning when I woke up with the confusion of consecutive hours of sleep I knew God answered that prayer. As previously stated, I'm not sure if she slept through the night or I slept through the activity - but either way I felt good!