Kaela Laughs!

Our sweet girl laughed for the first time on Thursday. Andy and I were sitting in the living room, and I made some silly noise and Kaela laughed. One, short little laugh, but it was so cute - adorable! She's been making some little "pre-laugh" noises the past week or two, so we knew it was coming. I'm glad we both heard her...she's always smiling, so it's fun to hear her laugh now too.

Yesterday, I was sitting on the couch feeding Kaela. When I sat her up to burp her, Christopher came over and leaned on the couch right beside her. Hoping she'd laugh so he could hear her, I started smiling and making more silly noises - and she laughed! Christopher thought it was great. He had such a big smile on his face.

Today, Christopher was playing with his car on the floor in the living room, and I decided to sit down and join him. Kaela sat on my lap. I picked up a car and pushed it toward Christopher and said "zoom." Kaela just watched. Then Christopher pushed the car back toward me, and as it crashed into my foot, he said "zoom!" Kaela belly laughed and Christopher's eyes lit up as he joined her. We pushed that car back and forth for at least 5 minutes. Each time I pushed it, Kaela just sat there, but every time Christopher pushed it, she belly laughed again. He was bouncing on his knees and laughing so hard, delighted that HE was making Kaela laugh. And so it begins - the entertainer and the entertainee. =) What fun!

It all started with a Christmas tree

~January 21, 2009 - It All Started With A Christmas Tree
I took our tree down yesterday, much to Christopher’s dismay. While sitting in his high chair eating breakfast this morning, we had the best conversation. (Christopher’s words are in bold, Rachel’s in italics)

Mommy, where did the tree go, Mommy?
I had to take it down and put it outside by the garbage can. The needles were starting to fall off and make a mess.
I WANT it the Cwismas tree. I want it in here.
Well, next Christmas we can get another one.
Next Cwismas? It’s Cwismas now?
No. Not until December. Right now it’s January, then February, then March…then December. Do you like Christmas?
Yes. I got presents.
Yep. You got presents. It was Jesus’ birthday on Christmas, so we had a party and presents because we are happy he was born.
It was Jesus’ birthday?
Yep.
Where did Jesus go?
Well, good question. Jesus is in heaven, and he’s right here with us.
I don’t see Jesus.
I know. It’s kind of confusing, but Jesus lives in your heart.
He lives in your heart? Right in here?
Uh huh.
And Jesus lives in your heart? And Jesus lives in heaven?
Yes.
Where did heaven go? I don’t see him.
Well, heaven isn’t a person. It’s a place – it’s Jesus’ home.
Where did it go?
Hmm…well, heaven is in the sky.
Way up high I can’t reach it?
That’s right. It’s way up high – too high for us to reach or see.
Can I go on an airplane up high and reach it?
That’s a good idea, Buddy, but it’s even higher than we can go in an airplane.
And we can’t go there?
Well, right now we can’t go there, but someday, hopefully when you’re a little older, then we can go to heaven.
And Jesus is in heaven?
Yes.
And Jesus is in your heart?
Yep. He wants to live in your heart if you ask him to. Do you want Jesus to live in your heart?
Yes.
Ok. Well, you have to pray to Jesus and tell him that you’re sorry for your bad choices and that you want him to live in your heart and help you make good choices.
Sorry Jesus making bad choices. Help you do good choices. Can you live in your heart, Jesus? I love you, Jesus.
*cry* *smile* Great, Christopher. Now Jesus lives in your heart.
And Jesus lives in Mommy’s heart?
Yes.
Andy Daddy’s heart?
Yep.
And in Kaea’s heart?
Do you want him to live in Kaela’s heart?
Yes. Can you live in Kaea’s heart, Jesus?
That’s sweet Christopher – we can ask Jesus to live in Kaela’s heart too until she’s big enough to ask him.
And we can see Jesus?
Well, not right now – but sometimes he talks to you so he can help you make good choices.
And not make bad choices?
Right.
I want to get the cwismas tree, Mommy.

And so we went in circles about Christmas, Jesus and Heaven for about 20 minutes. What a wonderful, precious memory! Praise the Lord that he’s working in Christopher’s heart already. He has such a sweet, sensitive spirit. We can’t wait to see what God does through our little “Christ bearer.”

It snowed!

Christopher was delighted yesterday when he looked outside and saw our "winter wonderland." It's so beautiful around here with everything covered in snow. This time, it stuck and there was actually enough to go outside and play. Sho Sho and Aunt Anna came over at lunchtime yesterday, and Andy came home from work. We all bundled up and went out in our backyard, which has a perfect sledding hill. Christopher had a ball, and the rest of us rather enjoyed it too!

Sledding down the hill with Daddy - he'd never been sledding before and he LOVED it!
























Traipsing to the top of the hill so they can ride again.
























Kaela Ruth - her first snow! Good thing her warm hat came in the mail this week! =) Great timing.




















Kaela took a ride on the sled too - she went down with Mommy and her big brother, Christopher.
























Sho Sho and Aunt Anna rode down the hill too...then Christopher even went down by himself! His laughter was catching.

We built Christopher and Kaela's first snowman on our patio out back. Christopher enjoyed putting the eyes, nose, mouth, hat, buttons and arms on the snowman.






















Rosy cheeks.



























This morning, the first thing Christopher asked was if he could go sledding again. Luckily, Aunt SaraBeth showed up just in time to take him out again. I'm so glad he's enjoying it.

We took more pictures and some videos, but not on our camera, so I'll have to get them before I can put more up.

Our Sweetheart

Andy, Kaela and I spent some quality time together yesterday evening. Andy set up the studio and we had fun taking some mother-daughter pictures. I LOVE our little girl - she's so precious. Enjoy the pictures.

Sleepy Baby
























Snuggling Mommy
























My precious little one

























Sharing secrets


















Our beloved, Our Sweetheart

Welcome, Baby Ada.

After hearing Thursday morning at 2:30 am that Lizbeth was in preterm labor in Lexington, Andy and I talked about heading up that way later in they day (after we got some sleep!) =) We found out around 5 am that Dave and Lizbeth were proud parents of Ada Grace, born at 35 weeks. Andy woke me several hours later saying they had had to admit her to the NICU because of some trouble breathing and with her blood sugar. Within two hours, we were packed and out the door. Knowing what it was like to have your baby in the NICU, we wanted to go up and help however we could. Praise the Lord that even by the time we arrived, Ada was already improved and back in the room with Dave and Lizbeth. We visited with them for a little while, then headed into Wilmore to stay at Justus and Ellen's house. Friday, Andy, Dad and Justus went to tour a distillery, while Ellen and I took care of the babies. After lunch, the boys took the kids and Ellen and I got some time to shop and visit with Lizbeth and Ada. A fun day. Saturday, we stopped by the hospital for a couple hours on our way out. We took Christopher over to the NICU to see his old doctor/nurses. There were about 6-7 people working that had taken care of him, and actually recognized him before we introduced him. They enjoyed seeing how much he had grown, and he liked flirting with all the pretty nurses. =) It was a great trip and fun to see some wonderful friends and welcome Ada into the world.

Ada, Rachel, Andy, Christopher, Lizbeth and Kaela, Dave.



















The Whipple Family!


















Cortny bought matching PJs for our kids, which are absolutely adorable. At Hunter's house, one night when I was putting Christopher to bed, he wanted Kaela in his bed too. So cute!