sparrows...

I don't think it's a coincidence that Laney's nursery has a subtle bird theme.  Her bedding features little lovebirds, there is a plate with a verse and a picture of a bird, a little bit of bird themed art, and even a birdcage frame are all waiting to be displayed.  It's funny, because with Libbi's room I went in the opposite direction.  I stuck to a color scheme, but definitely did not do anything "cutesy" or "thematic." While Laney's little lovebirds were picked out before we ever knew she was a girl. 

We took our sweet Laney girl for her appointment with the plastic surgeon yesterday.  Just as we suspected, the lesion on her head will have to be removed.  The doctor was very encouraging and assured us (as much as he could) that he didn't think it was anything to worry about.  They won't really know what it is until they remove it and send it off to pathology.  She will have her procedure on October 10th.  It will be an outpatient surgery and should be very minimally invasive.  Her stitches will be dissolvable and they won't even have to shave her little head. :)

Of course I have concerns about the whole thing.... What if she doesn't do well with the anesthesia? How will she handle the whole "no eating or drinking after midnight" rule? How will I handle it?  Will she be able to keep sleeping on her back? And honestly, I could really let my mind run wild and come up with a million "what if's" and possible scenarios that would make my anxiety level go through the roof. 

BUT....

I know that no matter how much I worry or stress or fret over every last thing, it won't change the fact that I am not in control of this situation.  Instead of freaking out over that fact, I pray that I can rest in it.  Rest knowing that God is in control.  I pray that I will be thankful that I don't have to worry about the outcome, because ultimately, it's already been decided!  God is in control. 

To me, the fact that Laney's room is filled with little birds, is just a sweet reminder that the Lord is in every detail. He knew before I ever even held her in my arms that she would have this procedure. I have no reason to fear, because if my God cares enough to watch over the birds in the air, He will surely take care of my sweet Laney here on this earth.  I can take comfort in the fact that He knows every detail of her little life, even the number of hairs on her head!  And if I truly believe that the Lord is sovereign enough to know how many hairs are on her head, then I have to believe that He surely knows about the little something extra back there, too! ;-)

       

“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."

Luke 12:6-7

weekend...

Here's a quick recap of our weekend with pics from my iphone....

our weekend started early with a concert in the park on Thursday night where both girls sported their hats, but one girl did a little more dancing than the other ;-)

Friday, we hung around the house and Libbi got into some markers.

She wore her bathing suit for no other reason except for the fact that she just wanted to.

She decided not to nap, so we ended up going to the pool instead (where she wore a different bathing suit)

Laney napped while Libbi and I swam 

We had a lazy Saturday morning and Laney enjoyed every bit of it.

After naps, we went to Monkey Joe's so Libbi could do some jumping

It was sooooo hot and sooooo crowded, but she still had fun

Laney wasn't really sure what to think :)

Sunday, we went to church and then hung out at home.

The girls and I went to the grocery store while Jeffrey had his (two) fantasy football draft(s).

Libbi chilled out on her "pillow surprise" 

and Laney laughed....a lot! :)

(FYI....please ignore my annoying tickle noises and just focus on the laughing baby) ;-)

Finally, tomorrow is Laney's appointment with the pediatric plastic surgeon.  We would love it if you would say a little prayer for her and for the doctors that will be examining her.  Thank you!

strike a pose

Libbi's newest trick is to "pose" for the camera.

In case you couldn't tell, she takes her posing very seriously.

Whenever she sees the camera she'll say, "Momma....I pose" and immediately go into vogue mode.

Each new position is not complete unless it is accompanied by the declaration of,

"pose...."

"pose...."

"pose...."

(on the off chance that you weren't sure what she was doing???)

This girl comes up with all kinds of poses.....and of course I encourage it by taking pictures of each and every one.

{if this isn't the perfect competitive cheerleader pose, i don't know what is!} :)

Next up on the agenda, learning how to "smize" (and for all you non-America's-Next-Top Model-watchers and non-proffesional-pose-strikers, "smizing" is when you "smile with your eyes") ;-)

But I draw the line at getting her a flipper.

kitchen

It's her kitchen....

I just cook in it.

Seriously y'all.  Libbi thinks she owns the place and takes every opportunity to assert said ownership while I am in the kitchen slaving away over supper.  I might as well just be her personal assistant.  It's not enough that I am preparing a meal that will help sustain her life, I must also be at her every beck and call. "Look, Momma!" "I need juice, Momma!" "No, juice...chocolate milk, Momma!" and on and on and on. :)

Poor little Laney is just along for the ride.

While I'm cooking, Libbi makes little bitty play-dough snakes...

{she takes her play-doughing very seriously}

until it gets in her fingernails -

and then she's ready to clean up.

Laney just takes it all in.

While I'm cooking, Libbi spins quarters (thank you, Daddy for showing her this "trick") ;)

{and attempts a few magic tricks}

(unfortunately, it's a tough crowd)

While I'm cooking, Libbi shows off her ambidextrous drawing skills...

Attempts to leave Daddy a note....

And puts stickers in Laney's bathtub

Laney is not amused.

....Did I mention all of this takes place before the oven even heats up?!?

Now, is it any wonder why my crock pot {and chick-fil-a} are my BFFs???

tuesday tidbits....

Just some bulleted "tidbits" on this Tuesday....

* I was really tired today, we had a long night last night.  I swear the girls were playing some kind of tag team game.  As soon as I would get one to sleep, the other would wake up.  It was like they were saying, "okay, I'm tired....so - tag, you're it!" and then the other sister would take over.  Lord help, if they're already ganging up on me, what in the world are the next 16+ years going to look like?!? Unfortunately, I was not privy to their "game" last night and was super tired of the back and forth.  Hopefully tonight will be better. :)

*I just joined twitter.  It's kind of addicting, but I'm still figuring it all out.  

*I've had lots of people email me asking about different outfits of the girls or where I bought certain things, so I decided to add a "Shop With Me" tab in my menu bar that features a lot of my favorite shops and online sites.  If you have any questions, let me know!  I love talking "shop" ;-)

*We got a jogging stroller and I decided to go for a run today.  I told Libbi about it yesterday and she was SO excited.  she kept saying, "Momma...RUN!" and then sprinting around the house.  She told everyone about it.  I finally figured out that she was probably so excited, because she's never seen me run before - ha! When we went to the park this morning, I was all equipped with my C25K app and ready to get my run on, but Laney didn't get the memo.  She screamed the entire time. seriously, the entire time.  That mixed with Libbi yelling, "Go, Momma, Go!" (not to be confused with Go, Dog, Go) meant that I was quickly reminded why I haven't taken up running before now.  

*We're going to the beach in a few weeks....do y'all have any suggestions for items that are "must haves" for a 2 year old and/or 4 month old? 

*I guess mostly everyone has heard about the earthquake on the east coast by now.  I think even a few people in ATL felt it.  My mom asked if I had felt the earthquake, and I told her that I honestly wouldn't even know it if I had.  I feel like I'm constantly rocking/shaking/swaying/bouncing someone or something 24 hours a day, so I'm not really sure I would notice a few extra trembles.

*The other night we had tacos for supper.  Libbi had finished eating and then decided she wanted to take one more bite of chips and salsa.  She picked up a pepper from the salsa and popped it in her mouth.  (I'm not sure what she thought it was, but I'm pretty sure she wasn't thinking, "pepper") She immediately started coughing and gagging and saying, "yucky!" Since she had already finished her meal, we decided to go ahead and let her have a little dessert (so she could get that yucky taste out of her mouth.)  She ate a mini ice cream sandwich and was in hog heaven.  Today we were having chips and salsa again (what can I say, we love us some Mexican food!) and she picked up a pepper.  I reminded her that she didn't like them, but before I could even complete my sentence, she had already eaten it.  She immediately looked at me and said, "yucky!  I need ice cream!" haha...nice try, little stinker!

*Finally, and most importantly....Laney laughed for the first time today!  She has given us lots of little chuckles and giggles over the past couple of weeks, but today she gave her first big belly laugh.  There is nothing sweeter!  I actually caught it on video, but I'll spare you (today at least) since it involves me fake sneezing (hey, whatever works - right?!) and camera work that will make you feel like you have vertigo as it very closely resembles the blair witch project.....

Hope y'all had a great Tuesday! :-)