In His Hands: 2016

Homecoming day!!!

Andrew was originally supposed to arrive ON our anniversary (July 5th) but his flights got delayed a day *sigh* so I had an extra day to make all our preparations before his arrival! I got his welcome home sign hung in the front yard, nails ready, decorations up, and we headed to the airport mid-afternoon with the photographer and my good friend Jess to videotape!

Our posters for Dada!

"With every step I try to hard to walk in your shoes, My HERO, My DADA! I've 'moosed' you!"

"Love endures all things - 1 cor. 13.7 Welcome Home AE2! Your MRS. wants her 8th Anniversary KISSES!"

We got to the airport to find out that his flight (of which Andrew was 1 of 2 passengers) was delayed an hour so we had to wait around and do lots of signing and watch an episode of Baby Signing Time (beaus' fav).

Andrew had known that Beau was taking steps but he wasn't aware that Beau was walking all over the house and fairly steady on his feet by now! We were ready to surprise him! I got CHOKED up when Andrew headed our way and it brings tears to my eye thinking of the moment now!

WE SEE HIM! Beau outstretches his arms "AAAh!" (in his sweet lil grunt)

Dada! (signing)

The embrace!

Smiles all around :)

Family

Kisses <3

Our first selfie back together! (We sent this one to family right away)

Hand in hand

I had lined up a babysitter ahead of time so we could go out to celebrate our anniversary that evening! Dinner at Gordon Biersch and gelato at Strawberry Fields - our favorite!

We are all so happy to have him home! <3

It's already DECEMBER and I haven't blogged about life in well... a YEAR. I feel like I don't even know where to start quite honestly because we've just been trying to keep busy. But for the sake of using this blog as a life journal as well, I'll pick up where I left off in November. Andrew left for deployment to Bahrain on November 19th (2015). Prior to leaving we got a 4 day weekend away to DC at the end of October while his mom watched Beau. We also pre-celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas! And now gone and home from deployment! Time went by more quickly than I had originally imagined it would. It has been a blessing to be able to Facetime almost everyday and I have several beautiful friends who have helped me pass the time.

To keep busy... I had my discipleship group every Tuesday night, Refuel mid-week service at church on Wednesday and then one Monday a month I go to a Special Needs Moms group. Then of course we tried to stay busy with events around town which was easy to do especially during the holiday season. In January, I started watching a friend's lil girl which has been a nice way to bring in a lil extra money while I stay home with Beau. It still allows me almost 2 hours of me time between when M goes to school and Beau gets home. I also try to utilize respite care as much as I can to do social stuff. We have had lots of play dates, lunch dates, and more sickness than one would like so we've spent a fair share of days visiting the hospital. I've re-learned to jump-start a car and even changed both car batteries (with my own two hands) this winter too! If you keep up with my instagram you have seen my photo a day since Andrew left which has been a fun way for me to find joy each day while he is away. If you haven't, here are some picture highlights of those 7 months aaprt.

November 2015:

Deployment Day - I could hardly open my eyes this early, and I wasn't even crying yet!

Botanical Gardens Holiday Lights with Ashley

Thanksgiving fun - pudding paint turkeys with T, hand turkeys with P, Thanksgiving dinner with the M family, and Friends-giving

Beau's first movie in the theater - The Good Dinosaur; he stayed awake about 45 minutes

Holiday Photos to surprise Daddy

December 2015:
Busch Gardens "Twinkle Town" with Ash and the M family - Beau's first amusement park ride!

Three unsuccessful visits to Santa - USO holiday party, Down Syndrome Christmas Party and Santa's Village

Holiday Program at Preschool - Jingle Bell Rock, Beau with his preschool teachers

Santa's seaside village with the Barrie Family

Christmas - we went to church and then Ashley's for dinner. Christmas day we opened presents on Facetime and Beau took 5 minutes per package! He wasn't so sure about his dinosaur slippers! We got Andrew a Teddy Bridgewater jersey!

Dec 29th - Cardiology appointment went well. There were no significant changes to Beau's heart since his appointment in September. The doctor is closely watching his aorta as it has a mild leak and the pressure in his ventricles. So at this point no medication or surgery is needed at this time.

January 2016:

Giving Dada kisses <3

Playing at the library with new friends.

I started watching Macie; the kids love to play together! And Beau is finally taking some independent steps!

Getting to smart and trying to attach his g-tube extension to his milk line.

Attended Music Together classes at the beginning of January for 9 weeks.

January 17th SNOW

Making Dada's valentine

Enjoying a walk on a gorgeous day after some professional photos for daddy!

Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tell me so. Little ones to him belong, they are weak but He is STRONG!

Love these photos of Luna and Ty in the snow!

Andrew's Birthday gifts

February 2016: I currently can't find my whole digital photo album for the month of February?!
5/6 IF gathering
6th - Prestons birthday party
14th Valentine's Day with the girls
25th rehome dogs (see previous blog)

March 2016:
8th - Beau ate a whole fruit pouch!

12th - easter Egg hunt #1

15th - I go to a discipleship group once a week and Katie leads me and 3 other beautiful women of God to go deeper and grow stronger in the Lord.

March 15th - Beau had professional pictures taken for his 2.5 years!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

19th - Beau had his first day of swim lessons

Lauren and I went to the homefront celebration to honor military spouses

21st - World Down Syndrome Day!

23th-29th Jilayna came to visit! Here are just a few photos! We did some serious mermaid hunting, went to the Botanical Gardens, the zoo and an Easter Egg hunt #2

Easter morning at church

Dying Easter Eggs

31st Zoo trip with both kids and got to see the baby tigers!

April 2016:
8th - Botanical Gardens with Carrie and kids

13th - 19th Mom came to town! Beau was sick part of the time (go figure) but we still had fun and she helped me fix up the backyard for Andrew's return! We took her to the botanical gardens, Hermitage gardens,

Beau in his hip-helpers! This one makes me laugh :) And a bi-annual dental visit - never fun!

19th - Norfolk International Tattoo

29-30 Went to Beth Moore's Living Proof Live with Jess, Ashley and Katie (Can't find pic)

30 - NICU reunion with Nurse Leah and his first successful time in a bounce house!