98 and Counting

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we drove down to Edwardsville to celebrate Mati's Great Grandpa's 98th birthday. They were both very happy to spend some time together. I believe that Mati is his 21st great grandchild, although I could be wrong. It is hard to keep track of so many!

While we were there, Grandpa showed us some old pictures of himself. This is a photo of his work softball league. He is the handsome, sharply dressed one standing at the top left.

A New Trick

Today is Mati's 3 month birthday. And to celebrate, she learned a new trick! She has now mastered the art of rolling onto her side. This could not have come at a better time because she was really starting to hate sleeping on her back. When we returned from Chicago after Thanksgiving she would have nothing to do with her crib. We have been putting her to bed strapped into her car seat ever since. She began sleeping through the night this way, so I went with it! Have I mentioned how amazing a full nights sleep is? Today, I tried putting her in her crib for a nap, and she rolled right onto her side and went to sleep.

another milestone passed = a very happy baby

I put Mati in her play gym while I got ready this morning, and when I came out she was on her side! That was the first time. When I came up to congratulate her, she plopped onto her back and gave me a big grin as if to say "Look what I did Mommy! Aren't you proud of me?" A resounding YES was my response. I love my little girl so much and it fills me with joy to see her growing stronger everyday. She smiles all the time now, but it never ceases to melt my heart. Everybody always says children are a joy, but I had no idea how much joy they bring until I had my own.

Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for this year. Family and friends, too many to count, that are not too far away. Our health, which I am especially thankful for after the eclampsia drama. Had my BP checked last week and it was 127/72! Never thought those numbers would be so exciting. Blake's job. A roof over our heads and plenty of food to eat. A child that has brightened our lives in so many ways.

This year, we spent Thanksgiving in Chicago with Blake's Dad's family. It was the first time many of them met Mati, and she made quite an impression. So much so that I dont think she spent more than about 5 minutes alone all weekend. The next few days at home were a struggle. Mati did not want to be put down at all, especially at bed time. We had just settled into a pretty good routine with her sleeping in the crib in her own room before we left. Now, she is back in our room again and we are trying to wean her off the attention overload. Just look at all the people that held her. She is pretty adorable, though. I can understand why nobody wants to put her down!

Visitors

Aunt Therese & Drew

Sizzle & Choodle

We had some visitors in Charleston recently and Mati had a blast. Stacey & Adam brought their new Wii, and that is pretty much all we did the entire weekend. (We might have to purchase one in the near future. They are so much fun!) We even gave Mati a turn. I think she is hooked, or at least the TV is keeping her interest now.

It Wont Be Like This For Long

Talk about a tear-jerker! Mati is only 11 weeks old and I am already crying about her growing up. This song is so true, though. I cherish every moment God has given me to spend with this miraculous little child.

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So Many GREAT Grandparents

Mati is blessed to have so many wonderful people in her life. She is surrounded by family that loves and adores her. Just look at the faces of all her Great Grandparents. What priceless memories these photos are!

Great Grandma (Gigi) & Grandpa Williams

(Mati's cousin Alexis found her way into this photo, too. Don't they look like best friends already?)

Great Grandma & Grandpa Price

Great Grandpa Sandhoff

Great Grandma & Grandpa Westra

The girls are finally together!

Mati has been waiting so patiently for her new baby cousin to be born. And now, she is finally here! Brooke Elizabeth Alley was born on Tuesday, October 27th weighing in at 6lbs 4oz, 19 1/2 in. (Just a little bit bigger than Mati.) She is a beautiful, healthy little girl with a full head of dark hair and great big eyes.

As you can see, Mati and her cousin Alexis are already great friends...

And they welcomed Brooke to the bunch (dont they look excited to be together?)...

Best friends in the making...

We are so blessed to have such great friends (and family)...

...And Then There Were Three

Matilda Lynn Westra was born September 3, 2009 at 12:15PM weighing 5lbs 15oz and 18 inches long. She did such a great job, and didnt make her mommy labor long. This is her very first picture. She is about a minute old. Beautiful and perfect from the start, wasnt she? And that's Doctor Turner in the background. He is the best doctor of all time!

I knew that Mati was a miracle from the day we found out I was pregnant, but I was not in the least bit prepared for how special this moment would be. Nothing compares to the feeling of holding her in my arms for the first time.

Our first family photo...

What a magnificent gift from God children are! I think he gives us a taste of what it is to create life because He so loved creating us. And what a miracle it is!

(See all of Mati's first photos on facebook)

In the Beginning There Were Two

This is where it all began.

My cousin and Blake's college roommate got married (thanks Jaimie & Matt!). Blake was the best looking guy in the wedding party, and immediately caught my eye. I planted a kiss on him before the night was through and 2 1/2 years later we were here... on the alter. He took my breath away then, and he still does now.

God's plan was unfolding, and Mati was known only to Him.

Fast forward 2 1/2 more years, and we are here. The night before Mati was born.

I love this picture, and I cannot wait until Mati is old enough to understand it. I think it is the perfect picture of how much we loved her, even before she was born.

Jumping on the Bandwagon

Blogging - its the thing to do if you have kids, apparently. I figured I might as well, too.

...and yes, I would jump off the bridge if everybody else did.

So, to start, here is my favorite picture of our little family.