Dear Hezekiah

Dear Heze,

Last month you turned one!!! In some ways, your first year was more challenging than others: baby blues, name change, and all the food allergies. When you were 7 months we removed all dairy, gluten, orange/red/yellow foods from your diet (I stuck with you for a month but the cheese was calling...). You've broken out in lots of rashes and vomited up foods that are bad for you. But through it all, you've remained such a wonderful and happy little guy. You are laid back, sweet, and funny. You are crawling and cruising and only this week began to take steps. You have four teeth and four more are emerging. You've made two trips to Cincinnati and were a trooper through one beach vacation (you LOVE the beach). You love to play ball, with a tool bench, and you love to mimick us. If we cough, you cough. We make a noise, you try to make it back. Ever since you were little you and I talk to each other in growers and clicks. It's a cute language I kind of hope we keep. 

You are such a smart boy! You clean up when you see us cleaning, you are aware of the word no, and you know when you are being left out. (We call you "an angry elf" because you scream and protest when you are left out :). you enjoy trying to color or do whatever your siblings are doing. Most of the time you sleep very well- all through the night and 2 naps a day. You can say: mama, dada, done, baba, and oh-no. You can hold up

One finger when I ask you how old you are. And you can sign: eat, more, all done, and pray. 

The other night I was praying over you before bedtime, and you threw your bottle down and made your hands into the praying sign. I was blown away thinking about how much you know that I'm not even aware of. 

My heart broke for you during your one year check-up. They had to do a blood draw for your food allergies and to check for celiac. Your lower lip sticking out broke my heart. Your results came back that you are allergic to just about everything. The dr. Said, "I've never seen a baby light up the results like he did."  We knew something was not right and now we are praying for the wisdom to know what to feed you. I also pray you grow out of these. 

You are dearly loved, Hezekiah Jason, and I love having you a part of our family. 

 

"You're the Baddest"

So, Asa's favorite comeback is "you're the baddest."  He sometimes says it when he's mad at a sibling or when he's talking about villains and super heroes. Sometimes he even says it when you say something is good just to be challenging. To me it is funny (even though he did call Jason that once and we really scolded him for that) but to his siblings it is mean and cruel. There is always lots of tears when he calls someone or something the baddest. I shouldn't laugh but part of me is glad that's the worst thing being said! Jason and I talk about how his words "cut to the quick" but we are just joking with each other. Other times when I am frustrated with all the drama over the words I will say, "no one is the baddest except Satan." Or "we are all the baddest without Jesus."  

Seabrook Island

KI In August we took a family vacation to Seabrook island. Seriously, it is my favorite place! It was a glorious week of pool fun, beach time, and lovely family time. Heze loved everything about the beach. Asa loved the sand but hated the water. The first several days he would cry if anyone got close to it. He would say, "the water bad. It get you!"  By the end of the week he would get close to the water but he would still never get in. Perhaps next time. :) here are a few of my favorite pictures. Be sure to check out my marriage blog to hear the shark story!!! 

Don't want to forget

The other day we were having a picnic at the park. A blue truck drove by and not much later a jogger passed. Selah said, "Daddy, why is that old man chasing that truck?" 

The kids then dialgued about why the ma was chasing the truck. Haha. 

We started soccer with the kids. Jason is coaching both Havana's team and selah and Jonah's team. It's been quite stressful for me... And Jonah had struggled to grasp it. He doesn't really like it. When jason tells him to go get the ball from the other team he said, "but dad, we aren't supposed to take things from other people." What a sweet boy... 

When you grow up...

At Jonah's 5 year check up, the doctor asked him what he wanted to be. He said, "Bull Rider." "What if you get hurt?" "Well, I run really fast!"

So today, at the breakfast table I asked the other children what they want to be. Here were their answers:

Havana- ballet teacher 

Asa- Olaf

Selah: you just have to wait and see!

Later, Selah told her doctor and Jason that she wants to be a mommy when she grows up. That made my day (although she never told me!). 

4 years old selah

dear Selah, 

Today was your fourth birthday... And I'm not going to lie, my heart is kind of sad right now. Time is slipping away and you are growing up so fast! I can't believe that it has already been 4 years since God entrusted you to our care! You are such a sweet and spunky girl and (scary enough) you remind me so much of myself! You have lots of emotions and words. You enjoy laughing and being the center of attention. You have these moments where you are so sweet and giving and maternal to your siblings (especially Asa). I am so proud of you and who you are becoming. 

This past year you became a big sister... Again! You've done really well with the addition of Heze... You don't really like his spit-ups, but you're doing well with him. You started dance and were even in your first recital. You danced to Spoon Full of Sugar! The minimum age is 4, but they let you go at 3 and you did awesome! And by awesome I mean you waived at daddy the whole time. :) 

Your favorites change often but right now your favorite color is Yellow and when I ask you what your favorite thing to play is you say, "with you." You enjoy singing "you are the only king forever" and "glory arise" which you call, "glory stills" You still sleep with your This (which you call Dis) and are freakishly good at memory. You love to dance and play cat and dress up! You enjoy watching Frozen and Octonauts. You are a sweet and special girl. 

You hd a special day with church, a pizza party at church (Silvermist theme), and presents. Tomorrow, you get to go on a date with daddy and mommy. 

Lately you have been on our hearts so we have been praying for you! Praying that God will captivate your heart and your will delight in Him! I pray that you will obey and be close to Him all of your life! he loves you so much, Selah Cadence, and I can't wait to see what He is going to do in and through you!

Love,

Mommy 

2.5

Dear Asa,

You are now 2.5! You're oh so funny! To celebrate, we moved you into your "big boy bar bed." You are mastering the art of potty training too! I'm so proud of you! Love you so much!