Bath Time with Zane

I remember when bath time was easy. Yes, believe it or not, bathing Zane as a newborn was a cinch, no matter how much he screamed and how much he peed on us. :)

We have tons of bath time pictures. Some are too adorable with smiles as big as the moon. Zane went through a spell of diving into the tub before it was time to get in. And once he learned patience with that, he started yelling and throwing things at us. Of course he thinks he's the funniest thing ever. And it doesn't help that his sister eggs him on. But now we don't dare take a camera into the bathroom with all the water splashing across the room and objects being thrown and attempts to stand up and jump.

One Way I Remember You

"Rise and shine in the early morning, shine your light off through the day, makes no difference what they tell you, you stand right up and have your say."

But Dad often changed the last line to suit whatever purpose, like waking us in the morning by barging into our room and strumming his guitar: "You're going to go to school today." :)

Piano Man

 

"Son, can you play me a memory . . ."

I thought he was playing me a tune while I emptied the dishwasher. Guess I was wrong. Vanessa asked why I was taking a picture. I told her for the same reason I took pictures of her doing things she shouldn't do. :) Vanessa climbed and stood on all kinds of things, including her toy music table, but never the piano.

At the Table

For a couple of weeks, Zane has often been choosing to carry his bowl or plate of food to the table to eat. He does pretty well. He loves to show off. Even so, he'll always have a place at my table.

 

Delivered

Celia has been a gift in so many ways. It's really hard to zero in on just one. The thing we find comfort in most is how she is fixed in our minds and we are able to catch glimpses of her whole in so many things and ways and throughout each and every day. Those glimpses remind us of an amazing little person with beauty to capture the world and strength to hold onto it. Although not as visible at times, her smile always remained. Quite striking.

Because of Celia, so much more of the world will continue to search for understanding and a cure for something others do and will suffer from. What an amazing thing she has done. I believe the reason little people sometimes endure so much is that it is true -- Heaven is theirs -- I guess they would be the ones to share it with us through certain situations . . . and . . . even though hearts get broken.  Once we look pass our own brokenness, though, we can see the gifts Celia has delivered to us. And now she has been delivered to Heaven. And she gives us more reason to be certain we'll be going there to meet her again one day.

Vanessa said she is excited to play with Celia again.

*Pic: 9.07 (Celia 6 months; Vanessa 1 month)

The Kingdom of Heaven Is Hers

 

3.7.07 - 1.15.12

^{Matthew 19:14} "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"

We will forever treasure every moment with Miss Celia. She's a critical part to who we are.


From a Martina McBride song (forgive the country, Sweet Celia. Your Uncle Adam doesn't like country, but I think he would agree with these lyrics), 

Anyway:
"God is great, but sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray it doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway, I do it anyway"

Vanessa misses you and didn't want to say farewell, but her face lights up when she thinks about you in Heaven running and playing. She says maybe her mommy's daddy can sing you goofy songs like he did for her. He is sure to make you giggle.

Zane did what he normally does and wanted to climb on you and kiss you farewell. We laid his head near you and on his daddy as his daddy held you close.

Till we see you again . . .

Snow Angel

 

These pictures are from our first sight of snow a couple of weeks ago. We were outside in it before 9AM. There wasn't enough to make big things, but Vanessa still found a way to make snow angels. We have some fun white stuff on the ground today, but it's just too bitterly cold to try and enjoy it. Although neat, conversations about wind chill and weather conditions to factor in have been abundant and challenging . . . :) We graph so many different things (so we can see patterns and make connections) that I don't want to add one more thing to our list right now. But maybe we will . . . :)

 

Zane likes to play in it but he also likes to be warm, so there's barely a challenge to get him to go back indoors. At times I'm able to convince Vanessa to be content making snow related pictures and crafts indoors. She really enjoyed tracing different sized bowls to make a snowman last week. She enjoyed comparing surface area with number of cotton balls too. And of course it's always fun to dig through the scrap box to figure out what we can use to make something just perfect.

Napping

Sometimes we're too busy for a nap.

Sometimes the busyness . . . and baths . . . work up a nap.

Like Vanessa, Zane is taking his sweet precious time with growing hair.

Chuck E Cheese Insanity

We paid our first visit recently. Yes, we opened that can of worms. Daddy had fun too. He and Vanessa played tons of games. Zane was a busy guy as well. And we got our exercise chasing him around.  As always, he included attempts to steal others' shoes, strollers and diaper bags. He also loved buttons and going on rides a lot.

 

Vanessa was great with guns and skee-ball. (Although this picture would not support that :)

 

They played well together too.

Because of our buddy Jason, we got cupcakes. Bonus!

 

And it was so good to see our buddy Jack!

Happy Birthday, Hannah!

*For Hannah's sake (and reputation, including her parents' ;-) she's drinking cream soda. :) How could I resist?!

It Is True

You are soooo beautiful just as you are . . .

Happy Birthday, Ben!!