Farewell Autumn

With the first snow flurries of the season expected tomorrow, I'm reminded that I have yet to share the a handful of (eclectic) images from our autumn.  

Here are the last of my dahlias.

A few weeks ago I accompanied Jonah's preschool class to the pumpkin patch.

Jonah helped carve the pumpkins and wanted them to all to have happy faces.

For Halloween Jonah dressed up as a Train Engineer.

Just like last year, our first stop was at the church to see Nanna and have a sip of cocoa.

Rainbows & Rose hips.

Curtis Haynie

A friend happened to take a few precious photos of the boys and me while we were enjoying a favorite autumn pastime of cider pressing.

Curtis Haynie

Ezra is growing up!  He weighs 15 pounds and just started cutting his first tooth on Monday!

He continues amaze us with his sweet and cooperative disposition.  We really ask a lot of him...toting him into Portland about once a week for more studies, appointments, and therapy...he is exceptionally tolerant.

Dusk over Mt. Defiance as seen from our yard.

xoxo

Bursting

So much of the last year has been spent looking forward.  Looking forward to the arrival of Ezra, focusing on the challenges that lay ahead, anticipating where we may be one year from now.  Thinking about our future, and, mostly, just taking one day at a time.

Today is our day to look back.  Our day to reflect on the last eight years and remember our wedding.  We were positively bursting.

Seeing this photo makes me happy.

Even though these last few months have been our most difficult yet, I know that I could not have a better partner to keep me grounded.

Happy Anniversary Jesse.

I love you!
-c

100 Days

It was my sister, Mary, who first told me about celebrating the 100 Day milestone.  In Korean culture, the 100th day of life is celebrated because the child has survived this most difficult period in their lives.  

On the baby’s 100th day in this world, he has existed for 365 days since he was created in the womb.  

It is around this date that parents see a marked shift in their interactions with their newborn - it becomes much easier to care for him as he becomes more interactive, more smiley, and in general, gives back more joy in exchange for the enormous efforts parents are making to keep him happy.  I found this to be true for Jonah and have enjoyed adopting this Korean tradition into our family culture.

Today is Ezra's 100th day of life.
We love you Ezra.
You are a blessing to our family and we wish the best for you.
Here's a look back on your last 100 days.

Baby Ezra!

Delivered by c-section on May 21, 2014
6lbs 11oz

My first real look at our son.

The day after Ezra was born he had his first surgery.

Pre-colostomy surgery.

I got to hold Ezra for the first time after his surgery.  Day 2.

We were surprised when family and friends from all over the country took TEAM EZRA photos to show their support.  We had them hanging in his NICU room and they always made us smile.
We were sustained by the encouragement that came flooding into our lives in the form of care packages, emails, lodging, flowers, meals, visitors, prayers, family help, and care for our house & garden back home.  I still choke up when I revisit this time and remember what wonderful neighbors, friends and family we have.

Tiny baby fingers.

The Doctors and NICU Nurses loved Ezra's thick hair.

Our room.  
The whiteboard had notes from Doctors and Physical Therapists to us and the nursing staff about Ezra's care.

Ezra would spend time awake after feedings admiring his silly fish and colorful dragonfly, before falling asleep.

Taking the elevator down to surgery with Nurse Cathy.  This one was for Ezra's G-tube.

Jonah meeting his little brother for the first time!

Immediate hugs were necessary!

Our first family photo.

We were discharged June 20th...after 30 days in the NICU.  Nurse Christina walked us out of the hospital.

Being home was wonderful.

Ezra has a very sweet disposition.  When he does fuss, he is easily soothed.

Ezra got to spend lots of time outside.

Being silly with Daddy.

Jonah dotes on his little brother...always rushing to his aid at the first sound of fussing.
He is very insightful and observant.  It was Jonah who insisted that we try using a different pacifier that is now Ezra's favorite.

Ezra's eyes are very blue like Jonah's.

Ezra, you are well loved.

A Day for Fathers

Happy Father's Day Jesse.  I love this photo and all the adventures we have had as a family of three....and I look forward to this next chapter as a family of four. 

You are an amazing Daddy to our boys and wonderful partner to me.

Thank you.

I love you.

-c

Motherhood

One of the amazing things about Motherhood, is that everyone encounters hardships and everyone encounters blessings---and while those individual experiences are seldom identical, there is a strength knowing that, collectively, we have overcome and achieved so much.  

If you had asked me back in August what I thought our growing family would be like, I would have never anticipated the turn our lives took on February 20th.  As many of you know, the last few months of my pregnancy were difficult as we faced the news that our baby, K2, was going to be born with a missing radius bone in one arm.  That flaw in itself was not our primary concern, but the spectrum of associated complications that can occur alongside a limb deformity are vast, and many with very serious consequences.  Needless to say, it has not been an easy path.  Fortunately, the ensuing tests have been able to rule out common chromosomal anomalies.  There will be much excitement at the time of delivery because only then will the remainder of our questions be able to start being answered.  It is with great anticipation that we await the arrival of our newest family member.

And that day is TOMORROW!

Jonah is looking forward to being a big brother.  He told me yesterday that "When the baby comes out, I'm going to take the baby for a bike ride."  This baby will be going on a lot of adventures.  We can't wait to learn all about it and love it for being the unique individual it will be.  

Thank you for all the support, prayers, and well wishes....I plan to take a mini blogging break while  our family of FOUR gets acquainted!  I have a few posts from recent trips that are scheduled to come online in the interim.

xoxo

Spring Shearing

Baa-baa!

Today we got invited up to Underwood to see the lambs and watch the Mamas get their annual haircut.

From a perch atop hay bales in the barn, we watched as the herd got shorn, one by one, by a Basque farmer who came out from Hermiston for the day.

  

The babies were in the pen next door waiting for their mothers and making quite an entertaining racket.

These little lambs are 2 months old, and already as big as Jonah!

The shearing could not have been more perfectly timed...it's supposed to be in the 80's tomorrow!

The animals seemed to be a little extra frisky in the warm sun.

Jonah got to shepherd the sheep to their pasture.  The variety and intensity of green in springtime is so stunning.

Guess who wants a sheep now?

xoxo

Egg Hunt

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend.  Here are a few pictures from our visit to Portland where we shared the Easter holiday with Dave and Steph.

"I Spy" is one of Jonah's favorite games, so hunting for eggs was a huge highlight.

We enjoyed lots of yummy food...including these pickled eggs that Steph made, local ham, and fresh rhubarb pie.  mmmmmm.

Happy Easter!