Answered Prayers

When we had Everett I struggled with a lot of anxiety and fear. I was always worried and anxious with him and it stole a lot of my joy for the first few years of his life. I worried that I was doing the mom thing wrong. I worried because I didn't feel like we were bonding. I was so focused on the struggles that a newborn baby brings that I didn't see the good. It was such a struggle I remember not knowing how I was going to get through the next minute of the day. I didn't want to change his diaper. I didn't want to be stuck at home with a newborn. These are such selfish things but that was how I felt. I felt like there was something wrong with me and that I just wasn't meant to be a mom. I know now that it was postpartum depression stealing my joy. Thank God I didn't live based on my feelings. I can say that I look back at those times and I want them back. I want them back but with me having the right mindset. When we found out we were pregnant again I was excited but the fear came creeping into my mind... Was it going to be better this time around? Was I not going to be able to take care of 2 children? Was it going to be me wishing away the minutes of the day because it would be that hard? Would I bond better with this baby? So many fearful questions flooded me.... but this time around I refused to give into them... Instead I prayed. I prayed that I could enjoy this time around. I prayed that it would be ok having 2 children. I prayed that I would feel joyful this time around. I prayed that He would help me with those anxious thoughts.... I am so thankful that those prayers came true. I have felt so much joy and it has been wonderful having 2 kids! Everett has been wonderful and has somehow become better behaved since his sister arrived. I know I owe it all to God and I'm so thankful. I look at my children and have SO much love for them that I could cry. I'm so thankful for this wonderful family the Lord has blessed me with!!

A few things I want to remember:

Vera at 2 months: 11lbs 15oz.
She rolled from her tummy to her back at 6 weeks!

Everett at 3: Cried because Pluto ran away from home on the movie "Mickeys twice upon a Christmas"...
- he says "Oh my Josh!" instead of "Oh my gosh!" LOL
- While rubbing his elbow one day he said "My boob hurts!" Wrong body part!!
- He is constantly telling me he has to "go to work".. then gives me a hug and a kiss and marches off to head to "work"...

XOXO,
Stefanie

Vera Mae Leaper

Vera Mae Leaper entered this world on June 21, 2017. She was 6 lbs 3 oz and was born at 8:17AM. She has already blessed us in so many ways and big brother has been in love from the start! He has been such a sweet big brother and I love looking over and seeing him gently giving her kisses and saying "hi little sister"... Being their momma is the best gift in the world!

Thing to remember

Things to remember about Everett at almost 3 years old:

• occasionally pooping and peeing on the potty!
• He peed in the fridge once 🙈
• He pooped on the floor in his room and like a good boy tried to clean it up by himself with paper towels 😂
• He peed in his toy box
• He pooped into his hand 🙈.. we keep him naked to help with potty training but this time he didn't make it to the potty!
• He's SO excited to meet baby sister in three short weeks!
• He loves doing anything with his daddy.. S10 rides, playing with trucks, picking worms, etc

Baby Girl

We found out on February 17th, 2017, three years previous to the day of finding out we were having a boy, that we are having a baby girl in July!!! We couldn't be more excited for this blessing... After the appt we went to Target and Tommy describes me as being on "cloud 9" as we walked through the baby aisles and dreamed of what our little girl would be like. I'm so thankful for everything that God has blessed our little family with. We have a beautiful home, good jobs, two babies, and a lot of love. Sometimes I forget all the blessings when I'm wrapped up in the busyness of life. I'm so thankful that I've been able to be home with Everett part time and full time when he was a baby. There are many moms who only dream of having that as a possibility this day and age. I'm thankful for Tommy who has instilled in our family the passion to be financially secure. If I wouldn't have had his advice, I would have most likely put myself and our family into a lot of debt and would be forced to work while wishing I was home with my babies. He is a man of wisdom. I know Everett will be just like him and that makes me very happy. 

Here are a few thing Everett is doing that I don't want to forget! (2 1/2 years old)

• Sleeping in his big boy bed (yay)
• Peeing occasionally on the big boy toilet
• Saying "that's nasty" after every time he sneezes!
• Says spoon "poon"