Two Months Old!

Do you know how hard it is to get a good picture of a two-month-old?  Especially when you have three "prop-directors"?  Seriously, that Pooh one was the best of the bunch.  It in no way captures her cuteness.  But Mali thought a crown would help the cause.  Our Delaney-Cakes is sweet as pie lately.  She smiles so wide it takes over her whole face.  Sometimes we here little coos instead of the normal newborn grunts we were used to.  The co-sleeper that was next to our bed has now been taken down and most nights she's down to one feeding.  A few nights we've even gotten a full. night's. sleep.  Glorious.  Her fussiest time is still from 8:00-10 pm which we think is just a ploy for individual time with her mom and dad.  We are more than happy to oblige.

While we were in Michigan....

We celebrated Aunt Kara's birthday, were godparents for baby Emerson, affirmed Delaney's baptism, and spent tons of good time catching up with people that have known and loved us the longest. The girls were wonderful travelers; Laney included. We did learn an important lesson from that good behavior--do not reward it with a family trip to Ikea that very day. THat is known as "pressing your luck". Likewise, it's not a good idea to furniture shop at Ikea on the way home from a family vacation unless you want to spend precious nap time in the parking lot tying boxes to the van roof. Important life lessons.

Delaney's First Vacation...

She goes to Ohio

And then Indiana

Finally...Michigan!

One year ago today...

We became official Pittsburgh "boomerangs", returning to the place we had that had been good to us years before.  Back then, the Steelers were in the Superbowl,  our girls were a lot smaller, and we were unsure about how our housing, schooling and other situations were going to work out.  We have truly seen God's hand in each of those areas.  (Okay, maybe not in the Steelers' season this year).  Our girls are thriving in a solid, growing, Christ-centered school.  We have renters in our Michigan house and are content renting in a big-enough home in a lovely neighborhood.  Jonathan's daily job provides him challenge and affirmation.   We still spend a lot of time in the living room where this picture was taken--the Ryans' house.  Amalia, Brinnly, and Carrigan are not only older, but in the role of big sister once again.  Delaney is the cherry on top of all of the changes in the past year. 

We still miss Michigan dearly.  We are still unsure of how the next year, decade, and beyond are going to turn out.  Where will we call home next?  But right now we're thankful for how the past 365 days have blessed us.

What else can you ask for in January?

Weather warm enough for a few park jaunts, but cold enough to justify long naps and lots of cuddling.  We'll take all of it.