Lila 1 Month

Dear Sweet Lila...

Today, Mommy and Daddy's life was FOREVER changed!!  You are the beautiful miracle we have been praying for!  You, my baby girl, were very anxious to come into this world!  You were born 5 weeks early on April 23 and scared Momma to death!  You were born so fast that I didn't even have time for an epidural!  Although it was extremely painful, the moment I heard you cry, I was extremely peaceful and relaxed.  They let me hold you for a quick minute before they took you back to check you out.  Within just one hour, the nurses brought you into our room and said you had been breathing on your own and were just PERFECT!!  I cried the happiest tears of my life!  

You were so tiny and just beautiful.  Our little angel!

Then your daddy held you.  And I broke into tears again.  It was the most magical moment I've ever seen!  And let me tell you sweet girl, I was a little nervous because daddy has never really been around babies before.  Thank GOODNESS God gave him a natural gift because seeing the two of you snuggling together just melted my heart!!

We took you home two days later and even though the nurses said you were fine, your Momma really wasn't.  I was an emotional disaster and felt very unprepared.  Thank goodness Nana and Papa drove right down from Ohio to see you and help us out!  You had some trouble breathing and although the doctor that listened to your lungs said you were fine, Momma just didn't trust him.  So for your first month, Daddy and I took turns sleeping and watching over you.  I'm sure we were crazy... but really it was a crazy love and I refused to let anything happen to my baby girl!!

Your first month was a lot of sleeping, eating, and hiccups.  Poor girl you had the hiccups everyday in my belly and still have them everyday now!  They make you angry and your tiny body like convulses!  I wish I could take them from you!

You are wearing some preemie and newborn clothes.  Your arms and legs are too long for the preemies though so pretty much everything you wear doesn't fit right!  You are eating 1-2 ounces every 1 1/2-2 hours.  Momma has to change your diaper and play with your feet to keep you awake sometimes but since you are just a little peanut I have to make sure you are growing!  You also hate to be naked (Daddy is very happy about this!) and your arms flail around all the time! You were very awake for your first bath!  Even though you were not happy about being naked, the sound of daddy's voice and the fact that you could hold onto him calmed you down! 

Daddy took 3 weeks off work to spend time with you!  He really loves you Lila!  He is so gentle and protective.  I know I can trust him with you too because he knows all the right ways to feed, soothe, and love on you!  Your favorite way to sleep is on Daddy's chest.  I think its Daddy's favorite way too because he usually falls asleep with you!

Momma decorated your room very southern with all ivorys and cream colors.  I made almost everything myself and even though Daddy says the room is for me and not you, I know you secretly love it too!

Our love for you has grown more and more each day you are with us.  We still cannot believe God has given us YOU!  You are our whole world and we can't imagine not having our sweet girl!  You make our family whole and bring us more joy and love than we knew was possible!  Thank you Lila Jade for being the best baby we could ask for!  Your Momma and Daddy love you more than you will ever know!!

Wedding Video

A New Site for our Wedding Video....

Hope it works for you!!

Wedding Video Link!!

Still have so many things to blog about and hoping to get motivated to start soon!  XO

Wedding Video!

Wedding Video!

We are finally in our new home in Beaufort, South Carolina!  I absolutely love it so far and cannot wait to decorate and make it "ours!"  I'm dying for our shipment to arrive from Malta although I think I still have another month and a half to go! :(

Until then... I'm going to work with the few random things I have in the house to start on my Pinterest finds!  I have so many recipes and projects on the agenda and I plan on blogging about them all!  I also found a really fun "Fall To-Do List" that you should all  link up and do as well!  I'll post that next week!  

Until next week... here is our wedding video from Thailand!

It's 30 minutes long and I know nobody has time to watch it all... so if you are interested in seeing any of it, these are my suggestions:

First 4 minutes are to the song "You are Simply the Best by Tina Turner" which I picked and love!  Its like a beginning to end preview... then starting at 4 minutes on is like the actual beginning to end of our day...  

The Ceremony is from minute 8 until the end of the first video and its pretty uneventful because you can't really hear the Pastor or maybe understand him.  :)  We wrote our own vows and I like that part which is 11:20 - 18:00.  Marshall wasn't too loud but you can definitely hear mine... brat!  

The second video...the first 3 minutes are the end of our ceremony.  He read the last part twice on accident... we were getting anxious!  The remaining 6 minutes on the second video are pretty cool though!  The only part that we definitely think is hilarious and don't really care for is when they put us in the trees..we felt like seniors in high school but we did it anyways... :)

Hope you enjoy sharing in our special day with us!!

Thrilling/Terrifying

Thrilling vs. Terrifying

Coming back to America!!!

It's actually happening.  In 3 days, we will be in an American Airlines plane touching down in the most amazing country in the world!!  I can't believe THAT day is finally near.  Since I have been going back and forth in my mind so much about transitioning back into American culture, I figured I would post a few things I have been pondering...

I am THRILLED to see my family.  First and foremost.  Above all... I am absolutely ecstatic to hug each and every person!

I am TERRIFIED that I will speak to people at a 2 year old level.  Since we have been away and living in countries where English is barely spoken, I almost always fall back on my improper English so they can understand.  Marshall says I even speak to him that way sometimes.  I guess when you only have one option and you have to break your sentences down from "Excuse me, could you tell me where the restroom is please" to "uh, toilet"... its a little scary!  (This happened just an hour ago too!)

I am THRILLED to eat and eat and eat... Favorite restaurants.  Buffalo Chicken.  Real pizza.  Fruits and Veggies not bleached first... You name it, America has it.  And I am ready for it.  All.  :)

I am TERRIFIED about being "that weird girl".  I feel like so much about me has changed... I have adapted quite a bit to European culture and I think my view is skewed on a lot of things.  I have been living sort of a gypsy no-mad life and so I'm probably pretty strange to people.  

I am THRILLED to have our reception with everyone we love!  Even though it has to be small, we are so grateful for everyone coming into town for it!  

I am TERRIFIED about getting back into the working life.  I have not had a real job in so many years and I just pray I will be able to find something in South Carolina!  I feel like the work field has probably advanced so much in technology and requirements and I hope I still remember a few things!

I am THRILLED to move into our new home and get our shipment of stuff from Malta.  It will be so amazing to finally have a place of our own, to paint and decorate and remodel however we want.  Because its ours.  Finally!!!!  

I am TERRIFIED about driving on the opposite side of the road.  Or right side?  I don't even know what's normal anymore.  

I am THRILLED to pay normal prices for things.  Enough with expensive Europe, and surprisingly more expensive Africa.  Target, get ready!!

I am TERRIFIED to adjust back into a social life where it is not just Marshall and me all the time.  We are so spoiled to have each other's attention 24/7 pretty much and I think it will be really weird when we have jobs, hobbies, kids, and everything else to fit into a schedule.

I am THRILLED to start some of the Pinterest projects and recipes I have pinned over the last year!  Since I couldn't really get most of the ingredients or project parts overseas, I am thrilled to walk up and down the isles at stores to find exactly what I need!

I am TERRIFIED to forget our simple way of living without much and with lesser quality items.  We have been so happy with virtually nothing and know we can survive with crap toilet paper and weird foods.  I just hope we stay grounded and don't go crazy spending money because it is available.  

I am THRILLED to start a family.  Since we FINALLY were able to get married, we would both love to bring sweet babies into the world next.  I just can't even wrap my mind around how awesome it would be to have little blessings to spend our days with!

I am TERRIFIED that this might be our last trips overseas.  A part of me doesn't want to let go yet because we have adored the experience and have grown so much in the process.  God willing, we can bring our kids back to maybe Africa someday.

I am THRILLED to have freedom and a sense of worth again.  I wouldn't trade in spending the last three years with Marshall for anything in the world, but it did get very challenging at times not really working or having so many restrictions on us.  Driving, where we could and couldn't go, short term friendships, missing family, social activities. So much of our life has been dictated and I'm glad people were looking out for our safety and such, but it will just be so nice to be able to find Bible studies to join, and drive wherever the heck I want to go.

I am TERRIFIED to have responsibilities and rules again.  America is definitely more strict on rules, laws, and being on time for everything.  I am nervous for this very extreme transition!

I am THRILLED to turn the radio on and listen to all the new songs!  I am so out of the loop and tired of listening to either Arabic music, African folk songs, or news in other languages.  It will be so refreshing to just drive to some good music!  

I am TERRIFIED to get into my storage unit thats above my grandma's barn and find that mice have devoured all my stuff.  It's my fault for leaving it all up there, but I honestly never thought I would be gone for so long!  Darn blonde I met in Burundi! ;)  

I am THRILLED that Marshall's brother Andrew made it out of Afghanistan safely and (fingers crossed!) he is able to make it to our reception!!!

I am TERRIFIED about moving to another new place to once again make new friends.  I feel like overseas it is a little easier because there are only a few of you and people just instantly open up to each other and stick together.  I think its a little different in the states because you have to kind of "earn" your way into already established groups or clicks.  Kind of annoying, but I pray God puts the right people into our life!

I am THRILLED to not have to convert currencies in my head anymore!  No more "what is this in dollars"!!!  $10 is going to be $10!  YES! :)

I am THRILLED for FOOOOOOOOOTBALL!  All games.  Pubs or BW's.  Home parties.  Whatever.  We finally get to watch FOOOOOTBALL!!!  WOO HOO!!

Happy Friday Everyone!  Enjoy your weekend!! XO

What I'm Loving Wednesday

What I'm Loving Wednesday...

(Thailand Edition!)

I can't believe our trip is almost over!  Until then... here are a few things I'm loving in this beautiful country!!

I'm Loving...  the new TV's on the fancy planes.  They have 3 views you can switch to that show behind the plane, in front of the plane, and underneath.  Pretty cool when you are landing!

I'm Loving... my new HUSBAND and all the fun nights we are having together!

I'm Loving...  All the interesting variety of food options in this country.  It brings the "American Thai" food to a whole new level!!

I'm Loving...  The floating market and just pulling up to stands and shopping!!  It's just such an awesome experience! 

I'm Loving... Our trip to the elephants and our ride through the jungle. 

I'm Loving...  All the fresh fruit in this country!  I can't get enough, especially for the price!

I'm Loving...  Our adventurous overnight train ride together.  It brought back so many great memories of a year long trip I was on with some dear friends.  I loved being able to share a similar experience with my man!

I'm Loving...  All the fresh seafood everywhere!  

I'm Loving... The consistently beautiful sunsets.  They just make me feel this amazing Godly embrace... I can't get enough! 

I'm Loving... All the fun cocktails and beach bars!  It definitely says vacation to me!!

I'm Loving... The dinner and view we had on our wedding night.  I'm such a lucky girl to be married to my best friend!!  He spoils me!

I'm Loving...  The sweet animal towels the hotel staff would make for us everyday.  Such a special touch!  I also LOVE my wedding bouquet.  They did an amazing job!

I'm Loving...  That we wrote our own vows for our ceremony.  Since the pastor was Thai and had a VERY strong accent, it was hard to understand him.  Reading our vows to each other was something I'll treasure forever. 

I'm Loving... Pool bars and more fun drinks.  A trend through many days as they were always buy one get one free.. good thing Marshall let me pick usually and was a good sport drinking out of funny fruits!

I'm Loving... This AutoBar we saw on the side of the road.  It had the coolest setup inside of a bar with a few small tables and bar stools around!

I'm Loving... Our welcome at our villa in Koh Samui!  I have no idea what the drink was, but it was great!!

I'm Loving... This amazing villa our friend Lance let us use for 10 days.  I never dreamed it would be as awesome as it is!!  This is the living room...

Kitchen...

Pool Area...

One of the two villas... this one holds the kitchen and living room, the other holds two separate bedrooms and bathrooms!

Beautiful bedrooms!!

I feel like this is only a piece of our trip so the rest will have to be in separate posts.  We are going to get up at 6am tomorrow and head to the Big Buddha statue to watch the locals bring their food and offerings and also to hear the monk's morning chanting!  Have a great Wednesday!! XO