Hello 2014

We started 2013 with a new word in our vocabulary...Microcephaly. At first we were devastated but with more knowledge we were able to move forward with a more positive attitude.  We now understand that it is possible to lead a typical life with Microcephaly.  Piper's therapist and doctors continue to be amazed with her development.  In November we were  hit with another bump in the road but we are staying positive and relying on God & Riley to help us understand more about our sweet little Piper. We are blessed that overall Piper is in excellent health and continues to develop at a steady rate.  Microcephaly is just a diagnosis and we won't let it define Piper or hold her back.  She is still expected to participate in life and we have high expectations for her future.
 

 

We tried to make the most of winter. Piper continued with Kindermusik.  It is such a treat to watch her love for music develop. We also took Piper outside several times to enjoy the snow. It was fun to watch Piper explore the snow but I was not sad to see it go. We were all ready for spring!

  

This year was full of first! Every first was special but Piper's first birthday was extra special. I had so much fun planning her party. We had a huge purple party complete with face painters, balloon artist and a moon bounce! It was so great for so many to gather and celebrate her first year of life.  It was a time for us to reflect on what a blessing Piper is.
 

  

We had lots of family fun this summer.  We visited several local parks and splash pads. We bought a family membership to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo.  We went to the Zoo at least one a week. Piper loved all the animals and we enjoyed getting a little excise and watching Piper's delight! This summer Piper also started swimming lessons.  She loves the water.  She is a natural in the pool. I might be a little bias but I think she is a shining star in her class!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In early September we moved Piper from home daycare to a preschool. We found the perfect preschool right down the road. The Academy is a preschool for children 12 months - 5 years. Piper started walking at 15 months  (with much determination) and started school a week later.  She loves her teachers and classmates.  When I say that Piper goes to preschool many people smile and chuckle, "how cute they call "daycare" school".  No, it is really school.  They have a scheduled curriculum they follow complete with arts, crafts, fine and gross motor activities, dance, music ,circle time, sensory activities and of course lots of free time play. The Academy has invited us to back to school night, parent teacher conferences and Piper had school pictures taken! She is growing up so fast right before our eyes!

 

 

At the end of September we celebrated National Microcephaly Awareness Day. Obviously, Microcephaly is near and dear to our hearts.  We are so blessed that Piper only has a few minor issues from Microcephaly but 90% of children with the diagnosis have serve delays and other health issues. Even though everyday we count our blessings, we have now met many people less fortunate. Please continue to pray for Piper and all her Micro friends that have many more struggles than she does.
 

The holidays were extra special and exciting this year.  Watching the joy in your child's eyes as they are experiencing something new is magical.  This year we hosted the Strobel's for Thanksgiving Day.  It was exciting and nerve racking all at the same time.  I had never cooked a turkey and boy was that an experience.  Let's just say watching me take the innards out of the turkey could have been skit on Saturday Night Live (I was petrified)! After Thanksgiving we started to focus on the birth of our Savior.  Another one of the joys of the holidays has been watching Piper interact with her cousins.  She adores them and mocks everything they do. 
 

This year Eric took his love for running to a new level by entering local races. Eric celebrated 6 years at Lorillard.  Eric loves his job and has hopes that a management position is not far off. With Lorillard being such a great company Eric is ready for the challenge and I am supportive of him advancing his career. Eric turned the BIG 30 this year.  He was totally surprised by a party with 22 of our closest friends. Eric continues his passion for all sports and is now trying to teach Piper all about sports. They spend many Saturday morning playing hockey on the kitchen floor. 
 

I continue seeking a balance between God, my career and my family. It continues to be a juggling act in constant motion.  I continue working at the Drug and Alcohol Consortium.  After three and half years the grant I am working under is starting to wind down and will not be renewed in October.  I have mixed emotions about finding a new job but look forward to new opportunities.  I am a gypsy at heart so this will be a fun new adventure.
 

 

I can't forget little Max.  Max continues to live the good life of eating, sleeping and getting pampered. Max is now 6 years old and is as hyper as ever.  Max and Piper continue to have a love hate relationship.  He loves to play with her but hates to share his parents, toys and space with his sister.

   

 

 

 We started the year feeling blessed and are ending our year feeling blessed.  God is the one thing in our life that will never change.  We seek him daily to be with us in our joys and our sorrows. 

 

May you have a blessed 2014!

 

18 Months

The holidays are upon us! The holidays are so magical to experience through your eyes. Before you were born I struggled at birthdays and holidays. The holidays brought back so many sad moments and bad memories but now you are changing all that.  I see the joy in your eyes when you see tricker treaters come to the door, when you play with pumpkin goo or finger paint on a pumpkin.  At Thanksgiving I watched you run around with your cousins as I cooked. That is what the holidays are all about "Family".  Now we are focused on the birth of our Lord and savior.  I want Christmas to be a time we reflect on how the Lord was born to save us and give us the ultimate gift of eternal life.  I continue to feel blessed to be able to watch you experience life, learn and grow. 

Size: You are wearing mostly 12-18 month clothes. You have a couple 9 month outfits that run big that still fit. You are still wearing size 3 diapers.

Eating: You continue to nurse but also drink organic whole milk at school. 

Sleep Schedule: You still get up early morning everyday (4:30-5:00am) (I think it just has become a habit). We are working on this...okay lets be honest Mommy is working in this :)  

Likes: You are currently very interested in my Tupperware.  You love to drag it out all over the kitchen.  You like to take the lids on and off.  You continue to love to play or should I say tease Max.  You like to take his toys in hopes he will chase you. Your lovey puppy and bunny are very important right now.  You take them to school and sleep with them.  It is pretty cute to watch you carry them around and take care of them but I always worry we will lose one of them.  To insure we don't lose one, daddy and I bought 2 of each!

Dislikes: Your car seat is a hated place for you ( I think I have been saying that for 18 months now)!  

Events:  You started your 17th Month of life passing out Halloween candy. You enjoyed all the tricker treaters talking to you.  After all the Halloween fun we started focusing on your Daddy's big 30th birthday. On his actually birthday you had a genetic/neuro visit at Riley.  After your appointment we went to Grandma and Grandpa Strobel's and we headed out for a special birthday dinner at one of Daddy's favorite Charbonos! We tricked daddy "he thought that was his party", little did he know a big surprise was in the works.  A week after his birthday mommy surprised daddy with dinner for 22 of his closet friends and a limo ride afterward to take us all around town. Daddy's surprise meant you had a babysitter for the second time.  Jordan our neighbor watched you.  You get a little upset when we leave but Jordan assures me that you calm quickly once we are out of sight. After daddy's birthday we started focusing on Thanksgiving.  This year we hosted the Strobel Thanksgiving at our house.  I was a little stressed but mostly excited.  Thanksgiving morning we went to Huntington and met up with Uncle Dathen to run the Turkey Trot (mommy walked). Thanksgiving went great and you enjoyed getting to spend time with your cousin Ben.  The Saturday after Thanksgiving we celebrated with the Sparks family.  Again, you enjoyed playing with all your cousins. Wow, what a busy month we had and we are getting ready for another busy month with you; our super sweet, fun, cute, smart, corky, lovable 18 month old!

Piper was not feeling 18 month picture ;) 

 

17 Months

Oh my sweet Piper where is the time going...I feel like you turned into a big girl over night.  You are learning so much everyday.  You are walking really well now and your balance is getting better everyday.  You really want to start running (I bet by next month you will be running).  You like to climb up the stairs but you get a little nervous going down still.  You have started to dance when you hear music which is so so cute! You say 16 words now and are adding more words daily.  I love to hear your little voice.  You finally call me mama, for the last couple months you were calling me Heidi.  Hearing you say mama is music to my ears! You are turning into a daddy's girl.  It is pretty sweet to watch you be smitten with your daddy.  You already have him wrapped around your little finger and I don't see that changing anytime soon.  Don't let that daddy's girl persona fool anyone... if you are hungry, tired or hurt you want your mama. Being a mom is so much fun and being your mom is amazing!  Another fun month in the books!

Size: You are wearing mostly 12 month clothes. You have started wearing a couple 18 month things that run small. You are still wearing size 3 diapers.

Eating: This month your pickiness is at a all time high.  You won't eat hardly any vegetables and are getting pickier about meat.  You like most fruit and all carbs! I continue to try and offer you healthy choices regardless of if you choose to eat them or not.  You continue to nurse but also drink organic whole milk. 

Sleep Schedule: Sleep Schedule...what is that? No, in all honesty I should not complain.  You always go to bed at 7:00pm.  Most nights you wake up at least once.  I no longer nurse you at night.  I go into your room rub your back and give you a pacifier.  Sometimes that is all you need and other times you want to be rocked or carried around.  I know you won't be little forever so I don't mind. 

Likes: Books are at the top of your like list.  You like flipping through them and bringing us books to read.  Sometimes you stay and listen other times we read while you running around.  You love to play with Max. You enjoy petting him, giving him treats and playing ball with him.

Dislikes: Your car seat (which has never changed).  You don't like getting out of the bath tub or getting dressed.  You pretty much don't like anything that is not your idea but mommy and daddy use smooth moves to help you transition. 

Events:  We started the month off by bringing awareness to Microcephaly.  So many people showed love and support by wearing yellow for you and all your mirco friends.  This month you visited Grandma and Grandpa Strobel in Indianapolis.  We all went to the Children's Museum and enjoyed watching you explore.  Mid month you helped mommy and daddy celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary! This has been the best year of our marriage yet! We went to Back to School Night at The Academy.  It was great to talk to your teachers more in depth and watch you interact with your teachers and friends.  You are doing great in school! Halloween is just around the corner and that means lots of fun. We were invited to a Fall Party at the Maloy's.  We had so much at the party.  We decorated pumpkins, went on a pumpkin hunt and dug through hay for prizes. We also went to the Halloween at the Zoo! 

 

16 Months

Every day you amaze us.  You continue to grow and develop and your personality shines.  You are becoming  very independent.  You want to do things all by yourself.  You now want to feed yourself, brush your own teeth and climb up the stairs.  I enjoy watching you gain Independence but sometimes I have to close my eyes and take a deep breathe and let you learn on your own.  You are being coming a big girl and I feel blessed that I get to witness your transformation and brace the falls. 

Weight: 20.1 lbs

Height: 31.2 inches

Size: You are wearing mostly 12 month clothes. You still wear a couple 9 month things and have started wearing a couple 18 month things that run small. You are still wearing size 3 diapers.

Eating: You love to eat. You are starting to show preference on what I give you.  I try to make sure you always have a balanced meal but you have other ideas.  You refuse to eat your vegetables most meals but I continue to put them on your plate. You love all carbs...daddy and I call you a carbaholic.  You are still nursing.  Most days you only nurse morning and night but sometimes you surprise me and ask during the day.  I am letting you decide when and how much you need to nurse. I have enjoyed our breastfeeding relationship but I know our days are becoming numbered so I cherish each nursing session. 

Sleep Schedule: I am giving up on you sleeping through the night.  In the last 3 weeks you have slept through the night 3 times.  I assume you will sleep through the night some day.  If not I guess your husband can get up and rub your back in the middle of the night.

Likes: You enjoy being read to.  You bring daddy and I books and let us read 3 pages then you bring us another book.  You enjoy swimming and music class.  You like to play outside and go down slides.  You enjoy exploring new places and trying new things.

Dislikes: Your car seat (which has never changed).  You don't like getting out of the bath tub or getting dressed.  You pretty much don't like anything that is not your idea but mommy and daddy use smooth moves to help you transition. 

Events: Another busy fun month! We started the month of by celebrating Labor Day. We had a long fun family weekend.  Grandma and Grandpa Strobel came to visit for the weekend.  We all went to the Zoo together and enjoyed dinner at one of Grandpa's college hang outs! We also went to Michigan and spent some time with cousin Ben.  You started your third semester of swimming and music class.  We enjoy taking you to swimming and music.  It is uninterrupted time to focus on you and enjoy you.  Daddy usually gets in the water with you and swims.  You love the water and are not afraid.  Mommy usually takes you to music.  You love the bubbles and the drums.  This month we also celebrate mommy's birthday and your baptism anniversary.  Your baptism anniversary will always hold a special place in my heart and I hope your someday also.  That day daddy and I promised to raise you in the church and teach you about the Lord.  I hope that you always rely on the Lord weather you need strength or forgiveness. 

 

15 Months

This summer has been jammed packed full of fun! We have tried to enjoy all the fun things summer brings; festivals, swimming, cookouts, zoo trips, play dates, nightly walks and playing at the park.  As the summer slows down I think about how much fun we had and I look forward to all the fun memories we are going to create this fall.  It so amazing to think that at the beginning of the summer you were crawling and only saying a couple words now you walking and say 12 words! You are developing and changing so quickly I am so glad to be along for the ride!

Weight: 19.8 lbs

Height: 30.5 inches

Size: You are wearing mostly 12 month clothes. You still wear a couple 9 month things and have started wearing a couple 18 month things that run small. You are still wearing size 3 diapers.

Eating: You have quite the appetite. You eat mostly table food and once in awhile if we are traveling and there are not enough healthy options I still give you baby food or prepackaged Gerber meals.  You have started drinking organic whole milk while at daycare but still nurse when you are with me.  Nursing you has truly been a gift and I hope to continue our breastfeeding relationship as long as it is mutually desired.

Sleep Schedule: Oh...Piper please start sleeping through the night (that is all I have to say about sleeping).

Likes: You like to be held and cuddled, swimming, baths, being chased, dance parties, Max and your pink bunny! 

Dislikes: Oh Piper you hate the car...I hope someday that will change.

Events: Like I said, this month has been jammed packed with lots of summer fun.  You are still enrolled in swimming lessons.  You are doing really well you have started to kick your feet! We take you to the Zoo almost every week.  You love all the animals especially the sea lions.  You are pretty fun to be around, you have a great personality.

14 Months

This last month you have taken leaps and bounds! You are trying so hard to walk, you have been consistently letting go of the furniture and trying to take steps.  You are the quite the little explorer.  You love to rummage through the cabinets, diaper bag or anything we will let you get your little hands on. You also are starting to mimic mommy and daddy.  If we are brushing our teeth you want tot brush your teeth. It is pure joy to watch you learn new things. You also love to get and give affection.  If the morning you want to cuddle and give kisses (which melts my heart).  While I am rocking you before naps or bed you like to rub my face or pat my back.  We love to smoother you with hugs and kisses but it pretty sweet that you reciprocating the affection.  

Weight: 18.8 lbs

Length: 29.5 inches

Size: Mostly 9 month and a few 12 month clothes.  You are still wearing size 3 diapers.

Feeding Schedule:  You are doing really great eating. I have a hard time getting you to eat vegetables.   Your current favorites seem to be blueberrys, mandarin oranges, yogurt, cheese, and bbq ribs.  You continue to nurse 3-4 times a day.  You have started to want to use utensils to eat (it sure is messy).  I love that you want to be independent and feed yourself.

Sleeping Schedule: You are sleeping through the night most nights.  You go to sleep around 7:00 pm and wake up around 5:30 am.  You take a two hour morning nap and a two hour afternoon nap. 

Likes: You love water, animals and music.  You love to play with Max! You take his toys in hopes that he will chase you.  It is so cute to watch you and Max play with each other. You also love when Max kisses you (you open your mouth).

Dislikes:  Your car seat and strangers.

Events: This month we have had lots of summer fun.  You started your second semester of swim lessons, we continue to frequent the Children's Zoo often, and you have had lots of play dates with new friends.  Grandma ad Grandpa Sparks watched you for 4 hours for the first time (you enjoyed all the attention).  We have also spent time with your cousins, they all adore you and love to cater to you. 

 

13 Months

It is hard to believe you are already 1.  You are growing and developing so quickly.  You are now cruising along furniture and trying to stand alone.  This month you learned to wave, clap blow kisses and how to drink out of a sippy cup.   You are also starting to understand how every day items work.  When I hand you a comb you try to brush your hair and you put my cell phone up to your ear. Each day you continue to amaze me with your intelligence.  We continue to embrace the moment and look forward to what the future will bring.  I know I have said it a million times but you have changed my life in such a wonderful way and my understanding of unconditional love.  I had no idea it was possible to love someone as much as I love you!

Weight: 18 lbs.

Length: 29 inches

Size: Mostly 9 month and a few 12 month clothes.  You are still wearing size 3 diapers.

Feeding Schedule:  You are eating more table food each day.  Your favorites are pears, yogurt, cheese, and chicken.  You continue to nurse 3-5 times a day.  You have started drinking organic whole milk at daycare which you love but refuse to drink at home.

Sleeping Schedule: You are sleeping through the night most nights.  You go to sleep around 7:00 pm and wake up around 5:30 am.  You take a two hour morning nap and a two hour afternoon nap. 

Likes: You love water, animals and music. 

Dislikes:  Your car seat and strangers

Events: This last month was very exciting as we prepared for your 1st birthday.  We had your first birthday bash at home.  All your friends and family came to celebrate your first year of life.  The day was just perfect and you loved the bounce house, clowns and cake! This month you started swim lessons which you love.  It is pure joy to watch daddy teach you to swim.  We also bought a Zoo membership which has been lots of fun.  We have already been to the Zoo 4 times and have many more Zoo dates in mind.  Mid month we celebrated Father's Day.  We made daddy breakfast and you painted him a beautiful picture.  The months are passing too quickly but they jammed packed with fun and love!