Monday, June 20, 2016

VBS, Father's Day, & Bria eats!

 On June 12th, we let Bria have her first tastes of foods.  We started with a small amount of rice cereal and green beans. She didn't do too bad with the cereal but hated the green beans.  We tried bananas a few days later. She wasn't crazy about them either, but she grabs for all of our food and drinks.

She had quite an audience that day. All of the girls wanted to feed her. Such an exciting event. :)

Bria wanted to be in control. 😊
Her thoughts on green beans. ha!


Last week was VBS week at church.  It was Beilyn's 1st year! I was really worried about her going, but God knew exactly who she needed for teachers.  She had a blast!
Alex & I were in charge of the Bible teaching/drama each night. The girls loved helping us set up.
Waving at "me mommy!"
Little Brielle sitting up in front, listening to her daddy teach. ♥
Hugging cousin Brock

When they weren't at Bible school, they were enjoying pool time.  We went over to Rainbow Beach one day, played in the sprinkler, and even had a night swim at the neighbor's house.
Bria's 1st time "swimming"
Unfortunately, she isn't a fan of the water.
Bria's feelings about being splashed with water.
She thinks she's a mermaid.
Ice cream cones at 10pm screams summer time.

Father's Day weekend, we did a little photo shoot (real life-- play clothes and pool hair) to make a gift for Alex.  Then we took him out for dinner and did a little shopping in preparation for our big vacation.
My loves
Can you imagine life with 2 Beilyns?!
It would be full of giggles (and mischief), that's for sure!
me and my mini
Alex let Beilyn go into Starbucks with him. The barista said Beilyn was "just so cute" and asked Alex if she could make something for her. Once she saw Beilyn's reaction to the word chocolate, the barista loaded her up! :) We think she's just so cute too! ♥

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Bio after adopting...

I shared this on FB a couple of weeks ago but wanted to share it here too.



Having a bio baby after adopting...it's beautiful and yet heartbreaking at the same time. As I watch this precious little angel grow, I grieve for the moments my other girls missed. When Bria is sleepy and fussing, she nuzzles her little head into me and rubs her hands on my face. She closes her eyes and instantly calms. She knows she is safe in her momma's arms, her chunky thighs evidence of the nourishment she receives. I breathe her in and thank the Lord for the gift she is.


Today, I'm especially thinking about what Beilyn missed, the love and nurturing her little brain and heart missed, how it affects the way her brain is wired now. Bria is just days away from turning 6 months. She's the same age our Beilyn was when she traveled to a hospital 10 hours away to undergo open heart surgery. Alone. She had already gone through abandonment and living months in an institution. Then she spent 27 days recovering in the hospital from major surgery alone. 27 days without a momma to snuggle her or rub her tiny head or whisper reassurances in her ears. It was devastating to hear my child endured that but to imagine Bria going through that now makes it even more real. That time is lost, but I'm thankful we have forever to show Beilyn how very loved and adored she is.
Beilyn, 7 months old, taken just a few days after she returned to the orphanage after her surgery.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Bria {6 months}

Bria AnnaClaire
1/2 way to her 1st Birthday!
She is 15.5 pounds, says dada, loves to snuggle mommy, scoots in circles on her belly, chews on everything, and gets lots and lots of attention from her big sisters.

♥♥♥