The Lord is Good

Quinn had her ultra-sound on her spleen this past Wednesday. The ultra-sound was to check the cyst the doctors found while doing one on the kidneys when she was a couple days old. At 3 months old it was the same size as when she was born. Good news but they wanted to check it again when she turned one. Tuesday night, I have to be honest, I was a wreck. I tried really hard not to be nervous about what they might find but in true Amber fashion I thought the worst. When we arrived at the hospital Quinn was being very cute and smiling to all the nurses. While she was getting the ultra-sound done she did really well for about 30 seconds then it was wiggle worm time. She did not like me trying to keep her still. It took the technician awhile but he finally had enough pictures. While he was in the process he asked me if I remembered how big it was the last time. I didn't remember but in my mind figured the cyst was still there and he was wanting something to compare it to. On Friday our doctor called with good news...The cyst was gone! The tech was asking because he couldn't find it not because it was still there and he was comparing the size. I was very happy to hear this news and happy to know I wouldn't have to hold Quinn down for any more ultra-sounds. I learned a valuable lesson through this, one that unfortunately I have had to learn over and over. I really do need to let God take control and I need to quit worrying and thinking the worst. Oh me of little faith!!! God is good and I am so thankful he is in control and I am not.

Growing Up

Why do kids always want to be older? I remember wishing to be older and now I wish I could be young again. I want to explain to them to enjoy it as long as you can!

Claire came up to me with a pair of my shoes on and a travel bag, She said "Bye Bye mommy. See you later!" and then walked into her room and shut the door. A few minutes later she came out to the living room and said "I'm back mommy". It was too cute! She is growing up too fast!

Quinn riding her bike.

This is Quinn riding her bike all by herself. She is such a big girl!

It's finally nice enough to play outside!!!!!

This week is spring break so there have not been any activities with church or mops. This is a bummer for me because those things get us out of the house. Luckily it has been nice the last two days so we have gone outside and played after dinner. The girls LOVE it outside and the minute we mention going inside the crying begins. Claire loves to ride her bike (actually she likes daddy to push her), play with her basketball and soccer ball and play in the dirt. She is such a clean and neat person that this surprises me. She does however want me to wipe her hands off so she can go back to playing in the dirt. :) Quinn is getting too big...she rides her bike by herself. She walks the bike, she can't reach the pedals yet. She looks like such a big girl! She also likes to play in the dirt and with whatever toy Claire is not playing with. I am so glad spring is on it's way and that summer is just around the corner. I am looking forward to many evenings spent outside playing.

(I love this picture. Claire hopped on Quinn's bike and she was not happy about it.)

CAKE!

This weekend Quinn had 2 birthday parties in 1 day. One with the Lieser family and then one with the Riley family. The Lieser family was first and she had her very first taste of cake. She enjoyed it thoroughly. By the time we made it to the Riley side for her party she was pretty worn out and when it was time for cake she just cried. She didn't have any but the rest of us enjoyed her cake for her. Claire actually ate the icing off of Quinn's number 1 cake. We had a Minnie Mouse theme this year. It was so cute! The birthday girl went to bed very happy and very tired. I am so thankful for family and thankful we were able to get together to celebrate Miss. Quinn.

A look at Quinn's birthday day.

The first picture of Quinn on her birthday! She had been up about 5 minutes...
...and she was already wishing the camera was out of her face.

I was trying to get her to put her finger up and show that she is 1. She did it once and I missed the picture so this is as close as I could get her to do it again. She kind of has her finger up and out.

Claire wanted to make sure I knew she was Twooooooooo!

Getting so big!

She climbed into her toy basket...I guess she found what she wanted.

Just about to open birthday cards and gifts.

Reading her birthday card to Claire and I.

Happy Birthday!

Claire helped Quinn open her gifts.

I think this expression says... "Okay, can you please tell her it's MY birthday!"

Clothes

Cars from daddy.

Everyone playing.

Went to Braum's for Quinn's birthday dinner and very first bite of ice cream.

Hmmmmmm!

She kept saying "Yum-num!!!!!" and wanting more.

I need more!

Claire was trying really hard to get her ice cream out.

Success!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Quinn!!!!!

All about Quinn!

It is hard to believe that little Miss Quinn is now a year old. I really feel like this first year for Quinn went by so much faster than Claire's first year. It seems like I was just holding her for the first time, now she wiggles away when I try to hold her like a baby. She is no longer a baby!

Within the last month she has become such a big girl. She eats what we eat, no baby food at all. I guess with 8 teeth in and 3 poking through she can handle it. She loves it when she gets to eat something she can put in her mouth herself. We have only given her a fork to try a couple of times and all she does is chew on the handle end of it. She's not quite ready for that yet. She is on whole milk now and seems to really like it, she is not too fond of it if it is right out of the fridge cold. She drinks from a sippy cup very well. She loves her sister's cups the best because they have more juice than water in them unlike hers which is lightly flavored water. Quinn is standing alone VERY well and has even taken a few steps. She has done it a few times where she has taken about 3 steps. When we try to work with her she just gets super excited, waves her arms around, squeals, and then sits down. I thought she might be walking before her first birthday but I don't think it will be much longer. She loves to walk behind and push Claire's baby doll stroller, it is so cute to see her little self cruising down the hallway. She loves to climb on and in things. She can get herself on to the hearth, onto a small chair, in her toy basket, on the bottom part of her changing table, into my dresser (it has a swinging door) and into the kitchen and bathroom cabinets. She is an explorer and she has no fear. She has more words in her vocabulary and it is so cute to hear her little voice. She now says mama, daddy, up, uh-oh, baby,yum or yum-num, bye-bye, no, hi and thank you. Well, it sounds to us like thank you and she uses it correctly, so therefore, it counts!

Quinn may be growing up but I feel like she is still so little. We had her doctor appt. for her 12 month check up on her birthday. (Cruel I know, what mother schedules a child to get 3 shots and a finger prick on her birthday?!?!?!?) She is 30 inches tall (79%) and weighs 19#12oz (30%). We are so close to that 20# mark to be able to put her in a front facing car seat!!! Maybe in a few more weeks. It has been 9 months since we last had the cyst on her spleen checked so we will be scheduling to do another follow up ultra sound. We are praying it is gone!!

If we had to describe Quinn in a word it would be....HAPPY! She is truly a joyful child and even though she is starting to stand up for herself with Claire she is still very happy. I couldn't ask for better. I am looking forward to what's to come with little miss and for what God has in store for her life. I just wish time would slow down a little!!