Watch Graham Grow

Hi! Remember us? I know, it's been a while. Let's just pretend like that little break never happened and pick right back up. So... we found out just before Thanksgiving we were expecting another baby boy! We are super excited for Bryce to have a little brother. A few weeks ago, we finally (or Matt finally) decided on a name: Graham Lawrence. (click on the photos for a closer look)

12 weeks

Graham is a name Matt has always liked and Lawrence is my grandfather's first name. I like Graham, too, it's just Matt got more decision making power in the first name since I really wanted to use Lawrence for the middle name. So there you have it.

16 weeks

Because I have a low thyroid and because of Bryce's cyst drama, we've been having ultrasounds every 4 weeks since October.

16 weeks

We're happy that there are no signs that Graham has the same cyst Bryce had (it would have been super rare for it to happen twice) and that Graham is growing well - about a week ahead of schedule, actually. So my low thyroid is not hindering his growth in the slightest.

20 weeks

We're extra thankful for a healthy baby and pregnancy so far since it seems we keep hearing about recent tragic situations with others at the seminary who are expecting.

27 weeks

Now that it's almost March, I'm working on a recap of the holidays. I know it will be late but there are some pictures that are too cute not to share. Thanks for reading!

Coming April 29!

We're so happy to announce our family is growing again! Bryce's baby brother or sister should arrive sometime around April 29. We're so excited! If you ask Bryce if he wants a baby brother or baby sister he says, "Baby brother-sister..." then "Baby sister..." then "I want a baby in MY tummy!" We''ll just have to see come December! Unfortunately, there won't be many ultrasound photos to share as last time. I only get 3 (maybe 4). Here's the photo from the first one a few weeks ago.

Leaving On a Jet Plane...

Can you believe I've waited 22 months to have a blog post with that title? I just had to. We have 5 days left in Prague. I feel like we're in the Twilight Zone lately. Some days seem to crawl by and others I barely get my feet on the ground before I'm putting Bryce down for the night. So that's my lame excuse for not posting in weeks. I do however, have some extremely cute pictures and some videos as my penance.

Bryce has been working out. Getting buff for the ladies.

His favorite lady is his Mama, though.

He is really starting to like baths. Even drying off is fun.

We borrowed our friends' Johnny Jump Up after Bryce started trying to bounce himself on the couch, on our laps - pretty much on anything. He's getting the hang of it when I actually put something with traction on his feet.

A couple of weeks ago we got a TON of snow. It's the most Prague has seen in 17 years - over a foot of snow! Since then, it's only warmed up above freezing for a short while. Just enough to melt a little and refreeze into slick ice. Bryce and I have only gotten out a few times. We've mainly tried to stay home where it's warm.

Our courtyard.

Our sidewalk.

Across the street from us.

Matt had to dig the car out so we could take Bryce to the doctor. Crazy!

These guys got the fun job of clearing off the roofs so people aren't crushed by falling snow and ice.

Matt's been telling me for weeks I need to lose more baby weight so he put me to work. Two pounds to go!

Here's a video of the 5th (or was it 6th?) day of snowfall. Sorry about the random mumbling.

Bryce has learned to enjoy fruit and sweet potatoes. At least he did until he quit pooping so we're taking a break from solid foods until we get back on track. (Sorry for talking about poop on the blog - it just happens when you're a Mommy.)

Bryce displaying the 'Grumpy Butt after a Nap' gene he got from his Mama.

I Lied.

I promised myself before Bryce was born that I wouldn't do "Look what my kid can do" posts. I was way too sophisticated a blogger for that.

I lied.

At least to myself. Because I'm the only one I made that promise to. And you know what? I forgive myself. Because who knew my kid would be so dang cute (yet another phrase I promised myself I wouldn't utter)? While my mom was here visiting, she taught Bryce a few tricks:

1. Sitting up is way more fun than laying on your back.

2. Cereal is yummy.

3. If I let Granny kiss my cheeks, she'll be putty in my hands.

4. The more I laugh at Granny, the less likely it is that I'll be put down for a nap.

5. Christmas is extra awesome when you're the only kid in the house.

6. If you can convince Granny to babysit while Mama and Daddy go out, you can stay up late to watch the fireworks.

This is a video our friend Greg took in the center of town where all the crazies go for New Year's Eve. Matt went with him last year but decided he couldn't move fast enough with his gimp knee to get out of the way of wayward fireworks.

And this is a video I took from our friends' rooftop at midnight. Needless to say, there are no city regulations on fireworks in Prague.

For more photos and videos visit our photo website here.

Baby's First Christmas

It's crazy to think that last year we spent Christmas in Spain with Matt's parents and our sweet little boy was just growing in my belly. This year my mom came to spend Christmas with us and thankfully her bags came in time for Bryce to actually have Christmas. Here's a few photos and a kinda long video of all the fun.

This may be my favorite picture from Christmas.

You can't go wrong with Aggie presents.

He likes Christmas.

Our happy little family.

For more pictures and funny videos of Bryce, click here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Last year on Thanksgiving Day we found out this little guy was on his way.



Of course, we didn't know it was a boy. Thanks to my slight OCD-ness though, we did know the approximate date of his expected arrival. August 7, according to the American Pregnancy Association. We were so excited and couldn't wait for our family in the states to wake up so we could skype and tell them. I don't think anyone was more shocked than my mom but I guess that makes for a great story.



As most of you know, Bryce made his entrance 3 weeks early and we discovered that, although perfectly healthy, he would need surgery to remove a cyst from his small intestine that, if left untreated, would cause serious complications.



This gave us the opportunity to trust God. For wisdom and for comfort. We also trusted that He was and is sovereign and that he chose to allow the cyst for reasons beyond our understanding.



In the midst of everything, we also felt your prayers for us. Looking back, I honestly don't know how we (especially me) made it from one day to the next. Living on very little sleep and under more stress than I've ever experienced, it was your prayers and divine strength that helped us through. Handing my 2-week old son to a Hungarian surgeon and watching her carry him into an operating room was absolutely the hardest thing I've ever had to do.



God was and is faithful. He delivered our son through the surgery, even though it was not the simple procedure we had hoped for. Even though the recovery was longer than we had hoped for. He is faithful.

We are so thankful for our beautiful little boy and so thankful to have family and friends like you who prayed with us and for us. Who worried and cried with us and for us. We are so thankful.

Think Your Monday Was Rough?

Poor Bryce had his second round of shots today. He was pretty good for a few hours afterward, smiling and talking. By this evening, though, he was really fussy and after crying for awhile finally conked out. We decided napping on Mama and Daddy's bed is a good reward for being such a brave boy.

Bryce at 15 weeks:
13 lbs 10 oz
24 inches

Movin' On Up!

The biggest news of the month: We're getting an ELEVATOR!!!!

Our very meticulous workers started working on installing an elevator when Charlotte (Matt's mom) was here. Now, they're actually making upward progress. Matt checks on it obsessively several times a day. We're hoping they finish before winter sets in but won't be surprised if they stop mid-stride and finish up when the warm weather returns (after we're gone, of course).



Anchoring the first piece of the frame to the building.



The awesome pulley they use for everything. OSHA doesn't live here



It's hard to tell here but they're about 2 floors up, working on the frame.



From the inside.

In other news, we took Bryce in for his two month appointment last week and he's doing great. He now weighs 11 lbs and is 22 1/2 inches long (he was 7 lbs 6 oz and 19 inches when he was born). He's gone from the 10th percentile in height and weight at his first post op to the 50th percentile. He should have gotten his first round of shots but he doctor was uncomfortable giving him so many shots at once because of his surgery and everything else. So he got one oral vaccination and he's on a modified shot schedule that will have him on track by the time he's 6 months old. That means next week he'll get three shots :( He's become quite a talker and is generally a very happy baby. It's amazing how we have a play mat, a bouncy seat, a swing, and a sweet stroller and the kid is happiest laying on his back on his changing table. Here's a video of the happy boy himself on said changing table:

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We've also gotten back into stride with work here in the city. By we, I mean Matt, considering my days revolve around a three hour cycle. Our new supervisor, Steve - not to be confused with our old supervisor, Steve - has started a new international church here called Bridge Community. Matt's been really involved getting that started and is also working with our University partners in the city to get things off and running for the fall semester, which is just about to start here. Last Sunday we had a get-together for Bridge Community as a way to get to know non-believers, especially Czechs in a fun environment. We had a picnic at a local park and the guys played flag football. Not only was Matt the cutest guy out there, but I have to say he was the most athletic. That's my man. Here are a few photos (some of them I *borrowed* from one of our intern's facebook):



What a stud.





This would be Jerry, Matt's teammate (notice he has the same color flags), trying to get the ball from Matt. Apparently he did not want Matt to score that touchdown. Did I mention he was on Matt's team?





Try not to be jealous.





Bryce's future girlfriend. He's got some catching up to do.



Enjoying the picnic.





For more pictures and videos visit our photo website here.

Sightseeing in Budapest

Sorry we haven't posted in a while. We've been busy trying to establish some kind of normal. Anyway, my mom was so disappointed that Bryce didn't get to wear his special outfit home from the hospital after he was born so we made sure he wore it 'home' after his surgery. Isn't he cute?



After getting clearance from Bryce's surgeon, we went to look around Budapest on our last day there. Budapest really is a beautiful city, even if Bryce saw it only from his stroller.



Up at Castle Hill.



Granny taking pictures.



The beautiful Parliament building on the Blue Danube, the longest river in the European Union.



Me and my mom.





Our little family.



A view of Parliament and Margit Island.



Buda Castle.



And sleepy smiles back in our own bed (or in Mommy and Daddy's bed).

For more pictures and some videos, click here.