Missing What Might Have Been

I haven't really blogged about our third child that we lost this past year, mostly because it is a private matter for me, but there are times when I sit and wonder who that child was and what he or she would have become. I wonder how they would have fit into our family and I wonder what kind of relationship Danica would have had with her brother/sister. For the most part, I do feel a sense of peace about what happened - I believe that God knows what he is doing and that we are meant to grow and learn from this experience. Perhaps I feel at ease with what happened because we were blessed with Danica who is just a joy to parent.

Anyway, the other day I was doing some cleaning and came across a poem that a friend of mine had given to me just after we found out that we had lost one of the babies. I thought I would share it with you.

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Don't fret about me, Daddy and Mommy

I am one of God's lambs, most blessed

I'd have loved to stay there with you all,

But the Shepherd knows what's best.

Many dwelling in Heaven with me,

Waited years to enter in,

And struggled through a world of sorrow,

Their lives were marred with sin.

So, dear Daddy and Mommy, don't you sorrow,

Wipe those tears, and chase away the gloom,

I went straight to Jesus bosom, from my mother's womb.

Thank you for the life you gave me,

It was brief, but don't complain,

I have all of Heaven's glories,

And suffered none of earthling's pain.

As I leave, please do not sorrow,

Do not wish me back again,

From the bosom of my Savior,

To a world of grief and pain.

Another Trip to the Doctor

So today we had a follow up visit with Danica's orthopedic bone specialist Dr. Monson (or as Emily calls him - Dr. Monster). Her hips feel perfectly normal to him still so that was great news. We go back to see him in four months at which time he will take one more set of x-rays to make sure that the hip joints have formed properly and then we should be done!

The other day, I brought Dancia into bed with me once Greg had left for school and we both fell back asleep. I woke up an hour later but she was sound asleep. Emily decided to get in on the action and pretend to sleep as well!

Funny Story

So the other day, my in-laws came home from a vacation and we went over to their place for dinner and to catch up. So Emily and my nephew Noah were playing in the basement after supper and they were having a great time - we could hear them laughing and playing and just generally having fun. All of a sudden we notice that it has gotten pretty quiet down there so my father-in-law heads downstairs to see what they were up to. He finds them in the bathroom together. One of them (and I assume it was my child) had managed to open up a bottle of baby shampoo and spill some of it on the floor. So Emily thought that the best way to correct this situation was to use her socks to clean it up. Once her socks were covered in shampoo, she then decided that Noah's hair needed to be washed so there she is, lifting her foot, getting some soap off of the bottom of it and putting it in Noah's hair. And then she would repeat this process over and over. Poor Noah's hair was so slimy by the time we had caught them doing this! Kids make me laugh sometimes!

And now for some updated pictures:

How Danica likes to sleep during her afternoon nap

Big smileFun in the backyard

Watching Daddy and Emily play with playdoh

Danica's 4 Month Doctor's Appointment

So Danica went to the doctor today to have her four month doctor's visit. I can't believe that she is four months old already - my how time flies. She is 24 inches long now and weighs in at thirteen pounds and ten ounces which is the 50th percentile for both height and weight. She's definitely smaller than Emily was - Emily has always been in at least the 75th percentile in height and weight and is currently in the 95th percentile for weight and is off the charts for her height. It is nice though to have a bit of a smaller baby - I can enjoy the baby clothes for a bit longer!

It has been bitterly cold here which has made the days a bit on the long side. Thank goodness for playgroups and visits with friends during the week or I think that we might be going a little bit crazy here.

We have also begun the long process of planning our new kitchen. We have had two designers in to look at our space and I think that we have chosen the one that we will be working with. We have a few changes to propose to their original design to incorporate some suggestions from the second designer and then we should be able to place our order and get the ball rolling. We are hoping for demolition to start in late May and early June. That way, it won't be too hot yet for the girls to play outside and I can barbecue so that we can eat at least reasonably healthy.

Tummy Time

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

So this is my first foray into video sharing - hopefully you will be able to see Danica enjoying a bit of tummy time!

We have been busy these days but it has been nice to get back into some kind of a routine after the holidays. Coffee Break started up again at church this week as well as our playgroup. We have also started the long process of our kitchen renovations. First step - getting quotes, what fun!

Holiday Update

The girls are both in bed and I finally have a few minutes to update the blog! We hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas season and are looking forward to a new year with new opportunities.

We have spent the month of December preparing for our first Christmas with Danica and for our first Christmas with a child who understands what Christmas is all about. Emily was a joy to be with this year as she was excited to celebrate Jesus' birthday (we sang happy birthday on the way to church on Christmas morning) and also to have Santa visit our house.

We had our van Leeuwen Christmas celebration the weekend before Christmas as Greg's sister Janelle, our brother in law Dale and nephew Bennett came into town from Iowa. The kids had a blast opening up presents together and tobogganing. We spent Christmas Eve with Greg's extended family at his Auntie Tina's house. Dinner was amazing as usual - Auntie Tina outdoes herself every year (its the meal that I look forward to all year long). Christmas morning we headed off to church and then to a quick lunch with Greg's mom (unfortunately, Greg's dad had to work during the day). After that, we headed off for the Hodgkinson Christmas celebration. We spent the afternoon with my mom and dad and had a blast opening our gifts and watching Emily open hers. After that, we went to my cousin's house for dinner and spent the evening with my extended family.

We were all very spoiled this season and were grateful for the time spent with family and friends. Here are a few pictures from the past month:

Emily had an eye infection - she looked like she had been punched in the face!

Playing in the backyardBennett helping Emily open her presents
The kids in their pajamas from Auntie Janelle and Uncle DaleGrandma Barb's idea of funny
Putting cookies out for Santa - Danica was not impressed
Opening up presents from Santa
Keizer enjoyed his present
Daddy helping Danica open her presents
All dressed up for church Christmas morning
Greg's prize possession this holiday season
Cousin Christine with Danica
Can you tell our family likes to eat - how big is that turkey!!
Emily's first skating lesson with Daddy

Dancia watching Emily's skating lesson

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from all of us! We have been so busy that blogging has fallen behind these days but we will be posting pictures of our holiday season shortly! We wish everyone God's blessing as we prepare to enter into another new year!

Love Greg, Julie, Emily, Danica and Keizer