A meal for the history books

See that smile??

That's the smile of a girl who just finished eating her meal all by herself for the first time in her whole life! She requested oatmeal for dinner, and proceeded to eat more than a cup and then ask for more She ate the entire meal with her very own spoon and told me when she was full. Amazing.

Pumpkin Patch

This afternoon went to the pumpkin patch at Eckert's Farm in Illinois. It was a gorgeous fall day and we had a fantastic time watching the "pumkin lobber" shoot pumpkins into the orchard, cheering at the pig races, "go Hamma Montana!", feasting on corn dogs, pulled pork and fresh apple cider and taking a tractor ride through the apple orchards to pick out pumpkins. (actually, don't tell the girls, but we left the pumkins in the field and picked out small ones on our way out.)

Granna's Fall Visit

We had the most wonderful week with Granna. She delighted us by flying out for 7 days, just to treat us to happy meals, shopping, a little sleeping-in time, a long overdue date night for Matt and I, help with the "daily grind" and LOTS of snuggles, stories and treasured moments with the girls. Mom, thanks for everything. We can't can't wait to see you after Christmas!

Happy 3rd Birthday Elizabeth Joy

Our Dear Little Bug,

What a wonder you are! Three years have passed sine we first laid eyes on you, and I it has been the joy of our lives to spend each day with you. We had no idea how quickly you would fill our hearts to overflowing with love, joy, and delight. We are amazed at how hard you fight to overcome every challenge you face, how easily you receive people into your heart, how thoroughly you desire to please us and how easy you are to love. God has blessed us abundantly. We love you dear one. Happy Birthday!

Love, Daddy & Mommy

Two months down, Two to go

We made it through September and Elizabeth is as healthy as she's ever been. Praise God! I'm sorry we haven't updated you sooner...it's just been too busy around here. Elizabeth had a fantastic month. She's eating all of her food by mouth now, mostly purees that I spoon-feed her. While chewing is still not instinctive for her, she's making steady progress in that area too! She's jumping, running and climbing small stairs without hand support, she cracks us up constantly with her little sayings. Tonight after falling down, she said "Mommy, that scared me. I screamed like a girl!" Finally, she's potty-training! I guess these kinds of milestones are possible when one stays out of the hospital for more than 6 months! My mom will arrive next week to help us celebrate Matt's birthday on the 10th and Elizabeth's 3rd birthday on the 14th. It's hard to believe we've come so far.

Ruby continues to delight us as well. She'll turn one after Thanksgiving and she is most happy when she's rolling around on Elizabeth's bed, chewing on Elizabeth's blanket...pretending to be Elizabeth, I guess. We're truly thankful that the two are so enamored with one another and frequently hear giggles coming from the back seat, bedroom or high chairs as they look at each other and laugh at nothing in particular.

In final news, Matt has formally accepted an offer from Wash U to stay and join the faculty of the Neuromuscle Division beginning on July 1, 2009. We're taking it one year at a time, and still hope to land back in California eventually. However, after much prayer soul searching, we are excited to begin the next chapter of our lives here in St. Louis.

We hope you're enjoying the changing of seasons wherever you are, and appreciate your continued prayers for our family.