My good friend Maggie just gave us the most beautiful Christmas gift I've ever received. I've scanned some of the pages in to share here but it really doesn't compare to holding the lovingly constructed details and textures in your very own hands. You'll have to come over for tea to see our precious art exhibit in person - yes that's a personal invitation!
Here's what we wrote in our Christmas e-letter (if you didn't get it check your spam then send me an email) about our 3 little ones.
Tribute
We never would have imagined that we would be visited with joy and sorrow three times this year. We cherished our short time with you sweet babies, and ache that you are no longer with us. We await with anticipation our heavenly family reunion.
Addison Gabriel Nathaniel, 2/20/2010 - Addison means son of Adam while his middle names honor two cherished children whose parents chose to value life in the womb: Joel Nathaniel Lubiens and Gabriel Scott Adams.
Casey Nolan Mara, 7/15/2010 - Casey means brave, while Nolan (well known) and Mara (bitter sea) remind us how many have tasted this same sorrow.
Trinity Jehoiada Derek, 10/11/2010 - Trinity reminds us both of God's three fold person as well as our third loss. Jehoiada (God knows) and Derek (the way) remind us that our Lord knew our path even before we walked it.
“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.” -Ecclesiastes 11:5
Goodwill on the big screen...
Or rather 3 big screens at my local goodwill. Does anyone else think this is a travesty of the goodwill tradition?
Tragedy
It is with a heavy heart we share the news of our miscarriage. This one has been especially hard, since this indicates there may be something going on, as this third occurrence is further than the "statistical norm". We just feel emotionally exhausted, after suffering from hearing the baby's survival percentage change weekly, from 99% to 0% to 40% to 95% to miscarriage.
We would definitely appreciate your prayers.
New Handel Baby!
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers these last few weeks! We've had quite a emotional roller coaster ride. Three weeks ago Julie took a pregnancy test and it was positive. Given our previous two miscarriages we made an appointment with our doctor right away and she sent us to get some blood test. The test measured Julie's HCG count which was supposed to double over two days. My HCG count actually went down over 2 days - our doctor didn't' have much hope except the fact that she had done a vaginal ultrasound both of the test days and our little baby had grown from a tiny uterine bubble to a definitive yoke and sack. Given the contrasting tests she gave it a 40% chance of viability. Today she did another ultrasound to look for a heartbeat... and there it was! She says our chances are not about 95% that it will be a normal pregnancy!
Drumroll- here's a pic of our little one:
Drumroll- here's a pic of our little one:
Leo's Smile
In the hurry-burry of things lately an important Leo milestone has come and gone. In 2 days during two weeks before our trip, as we prepped the house for sale Leo went from 0 teeth to 4 teeth. Phew!
He doesn't generally smile big enough to show them off unless your angle is the ground up so we had to make him laugh really hard to get a glimpse. Dad to the rescue.
He doesn't generally smile big enough to show them off unless your angle is the ground up so we had to make him laugh really hard to get a glimpse. Dad to the rescue.
how do we say goodbye?
We feel so blessed that our house had a good offer so quickly, but we can't say we aren't sad to say goodbye. I think it will be easier once we have a "next place" to look forward to :)
Proverbs 31 Women
Some archeological insights to what a Proverbs 31 woman's life would have been like: Digging up Women
Moving on...
We are sad to say good-bye. See the virtual tour if you want to know what I've been working on for the last 2 weeks solid!
more carrots?
Lately leo has not been eating his carrots, which he formerly loved. This morning at breakfast Pete was so excited that his three carrots had disappeared from his plate. Mom rushed to get him "replacements". But in a moment of skepticism decided to survey the surroundings more closely. Ah ha! Leo had "stowed" the carrots in the kleenex box! Sneaky sneaky...
Don't whine in the wine bag...
There we were - caught on a chilly evening with a shipment of wine from Martin ranch and Leo in his shorts. This was the result, we think they should start a baby trouser line.
Leo enjoying his new airplane...
Look mom no hands... Well maybe I need one to steer... Hmmmm on second thought it seems to take two to steer and keep this propeller thinger going...
Get ready sf opera!!
Leo started making singing attempts after a few rounds of e-i-e-i-o today. This wasn't his best rendition and you'll have to slog through 20 sec of Pete and I "priming the pump" to get to the virtuoso material. Sorry!
Organizing meals for someone?
Three helpful websites:
(no account creation for meal volunteers! Just a password you can send out in your invite email.)
(more modern interface but everyone must create an account)
https://www.mealbaby.com/
(suggested by stef)
https://www.mealbaby.com/
(suggested by stef)
Park Play Date
Leo and Caleb are fast friends - even though Leo looks a little worried about Caleb's driving antics.
Eating like a big boy!
Leo successfully loaded his spoon with a carrot and put it in his mouth without help!!! As you can see from the picture his utensil skills are still a work in process, but he's making progress!
Leo uses yoga to prep for crawling...
Note the perfection of the Trikonasana pose, well the begining of it anyway...
-- Post From My iPhone
-- Post From My iPhone
Dirty Feet
Leo's First dirty feet from playing outside. He loves his new walker.
Thanks for the hand me down Hillary!
Thanks for the hand me down Hillary!
Yum!
The tradition of Handel Family food pictures continues. Mami Handel treated us to yummy chinese while she was visiting - we had a great time with you Mami!
My third breakfast today...
That's right one, two, three. Breakfast for breakfast, breakfast for
lunch, breakfast for dinner. Every day should be like today!
lunch, breakfast for dinner. Every day should be like today!
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