16 Months

Dear Preslie,

My heart aches for you today. As I was holding your sister and staring into her eyes, I couldn't help but ache and long for the chance to gaze into your eyes as well. I always think and wonder what you would look like. Would you have curly brown hair? Would your eyes be green or brown? Would you be energetic or shy? Would you be a daddy's girl or mommy's girl? Would you hold your baby sister tight, and want to do everything that she is doing? We learned in Sunday school about Lot's wife, and how she longingly looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. I try so hard to not let the "what ifs" consume my mind, but there are times when I just can't help it. There are times when I want to go back in time and just hold you closer, and kiss you more. I was so scared, and that has been one of my biggest regrets. I should have held your little body longer, I should have held you tighter. I think back to that day and remember how perfect you were. You had the most beautiful hands, and feet. You had the cutest little button nose, and the longest legs. You are perfect Preslie, and I am trying everything I can to be able to make it back to you. To raise you like I am raising your baby sister. To be able to hold you and sing you to sleep, to feed you, and feel you snuggle up against me. I don't understand fully God's plan for our family, but I can't wait to find out. I know we will see you again someday, and can't wait until we are all together again. Stay close to us, visit us often, and know that we are not forgetting you. You will always be our first daughter, and our guardian angel in heaven. We love you and your sister so much, and are so grateful that we were able to have you for the short time we did.

Happy 16 Months my baby "P".

Love, Mommy


My Darling


Go back to sleep now
My darling
And I'll keep all the bad dreams away
Breathe now, think sweet things
And I'll think of all the right words to say

Because we made you
My darling
With the love in each of our hearts
We were a family, my darling
Right from the start

Grow up now
My darling
Please don't you grow up too fast
And be sure, darling
To make all the good times last

Because we made you
My darling
With the love in each of our hearts
We were a family, my darling
Right from the start

3 Joyous Months

Our beautiful miracle is 3 months old today. She has brought us so much joy and life back. We don't know what we would do without her. She is growing up more and more each day, and we cherish every minute.

Arista loves to smile, and she smiles all the time. Her sweet smiles melt our hearts, and give us energy.



Arista loves to talk. She babbles to us all the time, and constantly says "hi".



Arista loves her hands. She tries to nibble on them any chance she gets.



Arista loves to be independent. She loves to lay on the couch and kick and babble away. Her new favorite thing to do is sit in our big rocking chair.





Arista loves Banana Bee. We pulled this little guy out a few weeks ago and she loves him. He makes many different baby talk sounds, and Arista talks right back to him.



Arista loves Daddy. They get up early every morning and play for a few hours. They play on the jungle mat, do webcam, and watch star wars.



Arista loves Mommy. We sing songs, read books, go shopping, play with toys at Target, and snuggle.



Arista loves Preslie. There have been many quiet moments the past few weeks where I know she sees her sister. She will look behind me and smile and laugh. I can't help but look over my shoulder expecting to see someone there. I know that the bond that these sisters share will continue on forever. Although we wish Preslie was here to play, we know she is preparing for our return.



We love you Arista, and are so happy that you joined our family. These 3 months have flown by too fast. We look forward to making many more memories with you. Happy 3 months!!

3rd Annual Miss America Party

This past Saturday night I had my 3rd Annual Miss America Party. Aubrey Boardman and Emily Becker helped out in hosting this year as well. Aubrey came up with a word for every girl who attended, and made a sash for them, as well as came up with questions for us to answer during commercial breaks. We did a bracket again this year, and Janel "Miss Pure" won first place! We had some yummy desserts, lots of laughs, and enough pageant to last us till next year!

Miss East Lansing, and runners up!







I pass the Michigan Miss America Party baton onto "Miss Competitive"