THREE YEARS AGO

This picture was taken of Karen on New Years Eve, 2004. I was divorced, going to college, struggling to make ends meet, and I was continuing a lifelong pattern of eating all sorts of sugar and junk food to try to make myself feel better. God provided me a way out when I started Food Addicts 5 days later. It is good for me to remember where I was and why I go to the lengths to stay in my program and keep healthy. I did not know by giving up the food and surrendering my addiction to God that He would bring so much good into my life. I am so grateful!

Here is a fun fact: At my lowest weight, I lost a total of 181 pounds. (I'm still slowly losing post-pregnancy). If you add up Dean and Micah's weight today, it is exactly 181 pounds! How cool is that! I lost 181 pounds, but gained two amazing and incredible people in my life...not to mention all the friends I've met along the way! GOD IS GOOD!

Here are some pictures from the month of November.


We went the the park with Aunt Colleen & cousin Noah















This wasn't on purpose, but Micah and Daddy happened to be dressed alike one day!

Micah visits with Aunt Laura on Thanksgiving Day.

Micah has been making lots of sounds. A couple of weeks ago he was making happy "scream" noises, which were very high pitch, over and over. Then a week after that, he discovered that he could make deep low sounds. We caught a little bit of it on video as he was practicing his sounds. Maybe he will have a deep low voice like his dad some day!

Micah is 6 months old!

This week at his 6 month check-up he weighed 15 lbs and 13 oz., and was 28 1/2 inches long.

He loves splashing in the bathtub.

Trying new foods is always fun!



He is scooting backwards on the floor. In this picture he originally started out on the blanket by the three small bowls, and managed to scoot himself in a half circle around the living room!



He loves playing with Daddy

And once in awhile, he'll even still snuggle with Mama.

Look who we found in the pumpkin patch!

All pictures were taken at Creekside Farms in Caledonia, Michigan.

He's getting closer to sitting up!

Dean & Karen at Nate & Casey's wedding. Grandma V. was babysitting Micah!

Green Beans & Carrots

YUM?

Micah's First Road Trip

Labor Day weekend, 2007

Destination: Garner, Iowa

Our rental car, a Chevy HHR was fun to drive!

Micah slept in his car seat on Friday morning until we crossed the Mississippi River. We stopped and ate our lunch at a beautiful park near the River. The weather was perfect and we had the whole place to ourselves!


On Friday we stopped at a McDonald's to feed & change Micah. Karen challenged Dean to the ultimate challenge: Climb to the top of the bubble in the McDonald's playplace. After Karen promised him $1.00 if he climbed to the top for a picture, Dean decided he was up for the adventure. (Thankfully there were no other patrons there at the time.) Not only did Dean make it to the top bubble, but he finished with a surprise trip down the blue slide to the finish. Micah found this quite fascinating!



On Saturday Micah & Karen were able to meet several relatives who came for lunch. There was a delicious meal, and visiting in the afternoon. Pictured here are Dean's maternal aunts (L to R): Esther, Lucille & Margery

Micah visits with Dean's cousins, Duane & Leland (sons of Lucille)

On Sunday we visited Dean's cousin Duane and Linda on their farm.

Karen had a ride on Annie the horse! That was fun!

Micah & Dean look at the horses

Micah with his great-Aunt Lucille

A view of the town of Garner, Iowa

AUNTS ARE AWESOME!

Last week Micah was able to visit with both Aunt Jean and Aunt Laura.

FEET ARE NEAT!

Micah discovered today that he has toes and that he can reach them. It is the first time we've noticed him doing this. And he has been playing with his feet ALL day (when he isn't napping)! It must be pretty cool to figure out that you have feet! :)

Four month check-up

Micah is now 14 lbs. 5oz. and 26.5 inches

Micah's weight is right in the middle, and he is in the 95th percentile for height! The doctor said he is "tall and thin" Afterwards we stopped and bought more produce at a farm market right near our place. I stop there twice a week. Must be all the vegetables I'm eating! :)

Micah was very fussy all day yesterday and showed all the classic signs of teething. I was at wit's end and called Dean at work to tell him I would need a break. All my normal tricks and distractions weren't working. Dean (bless his heart!) took him for a walk for an hour, so I attended one of my FAA phone meetings and took a bubble bath. After that I went to sit outside on the patio. I had just settled in and was enjoying the peace, and then I heard the familiar sounds of a screaming baby. Dean came into view, pushing the stroller. He was plodding along, head down, Micah screaming to the hilt. I could hear him all the way across the lawn and the carpart from our 2nd floor apartment.

I am so glad Dean gave me that break. It helped me cope with the rest of the night. Amazingly, Micah went to bed and slept all night. It was like someone hit the reset button. Today he has been much better and he was awesome for our trip to the doctor. Yesterday he wouldn't nap very long, but today he has had a couple of nice long naps. Ahhhh the peace! :)

Summer Fun

We went swimming in the apartment at our pool. The water was a bit too chilly for Micah, but he liked being there.

Micah, 4 months old, trying his new (to us) exersaucer. He likes it!

Visiting Grandma & Grandpa V.

Posing with Grandpa & Grandma just before they left for Grandma's 40th high school reunion!

What happens at Grandmas, stays at Grandmas!

Micah visits with Aunt Sassy

Micah with his Grandpa & Mom

Dean and his Mini-Me