the giddens: May 2011

Thursday, May 26, 2011

One week home

It has been great having our baby girl finally home with us. She is transitioning like a champ, each day warming up to us more and more. She is making great progress as well; from the moment Tory picked her up she began sitting up on her own and scooching around on her belly. Yes, her daddy is still her favorite but I am fighting hard to win her heart. Almost conquered.

Here are a few things we have learned about our Hannah since she got home one week ago:

she rubs her left eye when she's tired
she can scream better than any girl I know (happy or mad) Wow!
she loves to smile but makes you work HARD for a giggle - only Abi and Nate have mastered it
her kisses are all tongue
she has this sassy hand gesture/wave ALL the time
she is super snugglie
she has some serious dance moves
rather than lay her head down she insists on watching my face sitting straight up as I sing to her at night
she does not know English :) but turns her head to "Hannah" every time

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

2

Little Man turns two today! And our little man in actually becoming quite the big man. We love having him as part of our family. He is quite the character and loves to contribute much to the other characters in the house. When Nate is ready for Superman play he is right there ready to be the best Superman duo around. And when Abigail is twirling like a ballerina around the backyard, he will twirl and twirl and twirl. And because he loves to keep us laughing, he will twirl like a ballerina for quite some time. And oh, he loves being the BIG brother now. He loves taking care of his little sister and teaching her the ropes. He will lay with her when she has her bottle, show her new toys, run to her when she cries, and get excited about her EVERY morning. Oh, how we love you, Luke! Keep it coming!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Malaria...or not.

So it seems that if you present to the Urgent Care Center with flu-like symptoms and you have been to a 3rd world country in recent days, they automatically want to run a bazillion and a half tests to see what you brought home. Thankfully it was only an overnight stay at the local hospital, a round of IV antibiotics, and our Daddy was home and on the mend. We are happy to say it was most likely a virus and NOT malaria, HIV, typhoid fever, yellow fever.... And it seems that Uncle Toby has survived the hospital drama as well. The month of May never promised to be dull.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

"We meet to part, but part to meet"

Today Tory walked across the stage, completing his 5 years of seminary education here at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. We could not be more proud of this man. He has worked so hard working a full-time job, continuing his education for ministry preparation, and yet never failing to love and care for his family. We are blessed to have this man of God to lead our home.

And what a blessing this time here has been for us all. We have sat under some of the greatest teaching of all time, been mentored by some of the wisest, and met lifetime friends. Dr. Mohler quoted Basil Manly's hymn Soldiers of Christ, in Truth Arrayed, which has been sung at every SBTS commencement since 1860, "We meet to part, but part to meet." We have come here knowing that it is a temporary training, readying one for the teaching and preaching of God's Word. But meeting again in eternity through the hope shared in Christ. For our joy and His glory.