On Floating

Ruby has been doing so great at swimming lessons! My friends Kim and Emily and their kids are in our class too! Yesterday was the 3rd of 5 lessons, more than half way done already!

Miss Patty (the instructor) used Ruby as an example in class, which was pretty funny. Apparently she hasn't developed her fears yet, which helps with her newest trick - floating on her back. I'm amazed at how buoyant she is!

I took some video, but I'm having trouble uploading it to iMovie - so I'll have to save the rest of the footage for later. Here's a clip that didn't really need much editing. Enjoy!

Thursday Thoughts

Ruby hugged me yesterday. She was sitting on my lap facing me and we were playing games and all of a sudden she leaned forward, wrapped her arm around my neck and laid her head on my shoulder. It was the best feeling ever! I thought it might have been a fluke, but when I picked her up from the nursery after MOPS today she did it again! TWICE! I love her so much... and apparently she loves me back! So great!

Speaking of great, Lydia and Angela are doing amazing! Angela and John have been driving out to the NICU every day to spend a few hours with Lydia. They go at night so they can bathe her, feed her and spend time holding her. She is so precious, but is doing remarkably well and now weighs a hefty 2 pounds 13 and 2/3 ounces! I love how fractions of an ounce are worth celebrating.

It's sunny today in Michigan - and the news is saying it might hit 40 degrees this weekend! Our street is currently an ice rink, but the snow is melting and that makes me happy. I can't wait until summer!

We're taking a little family vacation in February to visit Aaron and Tracy in Florida! I can't wait! Mostly because I love spending time with my brother, and because it will be fun to see how Ruby does on a plane, but also because it's warm there... did I mention I can't wait for summer?

In conclusion, since this post has been completely random, here's a cute picture of Ruby with her Grandpa Cox.

David - LEGO style

The team at Granger made this video telling the entire story of David with LEGO's. It's brilliantly created and hilariously written!

The Lego Lowdown | King David from Granger Community on Vimeo.

Swimming Lessons

Ruby did awesome at her 2nd week of swimming lessons! According to Miss Patty (the instructor) today was "the most aggressive" of the 5 lessons. Basically, we went under a lot. Ruby practiced swimming under water toward the wall, hanging onto the wall, floating on her back, kicking her legs, reaching and pulling with her arms and of course, splashing.

Her little body is so floaty and buoyant... I find it comforting to know I can use her as my own flotation device if needed. :o)

Bath Time

Seven Months Old

This month it seems that Ruby is becoming quite the little personality.

• She is so much more aware of her surroundings and loves to look back and forth with her whole head instead of using peripheral vision.
• She is figuring out what things she thinks are fun to do and lets us know with loud screams, coughs, raspberries and squeals when she is not happy about something. She's a hot mess when she's not happy.
• She recognizes her grandparents when she sees them and has been reaching out to anyone who might pick her up.
• She is learning how to wave "bye bye" and "hi"
• She loves green beans and carrots, thinks applesauce is terrible and can't get a good grip on slippery banana slices or squishy avocado quite yet so she just smears those all over her face and tray.
• We spend time each day playing with blocks, singing, dancing, looking out the window at the snow and reading books.
• She's taking 2 good naps (1.5-2 hours each) every day and is still doing well at night. I'm going to attempt to take her paci away this month... should be interesting.
• One of her favorite things is the anticipation from the time she hears Ryan open the door to the moment she can actually see his face when he comes home from work. She gets so excited, sometimes I think she might spontaneously combust!

The months are flying by! Pretty soon we'll be celebrating her 1st birthday, then off to college she goes! Enjoy the video!

Update on Lydia and Angela

Great news!

Angela and Lydia are both getting stronger every day!

Lydia is breathing on her own - which means her breathing tubes have been removed and we can see her sweet little face better! Angela has been able to visit Lydia each day in the NICU, spending time holding her and talking to her. John and Ang took Ryan and I to visit Lydia this weekend. We got to watch them care for their baby, changing her teeny tiny diaper and giving her a sponge bath. Their tenderness toward her is so awesome to watch.

Angela sent me this picture with a note that said "Can't wait to take Lydia home so I can hold her like this all day every day!" I can't wait for that either Ang, She'll be home with you before you know it!

Thank you for your continued prayers for Angela, John and Lydia!

My Dad gave an update on his blog as well!

Little Swimmer

Today Ruby started SWIMMING LESSONS!! I've been so excited for weeks and days and hours until finally today we got in the car and drove to the pool and got in!

Ruby did so great! She was the youngest participant, but also one of the happiest. I was in the pool with her the whole time, and the teacher taught me how to hold her special ways to teach her certain things. She kicked (both legs at the same time - kinda like a donkey), floated on her back with her head on my shoulder, went completely under THREE TIMES and hung onto the wall... well, I held her hands up to the wall while she dangled in front of me. She never cried a single time and fell asleep in the car on the way home just in time for her afternoon nap.

The hardest part was figuring out how to get her out of her wet swimming suit, into her warm dry clothes and new diaper, into her car seat, covered in hats, gloves and blankets and into the car while I am standing in my dripping wet swimming suit in the locker room. It's the middle of winter, you know.

The best news is that Ruby is destined for being comfortable and safe in the water. There are about 10 other moms and babies (6 months - 2 years) in our class. A couple of my girlfriends are in our class with their kids too. So fun. I can't wait for next week.

I have a waterproof camera that will potentially make it's way into the pool one of these weeks - I figured I'd get to know some of the moms and the teacher before I bring my camera along to class...

Lydia Waving "Hello"

Dear Blogosphere,

I am amazed every day by your love for my family! When I write my blog, I never know who is actually reading, so I just focus on what my family would be interested in knowing about and assume that anyone else who wants to read is more than welcome. This week, my family and I have experienced so much support and encouragement from you - it has been such a wonderful surprise.

Lots of you have been asking about gifts and meals for Angela, John and Lydia. They are registered at Babies "R" Us and (of course) will be needing many of the items from their registry sooner than they planned. John's mom Luanna Keim is organizing meals, so leave a comment and let me know if you would like my help connecting with her.

January 8 - Jesus Calling

"Hope is like a golden cord connecting you to heaven. The more you cling to this cord, the more I bear the weight of your burdens; thus, you are lightened. Heaviness is not of My kingdom. Cling to Hope, and My rays if Light will reach you through the darkness."

PSALM 46:1; ROMANS 12:12; ROMANS 15:13

Ruby's 1st Beeson Family Christmas

Angela and Lydia are still going better and better each day! Lydia is "feisty" according to the NICU docs. Angela will hopefully get to go home from the hospital later this weekend. I am so thankful!! It's a miracle. Ryan, Ruby and I will be in Granger again this weekend, so I'll be able to give you more updates after that.

On a lighter note, I thought I'd give you a glimpse into Ruby's 1st Beeson Family Christmas. Enjoy!

January 6 - Jesus Calling

I AM able to to far beyond all that you ask or imagine. Come to Me with positive expectations, knowing that there is no limit to what I can accomplish. Ask My Spirit to control your mind, so that you can think great thoughts of Me. Do not be discouraged by the fact that many of your prayers are yet unanswered. Time is a trainer, teaching you to wait upon Me, to trust Me in the dark. The more extreme your circumstances, the more likely you are to see My Power and Glory at work in the situation. Instead of letting difficulties draw you into worrying, try to view them as setting the scene for My glorious intervention. Keep your eyes and your mind wide open to all that I am doing in your life.

EPHESIANS 3:20-21; ROMANS 8:6; ISAIAH 40:30-31; REVELATION 5:13

Update on Angela and Lydia

January 4 - Lydia's Birthday

I want you to learn a new habit. Try saying, "I trust you, Jesus" in response to whatever happens to you. If there is time, think about who I AM in all My Power and Glory; ponder also the depth and breadth of My Love for you.

This simple practice will help you see Me in every situation, acknowledging My sovereign control over the universe. When you view events from this perspective-through the Light of My universal Presence-fear loses its grip on you. Adverse circumstances become growth opportunities when you affirm your trust in Me no matter what. You receive blessings gratefully, realizing they flow directly from My hand of grace. Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me.

PSALM 63:2; ISAIAH 40:10-11; PSALM 139:7-10

This in an excerpt from the devotional I've been reading daily since January 1st. It's written as if Jesus is talking to you, having an intimate conversation with you - and Monday morning when I read about responding to everything by saying, "I trust You Jesus" I had no idea how many times that day I would be saying it! The devotional is "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. I'll be sharing a few more of these with you in the future, because it's been incredible how God is speaking to my heart during these critical days for Angela and Lydia.

It's been difficult for me to share how serious the situation really is, because you're the blogosphere... and in serious situations it's such a strange thing to not know who I am really writing to and who is here reading. For days I have been struggling to know how intimate and personal I should be in such a public forum? It's not a "congratulations!" type of situation yet... I don't blame people for responding that way on facebook because I hadn't figured out a good way to share the severity of Angela's situation without jeopardizing her, or saying too much before she's out of the woods. Lydia being delivered early was the only way to save my sister Angela. You can google HELLP syndrome and Preeclampsia for more info.

The last few days have been some of the scariest our family has ever dealt with. I shared with you today because Angela is doing so much better and will continue to recover, continue to heal, and continue being more worried about Lydia than she is about herself. She is an incredible mother and she and John have a long road ahead with Lydia in the NICU for many many weeks.

Please keep praying for Lydia, for Angela, for the doctors who are caring for both of them, for John as he courageously supports his wife and his new baby girl, for my parents - who are trying to help everyone.

We are hopeful, we are thankful, we are waiting with anticipation to see all that God has in store for little, tiny, precious Lydia Dawn.

Lydia Dawn Keim

Remember in yesterday's blog post when I mentioned Angela and John were going to be parents in 9 weeks? Well... after the most frightening and crazy day of our life Lydia Dawn was born yesterday around 4:30pm via emergency c-section. She weighs 2 pounds 11 oz and is doing well in the neonatal intensive care unit.

I drove down from Grand Rapids yesterday to be with Angela. John is amazing and has been by her side at the hospital. Mom, Dad and I are going back over to the hospital this morning. I don't know much, but I know that we are leaning hard on Jesus and trusting that He is in control.

Please keep praying for my baby sister. Angela will be in the hospital for awhile. She and her precious baby Lydia have a long road ahead. Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God's plans are bigger and better. God can do anything - far more than we could ask or imagine.

Here's a picture of Grammy Beeson and John with his baby girl!

Beeson Family Christmas

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of family, travel, blizzards, sleeplessness, presents, playing games and Ruby caught the Croup... Needless to say, I'm exhausted!

We had such a great time with Aaron and Tracy up from Florida. Tracy is a whiz at card games. She basically can't be beat at Nerts. I really like having her around!

The Christmas Exchange was hilarious - we each draw one name and buy that person a $30 "Big Gift" then buy everyone else a $5 gift. I'm pretty excited that the fake moustaches I got the guys were such a hit.

Angela and John are only 9 weeks away from becoming parents too! Aaron got John a sweet Chef Hat which he sported around for the rest of the day.

Of course, as is the case with every family get-together, some "shooting of guns" was involved.

Here's to all that God has in store for 2010!