6 Months…I Stand In AMAZEMENT

Navy Jo is 6 months today…SIX MONTHS!!!! I know I’m going to say this EVERY month but I can’t believe how fast time is going and how much she is growing and learning every day!!

Just a few days ago I watched her in her crib on the video monitor roll over, squirm her way over to her binky, grab it, and put it in her mouth. I know that doesn’t sound like much but to me I was in awe!! I think after having a kid with a brain injury…seeing everything he had learned taken from him and watching him take SO long and work SO hard just to relearn how to move his arm to awkwardly hit the ipad or communication button (which I will blog about soon)…the fact that at only 6 months old she can grab something and put it in her mouth sounds INCREDIBLE!!! Every little new thing she does (which is on a regular basis these days) I just watch in amazement. I realize it’s not above and beyond any other 6 month old but to physically be able to watch how fast their little brains learn and their little bodies strengthen on a daily basis is truly miraculous to me!! The brain is SUCH a powerful thing that we so often take for granted.

I probably sound like a crazy person but living with a brain injured child for the last 4 years has OBVIOUSLY changed my perspective a little on things! It has forced me to see ALL the little things that I normally took for granted and TRULY APPRECIATE them! Just this morning as I got up to workout at 4:30…so tired and wanting to crawl back in bed…I said my morning prayer and I thanked with complete sincerity my Heavenly Father for my healthy body and my ability to do the things I enjoy with it and take care of the people I love with it, and I meant it with ALL my heart!!

I stand in amazement as I watch my husband, that although blind, is the MOST talented man I know and is CONSTANTLY doing things that a blind man shouldn't be able to do!! Shoot a pheasant (just the other day),



draw up TO SCALE our house plan…COMPLETELY on his own, come up with these new products and ALL the details of them, landscape BEAUTIFUL yards for so many people, etc.


He will kill me for posting this but her seriously just drew stuff this!! I can’t even draw a stick family by a square house let alone a whole house!!

I have learned to never take one day for granted with our beautiful Navy like I once did with Dakota! I marvel and have SO much gratitude for EVERY little thing she does and I am SO thankful for every day that I get to spend with her, for her healthy body, for her brain that is functioning properly, etc. Although I pray EVERY day for her protection and safety…I never know how long my time will be with her or what the future will hold. I am no longer naive to the fact that just because she is perfect and healthy today means this is how it will be forever.

 
Story time!


My heart is SO full of love and gratitude these days I often think it might explode!!! Our life is still far from perfect but it is TRULY WONDERFUL!!!! I am SO glad Dakota was willing to sacrifice SO much to teach his poor mom these simple yet powerful things! He has taught his mom and dad how to TRULY “see” and for that I can NEVER repay him! He has taught me what “true” happiness is and because of him my heart is full of “pure joy!” I’m not sure where I would be without this special boy!!!





SO…back to my Navy girl…since this post is supposed to be all about her!!! (sorry for the sidetrack!)


Like I said, she is CONSTANTLY learning and growing by the minute.
The best words to describe her is alert, curious, happy, smiley, and active!!

Navy and her 3 cousins…SO fun!!


She still has to ALWAYS be seeing what is going on…never wants to just snuggle!


She wants to grab EVERYTHING in her sight and is rolling and squirming ALL over the floor to get to what she wants. She is starting to get on all fours and I’m afraid she is going to be crawling in no time and I’m not too excited about that!! ;) It will be a lot harder to keep Dakota man safe from her!


Just taking off her sweet cousin Lola’s headband while kicking Dakota in the face!! ;)


She is still just as happy as ever and is SOOO easy to get to smile…even at strangers and I LOVE that!!!


Navy and Lola just playin!


She is so busy and active, never wants to sit on your lap she wants to stand…and jump and jump and jump!! If you want her to sit you better have a toy or something to keep her entertained.

 
Just playing the piano no big deal!


She is still such an amazing sleeper although she has become a binky girl when she sleeps and will sometimes wake up crying until you give her back her binky. Not sure how I feel about this new habit! Dakota was never a binky fan he just sucked on his blanket so he never woke up for things like that!


I LOVE looking at the monitor and seeing this sweet face staring at me like… “mom, come get me!”


Her little hair although kinda thinned out and getting lighter, is so long and curly on top! It gets a little crazy some mornings but it is fun!!!

Crazy hair, don’t care…and no pants! ;)


I am LOVING having a girl and dressing her up!!! She finally fits in her DARLING pencil skirts I LOVE!!!

 
Seriously…SO cute! And yes she can mover her legs! ;)


She is becoming more and more aware of Dakota and loves to suck on his hand if it is in her reach although she has to watch out because that same hand will swing over and bonk her on the head! ;)
 


My favorite thing now is that Dakota is more into her then ever. He gives her his most handsome smiles daily and although they still aren’t totally interacting and playing together, he still loves to watch her do her thing and still LOVES her kisses!!


Just tucking Dakota in bed…I think he wanted her to stay!


Not so sure that he loves how she pulls his hair and grabs his face but the fact that he is smiling more and more at her makes me one happy momma!!!


Navy Jo…you are SUCH a blessing to our WHOLE family and we love every little piece of you more then you will ever know!!!!!