I had the absolute PLEASURE of spending some time with Ryan last night.  For those of you who don't know his story... He graduated a year ahead of me in high school.  We were always good friends - He was my 10th grade date to prom, and we hung with the same group of people.  In early fall he was hospitalized for severely high fever.  He was rushed to Jackson and was admitted into Baptist Hospital where he stayed until the middle of December.  He was diagnosed with Viral Encephalitis (at 30 years old), without knowing the cause.  He coded twice and went into a coma, and came out with no vision and almost total paralysis. His wife, Lindsey, had a baby in Ocotober, while her husband was in the coma.... !!!! After months of therapy, he can now move his arms but is still confined to a wheelchair.  I visited him once in the hospital, and then again last night.  WOW has his testimony changed me.  Aww Inspiring is all I can say.  One day he went to work, the next he was fighting for his life.  His viewpoint is not one of "WHY GOD?"  But "GOD HAS CHOSEN ME FOR THIS JOURNEY, WHY NOT ME GOD?"  He has been humbled to full humility for Christ, and truly believes God is using him.  If you are not a believer of Jesus - then spend 10 minutes listening to his story of his last 5 months and you will be!  Medically they told him he would never move his arms (now he can), and never walk again (just now re-gaining sensation with his feet), and probably never see again.  He is a MIRACLE.   He said last night the nurses told him when he left the hospital "Ryan, we truly thought you would leave this hospital scrambled eggs or pushing up lilies, and now your talking and feeding yourself, and trying to live again, and your going home with your children" WOW.  WOW. WOW.  5 minutes in his presence was like 5 min in the presence of God.  This entire experience has only proved that God controls everything.  We take so much for granted - brushing our teeth, running to Walmart, even scratching our head.  At any moment, God could take it all away.  I am so proud of my friend, so proud of what he has accomplished, so proud of seeing Jesus in the Journey, and so proud of his Spirit.  I cannot wait to hear his full testimony.  I will continue to pray for his family, his wife, and his two adorable children.  What a blessing it is to be his friend. 

WHAT DO YAL THINK ???

Like Mother Like Daughter?

NOT A FLAKE TO BE SEEN

Cold as the North Pole, Rained for a month, and NO SNOW! Not one single flake.  We got Hail, we got sleet, we even got ice.... ZERO SNOW!

So incredibly disappointing!

But Rose was ready for the Blizzard anyway ...

No snow....????  Really mommy...???  None....???

8 MONTHS

I CANT EVEN BELIEVE IT....

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE....?

• WEIGHT: 17 pounds - I dont really think you have grown much the last month (really the last two months)
• HEIGHT: 27.5 inches - You have been exactly this long for 2 months straight
• I am not concerned about this yet, but it is really bothering your daddy
• You were in the 95% at your last check-up so I think its perfectly fine that you plateaued out for a bit
• DIAPER SIZE: 3
• CLOTHES:  mostly 6-9 months; however most 6 month things are short in your stride, and 9 month are baggy through your shoulders
• Schedule:  You have done quite well to keep yourself on "Rose's schedule."  Your still not a big fan of formula so I pretty much let you have your bottle whenever you will drink it, because you dont really want it all that much.  You eat and sleep pretty regularly - Usually one short morning nap, a long (about 2 hour) afternoon nap, and a short evening siesta.

• You still want your pacifier all the time.  You know how to take it out and put it in all by yourself. 
• You definitely still have a Type B personality - at least at this point
• You are pulling up on everything and you have mastered the crawling
• We have officially baby-proofed the house!
• You are a water rat! You take the majority of your baths in the kitchen sink and play with the pots and pans while I cook dinner - You LOVE the water and will play until I make you get out.  I think the beach / pool this summer is going to be so much fun! I cant wait!
• You ate a poinsettia leaf - I am aware these are toxic and I was paranoid an entire day, but your fine
• You love to be around people and loud noises - still
• You sleep about 10-11 hours at night in your own bed - unless your sick - then you sleep with us and fuss and get up multiple times, at which point (usually around 3am) there is an occasional conversation reaffirming your only child status
• You know who your mom and dad are, and you will quickly push off of whoever has you to throw your hands to us when we walk in - we secretly adore this!
• You are doing much better in the car since Phyl gave you her DVD player - still not a great car baby though.  I never look forward to car rides with you.
• You are still in this "If I dont want to eat it, then Im not going to" phase... this probably has something a lot to do with your not getting any bigger.  Your not a picky eater - just not one to eat unless your starving.  You dont get this from me....
• You give the best hugs!
• You put everything in your mouth - I know this is normal but it is so gross!  Yuck!
• NO TEETH YET....  I check Every. Single. Day. and.... Nothing.  I am desperately ready for the drooling stage to be over, but I swear its getting worse.  When I get you all dressed up for Church, I secretly wish you wouldnt smile and ruin your Sunday dress because as soon as you open that tiny little mouth its like Niagra Falls comes rushing out!
• Mickey Mouse is still your favorite.  Your dad and I know every episode by heart.  You will watch the "Adventures of Tinkerbell" but I have yet to catch it to record the whole thing
• I am already planning your first birthday party!!!

You have discovered the floor vents and love to crawl over them and let the air blow your face!















What sound does the Dog make...???

My Poor Sick Baby...

BLESS HER HEART.....

She has an ear infection....  

She has never been sick before - Like Really Truly Sick.  She cried all night long Sunday night.  Mark and I took turns walking her up and down the hallway.  She had to get her poor pitiful finger pricked.  I feel terrible for her.     

GOOD OLE' ST. NICK

ROSE MUST HAVE BEEN EXTRA GOOD THIS YEAR....

What Santa Claus brought the Little Princess....

The assortment of Christmas gifts from the family! All displayed to show Santa the EXACT spot Rose wanted to start her Christmas Tradition!

The Whole Sha-Bang - She is one LOVED little girl!



I know I'm looking pretty rough this Christmas morning... but its still the only picture I have with Roo on her First Santa experience.  Maybe its because we forgot to leave St. Nick the customary Milk and Cookies....  Santa might have looked a little better this a.m. if we hadn't forgotten that step!

I can't believe Rose's First Christmas has already come and gone.  Time with her just flies by quicker and quicker.  She is getting so much personality and turning into one very special little lady.  I am looking so forward to next Christmas - elf on the shelf, gingerbread houses, mistletoe marketplace shopping, making Santa cookies... all the little things you get to do with your child at Christmas.  This year she was a little young to participate in most of those events, but it was a special one none-the-less.  She may never remember her first Christmas, but it was a Christmas her mother will never forget :) 





A HARDIN HOLIDAY

WE HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS !

Rose LOVED all of her presents and had way more fun than I ever dreamed she would! I was really thinking this year would be more of a "paper and bows" kind of Christmas - but my sweetheart proved me wrong! She was all about some baby dolls and strollers, books, and anything that made noise! I think all of the excitement really got her attention, and for the first time in history she slept more than 10 hours straight! Maybe that was due to sleeping in the bed with Papa Hardin, but I think it was from total exhaustion (guess the jokes on me:))?  Mark and I feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful family, and I can hardly wait for Christmas next year! Please enjoy the insane amount of pictures to follow!

This was right before he got the bottle of Incense that had our eyes watering for the rest of the night! Way to go Hampton! ha ha ha

Ragdoll Rose

Um... excuse me... but this is my nap nanny....

Ragdoll Rose... again....

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

We know who is Nana's favorite this year .....????

I cant take it anymore - I need a BREAK!

Morgan:  "Rose this is going to be your best friend.  I just love her."

I forgot my camera at Christmas #3.  You'll have to settle for I-Phone pics!



Bless Her....



My Tired Little Ragdoll