Luzzi Cookie Party (& Ella's Birthday)

I've been so far behind with blogging. But for good reason! It's been quite wonderfully busy since we left for Colorado. Sadly, Christmas has already come & gone. But we are so grateful for all of God's continued blessings in our lives.

First, a prayer to my 2nd cousins, the Morgan family. Especially Laura. They were in a car accident a few days before Christmas, and it has been quite a recovery process. Uncle Newnie fell asleep while driving his wife Robin & daughter Laura to Robin's mother's funeral, and he fell asleep at the wheel. Robin, although had some injuries, is recovering nicely and out of the hospital. But Laura is still in the hospital, has not woken up, has a jaw broken in several places, a broken spine, and is still not conscious. They are unsure of the brain damage or if she will be paralyzed until she wakes up. So, it is a waiting game.

With that in mind, there has been a bit of a cloud over the holidays this year, but we are confident in God's grace, love & understanding. He has an ultimate plan, and we are so grateful the Morgan's are finding peace with Him.

Well, on to happier news, and a quick update on baby #2 before I even get to to the cookie party. Our appointment was on the Thursday before we left for Colorado, and we have a heartbeat! Baby is growing great and is now the size of a prune. We are 9 1/2 weeks along & due on July 28th!

July 28th is going to come WAY sooner than we think! Thank you God for this tiny little blessing.

Our annual (or we try to be annual!) Luzzi Cookie party was the first day we got into Colorado. Megan, Aunt Heidi, Lori, Kathryn, Ella, Lisa, Jessica, Kaylee, our Nana, my mother, Aunt Missy, and myself all made glorious cookies at Kathryn's house, listening to Christmas music and just enjoying time together.

I can only explain the day via pictures. It was also Ella's birthday celebration in the evening (She's already TWO!) and we had a great time eating cupcakes and laughing while the kiddos played.

Jackson and his xylophone right before nap time. Of course. 

A goofy picture of Jackson eating a fork.

The glorious cookies. 

Kaylee playing with Jack on the rocking...elephant... :) 

Jack & I watching Ella open presents!

She loves her owl. 

Princess for the day!

The beautiful arrangement. 

Kaylee, Ella & Jack dancing to the Hot Dog song. Jack needed some support from the table.

Nana, Aunt Missy, Kaylee & Ella decorating cookies. I have no idea what I'm doing. 

All the girls!

Megan, Kaylee & I talking about crushes in school. 

Jessica & Austin for Ella's bday party!

Jessica & Kaylee decorating cupcakes, Nane eating cookies. 

Christmas Eve & Day photographs to come as soon as I can.

Happy 27th birthday on the 27th to me today. I have the best hubby in the world. He let me go to the Four Seasons in Vail and get a massage. It was a glorious morning to spend by myself relaxing, having a message, and reading magazines.

We leave January 3rd, and it's going to go by quickly! Next Dr. Appt for #2 in January 8th. Hoping & praying for more good news.

Since I can't say this for very much longer...Merry Christmas!!

I found this in my drafts...

From little Jackson. I wrote this but never published it. God is good.

****************************************************************************

Hi little Avocado! You're 15 weeks and 2 days old today.

To already be on my 16th week is an incredible feeling. We still have yet  to take any baby bump pictures yet. I can't decide if it's because I'm not quite sure how this belly thing is feeling or we have just been too busy to actually sit down and take a photograph. I'll be sure to post one soon enough. Seeing other blogs shown the progression makes me excited to look back on ours!

14 more days until we find out if our little bean is a boy or a girl. Aaron and I have both been feeling lately that it's a boy. Either way, we'll be so excited. I have already warned him multiple times that once we know, I don't know if he can restrain me from buying things. It may become a serious issue!

We went sailing this last weekend with the six of us. Jessica and Erik came out for Mandy Colafrancesco's baby shower. (It's hard to believe she's due in a month with little Abigail!) While on the boat I was sitting hunched over, and swear that I felt a little flutter in my belly warning me to sit up straight! I think baby bean didn't have enough room to wiggle around in there. I was so excited to feel it! Needless to say I haven't felt anything since, but it makes me so excited for the days and weeks to come!

So since I have no other pictures to show you, here's the photo from our last ultra sound at 12 weeks 4 days. We saw him wiggling around in there! His heart was strong at 168 bpm. It's hard to believe he's grown twice the size since then!

14  days...we just can't wait!

Faith...lots of it

....or not enough? Hey, I'm trying!

I'm beyond blessed. I sometimes wonder why God decided to give me this wonderful husband, an unbelievable son, a good job, and a beautiful house. Not to mention all the extra goodies like good health, food on the table, and an abundance of family and friends.

I'm learning today to be content in that; in knowing that God has always has a plan for our future. I need to be happy in the present moment.

After the Dr.'s, I picked Jackson up from the most wonderful Nanny Kate in the world, and played with him & his soccer ball. I turned on the Christmas tree & just loved on watching him.

Something I try to do daily, just soak him in at this (or whatever) stage, but something I feel I never do quite enough.

Today is December 5th. My first Dr.'s appointment with lil' number two. I've been praying for God's wisdom & peace in my heart all day.

Well, who am I really kidding? All week!

Alas, no heartbeat. The sweet pitter patter of reassurance that I heard with our sweet Jackson, I longed for today.

The Dr. told me it may be too early. The location is in the right place and the size she thinks is about 5 or 6 weeks.

We scheduled a radiology appointment for next Thursday (the day before we leave), to see if they can get a beat prior to us leaving for Colorado for 3 weeks.

In honor of tradition, attached is a picture of Bean #2. See that black circle? Yup...5 or 6 weeks old.

My heart is at peace knowing that God has a plan for His little bean. And all I can do is trust in Him.

I remember that feeling when I was pregnant with Jackson. I have to re-read old blog posts a million times and then stare at my sweet boy knowing all turned out...just the way God planned. I thank Him every day that His plan happen to fit into mine. :) Okay, sense the slight humor in that last sentence.

So....we wait.

Little Bean...we already love you so!