Pumpkin Patch Weekend... a teaser

Below are a few pictures from our Saturday at the pumpkin patch. I have hundreds of photos to post, compiled from our camera, granddad's, grandma's, and Sandy's, but Blogger won't let me post any more than these! I keep getting an error message, so I'll have to try again later. In the meantime, here's a little teaser. . .

you may notice in our most recent pictures that Libby has lost interest in posing for photos. she's far to busy to stop and smile at the camera. if we do catch a smile, it's a pretty mild one, and only because we've been very quick with the trigger.

milking a cow

silly daddy supervises

granddad got this picture of libby's focus while learning how cows are milked

libby and aunt brett pause from cheering for the racing pigs to smile for mama. i can't tell you how much libby loved watching the pig races. she anticipated the races for days before we got there, and she really enjoyed cheering for whichever pig was wearing the purple bandanna in each and every race.

Mama Got Sick

Well hello friends and family. Sorry we haven't updated the blog sooner, I know pictures of a new baby and his big sister are coveted by many. But much has happened since little Xander's birth 12 short days ago. As many of you know, Xander came Wednesday afternoon and he and mama were doing great. We left the hospital Thursday afternoon and spent a couple of days at home enjoying our new family. Unfortunately, Saturday night mama started feeling short of breath, and eventually daddy and mama and Xander headed to the ER. The next couple of hours went by very quickly, as mama's breathing slowed and slowed. After checking mama's blood, heart, and lungs, it was discovered that a blood clot which had likely been in my leg had moved into my left lung. My blood pressure escalated and caused fluid to accumulate on my lungs, which was making breathing virtually impossible at that point. I was soon moved to intensive care, and over the next 8 hours or so, medications helped to drain the fluid from my lungs and by Sunday night I was able to breath without assistance. It was a very scary time, but also encouraging as we saw the Lord's care throughout our trial and I know I have personally been convicted of my lack of trust in the Lord's sovereignty and His perfect plan, and I pray God will grow me in that area.

By the middle of last week mama was discharged from the hospital on the condition that I gave myself shots twice a day for 5 days. In the meantime I am on blood thinner and feel pretty much back to normal. And how blessed we have been through all of this! God was so gracious in so many ways, from seeing that we decided to go to the ER (rather than take a nap, which is what I had considered, and likely wouldn't have woken from) to providing loving family to care for our home (Grandpa Larry and Uncle Daniel even cleaned our our attic while we were away!) and to care for our babies, who had to be home without us as I recovered in the hospital, to nurturing and loving us through our church family, who have lifted us up in prayer, came to visit, brought gifts, and continue to provide meals for us during our recovery time at home. We are so thankful for all who have cared for us through this and prayed, prayed, prayed. God has answered... I am on the road to recovery, daddy has been able to stay home from work and care for his family, Libby has made such amazing transitions from having mama and daddy at the hospital for Xander's delivery, to having us home with a new baby, to waking up and finding her parents gone for a few days, to visiting her sick mama in the hospital, trying to understand why mama is sick and why she couldn't be home, to welcoming mama and daddy home, to living with so many family members coming and going to care for her, to learning to trust that her parents are home and will stay home to care for her. I am just so thankful for the Lord's lovingkindness upon Libby through this difficult time. And, Xander. Xander has been such a wonderful blessing upon our family. He is such a sweet baby, he pretty much only cries when he gets cold and daddy provided a space heater near his changing table so he doesn't get cold often anymore (he's a bit pampered!). In contrast to Libby's birth while we were in Virginia, Xander has benefited from the love and care of many family members while his parents were unable to be with him, and his family members have been blessed by him, this sweet creation, so tiny and new and amazing, warm and cuddly, beautiful and sweet, provided by and for the Lord.

Below are some pictures that I have taken since coming home from the hospital (the second time). Granddad has taken others and I hope to get copies of them and post them later this week. In the meantime, enjoy these shots of our growing babies and please continue to praise the Lord as He is our creator, provider and sustainer - He is using this experience to grow us in our faith and there is nothing we desire more than our continued sanctification for His glory.

For a time, Aunt Brett was Xander's primary caregiver. I'm told she never put him down, which means she mothered him essentially exactly the same way I would have had I been at home with him.

With mama and daddy home from the hospital, we spent some quality time cuddling and reading stories in bed Wednesday evening. Can you see how big sister adores her little brother?

Grandma Shelley took over with Xander when Aunt Brett had to go to work. And she also cared for Libby, especially when Aunt Sarah and Grandma Anna weren't at our home with her. Those four ladies were such a blessing to mama and daddy; we knew our babies were in good hands, even when it was heartbreaking to be apart from them.

Xander seems to be making a sour face in this picture, so we took another one and he is gazing beautifully into mama's eyes (below).

Uncle Mason and Tara hold Xander for the first time; they came to spend their fall break with us this weekend.

Grandma took a picture of us before Uncle Mason and Tara had to go back home.

Our family grows with love...

Joyfully Introducing

Alexander Elliot Meade

Born Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Weighing 8 pounds, 11 ounces
Stretching out to 21 and 3/4 inches in length
Welcomed and treasured by Mama, Daddy, and Libby

This is the first time the 4 of us got together for a family photo. Poor Xander is hidden by mama's hand, Libby smiles at a loved one to the side, daddy looks handsome and proud, and mama looks tired and swollen (but give me a break, i had just had a baby the day before!).


We are so thankful to the Lord for adding to us a sweet baby boy. We came home with him yesterday afternoon and have so enjoyed getting to know him and learning to care for a little brother and a second child. Libby adores Xander and is so eager to help with him, console him "it's okay baby xander, don't cry...", bring him soft cuddlies to love, and rattles "so he can chew on it and maybe that will make him feel better" and sweet rubs and pats and kisses. As for mama and daddy, we are truly delighted to be blessed with another baby to raise for the Lord. Please pray for us as we care for him, and join us in praising the Lord for his amazing creation.

setting up for their first pic together

xander votes no, libby looks so concerned

Xander's first ride in the car

Big sister is so sweet and tender with Xander. she just adores him.

and you can see how proud Libby is to be holding her baby brother

one other shot of the two of them bonding.

libby peers into the bassinet as xander rests up for his big transition home

Barns and Libbs

When Libby saw her doggie laying at the top of the stairs she wanted to go lay by him. As you can see, Barnabas was eager to cuddle up to her.

3-2-1 We have Liftoff

Sunday night on the way home from church we had quite the little discussion about the moon, and travel to the moon and outer space in general. Libby hadn't heard of space shuttles or rockets before, and daddy mentioned that we might be able to watch a video of a space shuttle the next morning. As promised, Libby was introduced to space travel via the world wide web, and she was fascinated! We watched videos of inside space shuttles and even Neil Armstrong on the moon. Her favorite though, was a 2 minute video of a shuttle lifting off and she watched it no less than 10 times throughout the course of her breakfast. Here she enjoys a bagel and some fascinating educational material. "Can we watch it agaaain?!!!"

Family Visit

Last weekend we had visitors! We took a group shot of the extended family. See mama, daddy, Aunt Brett, Uncle Mason (holding Bocephus), Tara, Barnabas, Grandma, Libbs, and Granddad (holding Izzy). Not pictured: Macey and Mader, Brett's doggies.

Family Photos

Little Xander is due in just 4 weeks and the three of us who are anxiously awaiting his arrival spent an evening posing together to commemorate the end of the era of mama, daddy, and libby. Our friend Angie (Ella Bella Photography)photographed us and got some great shots. These are those we've chosen for our home collection - we hope you enjoy them!

Day at FunPlex

Thanks to the generosity of daddy's firm, we enjoyed an afternoon at FunPlex a couple of Saturdays ago. Libby experienced an amusement park for the first time, and I think it's safe to say she would like to go again. She even got to go on one of the rides by herself! Her poor emotional mama was so happy and sad to see this little big girl off on a ride without needing the assistance of her parents! And, aside from the water park, that little train ride was probably the highlight of her day.

Her first request was the merry-go-round.

She and daddy peer over the edge while we soar above trees in the carousel.

I love the contrast between this picture and the next. Here she is, all loaded up in her little train car, ready for the ride. She doesn't know what to expect, except that in theory, it should be fun. She looks pretty serious though, as she inspects her car and finds the button that plays music and lights everything up.

You might have to click on this picture to see it larger so you can appreciate the delight showing on her little face as she comes around the corner from the small loop, sees her parents and realizes she's really having the time of her life. So cute.


On her final lap she gives us a sweet smile. Of course this didn't turn out to be her final lap because after she came out to us, she informed us she'd like to ride again, so back on to the ride she went -- this time as the caboose. The caboose car was even better, and we shot some video, but the second time around the novelty and excitement had waned a bit and she handled the ride like an old pro rather than a gleeful toddler.

I know it's been a while since we've posted something new for you. -- and still I am not going to take the time to upload pics (I don't think we have many new ones right now) but will give you some little nuggets of Libby through things she's been saying lately. She has quite the personality, and is repeatedly amusing us, and blessing us with her silliness and wisdom.

L: I am going to help you carry some of these groceries in.
M: Okay honey, thank you.
L: And that will be showing you love!

L: taking a bath, holding her wet bangs out in front of her face with a look of shock. Woah! How did my hair get black?!
M: explains that her hair isn't really black, it just looks darker when it's wet
L: Is it still blond?

M: I love rocking with you. Doesn't it seem nice to sit and rock together? Especially when you have a cold and feel kind of yucky?
L: mmmm-hmmmmmm. Having a cold is NOT FUN.

L: whispering in mama's ear as we sing before bed. I love you so much. You have a pretty song voice.
D: Mama does have a pretty song voice doesn't she? But, you need to be laying down on your pillow, no more getting up for secrets.
M: Libby, if you have something you want to whisper in mama's ear while you're supposed to be laying down on your pillow, you can just say, "come here mama, I want to whisper something in your ear."
L: Come here mama, I want to whisper something in your ear.
M: anticipates more sweet i love yous and compliments from her little lovebug
L: I. need. to. go. poopie.

L: watching a movie called Farkelberry Farm on loan from the library. the little sheep sings a sad song about how she is lost. libby gets up from the sofa and comes to mama and says, God will find the lost sheep!

L: I love you mama. You are my mama. You are my mama with a big big baby in her tummy.

L: Let's sing In Christ Alone!

Oh there is so much more but I'll leave it at that for now. As I think of something I might just take a moment to send it out to you. :) Have a great weekend!

Pregnant Pals

Well, here it is - the first picture we've gotten of Brittany and myself, taken just in time for showing our pregnant bellies. Brittany's baby is due and will be coming shortly. So, you're looking at me at 30 weeks and Brittany at 39. Aren't we looking great? Of course we do, we're heading out to dinner and a movie, accompanied by our pregnancy glows. :)

Oh What A Big Girl (bed)

Oh joy and oh sadness, our little girl is sleeping in a big-girl bed tonight! As you will see from the pictures below, Libby is so excited and thankful and just thrilled about her new bed. Mama and daddy are excited about it as well, though it does add a touch of reality to the extent to which she's growing up - already! Her beaming smile seems so fake, but is so genuine it makes me grin every time i glance at these pictures.

as mama reads libby a bedtime story, daddy snaps a picture. mama is smiling because libby just said, "mom, you read. i'll smile."

tucked in with her bed rail up, safe and secure. she's all smiles as we leave her to her dreams.