Who Knew. . .

• Who knew it would take me this long to get around to posting?
• Who knew life could be so FULL?
• Who knew that children could cause one to laugh so hard one minute and the very next make one so very mad, wishing to be born with oodles of more patience?
• Who knew seasons went by so fast? (The morning Evan was born, it snowed!)
• Who knew that I'd still find myself needing to grow up at the age of 32?
• Who knew it could be so hard to make a decision and discern God's will?
• GOD KNEW!! and I DO KNOW how much I'm loving my first day of summer vacation!!

Easter 2011
Evan dressed in his best. It was so hard finding an outfit small enough. In the end the pants were rolled at the waist and the legs and we just made do.
Isaac is learning to egg hunt. Apparently the funnest part of an Easter egg hunt is to dump the eggs and watch Dad and Grandma recollect them for you.

Easter at the Lehman Parents
Aunt Stacy is the best story teller. Just look at her fan club!
Three nephews and a niece.

Play date with Amirah on Good Friday. This was drink break.

Evan was dedicated on April 10th, 2011.
Cousin Marah enjoys holding her living doll baby.

Look How Big I am!! Evan at nearly 3 months.
He loves to do "big eyes" when he is wide awake.

Isaac, Evan and Mommy time. Isaac loves being a big brother! (most of the time)

Miss "Leelee" Lisa was a wonderful help and weekly baby sitter while I went back to work for 4 and a half weeks.

Isaac just being goofy with goofy photographer, Dad.

LIFE: As We Now Know It

Two little boys rule my life. . . And I LOVE it!

Isaac is growing and learning new words so fast that we can't seem to keep up with his new vocabulary! Just this morning I couldn't figure out what "Babo" meant and he was getting a tad frustrated. He is maturing into his new role of BIG BROTHER, and 18 month old toddler. It has him acting so BIG one minute and then very much "his age" the next. Eric and I will be sent into rolls of laughter from one antic and then the next minute into a "testing of patience" the next. Isaac also keeps me very busy at home! Here is a list of his accomplishments, just from this morning:

• Lost his toothbrush, somewhere in the house.
• Took apart a calculator, battery and all. It took Mom twice as long to put it back together!
• Discovered the fun of toilet water (Why are toilets made so accessible to toddlers? They need locks!)
• Loves to play in the trash cans; especially the one in the bathroom. Gross!! (Again, why are trashcans made with "fun" lids and so low to the ground!)
• Blew kisses to Mommy from my high chair.
• Pointed to the fly in the house and said "Bug!"
• While Mommy was "predisposed" with the baby, emptied the diaper bag and the Tupperware cupboard.
• Told me he was "Grunt (sound)! Poopoo." when I asked about his stinky diaper smell. Great! First of many to change for the day.
  
• Wants to go "Bye-bye" when our neighbor stopped by to drop off some mail. And also wanted to go out for the mail when he heard the mail truck drive by.
• He also loves to kiss and pat his little brother. Saying "Waa Waa" and "Ahhhh" for baby and gentle. (He can also say "Bebe" but when Evan cries tells me "Waa Waa, Bebe")
• Can't get enough of "Balloons" and "Bubbles"!! Too bad his huge bubble wand was dumped just the other day, inadvertently by his own doing.
  

Snuggles with Dad.
Bubbles!!
Special day (1 day before Evan was born) with Mom and Dad to Red Robin. We never go out to eat, so this was a special day that was just the 3 of us! And a Balloon!
Cupboard fun!!
My new wagon.

Evan's accomplishments this morning:

• Eating.
• Pooping.
• Giving Mommy a smile when I coo and talk to him!
• Sleeping.

Mommy and Evan's hands.
Tiny basket, full of a tiny blessing.
Small enough to fit inside Dad's Nationals hat. Isaac's infant hat looks huge beside Evan, too.
Thanks for the newborn outfit, Alicia. One of two that actually fit!

Tell me, who has a better life? God's richest blessings continue to amaze, bless and confound me.

Evan Davian Lehman 3/7/11

Evan - "God is Gracious"
Davian - "Beloved"

How do we look?
a. Relieved
b. Thankful
c. Proud
d. Exhausted

Correct answer: e. All of the above

I'm a Big Brother!!

Week 36 and Counting!

I am choosing to have that perspective that my life is SO FULL, and that is why I haven't taken or HAD the time to up-date our blog. But today, a lovely and unexpected snow day, is THE DAY!! Here are some pictures of Isaac's first snow play day (not today).


And these are a few pictures from our trip to Philadelphia to the Children's Hospital (known as CHOP). Thanks again Amelia for your assistance, company and city know-how!

Isaac eating his early morning banana before heading off to "the sitters" and one of him getting up-set because I wanted a pictures OF him and wasn't allowing him to HAVE the camera.

Daddy and Isaac time. Always precious to me.

My Little-Big Boy drinking his night bottle on the couch by himself. He enjoys entertaining us and having fun being the center of attention. Oh, is he in for a surprise in a few days/weeks!




And this is 36 weeks and counting. . . . for those who needed proof!

Our Busy "Big" Boy

I thought I should add a few pictures of our growing little boy! Isaac's growth and development continues to astound me. We find ourselves asking: "Where did he learn that?" or "I thought this outfit would fit him till spring! Is there anything else I need to get out and wear on him before he out grows it?!?" or "Who taught him that word?"

Isaac enjoys showcasing his new "tricks." For a long time it was saying "balloon," then is was clicking his tongue. Right now he likes to show and tell us "teeth" and other parts of his face. He is a delight and joy to parent. . . even when he shows us his "new trick" of screeching to make his point known after he has been told "NO, Isaac." Parenting is another great adventure that we now find ourselves experiencing - and loving!

It took a while, but Isaac got the hang of ripping wrapping paper off of gifts!


Inspecting his new bath toy from his Aunt Aileen and Uncle Stephen.


This is Eric's Christmas gift to me! Extra counter space and cupboards. I already don't know how I made do without it! Isaac loves to play in my cupboards.


Isaac and Mommy!


My little "problem solver" couldn't get his sippy cup out of the diaper bag, so he just leaned down to the sippy cup to get a drink when he needed it! It made his parents laugh and laugh (and grab the camera).

CHOP News!

I know most are getting our amazing news through word of mouth or other forms of prayer up-dates, but I thought I'd make an "official" post of our trip to Philly.

Eric and I left at 4:45 A.M. in the hopes of avoiding the Schuylkill Expressway, famous for back-ups. Our plan failed as it still took us an hour to travel 13 miles! And we were 15 minutes late for our appointment. Thankfully the staff at the hospital were gracious and took us anyway.

Turned out to be a "GREAT" choice for them, because not only did we take half the allotted time, they were able to give out some "GREAT" news!! Which is something I don't believe the doctors at CHOP get to do very often. The equipment at CHOP was amazing - I was able to see Baby's heart valves click open and shut with such perfect detail! The ultrasound tech would zoom in on a few things and I would explain to Eric - having already been through 2-3 echo cardiograms of the heart - what she was looking at and what Dr. Hole had originally been perplexed by. The technician would just say, "I don't see that anymore." or "I don't think that is a problem." or something to that extent. I would ask about several items I knew were concerns, and each thing she would check off of the list with an unofficial "ok" or state "Yeah, I read that in the report, but I'm not seeing it here."

It didn't take long before she stated, "I think you have a little miracle here!" I was speechless and brought to tears. She didn't believe our consult with the team of doctors would be more than 5-10 minutes. What!! Really?? After she left to speak with the doctors, who were in a separate room evaluating the technicians pictures of the heart, Eric said, "That's what I was expecting!" Some faith I had! I was still bracing myself for news of a very sick baby and a long journey to recovery; full of wires, monitors and surgeries.

The CHOP doctors met us in a room with tissues on the table - provided for the usual news they must give to families. The three ladies were all smiles as they entered. We were informed that our miracle baby did not need further specialized evaluation. They found nothing that was of concern to them. Our baby was, in all reality, healthy and normal!

So we have been released from CHOP with a clean bill of health. We have yet to hear from the MFM (Maternal Fetal Medicine) doctors in Gettysburg/York. Maybe they will just want to have a look for themselves! However, they will (or have been) sent a full report with pictures for proof. Doctors first diagnosed our baby as having chromosomal and genetic defects, which are beyond the doctor's reach for correction. Then they said it was hydrops fetalis. Now they say it must have been a virus. Maybe it was all three! I'm just fine with not knowing the answers to the many questions of "why?" or "how?"

I'd love to have a "photo" copy of this baby's miraculous comeback. Eric and I have been able to view it first hand through ultrasound technology. Wish I could have a picture of God's actual hand doing the work! But I don't have to have that photo to believe it and know it is true.

Miracles and Wonders of 2010

"The Lehman List of Miracles" can make my head spin and my heart skip a beat. We continue to cling tightly to the Saviors hand, as He leads us into a new year. I don't even want to begin to guess or imagine what He has around the corner for 2011. I guess it may take away from the wonder and gratitude for all He will to do. I also may need Him to carry me through various stages and so it is best that my "need to know" not be satisfied just yet.

1. Definitely the top of the list is our "miracle baby #2" as we like to refer to Baby. Going from Hydropic Fetalis, which is fatal, to a viable and growing baby still has our wonderful doctor scratching his head. We know it is the prayers of God's "saints" and prayer warriors. You know who you are! We are continuing this journey with Baby, who has heart abnormalities, to the Children's Hospital of Philly (CHOP). We journey on with a spring in our step and hope in our hearts. God is doing a new thing!

2. Our precious Isaac Tamerat is our miracle baby #1. He gives us cause to laugh, be amazed and short tempered all in a days work! We love his little personality which is emerging - full of spunk and careful observation. He has also overcome great odds, and it is no wonder! He is a fighter in his own right.

3. Eric has his sights set on the END of his bachelor's degree! Just 6 classes to go. I'm very proud of him: for seeing this overwhelming task to completion, despite full time work and family obligations. He has been VERY flexible, and though a college education doesn't teach you all that you wish it did (for what you end up paying!). There are many valuable life lessons learned through the "university" process.

4. We celebrated our 5th year of marriage in June! Hard to believe.

Well, I think I'll stop here and post a few pictures from our Christmas and New Year's celebrations. May God be our provider and sustain-er into 2011.

Daddy and Isaac opening presents.

Mommy and Isaac reading a new book together.

Daddy thought this was the perfect shot of Isaac in his Nationals cap. . . until he saw the drool. He has started to request that we put his "hat" on his "head"!

Boy! Christmas sure is tiring!!