Happy Birthday, Baby Girl.

February 9th we celebrated Addise's third birthday. It was a weekend, actually, including a day at Disney (using our expiring annual passes...sob), presents, making strawberry cupcakes with homemade frosting, reading Dr. Seuss' "Happy Birthday to You!" and lots and lots of kisses.

Addise is like none other. Everyone who knows her in real life has stories and facial expressions and flamboyant words describing our daughter. She is more LIFE in her little (?) body than most anyone I've ever met in my entire life. Brian and I often swap stories after we've tucked her into bed at night. Sometimes the stories are merely non-verbals of head shaking, stifled giggles, and utter speechlessness. Brian and I are constantly remarking at her unfair beauty. She may be the most gorgeous little girl I've ever set my eyes on. We love her with intensity and beauty and (at times) exasperation. Perhaps we love her that way because she is all of those things and more.

This was a big year for our girl. She's grown in every way and way too fast at that. If a picture is worth a thousand words, how about a dozen or so? Images to capture her transformation...

The first time we laid eyes on our girl. She was 6 months old. Those eyes. Those lips. Those rolls. Those eyebrows. It's still too much to contain.

Addise was home for 3 weeks before we celebrated her 1st birthday! This was also her first taste of sugar.

Her 2nd Birthday.

It's too bad she doesn't have a personality :)

Learning to be a GREAT big sister. Yes, she's very charming.

Double true! To say she is dramatic is very undramatic. "Only the girls." I savor the moments when it's just us girls together. She still LOVES to snuggle and cuddle with me. Some of my favorite "asks" from Addise are: "Mama, rock you? Mama hold me? Mama I sit on your lap?" Words impede my ability to say how crazy I am about this one... She is the best (and worst!) parts of me and teaches me daily what it's like to live with passion and joy and energy and love and strength and humor and attitude and tenacity and tenderness and persistence and vulnerability and expectation and belief and goodness. Parenting Addise requires our best and we joyfully give it to her.

Did I mention that she's a great big sister!??! Beach sand + a billion curls = no bueno

It felt like we were potty training her ALL of this past year. Finally, she's got it. Mostly. Only during the day; not at night. Victory?

Me: Addise, can mommy take your picture? Addise: CHEESE!

She's a little fish. And kinda loves the camera.

Looking much too grown up.

Dr. Seuss character? Bath times are favorites. Maybe because they're a little more rare these days. Oops.

To say she adores her daddy is an understatement. This picture captures one moment in a series of about 5 minutes where she teased him to kiss him. But instead of kissing him, she kept licking his face. Her giggle is infamous and contagious in our home.

Playing at Disney. One of our favorite things to do as a family!

At her 3 year doctor appointment. She's in the 90% for height and weight. She's 39 inches tall and 37 pounds. Apparently she can also read upside down. Genius child.

She got the baby doll for Christmas and the outfit for her birthday. She's learning to play with her babies and accessorize. :)

There ya have it. Our girl. Grateful God chose her to be ours. I'll close with the promise of hope we gave her when we dedicated her at our church.

Jeremiah 31:17:

"They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights of Jerusalem. They will be radiant because of the Lord’s good gifts— the abundant crops of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and the healthy flocks and herds. Their life will be like a watered garden, and all their sorrows will be gone."

Diaz Christmas Letter (for real)

Oh what an epic year it's been. Here's quick look back (including links to the year's blog posts!)...

JANUARY - We found out my growing belly held a baby boy. We celebrated 1 year home with Judah and Addise. On that same day, Brian ran his first half marathon while raising over $1000 to build clean water wells in Malawi.

FEBRUARY - Addise turned 2. Brian turned 33. Judah was potty trained in about 4 hours. Not exaggerating. Addise rebelled against our attempts in potty training her and preferred peeing on herself and sitting in her own stink. Potty training was actually a spiritual experience for April.

MARCH - We bought a minivan. That's all.

APRIL - Asher Zacarias's life was protected and he was miraculously born on the 23rd.

MAY - Judah had surgery about 10 days after Asher was born. Brian ran his second half marathon. Asher came home on Mother's Day. Priceless. Our family's story was featured in a new book for parents called Parenting is Wonder-FULL! We re-finalized Judah and Addise's adoption!!!

JUNE - Maternity leave continued. I have no idea what happened this month. #3kidsunder4years

JULY - We celebrated Judah's 4th birthday with a "bounce house" party with over 20 of his "United Nation" friends. Brian went on his annual pilgrimage to Comi-Con in San Diego with 150,000 of his closest friends. April had a work trip to Palm Springs which included all 3 kids, a husband, a mother, and 2 more grandparents. Yes, it takes a village to raise a child and be a working mom.

AUGUST - April turned 33 and went back to work full-time. Brian and April celebrated 11 years of partnership (aka marriage).

SEPTEMBER - Brian was laid off and becomes full-time stay-at-home dad. This is not a long-term solution as it's not good on anyone, including our pocketbook. Began potty training Addise. Key word: began. She's STILL working on mastering the technique of going #2 on the potty chair. We also were gifted with a fabulous week-long vacation to Palm Springs.

OCTOBER - Brian ran his third half marathon and ran from zombies through a 5K mud run. Not a clue what else happened in these 31 days, other than some fabulous Halloween costumes and excessive candy.

NOVEMBER - April spoke at an incredible youth worker's event in Atlanta on "Redefining the Role of the Youth Worker". It went so well "more" is in the works in 2013. We celebrated our first Thanksgiving as a family of five. Just the five of us. It was lovely. April also signed a contract to write a bunch of middle school and high school curriculum for Simply Youth Ministry. Brian began intense workouts 2 days/week at 5:45am in addition to his continuous training for half marathons. Why? I have no idea but he's getting buff. No complaints here.

DECEMBER - April made a last minute trip back to Illinois to grieve with her childhood best friend on her father's passing. During this visit, April was also able to introduce the littlest Diaz to more of her extended family - so awesome. Our family dedicated Asher at Newsong - beyond awesome.

The year also included about a bazillion hospital visits and doctor appointments for a pregnant momma, NICU baby, surgery for son #1, and general check-ups. Let's just say we hit our insurance out-of-pocket maximum. We also tried to hit up the "happiest place on earth" as often as possible thanks to annual passes. It's a family favorite all around!

As mentioned, what started as the first half marathon for Brian, turned into 2 more this year. And he's running the World Vision half marathon again in a few weeks. His goal is to raise $655 this year (about $50/per mile). We would love for you to support him as he runs for life!

The year also included 4 out of town visits from my mom (she just can't get enough of these babies!!!) and quick visits from Brian's parents, my grandparents, baby brother, dad.

Mostly, the year involved a LOT of growing. Of course, the 3 kiddos are growing at a rate that may eat us out of house and home. Brian and I can hardly handle the speed of their growth - physically, socially, verbally, and intellectually. But we've grown so much as parents, leaders, partners, and friends. In a year that involved essentially NO margins and sleep, we are more mature, more loving, more forgiving, and more sure of who we want to become as individuals and as a family.

Enjoy a few never-before-seen pics of our colorful crew...

Family Photo

He's so happy! (and doesn't my hair look good?!?!)

Father and Son

My one and only girl

"Bugs"

Earlier this month I spoke at Newsong on WAITING for Advent. As I was preparing that message I was starkly reminded of the significance of this month. Four years ago we grieved the 6th failed fertility treatment of the year. Two years ago we longed to bring our kiddos home for Christmas, only to be delayed. December represents a lot of waiting for our family. But it also harkens back to the original longing as we wait for the world to be made right again through Jesus.

As the year winds to an end, LIFE is more precious than ever as so many grieve the death of those they love, whether through cancer or car accidents or school shootings. Whatever the state of your soul at the end of 2012, may your longing and waiting pull you a little closer to the One who came - in the most humble state - to bring you life and hope and healing.

With Love. Merry Christmas!
Brian, April, Judah (4), Addise (nearly 3) and Asher (8 months)

7 Whole Months

Today my baby boy is 7 months old.

These days Asher's all about talking and laughing and smiling. Some of my favorite moments are when Judah or Addise goes over to him to "play" with him and inevitably they start giggling together. It's just the best thing a momma could ask for.

This has been a big month for Baby Asher. Here are a few highlights...

• He moved from sleeping in the bassinet in our bedroom to (kind of) sleeping overnight in his crib...in the same room as his big brother and sister. Let's just say we're still adjusting.
• He's rolling over and over and over again. Belly to back. Left and right. He's on the move!!
• He's getting up on all fours and rocking. Crawling is coming soon. I can feel it.
• The two things I hear most from others are "is he always this alert and active?" and "is he always this happy?" Yes and yes.
• He's drooling like it's his full time job, but no teeth on the horizon.
• There have been valiant attempts at eating rice cereal and many varieties baby food. He acts like we're feeding him poison. He's still just a milk baby.
• He wants to be in on the action. We've noticed that when the party moves to another room without him he gets mad. We're seeing early signs of a temper. Yikes.
• His new favorite activity: the exersaucer!!!!! The boy can spend up to a couple hours a day batting and chewing and spinning and bouncing. Proof of said activity below.
• The kid doesn't do naps. Literally, he's into 20 minute power naps a couple times a day. We're currently experimenting with a new method to get him to sleep more, but he's a poor 3rd child with no hopes of a silent house for long baby naps. (sigh)
• He's also talking ALL THE TIME! His "vocabulary" is expanding as he tries on new sounds, including screaming. It's so blasted cute I can't handle it.

This is a Getz family song. A song sung to me hundreds of times when I was little. A song now sung to my kiddos hundreds of times. Asher's now heard it enough that when I start singing it to him he smiles his big, open mouthed smile - every single time!

Momma's boy!!!!

He really is always this happy.

Perfect.

Ready to take Disney by storm.

On his first Thanksgiving. Dude loves this toy! Dig his baby faux hawk??

He celebrated his 7 month birthday by taking a 3 hour nap...MIRACULOUS!

Despite what we think we needed, God knew we needed this little guy. He's bringing immeasurable joy to our family, healing to our biggies, and deep nourishment to Brian and me. We are truly blessed the God remembered our prayers all those years ago and saw fit to bring us THREE beautiful babies.

I came into our bedroom to find our three kids had conquered Daddy. I don't know what's cutest: Judah placing his Dad's arm over him, Addise as King of the Daddy, or Asher rolling over onto Daddy's shoulder.