Part 2: Radio City, NBC, & Rockefeller

Here was our first day (the day we flew in).  We went to see Radio City, took the tour at NBC, and saw the ice skating at Rockefeller.  Now, let me tell you, I am taking a photography class so I tried to get off automatic on some shots.  I'm experimenting with my ISO, aperture, & shutter speed, so just warning you if some shots look weird.... I'm learning!  But hey, on the upside- there are a few I'm pretty proud of that I did completely manually!  When I've put the pics on here, I'll put them on the photography tab with what numbers I used (it helps me to see what others use as far as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, so I can copy them).  

Part 1: Times Square

Tuesday morning the hubby and I flew to NYC- we went for a little getaway before Aaron leaves for Benning.  It was hard leaving Ryder, but I was glad he didn't go with it being so cold, plus all the walking, flying, etc.  We got back Friday evening.  We had a blast and I took lots of pictures. I'm going to be doing a couple of posts, so I'm pretty sure you will feel like you have been there (if you never have) once I'm done, and if you have been there- well, I think you will feel like you were on the trip with us this past week :)  

Times Square!

Love of Reading

A few weeks ago at church, I received one of the greatest compliments I have ever gotten referring to Ryder.  A mom (of 3 kids) who had the nursery that week, asked me if I read to Ryder a lot, she said she could tell- she read him a book and he stayed with her the whole time, when most of the other kids would of course jump down and run off.  This made me so happy- reading is one of my greatest passions and if I could by any chance instill that on Ryder, I know I have to be doing something right.  My grandparents, my dad's parents, were both teachers for many, many years, and Grana would always tell me "You better be reading to him!"  It's never too early to read to a baby, and I think it's very important for a baby to be read to.  I read to Ryder every night.  We are too the point that he picks out the books he wants me to read, then he jumps in my lap, and he loves it!

There are books he loves, which I would have never heard about this author if he hadn't gotten one of these books a long time ago.  They are Karen Katz books, and many of her's are lift-the-flap books.

Because of this book, Ryder can point to the baby's nose, eyes, etc. all he learned through a book.  He loves lifting the flap to see what's behind it.  Of course I have gotten like 6 more of her books (you can find them at Buy Buy Baby, Marshalls, Babies R Us, etc.).  I hope and pray that this learning through reading will stay with him....it makes me so happy :)  Of course his favorite book is his Bible, which we also read from every night...this is definitely one thing I'm glad he got from me....

Speaking of reading- if you haven't, you have GOT to read The Hunger Games!!  Allow yourself some time, because you will not want to put them down!  

First Goal!

Pray

Well, most of y'all keep or have kept up with this blog about the Green family, I think I have even mentioned it before.  They had a baby who had Trisomy 13, which is incapable with life.  To bring the story a little more personal, I found out about this family only because my (2nd) cousin, Jeannie, is actually experiencing the same thing.  And she actually had a link to another blog, whom is another family she has met, also going through the same thing.  The other two families have already experienced the loss; however, Jeannie is nearing the end of her pregnancy.

You know, since I have heard about what Jeannie is going through, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think and pray about her, Seth (her hubby), and Cam (their toddler).  I was actually just folding laundry and watching a "Baby Story" on TLC (nap time), and my heart just broke.  I know God handpicks these women to be able to faithfully carry a gift from Him, only to give the gift back- all the while giving Him all of the glory.  A woman that can go through that and not slip in her faith, is a woman that truly should be honored.  These women are used as examples of what it means to go through the valley, knowing they are carrying a baby that more than likely will not live to be a week old.

Thinking about it today, thousands of questions came in my mind.  I wonder if I was in the same situation, would I make a nursery?  If not, where would the baby sleep when he/she came home?  Would I hold him/her when she/he took their last breath?  Yes, I know yes to that one.  How do you prepare for the loss, before the birth has even happened?

I read all of these blogs, somewhat because I'm nosy, but mostly because I'm intrigued of the faith these women have and can have when dealing of something of this magnitude.  Cam will always have a little brother named Porter, Jeannie and Seth will always have a second son, though he will reside in Heaven.

I'm sharing all of this because it does break my heart, though I know God gives these families His grace, and His mercy, I know He renews their strength each and every day when they awake and immediately think about their loss, or soon-to-be-loss.  And the thing is, these families will tell you they don't want you to feel sorry for them.

I hope you pray, or will now begin praying for these families, though you may just know them through the internet- each has a journey that we can learn something from- read their stories and pray for them, not for the healing of their precious gift, but that they can faithfully hand back their perfect, perfect baby with all of the defects and still continue through life praising His wonderful, almighty name.  
  

Imagine It!

Today we took Ryder to the Imagine It! Children's Museum in Atlanta.  I think he had fun.  It was kinda hitting nap time, so he wouldn't sit during story time, but he LOVED the fishing... (of course).

Before we went in, we ate at Johnny Rockets down the street.  Here's Ry and daddy sharing a milkshake. I feel like the caption should be "Having a kid means always having someone to sip on the other straw," but you know, when Ryder turns 16 this may not be the case...

Enjoy the pics (though they were taken via iPhone, so don't have high expectations)!  

All the playing wore him out!  This was taken before we ran out of gas and were sitting on the side of the road...thanks for that, babe!

Military Ball

Saturday night Aaron took me to a Military Ball held in Macon.  It was a fun little getaway, and something different to be able to dress up.  Unfortunately, here's the only picture we took (via iPhone) by the way.  Here's my handsome soldier who will be leaving in a few weeks for Fort Benning for 6 months.  Along with this little getaway, we also have one more little getaway next week before he leaves.  I'm SO excited!