Thank You

Our lives are all packed into boxes that are awaiting to be moved back to Nappanee on Friday. We've been packing up and cleaning out our tiny apartment, while saying our goodbyes to the friends we have made here. Last Sunday was our last Sunday at Bethel Church. Thank you, Bethel, for welcoming us into your congregation. You have brought us some great messages, meaningful worship, and helped us meet some extraordinary people. Through Bethel, we met our small group. I can't say enough about this group of people. Without them, I'm positive I would not have lasted this long in Merrillville. Mike and I have bettered ourselves, our marriage, and our walk with Christ BECAUSE of these people. They have welcomed us into their lives with open arms. They have shared our joys and sorrows. We have all laughed (alot) together and cried together as well. Some of our most important conversations have taken place with this group. So to them, we thank you so much for being Jesus to us.

As excited as we are to be moving back to Nappanee, we will miss this group of friends very much. They have been our family here in Merrillville.

Thank you.

Guess what Tenley did!

Yesterday was a big day in our house!! Tenley smiled at me, intentionally, for the first time! I just about cried I was so excited! It took quite a bit of work (silly faces, funny noises, etc) to bring it out, but I finally got one! This morning she gave one up a little more freely, so I hope that they will come easier! :) I caught a little one with my camera yesterday...

Isn't she just the sweetest!? I fall more and more in love with her everyday.

Annnd yesterday she moved her arm more than ever! Due to Erb's Palsy in her left arm she hasn't been able to move it much. But the neurologist gave us some exercises to do with her and I've been doing them everyday and was getting a little frustrated at not seeing any results. But then yesterday... We see this:

Isn't that fantastic!! I was so glad Mike was home to witness it too. Ps- Please don't judge the outfit! I ran to Target yesterday morning and came home and THAT is what Mike dressed her in. Guess I'll have to start laying out the outfits from now on!

On another note, we have boxes everywhere, we're getting all packed up and ready to move back to Nappanee!

In One Month I have Learned...

I've been a mom for a little over a month. I have learned a few things, and have many more to learn. Here's what I have learned so far...

-It takes much longer to get out of the house. And there's a lot of thought involved.
-Projectile Poop is not a myth. I learned this the hard way.
-"Wasting Gas" just to drive around to get a crying infant to sleep isn't so much of a waste.
-I have never worried about how many layers of clothing a person has on until now.
-I can actually function on less sleep. Even if I prefer not to.
-Daily chores (a load of laundry, unloading the dishwasher, picking up, etc.) take a very long time now.
-My heart has never been so full of love. This tiny little girl has completely changed our worlds.

One Month

Happy One Month Tenley! I'm a few days late with this, but better late than never!

We just had Tenley's one month appointment yesterday at the doctor and she said that Tenley is a very healthy little girl! Those were great words to hear.

Tenley is currently:

-10 lbs.

-22 inches long! I couldn't believe this!

-eating 3 oz. every 3 hours

-still getting up every 3 hours at night. We're hoping this will change soon.

-She's taken her first little roadtrip to Indianapolis. She slept the whole way!

-She has outgrown her newborn diapers and is now in size 1.

-She still can't wait to move back to Nappanee to be with all of her new friends! :)

Our love for her has grown so much in the last month! We've gone from wondering if we will survive the sleepless nights to being pretty adjusted and loving every little face and sound she makes. My heart overflows with love for miss Tenley Ann.

4 Weeks

Tenley you are 4 weeks old today!! I can't believe it!

-You currently weight 9 lbs. 9 oz.

-You are eating 2.5 oz. every 3 hours.

-Newborn clothes still fit you, but 0-3 month are starting to fit you better.

-You love your swing! Thank goodness.

-You're sleeping well in your bassinet, but I think you're just about ready for your crib! Is Mommy?!

-You're an excellent napper.

-You are a cuddler! You love being held. I hope this continues as you get older.

-You HATE bath time, having your diaper changed, and getting your clothes changed.

-So far, you're an excellent traveler. We've traveled back to Nappanee with you and you haven't had any problem with your carseat. You have slept the whole way!

and... You can't wait to move back to Nappanee in a month to be around all your friends and family!! :)

3 weeks

Tenley is 3 weeks old!! I can't believe it. 3 weeks has gone by so fast. I think I'm finally getting used to living on less sleep, even though I still get frustrated with it sometimes. I've been told by many people though that it will get better and Tenley's sleeping habits will improve! Right now she's sleeping for three hour increments, then getting up to feed. After the first two feedings she will usually go back to sleep pretty quickly, so I can go back to bed. But after her 6:00am feeding she is usually up for the morning. I'm still getting used to that one. Now is the time when I'm trying to figure out where to fit in my shower for the day!

We had Tenley's newborn pictures taken. Here's a favorite:

Thanks to Dominique Partlow for taking these great pictures!! Despite the crying from Tenley they turned out so cute! :) Hopefully we'll have our announcements out soon. I should be getting them any day now. So keep an eye on your mailboxes!

I had such a great surprise this week. 5 of my friends surprised me on Monday evening and showed up at my door with gifts, meals, and cake! I thought only one of them was coming but they decided to throw me an impromptu shower!! I have amazing friends and they are constantly being Jesus to me in tough times. We had four babies in this apartment! Good thing none of them are on the move yet! I love that we can all go through motherhood together. What a blessing! Monday was just what I needed. Here's the four mommies with our babies!

This is how the whole Marshall household is feeling today. Plus, Daddy goes back to work tomorrow so Tenley and I aren't too happy about that.