But, as I sit here just over one year later, and I look back on the past year at how much things have changed in our life over the past year, I am overwhelmed by the blessings God has bestowed on us! I can't help but think that things could not be more different than they were for us just one year ago...
So, to catch all of you up on what has been going on in our lives in the past year -
We got a new puppy (yes, we are crazy!), her name is Lucy Belle and she is a Beabull (beagle/english bulldog mix). She is a very cute little girl, although very ornery and she loves to chew everything - including our couch cushions! It has been an adventure and we admit that getting a 3rd dog was probably a mistake, but she is a very loved part of our family now and its hard to imagine life without her!
Shortly after we brought Lucy home, we found out we were pregnant again! After our last pregnancy, we were pretty nervous those first few months, but God is good! He blessed us with an exciting year and healthy pregnancy, but more on that later.
Joe went back to Latvia for 2 weeks with our church in Pennsylvania to work with Camp Hope, a mission that has become very close to his heart over these past few years. This year, my sister Mary Kate went with the group, which was pretty special. They spent one week at the camp and the second week at an orphanage working with the kids. Hopefully he will post something more about his experience there another time. We are hoping that in the future we can make this a family mission effort :)
We found out shortly after Joe returned from Latvia that the TV station he worked for, ONN, was closing and he would soon be out of a job. God has a funny way of working things out though, and he was lucky to be able to spend almost 2 1/2 months home being a full time dad to Bayley, and to our surprise, we all LOVED it! That time off allowed for some much needed family time together and some very special daddy/daughter time.I read a quote somewhere the other day that said "I didn't realize how much I loved your Daddy until I saw how much he loved you." I feel that way. Joe is such an amazing dad to Bayley and it just melts my heart to see them together - to see this grown man sitting down and playing with dolls and having a tea party because it is what makes Bayley happy and because he really treasures his time with her - it's just so sweet and special to watch them together. We were pretty stressed about the whole job situation initially, but we knew that God had a plan, whether that would be a different job or just that he would be staying home as a full time dad. He was then lucky enough to find a new job as a director for ABC and FOX news here in Columbus and has been working there for a few weeks now.
Bayley turned 2! It has been an amazing year for her and we can't believe how much she has grown! It is crazy to look back on pictures and videos of her over the past year and see how much bigger and more mature she has gotten in a matter of months. She is such a sweet little girl and has so much love to share! She is very energetic, loving, talkative and just indescribably amazing little girl! She is also a very opinionated, independent and "spirited" little girl and we are experiencing a little bit of those "terrible two's" right now... Bayley loves to write, play with her baby dolls, sing and dance, watch the muppets, anything to do with Veggie Tales and Bob the Tomato and spend time with our family. She is such a joy and we just feel so blessed and honored that God chose us to be her parents :) Below are some pictures of a few of the highlights of the past year with Bayley (we also got a new camera a few months ago, so I apologize for all of the pictures!)
Bayley took swim lessons last fall/winter and she loved it!
Playing in Grammy and Papa's front yard at the farm
Cool big girl in her shades
Playing dress up - she's just too cute!
Riding the tractor at the farm with Uncle J - March 2012
Visiting Mommy at work in her personalized pink scrubs - spring 2012
Trying on things while shopping with Mommy and Aunt Sarah
At the Braves vs. Reds game in Cincinnati for Mommy's birthday 5/22/12
Such a beautiful little girl - summer 2012
Playing in a bounce house at the farm over Memorial Day weekend
Swimming with her cousins at a Niehls Family picnic - May 2012
Niehls cousins as of May 2012 - Katie and Nora, Bayley, Anna and John Mark
Swinging at Green Lane park with Mommom, Aunt Mary, Uncle Jeremiah and Mommy 5/2012
Trying out her new sandbox June 2012
First time at the outdoor pool - June 2012
Fingerpainting, or maybe body painting?
Bayley had her first Camp Manatawny experience this summer when we worked SH1 week in July - she had fun playing with her cousin Anna and just hanging out!
Swinging with Daddy on the swing before he went to Latvia - July 2012
So excited Daddy is home from Latvia!!! July 2012
Helping Mommom feed Aunt Mary's 4H market goat, Tony - she really loved this little goat! July 2012
Visiting the animals at the Ohio State Fair - August 2012
Model posing
Cheesin'
Helping out at the Montgomer County 4H fair - August 2012
Feeding Tony
With Aunt Mary and Uncle Jeremiah
Daddy's little girl
Hanging out with Aunt Beth - who got engaged to Uncle JJ and will officially be a part of our family in August 2013!!! (even though she has really been a part of our family for years now, we love her!)
Loving on her best buddy Anna
With Aunt Mary, cousin Katie and Tony the goat
Taking Tony for a walk
Some of our favorite pictures of Bayley from the fair this summer...
Spending some special time with Uncle JJ
Taking care of Tony one last time before he was sold to be a pet for another little girl on her farm
These two are pretty special and they love B so much!
The Niehls baby cousins (as of August 2012) - Nora, Bayley, Katie, Anna, John Mark and Matthew
BAYLEY'S 2nd BIRTHDAY PARTY!!
Eating a meal of her favorites - mac and cheese, strawberries, cheese puffs and a hot dog
Opening presents with Daddy
She loved the bike Uncle Ben and Aunt Sarah got her!
She didn't love the helmet so much though...
Getting ready to blow out the candles on her Bob the Tomato birthday cake
Trying out her new bike
Pushing Aunt Sarah on the bike
There are just no words to describe how much these two love each other
One last picture with all the family who came from PA to spend Bayley's special day with her
Our special birthday present to Bayley was that we took her to see Veggie Tales Live - she was so excited and had such an awesome time! It was so great to see her so excited and happy!!
September 2012
Waiting for Bob to start
She got to meet Larry Boy and ThingamaBob after the show - not too sure how she felt about them in life size though, haha
Another weekend in PA :) - September 2012
Picking apples at the fruit farm - September 2012
I think she spent more time eating than picking ;)
I just love these pictures of Bayley. She just takes so much joy in every day and she really loves life. She loves to play outside and just run! She makes every day of our lives so amazing and just so much better, I can't express how much we love her!
October 2012
Playing piano and Nana's house
She really likes to help bake, but moreso to help "taste"
Dressed up as Bob the Tomato for Halloween 2012
Helping Daddy rake up leaves in the front yard - November 2012
Dancing around Daddy all dressed up for church one Sunday morning - November 2012
Early morning tea party with Daddy and her baby - we ate Daddy's birthday cake and drank sweet tea from coffee cups - November 2012
Hope you enjoyed those pictures of Bayley - we so enjoy watching her play and learn and grow. Hopefully we will be better about posting more pictures of her on a regular basis!
