Battle begins - but Nana will WIN

The picture above was taken on Nana and Heath's birthday! Yes our handsome little man was born on his special Nana's birthday. What a treat and a treasure for both of them. It is amazing how one silly little thing like your appendix, we don't even need it, can change your life in an instant. This is what has happened to our sweet, beautiful, selfless, peacemaking, amazing, perfect, little Nana. In a routine surgery she/we found out that she has cancer. Talk about take you by surprise. But that is exactly what this disease has done for us. We are shocked, humbled, and saddened every time we talk to a doctor. The bottom line is we are are going to help support her, love her, fight, and help her go through this trial in her life.... and WIN!!! The saddest part about this experience is realizing how much we have taken her for granted all this time. I have to be the first to say that I am definitely guilty of this. She bends over backwards for us and everyone else she comes in contact with. If there is one word that would describe Brenda it is SERVICE. She truly serves people on a daily basis and this is her greatest joy in life; besides her family. She is the glue that has held this family and extended family together and you don't quite appreciate her as much as you should until something as serious as this happens. I know the Lord has a plan for each of us and our lives are purely based on his timing but it doesn't always make trials such as this easy all the time. But I am grateful for the fact that I am a part of her family and get to learn from her and benefit in my life from her example. Thank you Brenda Kay Hinds... WE LOVE YOU!!!

Isabella's New Pets

We have been trying different tactics to keep Bean in her bed each night other than just straight up child abuse, Grandma had the great idea to try a fish tank. Truthfully I was definitely more excited than my Bean. So Grandma, Dad, and Bella got it together. Here are the pics of the final project. We started with three, supposedly "indestructible" fish. However by the morning we were/are left with one -Ella. Isabella kept saying "the fish are stuck and not moving, Dad needs to fix that." Sure enough our 3 indestructible fish turned to 1 rather quickly. We are still enjoying Ella completely and the soothing affect of the fish tank but still battling night time sleeping, Ugh!

One Month Old

My little man is One month old but I prefer to think one month down because of the 2 hour feeding schedule he refuses to break. However... I will concur!! As you can see the 2 hour feedings are sure helping our Heath grow. We aren't sure about the weight but his length has increased almost 3 inches, maybe more now. In fact he has outgrown his basinet within 3 weeks. His arm span is wide enough that it gets caught in the rails on both sides. Well they really aren't stuck but he thinks so and screams out. Isabella could of slept in there until she was about 3 months old. The hands above the head is the typical sleep position. I call it the "AWWWW" pose. But don't let the couple of sleeping pictures fool you that he is a good sleeper. We haven't reached that stage quite yet but it definitely is getting better (Thank Heavens). Love this little guy!!!!

Heath Paul Hinds

Introducing... Heath Paul Hinds.
Heath came into our lives at 3:11 AM, June 17, 2010. He weighed 7lbs 14oz and 21 1/4 inches long.

Its Summer

This summer it is back to the volleyball courts for us. Here is Isabella's set up in the sand while we watch dad practice and play.

Big Girl Bed

Isabella has been her Big Girl Bed for a couple of months now and I have to say I miss the crib, IMMENSELY!! The freedom for her to get out of bed finds her in our bed most of the time. Each night Steve and I take turns returning her to her bed only to have her back in ours in only a matter of time. She was so excited but the excitement lost its luster when the night time came. So it is the battle of the beds for a while.

Daddy Daughter Times

Steve and Bella Bean have a great relationship and love to be together, just like I do with my dad. I can't wait to see it continue to grow. Lately they have there special moment each evening when dad comes home from work, they go swimming. They dance together in the pool and pretend to be the king and queen. I have loved watching them together. Another thing she does with her dad is call him by his full name. She loves to say "Steven Lee Hinds." Initially it drove Steve/Dad crazy to have her call him that instead of "Dad" but now he thinks it is cute and goes with it. I love this little pair and it will be fun to include our little man Heath.