This weekend, "Aunt Val" came to visit. Jane, you are privileged to have so many wonderful people who love you already.

Val and I first met just over a decade ago (what?!) as college roommates in Chicago-- little babies in a big city, we grew up together those three years in Houghton 607. After graduation, we backpacked Italy and France, she visited me in India, and we celebrated with one another as each of us entered the glorious adventure of marriage. So, it was so meaningful for me to share this new season of life-- this "Jane Adventure"-- with her now too.

Thanks for sharing your weekend with us, Val. Your faithful friendship is such a gift-- in every season of life. You listen and love and bring out the best "Amanda" in me, and I am so very blessed to have you in my life.

(Side note: Val and her husband Jon are both incredible musicians, and Jon just released a new album last week. You should definitely check it out here.)

In other Jane news, she recently learned how to blow bubbles and stick out her tongue like a lizard. She has also moved on from "#1 Baby" but is now practicing a new cheerleading move that we call "The Pike." It's a great ab workout.

She is also a very clever escape artist. Every night we swaddle her tightly, and every morning she manages to bust out of it somehow. There's the one-arm "Statue of Liberty," the two-arm "Flex," the "Don't-Look-At-Me-I'm-Sleeping," and most impressive, the "Foot Loose"...

I guess the girl just likes to be free.

TWJ 11 - Hold Loosely, Hold Tightly

Our little Janie Bear is growing up so quickly! She is now sleeping through the night, cooing like Ducky the dinosaur from The Land Before Time, and her crazy hair is almost lying flat. Almost. She is also screaming at new decibels... so, there's that...

Jane really is such a gift to us-- a reality that has struck me deeply these past few weeks.

My sister recently told me about a good friend of hers who's due date was the same week as mine.

Her baby girl was born two weeks early. My baby girl came two weeks late.

Her baby girl had an incurable genetic disorder. My baby girl was completely healthy. 

Her baby girl died in her arms at just 10 weeks. My 10-week old baby girl fussed and spit up down my shirt, but she's here. And could there be a sweeter sound to that mama's ears than to hear her baby fuss again?

My sister said that when the father of that family prayed over his dying baby girl, he was not bitter or angry, but thankful. Thankful for 10 precious weeks with his daughter. Thankful for every smile, every snuggle, every nap on his chest.

After hearing about this, Danny and I were moved to tears. What if this was our baby girl and not theirs? Later that night, Danny prayed that God would help us to "hold loosely, but hold tightly." That phrase has repeated over and over again in my head.

Hold loosely. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow. Each day is an undeserved gift. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord. Hold your baby, your spouse, your family, your loved ones, your life loosely.

But at the same time, hold tightly. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow. Each day is an undeserved gift. Savor every smile, every snuggle, every nap on your chest. Hold your baby, your spouse, your family, your loved ones tightly.

Today-- this 11th Tuesday with Jane-- is an undeserved gift, and I am so, so thankful.

Tuesday with Jane - 10 weeks

This week, Jane met two more cousins, Quinton & Connor. They were sooo sweet with her and took her on all sorts of adventures...

like a waterfall hike...

her first baseball game...

...and even a journey to outer space. Quite a week! :)

Jane also got lots of love from her Aunt Kim, who taught us "How to Put a Baby to Sleep in 40 Seconds." Game-changer, folks.

Wehby family- what a great week! Thanks for spending your spring break with us. We love you guys and are so thankful to have you in our lives!

Tuesday with Jane - 2 months

Who knew such a little person could bring such great joy???

This past weekend, Danny & I got to introduce Jane to one of our favorite places on earth, a secluded cabin in the Smoky Mountains-- the same cabin where we spent our honeymoon... and our 1st anniversary... and now our 2nd anniversary, this time with a baby in tow!

Jane joined us for breakfast in bed...

and read to us from her favorite storybooks.

She hiked the Appalachian Trail...

climbed to the top of Clingman's Dome...

and fended off a ferocious bear. It was a close call, but in the end our Janie was the last bear standing.

Jane wanted nothing to do with Gatlinburg...

...even Elvis couldn't impress her.

And to make matters worse, Mom & Dad were having way too much fun with the camera. "This will be perfect for your wedding slideshow!"

She did, however, seem quite thrilled with her first airbrushed t-shirt... so all is well that ends well!

Sharing "our spot" in the Smokies as a family of 3 only made it more special. We never imagined all the joy Jane could bring into our life! What in the world was I so afraid of? So, so thankful for the gift of this child.