:: two years old today - a story of thankfulness ::

The 8th of May has become one of my most favourite days of the year to celebrate. When I was little and was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I said I wanted to be a mummy. Well, today I'm living my dream and there's no other accomplishment I'm more proud of and fullfilled in. It's exhausting, yes, and there are plenty of moments of frustration or self-doubt, but to be parents of these two is a gift beyond many others. 

Happy 2nd birthday today to our Elise Grace and Amélie Hope!

Many of you know that these two are living miracles because you walked with us through scary pregnancy moments and then their arrival that came way too early. We are so thankful for all the prayers, words of truth and words of encouragement that you sent our way during those scary days. The girls were born on Mother's Day morning, New Zealand time, so whole churches stopped to pray when they heard the news. And instead of overwhelming fear we felt peace. Even the memories of the early days and months of uncertainty are now overshadowed by the thankfulness and joy of seeing two little girls who have grown from 700g to being walking, talking, laughing, joyful little people who have no developmental or long-term health issues. Praise God! We're also incredibly thankful to the wonderful (understatement) medical people who helped us throughout the journey. The Neonatal unit at the CHUV hospital in Lausanne became like a home away from home because the team there welcomed us with open arms and kept us informed of everything they did with the girls, which was nothing short of amazing! Merci du fond de nos coeurs!

To celebrate their birthday, to thank you and to give an example of the faithfulness of God, we made this video of clips from moments after their birth to now. 
 

Et avec les sous titres en français:

Amélie Hope

Our little helper, always ready to pick up a cloth and clean :o) You were born first, even by mere seconds, but you seem to have taken the role of being the eldest with a responsibility that makes us smile :o) We love to watch you take care of your babies, giving cuddles, kissing anything and everything you like...from your teddies, to flowers, tiny spiders, books and rocks! Your arms wrapped around our necks and soft kisses make up some of our favourite moments. You're always up for fun, with a smile that lights up your face and a giggle that's contagious. You love to colour and spend several minutes in focused concentration as you draw. Mummy's proud of your love for books and we enjoy watching as you 'read' to yourself copying from memory how we have read to you. You're joyful, funny, creative, caring and have an incredible capacity to understand and respond to what we're saying to you. You're independent (like your mummy was at your age too!) and we can really see you living up to your name, which means 'industrious' and 'bringing hope.' We love you dearly our sweet Amie and we're so proud of you!

Elise Grace

Our sweet Elise who captures hearts wherever you go because your own is so big. You, who went through so much in the beginning and terrified us so often with the risks that came at you almost constantly, bring us joy beyond words. We love your gentle (mostly!) nature and empathy to notice when people have something that is "mal" (hurts). You, whom the doctors warned may not be able to speak, have a beautiful, soft voice that you use constantly, to sing and tell stories. While Amélie is responsible and you sometimes help her, you are also carefree in nature...flitting from one thing to another like a butterfly and singing as you go. Your eyes twinkle mischievously and you shake as you giggle...it makes us giggle too! For all your gentleness you also have a strength of character which is not surprising knowing what you battled through during your early months in hospital. You have an extraordinary eye for beauty...one of your first words being "pretty!" and you point out pretty things wherever we go, from necklaces to hairties, flowers and even people. I love to take you out for a walk, just me and you because you love to chatter away and point things out with the words you know: tree! ball! pretty! car! You also love stories and reading aloud to yourself with wonderful expression! We love you enormously our joyful Leesie! You, too, fill our hearts with pride. 


Above all we truly thank our God for His wonderful protection over Amélie and Elise. They could very easily not be with us today, there were countless moments both before and after they arrived that we were expecting to say goodbye. A throat infection could have easily put Elise back in hospital needing breathing assistance, but they have stayed extraordinarily healthy and seem strong. So we're thankful and will always be.