Allie Mae- 7 months old

Sweet Allie Mae.

You are now just over 7 months old.

It's so hard to believe how fast you are growing and changing.

How much you are learning.

How much you are a joy to our lives.

I haven't been very good at updating the blog.

It's been a little busy with 2 of you munchkins.

And the flood of course.

But I've been taking lots of pictures of you!

You are eating well. 

14 pounds and 8 ounces at our last doctor visit.

And you've loved that you've started solid foods!

You love to chow on whatever you can get your hands on and will try anything.

We are doing baby-led weaning with you.

I think it's one of your favorite activities.

You definitely don't want to be left out if the rest of us are eating.

You are also sleeping well.

You had a "regression" around 4 months.

But other than that you've slept through the night except when you've been sick.

It is a great gift that you've given your mama.

I love that you love to sleep!

As far as other activities you're playing hard now.

You love to army crawl.

You're *so* close to crawling on all fours.

I've seen you do it a couple of times but it's not consistent.

You also love to be with your brother.

Any of his toys are your favorite toys.

And of course he'll always tell me when you start to eat them.

I can tell that he loves you and he's trying hard to take care of you.

It's adorable to see how you two are together.

I believe sharing a room with him is one of the reasons you sleep so well.

You are joyful and happy (almost) all the time.

Your smile lights up a room.

You're silly.

You love to laugh.

You love to babble and talk.

You're so curious of the world around you.

You really seem to take it all in.

You are loving and affectionate.

You are my sweet, beautiful girl.

And i love you like crazy!

Mama

Lyons Flood- FAQs and How you can help....

I wanted to thank everyone again for the overwhelming support.

Since my last post, I wanted to address some of the FAQs.

And share how you can help.

Am I ok?

Yes and No. 

We are together as a family, our house was untouched by the waters, and we are staying with wonderful friends.

We have everything to be thankful for in this situation.

But I am unsettled.

Not just because we are displaced for several weeks.

But because of the collective trauma.

It was traumatic.

For so many people including myself.

And I feel that trauma around me.

I was wired for days.

Now, I'm just tired and wanting things to be "normal" again.

How are the kids doing with this?

Really, they are fine.

Allie doesn't know the difference.

Jackson thinks it is normal and fun to stay with Ms. Ashlyn and Mr. Craig.

But he has now referenced going to our "other house."

The "purple house in Lyons, Colorado."

For some reason that really gets to me.

When will we be able to go back?

This is the big unknown.

But I believe it will be a matter of weeks for us.

They are supposed to turn on electricity for businesses today.

We're hoping they'll bring it for the northern, untouched part of town on Friday.

Which includes our house.

And would allow people to keep their homes warm so the pipes don't freeze.

I've heard them say that they can hopefully get water and sewer going in 2-3 weeks for 75% of town. 

That would also include us.

Really, we might be able to go back if we just get electricity and if we can use one of Jonathan's work RVs for the water and bathroom.

How can I help?

Our family's physical needs are met.

But so many in our community are really struggling.

Especially as the attention shifts away.

If you are willing to contribute financially, I would ask that you consider sending money to The River Church.

http://www.therivercolorado.org/give.html

100% of funds go to flood relief.

There are no administrative costs that chip away at your donation.

You can specify to help the church itself rebuild, or for your money to go to help families in the community.

This is our community church and will be helping for the long-term.

If you are local and would like to donate clothes or household items, I would ask that you wait for a little bit.

Right now there are a lot of donations.

That won't be the case in a month or so.

Much love to all of you,

Marcia (and Family)

Footage of pedestrian bridge washing away:

(Normally river is 10 feet or so below...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg_cKy-AQ6s