My Thomas...

Thomas Caleb Dickinson...3 days old...

at the beach...4 months old

First Auburn game...yes, he LOVED it!!!

sweet little man, almost a year old...

a true "dirt magnet" to this day...2 years old

3 years old...

my funny little man...2 weeks ago in the backyard...sharing his pool with Samford

...and my dramatic little man, not so happy about Samford being in his pool...

While most of our posts, updates, and pictures have been about our precious miracle baby Lily, today I have to share with you about our strong-willed, handsome little Thomas. He is indeed as special, unique, precious and beautiful as his little sister.

Many of you who know me know that recently I have been struggling with him and learning how to discipline, etc. at this age of 3 1/2. He has proven recently to be very stubborn, impatient, manipulating, and just exhausting. However I know this is just a phase and he truly is an amazing loving little boy by nature. He has an uncanny and unique way of hardly ever meeting a stranger and his smile has a way of stretching from his eyes to the corners of his mouth causing anyone who sees it to melt and instantly feel loved.

He truly was our earthly rock while we dealt with Lily being in the hospital. He gave me a reason to get up and come home and a reason to maintain life as usual as I could. He gave me strength in each hug he gave me when I came home and in each prayer he prayed for his little sister that he never got to meet until the day she came home from the hospital.

He loves trains!!!! Or anything that he can make into a train. He can make a very real sounding train noise and loves to do it sometimes just to irritate is sister. He loves his plasma car and flying around curves, cars, hills and the dog. He has worn out almost every pair of shoes he has riding that car. He loves watching any movie with trains and or cars. Currently he is stuck on the GeoTrax movie that came with his train set. However I am quite sick of it and have it forever memorized, ugh... He says the funniest things and loves to make up stories that can last for days! He already bargains with us and comes up with alternate plans after we give him ours. He has adjusted well so far in our new home and will be starting his new preschool in Sept., not soon enough!

Even though he tests my patience daily, sometimes hourly, and makes me question my abilities as a mother on some days, I am forever thankful for him and so blessed by his little life. He and Lily have brought more joy to our lives then we ever dreamed possible. I know that God too has big plans for him and I can't wait to see what it is!

One of my favorite videos of Thomas...showing his true colors...dancing machine

Pray for the Prescotts

Please follow the link on the left to The Prescott Family. They have welcomed a new baby girl to the world today and could really use your prayers. Thanks,

New Shades...

Lily's cool little shades they gave her at the eye doctor's office after having her eye's dilated...so cute. Of course she didn't wear these but I had to get a picture with them on!!

Today we had another prayer answered when we received good news from Lily's new eye doctor. This is the first time she has had her eyes checked since February. Basically the ROP she had when she was born has pretty much regressed on its own and he isn't worried about it anymore, yea!! He said that she is twice as farsighted as most babies her age but hopefully it will continue to correct itself as she grows. We don't have to go back until another year so he must not be that worried. Great to hear!

Last Friday she had her first evaluation with the new Early Childhood Intervention therapist. She did very well. She is basically where she should be for her corrected age of 6 months. A few social/verbal areas she actually scored higher than 6months. The only area that was below was sitting. She can sit briefly by herself but not yet ready to be left alone. The physical therapist felt certain that this would come soon and gave me some things to do with her to help her.

We finally weighed her this past weekend and she was a big 13 lbs!! I was so glad to see a gain. I stress myself out so badly worrying if she is eating enough etc. She has had cereal and some applesauce which she really liked. I really think she is ready to try some baby food but want someone else to tell me to start. When I eat in front of her she just stares at me almost licking her lips like she wants to eat what I am eating. Hopefully her big food day will be coming soon.

I have been reminded over the past couple of days of how God always provides for us. With each move, there has been different types of uncertainty, frustrations, new trials, and often unwanted change. But each time we have left a place and looked back over the time we were there, I can see how God always provided just what we needed when we needed it. With each place we have lived we have gained lifelong friends that have met so many of our specific needs at just the right time. The blessing of these special people is truly priceless. I am so thankful for the role that they have played in our lives and all that I have learned from each of them. We have already been blessed with getting Lily setup with all the different specialists, high risk clinic, ECI, and pediatrician. Thomas is setup with preschool and we have met some great neighbors and playgroup friends. I am learning to appreciate where God places us from the beginning instead of after we leave regretting that I didn't do this or that. Anyway, thanks for all for all of our prayers during our move and for all of us to adjust well.

"I will praise the Lord at all times; my mouth will continually praise Him. I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34 1 and 4

Pictures!!!!

We have updated our slide show in the upper left, or you can follow this link to the entire album!

MASH IT!!!!

Lily update...

big blue eyes...

such a big girl...loving sitting up

We have teeth!!! Teething on an apple...

One of her favorite sleeping positions...

eating her cereal...

Peek a boo...her next favorite sleeping position

cheesing it up for the camera...

Lily is growing like crazy!!! Before you even ask or think it, I haven't weighed her in a while. Promise to do so soon. She is doing so many things now. Here is a quick update. She is eating rice cereal which she seems to like. She has found her feet and loves trying to put her toes in her mouth. She can sit up but can't completely stay up by herself, almost. She loves sitting in her bouncer and in her walker and has started scooting backwards in it. She is "talking" all the time and started saying "dada." She is rolling like crazy and pushing up. She scoots on her back now so the days of leaving her on my bed while I get ready are almost over. Two of the biggest milestones is that she is now sleeping in her crib in her own room. She is doing great and really seems to love it. And she now has two bottom teeth that have broken through. So crazy to think of my little girl with teeth! She is chewing on anything and everything she can get into her mouth!! We have just about got her setup with all of her new docs and developmental appointments. I have met some great helpful people over the phone which has really eased my mind with everything. We have her first Early Intervention appointment this Friday. They will do another evaluation and see where she is on development etc... Looking forward to that.

Hope you all are doing well and having a great summer!

Moving...

too many boxes...

view of the back...

view of part of the yard with our garden in the top right...hopefully I can keep it all alive!

view from the deck...

Thomas in the box...

Look what I found...

Thomas loving the big moving truck...

Lookout, Thomas is behind the wheel...

ready to help...

Yes, we are all finally in our new house in North Carolina! We definitely miss our wonderful friends and all of Lily's amazing doctors and nurses, but we are loving this much cooler weather!!! We finally have the boxes unpacked and most of it put away. We are waiting to get some painting done so the decorating can begin. Everyone seems to be adjusting well. We have met some wonderful neighbors who have already been so helpful, including breaking in the house for me when I locked myself out with Thomas asleep inside!! Not the ideal way to meet neighbors. Luckily Lily was with me so I didn't look like a complete nut! We have an amazing yard that we have never had before. It is huge which Samford of course loves. We have already joined the neighborhood playgroup and Thomas has started camp today. Slowly but surely we are getting settled in.

Meeting more family...

Thomas and DidiPop on the gator at the farm...

Thomas with his cousins Millie Ann and Brantley

Lily meeting cousin Lori for the first time...

Meeting cousin Doug...he's such a natural...

Meeting sweet aunt Ann and uncle Johnny...
We had a great time visiting with so many cousins and family...we always love coming to the beautiful farm!

Thomas, Lily and Grandmary

Lily and Grandmary meeting for the first time...(Greg's grandmother)
So great to see her and such a sweet and special visit for Lily...

San Antonio Trip

Thomas the driver...

Trying to stay cool...oh so hot, and it was only May!

River Walk...

Amy and Holley at dinner...

All of us on our carriage ride through the town...

We couldn't leave Texas without visiting the Alamo...

The Skinners and Dickinsons at dinner on the river...



We couldn't leave Texas without going to San Antonio first. We went with our good friends the Skinners. We had a great time and both agreed it was a great way to end our time in Texas. Thanks Amy and Rusty for showing us the town...we miss you!

If you are having a bad day...

...then watch this and it is sure to cheer you up!!! Lily laughing out loud for the first time on July 4th!!! I am blowing a pinwheel and she obviously thinks it is hilarious...

visit to Lake Martin

Trip to Lake Martin...Camp Windy Point...visiting Greg's Family

we had a great visit...love that place...simply gorgeous...One of God's beautiful creations!!!

The Boys and Didi Pop having a practice fishing lesson...

Lily and Didi...

Thomas and his second fish he caught...you can't see it, but I promise it was there!

Cutie fisherman...future Auburn Tiger!!!

Owen, Greg's sister's oldest son, meeting Lily for the first time...

say cheese...

Aunt Leah and Lily meeting for the first time...thanks for coming to see us, we had such a good time visiting...see you in Atlanta soon!

Thomas and Ethan, Leah's youngest son, playing in the police car...too cute

the gang...enjoying the ride