HAPPY VALENTINE‘S DAY!
Hello!
We hope that you are doing well and that your Valentine’s card (corny joke included because what’s a Valentine without a corny joke?) put a smile on your face. The Lord has been good in the Loper Household. Most of our days are consumed with keeping up with Lily. She’s 17 months old now and she only has one mode: run and discover. Well, every once in awhile she sleeps. Those times are nice.
Surviving
It’s 10 pm and I’m squeezing in writing this between putting Lily to bed and an elongated nap that wishes to qualify as a good night’s sleep. These days are fun though. We’re operating through a whirlwind of sippy cups, work deadlines, and YouTube Kids playing on constant repeat. I’ve heard so many parents say, “They grow up so fast.” But I didn’t know it would be THIS fast. It feels like just yesterday that she spent most of her days lying on the floor with us coaxing her to roll over. Then she rolled over. Then the rest of her milestones started to fall like a train of dominoes that we cannot stop. Actually, I don’t really want it to stop. It’s fun to watch her grow up and learn how to solve bigger and bigger problems. I know that time won’t stop just for me, so I take a lot of videos.
Another thing I’ve heard so many parents say is, “It takes a village.” That is incredibly true. I imagine we’ll find out more and more as she gets older. Lily’s village is enormous and includes everyone from her doting grandparents to my colleagues who have literally never met her. I want to thank just one special person here though. Jordan came through and helped us by watching Lily during the day when I transitioned from working remote to working on-site and childcare just was not available (7 months later and she’s still on the waitlist at two places). You were a college student on summer break and could have done literally anything with your days except have my 8 month old kid yell at you for hours because you weren’t her parents. We thank you.
“It takes a village”
Unlike previous years, I don’t have some big goal for 2023. I’m really looking forward to spending as much time as possible being with my family and making memories. I want to make small talk with strangers. I want to do random acts of kindness and appreciation. I want to make as many opportunities as possible to smile.
Highlights from the Year
Rob was promoted to Lead Teacher at Dad’s Montessori School (i.e. Rob watching Lily while he works remote).
Rob built a pretty awesome stable for our family nativity scene.
Bev got a new job working in the Performance Improvement & Quality Department at a University of Maryland hospital.
Lily learned how to crawl, how to walk, lots of sign language, a good amount of spoken words, and the sounds of most of the letters of the alphabet.
Lily won.
Thriving
In 2023, we’re not just surviving, we’re thriving. We have seen God bless us over and over and over again. We are gainfully and successfully employed, servants in our local church, homeowners, and very blessed parents. Our daughter reminds us that even a child is known is known by his (or her) doings. We were given a little girl who has already developed for herself a reputation in her community of being well behaved, intelligent, inquisitive, and engaging. We take very little credit for this - she just came this way.
We’re so glad to have you in our lives, as each of you has been a contributor to our story in some way. Lily thanks God for you in her nightly prayers, and we look forward to continue doing life with you in 2023!
Multiplying
If You Were Looking for News Announcing That We’re Pregnant…
We’re not pregnant. Calm down : )