baby brag pics

Here's some pictures for the Grandmas! :) We think both of our boys are pretty cute. Sorry, dear bloggie friends, that I haven't written much as of late. Pictures will have to do you for now! Much love.

just lovin' him!!!

Here are some more pictures to melt your heart. I couldn't be more in love!!!

The days are going by too fast; I was about ready to cry earlier thinking about how Lukas is one week old today. I feel like each day is a treasure that slips through my fingers as the hours go by, irreplaceable and never to return. We've prayed for this baby for years...now he's finally here and I want life to stop for a while!

Sweetness personified!


"Whoa, dude...I think that's my dad!"





Lukas is a very relaxed and happy baby. JOY!!!

he's here!

We're thrilled to announce the birth of Lukas William! We went to the hospital Friday morning, and Lukas arrived 25 1/2 hours later, 19 of those being "labor". We are so grateful for the prayers of many for this little boy to be born safely! He is healthy and adorable and a huge GIFT from God!

I'm cherishing every minute with my newest little boy. It is so beautiful to be his mommy!

Some of these pictures are sideways...sorry! It's late and I just want to post these and go to bed! :) This is a few hours after birth and following his "bath".

Amazed and excited parents!

Just after birth...he still looks a little scared, don't you think?

Proud papa!

Big brother Elijah thinks his little brother is awesome!

My favorite picture so far!

Thank You, Lord...for two beautiful boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tomorrow's the day!

After nine months, it's hard to believe the day's finally here! Todd and I are going to the hospital tomorrow (Friday) at 9am to be induced...so that we can hold our precious little boy in our arms at last!

If the Lord brings us to your mind, will you pray that:
- Our minds will rest on Him so that we can have perfect peace
- God will give the doctors wisdom as they monitor the baby's progress
- I'll transition quickly into labor...and things will happen fast :)
- The baby will be born safely
- That God will help me to not relive the pain of the past too much, but to cherish every moment that I do have at the present.

I am amazed and thankful for the calmness in my heart tonight. We know that whatever lies ahead is already known and in the care of our loving God. I am looking forward to all the "firsts" with this little one, Lord willing, like his first cry...my first glimpse...the moment our eyes meet...holding him...all the things that didn't happen at Elijah's birth. I know that the ache I still feel over losing those moments with Elijah will intensify my gratefulness tomorrow!

Much love, friends. Thanks for your prayers!

Just a week!

Another heart beats beneath my own...for just one more week, Lord willing! It seems like Friday or Saturday will be the day we're "induced" if this baby hasn't come on his own before then! Just wanted to update you quickly so you could pray and rejoice with us!

Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of carrying this child within.
For the gift of life!
For nine months of anticipation and excitement.
For years of praying and waiting.
For everything you've taught us along the way.
For cribs and blankets and baby shoes and everything tiny and adorable.
For a big brother who will love his little brother.
For children to raise for Your glory!!!
Out of the mouths of babes you bring forth praise.

just the three of us for a little longer...

I'm trying to savor my last few days with just one little boy! It makes me sad sometimes to realize that Elijah is four and won't be little much longer. As it is, he's more than a handful to hold, especially having much less room on my lap lately! We still get plenty of snuggles in though!

I love, love, love that Elijah's personality is showing up more and more. He will often smile at appropriate times, and if you laugh at something, he'll often join you with a grin. It's a big thing for me that he's beginning to be able to "play", like responding to being tickled or even to just a playful tone in my voice.

Today Elijah, Todd, and I went to the "big city" for Elijah's Botox shots. The poor boy had about twelve needle pokes in his legs. (Botox is to reduce spasticity, but only works for a few months.) As usual, Elijah was a total trooper concerning pain. He didn't start crying until about the 7th or 8th shot. Being his momma, those last four or five pokes lasted an eternity! I would have so gladly taken those shots for him!

We also found out this past week that Elijah will probably need surgery early next spring on his hips. One of his hips has come further out of the socket and will have to be repaired surgically to prevent pain and dislocation. I'm glad it's a few months away, but to think of him having major surgery has me a bit nauseous.

We will trust You, God, to take care of our little boy that we love so much!!!

getting ready...

I am astonished at how quickly the time is going by - just five weeks until our little boy will join the world, Lord willing! (I am planning to have the baby about a week early, at my doctor's advice...either via induction or c-section.)

It feels like I want everything to be "perfect" in my surroundings as things get closer. I know that's never realistic since we are actually living life and not in a magazine spread, but the pile of papers on my desk right now threatens my sanity, for real!

God has been teaching me the past few days about choosing what is important in life, and sometimes that takes priority over having a perfect house. Sometimes it means leaving dishes in the sink while I chat with my husband in the evenings. If I waited until my kitchen sparkled with order and "perfection", my husband would be asleep, or so groggy conversation would be impossible! Sometimes choosing what's important means playing with Elijah...and not letting my mind wander to the vacuuming or laundry or my grocery list.

I wish those kind of choices came easier for me! I confess, it's so easy to put a higher value on tangible accomplishments than close, connected relationships and having fun with people.

Help me, Lord, to ask You what's important during my days. Life is short...I want to live for what's lasting and eternal and lovely. Thank you for my husband and my little boy (soon to be two little boys)!

two cowboys

Some friends of ours from church invited us to their place a few days ago, and this was what the Harkins men did! (Pregnant mamas were excluded, unfortunately.) Todd enjoyed getting his feet in the stirrups again, and used his Grandpa's saddle. Elijah had a blast. Too bad we can't keep a horse in the garage of our apartment!

(All the pictures are courtesy of our friends.)


A beautiful evening in Idaho...











Thank you, Lord, for our smiling little boy and his good father...and for friends who let us come and play!

I've finally pressed 'play'!

Sorry to all who've stopped by only to find the same post for the past two months! It was sort of a bad post to leave you hanging with. I don't think my heart is 'on pause' anymore...in fact, I am relishing delicious feelings about that little baby on the way! I dream about him nearly every night. Perhaps I should clarify that to add that most of the dreams are about forgetting to feed him. Oh well...they make me laugh in the morning, at least!

I've been kept busy with lots of doctor appointments, non-stress-tests, and ultrasounds. In fact, from this week on I'll be having an NST and ultrasound weekly. I am so grateful for the careful approach of my doctors here, and grateful that all looks well.

I'll try to update you a little more faithfully! Here are some pics from the past weeks.


Happiness is swinging in a hammock with a cousin!

Here's Elijah in his temporary 'stander' (borrowed until he gets his own). We like to push it partly outside and hang out on our apartment's patio so he can listen to all the bugs and birds and little kids playing. This was about three weeks ago, and I think my belly has gotten a lot bigger even since then!


Free chairlift day at the local ski hill! This is us in the middle of June, freezing on the mountain. So glad I listened to my husband and didn't wear shorts and flip-flops like I wanted to! :)

my heart is on 'pause'

I feel like I can't catch up emotionally to my life. I'm dying to "bond" with this new life within me, but somehow I'm afraid that something very painful might happen instead.

I would like very much to pick out my little boy's "coming home from the hospital" clothes, but I can't yet. I'm afraid. I want to start planning the nursery decor for him, choosing bedding and buying a crib, but I can't quite do those things either. To be sure, it is a total joy to feel our baby jumpin' around inside me; to hear the heartbeat, to even think of his sweetness and newborn smell. A gift!!! So my conversations with the Lord go something like this lately:

Is it really happening, Lord? Will this child be healthy? Will he be able to see my face...will he actually respond to my voice? Or will I be faced with another life-altering conversation with a panel of doctors bearing bad news? I really, really can't face that thought; every part of me wants to crumble into a million pieces.

I rest in the fact that you, Lord, are trustworthy. So I will trust you, and not be afraid.

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'"

We're having a...

.....little BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



He seems to be growing perfectly, is healthy and super active, and has a cute little face! Unfortunately, our small hospital doesn't provide digital ultrasound images, so I can't share them.

Todd and I both had a few tears watching our little son swim around. We don't take for granted hearing the words "everything looks great"! I must confess that I was very surprised to be having another son -- somehow I was SURE this one was a girl! As my sister-in-law said, Eljiah must have been praying for a brother. We are so happy -- thrilled -- to have a boy, though! Just like we would have been thrilled to have a girl.

Thank You, Lord!!!!!!

twenty weeks!

This picture is from two weeks ago (Easter). I was so happy to find instructions for making the maternity skirt I'm wearing here at See Mommy Sew (who is also a friend I know in real life). Thanks, Kristin!

The hardest part of the skirt was figuring out the pattern. The book "Sew What: Skirts" was recommended for that part, so thanks to the book and Todd, we (ok, I mean mostly Todd!) made a pattern. If I make another, I will use cheaper fabric and make the lined version that the tutorial suggests. (I bought heavier fabric that didn't need to be lined, but it was also quite expensive.)

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It is hard for me to put into words the hope that this little child I'm carrying brings to my heart. JOY is probably the biggest emotion I feel. I look forward to experiencing the sweet days of 'newborn-ness' with our baby...this time without the overwhelming grief, utter exhaustion, and emotional/physical stress that came with Elijah's birth.

I also look forward to little things. Things I used to take for granted before I was blessed with my sweet Elijah boy. The little babbles of a happy baby that slowly turn into words and eventually sentences; the squirms and wiggles that somehow transform into crawling and then walking, running; laughter; expression-filled faces and all the exploration, discovery, and wonder that childhood holds.

My heart could burst thinking of all the fun we'll have (Lord willing)! The joy is delicious and full, but a small piece of me aches still. For all that this unborn baby will do in the world, there is a big brother who will wait for those things until heaven. And a momma who will wait with him.

Lord, You alone hold the world together...give us life and breath...and number our days. I can't help but say a million 'thank-yous' for our precious little baby! And ask You to help me TRUST on the days when all the joy makes earthly limitations and brokenness a little more evident.

PS - Check back in Friday to find out whether we'll be having a GIRL or a BOY!!! The ultrasound is Thursday - yay!

flyin' high

Todd has started flying again recently. He is trying to get his Flight Instructor certificate current. So we've gotten to go with him a few times. Todd looks quite serious in this picture, and I think it's funny. He's in the co-pilot seat so he can practice "instructor mode"...I was just enjoying the ride in the left seat.




Elijah sits behind us and seems to enjoy himself! It is really pretty amazing how happy he is back there. I'm so glad we can enjoy doing this together as a family!




We love our daddy and husband! :)

my latest find

I'm sharing this discovery with you because that's what friends do! You've got to get yourself to Walmart (at least ours carries it) and find this chocolate bar -- it is amazing! Luscious German chocolate and butter biscuit...a few squares a day keeps the doctor away! Check this out when you get your next chocolate craving, it is oooh-la-la-yummy.

special times!

We were blessed with a week-long visit from my younger brother! How fun!!


Here are the three cousins who were together a few weeks ago...Elijah loved seeing them, and so did we!




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Baby news:
I've been feeling the little Harkins bean moving around for a few weeks now! We have an ultrasound scheduled and have decided to find out whether the baby is a girl or boy...I can't wait to find out. And the coolest news is that the baby is due on Labor Day! :)

the truth about me and shopping

It's warming up, but hats are still nice sometimes!

Elijah and I went to "the big city" together last week for a shopping trip. We haven't attempted that for a long time, maybe even for a year. Our previous attempts have been anything but pleasant!

We've all heard many kids crying in Target, right? When Elijah cries, he also stiffens his body and fights loudly against being in his wheelchair. The embarrassment and frustration of not being able to do anything about it makes me want to run from the store in tears. At the very least, it makes for a harried woman rushing through the store, trying to ignore the glances, throwing necessary items into the cart -- not my definition of "fun"!!!

So I am amazed and very thankful to let you know that we successfully did a shopping trip together, and we even got to have fun! I got to shop for several hours, and Elijah was perfect (at least until we were mostly home). Thank you, Jesus!

On the drive home (nearly an hour) I started thinking about how God has changed my focus somewhat over the past years. I love to shop. I really, really love to shop. However, I haven't done much shopping for nearly four years. And I think I'm glad for that in a way, because I realize that lots and lots of my time has been spent thinking about what I would like to buy, or what clothes I would wear if I didn't have a budget, etc.

I'm sure I haven't seen the last of this issue in my life, but I'm thankful for God's work to change me. I am pretty certain that I would never have chosen to limit and deny myself of something I was so "addicted to"...but thankfully, the Father doesn't want shopping to come between me and Him!

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of an easy, enjoyable shopping trip. Help me remember that You are the reward and joy of life.

our little bean

Thanks for all your sweet comments and for being excited for us! This baby is such an incredible gift. We've waited so long it's hard to believe it's real this time!

I was walking through Walmart the other day and passed the baby section. Somehow that part of the store has always been a bit painful for me since Elijah's birth. It's a reminder that our lives just didn't 'fit' the norm...we couldn't use half the things there. Swings, strollers, teethers, baby gear -- you name it, none of the fun stuff has worked for the E-man. The one thing I've bought in abundance from the baby section is bibs. Thankfully, the Lord has greatly reduced Elijah's drooling, but before that, I was always on the lookout for bibs for my child who "should" have been long past the bib stage.

Anyway, as I walked past it slowly dawned on me that the baby section might be for us in the near future. "Is it true, Lord? Is it really going to be me shopping for baby stuff?" Such a simple thing was nearly overwhelming. My heart cried out a silent prayer of thankfulness there in the Walmart aisle. God's gift of Elijah three (nearly four, now!) years ago was a gift of goodness, too...but I am thankful now for the chance to experience new life without some of the struggles Elijah had, Lord willing.

Our due date is September 6th! Lest you think to comment on how "hot" I'm going to be this summer, I don't care. I'm sure I'll be hot, but I'm just thinking about how much more simple life is in the summer! Therefore, I am choosing to be thankful that I'll be pregnant during June, July, and August! :)

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We're moving again, but not because we want to! We've found mold on the drywall in the bedrooms of this apartment, so for health reasons we think we should move. This totally was NOT in my plans, but I keep reminding myself that God will provide...and He knew that mold was gonna show up.

Please pray that we'll find a house or apartment that works for Elijah's wheels...Jehovah Jireh!

one of my favorite pictures ever...

Soak in this sweet picture for a bit! I'm going to give you some time...













Are you sure you spent enough time?














Thirty long months of waiting...praying...hoping.

And now, a tiny heart has begun to beat beneath my own! An incredible, breathtaking, only-God-could-have-done-it GIFT!!!

Thank You, Lord, for this beautiful gift of life!

We're so excited!

Somehow to be given this baby now makes him or her so much more precious for the waiting. Especially when we were told that it wasn't very likely that we would have another child. I just can't tell you how thankful we are!

Wooooooo Hooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas blizzard!

We are in Montana with Todd's parents for the holidays! On Christmas day the snow came hard and the wind blew all day with below-zero temps. We were very glad that we were not on the road, and could relax in a cozy house with the wood fire burning.

The picture above is the drifts by the house, and the truck that needed to get shoveled out before the plowing could begin!


Here is our lovely Christmas table, set with Todd's mom's "new" inherited apple blossom dishes. Elijah was taking a rare nap for this picture.

You can enjoy our blizzard vicariously, ok?

Here's Elijah, napping next to Grandpa. Must've been a pretty boring book. Poor Elijah is fighting a cold.

Merry Christmas!

We send our love this Christmas! May you and your family enjoy a blessed time together...and may your thoughts be full of gratefulness for the birth of Christ so long ago.


This picture was taken by accident (it was supposed to be a family picture, but the camera was zoomed in) -- isn't it cute? Merry Christmas to all the little ones!

Heaven-sent child

I love these pictures of Elijah! His therapist was having him practice sitting without support on her lap, so it was a great time for me to catch a few shots of him having fun.





My heart has just melted in a big puddle all over the keyboard. Isn't he just the SWEETEST???



This is last weekend's sledding party with the youth group. Once again we notice changes from last year when we tried to do the same thing - he was so much happier and able to tolerate the cold for a bit! We're so thankful as we see these changes in Elijah that allow us to live in a more "normal" way, bringing him outside to play even in cold weather. And life is more fun for him, too!

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Many of you know that we would like to have another child. Lately I have been dealing with some grief and fears of never having more babies...and the ache in my heart has been a bit unbearable at times.

I can see, though, that these thoughts should help me to focus, to live purposefully as a mother to one very special boy. Of course I would like to have other children whom I can see grow up, learn to talk, run around, and do all the usual things of childhood. I won't minimize how much I long for and dream of those children. However, I don't want my unfulfilled desires to overshadow the tremendous joy I have today.

I have one precious son whom I love like none other. I have unfailing smiles to look forward to every morning. I have a gentle little soul to nourish and care for. I have small but shining joys in his accomplishments. I have someone who is helpless and dependent, who teaches me how to live before my God. And perhaps best of all, I can creep into my small boy's room at night to watch him sleep. And lean in close for a whiff of his sweetness. I love you, Elijah.


I love You, Father.

Thank you...thank you for all these joys and the reminders of Your goodness.

5 Years!

Oh baby, has it really been five years? I love you!