One and Two Months

Dear Kenya,

Your Auntie Megan bought you these cool sticker decals with the months to put on your onesies and take photos.  You were actually almost 2 months when we took your 1 month photo, and 10 weeks for your 2 month photo.  We're a little behind, but here they are:

Here are some facts about you at 2 months:

*You are 23 & 1/4 inches now and weigh 11 pounds 8 ounces.  We cannot believe how you are growing up right before our eyes!  Everyone always says it will fly by and how fast you would grow, but we never really knew how true that was until now!

*You have already grown out of all of your newborn and 0-3 month clothes and now are wearing all 3 months and 3-6 months, you are a big girl!  You also have graduated both your newborn and size 1 diapers and are wearing size 2 diapers!

*You are sleeping a lot longer now, sometimes for even 4-5 hours at a time at night!  Your mom and dad are loving the extra sleep!

*You love bath time.  You sit in your bath and smile up at us the whole time and don't want to get out.  When it's time to get out, that's when you get mad.

*You still go through TONS of diapers - we think somewhere between 80-100 diapers a week!  We can't believe it.  But now that you are sleeping for longer stretches at night, I think that number just may be starting to drop.

*You love to talk! (just like your momma!)  You are cooing all the time.  It is seriously my favorite thing in the whole world.  I could sit and listen to you coo all day long.  Sometimes you decide when I'm trying to nurse you that you would rather just coo the whole time.  Your daddy says you're just like me cause you would rather talk than eat.  Wanna know my new least favorite thing in the whole world?  When you cry... especially now your little lower lip will turn up and I think I would do just about anything to make it stop. 

You have been busy lately meeting lots of new and special people.  I haven't gotten pictures of them all, but here are a couple of them....

With your Auntie Megan

Cuddling with Grandpa Mexico and Great Grandma DeYoung

 Some other fun times this month...

In your favorite pj's, visiting at your Grandpa and Grandma's house (you are an active girl!)

Celebrating Auntie Paola's birthday

Celebrating Grandpa and Grandma Mexico's 40 years of marraige

In matching Mexican dresses with cousins Zoe, Ana Leah, and Rachel

You were so done with the photo shoot!
 

In matching outfits, mine from Auntie Paola and yours from your Auntie Kaitlyn!

We got a photo of all your aunties, uncles, and cousins from your daddy's side as a gift for Grandparents' anniversary

Lots of visitors also mean lots of gifts for you!  So many people love you and just want to spoil the bejeezes out of you.  You have gotten lots of gorgeous new clothes, accessories, handmade blankets from family, and even a few gifts from afar, like a beautiful tea set from Poland (from Auntie Lauren) and handmade blankets from Panama (from Auntie Melissa).

Since your momma is still technically on bedrest and we aren't able to be in the DR doing our mission work that I've told you about, you and I decided to start "The Kenya Project".  It's been really cool because we get to help people who are in human trafficking, and do it from right here in our bedroom.  We just asked people to help by doing one thing and lots of them did!  I think it is all thanks to you and your adorable photo I put on the project.  Who could ever say no to a baby as sweet as you?

We were lucky to get some beautiful pictures of you and our fam recently from Lauren, who is a girl I used to babysit and now she's all grown up! (and very talented with a camera)  She was so sweet to come over and take these photos of you.  Here are a few of our faves:

Everyone who meets you or sees your photos says you look just like your daddy.  I think these photos confirm it too!

Something crazy happened yesterday.  Yesterday morning at your Grandpa and Grandma Mexico's house in Kalamazoo, a drunk driver ran a stop sign going 70 miles an hour, went right into their yard, flew up 6 feet in the air, went through and over the top of the trees and then flew straight into the side of their conversion van and totaled it!  Crazy story huh?  Hope he gets in trouble.  Thank God no one was sleeping in the van that night.  It's scary to think that we were riding in that van just less than a week ago and your Auntie Pam was sleeping in it!  I'm sure you will be hearing about that story for years, but I wanted to tell you today anyways cause we still just can't believe it. 

 
Then your dad got up today and also saw this (here in Grand Rapids):

Not as bad, but another hit and run!  2 of them to the family's cars in 2 days!  So Daddy and Grandpa are not happy campers right now.  I am scared of the day you will get your driver's license with fools with these ones on the road.  But at least I know you are a smart girl and will never be one of them.  

Well little pumpkin, I think that's all for now.  Not a lot of new news lately.  Your dad is looking for jobs and we are still living with your Uncle James, Auntie Lisa, and all of your cousins.  We are lucky to have them taking such good care of us, as all of your family is.  Your daddy wants to fly down to the DR soon to pick up our dog Santa and some of our stuff we left behind.  We miss Santa a lot.  She was eager to get to know you when we were in the DR and I'm sure she will be surprised at how much you have grown and be excited to play with you.

Love you more and more everyday.  We thank God everyday for the miracle that you are.

Love,
Your momma

The Kenya Project

 Hi again,

As I wrote in my last blog post and shared, at this time we are staying in the states and are not able to continue with our mission work in the DR in the area of human trafficking.  Also, being on bedrest, it is difficult for me to get out and get involved in things here like I really want to.  I know right now my most important job is just being Kenya's mommy, but this has been heavy on my heart since anti-trafficking work is something I am so passionate about and since human trafficking is SUCH a huge world problem.  There are more than 27 million people today in slavery - 27 million!  Did you know that's more slaves than ever before in history?  And 13 million of them are children.

So I have a proposition.  I would like to try to start a project called "The Kenya Project".  I want to continue my work in anti-trafficking through each of YOU reading this blog. (don't go away, this will be easy, I promise - most of it can be done without even leaving your bed :)  Since so many people know about the miracle of Kenya and her story, I want to ask everyone who loves Kenya and has followed her story, if you would be a part of this and it can be one more chapter to her miraculous story that I can tell her one day when she is older.  People who have helped Kenya have given me SO MUCH HOPE and have restored my faith in humanity.  I believe in each of you and know you can, and have, changed the world.  This is how Kenya and I want to pay it forward for all the blessings that have bestowed upon us.  But we need your help to do it.  So here's the idea...

I would like to ask if everyone who reads this blog post would do one thing to help in the fight against human trafficking and do this in Kenya's honor, to help other beautiful little girls around the world who are in need of your help.  It could be big or small, and it doesn't have to require going overseas or taking out your wallet. (though either of those are okay too).  Here are some ideas that I have so far (just peruse on through and pick one):

Like our Alianza facebook page (Alliance against the Sex Trade in the DR)

Check out the Alianza blog and share on your facebook page

Share about "The Kenya Project" on your blog or facebook page

Watch this youtube video I made about sex trafficking in the DR and Haiti and share it with others on your blog or facebook page

Raise awareness by just sharing with a friend, church group, school group, sports team, etc. about trafficking (read some facts about trafficking here - they will shock you and break your heart)

Host an event with a group of friends or church group where you can learn more about trafficking together and discuss how you can raise awareness in your community

Volunteer in your community (there are lots of child victims of trafficking and refugees right here in Michigan, Michigan ranked 13 out of 50 states for human trafficking) You can find out more on how to help through mentoring, tutoring, or foster care by going to Lutheran Social Services of Michigan. (I did this for 2 years when I lived in Lansing and can promise these kids will change your life)

There are also the following Michigan anti-trafficking organizations to get involved with: Hope Project (which has a safe house right here in Michigan) and The Manasseh Project (also fighting human trafficking here in Michigan) and Women at Risk International.  Check them out!

Watch a movie with friends/family about trafficking (such as Taken) and discuss.  You can also find more films about human trafficking here.

Read a book about trafficking and sharing it's message with others (such as Half the Sky which I am reading right now and is amazing) or read it with your book club.  To see a list with more books about human trafficking, click here.

Sign a petition online to help fight trafficking such as this one.

Go to an event in your community, such as the movie Nefarious, which will be at Celebration Cinema North in Grand Rapids on September 6th at 7:00.  Check for events in your area!

Have your church or Bible study or other group pray for people in trafficking.

Other international organizations to check out -Demi and Ashton Foundation, Breaking Chains, Priceless International, and Stop the Traffik.

Anything else you can think of would be awesome - the sky is the limit!

I know time can be an issue, so if all you have time for is a short 10 second prayer asking God to help those in sex trafficking around the world, do pray just that and then let me know - every prayer counts!

  If you need more ideas, just let me know, I have lots of them.  If everyone just does one thing, I can't imagine the impact that we could make together.

Now here's the important part.  Please follow up by letting me know what you and your friends/family did and I can keep a log of this and blog about it.   To let me know about your contribution, please leave me a comment on the blog, send me a facebook message or email me at kristin.deyoung@gmail.com. 

Also, if you are interested in making a big move overseas and feel like you could be called to the DR, we do have a good foundation laid down for starting a safehouse if you feel like you could be the person to help with this project.

Since I wrote my post the other day, I've already had people sign the petition, liked the Alianza facebook page, and share the blog. I'm really excited about this already.  Your participation in this project would mean the world to me.  Even if it save the life of just one person who has been through human trafficking, it will all be SO worth it.  Can't wait to hear from you!

Love you all,
Kristin

DeYoung Family Update

Hi all,

Sorry it has been a while again!!  Thank you to everyone who continues to pray for our family and write with so many words of encouragement.  I seriously cannot believe how many people have reached out to us over these past two months since Kenya has been born.  As I (very slowly) get through each of my thank you's to send out, I just am touched over and over again at how so many people in so many places have blessed in so many ways.  We are one lucky little family.

I know a lot of people have been praying for the items I asked for prayer for in my last post.  So I'll start with some good news... the flu symptoms that I thought were something nasty called C Diff (or another awful parasite that I brought back from the DR or something), that had me sicker than I have been in years, are long gone! (I think thank you to my mother-in-law taking care of me and giving tons of probiotics!)  WOO HOO!  That means I can eat food again... I don't have to take the awful Flagyl medication (I took it a few years ago for a bout of intestinal worms and it is the WORST)... and I can keep on breast feeding Kenya with no problems!  So thanks for all of your prayers!

As for my recovery process, it is still coming along slowly but surely.  Slow progress as in, instead being allowed 20 minutes a day on my feet, now I get 30-60 minutes a day.  So it's poco a poco...  But from talking to doctors here, and just reading medical info., and reviewing what all happened in the DR, I realize more and more everyday how lucky Kenya and I are just to be alive after everything that happened down there.  I have a beautiful healthy baby girl and we are surrounded by so many people who love us and are taking good care of us.  We are so so lucky for that and I just have to continue to keep that in mind.  Someone said recently that my birth complications were the worst she had ever heard of.  And I had totally agreed.  And then I heard about a woman named Katy Hayes.  I know I've been kinda under a rock for the past 3 years, so maybe everyone else already knows this story, but I just have to share it anyways because it is just so amazing.

Katy gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this past February and then developed a rare strain of flesh eating bacteria called Strep A.  Her husband had to decide for her whether to let her die or take the 5% chance of letting her survive by having a surgery which would amputate both of her arms, both of her legs, and remove all of her sepsis organs (uterus, ovaries and bowels).  He decided to take his chances and she survived.  And if you read her story, I think you would be in tears and inspired beyond words like I was.  That's why I just had to share.  Here is a photo of her with her sweet baby girl below.  I was so in awe of her radiant joy and beauty shared between her and her daughter in this photo, that at first I didn't even notice that all of her limbs were missing.

Here's my favorite part of the story.  Katy said that if she could have one wish, it would be to hold her baby girl in her arms. (running for the kleenex yet?)  So Katy's family is raising money so that she might be the first recipient of arm transplants.  Not prosthetic arms, but actual human arms transplanted.  I heard this story because there was a fundraiser for her in Birmingham, Michigan and my dad shared it with me one day when I seemed down about my current situation.  So when I feel discouraged now, I try to remember Katy Hayes and her strength and courage.  I am so inspired by her.  I think if Katy can be strong and let her smile shine through this kind of trial, I definitely can too.  If you are interested, you can follow her blog "Katy is Strong" that her husband writes for her, or donate money to help pay for her arm transplant.

Last item that was on my prayer list... my wedding ring.  Well sorry to say that rock is nowhere to be found.  But what I do have instead is so much better.  I have a rock of a husband who has been there for me through the good and bad, especially these past few months, and is my best friend and soulmate and an absolutely brilliant daddy to Kenya.  So well I don't have my ring, I do have a rare gem in this world filled with infidelity, divorce, and dysfunction.  And while this rock isn't wrapped around my finger (or maybe he is? ;) I am proud to have him wrapped arm in arm by my side.  Yesterday we celebrated 5 years of marriage, and I couldn't imagine anyone else in the whole world I would rather spend 5 years of marriage with.

In other news, Kenya continues to do fantastic.  She is growing so much everyday and it is unbelievable how she is developing.  She smiles all the time, makes lots of cooing sounds, and is always holding her head up looking around at everyone.  I can't believe how the time is flying! 

And, to answer what many of you have asked, what are we up to now and what are our plans?

We are still living at Dave's brother's house in Grand Rapids.  We don't know anything for sure for the future, but as of right now we are not planning to go back to the Dominican Republic.  This was a sad decision to make as there are so many people there we will miss and we have started a life there, and we were so excited about the idea of opening a safe house for victims of human trafficking, and possibly a restaurant too, but we know that for the time being, this is exactly where we need to be.  I need to get healthy again, go to physical therapy, and let my body heal, get back on our feet again, and most importantly, we need to have Kenya in a safe place where she has access to good healthcare. 

Right now Dave is looking for work and applying for jobs.  He has a couple of leads, but is open to any ideas that anyone has to share with us.  We are open to moving out of the Grand Rapids area as necessary too.  Dave is very talented in a variety of areas, from teaching and youth work to art and design to a million other things so just let us know if you know of anything available.  We would be very appreciative.

And what are Kenya and I up to?  I think one of the perks of being on bedrest is that I have an excuse to have as much cuddle and snuggle time as I want.  Dave is always saying "Still nursing?  It's been over an hour Kristin.. " :)  I just never want to let her go.  Can you blame me?  Also rediscovering Pandora radio and singing along with Kenya (loving me some country music after 3 years without it in the DR), reading her stories, being the lucky recipient of her constant smiles and giggles, and also getting lots of visits from family and friends who are eager to meet her and just spoil us rotten.  Also spending lots of time in the blog world, especially baby blog world and praying for other people's babies, as so many people have prayed for my little baby girl!  Here is one baby story I have been following and praying for baby Mason if you would be willing to commit to praying for him too - The Matthews Monologues.  I have lots of others, but will save those for another day.  :)

And I know I just said one last thing, and this is already really long, but there's something else I just thought of while on that subject.  Since we're not able to be in the DR to start the safehouse and continue our mission work in human trafficking, I would like to ask if everyone who reads this blog post would do one thing to help in the fight against human trafficking and do this in Kenya's honor, to help other beautiful little girls around the world who are in need of your help.  It could be big or small, and it doesn't have to require going overseas or taking out your wallet. (though either of those are okay too)  It could be raising awareness by just sharing with a friend, hosting an event, liking our Alianza facebook page (Alliance against the Sex Trade in the DR), or sharing the Alianza blog or video, volunteering in your community (there are lots of child victims of trafficking and refugees right here in Michigan, you can find out more on how to help through mentoring, tutoring, or foster care by clicking here), watching a movie with friends about trafficking (such as Taken) and discussing, reading a book about trafficking and sharing it's message with others (such as Half the Sky), signing a petition online such as this one, saying a prayer, or whatever else to just help raise awareness about this issue.  If you need ideas, just let me know, I have lots of them.  If everyone just does one small thing, I can't imagine the impact that we could make and it would be a great addition to Kenya's story when I share all of this with her someday.  Please follow up by letting me know what you and your friends/family did and I can keep a log of this (If you are interested in making a big move though overseas and feel like you could be called to the DR, we do have a good foundation laid down for starting a safehouse if you feel like you could be the person to help with this project).  I may make a separate blog post just about this (another fun bedrest project! :)

Okay I'm done for real now!  This is what happens when I wait a while to post! :)  Thank you again to everyone for all of your love, prayers, and support.  I feel so encouraged and inspired by all of you!!  Love you all!!

And just have to share a photo of Kenya to finish, from the amazing Lauren Ward! :)

Thank you to all of you for helping me!!

With Love,
Kristin, Dave, and Baby Kenya

4-6 weeks

Dear Baby Girl,

Is it okay if I still call you baby girl?  We have tons of nicknames for you!  Your dad likes to call you pumpkin munchkin all the time and your Auntie Lisa has been calling you Spike because of your wild spikey hair, and I call you chickie bird cause of your chickie hair too!  We have a whole list of other names we call you though too!  I will have to make you a list of all of them! 

I'm so sorry it has been such a while since I've written you!  Your momma has been sick as a dog.  But thankfully now I am feeling better.  The doctor says that I do still have to be on bedrest for a while until things heal up.  It is a little tough for me cause I don't like to sit still so much but luckily God has sent lots of angels to help us get through it.  I hope you know that even though I'm limited in what I can do for you right now, there is absolutely no limit on how much I love you!!  

Speaking of angels, I know I have been telling you constantly about all of the people who have been looking out for you and who love you so much, but there is something else that I hope you learn from all of this too, more than just how much you are loved.  I hope you learn from each of these people who have reached out to us in extraordinary ways to do the same for others.  I know it is something that have touched your dad and I's hearts forever and we will never be the same because of it. I hope someday when you're older and you're the one scrolling through facebook (or whatever the social site is during your days) and you see something about someone in need (maybe a sweet little baby like you) that you won't just keep scrolling but that you will stop and take action.  (remember when I told you that love is an action?)  Whether it is dropping to your knees in prayer or hosting a fundraiser to raise money or lo que sea (I'm trying to keep up your Spanish!), I hope that you will stop and take action to help like so many loving, caring people did just for you.  You never know what little actions can make a really big difference in the lives of others like they did for us.

Since it's been a while since I've written, I have to tell you that you have really grown!  It is crazy watching you grow so fast right before our eyes!  You are already wearing size 1 diapers and have grown out of most of your newborn clothes!  You love to eat and are putting on weight fast.  And your dad and I love each one of your new chubby little rolls!  Everything about you is precious to us.  You also have been smiling a lot more, cooing, and even laughing.  You laughed for the first time when you were 5 weeks.  I was feeding you and you stopped for about 5 seconds, threw your head back and laughed, and then went back to eating, it was so funny!  You are also holding your head up and trying to see everything all the time.  You follow us and your toys with your eyes, and you know when one of us leaves the room (and you let us know that you are not happy about it!)  I can't believe how you are just growing and developing so fast!

Since the last time I've written, you have also had some visitors.  Here are some photos of the people who have been here to see you.  

Visiting with Grandpa John and Grandma Debbie

Visiting with Auntie Tracey

You were a little hard on your Uncle Bradley

Also your Grandma Mexico came to take care of you and I for a whole week while I was sick, but I was too sick to get any pictures!  Also, your Auntie Melissa came out and so did our good friends Adam and Ginger, who are having a baby boy in December!  He will be exactly 6 months younger than you, which is just like your dad is 6 months younger than me... don't get any ideas now!!  (your dad says you are already taken and will be marrying Abram Stanley :)

Now that your momma is not so sick, I hope we will have more visitors and I will try to get more pictures for you!!  But here are some more pics that your dad took... (he took you on some of your first outings in the past few weeks too!)

You love bath time!

and snuggling with Daddy!

Your new tummy time mat from Grandma Mexico! (sleeping with your penguin, you love this little guy)

You went to the movies for the first time last week and saw The Lorax - sorry we didn't get a picture of you at the theatre but we saved the ticket for you!

Enjoying your little bouncy seat (you love to swat at those animals!)

Not enjoying your bouncy seat!

One last thing to show you... since I am down in the basement and can't do the stairs too well, this is the dish system your dad made for me - dirty dishes go in Mr. Dirty Dish Man on the left and come back clean from Mr. Clean Dish Man on the right - isn't your dad a funny guy?

 Well little princesa, I think that's all for now!  My friend Ellen and her daughter Maya will be here any minute now to visit you!  Love you tons and will try to write again soon!!  

Love, 

Your momma