Thursday, January 29, 2009

Beautiful Girls

Laurie has once again outdone herself. Here are some sneak peeks at some pictures she took of our girls yesterday. Sleeping angel
Sisters

More to come!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Updating

Hello! How as it been one week?! I'm back to the land of the almost-mobile and almost-human. :) The recovery from Micah's birth wasn't nearly as bad as I thought, but it wasn't enough for me to deem c-sections as the way to go... not by a long-shot.

So, yes, Micah never turned and we ended up having a c-section. It... was... interesting. Talk about a way for God to completely take away my ability to control things and rely on Him. In the end, we realized that it was 100% the way to go. Micah ended up being in a very awkward position with one foot down and one foot either curled to her body or stuck completely to the side. It would have been a very difficult birth to say the least and would have most definitely resulted in a complication to her and me. We are grateful beyond measure that we had a safe way to deliver her.

And she's perfect. She's been passing all her tests with flying colors and is regaining the weight that newborns always lose. She's a good eater and sleeper and is quite sweet. We are so in love.

On her name -- We chose Micah based on two things -- the meaning and a special verse. It means "Who is like the Lord" and we just loved that meaning. No one is like the Lord in His goodness, mercy, and love. Second Mark and I both love Micah 6:8:

"He has shown thee, oh man, what is good and what the Lord requires of thee. But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."

Mark and I both feel that this verse sums up what God loves to see His children striving after. If we can follow this verse then we are also fulfilling the greatest commandment to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37). If we are doing justly and loving mercy, then we are loving our neighbors as ourselves. If we are walking humbly with our God, then we are loving God.

This is our prayer for our sweet Micah.

Emily was a name that we both really loved -- but Mark more. :) We wanted an "E" name so that Micah would have the same initials as Mark. We thought that with a more masculine first name, she needed a feminine middle name and Emily fit the bill.

We haven't posted more pictures of her because our crazy computer has decided to stop working. We're getting it fixed and are hoping to quickly post some pictures soon. How frustrating! But there are plenty of pictures and we can't wait to share them!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

It's a...

...GIRL!!! Welcome to the world, Micah Emily!

Stats:
7 lbs 2.3 oz
18.5" tall/long
January 21, 2009 at 7:51 am

Micah was not happy about being evicted from her cozy home!

Here's the happy Mommy.

Micah meets Grammie and Grampy.

Micah meets Nonnie, Granddad, and her big sister, Mia.

Mia helping Daddy hold sweet Micah.

Guest Post by: Mark (aka Daddy)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Last Day

Marble is still breech. Crazy child! We're guessing he or she just didn't want to be upside-down. :) Our c-section date has been changed to tomorrow morning at 7:30am. We're nervous and excited to meet our new munchkin -- little troublemaker! :) We'll post with all the details as soon as we can.

I'm not sure about Mark, but I've learned quite a few things through this time:
1. Nothing is ever a guarantee.
2. Hanging upside-down off a couch is an interesting experience.
3. Prayers are always answered -- they are just sometimes answered with a "no."
4. Perspective is everything. There are people who have it better, sure, but there are people that have it way worse. It's time to be thankful for what we do have -- a healthy child and a safe way to deliver him or her.
5. God will walk us through anything.

Today, I took Mia to the park for the last time as an only child. We ran around, climbed, and played on the swings. She did several things for the first time -- climbed the chain ladder and slid down a very tall slide! What a big girl!


Climbing up for the first time.

Posin' on the bridge

Having so much fun

Friday, January 16, 2009

Oh Marble...

Marble has still decided to be breech. We had our external version on Tuesday and the baby did not turn even 1/4 of the way around. I'm still doing all my exercises, but he/she doesn't seem to want to move out of his or her cozy place.

We are a bit frustrated and disappointed, but we know that in the end coming home with a healthy baby and mommy is what's most important.

We are scheduled for a c-section 1.22.09 at 5pm. 6 days until we find out who this little trouble-maker is!

Continued prayers for Marble's health, a safe and smooth surgery, and a speedy recovery are much appreciated.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Marble Update

Well, we haven't really updated on Marble in awhile. Probably because we keep getting so far behind on the other posts and... let's face it, a baby in utero isn't really all that exciting.

Or is it?

Marble has turned out to be quite the drama queen (king?). About 5 weeks ago, we went to an appointment to find out that I was measuring small and they couldn't find the heartbeat at first. They did, but it was a scary couple minutes! We had an ultrasound 2 weeks later and found the baby to be just fine.

And now. *sigh* On Wednesday we went to our regular appointment and found that the baby is breech. We're 37 weeks as of today which makes us full term and could go at anytime. Which means... this baby needs to flip over or I'll have to have a c-section. There's still time, and 2nd babies do tend to flip later than the 1st, but we're worried nonetheless.

I'm working on all the positions and stretches and exercises that I can find to help turn the baby. We're also scheduled for an external version on Tuesday, but we're hoping it will not be needed as it comes with its own risks and can be uncomfortable.

But, in the end, we know that only God can turn this baby around. We're praying, believing, and stepping out in faith that God will turn this baby around in His timing. Will you please join with us in our prayer?

We do have pictures from our ultrasound... but they are awfully hard to tell what they are. So... you'll have to wait a couple weeks for the real thing. :)

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

It's beginning to look a lot like...

Christmas?

Or here's the promised pictures from Christmas with my family!

The yearly family picture taken by the self-timer on the camera. Mia's blocking Marble. :)

Deuling cousin present opening... Cloe won.
Bubbles!


Oh yes, this is so nice!

Cuddle time with Grampy.

And this was before the lunch-induced turkey coma.

Eating together at Cloe's table and getting to watch PBS. Could it get any better?

Joining the converation at the adult table.

Playin' soccer!

A tag-team effort for Cloe's 4-wheeler. Cloe is the gas, Mia steers. Maybe Santa needs to put this on his list for next year?


That's a whole lot of granddaughter right there.


Aaaaaand the lollipop picture. Cause Mia asked.