Two months?!
Ok, so it's been two months since I've done anything on here. But I finally have a bunch of pictures up.
I'll write a better journal entry later, but I want to remember that Maddie rolled over (back to front!) for the first time tonight. I think it scared my sweet little girl, but we were so proud!
Enjoy the pictures!
This is not unique to me...
Well, I'm not doing so hot on the journal entries. I'm sorry!!
When I was pregnant with Libby and I was sick and exhausted, and sick and tired of feeling exhausted, I was reminded ever so sweetly by the Lord that I was not experiencing anything that was unique to me. For thousands of years women have been carrying babies, delivering them, and raising them. They used to work in fields until the time came for delivery and returned shortly after. It was a good attitude check. So that same sweet, small voice has reminded me again, that while the Lord is walking with me in this tiring time, my current situation is not unique to me. Additionally, I was reminded of the Lord's plans the other day, "Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future" spoken through the prophet Jeremiah. Then I read Solomon's words about children being a blessing and a heritage. These girls are part of the hope and future the Lord has planned for Joel and myself! It was humbling enough to bring me to tears. How dare I complain away this time because it will be gone too soon, not to mention, they are my prosperity! My final lesson in all of this is how God teaches us. He didn't yell this lesson at me, nor did He stand there with one hand on His hip and a finger in my face. He lovingly whispered it into the innermost chambers of my heart. I pray that I will remember this method of teaching and admonish as I teach and guide Libby and Maddie.
Okay, one more thing I haven't done well...getting pictures on this site! Oh my stars, Maddie is one month old today and I don't have pictures up like I should. It's my goal to change that by the end of the week. Wish me luck!!
Coming up for air
Well, we've been home for a week and a day. But it must feel like it's been longer because I told a neighbor tonight that Maddie is two weeks old...not quite. She's come into our lives and our hearts and it feels like she's always been here. That's the sentimental side of it, and the practical side is that I'm thankful my digital watch tells me the time, day, and date. I started writing down feedings the other day because I couldn't remember what I had done three hours earlier. Oh these days! It's so funny to think that I will "miss" them a little--but only a little.
Here's how everything went at the hospital. I had been praying very specifically for the same operating room staff. We mentioned this to the nurse at pre-op, and she started making things happen. The one person who we didn't get ahold of who I wanted back was Elizabeth, my nurse anesthetist. But who walked into my room Friday morning but Elizabeth! She just "happened" to see OB on the board and signed up for it. Actually, it was God's way of letting me know that He had every detail under control. The c-section went exceptionally well and Maddie was great right when she came out and even when I saw her in recovery. However, once she got to the nursery for a bath, she gave the nurses a bit of a scare with some breathing issues. When her breathing recovered her color changed and she became limp. So the minutes turned to hours that Joel and I waited to see and hold our baby. They were very difficult moments and we praise the Lord that it wasn't longer. We were told that if she didn't make a turn that she could end up in the NICU. Again, God was in control and a little after 3:00 our beautiful baby girl made it to our room. Our pediatrician treated her with antibiotics in case there was any infection causing the issues, but all of her cultures came back negative. It appears the issues were related being a c-section baby.
We're all doing well at home, the girls are sleeping well and Joel and I sleep well when we sleep! We are so blessed to have Libby and Maddie in our lives!
Only a couple more days
I've always wanted to be that person who consistently kept a journal. I love writing, but it just never seems to happen. So maybe this is a way to do it and then my girls will be able to go back and read what their crazy mom was thinking and doing when they were little ones! :-)
With only a couple days left before Maddie's arrival, I go back and forth between excitement and nervousness. Perhaps in this case they are one-and-the-same. Although it's nice to know exactly when and how I'll be delivering (C-Section on Friday morning), there's still some apprehension. But I know that everything's going to be okay, and that there's no magic button that just makes this sweet little girl appear! I love being pregnant, but I have hit that point where enough is enough...I'm ready to hold Maddie and move on to the next challenge of sleepless nights and busy days. I'm so amazed when I think about the confidence the Lord must have in us, and so grateful for what He's blessed us with!
Stay tuned!