Another Girl!

I've realized how much I wrote about expecting Julia (though we didn't know if she was a boy or girl during my pregnancy) and how very little I write about expecting my next little girl! I guess it has something to do with running around after an 11 month old...WOW, where has that time gone?!

It was so exciting to find out a month ago that we are having another little girl! We have named her Ashleigh Faith and can't wait to meet her in person! This pregnancy has been fairly similar to the last, except I feel sure the morning sickness was worse with Ashleigh in the first trimester, but I am SO thankful that I am finished with that for now. I feel her moving and kicking in there most of the time and I am very thankful for that. I know she is doing well and is healthy! We went to see the doctor this week and she now weighs 1lb and 7oz, getting bigger every day.

I am also enjoying knowing that this is a girl and calling her by name when we talk about her. It has made it even sweeter. Oh it was lots of fun waiting to find out with Julia, but I am also enjoying knowing with Ashleigh and glad we got to experience both ways. Technology is amazing now and I LOVE getting to 'see' her on the screen at each visit, watch her move and see how her head has grown, etc. It truly is amazing how God is forming this child inside of me. What a miracle!

Julia is growing up SO quickly and at this age she is just changing every day. I try to take pictures and video to remember these little events. She took her first steps on Sunday, 4 in all, and that is about all she will continue to do each time, but she is getting braver as the days go by! I know she will be running around before I know it, getting in to more things too! LOL :) But I love being a Mom and feel so privileged to be one to this precious little girl, and sister on the way! It has had it's challenges and I know will continue to do so, but the rewards and the end reward of a grown and godly women will be worth it all! Every day as I already deal with discipline issues I am reminded of my Dad's saying that I can either raise my children now when they are young, or I will be raising them for the rest of my life. I truly want them to learn to love God and first, have a personal relationship with Him. Then to grow in grace and knowledge of Him and to have godly character. That is more important than that they are the best sports player, musician, business mind, etc. And requires that I also grow in these things too, for how can I model and teach that if I am not doing it first?! What a challenge and opportunity for my life!!

Also can't forget my most wonderful husband who takes SUCH great care of all of us every single day! Who model's Christ in everything he does and puts serving the Lord as our top family priority in every facet of our lives. I thank God every day for bringing us together to love each other, our children and most of all our Saviour! I would not be where I am in life if it wasn't for the grace of God I truly do not deserve, but He loved me SO MUCH He gave His life for me that I could have a new life in Him here and a home in heaven!

Lesson from Two Little Birds

As I sit on my couch and look out of my living room window, I can see the top of the pillars that hold up the roof to our front porch. At the top of one it makes a small ledge and there a little family of birds (not sure the type) have decided to make a nest. I've been watching the progress over the last couple of days and I have learned so many things.

The little husband and wife bird both work tirelessly at collecting twigs, grass, and straw to make their little nest. I haven't seen them take a coffee break to 'reward themselves' after a half hour's worth of work, they just keep at it. Diligence is the word that came to my mind.

They also work together without fussing and fighting at each other. Their actions seems to be seamless, with one bringing twigs and the other meticulously weaving them into the nest. There seems to be different roles between them too, and I've not seen them having a debate over whether collecting the twigs or weaving them is more "important" or "subservient" a job than the other. They understand and embrace their roles and the job continues to be accomplished.

Then adversity came the other day and a huge gust of wind knocked down all their hard work. I didn't see them weeping and wailing over the loss, but picking up the pieces and humbly and patiently starting all over again.

As I watch this little bird family each day it, seems like God is reminding me of these little lessons. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork." Psalm 19:1. All of God's creation declares His glory even in the very small things, like the birds. What a challenge to those of us who are His children to do the same thing, even in the very small things of life.

My Review of Dimple Animals Set

Originally submitted at Magic Cabin

These animal play pals look exceptionally adorable dressed in delightful jammies and nestled into their soft, fleecy sleep sacks and cozy baskets. Made in Germany.

For ages newborn and up.

Available Styles
Bunny

Dimple Animals Set

Beautiful

By NewMom from Chattanooga, TN on 3/3/2011

 

5out of 5

Pros: Great Features, Portable

Best Uses: Toddlers, Infants

Describe Yourself: First Time Parent

This product is very well made and so cute! It is a great toy for my infant and she can also grow into it as she gets more mobile and can put the doll into the blanket and carry it around in the basket.

(legalese)

Baby Girl

Well, I guess it's to be expected of a Mom of a newborn to not be able to keep up with a blog! I have yet to write about the birth of my little girl, Julia Grace. Oh well, living life is more important than keeping up a blog and I would much rather spend my days playing with her! But here we go with the story.

We arrived at the hospital at 5:30am on the 22nd of September, 2010, ready for the C-section. Our little baby was frank breach and therefore needed to be delivered by C-section and she had shown no signs of coming before this day. It was 4 days before her due date and all was well with her. I was prepped for the surgery and Dr. Barker came in around 7:30am and prayed with us for the safe delivery of our little one before he started. I was then rolled (in the bed) into the operating room and given a spinal (which was very painful!) and in minutes I couldn't feel my lower half of my body. We had a very sweet anesthesiologist who held on to my hand and talked to me to keep my mind off what was going on. Stephen came in all dressed in doctors garb and mask and watched the whole procedure, much to the nurses amazement. They said most Dad's would have fainted on the floor at that point. Our little girl was born at 8:02am, weighing 7lbs. 10oz., 20 inches long with blue eyes and dark brown hair. We named her Julia Grace Hall! I was so happy I cried and Stephen brought her over to me so I could see her while Dr. Barker was stitching me up. We were in recover for a while, just the three of us and I was able to immediately start breast feeding her! It was one of the most special days of my life!

We had lots of family and friends who came to celebrate the arrival of little Julia that day, especially grandparents and aunts and uncles who were so proud! We had to stay in the hospital for 3 days while I recovered from the surgery and was able to get out of the bed and walk. Boy did I ever feel like I would never be able to walk again that next day trying to get out of the bed! It was a difficult recovery, but everything healed well and we came home on the Saturday with out little girl, only to realize what did we do now! She was crying and we could not console her at all! So we did what any self-respecting adult new parent would do...we called my Mom for help!! She came and stayed with us and helped me SO much those first few weeks, I don't know what I would have done without her! And of course she enjoyed it too, first grandchild and all!!

Children really are a blessing from the Lord and Julia has become such a blessing and brought so much joy to our lives! God truly is good to us and gives us good gifts, especially a smiling little girl to love, train and play with. My life has taken on a different course since I got married and now with my own daughter. I look forward to the years ahead with her and maybe more children if the Lord blesses us!