Good Parenting

Helen, asleep in my arms. Please note the unused crib

behind her. Wardrobe provided by Papa.

Although both our children are pretty easy, contented babies, Matthew was definitely the champ when it came to feedings. We set his schedule and you could set your clock by him. He drank his bottles straight from the fridge. That's right, cold. He soothed himself to sleep. Feeding times were predictable and are day was full of routine. We are such good parents.

Then there was Helen.

We've learned a few things from our sweet little snuggle-bug. For instance:

1. I am not my brother.
2. If I am forced to drink from a bottle, it must be warm. Not lukewarm, warm. My Nana did this for me, I see no reason for change.
3. Nursing sessions could last an hour or more. This will be primarily due to my catnaps. Nothing - not changing my diaper or wardrobe or even a cold washcloth on my face- will deter me from sleeping at will. A princess needs her beauty sleep and I intend to get mine.
4. Soothe myself to sleep? Seriously?
5. I prefer a more flexible routine and will pick at least one 3 hour stint to fuss through. This will not be the same time each day, so as not to bore you or daddy.
6. After I finally finish eating, I will require some serious snuggling. This could take awhile. If you try to skip this, I will begin to squawk and eventually wail. I will not stop or tire myself out.

So, there you have it. We were such good parents. Now we're just parents. Parents about to purchase a baby swing and (gasp!), let there child nap in it. Oh, well. I'll let you know how it works...

More Pictures

We've had lots of family and friends come to visit and have enjoyed showing off our baby Helen. Gram also came up and spent a week helping (thank goodness for grandmas!). Here are a few of our pictures:

Our first date! Gram kept the kids while we went to Starbucks.

I miss our babies, but love hanging out with their daddy.

Great-Grandma Tootsie

Susanna - world's best babysitter!

Matthew and his buddy, Trinity

The Long Way Home....

A friend recently asked to hear my birth story. Moms always love to talk about their babies, but as I thought how to answer, I realized that our story started a long time ago. And it didn't always go the way we planned. We took the long road home. But we're here and we couldn't be more grateful. Here's our story...

Over six years ago, we began to plan for our first baby. Married, finished school, bought a house, time for baby. It went just as planned until our first sonogram. Our baby had died and there were problems. We were devastated. Told not to try again for at least a year, we waited in horrible disappointment. Only six months later, we found out Matthew was on his way. Scared to death and surprised, we held our breath until he arrived. He was not prayed for or planned, but God always knows our hearts better than we do. The first time I held him, my heart began to heal.
Matthew gave us a reason to smile again.
"The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes"

He was not the baby I planned for, but was everything my heart needed.

The pregnancy was hard and the delivery so complicated we did not feel we would be able to have another child. After Matthew's third birthday, we began to pray that God would give us another baby. However He chose, when He chose. That same year, we found out Helen was on her way. This pregnancy was the most difficult. My health continually declined, but we made it to 38 weeks before they took her. Countless times I prayed that God would give me the strength to get through that day. And he did.
Helen completes us.
"We have prayed for this child, and our God has given us what we asked of Him".

She is the child I thought I might never have, but desperately wanted.

So here we are...we took the long way home, but we made it. Alan found the song "Before the Morning" by Josh Wilson and it describes perfectly how we feel. We listened to it many times, even at the hospital. God always has a plan. Nothing catches Him by surprise. I believe that now. God's intense love for our family is so evident in the gift of our children and each other. I am desperately in love with my husband, overwhelmed with joy by our babies and eternally grateful to a God who gave us our happy ending - twice.

They are our story.........

Pictures by Nana

My mom came up to help (Hooray!) and finished Helen's first photo shoot. I think she did a pretty good job! Thanks, mom.

Matthew and Helen

Matthew is a wonderful big brother and has been a trooper through our crazy first week at home! Here are a few pictures of our children together (doesn't the word "children" sound nice?)

Big brother love

One week old

Nana dressed her up

Big yawn...

So very proud!

She's Here!

Helen Margaret arrived on Friday, July 2 at 10:15. She weighed 7.7 lbs and was 18 1/2 inches long. She's a wonderful baby and we're all delighted with her!

Daddy holding her the first time

My first touch...

Big brother thinks she's great

Papa and Nana with our babies. They came up to stay

with Matthew. I'm pretty sure they crammed a year's worth

of spoiling in 5 days!

"We have prayed for this child, and our God has given us what we asked of Him.."

I Samuel 1:27

Helen's Room

Here are a few shots of her nursery...mostly decorated by daddy!

This picture was painted by Grandpa Bob-

I love it in her room.

Her bed - Alan picked this out...mommy
was too sick!

The rest of her room