Going Home

I had mixed emotions about leaving the hospital with Lilly Faith. I would have loved more time to spend with her one on one and to rest, and yet it is always exciting to go home and begin life with a new family member in the mix. The hospital booted me out, like it or not, after two nights. I really think mommies of more than three children should be allowed a third night. :) Wouldn't that be nice. Well, here are some pics of our preparations to go home. Here I am holding Lilly Faith right before dressing her in her going home outfit.

Here she is in her little sister onsie. I bought size newborn which fit her really well.

Here we are shortly before leaving. Just waiting to be discharged.

The children were so excited to see their new sister come home. I have heard, "Can I hold her?" over and over since returning home. I am glad they love her.

Since returning home I've been consumed with the normal newborn care many hours each day. I'm also trying hard not to overdo things too much this time around. I'm trying to get more rest than I did the last two times. Also, in any spare moment I've been preoccupied with unpacking boxes and planning out our new school year. Yes, there is never a dull moment around here. Not even in the wee hours of the morning. With a new baby we even have lots of activity going on all through the night. We are tired, but we are also feeling very blessed. It has been a huge blessing that Matt was able to take this past week off of work, and my mother has been coming out everyday to help as well. I am thankful for all the help they have given me with the children and around the house. What a blessing they have been to me.

Growing Family

Lilly Faith was born on July 8th at 10:59 a.m. She weighed 7 lb. 7 oz. and was 19" long. She has been our smallest baby.

Our family sure has grown over the past nine and a half years when we were blessed with our first baby.

Here is a picture of us with my parents and brother and sister in law.

In My Arms at Last

I have had the privilege of this kind of special moment five times now. There is nothing like holding a new baby and meeting him/her for the first time. Time stands still and joy is in the air. I got to watch Lilly Faith get comfortable with opening her eyes and adjusting to her new environment. What a miracle new life is. How privileged I am to have had this kind of moment not once, not twice, not three times, not four, but five times. Thank you, Lord, for your precious gifts to us!

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord." _Ps 127:3

It Is Time!

I wanted to do a big post on the birth of Lilly Faith, but I have been a bit preoccupied and it hasn't happened. Maybe I will just do several shorter posts. The picture below is of me at about five a.m. on July 8th. Matt and I were about to leave for the hospital for the induction. I was sooooo beyond ready to have sweet Lilly Faith. I kept praying that she would come early, but the Lord had other plans. Looking back I see His perfect timing. The birth was the easiest yet; things went really well. I give Him the praise for that.

We had a scare the night before we went in. The phone rang just as we were getting ready to go to sleep. It was the hospital asking us to call first thing in the morning, before going in, to make sure they had an available bed for me. So, I went to bed praying once again for God's perfect timing and that if it be His will our induction not be delayed. He heard our prayers; Matt called at four a.m. and the nurse said to come on. I got up at 4:15 and we left around five. This put us at the hospital at around 5:30 when the induction was immediately started. Our sweet Lilly Faith made her appearanc at 10:59 a.m. We are so thankful for the Lord's faithfulness.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:23