The Bumbo Seat

Umm...hello - anybody out there - I'm fallin' over here.

Ahh...now I'm getting the hang of this chair thing...

and I don't think I like it very much!

That's better!

Look at Those Lips!

Are these kissable lips or what? I figure they must be since Mom is kissing them all the time! She was experimenting with different special effects on the computer - the original picture can be seen below! I hope everybody is having a great weekend! Love, Saela

How Cute Am I?

We have yet to teach some modesty.

Saela's Stats

TWO MONTHS

Weight: 10# 15 oz (50th percentile)

Length: 21 1/2 inches (17th percentile)

Hmmm...one might say that Saela has inherited her height from her mom!

(Sorry picture option was not working tonight.)

Great Weekend!

Hmmm...perhaps a different outfit would bring the Spartans more luck?!?

Lazy Morning

Jax & Jilly ready to enjoy the beautiful day.

We had an absolutely gorgeous weekend here in Michigan - hope everyone enjoyed theirs as much as we did!

Don't Blink

Don't blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don't blink

Song Lyrics to Don't Blink by Kenny Chesney
http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/chesney-kenny/dont-blink-22679.html

Eight weeks - where did they go? Our days in the RNICU seem like a lifetime ago and yet the memories are so vivid: the room, the tubes, the blood draws, the endless stream of IV fluids, the antibiotics, the tube feeds, the breastfeeding/pumping "room", the nurses, the doctors, "the baby" that is ours but at the same time is not ours.

Don't Blink

Saela Catherine born 8/22/07. I can say I loved her from the minute she was born - but I know that I didn't realize the strength of that love before she was taken away. On the Eve before I return to work, I can say I love her more everyday - more than life itself. Since she has been home she has been the perfect baby girl.

Don't Blink

Right now I am listening to her sleeping baby "coos" - this is one of the sweetest sounds I've ever heard. One because it is a sweet sound and two because it means she is SLEEPING! It took awhile after coming home but Saela did finally get her days and nights straight. She still wakes up at 12, 3, and 6 am - but at least she goes right back down after a feeding. (This is due in part to the best $10 I've spent since she came home - a voice activated light that changes colors - Saela LOVES it. I also LOVE it at 3:30 am.) Before we know it, Saela will be sleeping through the night.

Don't Blink

Saela has outgrown a couple of her newborn outfits. Her legs are too long - I told her not to get used to that if she takes after me. Maybe she will get her height from Steve?!? If she is a girly girl, she will probably dislike me intensely as she grows older as I've never been a big shopper. If you know me well - you know that I love a bargain. In fact, this past weekend I purchased three tops and a pair of pants for $18.29. I have become a fan of the consignment world. One can only hope that my daughter will get as giddy over the "never worn leather coat originally costing $200 that drops from $58 to $29 on 11/11" that I found while I was shopping. Let's face it - I wanted a better bargain than $58 - so I'll risk it being gone by waiting for the next price drop. She is, however, in luck if she likes a good head massage at the beauty parlor - I will pay well for that!

Don't Blink

I finally got my "real smile" at the end of last week. You have to catch her smiling at the right moment - usually in the morning - as she is still a bit stingy with them. In no time at all she will be smiling, laughing, sitting up, crawling, walking, running.

Don't Blink

The last eight weeks have been life changing and I would not trade one second of them. I love my daughter and seeing Steve with her makes me love him even more. I do hope that I can take the advice that so many have given - "cherish every second because they grow up so quickly."

Don't Blink

Seconds Before a Meltdown

Mom was trying to get a shot of my "curly" hair after a shampoo and towel dry...I, however, was just not into picture taking today...

...seconds later I looked like this!

Let's be honest folks, I had some cranky in my pants today.

Almost Smilin'

Mom had to bust out a hat for the cool autumn weather that has arrived!

What to Say When There are No Words

Today, I found out that a dear friend and his wife had a stillborn baby girl last week. Although I cannot even begin to comprehend how they feel, I do vividly know what it is like when things do not turn out as planned. There simply are no words to express how I feel for them. I know so many of you prayed for Saela and our family - I ask you now to join me in prayer for the parents and family of this beautiful baby girl who is an Angel now in God's arms.


These helped me...

An angel opened the book of life and wrote down my baby's birth.

Then whispered as she closed the book "too beautiful for earth".

Author Unknown

Daddy, please don't look so sad,

Mama please don't cry~

'Cause I am in the arms of Jesus and He sings me lullabies.

Please, try not to question God,

Don't think he is unkind

Don't think He sent me to you,

and then He changed his mind.

You see, I am a special child,

and I'm needed up above .

I'm the special gift you gave Him,

the product of your love.

I'll always be there with you

so watch the sky at night,

Find the brightest star that's gleaming,

That's my halo's brilliant light.

You'll see me in the morning frost,

that mists your window pane.

That's me in the summer showers,

I'll be dancing in the rain.

When you feel a little breeze,

from a gentle wind that blows

That's me, I'll be there,

planting kisses on your nose.

When you see a child playing,

and your heart feels a little tug,

That's me, I'll be there,

giving your heart a hug.

So Daddy, please don't look so sad,

Mama don't you cry.

I'm in the arms of Jesus

and He sings me lullabies.

Author~Claudette T. Allen

Only a Onesie in October?

Saela is "out like a light" after our second walk of the day! Can you believe that it is 87 degrees in October - and we are in Michigan? We are soaking up every minute we can as it is supposed to only reach 50 degrees on Wednesday!

One of Life's Sweetest Things

When your child lays her head down, melts into your chest, and sighs an oh so sweet sigh!

What Mom Does While I'm Sleeping

I am conducting a symphony in my sleep!

Looks like these nails may need some trimmin' again...how about a little hand massage too?

Umm Mom...feet are cold here - socks, socks would be a good thing.


Whoa - who's that giving me some love?


Yep - Jillykisses will bring out my dimple!

Have a great day everyone - can you believe I'll be SIX weeks old tomorrow?