4 Months Old!

Okay, Delilah turned 4 months old ten days ago, so I'm a little behind. Oops! Our baby girl is now 13 lbs, 10 oz (60th%); 25.25 inches long (90th%), and her head is 42cm (90th%). Couldn't ask for healthier stats than that! She loves grabbing anything that comes within eyesight and nothing makes her giggle more than kisses on the neck. But I think Chris and I may have to start working a little harder on her music taste b/c when the Jonas Brothers played on the Today Show, she was entranced. That is not okay. While we work on that, enjoy the pics below!

Turning 4 months old is fun!

Cute face!

No more pictures, please

Okay, I'm ready for my closeup again. This time, I'll dance!

Sweet baby
Holding her elephant

Tummy Time on Daddy...cutest baby ever!!!!!

Blessed, Deeply Touched, Full Heart

I couldn't decide what to name this post, so I just started listing some of my feelings. This entry is to address what's been filling my heart as of late. While looking at a friend's blog, I happened upon another blog belonging to someone I didn't know. Her name is Kele and she actually has two blogs: one to chronicle the journey of her whole family, and another to specifically chronicle the journey of her youngest daughter, Presley, who is a beautiful 6-month-old butterfly with Down Syndrome. Kele's entries are beyond beautiful...they touch my heart in a way that it hasn't been touched in a long time. The grace with which she, Presley, and their entire family handle what has God has sent their way is beyond measure. And because of her unique situation, she is part of a gorgeous circle of families whose children are battling a life threatening disease or are in some way not typical (I have no idea how to be politically correct...that seems to be the term most often used by the families themselves).

So I've found myself reading about these other families, through Kele's blog. And I can honestly say that I've prayed more in the last couple weeks than I have in a long time. I have prayed for these families to receive balms for whatever ails their hearts the most...for daughters to be extubated, for sons to see daylight for the first time, for brothers to meet their siblings, and for sisters to enjoy their mom's kisses, because they may be the last. I have also prayed uncountable prayers of gratitude. For my own healthy little girl; for my healthy nieces and nephews; for my rock of a husband; for my family. I've even said thank you for the insight I've gained from losing my mom...I would give anything to have her back, but I can not deny that it has made me stronger and more empathetic.

After reading through some of the blogs, I went back to my own and saw my post about Delilah's first fever. At first, I was ashamed...I felt so embarrassed for making such a fuss over a little infection and a couple bandages. And then I realized that my feelings were valid...I was scared for her, and I was heartbroken that she had to get shots and a catheter. But rather than waste time being ashamed, I realized I could take those feelings, multiply them by a factor of about a million, and perhaps start to have the very tiniest idea what an indescribable mountain these other mothers and fathers are shouldering.

I wish I could meet each of these families and do something to make their lives easier. I do not feel sorry for them b/c who am I to dole out pity where it may not even be wanted? But I do FEEL for them...I feel joy, sorrow, love...I feel faith, hope...I feel like this is a better world b/c of these families.

I am not posting links to any of these families b/c I haven't asked permission. But I invite you to pray for any family whose children are suffering...in particular, please pray for Kele and Presley. Presley has been in the hospital since she was born over six months ago...pray for her to go home soon. I try to imagine Delilah having never been home, and still not coming home for the next two months, and my heart stops. It just stops and I can not breathe.

Thank you, Kele, for opening my eyes and enriching my heart. Despite the hardships Presley has gone through and will continue to go through, she will grow up knowing that she is blessed to have you for a mother.

And thank you, God, for allowing me entrance into this other world and way of life. I do not know yet what I will do with these lessons I'm learning, but I promise they will not be in vain.

Bathing Beauty

Delilah went swimming for the first time at Uncle Cannon & Aunt Amy's! My parents joined us from Houston and the 7 of us had a wonderful time. Delilah was upset the first few minutes b/c although the water was warm, it was still colder than her usual bath water. But then she got used to it and had lots of fun. Thanks, Cannon and Amy...we can't wait to come back!

How cute is she in her floating crab?!

Showing off the hat and swimsuit that Grammy Di bought for 4th of July. So sweet!

Pre-Pool Time

Before swimming (see above), the ladies hung out inside together for a bit. My dad took lots of pictures because he thought Delilah was so cute all swaddled in her blanket...he said she looked like a queen wrapped in her robe. :)

Mommy Kisses

Hanging out with Mimi

Delilah loves her Aunt Amy

Mid-giggle with Mom

Being a Working Mom Means...

going to work when you're ill because sick days are now the days you take off when your child is sick. You wouldn't dream of wasting them on yourself.
Mommy doesn't feel well.

Delilah's Anniversary Present

Chris and I had our 6th anniversary yesterday and Delilah decided to celebrate by...rolling over!!! And she even did the difficult roll: from back to tummy. :) She landed on her stomach, her eyes got really big, and then she started giggling (which is something else she recently started doing). It was extra-dramatic b/c there was an Olympic medals ceremony in the background with the Star-Spangled Banner playing. I must be honest...I did get a little misty-eyed. I was just so proud!!!

"I Can Fall Asleep By My Ownself,"

said Delilah as she lay wide awake in her crib last night, blinking her big blue eyes. She's been sleeping like a champ forever, but there's always a 5-10 minute pre-bed ritual that leaves her almost asleep, if not completely asleep, when we lay her down. But for some reason, she wasn't sleepy last night. So Chris laid her in her crib, and we turned on the monitor and waited to hear her get upset. We didn't hear anything but her breathing for about 20 minutes, so we went back in her room, assuming she must have fallen asleep. Nope...eyes still wide open but perfectly content. So we went to bed, left the monitor on, and the next thing you know it's 6:30am! The little pumpkin fell asleep on her own at some point and slept all night. Go, Delilah!
--This isn't a picture from last night, but I thought a pic of sleeping Delilah was appropriate for the post. Sort of like using stock photography...from your own photos :)

Update

Hi, everyone. For those of you who check this blog often, I just wanted to let you know that Delilah is all better. Still don't know what sort of infection she had, but the antibiotics seem to have cleared it up. No more fever, no more congestion, and lots of smiles again. Hooray!

First Fever

The little munchkin is currently sick for the first time. She woke up crying around 4:30 this morning and was burning up when I touched her; I took her temp and it was 102 degrees. After a visit with the doctor, we don't really know what's wrong. It's not an ear or throat infection, but her white blood cell count is elevated. Probably just a summer cold, but I'm supposed to bring her back tomorrow so they can re-evaluate her and give me the results from some of the tests they ran. We were at the doctor's for 2.5 hours and she had to get blood drawn from her heel, a catheter inserted for a urine sample, and a shot of antibiotics in her thigh. She was quite the little trooper...here's a picture of her passed out from exhaustion. My poor little baby.