announcing...

      Emmaline Rose was born on 11-14-11 at 11:20 AM.  She weighs 7 lbs 7 oz and is 21" long.

And here are the pictures of her first day.  She was all of 7 hours old when little brother, Ian, and aunt Beth got to visit her.  First of all here is the cutest little, big brother bringing flowers to mommy.  

This hat was knit by a few older ladies who volunteer time and talent at the hospital.  This one was their gift of love to Emmaline.  She's wrapped in a fleece swaddler provided by the hospital.  She'll be sent home with a pink one.

 Amy's food tray's are delivered with fresh flowers.  They are beautiful and we had fun with a little photo shoot last night.  

Emmaline's first day was of course full of sleep, but when she was awake she seemed perfectly content even with our playing dress up with her!

And here is the new little family of FOUR!

up, up, and away...

He's getting up folks.  It's so fun to watch and so sad also!  I can't believe my BABY is doing an army crawl across the floor.  He's getting up on all fours and doing the whole rocking back and forth thing because he just wants to go so bad, but can't figure out what to move first to get going.  At Isaac's 6 month appt (SIX MONTHS!!!! where as time gone?) the pediatrician asked me if he was starting to crawl.  I told her that he is trying and that I'm pushing him back down!  She had a perplexed look on her face and I realized I had worried her with my choice of words. Ha!  I've always been a little too blunt.  I was there at the appt with all 4 of the kids and she knows what a busy house we have.  I was quick to reassure her that I don't actually "push" my baby down.  Instead, when Isaac pushes himself up and acts like he's going to start crawling I pick him up or distract him somehow!  I'm trying to keep him from going, but it's inevitable I suppose.  This kid is going to hit the ground running.  He's always in motion.  His hands and feet never stop moving.  He's actually an awesome swimmer!  I'll save that for another post.

Oh time, stand still for me.  I want to enjoy this to the fullest and remember this forever.  The joy of being a mommy FAR outweigh the frustrations that come with it!

a summer day in pictures

same song, second verse

a little bit louder, and a whole lot worse!

Actually, these two little cousins are such good babies that it's taken me weeks to get these pics of good hard cries!  Ian, my adorable nephew, is 4 weeks old today.  The same age that Isaac was when Jason first went to the hospital. The night he had a life saving operation.  As I look at tiny little Ian I remember my anxiety of being separated day and night for several days from Isaac.  I also remember God's overwhelming goodness in bringing people into our lives who love us and who continue to bear our burdens.  Isaac, my baby boy, is 5 months old already.  I'm enjoying every squishy, cuddly, kissable, cooing moment with him.  He doesn't remember any of our month long separation.  He had his milk (thanks to the people carting it back and forth!) and his sleep.  He's happy and healthy.  Praise the Lord!  

beautiful lady in waiting

Amy and Mark are living in our house now. They moved here from Bend, OR several weeks ago. It is a blessing to share our home and our lives with them. We are enjoying immensely how God has lead our brother and sister here to prepare with us for our future ministry together. This note explains their journey. Amy is due on Monday with their first baby. I'm filled with joy and anticipation to watch her go through the process of becoming a mommy. It's an amazing calling and I know God will give her grace to live it for His glory! Although I've tried to communicate many things about motherhood to Amy it's really just something you have to experience. And so as she waits and watches with wonder for the day he will arrive I'm reminded many times over about the blessings that God has called me to mother and thankful that she too is blessed with this child.

Amy was recently given this advice and I love it! It actually brought tears to my eyes. The sweet lady who gave this to Amy has been a model to us of a Godly unselfish mother's love to her children. I wanted to share it here:

"Kids take so much time and energy and sometimes it's just easier to say no to all the questions they ask. I think that if I could tell you anything it would be to not be afraid to say yes. Yes to a picnic in the living room, yes to playdoh and water colors, yes to that garish outfit, yes to a few more books or one more cookie, yes to that puppy. All too soon, your son will be taller than you and opening jars that are too hard for you. It's a wild ride- enjoy every minute of it."

the 40 week S-T-R-E-T-C-H

Isaac Merrill

12:38 PM Dec 10, 2009

8 lbs 12 oz 21 1/2"

7 weeks and ALREADY showing

9 weeks

11 weeks

12 weeks

13 weeks

14 weeks

16 weeks

17 weeks

18 weeks

19 weeks

21 weeks

22 weeks

25 weeks

28 weeks

30 weeks

34 weeks

36 weeks

38 weeks

welcome home

*** kate noelani stamper ***