Doctor Visit

Today Lily and I took Mirah to see Dr. Deeken for her 2 month well visit. Mirah is growing like a weed. A large, round, smiley weed! The Doctor said that Mirah seemed "jolly". She is so very much a jolly baby. The girl is always smiling. Even when she's crying a bit (which isn't often) she can be coerced into smiling. She just has such a sweet spirit. I can tell she's going to be a happy person. I pray I can help cultivate her joyfulness and her happy heart.
So, after we got her to the Doctor, she was weighed and measured by the nurses before her shots. She has grown so much! She has gained almost 5 1/2 lbs and has gained 5 inches in length. This puts her in the 90-95th percentile! I make some good, strong, powerful chickadee babies! The shots, however, were not fun (for Momma). She took them like a champ. Like I said, she just doesn't ever cry too much. She mostly just says "waa" a few times and she's done. But this evening she had sore little legs where they stuck her. She was crying if we touched them. But, she's sound asleep now and I can hear her breathing deeply in the monitor. Night night, little jolly girl. Dream some good baby dreams and I'll see you around 2 or 3 am. xoxoxo

Oh, where to begin?

Mirah darling,
You are such a good, happy baby! What a blessing you are to all of us! Welcome to our family. You make us feel complete and content.
SO much has happened over the last two months with our family. Drama, it seems, was endless until about a week ago. Even now though, we are trying to figure out what the rash on your face is from. I have taken dairy out of my diet and I have re-washed everything in the house with new hypoallergenic detergent to see if these things help. Daddy had a milk allergy, and who knows, you might too. But through this, and the many other things that have happened over the last month, you have been an angel. God knew what he was doing when he gave us you. You started smiling at 4 weeks and let me tell you, it was beautiful! We all needed a smile and yours was such a great gift. You have been a quiet, sweet and snuggly miracle and we love you from the top of your sweet blond head to the bottom of your little monkey toes. :)
You're two months now and you're over 13lbs. You are chubby, happy and you've started semi-giggling now. It's precious. I look at your sister, Lily, and I can't imagine that you will someday be that size! Time goes by so fast, so I'm going to enjoy you at this age and not wish you were older or younger or this or that. I'm going to live in the moment with you and enjoy you just as you are. Your Daddy and I have talked and we think you may be our last baby. If so, I am going to quietly pack away all the little wonderful memories of you so that I remember each special time I had with my baby girl.
You'll always be the little sister, you know! And you have quite the wonderful big sister. I know she keeps you from napping now, but you will totally love her when you get to be older. You already smile for her and coo for her all the time. She adores you. She almost can't stand to be away from you. At the mall the other day, a little girl tried to put her hand in the stroller and Lily said, "Don't touch MY BABY!" She's very protective of you, and in a way, you will always be her baby.
So, thank you, little Mirah, for being a joy to us each day. Your huge morning smiles make my heart bubble over with love. I never thought I could love two kids - or that I had enough love to go around - but I SO do. You have shown me how a mom's heart can just grow and grow and grow till love just bursts out everywhere. I am excited to do this life with you my darling, my sweet Mirahbear.
Love, your adoring Momma

Sunday, February 1, 2009

That is the day that you're going to finally arrive, my dear. My doctor doesn't want me to wait too much longer because you're getting quite large! That's a good thing, but since I'd like to have you naturally, we're going to "help" you out before you become a cesarean section. So, little one, I guess this is it. I will see you tomorrow then. Honestly it hasn't even begun to sink in. I can't believe this is the last day that I'll feel you nudging me from inside. I will make sure to cherish and reflect on the time you and I have had privately over the last 39 weeks. I love you already. Your family is excited to meet you! Safe travels into the the real world, little one.

The Waiting Game

So, the Doctor said that I have maybe 5 or 6 more days left in my pregnancy. Looks like we might be having an early baby! Apparently, Mirah, you are taking up all the space and there's just not much space left to grow. You got bigger a lot faster than your sister did and with all your moving and shaking you could bust out any day! It's so strange for me. I walk around now without a clue as to when I'll see you. Could be today, could be in a week! Each night I wonder, will I wake up and make a mad dash to the hospital tonight? Each morning I wonder if this little Braxton-Hicks contraction is the beginning of real labor. So, rather than drive myself insane with wondering, I'm just enjoying the last few nights of full sleep and enjoying the ability to carry a baby to full term. What a blessing! I love being a woman. I feel bad that Dads never get to feel this. Sean said the other day, "You have a bond with her that I never will, don't you?" It's true. You fall in love way before you see them. You know their movements and even some minor personality traits before you watch them coo in your arms. It's so special.
So, as I start another day, dying to see you, I will just rest and trust that I will see you when I'm supposed to see you. Heck, if you haven't come after I've cleaned the whole house, done tons of laundry and scrubbed the kitchen floor on my hands and knees, then you're just not ready yet! :)

No More Hitting Your Momma!

So, this little one is very very active. She's been more active in the womb than Lily ever was. I remember that there was a time when Lily didn't move for many hours and it had all of us worried. Not so with this little mover and shaker! This girlie has made many an evening pretty painful for me. It's starting to make big sister wonder, too. Lily asks me why she kicks me. I tell her that she's exercising and that it's good for the baby to move. She asks me if the baby is mad. I tell her, no (hopefully not!) and that she's happy when she's moving around. She asks why the baby doesn't get into trouble for hitting me. Good question, kiddo. I tell her that you just don't get in trouble when you're that small because you don't know any better. (frown here from my three year old). "Well, she needs to stop getting into mischief!", she says. Well put, little one. Let's see if this is a common theme throughout the rest of our lives, huh? What will you be like, little Mirah Grace?? You going to come out, relax and and enjoy all the ample space you have? Or, are you going to claw your way out and run before you walk? :) I will love you no matter what! I just can't wait to see you. Love you, sweetie! 21 days till you're due!

Only 27 Days

Well, everyone is looking at my belly right now and thinking, "You just CAN'T get any bigger!" Well, yes I probably can and I probably will! This little one is filling up any and all space in my belly and things are getting seriously crowded. I think I just heard my liver "yelp" in pain...and oh, was that my rib cracking?? She's a super strong one too. My Doctor keeps telling me to be prepared for a "mover and shaker". She says babies who display this much personality in the womb typically don't just turn it off when they're born. Hmm. Wonder what you'll be like, little one? We have 27 days until your due date. I am dying to see what you look like and so curious to see how you respond to the world. Having a second is wonderful because you have some knowledge under your belt, but the worry and unknowns are not really there. Don't get me wrong, I've never had to put two kids to bed each night, nor have I ever dealt with jealousy in siblings. I know all that stuff will be new, but the hospital part is not something I'm wondering about. I know when she'll be hungry or tired or need changing. I'll know already that I'm not going to be getting much sleep. It's nice this time. I feel less anxious and more excited. I'm like a veteran with a new recruit. She may be a rookie, but her Momma isn't. Isn't life cool?

A little early hello

Mirah,
I want you to know how much everyone in your family is anticipating your arrival. I am very excited to meet you, even though we know each other pretty well by now already. It's so special to have this time with you growing in my belly. I almost feel like your personality shows through a little bit. You'll know what I mean when you have a child of your own. Your Dad couldn't be more excited either. He's a special man with a rare gift for making children feel loved, safe, cared for and wanted. You'll love him the moment you meet him. Your big sister is getting a little impatient that you aren't here yet. She asks everyday if this is the day when she finally gets to hold you. Lilian is a very remarkable girl and you two are so blessed to have each other. She will support you, nurture you, love you and annoy you in ways you never thought possible. I hope you love this family and that you grow up knowing how much you were wanted and prayed for. We look forward to holding you, kissing you and cuddling you. Until then, my sweet, grow strong and healthy.
Love,
Your Momma