Has it really been almost 8 weeks?

We are continuing to feel so very blessed for each moment we are given with Abby. Even when she is screaming, I keep telling her how much we love her. Now I understand how parents say they didn't know they could love someone so much, but still love their other children equally but in a different way. Hmm that's sounds a little confuesing, but mom's know what I mean.

So we have been busy the last few weeks. We are continuing to go to the breast feeding support group each Monday. We love hanging out with the other mommies and their babies. A group of us are going to start hanging out monthly with gatherings. Abby was 11 lbs even at the last meeting. She is growing so much and is getting those cute baby rolls.

She has started smiling and cooing at us. She is a pretty funny lady. I try to video tape her every few days. Mostly while getting her diaper changed because she is so happy at that time! We have been going on daily walks and are settling into a routine. Preparing ourselves each day for when Steve goes back to work full time! Abby and I will be learning the ropes together at home as she grows. For many different reasons I am going to be a stay at home mom. I never thought I would be one, but I am really excited about it. We are working on a budget so that we can survive! :)

Steve started coaching soccer and they have a small team of 12 this year. They have a pretty short season, possibly because of budget cuts at other schools. School starts after labor day for him.

This weekend on Sunday we are going to serve dinner and do chores at the Ronald McDonald House in Ann Arbor. We have started a tradition with other CDH families from U of Michigan to volunteer there each year. It's great to see the little miracle babies and spend time with the amazing families.

Remember to keep all those CDH kiddos in your prayers. There are many that are on their way, newborn, or have just earned their wings.
I'll post some photos too. Abby went and spent time with her Great Grandma and was sooo happy!

Love,

Amy, Steve, Faith, and Abby

Us at the Whitecaps game for Taylor's birthday. Then a picture of the 5/3 burger! Abby visited Holland State Park and we caught up with some camp ground hosts that are dear to our heart! Bob and Carol came to visit and play with Abby! Carol gave her a bottle and learned how to burp a baby firmly ;)We had a little family reunion at Abby's Great Grandma Grace's house. It was great to see everyone!

Abby is dealing with some possible reflux so I am altering my diet to see if that helps. Poor girl is spitting up and vomiting after every feed today. No fun. Milk is the new perfume...didn't you know.

Take care and God bless,

Amy, Steve, Faith, and Abby

Wow how time flies...

Wow I really thought that it would be easier to update the blog. But I have apparently underestimated the power of a 8lb 9oz infant.

We have been adjusting to parenthood. We love every minute of the sleep deprivation and funny faces that Abby makes. We have been trying out different feeding philosophies to learn which one works well for us and for Abby. She is still running the show.

It's hard to believe that tomorrow she will be 4 weeks old already! She is growing so fast and the time simply slips away. We are trying our best to capture it on film and video (though she doesn't do a whole lot yet).

On Wednesday she will be a month old...30 days..it's an emotional number of days. The number of days that we had with her sister Faith. 30 days with both girls has been a roller coaster of emotion. Both different journeys. It's hard to cope with the fact that from 30+ days we will be seeing things that Faith could have been doing. It breaks my heart and I miss her even more. We are so blessed to have Abby healthy and whole. On loan from God for what we hope to be a long life. We cherish every moment. Even in my most severe moments of frustration with Abby, I remind myself of how precious life is and that all of this is in God's plan for our family. I know that He did not intentionally bring us this pain, but because of things I don't understand He has helped us find peace, strength and purpose.

I haven't uploaded any new photo's yet, so those will all come at a later post.

Have a blessed and peaceful night. The boss is calling :)

Love,

Amy, Steve, Faith and Abby

pictures

New Arrival

Sorry to keep you all waiting a week for this post!

I was hoping that the lack of posting would let you know she arrived! Monday, June 29th at 10:58 PM. Abby Grace Miles is 7lbs 11oz and 20 inches long and HEALTHY!!!

We went to the ER around 530 and were discharged around 730PM because I wasn't progressing enough. 10PM we were back at the hospital and she was born 58 minutes later. Needless to say there wasn't time for my epidural that I asked for...but I survived.

Now she is already a week old! Steve and I are so blessed to have this little girl. We want to thank everyone who prayed for our pregnancy, Abby's health and an easy delivery. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

She has had some visitors in the last week and looks forward to meeting others who are healthy and feeling good!

Abby already has a new best friend who was born on July 1st, Celia Grace Michel was born to our friends Christy and Burt.

Just a quick update

We are 3-3.5cm and 50-75% effaced. She stripped my membranes. Having some contractions about 5-7 minutes apart and heading out for a walk right now to see if they are real or BH.

Someone will be sure to keep you all updated. If you have facebook check there first!

Have a great day!

~Amy

39 weeks and 1 day

The pictures above are Shelly (22 weeks) and I (38 weeks) after our pedicure and then Steve, Anna, and I after her belly rubbing (39 weeks). Also a picture of Steve at AJ's family fun center in Grand Rapids raising money for Paws for a Cause.

Here we are at 39 weeks! Tomorrow we go to the OB...the way I have been feeling I sure hope that there is progress. This pain can't be for nothing! MAybe she is just waiting for our country's birthday.

Yesterday we went to a friends college open house and she claims to have the magic touch. So we let her rub the belly and she said that within 24-48 hours we will go in to labor or my water will break. :)

Steve and I have just been hanging out and enjoying having the summer off. Its the first time that we have both had the summer almost totally off! He has his masters class, but other than that we are just being bums and its GREAT! Today we were sitting on a towel in the yard and had a monarch and swallowtail butterfly come near us. My first thoughts were Faith and Drake. I saw the same butterflies a few days ago within minutes of each other. Another CDH mom, said that she had a pinkish butterfly linger by her the other day too in NC. The angels are keeping an eye on everyone and showing us they are near.

We will update again tomorrow after the OB appointment. Our friends in Louisiana are set to have a C-section on Wednesday to welcome their little girl Celia Grace Michel. She is Drake's little sister and we are so happy for them. Christy and I have been trying to get the girls to arrive on the same day. We will see how that works out.

Have a great day and enjoy the weather!

Love,

Amy, Steve, ^Faith^, and baby Miles