A pondering mother....

As I bathed my daughter tonight I fondly remembered her first bath nearly 5 months ago... we had been home from the hospital for nearly a week and I had yet to give her a bath. Truth be told I was afraid to. Sure Clay and I had taken the newborn care class... I had soap, towels, baby wash clothes, and a heater... but I didn't feel quite ready to bathe little Luralie.

Well, it was my mother's last day with me and she said "Jackie I'm gonna give your baby a bath" and I was like "Be my guest". So we headed over to the kitchen sink, made a little pad for Luralie, gathered all necessary items mentioned above as well as cotton balls, a clean diaper, and a change of clothes and my mom began as I watched. She filled a bowl full of water, dipped her elbow to test it, then said "First you start with the diaper area" and I was like "NO!, "The lady in the class said to start with the face and do the diaper last." And as I spoke these words I gently moved my mom aside and took over. I took two cotton balls, dipped them in the warm water, cleaned each of her eyes and the rest of her little face. I then took her shirt off, washed it with her wash cloth and a little dab of soap. I patted her dry and put a towel over her to keep her warm. I took her socks off and washed her legs and feet, patted dry and replaced with new socks. I then did her diaper area and replaced with a dry diaper. I cleaned her umbilical cord with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol then I washed her hair and put a hat on her head. Lastly I put her in a clean gown and we were all done...

I think it was then that I really became Luralie's mom. I can't quite explain it but from then on I just sort of knew what to do.

Neuroblastoma

The daughter of formers staff members here at HLC was diagnosed with neuroblastoma this past week. Kodi is almost 5. This is the same cancer that my brother Jason had. Since he was an adult when he was diagnosed his prognosis was never very good. My prayers for this family and this beautiful little baby is that they will fight strong and lean on Christ for support. I am so thankful that the disease was caught early and that there is medicine available.

As I thought about the Tutt family, I could not help but hold my little girl a little longer and a little tighter before laying her down in her crib. I thank the lord for her health and pray that the lord would grant me the same strength as Kodi's parents were I ever faced with a similar situation.

Goodnight Moon

Well, my due date has come and gone with no sign of the little one. Oh well. I can have patience; it is just so hard especially when I feel like everyone is watching me like a hawk. And oh the silly questions… “Where’s that baby,” “When are you going to the hospital?” “You haven’t had her yet?!?” It is hard to be patient when everyone around me acts like it’s a crime to not have had the baby yet. Worse yet they act like I actually have some control in the matter and can make her come at will.

Any way, I am enjoying Clay’s and my last days alone together. Although, I must say, the other night we were sitting on the couch watching football and Clay had his hand on my stomach feeling Luralie move around and I could not help but think (as I eyed her crib which is in a space between our living room and kitchen since we have a one bedroom house) that the only thing that could be more perfect was if we were sitting on the couch together holding a crying little girl (I’m not going to even imagine that we were holding a sleeping angel because I am sure it will be the former more often than the latter) lol. I think it is fun that Luralie’s “room” is where it is because my first “room” was between the living room and kitchen at our house in Houston.

I get a little bit sentimental as I go to bed each nigh, thinking that this could be my last restful night in a long while, because I hear that babies don’t sleep much. But as I think these thoughts, I cannot help but smile because I am ready (well as ready as I will ever be I guess) to meet my little girl and learn how to be a family.

Well, that is all I have to say for now. I won’t say that I will keep you (whoever you are) updated because chances are it will be another four months before I blog again. I read a saying on a friends FB status that said:

BLOGGING: Never before have so many people with so little to say said so much to so few.

It kind of makes me laugh; there is typically 80% truth in most sarcastic remarks. NE ways, even if no one reads this, it is fun for me to go back and read through my old blogs. I know I could just keep a journal, but typing is so much easier.

At any rate…. Goodnight Moon.

The 4th of July!

Clay and I had a wonderful 4th of July! Dad and Mom came over with four of their grandkids and Nic and Jo came with the newest grandbaby. We all had a grand time at the pool, eating hotdogs, hamburgers, & watermelon, and watching the fireworks!
Here is a pic of all the Kiddos watching the Grinch in our bed :)

SPARKLERS!!!

Well you know how your dad always said that if you swallow a watermelon seed a watermelon might grow in your stomach???? Must be true... here is me a few days after I ate some watermelon....

LOL just kidding! This is Luralie Kate at 22 weeks along :)

Now, I know that I am still small.... but this is to be expected as it is only my first child and not my second or third.

Baby!

I would like to introduce you to a new love of my life.




This is our little girl. Luralie Kate. She is due November 5th and Clay says she has his nose. :)

Oh Me Oh My....

Good Grief! I am still NOT back in the swing of being a regular blogger. Sorry folks!

Life here in the Camp Country is GRAND! Summer is upon us and we are at the end of orientation week with our SMT's. What an amazing group of people the Lord has blessed us with this summer. I am humbled to be a part of their story here at HLCCC.

Our staff is now in the new offices of the new auditorium. I have my OWN office, and it feels soooo good. I lOvE iT! This spring Clay and I have bought our first bed set; a gorgeous bed frame and super comfy mattress with memory foam and everything! Also, in honor of our growing family, we have bought our first new vehicle! Its a red Toyota Tacoma; extended cab for our baby and extended bed for our pups.

Oh, have I mentioned that we are going to have a baby? Sometime first of November our bundle of joy will arrive :) We have another dr. appt on Monday where we will hopefully schedule our ultrasound where we can find out if it will be a Daniel Jason or Luralie Kate (with the cooperation of the little one, of course) and nail down the due date!!! I am so excited :)

Hope all is well in your world dear friend!

Hmmm...

I am not sure what happened to me blogging more consistantly... I dont know.

I am on the last book of the Twilight series.

Breaking Dawn.

the end.