1 Month

I am waaaaayyy behind as far as updates go. The truth is, I've never felt so discombobulated in my whole life. But, I have also never felt more blessed. These two little girls that God has given Mitch and I are more precious to me than words can say. So... although the days are long, they are too wonderful to gripe about. We are currently "in transit" ...making our move to Tennessee. I am trying to roll with this whole military move deal. Our household goods have yet to leave South Carolina. But that's simply a minor detail at this point, right? :) 

Miss Ivy turned 1 month yesterday. This is where I would normally interject, "where has the time gone?!?!", but I learned quickly with Scarlett that the days pass faster than we can count, so I am trying to take in each precious, newborn moment before they pass us by. So here is a little note for memory's sake...

Ivy Glenn, you are our little angel baby. From the first moment I held you, you have been a joy... Pleasant, easy to satisfy and simply darling -- that is you. You are very vocal, but not in a whiney sort of way. As Scarlett says, you are our little "grunter baby." You are always making noise and it makes us laugh all the time. It also eases my mind because Mommy knows all-is-well when I hear your sweet sounds. 

You are an excellent eater and are getting a really good hang on sleeping. 

You have the most beautiful blue eyes and yes, your hair stands on end every moment of the day. Sorry sweetie! Mommy has tried to comb it down but it looks like you are destined for BIG hair and mommy is secretly jealous of that :) 

And did I mention you have the cutest dimples in your cheeks? 

Well, you do and I am in love with them! 

There are some moments when I look at you that I think you look just like Scarlett did at this age and then there are times when I think you have your very own look about you. You are beautiful either way and I know you will be stunning inside and out! 

Here are some of your sweetest admirers, Nonni and Aunt RyRy. 

As for the sweet big sissy... she is up to all kinds of fun things. As of late, she has become the adoring owner of a fish -- Nemo Puff Puff. He is very loved. (please live a long life little fishy!!!) 

Scarlett, mommy is so proud of how loving you are to your baby sister and how flexible you have been for mommy over the past month. You are so special to me and will always be my first baby!!!

sweet days.

Ivy is now a week old... and the days are so sweet. I am so thankful for 2 specific things I prayed for that God graciously gave us. First, I wanted so badly to have a short stay in the hospital. The timeline looked like this: I was in the OR for my c-section at 7:20 a.m. on Friday the 5th and by 9:30 a.m. on Sunday the 7th Ivy and I both had discharge papers from our doctors in hand to be able to go home. Oh, I was/am so thankful for a quick and uncomplicated stay!

Secondly, I asked the Lord to give Scarlett understanding and grace as the big change of adding a baby to our family could/would be quite stunning. It's like, you want your child to understand, at some point, that the world does not revolve around them but you would like to lessen the blow as much as possible. I am happy to say Scarlett has done incredibly well with the change. She is wild about Ivy and has been SO helpful to me. There have been moments of mild distress (wanting mommy when I am unavailable), but nothing unmanageable.

 I am very grateful for these two answered prayers. 

Here are my girls in their "coming home" outfit... I hope their little girls can wear it someday too! 

So... what have we been up to since arriving home? We spend a lot of time admiring this precious babe....

 

(As a side-note for my records... Ivy had be first "check-up" with the pediatrician on Friday when she was exactly 1 week old. Here are her weight stats so far: she was 8 lbs 4oz at birth. She was discharged at 7 lbs 14 oz. At the pediatrician's office on Friday, July 12th she weighed 8 lbs 8 oz! This girl is a good eater, praise the Lord!)

And staying active with this sweet girl... 

(why does she look like she's 7 years old when she's riding this big-girl bike? Be still my heart. Ah!)  

The days are sweet. Our time is quickly coming to a close here in South Carolina. Today we had the walk-thru for our move and I have to be honest and say that it stressed me out ever so slightly, even though I won't actually even be doing any of the packing (thank you military move!!). 

Our days of having Nonni here with us are also coming to a close (insert deep sighs and TEARS). All 4 of us have absolutely loved our time with her. Words cannot say how thankful I am for her. I think about my two girls and how much I love them and would do anything for them... and then I fast forward 20 years (in my mind) and think about how much I would love to help my girls bring their babies home and come alongside them as they learn to be mommies and it all comes full circle :) Thank you mama!!! 

Thank you for all of your sweet comments of congratulations and well wishes on here! Y'all have warmed my heart to no end and I remain thankful for the sweet community blogging provides.  

Wordless Wednesday

< Ivy at 4 days old >

When 3 became 4...

Thank you so much for your prayers for our little family and your sweet comments on here! Y'all, my heart has filled to overflowing. Completely full. I don't even know the "captions" to write along with these pictures. Mitch and I are so grateful to God for the day of utter joy when He brought Ivy into this world. 

Here we are walking into the birthing center with the sunrise on July 5th, our sweet Ivy

love's birthday! 

This picture just makes me laugh :) ...Long story

And here she is... our first glimpse!!! Love at first sight. This is my darling doctor who came to deliver her while on vacation AND she informed me that morning that it was her birthday too! She is a total sweetheart. 

Tears, tears, tears!!! Our precious girl is here and healthy!! 

Beautiful and strong! She received a 9 on her apgar score. 

She looks SO much like her big sissy's newborn pictures... I am going to have to do a little side-by-side comparison :) 

~~~~~~~~

The rest of these speak for themselves... 

Nons and her grand-baby girl number 2 :)

Boo taking in the sweetness of Miss Ivy

My sweet parents have cared for Scarlett and served our little family so generously over the last week... Oh mom and dad I love you! 

 And the days keep getting sweeter... 

Thank you SO much for rejoicing with us! 

<< Announcing >>

Ivy Glenn Owen 

July 5, 2013  7:59 a.m. 

8 pounds 4 ounces   20.5 inches

Our hearts are SO full!!!! 

Thank you God for our precious gift.