Growin' Up is Hard to Do...

"Letting God do with our baby girl WHATEVER He wants to do. It's the easiest thing in the world to do. . .and the hardest thing in the world to do." I spoke those words to my husband as we drove home from the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at 3:00am. The car seat in the backseat was empty. Our baby girl, just four days old, was laying in a tiny crib at the hospital. All I wanted to do was hold her and protect her from the feirce world, but that's not what God was asking me to do. He was asking me to let go. . .WHAT?! She's only four days old. I shouldn't have to do that ALREADY!!! He wanted me to place her gently into His loving arms, and step back and watch. I think he also wanted me to realize that as I was stepping back, I, too, was falling into His arms. He wouldn't drop me just so He could hold my baby. He wanted me to see that He was completely able to hold both of us at the same time.
Letting God do with her whatever He wanted to was the hardest thing because we have no idea what that might be. At the same time, it's the easiest thing because God is God. He is our Loving God. He would not be mean. He would only do what is best. And Luke and I both believe that with all our hearts.
We had brought Rayne home for the first time earlier that same day. As the evening progressed, Rayne seemed to be enjoying life at our house. She was eating, she was sleeping, she seemed so content. I, however, was deeply bothered - ok, downright scared - that she had not had a wet or dirty diaper since our arrival at the house at noon. By 9pm, I was beside myself. I was holding her, and crying. I didn't know what to do. Luke decided that for all our peace of mind, a call to the pediatrician would be best. The nurse on call advised that we take her to the nearest ER.
To make a long story short, we were sent to the hospital with an Intensive Care Unit for children, and she was admitted to be treated for dehydration. She spent just a little over a day in the Unit attached to an IV that re-hydrated her tiny body. Looking back now, through rested eyes, it definitely wasn't the worst thing that could have happened. However, at the time, it was all I could take. . .and it was what I needed to realize that this tiny life that God has entrusted to us, isn't really ours at all. She belongs to Him. Luke said it like this, "What a huge compliment that God would ask US to parent this precious life." Wow. After realizing this, we both prayed and commited her to Him. I think that we all can SAY that we want God to have total freedom to use our children as He purposes, but when I sat next to my husband and actually prayed those words outloud, there was no turning back.
It's been two weeks, and Rayne is doing just fine. . .so are dad and mom. We are grateful for life and health. We are even more grateful for a loving God that holds us tight.

HAPPY EASTER

Rayne's first outing (other than to the doctor) was on Easter Sunday...and it was a big day! We went to church and then headed to Grandpa and Grandma Perry's house for Easter dinner.


The church was decorated SO beautifully for springtime! Truly a reminder of the New Life we experience each Easter


Here is one of our celebrations of "new life" this Easter!


A family photo to remember the special day. Our outfits were color coordinated on purpose.

Pictures Pictures, Pictures

Pictures from March 31-April 3

SHE'S HERE!!!!

ANNOUNCING...

RAYNE ELLE PERRY

March 31, 2009 5:33 PM

Weight: 6 lbs. 6 oz.

Length: 18.5 inches

Today is the Day!!!!

Wow. I can not believe that in just a few hours, I'm going to be a mom. I've been waiting for this day for a VERY long time. It's all kind of surreal in some ways, and in other ways, it feels like this is the way it's always been meant to be.
My mom has been here for a few weeks helping me get ready to embark on mommyhood and my dad arrived yesterday to share in the special occasion.
I wasn't allowed to eat anything after 8:30am, so I got up at 7:30 and made breakfast for everyone. We had pancakes, eggs and bacon. Yum. It was so much fun to do.
Luke's family arrived at the house around 11am - and the waiting began. We looked at the 4-D pictures of Rayne and talked about what we thought she might look like...hair or no hair, brown eyes or blue, how much would she weigh. Luke has been overly excited and pumping himself full of coffee. We've moved from the couch to the porch, to the couch to the porch, to the bedroom to make sure we have everything packed, to the porch....let's just say, we haven't been exactly lethargic :)
Our moms and Candy had us do a mini-photo session...the last preggo pics...



And now, we are just waiting. We leave home at 2pm. The next time I post, I'll be a MOMMY!!!! and the love of my life will be a DADDY!!! What an adventure I can't wait to start..

When are you due. . .AND WHERE ARE THOSE BELLY PICS!

I have to laugh...I'm over 34 weeks pregnant, and I am just now starting to get questions about my pregnancy.
Up until about 3 weeks ago, I didn't even really wear maternity clothes. I thought I looked somewhat pregnant, but I guess if you didn't know me, you'd probably wonder if I just carried my weight oddly around my stomach area.
Oh, I had a few maternity shirts that I wore occasionally. . .on the days when I really, desperately wanted to look pregnant, but they were, in no way, necessary. None of my pants were maternity pants...just a few sizes bigger than what I would prefer if I wasn't pregnant.
Finally, in week 31 my little girl finally decided to push my belly out far enough to the point where maternity clothes are the only way to go. And now, just three weeks later, she seems like she's pretty much outta room in there. You can easily see pretty much every movement she makes :) It makes me laugh out loud sometimes.
I'm still not EXTREMELY uncomfortable. I sleep well, I don't have too many aches and pains, and I still have my wedding rings on (no swelling for me...). So, I am very grateful. I think my hubby would laugh if he read that statement...but he gets the brunt of my complaints. And I admit I do it mostly because I can. I expect his sympathetic back rubs and couch-side service :)
So, I was out and about running errands today and every single place I went asked me when I was due. I chuckled that FINALLY people are noticing that I don't look this way normally :)
And, for those of you (Becky...Shelley...) who have been holding a SMALL grudge toward me because you haven't seen my pregnant belly, I was going to post a 34 week picture at the end of this post. So, I turned on my camera....and it is once again broken. I'm sorry that there will be no picture tonight, but I PROMISE I will do my best to get one posted before the picture I post of me holding my baby on the outside :)

A Special Look

On Wednesday, we had the special opportunity to see Rayne through 3D/4D Imaging. We had a 30 min. session in which we spent time looking at her facial features and how she was situated inside me. She seemed to be most interested in taking a mid morning nap while we were looking at her, but she did move around some. It made us even more anxious to see her in person. We are already in love.
Only a few more weeks, and we'll be able to hold her. In some ways, it feels like we've been waiting forever for her to get here, and in other ways, it feels like this time has flown by. Either way, I'm so ready to have her here. Yes, I'm aware of the fussy times, the sleepless nights, and the sometimes helpless feelings parents get when there seems to be no way to satisfy the baby. But, I am MORE aware of the times of holding her close, watching her grow and learn and the feeling of accomplishment parents feel as their children come into the world.
God has already blessed us so richly, and I pray that He will keep her safe and healthy until her arrival in a few weeks.