Hand In Hand

Hand In Hand

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Four Weeks Already?!

Tomorrow marks the 4-week birthday of my little Isabella. It's so hard to believe that's it been four weeks already. She really has become life as I know it. What life was like before her is a distant memory. She fills my days with more smiles and laughter than before. She fills her Daddy's day with joy and sunshine. She really brightens any day, no matter what is going on. She make all the fertility treatments so worth it. 

Speaking of fertility specialist, I still need to send her birth announcements out to most people. I can't wait to send one to the fertility specialist for the baby wall...the wall I despised when I was on the other side of the journey. All those times looking at the baby wall...they were torture! And now, I can add a picture to the baby wall. My perspective on the wall has changed. Instead of despising it, I have realized that it should give hope to those still in the process of fertility treatments. It's just so exciting to know that I can add a picture to that wall because my little Isabella is here. I have so much to be thankful for and I owe so much thanks and gratitude to Dr. V. He really is an amazing doctor who not only was able to figure out what was wrong with my body, but he was also able to find something to help me conceive. Little Isabella needs to meet him one day!

Anyway, I'm rambling. I'll post something more personal later to tell you all how Mommyhood is going and how Baby Isabella is doing. In the meantime, here are some pictures to enjoy.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

What a Difference Three Years Makes!

Three years ago this month, Hubby and I decided we were ready to start a family. So we prayed long and hard about what God would have us do. When you give your life to serve the Lord, you never want to do something that you feel He would not have you do. So we prayed about it and waited on an answer before doing anything else. Hubby and I both felt strongly that God had answered our prayer by telling us it was time to start a family, so I went off my birth control pill, praying that my irregular cycles would be a thing of the past. We had no idea what the road ahead of us would offer, we just knew that God had promised us a child when we had prayed about starting a family.

Three years later, after a long battle with infertility and nine months of carrying around our precious cargo, our promised child has been here for three weeks. We are so blessed to have Isabella in our lives. She has brought so much change for us in so many good ways. Life is no longer about ourselves, it is about our daughter. It's still so strange to say those words, "our daughter." I waited so long to be able to say those words and yet, they still seem foreign. 

For those of you reading my blog who are in the midst of a difficult battle with infertility, take my word for it, the battle is worth it. I wouldn't trade my journey for an easier time. I think it helped me to appreciate even more the life that is in my arms. It made me appreciate the blessing of God's promise more than if it had just been an easy road for me. My journey took three years from beginning to new life. Sure, it's not as long as the journey is for some women, but it certainly wasn't a short journey. If you're still on the journey, hang in there. Keep your head held high. Be patient. wait on the Lord. Be encouraged. 

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Life as a New Mom

So I know it's been two weeks since I posted, so I wanted to get caught up on here. Life is finally settling down from all the excitement that surrounds the arrival of a baby. Isabella is such a blessing and a joy. There are no words to describe how it feels being a mom at last. I have prayed for and waited for this day for years. God granted me my request and it's just amazing. 

I won't lie, it hasn't been the easiest two weeks. I'm still recovering from my c-section. Recovery hasn't been too bad, but there are still things I have problems doing, like bending over to pick something up. It's frustrating because I want to do all the things I haven't been able to do and there are still limitations. I can't drive for another two weeks and I can't carry anything heavier than Isabella for another two weeks. So I can carry her, but if we go out, Hubby has to carry her in her carrier. I am not allowed. Ugh...so frustrating!

I've somehow adjusted to the sleep pattern of a new mom. Isabella is not formula fed and she's gaining steady weight, so there's no need to supplement with the formula. She's solely breast fed, so my sleep schedule is so different from Hubby's. He's great, though, he does get up with me for most feedings. He keeps me awake. That's love right there. Last night, he gave her a bottle of pumped milk for one of her feedings because I had already been up for almost two hours with her doing cluster feeding and not wanting to sleep. 

I have no complaints. Honestly, I didn't think someone could enjoy changing poopy diapers and having a 24-hour milk machine, but it makes life more wonderful. Isabella gives life new meaning and purpose. She makes me realize that not only am I a woman, but now, I am a mom. I am someone she loves, needs, and depends on, even at only two weeks old. All the full night's sleep in the world couldn't be better than holding her and knowing that she is a gift from God for Hubby and me.