Goings on...

My friend Marie had a baby boy, Tobias, just 6 days before we had Silas.   The story was a bit different though.  She's tiny and was a few days overdue.  She gave birth to a 10 lb baby boy!!!!   Later that week, I (not so tiny) gave birth to a 4lb 11.5 oz little tyke.   We met up last night when she and her family came to visit Nana  :)  Here they are next to each other a month later.

This morning I received an email back from University of Phoenix Online School that they would like my resume.  I am trying to find something that I can do at home to help out with income.  So, Silas was sleeping and I put on a short video for Abby so that I could try to get the resume done.  Either she was more tired than I thought or the video was really boring.

And I need to pack....and pack...and figure out meals for the next week and go grocery shopping....I think I need some chocolate.

K?

I have had a few moments where I have felt completely overwhelmed, exhausted and did I mention sleep-deprived?   I usually get teary in these situations when Paul is asking what is wrong.  Abby gets such a concerned look  on her face and comes up to me and says "K?"   Such a sweet side of her to care about Mommy.

Baptism of Silas Anthony Mourreale

We had the honor of getting Silas baptized Sunday evening at our chapel.  We were especially thrilled that we could have a joint service with our dear friends the Congers.   Their son was born just 6 weeks before Silas.

We are so thankful for God's promises to us as we strive to raise Silas in the "fear and admonition" of the Lord.   We are thankful for the support of the church as we long to be faithful parents.   We are thankful that God loves Silas even more than we ever could. 

Wildlife

When the snow comes, we get the pleasure of seeing these right outside our window.

 

Graduation

Paul graduated with his Masters of Divinity. We are all so very proud of him and thankful for the hard work he has done these last couple of years.

This past year has been very "productive" for the women at the seminary. Pictured here are all the babies that have been born this year.

Grandparents

We've been so blessed to have Grandpa and Grandma Mourreale here for the weekend. Abby loves spending time with them and Silas is loving all the attention he is getting as well.

Birthday Fun

Saturday was my 32nd birthday. This first picture shows enough gifts to me, don't you think?

Our good friends had us over for dessert. Allison worked so hard on these cupcakes, aren't they cute? It does make it hard though to blow out ALL the candles at one time. Abby is fascinated with blowing out things so we let her blow one of them out.

Chris and Allison had their baby boy about 7 weeks before we had ours. It was so much fun going through pregnancy together and now having our newborns together. It always amazes me that now, the age difference is so huge but in a year, they will basically be the "same age".

Room Enough

Throughout my pregnancy, I struggled with how would I love this new child.  I loved Abby so much it didn't seem there would be room for another to have that same love.   I also don't "bond" with my baby in the womb like many other moms seem to do.  I am thankful for him but I don't feel a closeness with him.  When Silas was born, I immediately fell in love with him (and all of you moms told me that would happen).  The problem was, Abby wasn't there.  So I worried that I didn't love her as much and maybe my love just transferred.  What would I do when I got home to my little girl?  (These are the crazy thoughts I have in the middle of the night).

You probably already know the end of the story but it's still amazing to me.  I love BOTH of my children incredibly - to the moon and back!  There is no competition for my love but room enough for Abigail, Silas and whomever else God will grant us in the future.

Happy Tears

Ever since Silas was born, I have been a bit teary.  At first, it was tears of being overwhelmed, of wondering if I could handle all the things that I think I have to do.   I am learning that there are things that must be done and there are things that I just would like done.   I must not stress over the state of my house.   The last few days, I've had happy tears.  I become so overwhelmed at God's goodness to me and my family.  Last night, we were having our family devotion time.  I was holding Silas and Paul was holding Abby.  We ended by singing several songs including the "haha" song.  Abby tried singing along and at the end, Paul threw her up in the air to which Abby just giggled and giggled, wanting more and more.  I sat rocking Silas, tears rolling down my face, reflecting on what God has given me in just the past few years.   Paul and I are coming up on our third wedding anniversary.  He is such a wonderful, godly man that my Heavenly Father saw fit to give to me.   Within those three years, God has also seen fit to grant us the privelege of having two wonderful, healthy children.   This is especially incredible to me as I recall the struggles with endometriosis that I have had.   After one ultrasound to check for reoccurance, I was told that it would be very hard to have children because of all the scarring that I have.   Praise God!   He is the giver of life and loves to work wonders in His children.

So for those who see me on a daily basis, don't worry, my tears are happy tears!

Saying Goodbye

Yesterday we had to say goodbye to our family/friends, Jeff and Laura. They were coming to see us for Thanksgiving and we were so thrilled to get caught up with them. They were both in our wedding 3 years ago and actually, that was the last time we've seen them. Little did they know what they were getting into. The first morning here, I woke Jeff up with a call saying "Get ready, you need to come take care of Abby, we're going to the hospital". Of course, my contractions subsided for a bit so it wasn't until later that afternoon that we actually left.

Laura and Jeff ended up coming to the hospital with us and Laura was there in the delivery room with Paul and I. That night, she also stayed in the hospital with me. Paul wanted to make sure Abby had a familiar face that night so he went back home.

So a huge THANKYOU to Jeff and Laura for being here, for coming to the hospital with us, for taking care of Abby for over 24 hours, for helping us make a yummy delicious thanksgiving dinner, for hanging out with us, for playing Settlers of Catan, for praying with and for us.   We LOVE you!!!