Meet Anna Caroline

Almost 2 weeks ago we met the newest addition to our family, Anna Caroline. Anna Caroline was named after Matthew's grandmother Anna (Anna Mae as I affectionately refer to her) and we both have always loved the name Caroline.

Though I labored longer with Anna Caroline, but remember I LOVE epidurals, so painless laboring at that, the delivery was a flash! I pushed for less than 10 minutes and we met this sweet girl. She weighed in at 6 pounds, 15. 8 oz and she was 20.5 inches long.

Compared to Mary Stewart, 9 pounds and 21 inches long, Anna Caroline felt like a peanut!

Matthew and I were both nervous about what Mary Stewart would think about our latest addition. But like most transitions with Mary Stewart, it went wonderfully. She loved her new sister, bestowing kisses on her and lots of "petting".

We are so thankful for the safe arrival of Anna Caroline and the smooth transition the Lord has given us thus far.

If Only She Knew.....

If only Mary Stewart knew this was her last day as queen, do you think she would still be having so much fun?

Tomorrow her world changes and she has no idea.

Simply making music, loving her life!

But watchinging her loving personality continue to develop, I can't help but to think that this sweetheart will be happy to share her throne with her new sister.

If only she knew, if only i knew what tomorrow held..........

I Love You

It is hard to believe this time next week we will be a family of 4! As I anxiously await the arrival of this baby, I am cherishing every moment with my Mary Stewart (this has been a little taxing since MS has been sick....). Can't believe my baby won't be my baby next week but a big sister.

Today she said this. Not sure she knows what it means, but I do no she has heard it a hundred thousand times.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANXloy8BBbA

A Girls Best Friend

They say a dog is man's best friend, but Mary Stewart would disagree. As much as our dog drives me absolutely crazy, there is something precious about Maggie & Mary Stewarts friendship!
Forgive the quality of the pictures & though my child loves to be in the nude, this isn't a norm!



Giving Maggie "love"



Maggie giving her kisses & probably trying to finish cleaning her up from dinner!



I wish you could hear the sweet laughter from Mary Stewart!

Dogs may be man's best friend but I'll tell you this dog has a little girl in love with her!

The Sound of A Whipperwhill

Have you ever heard a whippoorwill? I assumed I had. I mean I am from a small rural town in south Louisiana. The majority of my childhood and teenage years were spent outside. Over the past few months my father in law has been speaking of the whippoorwill at Camp D. This past weekend I had the joy of accompanying him and Matthew as we ate dinner on the porch and listened to the whippoorwill. What a simplistic song composed of a babbling creek and a whippoorwill. How could one not delight in nature?

This past week my father in law, "Papa", blogged about the whippoorwill and technology. He is a very gifted writer and wanted to share with you.

Happy Easter..... a little late

Family shot at church Sunday morning.

(Yes same dress in the last post & this one, at this point in pregnancy my selection is slim! Also sadly you can't notice this, but guess how giddy I was when on our way to church I realized the 3 of us coordinated. Mary Stewart's dress had pink & yellow smocking!)

What a sweet Easter we had! As I tried to reflect on Christ death and resurrection, (despite my excitement of MS Easter Egg Hunt and festivities) one of my favorite hymns came to mind. I often pray this hymn for Mary Stewart, that she will know Christ and in HIM alone her hope will be found. The words so perfectly capture Christ purpose-


In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a lifes first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

I hope these words can resonate with you! We were blessed with a sweet weekend! Matt has been traveling so I covet our weekends together! Saturday we had a wonderful time with sweet friends as Mary Stewart hunted Easter eggs. I am proud to say she caught on to the concept rather quickly and had a ball!

Sweet friends that sadly we don't see enough!

Discovering the candy inside the egg!

Mary Stewart & Mary Francis

In the past week Mary Stewart has rediscovered her tongue! So funny!

And she gets the egg......

Sunday morning we celebrated Christ resurrection at church and then enjoyed a meal at home together. I think this was the first official holiday meal I had prepared all by myself. Matthew gave me a sweet compliment, "Besides crawfish, this is the best Easter meal I've ever had." In Louisiana we would have been eating boiled crawfish (one of our FAVORITES) for Easter Lunch.

Another Birthday

We have another birthday on our calendar! May 31, 2011 we will be meeting the newest addition to our family, Anna Caroline. I was thrilled today when my doctor put my on the calendar to be induced. It seems in the business of life I really haven't blogged about this pregnancy or the excitement we have for another little girl. Mary Stewart and Anna Caroline will be 20 months, almost to the day apart. Yes I know our life will be crazy. Yes I have two cribs in my house. No my child isn't potty trained. No I haven't taken her pi (paci) away from her. And yes I will have two girls with two double names. The best part, I am not worried. I know the Lord will meet us where we are and help us get through the days. After all his mercies are new each morning!
We have moved Mary Stewart into her "big girl" room. Matthew is building my window cornices next weekend and then I'll post pictures. I am thrilled that one day She and Anna Caroline will share a room! I kept my nursery the same and have been tweaking it for a new baby to be in there again.
As many of you know I have prayed for a sense of "community" here in Marietta. The Lord has been ever so faithful to bring me friends who are in similar stages of life. It is so nice to know a handful of people with little ones, many with or expecting their 2nd as well, in just a few mile radius of our house.
Expecting a 2nd and another girl at that, I wasn't expecting a shower! I was so surprised when some sweet ladies in my bible study held one for me. What a sweet blessing! Anna Caroline received some really sweet gifts. More than anything, it was again God showing me, he is meeting me where I am and so abundantly with friends and relationships!
Here are a few pictures, thanks to Kasey my wonderful photographer!

Farin, Melissa, Me & LeAnn

Everything was beautiful & so delicous!

All of Anna Caroline's "loot"!

Hard to believe we will be meeting Anna Caroline in 5 short weeks! Please join us as we pray for protection over this baby as well as a safe delivery!