Life at home...

Oh, it's good to be home.  We are all enjoying readjusting to life together, with the addition of Miss Amelia.  And she is a delightful addition at that. 

The kids are excelling at big brother and big sister life.  They love to take turns holding her and she has already been smothered with hundreds of kisses.  As I've returned home and enjoyed "getting to know" my two oldest again...I am surprised at how much they've grown.  And how much they've grown up.

They are both huge helpers and want to be involved with little sister's care as much as possible.  They are handling the "re-entry" of mom plus new baby sister quite well.  I am so proud of them.

And I am so thankful for my husband, in-laws, sister-in-law & brother-in-law's care of our children in my absence.  It is evident that they have been nurtured, mentored, trained and loved more than I could ever imagine.  Not only have their physical needs been met (eating, sleeping, playing, etc...no small task for a 3 year old and 4 1/2 year old with special needs), but more importantly their emotional and spiritual needs as well. 

They are reciting the 10 commandments (not something that I taught them!) and talking about making sure they use the "P" word (patience) as they go through their day.  Their little hearts are joyful in play and filled with laughter and songs. 

It makes this mommy's heart glad to hear these things.  And it makes the job of resuming my beloved role at their mommy and mentor that much easier.  I do not have to "make up" for lost time or "retrain" bad habits & attitudes.  Instead, I simply get to step back in where I left off...and it's as if I hadn't even left.

So thank you my family (and friends)...who have filled in a hole created by my absence.  I am forever indebted to each of you for the selfless investment you have made in my children.  This mother's heart is overwhelmed with gratitude. 

Heading home...

Amelia & I have had a lovely day.  Lots of eating (for her), then sleeping and being just a little more alert each time she is awake.  Her eyes do look blue...just like her siblings.  We will see if they stay the course or if they join the brown eyed ranks with mama. :o)

Right now, she is sleeping and I am attempting to "pack up" my room.  Thankfully Greg & Candy took some stuff home on Wednesday, but there is still much to be gathered.  Most of it is evidence of sweet blessings from friends & families...homemade blankets, snacks, journals, great books and clean laundry (thank you grandma!).  As I pack, it feels a little sureal that tomorrow we will be heading home!

Home!!! I cannot wait...and cannot believe it's really here. 
I can't say that I will miss this place, but I will miss the people.  I have enjoyed some wonderful fellowship with many of the nurses here and hope to stay connected with them in some way.  Miss Amelia and her journey to get here have made quite an impact on many people...so I hope to return in a couple months just to say hello and show them how much she has grown. (and what I look like when I am standing up!) :o)

Well, I must finish packing my stuff, the little lady is stirring and my time is short.  I don't have new pictures from today, but do check out Joshua's blog to see some cute one's from her birth-day.  I will post some pictures and possibly video of our family reuniting tomorrow.  The kids will have their first look at their new baby sister...should be the kind of stuff memories are made of. 

Blessings and a final farewell from the hospital...
Sharon & Amelia

Hi. My name is...

So we have decided on the name...why did it take so long you may ask?  Well, one problem was not living in the same house, let alone the same city for the past  2 1/2 months.  And then, when it came down to it, we just couldn't seem to pick from so many good options.  

But you all will be happy to know that our decision is now final and the results are in:

Introducing:

Miss Amelia Claire McPherson

Amelia: work of the Lord
Claire: to make bright & famous


...so she is "to make famous the work of the Lord"!

You saw her stats and she is doing just excellent.  And so is mommy!  The day of her birth went so well.  Everything from the amnio to the timing of the surgery, from our wonderful anesthesiologist (Dr. John Thomas...you were great!) to my recovery, and everything in between...the whole day went off without a hitch.  

We know this was not coincidence...thank you all for your countless prayers.  They have proved to be beneficial and have blessed our family immensely. 

Miss Amelia is doing quite well.  She is nursing very good and has seemed to have caught on even quicker than her siblings (this is a huge praise!).  She does not appear to have any jaundice and we continue to watch her daily.  Her lungs are working perfectly and she has been able to stay in my room with me since her birth.  What a blessing!!!

Her & I are having some great quality time...just the two of us.  Just like we have been doing these 2 1/2 long months...except it is much more fun to kiss her little cheeks and look at her tiny face, instead of just feel her kicking inside.  
I am so thankful for the immediate bond I feel with this little lady.  We are so excited to have her in our growing family and we cannot wait to get home tomorrow (Saturday)...yes, tomorrow! 
Thank you again for your overwhelming prayers and concern during this phase of our lives...we are so encouraged to be moving on to the next part of the journey and we cannot even express in words what our thankful & humbled hearts feel about all of you.  

So from our family and especially from Miss Amelia Claire...thank you.  We will continue to post pics of her progress and growth.  For she is a work of the Lord...to make the famous our Lord, her great Creator!