Wednesday, March 17, 2010

March 2010: Felicity: Great happiness; Bliss; Joy









We are so blessed to welcome
Felicity Gail Johnson
to our family.
The timing of her birth was a true triumph and testment of God's love for me despite all of the anxiety I had had over the timing of her arrival during Mike's absense for a 2 week training. It was just the perfect time for Mike to make it, along with my mother and sisters. This delivery was the most difficult of mine so I was grateful for the continued encouragement they gave me throughout. What a feeling of complete joy as you hold your newborn baby in your arms for the first time! There is nothing else that can compete with that feeling - one of awe, one of humility, one of sweetness - in this world.

Felicity arrived to us at 6:52 pm on Friday March 12, 2010 weighing 7 lbs 9 oz and 18 inches short:-) I was amazed that she was born with hair. So fun. She is a sweet natured baby and is adored by all, in particular her doting 3 big brothers. Poor Eyan has been sick and has been so anxious to be able to hold her hand. The boys were able to briefly come see her in the hospital and they just lit up when they saw her, especially Tate. He immediately climbed up on my lap next to the baby and asked me if he could sing her a song. He sang her "Rock A Bye Baby"; it was so sweet.


A bit about her name. I have loved the name Felicity since I was 10 years old. Recently I came across my childhood journal and found an entry I had made saying that I would like to name my daughter Felicity. It was fun to read. The name has stayed with me all these years. I love its meaning: great happiness; bliss; joy. The name to me carries a sense of sophistication, femininity, and strength. Of course being me, I still needed to wait until after she was born to decide if it fit her. I was undecided her first night after birth, but when I awoke that first morning (yes, she graciously slept for about a 3 hour stretch during that night), I saw her sweetly sleeping in the morning light and became clear to me that Felicity was the perfect name for her. We also decided to give her the middle name Gail after my wonderful mother-in-law. Middle names for us are for carrying on family names. Mike admires and loves his mother so much and thinks of her as a champion mother who raised 7 children so amazingly. We were happy to pass on such a great name.

Because Mike was leaving again Monday morning and baby and I were doing well, I chose to spend less than 24 hours in the hospital after her birth. {Of course 1 day in the hospital was all we needed to fit in her first Photo Shoot:-).} I was grateful to be home despite some health concerns which soon developed after I arrived. Here it is Day 5 and because of more Heavenly Hands I am continuing to be on the mend and baby Felicity is healthy and happy. Mike will be home again in 2 days and I am so looking forward to being home together as a complete family.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

March 2010: Our beautiful baby girl has arrived! Felicity Gail Johnson born March 12th


Introducing our beautiful baby girl. We will provide more details and photos soon!!! Thank you all for your love and support.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

March 2010: Heavenly Hands

I needed to break my chronological posts to express my gratitude. Thank you Heidi for commenting on my last post reminding me that "The Lord knows my needs." Boy does he ever:-).

Last night marked Day 2 of Mike's 2 Week Training away as well as Day 2 of my battle with the stomach flu. Yes, can you believe it at 39 weeks I have the stomach flu! My poor little Owen passed it on to me. Well I had tried all day to hold in my inevitable meltdown but after yelling and screaming to get the boys to go to bed because I felt absolutely lousy, it came. A shoulder heaving, sobbing cry accompanied by a pleading kneeling prayer. I felt so alone and so angry at myself for allowing all these overwhelming circumstances turn me into a scary, cranky mom. Not long after my prayer explaining my frustrations and asking for help, things began to happen:

Heavenly Hands

A friend called just to check on me out of the blue - this got me through the evening

More Heavenly Hands in my life the following day

A ride for Owen to school
A ride for Eyan to school
A volunteer to come clean my house, do my laundry
A call to watch Tate
A text to watch Tate
A ride home for Eyan and a place for him to go play
A ride home for Owen
All three boys brought out for a treat
A dinner brought
An unexpected 2nd dinner of chicken noodle soup, perfect for my tummy
Calls of concern
Texts of concern
Prayers of concern

I was so amazed at how Heavenly Father has taken care of me through the love and service of those around me. Why am I ever amazed? Does he ever fail me? Never. This is just one day amongst so many that I have felt the love of my Father through the Heavenly Hands of those who have served me. Thank you all so much.

Sunday, March 07, 2010

January 2010: You've Been Deceived Long Enough




Everytime I go onto my blog or walk by my mantel and see that beautiful family photo of us, I think, who is that girl? I almost don't even recognize myself. Looking in mirror since having those pictures taken has definitely taken a different turn. I thought I should let you all in on the fact that you have been deceived long enough; I don't look anything like that anymore.

In preparation for my baby shower in January, I had maternity photos taken. A first for me. And no, there were no belly shots, I'd rather not thank you. Cheryl came over to my mother's beautiful home and my naturally photogenic sister Vanessa told me how to pose. It was rather fun and a good mood lifter since I had been on bedrest for a few weeks by then. So here I am pregnant at 30 weeks. Oh course I am writing this at 38 1/2 weeks so once again I don't look like that anymore either:-) but a lot closer than our family photo. Hopefully in the next month or two I'll look more like that again:-)

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