Back to the memories!

I really started this so I could remember some of the more precious moments of Sean's first 14 months with us.  I am not really good at keeping little things in my memory bank.  Mark would say it's because there's too much in there already!  But here are some highlights...

1. When I found out we were expecting our little bundle of joy, it was complete and utter shock!  Happy shock, but shock nonetheless.  I said words I won't put here but I don't think I will ever forget that moment.
2.  When we heard the heartbeat for the first time, we both cried tears of joy.  I was certain that we would go in there and they wouldn't find anything.  It was the most anxious few minutes I have ever had when they put the wand on my stomach until we heard the "woosh woosh" of his little heart!
3. When I was pregnant with Sean, and finally felt him move, it was one of the greatest joys - to know he was OK in there.  After that, it seems he never stopped moving - unless daddy tried to feel him! The hiccups were the most interesting movements and, even after he was born, he had them quite often.
4. Being pregnant was a true joy.  I know that some women really don't enjoy it - I enjoyed the heck out of it.  I was helping to create LIFE and it was a miracle of tremendous proportions.  It affirms that there is a God and that he's pretty stinking clever to create us with the ability to take two small cells and grow another human!  That's not to say the last few weeks I really wanted to be done!

 Next post... welcoming baby Sean.

Inspiration can be found everywhere...

Even when you least expect it.  The other day, I was reading one of my newsgroups on What to Expect and found this family's story.  Although tragic and sad, it truly inspired me in a way I never anticipated.  This family had an 8 month old child, James, diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumor.  Within less than a month after diagnosis, James "won" his battle and was called to be with God.  While his parents, Kara and Matthew are grieving, their story is an inspiration in faith. They have indicated many times in their blog that they belief Jamsie was on loan as an angel from God.  They believe that in his passing that he was made whole and happy.  When they could be railing at God for their loss, they celebrate the life that was their son's.  Their story can be found here:  http://jamescamdensikes.blogspot.com/.  Today, they bury their only child and my heart cries for them. 

I can't imagine how I would feel if Mark and I lost Sean.  Utter devastation is what I would feel.  And anger.   Because of this twist of fate and finding this family's story, I feel changed somehow.  I am trying to look at every day with my child as a gift.  He won't eat - no worries, he's happy and healthy.  He's cranky - no worries, he's allowed to be fussy but he's here in my arms.  He throws down a crazy temper tantrum (which he has been known to do!) - no worries, he'll be fine in a bit.  He's HERE with us.  I hold him a bit tighter and love him fiercely because of a stranger's story of loss.

God works in mysterious ways. 

First time on a blog?

While a lot of these things are still fresh in my mind, I wanted to start a blog to document some of the most joyous (and sometimes trying) time in our lives.  A little background.  Girl meets boy.  Girl and boy fall in love.  After a while, they get married.  After 10 long years, several cats and a dog later, they decide that "hey - let's have kids".  Luckily, despite our ages (suffice it to say, advanced maternal age was on my chart), we were successful early in the process.

In May 2010, the big guy entered our lives and nothing has been the same since!  More to come!