Our Little Angel

Dear Olivia Rose,

Daddy and I have spent the last 6 weeks getting to know you and we fall more in love with you every single day!  You are just the most beautiful girl we have ever seen and not a day passes that I don’t find something so cute that I have to rush to get the camera ready.  And it’s a good thing I do, because your Mimi, Gammy and Grandma LIVE for the pictures and videos I send them every day!  We just can’t get enough of you!  Gammy tells me that as soon as G-Daddy gets home every night he asks her if she has any new pictures of you, so it is my job to send them something every day.  It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it! :)
You are a perfect mixture of Daddy and I.  The first thing I noticed when you were born was that you had hair and it was brown!  I never imagined I would have a little olive-skinned, dark-haired little girl- you’re just so perfect!  I know I’m a little biased, but everyone who meets you tells me how pretty you are, so it’s not just me! The next thing I noticed was how long your fingers and toes are- just like Mommy.  Daddy even pointed out that you have a longer second toe like Mommy.  You have your Daddy’s eyes and your Mommy’s chin.  I think you get your height from the Barber side of Mommy’s family because you are very tall for your age.  Your beautiful skin color comes from your Cuban heritage, and looks just like your Uncle Josh!  I just can’t get over how beautiful you are!  A true masterpiece of the Creator.
You have to be one of the most loved little girls in the whole world.  There were so many people at the hospital with us just waiting for you to make your entrance.  The doctor thought that was a lot of people, but had no idea how many would come once you arrived!  I don’t think you spent any time in your hospital crib during the day.  Someone was always there to hold you and love on you.
Once we finally brought you home, we were a little nervous to introduce you to our fur-baby, your big brother Emmett.  He had been our only baby for so long, we were not sure how he would react to sharing our attention.  He quickly learned to love you, although he does get a little jealous when Daddy spends all of his time with you.  Sometimes he tries to squeeze in the littlest space available just to be near the three of us.  Emmett is also so protective of you!  He has always been a quiet dog, but now he barks and growls every time someone comes over.  He wants everyone to know he will protect his little sister!
Some of my favorite moments are when you fall asleep in my arms.  It is just the sweetest, most tender moment.  I could stare at you for hours!  Sometimes you fall asleep while you’re eating and then you get so annoyed when I try to burp you afterwards!  I love when you fall asleep on my shoulder and snuggle your head in the curve of my neck.  I just melt!  The sweetest thing I have ever seen is your smile.  Mimi spends all of her time with you trying to make you smile.  If only she could see the way you light up when your Daddy holds you.  My heart just bursts with love when I see you and your Daddy! Every time he comes in the door, he goes straight to you.  No matter what we are doing, he steals you right away from me.  He just loves you so much!
You continue to amaze me every day baby girl.  I just can’t believe God chose me to be your mommy.  I don’t know what I did to deserve such an honor, but I am so blessed!  I love to see how you grow and change every week.  One thing that truly amazes me is how strong you are physically.  During your first week people would tell me how much you were going to like tummy time because your neck seemed to be very strong.  At about two weeks old, Daddy and I decided to give it a try.  We were amazed as we watched you turn your head back and forth, and you even started pushing up on your knees.  Now at 6 weeks old, you are so active during tummy time.  You are always up on your knees with your butt in the air, and you are moving your legs like crazy, just trying to get somewhere!  I think as soon as you can lift yourself up on your arms you are going to be crawling all over the place!  Don’t grow up too fast, baby girl!
As we go into our last week of my time at home with you, I want you to know how much I love you.  This love is stronger than I ever imagined.  It completely consumes me.  No matter how tired I am, I find myself yearning for you, especially when other people hold you.  I am a jealous mommy!  I can’t imagine how hard it is going to be for me to go back to work, but know that if there were any way for me to stay at home with you, I would do it in a heartbeat!  For now, I am so thankful to know that you will be in good hands with your Mimi, Gammy, Grandma and Laura.  God will help us through this, baby girl!

I love you with all my heart!

Your momma

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Week 28

Tuesday November 6, 2012

Week 28

You are the size of: a papaya.

How I’m feeling: Great!  Just dealing with some back pain.

I’m craving:  Orange juice and everything sweet!

Señor Scale says I have gained: 15 pounds.

Stretch marks:  Nope.  But hello spider veins!!

Best moment this week: Getting your furniture in and setting up your room! 

Movement:  You are moving all the time!  You get the hiccups every day, which your Mimi told me I had every day when she was pregnant with me, too!  I hope I haven’t passed along my “chronic hiccups” to you.  Don’t worry, it’s just something I made up, but I do get the hiccups more often than most people.  Sunday morning you started kicking up higher in my tummy, which made me happy because it tells me you are getting into the right position.  The doctor is now having me count kicks every night and see how long it takes for you to kick 10 times.  I am supposed to make sure it happens within 2 hours, and so far it has been under 2 MINUTES every day!  You are having a little dance party in there!  Sometimes when you kick really big your Daddy says you are practicing your soccer kicks, but I tell him it could be cheerleader kicks. J

Dear Olivia Rose,

We just can’t wait to meet you and hold you in our arms!  We are having a lot of fun trying to figure out what you will look like and whose traits you will inherit.  I have always envisioned you as a little blonde girl with curls like me, but I can’t wait to see you to find out!  The most important thing, the biggest thing I hope you inherit from your Daddy, is his unwavering faith in God!  I have been thinking about what an important job we have to introduce you to Christ and teach you how to live for Him.  I think you will learn that just through your Daddy’s actions.  He is such a strong Man of God and I pray one day you choose someone just like him to be your mate.  He loves you so much and prays for you every day.  He listens to this sweet Daddy-Daughter song by Shane and Shane and I truly believe he means every word of it for you.

The story of your life is still untold

I pray the king of all the universe

Would make your heart His home

Love,

Momma and Daddy

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Week 20

Saturday September 8, 2012

Week 20

You are the size of: a mango

How I’m feeling: Great!  No more sickness, but I am having trouble sleeping now.

I’m craving: everything sweet!

Señor Scale says I have gained: 7 pounds

Stretch marks:  no way!

Best moment this week: Seeing you on the sonogram and FINDING OUT YOU ARE A GIRL!!!!!!!  First things first, Daddy and I went to have a sonogram yesterday morning.  We told the woman that we wanted to be surprised that night, so she kept everything a secret from us.  When she first started the sonogram, we think you were sleeping!  You were curled up in a cute little ball, sleeping like your momma.  You were not too excited about her pressing on my tummy and waking you up!  You covered your face with both hands when she tried to get a good picture.  Once you woke up a little bit more, you were more cooperative.  We got to see you sucking your thumb, and I don’t know why, but it almost made me cry!  I was tearing up seeing you keep moving your thumb to your mouth.  You are just too cute!  After the sonogram, I had a good friend from work call a party store and order balloons for us, because I wasn’t supposed to know if they were pink or blue.  I even had your Aunt Jecka go with me to pick up the box of balloons, to make sure I didn’t see anything written down anywhere.  Later that night, we had some family and close friends over to Grandma and Grandpa Davis’ house for a Gender Reveal party.  We had everyone guess whether they thought you would be a boy or a girl.  I must confess… I really thought you were going to be a boy!  I’m sorry I’ve been calling you “he” for so long!! L Your Daddy knew you were a girl, though!  Once we opened that box of balloons and saw PINK flying out, I was so surprised and so HAPPY!!!  Someday I will show you that video.  I start tearing up every time I watch it! (What is pregnancy doing to my emotions???)   I am so excited to be having a little girl!  Your MiMi and Aunt FerFer and I went shopping for you today and bought you SO MANY adorable outfits and accessories!  I can’t wait to dress you up, my little doll!

Movement:  I have been feeling little “flutters” for a few weeks, but this week I started feeling definite kicks.  Daddy even got to feel you kick yesterday!   This has definitely been my favorite week so far!!

Gender: OUR PRECIOUS ANGEL BABY GIRL!!!!!

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Week 18

Saturday August 25, 2012

Week 18 (picture is actually a few weeks old)

You are the size of: a dragon fruit or a pickle

How I’m feeling:  MUCH better!! I am so thankful! I have finally been able to eat (most things).

I’m craving: Mostly sweets.  I love popsicles and ice cream and smores-flavored treats-yummy smores poptarts and McDonald’s smores pie.  (Not together…but I do eat one of these things just about every night!)

Señor Scale says I have gained: 3.5 pounds!  I am actually excited about this because I was worried I wasn’t eating enough for you for a while.

Maternity clothes: Yep!  I don’t really need maternity shirts but I am strictly wearing maternity pants at this point.  They are kind of comfy and since you don’t have to button or zip them, it’s kind of like wearing sweats every day!

Stretch marks:  No, thankfully.  Mommy and Daddy have been sure to rub oil on Mommy’s tummy every morning and every night. J

Best moment this week: Starting to plan our gender reveal party!!

Movement:  I am not sure…it’s too early to be able to distinguish between baby movements and mommy’s tummy grumbling.  Soon though!

Gender: Only 2 more weeks til we find out!  Daddy thinks you are a little girl and I think you are a little boy.  I have been having fun trying all the old wives tales to figure out the gender.  6 of them say girl and 5 of them say boy.  I guess we will just have to wait 2 more long weeks to find out!  WE CAN’T WAIT!!!

My little sweet pea, 

I keep thinking about what a little miracle you are.  Every time we are singing a song about how much God loves us in church, I can't help but think about YOU and how much God already loves you!  How He had this whole time planned out for us from the beginning of time.  It's just amazing to think about!  You see, your momma was told many years ago that she would have a tough time getting pregnant.  I was just certain that it would take us years before I finally had my little miracle baby.  I even tried to convince Daddy that we should start trying pretty soon after we got married so that we wouldn't be too old when it finally happened!  Your wise Daddy assured me that it would happen in God's perfect timing.  So, this past January, Daddy and I started to pray about that perfect timing and that God would prepare us to be good parents for you and that He would let us know when would be the right time to start trying.  Once April rolled around, we both felt like it was time.  We didn't even tell your grandparents because I still thought it would take a long time and I didn't want them to put pressure on the situation by asking me all the time if I was pregnant yet or start worrying when it wasn't happening yet. I think God was laughing at me when I was making these plans.  I now believe that He had us wait to start trying until it was already HIS perfectly planned time for you because by May, we found out we were pregnant!  Daddy and I were both joyfully shocked! God knew that I would get worried if it took a long time because of my past health issues.  He had it all planned out so that I wouldn't have to worry even one month!  So you see my little precious miracle, if you put your trust in God and let Him write the story of your life, it was FAR exceed even your wildest dreams!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will direct your paths."

Proverbs 3:5-6

                                                                   I love you with all my heart,

                                                                                  Momma

God is Able

This is something that has been on my mind since we sang “God is Able” by Hillsong at church on Sunday morning.  The first part of the chorus says, “Lifted up, He defeated the grave; raised to life, our God is able.”  I began to think…


Wow.  If our God is able to defeat the grave- to be raised from the dead to live again- if He has that immense power, is there anything He can’t do??  Heal?  He can.  Save a loved one who others think is hopelessly lost?  He can.  Provide your needs?  He can.  Give you peace in the midst of a tough situation?  He can.

I know as Christians we have been raised our whole lives to say “My God can do anything” and “with God all things are possible” (Matt 19:16), but do we really live that way?  Do we have the faith and trust to believe that when we pray BIG prayers, God is able to meet that need and that He will, if it fits in His perfect will?  Maybe you are reading this saying “well duh, yes, I do have that faith” and if you do, kudos to you.  Doubt has always been my biggest struggle.  Well, I don’t necessarily struggle with the first part.  Yes, I believe God can meet all my needs, but I guess it’s the “believing He will” part that doesn’t come as easily for me.  What a shame that is!  I have put God in a tiny little box praying for Him to meet my needs, but not really trusting that He will.  At the beginning of this year, Brock and I chose a scripture to be “our scripture” for the year to pray for our little (growing) family.  Philippians 4:19- “And my God will meet all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  He will.  The end.  So why do I find myself wondering how we are going to afford all the things our baby needs?  I have to remind myself that God gave us this baby at this time because it was His plan and that He will provide for our little angel.  I have no idea where it’s going to come from, but He does.  He has a plan that far exceeds my crummy little plan.

Maybe you’re reading this and you’re like me.  Maybe you pray little prayers because you’re too afraid to be disappointed if He doesn’t meet your big prayers.  Maybe you pray the big prayers, but don’t really trust that He will meet them.  I encourage you to meditate on scriptures like these below and songs like “God is Able”.  Memorize them.  Repeat them any time doubt tries to creep into your mind.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

 -Ephesians 3:20-21

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms…”

 -Ephesians 1:18-20

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

 -Matthew 6:33

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

 -Philippians 4:19

“If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” 

-Exodus 15:26

“Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” 

-Luke 8:48

“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed;  save me and I will be saved,  for you are the one I praise.”

 -Jeremiah 17:14

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

-Philippians 4:7

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Week 12

Saturday July 14, 2012

Week 12

You are the size of: a plum.

How I’m feeling:  I think the sickness is starting to die down (YAY!!).  Most people say it should be gone by 12-14 weeks.  I am really hoping it will be gone by the end of the week because Daddy and I are leaving for vacation next Saturday!

I’m craving: Still nothing.  I am not eating a lot.  Hoping this gets better in the next couple of weeks, too!

Señor Scale says:  I have actually lost 2 pounds, probably because I’m not eating much.  But you are growing in there little peanut!  My belly is growing with you, too!

Maternity clothes: Some… L

Stretch marks:  Not yet!

Best moment this week: We had another appointment with Dr. Herd yesterday and it was short, but oh so sweet!!  Daddy and I heard your heart beating!  It was such an amazing moment to cherish.  The doctor didn’t tell me the rate of your heartbeat, but it sounded fast to me!  J We also took a trip to some baby stores and started getting ideas for your nursery.  That was so much fun!

Movement:  I cannot feel you moving yet, but my weekly updates tell me you are doing somersaults and all kinds of fun things in there!  You can now open and close your fists and your mouth and kick your feet.  I can’t wait until I can feel all of these movements!

Gender: 8 more weeks until we find out.  Seems like an eternity!! 

Catching up... "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" Weeks 4-8

Saturday May 19, 2012

Week 4

You are the size of: a poppy seed.  It’s so crazy to think that in a few short months, you will develop into a beautiful baby and finally be in my arms!

How/when we found out: On Monday, I started working out again, trying to get in shape for our upcoming vacation with your grandparents and the entire Cuban clan (you will already understand what that means long before you can even talk).  After working out with a trainer, I felt terrible.  I was very nauseous, so tired and a little dizzy.  I had felt nauseous a couple of times in the previous days, so I was already starting to wonder if I could be pregnant, but wanted to wait until Saturday when I knew a test would be 100% accurate.  When I woke up Tuesday still feeling yucky, I decided I couldn’t wait anymore and took an early pregnancy test.  After waiting 3 long minutes, there appeared a very faint second pink line!  I was so giddy and excited!  Your daddy was still sleeping, so I had to wait for him to wake up and become conscious enough to understand what I was so excited to tell him.  He was a little bit in shock and disbelief that this actually happened so easily for us.  I told him I needed to take another test on Saturday “to be sure”, but I already knew you were growing inside me!

How I’m feeling:  Ugh.  Little one, I am so excited to be carrying you, but it is not going too well for me.  I told your Daddy that I would know I was pregnant even if I hadn’t taken a test.  I am tired and sick allllll day long.  The sickness is the worst when I am hungry, so I am eating and snacking about every two hours.  I think I can throw the “getting in shape for vacation” out the window.  I’ll be happy if I’m not the size of an elephant by then!  It’s ok, I also told Daddy I’d rather be pregnant than skinny! J

I’m craving: …nothing really.  Just anything that sounds appetizing at the time.  I am now keeping Sprite and Saltines to calm my tummy in the middle of the night.  Yes, you are somehow waking me up at 3:30 every morning to tell me you’re hungry.  Sweetie, this only makes mommy more sleepy.

Señor Scale says I have gained: We’ll call this the “starting weight” (right- like I’m gonna document THAT!) since I haven’t really gained anything yet.

Days til your grandparents find out: 8 days!  I am dying to tell them all!  It is so hard not to spill the beans every time I talk to them.  Your Gammy actually told me last night that I have a “glow”!  I think she’s on to us, but I’m hoping I can dampen her suspicions until the Great Reveal next weekend.  Your momma is a big planner and she already has the whole thing planned out. 

Days til my first appointment: 24 days.  They won’t see me until I am 6-8 weeks along, but believe me, I would be there tomorrow if I could.

Maternity clothes: Not yet! Whew!

Stretch marks:  Nope.  Thinking about getting that cream that helps with this?

Best moment this week: Finding out about YOU!!

Movement:  It’s still too early for that.

Gender: Too early to tell, and I don’t have any “feelings” yet like I did with your cousins, Jaxon and Addilyn.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Week 5

You are the size of: a sesame seed.

How I’m feeling:  This week I wasn’t feeling very sick, just tired.  It actually had me worried that something was wrong.  But today the morning sickness returned and although it isn’t fun to feel sick all day, it let me know that you were growing in there and that made me happy!

I’m craving: Still no cravings, although I am discovering I can’t eat anything too sweet without getting sick.  That is a bummer because your momma LOVES sweets and wants a dessert after every meal!

Señor Scale says I have gained: 1 pound already!  That’s not a good sign for the next 35 weeks!  Haha!  But I am not sure if that is because of being pregnant, or just the fact that I am eating so often…

Days til your grandparents find out: Just 2 hours!  J They will be here soon for dinner and your daddy and I are so excited to tell them!

Days til my first appointment: 16 days!  After my worries this week, I just can’t wait to go see the doctor!

Maternity clothes?  Not yet, but my clothes are getting tighter…some actually don’t fit anymore…

Stretch marks?  No stretch marks yet.  Your Aunt Jecka told me about some oil to use and I am going to try to get it this week!

Sleep?  I am pretty tired.  I am going to bed even earlier than usual, which is pretty early!

Best moment this week: I loved hanging all the pictures that we are using to tell your grandparents about you with your daddy. J

Gender:  Only God knows at this point!

Tuesday June 5, 2012

Week 6

You are the size of: a grain of rice.

How I’m feeling:  I am very excited that your grandparents finally know about you so that I can talk to them!  Especially since your Gia has good advice for me on the morning sickness! J They are all so excited!  Your Grandpa Davis and Aunt Jennifer already bought you some gifts!

I’m craving: Anything that will not make me sick.  Pretty much only bland food.  That’s no fun.

Señor Scale says: I am back down to the start weight! (Not that I was trying…it’s just hard to eat a lot when you’re sick).

Days til my first appointment: 7 days!  I can’t wait!  Your Gia is going with me and I am very thankful to have her there! J

Maternity clothes?  Your Aunt Jecka gave me her maternity clothes last week, but I have not looked through them yet.  I am not ready to need those sizes just yet.

Sleep?  Sleep is going ok.  I usually wake up at some point during the night, but that’s not so bad.

Best moment this week: Seeing the excitement on your grandparents’ faces when we told them about you!  It was the greatest!  Someday I’ll share the video with you.

Gender:  We still have several more weeks before we find out.  Sometimes I think you might be a boy but then other times I think you might be a girl.  I guess we’ll just have to wait to find out!  Your Grandpa Dave thinks that is because there are TWO of you in there- one of each!

Here is a Scripture that I have dedicated to you and pray for you as you grow in Mommy’s tummy:

“For you created my inmost being; 
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful, 
    I know that full well.”

Psalm 139:13-14

Little one, I can’t wait for you to know the Lord and the power of His word!  I pray that Daddy and I are good teachers for you, but more than that, that you learn to love the Lord through our actions.  God already has great plans for your life and I am so proud and humbled to be the one to lead you in this thing called life.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Week 8

You are the size of: a raspberry.

How I’m feeling:  This week I had to do some travelling for work and the flights didn’t go very well for me.  My “morning sickness” is starting to last pretty much from lunch all the way to dinner, and sometimes until I just have to go to bed.  It’s all worth it, though!

I’m craving: Nothing sounds good.  Actually, I'm having anti-cravings.  I can cross BBQ off the list for the next 7 months!

Señor Scale says: I have gained about 1 pound so far.

Maternity clothes?  Your Grandma Davis bought me some maternity dresses and leggings this week, and they are so comfy!  I can still fit into most of my regular clothes, though.

Best moment this week: We had our first appointment with Dr. Herd this week!  It was so amazing to see you on the screen and we could actually SEE your heart beating!!  That was the most incredible moment.  It looks like there is only one of you in there, but I have heard stories about second babies hiding behind the first!  I even got your first picture (don’t worry, there will be many more to come) and I look at it all the time.  I wish we could have gotten a video so that I could see the little flutter of your heart any time I want.  We should be able to hear your heart at the next appointment and I can’t wait!  

Days until my next appointment: 27.