Wordless Wednesday - Distracted

long "I," as in Doolittle . . .

It's a miracle! Both girls asleep at the same time. That's the first time that has happened!

Would you believe I started this post yesterday at 3:30?

To begin with, a huge thank you to each person who left comments and sent emails of congratulations. What a blessing it was to come home to such kind, sweet words. I can hardly believe that it's been two weeks since we welcomed Aliza into our family. In some ways, I feel I have lived a whole lifetime in those two weeks; and in other ways, it seems like just the blink of an eye ago that I was hugely pregnant with anticipation.

Aliza.

Some insight on her name: We settled on her name weeks before her birth but the night before her birthday, The Coach started to have doubts. Ack! Men! We talked through some other of our favorite names and decided to sleep on it. Well on the way to the hospital, we were still discussing. The conversation continued through check-in and on into the pre-op room. The Coach wanted Little Sister to have a name that lends itself to going by her initials. As much as we loved the name Eliza, neither of us were totally sold on the initials "EJ." (No offense to any EJ's! I had a student when I was teaching who went by EJ and he was a challenge, to say the least.) I can't remember if it was him or me who suggested spelling her name with an A, but I do know I insisted he use his PC phone to go to babynames.com and check the meaning of the name spelled with an A. (Name meanings are freakishly important to the inner linguist in me!) As it turns out, Aliza is Hebrew for "joyful." The minute he read that off the screen to me, I knew with unshakable certainty that yes! This was to be Little Sister's name.

Joyful Joy.

That's a lot of name to live up to, yet it is the most remarkable way to describe Aliza. She is an utter joy to have in our family. Content. Laid-back. Sweet. Snuggly. We just can't get enough of her. Well, everyone, that is, except for Dacey who is totally NOT sold on the idea or presence of Little Sister. We think she'll warm up eventually, but only time will tell if the Unthroned Princess will be able to move from irritable tolerance to deep sisterly love.

I wouldn't be doing my job as Proud Mommy of Two if I didn't share some pictures, so if you don't mind . . .


Beautiful, light eyes . . . when they are open, they are full of wonder at this new world.

Home from the hospital . . .

She sleeps . . . and sleeps . . . and sleeps . . . I am fully aware that this will change as she wakes up to the world, but for now - what a blessing!

My first outing with the girls

And yesterday before her two week appointment

Big Sister and Little Sister. Yes, I would bet they can be friends.

Wordless (born on) Wednesday

Behold Aliza Joy!

Little Sister is Here!

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Aliza Joy!

Born Wednesday, September 5th, 2007
Weighing 8 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 20 inches long

Details and pictures to come later!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------No, Megan isn't already online, she asked me to update her blog so all her wonderful friends could be updated. I will try to get some pictures up tonight.-Amanda

Dear Dacey

Dear Dacey,

I wonder if you noticed last night that I didn't say our bedtime prayer with you as we rocked in our rocking chair before I laid you down to sleep. I know you can't understand this now, but my throat was too choked, my voice too broken, to even speak a single word. I didn't want to upset you.


If I could have spoken to you what was on my heart, here is what I would have said . . .


Thank you.


Thank you for being the child that you are. Thank you for patiently teaching me through two and half years what it is to be a mother. You turned my beliefs about mothering inside out and upside down, and I can never tell you how grateful I am for that. Thanks for breaking me in.


Thank you for being patient with me while I learned the ropes and tossed the books written by the experts. Thank you for teaching me of the importance of routine and the wonder of flexibility. It is because of you, lovie, that I have discovered the freedom in giving myself so completely over to my purpose for this season of life.


There are moments when I mourn the loss of this time of just the two of us. My heart hurts to know that now our time will be shared. But I also thrill to the thought of you as Big Sister. You are so wise and funny and powerful and compassionate (not to mention just a little bit bossy). You were born to be a Big Sister - just as I was - and I have no doubt you will flourish in your new role.


I love you and I love you and I love you, my love. Glory to God for my sweet Dacey Babe.


Always,
Mama

Still here . . .

Sorry it's been quiet here! Still here, still pregnant, still on track for a Wednesday afternoon delivery. I had big plans to post more over the weekend, but the hecticness has been overwhelming. Hoping to be back with one more post before Little Sister arrives! Thanks for all your prayers and sweet words of encouragement.