Our Christmas Miracle

Well, it has been way too long since I have updated my blog. Christmas is upon us, and we have been busy decorating, baking, wrapping, and most importantly, being together. Since I last posted, Olivia has changed so much. She is two weeks shy of four months, and she weighed in yesterday at 11 lbs 11 oz. She is exactly 5 pounds bigger than she was when she entered this world. After my post at her two month, we were not in the clear like I thought we were. We had some very tiring days and frustrating times when we didn't know how to help her. But, now, she is imitating our funny faces, rolling over a few times front to back, and having fun just watching her crazy brothers. In the last week, she has really focused on them, and follows them throughout the room wherever they are. They laugh at her, and she laughs right back at them. She is grabbing at toys and loving her hands. She could stare at them all day, as long as they are not in her mouth. We think she may end up being a thumb sucker. She is sleeping every night swaddled with her miracle blanket in the bassinet (although she is not going to be in it much longer). She sleeps from about 9:30 pm to 5 or 6 am. No complaints there. She is a great sleeper. Olivia still takes Prislosec and is on a special rice formula, thickened, which seems to help it stay down more than it comes up. For the most part, she is Happy.

We enjoyed a great Thanksgiving with our Michigan cousins, and since then, we have been decking the halls and preparing for the season in our new home. Since we lived in a 1400 sq ft apartment in Japan, I decided I was going all out this year. I have four Christmas trees throughout the house. The favorite one is the Woodlands tree in my dining room. We are in the Pacific Northwest, so it seemed appropriate.

Last year at this time, we had no idea that Olivia would be our "Christmas Miracle" this year. It wasn't until New Years Eve that we found out I was pregnant. After going through a miscarriage the year before right after the holidays, I was scared and anxious throughout the beginning. Every time we went to the dr. I closed my eyes and prayed that there would be a beating heart. Finally, at 8 weeks, we heard it. So, we breathed a huge sigh. The next huge miracle came in April, when we stood in the dark room with the ultrasound tec and waited to hear that the baby's heart, lungs, brain, legs, toes, hands, fingers(you get the idea) were all normal looking and healthy. Now that we truly believed the baby was healthy, we waited for the next piece of news..."I do believe it is a GIRL.." were the words we both heard, as Brian squeezed my hands a little tighter. I will never forget that day! The sadness and pain from a year before was completely replaced by a feeling that I can't quite explain. Our family was going to get bigger, but this time, it would be a little girl. Olivia is truly a gift, and we are blessed! The boys have so much they want to teach her, and I am sure, there are things that I would rather they not, but then again, they are her big brothers, and she is going to do what they do. I tell them all the time that they have an important job in being good role models. I have to remind them that being a good role model does not include armpit farting, burp contests, and sword fighting. I am scared to think what MY little girl will do when she is older.

As for Brian, can I just add that I have never seen him so taken by anyone EVER! I seriously have to take a ticket to hold her when he is home. I have heard him say that he could stare at her for hours if he could. It has been a long time since we have had a baby in the house, and you do forget what a Miracle they are. He will not let her go out with out combing her hair. He actually takes an interest in her clothes, and has a say in what he thinks she should wear. And we all know that the world of clothes with little girls is sooooo different than little boys.

We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! With a nine, six and 3 1/2 month old in our house, ours will be joyous and full of excitement! Patrick has been doubting the big man in the red suit lately, and I am just not ready to give in. I remember my first Christmas when I made the discovery, and it just wasn't the same. There is a spirit of Christmas that is truly magical, and I think all of us, even adults, want to "Believe" in that. Peace and happiness to you all!!