Wordless Wednesday

 

Look Who's Crawling!

I knew it wouldn't be long. Unlike our little Snuggles, who didn't crawl until he was nearly 10 months old, Rose is already on the go at 5 1/2 months!

Recorded on June 4th... 
...and she is getting around even better already!

Almost Crawling

Wordless Wednesday . . .

...because she is just so cute and I don't have time to post anything else right now.  :-)

I will be back soon (either late tonight or tomorrow) with the Good Shepherd's Garden Party plans for Week 7.   Right now, however, I am headed back to town for Hockey Lessons and a few other errands.  

I hope you all are having a wonderful week!

Comparing Baby Pictures #2

Twinkle Toes ~  around 3 months old

Rose ~ 4 1/2 months old

I've always thought that they look alike!

4 Months Old

I do have pictures to share from today's Little Flowers meeting (come to think of it, I still haven't blogged about our last meeting either!), but first here are a couple more pictures of our little Rose, who is 4 months old today!

My Girls

The girls and I went to town this afternoon.  We stopped by the hospital so they could peek through the NICU window at their new little cousin (I got to go in and see her!!) and then we ran some errands.  I had so much fun responding "Oh no, I have 3 boys as well!" every time someone commented on the fact that I had ALL GIRLS!  ;)    

It was so great to finally meet my new niece.  She is such a tiny little one, yet so PERFECT!  She has had to be on oxygen and will probably be in the NICU for about a month.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers!  

Before I go, here is a picture of Rose with my brother.  I can't wait to see him holding his little girl!   

Wordless Wednesday ~ At the Rink

An Update on Rose

Today we were finally able to see the pediatric cardiologist for Rose's follow-up echocardiogram. (A couple days after she was born she had her first echocardiogram which detected a couple of small holes  (Ventricular Septal Defects, aka: VSD's) in her little heart in addition to a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). However, we haven't heard the murmurs since her first doctor's visit, when she was one week old.)

Rose did wonderfully!  She smiled for the nurses and didn't cry at all during the actual echocardiogram, which took quite some time.

We were really hoping to hear that her little heart was all better, and that the holes had closed.

The good news is that the holes DID close!  The bad news is she still has a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA).  Sigh. . .    Usually, if a PDA hasn't closed at birth, it will most likely close within the first 4 days of life.  Since she was only two days old when she had her first echocardiogram, the doctors had been pretty confident that it would close in the next couple days. . .   It didn't close.

At this point, since it doesn't seem to be causing any enlargement/strain to her heart, and since there is still a chance that it might close, we are going to wait a year and then do another echocardiogram.  If it still present at that time the cardiologist will want to go in and close it to prevent the risk of infection.

Anyhow, it has been an emotional day, and I am trying very, very hard not to worry. . .  Thank you again for all your prayers. If you could continue to pray for our precious little Rose, it would be greatly appreciated!

"Enjoy in peace the joy God is giving you, without worrying about the future. He is reserving for you, I am sure, new graces and many consolations." ~ St. Therese, The Little Flower

Thanking Heaven for our Little Girl...

...who is three months old today!

O God, how can I thank Thee for the gift of this beautiful child?  How perfect are her tiny hands and feet!  How marvelous is her perfectly formed body! And how much more wonderful is the immortal soul which Thou hast created to inhabit this body, to brighten this world, and to praise Thee for all eternity in the next!  What rich potential lies behind that infant face, so peaceful in repose, so expressive in distress, so unaware as yet of the marvels of Thy goodness!

Deign to make me worthy of this precious gift, this unutterable privilege, this wonderful responsibility which Thou hast seen fit to bestow upon me.  With Thy holy Mother as my model, may I raise this child in truth and goodness, in virtue and in love.  May I make my home a haven of peace and sanctity, safe from the corruption of the world - a home inspiring all who enter it to live nobler lives and assisting all who dwell here to keep their minds fixed on Thee.  Thank you for the graces given to this dear child through the Sacrament of Baptism.  May she (and all my children) grow in the Faith, live a virtuous life, receive the Sacraments frequently and die in Thy grace.  

Dear Jesus, how can I realize that Thou didst come as a babe no bigger than the one I hold in my arms, who cannot even hold up her head or eat without assistance?  What humility Thou hast taught us!  What sacrifice!  What love!  In all the trials that lie before me as a mother, help me to imitate Thy selflessness and love, offering all my sufferings gladly to Thee, Who hast shown me how to suffer for love.  May I trust in Thee through all difficulties, knowing that Thou hast foreseen them all and hast permitted them for my greater sanctification.  May every joy and every trial be for me a step toward greater holiness, greater trust and greater love, for love is the vocation Thou hast given to me.  Amen.  

~ adapted from the "Prayer after Childbirth" in Your Labor of Love

A couple pictures...

... of our little Qutie Pie ...

... and her beautiful Rose Quilt!

I was hoping to have our Highlights from "Q" week posted by today, but I've been too busy enjoying all the smiles from Rose.  Can you blame me?! 

Perhaps I'll have a chance to work on it this afternoon while she is napping.  In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Small Successes :: February 18, 2010

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

~ 1 ~

I've been thinking about an inspiring quote Elizabeth shared on Facebook earlier this week:

"Wisdom enters through love, silence, and mortification. It is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others." St. John of the Cross

I really need to work at being silent... Even though I am not planning on giving up blogging for Lent,  I will be cutting back, reading less, commenting less and staying off Facebook.   I've been needing to drastically reduce the time I spend online for awhile and Lent has presented the perfect opportunity.   It has been less than two days, and I am already noticing a difference in how overwhelmed I'd been feeling.

~ 2 ~

Spending less time online (and making sure to go to bed by 10pm, another goal for Lent) has allowed more time for prayer and exercise!

This morning, by 9:30,  I had said morning prayers, walked a mile, fed everyone breakfast, dressed the kids, the boys had completed Math and Language Arts, and the car was loaded for a quick trip to town to give my Dad his birthday present.  I don't remember the last time I've been so productive in the morning!

~ 3 ~

I've been spending lots and lots of time snuggling with our little Rose, who is still coughing and congested, but getting better.  I'm glad that she has her two month check-up tomorrow and her doctor can listen to her lungs just to make sure.  

Isn't she CUTE with all those DOTS and that precious smile!?!  

I do have some photos to post for Lent, but they will have to wait... My time is up!  The boys are off to Blue Knights and the girls and I have some Quesadillas to make, since we have now resumed "Q" week.    

I hope you all have a Blessed and Holy Lent!

Stop by Faith and Family Live to read more of this week's Small Successes.

Q is for Quilt

This beautiful quilt was handmade by Barbara for our little Rose!

And this cozy blanket was handmade by Regina,

in addition to a super cute hat and booties! 

You are both so very thoughtful and talented!  Thank you!! 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Our Little Rose

*Because it has been one of those days, and she always makes me smile... Hopefully things will calm down and I'll be back soon.   Oh, and to those that asked how I get it all done, I don't!