Oh Tidings of Comfort and Joy

 Three weeks tomorrow! I look back at where I was and what I was doing on this night three weeks ago. I remember being very frustrated and exhausted. Low and behold... I still feel that way today. But this time it's a little different. It's more frustration because I've realized how selfish I am. Having a baby really means giving them your all. All your time, all your effort, all your love and affection. Today was a hard day; we're still figuring things out. We're still trying to wrap our heads around being parents and taking care of this little baby, and we're still trying to figure out how we fit into this new life. This evening, we took time to do a little decorating while the baby girl was asleep. We didn't go all out, which normally would make me sad, but this year... our house is cluttered enough! But it was a special time to just spend with Jason again. Just us two, working together and Putting lights and ornaments on the tree and setting up a nativity scene. I love that man with all my heart and I'm so glad to share every moment good and bad with him.

 

Listening to Christmas music, the good stuff... about what Christmas is all about: CHRIST, made me just refocus myself. Through this crazy time, it's all for the glory of God. Little Sara isn't just a reflection of her Mommy and Daddy; she's a reflection of Christ above all. For some reason, it makes me look at Jesus differently. It makes me wonder what type of baby he was. Was he fussy? Gassy? Did he sleep through the night? But really; having a baby now makes me appreciate what Mary did and what she went through. Ultimately, it makes me wonder how God could send his son into the world to be sacrificed for sinners. How could Mary watch that and know that it was all for HIS glory? It's just amazing to me. So, as I sit here, waiting for Sara to wake up at any moment, I just am in awe of God; overwhelmed by how much he loves us; and utterly amazed with the blessings he has given us. I've missed this feeling of JOY in my life and really just feeling God's love and all I want to do tonight is just shout it out.

I thank God for my cousin Julie who really helped me out today. She was very caring, loving, and wise and gave me so much attention and advice in my time of need. I've had so many people just reach out to us whether it be through a text, phone call, bringing food, sending up prayers, or just letting us know they're thinking about us. It's been a really encouragement. And I love my husband for all the effort, time, and support he gives his two "baby girls" (he calls us). Even through the stress and exhaustion, he's so loving and an amazing Daddy and man of God.

I'll leave you with some adorbsy pictures of the little Pumpkin Squash Head! :)

She's holding her head up so well! Super star!

2 Week Stretch

Sara Bear is 2 weeks old today! We made it through the rough 2 weeks!! So it should be all down hill from now right? ;) Each day does get a little easier, just because we're getting use to what she wants and when she wants it. But also, once we get use to her... she changes things up on us and we have to get use to a whole new little girl! We know that she'll sleep for a good stretch of 3-4 hours around 7:30... so naturally, I try to sleep more at that time and Jason stays up until the first nightly feeding. Then we know that at about 3:30 AM... she starts waking up every hour and a half... so Mommy stays up and tries to let Daddy sleep a little more in the morning. Sara loves her bath time now. She threw a big fit during the first one. She eats A LOT!!! She's already getting so big! We've had to ditch the newborn clothes already! Mostly because she's just so long. We have our two week doctor's appointment Friday and so far things seem to be going alright! A little overwhelming and exhausting, but then we look at this little being in our house and just say "woah.. we MADE that!" It truly is a miracle. A screaming, pooping, peeing BEAUTIFUL miracle. ;)

We had lots of guests this weekend for Thanksgiving. Sara got to meet Nana and Papaw from Ohio, Nina and Papa (again) from Vegas, and Aunt Mitchi, Uncle Kevin, and Evelyn from Vegas too! They were all SO helpful in our time of need and it was so much fun to share our bundle of joy with them. And we even took the little one to the beach. I think she loved it... while she was snuggled up and sleeping.

First Thanksgiving. She was a cranky pants.

First trip to the beach!

Since we did the predictions, I thought it'd be fun to follow up on that and compare the results!

Mommy's Prediction

Daddy's Prediction
Actual Results

Eye Color: Blue, One Green/One Blue 
Her eyes are currently a blue grey
Hair Color: Blonde/White, Blonde
Her hair is very blonde, but sometimes seems like it has a hint of red! It's beautiful!
Skin Color: Fair and maybe blotchy, Mother of Pearl
Her skin is actually amazing! It's pale, but so clear and smooth! 
Bald or Full Head of Hair: Full Head of Hair, Full head of hair
She definitely has a FULL head of hair! 
Hair Type: Straight/Crazy, Thick and Wavy
I would say it's straight, except after bath time when it's a little more wavy. 
Who Will She Look Like: Me, Melissa
We think she has a perfect mixture of us both. Jason's eyes, Melissa's nose.
How much will she weigh: Somewhere in the 9 pounds, 9 lbs 5 oz
She weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces
How long will she be: 21 inches, 21 1/2"
21 1/2"
Arrival: On Time, 15 minutes early
4 days late. 
Bad Traits She'll Probably Get:
1. Big Nose: Daddy has a larger nose.
2. Bad Skin: Mommy has wretched horrible skin. She'll probably have something wrong with hers too!
3. Different sized thumbs: Poor Mommy has been teased her whole life because of her different sized thumbs; so who knows! Maybe I'll have a little mini me with misshaped thumbs too!
1. My big nose: I have trouble drinking out of small diameter cups
2. Too analytical: sometimes I can not take a joke because I will over analyze 
3. Moody: She is a GIRL people!

James Jason Lawyer
Born on May 27, 1983 at 7:30 AM (His due date)
Weighed 9 pounds 3 ounces
His length was 21 1/2 inches

Melissa Nicole Thomas
Born on April 29, 1986 at 7:19 AM (Her due date)
Weighed 9 pounds 6 ounces
Her length was 21 1/4 inches














Sara Nicole Lawyer 
Born on November 20, 2013 at 10:48 PM
Weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces
Her length was 21 1/2 inches