Our Hearts Are So Full

This blog could be pages and pages long about just how joyful and fulfilled my heart is. Though as I think through words to describe the overwhelming feelings I have right now, there are none that are sufficient. I don't think the English language does a good job at describing love. The Greek language, for example, has so many words that more specifically delve into the varying depths of the love emotion. But, since I'm not fluent in Greek, I'm going to use the English word LOVE here to describe something I've truly never felt before.

At 1:56 a.m. an angel came into this world. She proceeded to wail for several seconds until she was laid on the cleaning station. As several nurses and attendants worked on cleaning her up and checking her out, she quieted. Not a sound. She extended her arms and stretched her toes for the first time in life. Her right hand bumped something...hmmm...what's that? It was dads finger. She grabbed on and squeezed really tight as if to say "I'm so happy to finally meet you Pappa." Though my view was limited as I was being "attended to" myself, these moments were captured by my dear photographer Joy, so I was able to relive them moment by moment and see what I was so sadly missing out on as I laid on the hospital bed being stitched up. (OWWW! No one talks about THAT part of labor!) When Michael felt 5 tiny fingers wrap around his index finger, the camera snapped. Captured. A priceless moment between father and daughter. The picture speaks so much of the LOVE he felt at that very moment. His heart, so evidently full. Full to the brim with a joy that words truly cannot describe. Full of a joy that speechless tears can only portray.

Then she came to me, bundled tightly, eyes tightly closed...still so peaceful and quiet. She laid on my chest. I stared down into her face and felt every muscle in my body relax. I felt time freeze for just a moment. I heard God whisper to me, "this is your blessing." My heart filled to the brim with literal unspeakable joy. A joy that takes words away. A joy that seems surreal. A joy that's only felt when God so clearly hands you a blessing, that it takes your breath away.

Our hearts are so full...

Mariah Gabrielle McGehee
January 26, 2011
1:56 a.m.
7 lbs
20 inches

The Time Is Near

Boy oh boy am I slowing down these days. On Monday, January 10, I'll be 36 weeks! The time has flown by and I'm sort of sad to see it going. I realize my heart will be so full of joy once Mariah arrives, but I do think the bonding we are doing now while she's inside of me will be missed. Pregnancy, despite its more challenging moments, is such an incredible blessing. I feel incredibly humbled that God would bless my womb with one of His precious creations.

We've settled in Florida and things are finally well-organized. There are a few odds and ends such as curtains that still need to be done. Mariah's bag is packed for the hospital and we are working on our bag this weekend. Her nursery is absolutely beautiful! I wanted it to feel contemporary with an antique touch. Our crib and dresser are antique white, the changing table and lamp are also antique white. Her crib sheet is a beautiful rich creme 600-thread count Egyptian cotton. It's softer than our sheets! Ha Ha. The pink in the room is a muted shade much like the pink we used in our wedding. The bed skirt, bumper, and curtains are all being made in pink Duponi Textured silk. (The inside of the bumper will be a more "throw-up" friendly fabric.) White sheers will soften the light coming into her window between her curtains. That's about it! My textiles aren't done being made just yet so they haven't come in. When they do I will certainly post nursery pictures!

We are working on our Babywise schedule as well so that we can aim high! I've heard wonderful things about Babywise from a few different moms. I've even heard great things about it from non-Babywise moms. What is Babywise? Babywise is a feeding/sleeping philosophy for infants that promotes parent directing feedings or in other words full-feedings and long nights rests at an early age. It doesn't work for every child or parent because it can be incredibly tedious to deal with at such a delicate time in life. However, we are going to aim for success with Babywise which as we understand should have her sleeping 7 1/2 to 8 hours by week 7 and 10 1/2 to 11 hours by 4 months. Doesn't that sound dreamy??? I'm sure as I journey down this path I'll blog more about it. If any of this sounds interesting to you, feel free to do research on Babywise to see if it's right for you. Here are a few links:

Objective book review
Where to buy
Review of the book

We also spent a few hours taking maternity photos with our favorite photographer, Joy Watson of Modern Joy Photo. She showed me some sneak peeks and gave me permission to share them with you all via my blog, so here are a few pics...enjoy!