Keep Watch Dear Lord

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.
~Book of Common Prayer
I love this picture, of Mary's perfect head, and I love this baby.

Smile

Mary loves the water - swimming and drinking :) When we were at the Itasca pool earlier today, she would sit on the edge of the pool and lean forward, as if she were "diving" in. She doesn't mind getting her face wet, and would happily spend hours splashing around, watching her brothers.

She also loves sitting in her high chair, playing with ice cubes, and her cup. She's eating all sorts of good things, but her favorite lately is definitely avocado. She's very close to crawling on all fours - she's gets around doing a sort of rolling/army crawl.

Cool Chick

Where did you come from baby dear?
Out of the everywhere, into here.
Where did you get your eyes so blue?
Out of the sky when I came through.
~George MacDonald

Bright Sunshiny Day

Today we were at that awesome park in Wheaton, again, with our R.O.C.K. friends. Mary loves watching all the big kids, and hanging out with the moms. Earlier this week, she saw her endocrinologist. The doctor said Mary looks really good, and is leaving her medication as is, for now. She wants to re-test her thyroid levels in the middle of August. But for now, she is right on track at 18 lbs. 2 oz. and 27" long.

Isn't She Lovely?

After church today we visited the Arboretum. This photo courtesy of the Merrick's camera.

Mary has been really fussy this week (and not only because her mama's camera is broken). About a week and a half ago Scott spotted another tooth - this time her left lateral incisor. A couple of days ago we noticed the right lateral incisor. And last night we saw that both central incisors are just bulging! So, with four teeth coming in, Mary is entitled to a little crankiness. Mary will also see her endocrinologist this week, but hopefully no blood draw. Also, on Friday, Mary's last stitch finally worked it's way out - with a little help :) 12 weeks later, and we really are done!

Words (and pictures) fail me.

I just realized when posting about candling the eggs, that it was this week last year when we learned of "the baby's" heart defect. And, well, wow. "What a difference a year makes", would be the understatement, of the, well, year.

A couple of weeks ago we had some friends from church over for lunch. One couple's baby girl will be undergoing open-heart surgery to correct a heart defect next week. The surgeons are the same as Mary's, and she will be about the same age as Mary was for her second surgery. We also had another couple from church, who are pregnant with a baby boy, due the end of August, with yet another congenital heart defect. The purpose of our lunch was to share our experiences with both families. Throughout the afternoon, as I would talk about one aspect of our ordeal or another, I would always add, "But it really wasn't as bad as a I thought it would be." Scott started prompting me after about the 200th time :) And well, it really wasn't. It's hard to put into words now, just how scared and anxiety-ridden I was one year ago. There were lots of mornings spent sobbing in the shower, and walking out of doctors appointments having a hard time breathing, and sleepless nights overcome with heart pounding fear. But here, now, it's easy to say, not only wasn't 'it' as terrible as I worried, it was so much more amazingly wonderful than I ever imagined.

For they told you life is hard
Misery from the start, its dull,
Its slow, its painful
But I tell you life is sweet
In spite of the misery
There's so much more, be grateful
~Natalie Merchant

If you will, please say a prayer for little Baby M. next week, and her parents, that everything go smoothly, and that they are, where we are, before they know it. And next month, if you will, pray for Baby W. and his parents, that his entrance to this world be filled with peace, love and light.

Eating my words

It doesn't happen often ;)

Here is Mary wearing a headband. I always said if I ever had a girl, 'that' would never happen. I generally don't like the way they look, and most of them seem uncomfortable. However, it was a gift, and she is really cute in it.

Hey, I still haven't pierced her ears...

Swing

Sunny Delight

Today we went to a huge new water park (thanks reading program free passes!). Mary and I stayed mostly in the shade while the monkeys enjoyed the various slides and lazy river.

On Monday Mary had her thyroid levels tested - praise God she was only stuck once this time! The endocrinologist called today while we were out - she said Mary's levels are still a little high, but she's comfortable waiting a month to retest due to the blood draw issues. We are so blessed that all of Mary's doctors treat the whole baby :)

Red, White and Blue

Here's Mary with her brand new teeth on the way to Taste of Lombard.