Short and Sweet!

I just wanted to share this picture of Maelie that my mom took of her the other day. Mom loves it because the dress she's wearing used to be mine, and I just LOVE the expression on her face! She's right in the middle of a "coo" and it just makes me laugh.

Shhh!!

It's so quiet at my house today! It's Saturday - Maelie and Kyle are napping, and I'm a little restless and wondering what I used to do before I was a Mommy. I can't believe how it seems the speed of time has picked up. Maelie is almost 7 weeks old! She is so precious and I love how each day her little personality seems to peek out a little more. She is just such a real little person to me - we never call her "the baby" anymore. She is always our little Maelie. This week I went to one of the most awesome funerals I've ever been to. My friend Lauren lost her grandmother, known to the world (or at least all of Lauren's friends) as Lyn. She was such an amazing woman, and to hear all of the things that God did through her - many great stories I'd never gotten to hear before - it made me very reflective and humbled by our Lord. All the people that Lyn touched and all the ways that she glorified God and loved life - it makes me stand in hopeful awe at the things that He will accomplish through my daughter. As a parent, the main thing I pray over her is that she will love Jesus and follow God, but after hearing so many people talk about all the great things Lyn did, it makes me think that I am short changing both Maelie and the Lord to ONLY pray that she will know Him. I know He is so much bigger than that - from now on I will pray that she will know Him, and that He will use her to do mighty things in His kingdom and touch many people.

This is Maelie napping beside me as I blog about her!

This one's a little blurry, but I love the expression on her face! This is Maelie all dressed up for Wednesday night church. By the way, while she was at church she pooped all over this outfit - she AND her teacher had to change clothes.

Maelie shows off her new trick - smiling!!!

First Day Back!

Well, today Maelie and I went to YCW for the first time since she was born. I didn't get a ton of work done, but it was great just to be there and see all those precious women I work with. I'm sure Maelie felt like a superstar - she definitely got the princess treatment! Ms. Mindy even brought her a new onsie with a sparkly tiara on it! She got loved on by lots of people and got to spend some quality time with one of our favorite people, Jayne. You know, I have always appreciated the awesome job that I have, but having Maelie there just increased the blessing that YCW has been in my life. I have loved the children, staff and work at YCW from day one, but knowing that Maelie will get to come there is overwhelming. I need to work - finacially and for my own sanity - and the Lord has blessed me with the perfect Mommy job. I still get to work and (hopefully) use my talents doing something I love with people I love, and now my own sweetie will get to come with me and share in the love and learning that goes on there. I hope that I remember to thank God EVERYDAY that I walk in those doors.

Oh, and Maelie lost her little bellybutton cord today! I know that it's silly, but as glad as I am that that gross thing is gone, I'm also a little sad. Somehow it seems like she's already reached a milestone, like maybe she's not as much of a baby as she was before. I'm the girl who cries taking down the Christmas tree, though, so I guess I should be used to this bittersweet feeling!