Celebrating With Our Miracle

There are really no words to express the love and joy that has come into our lives over the past week. Hearing Brooklyn's sweet cry for the first time was a moment that we'll never forget. The sound of life is truly a beautiful thing!

We can't believe how much she's already changed in just the few short days we've spent with her. We are trying to enjoy every single moment we have withe her...and soak up her every little feature.


Brooklyn looks a lot like her older brother Branson. She has a more feminine shaped face, but her nose, lips, long fingers, and big feet are exactly like his. We have enjoyed feeling him close to us as we have celebrated his sisters birth into this beautiful world.

We'd like to share a few more pictures (of the hundreds we've taken). She really is too cute for words!

This is Brooklyn ready for her first car ride home from the hospital. What a cute little package! So far she seems to like riding in the car.

Brooklyn after her first bath. She wasn't quite sure what to think about that whole experience...

We took this shot that morning after her bath time. I think my favorite thing is when she gazes up into my eyes. I'd give a million to know what she's thinking about. She seems to have the ability to truly "see" me.

My mom came to stay with us last week. She was such a big help. It was nice to be waited on hand and foot. Brooklyn loved snuggle time with grandma, and we appreciated having her here too.

Daddy couldn't be more in love with his little girl. He loves to have her cuddle up to him. She loves it when he sings to her in the mornings.

We love our little princess!

Thank you to everyone for your excitement on our behalf. We cherish your love and friendship.

She is Here!!!

Brooklyn is Here!!!

8 lbs 6 oz & 20 1/2 inches long!

Will post again soon!

The Date is Set!

We went to the doctor again today to have Brooklyn looked at. During the ultrasound the doc checked her weight which is now between 7 and 7 1/2 pounds, her heartbeat, and the blood flow through the cord. He was very happy with everything he saw!

He said he had reviewed the data he received back from the amnio test last week and felt really confident that she would be fully ready by Friday to be delivered. Of course, I was bummed, and asked if we could just go ahead and do it today, but he said he would feel better if we waited. He said that although two more days may not seem like that long to us, that it can make a huge difference in the womb. He doesn't want her to have to spend anytime in NICU, and neither do we.

So...we are scheduled to deliver her by C-section on FRIDAY AT 6:00 P.M. We are so excited and I've already started counting the hours. We once again ask for your continued prayers on our behalf that we'll all make it through the next few days.

We love all of you and can hardly wait to post some pictures of our little girl!

All Packed Up...

WITH NOWHERE TO GO!

Yes, it's true...
We went to the doctor today for the amnio test on Brooklyn's lungs. It's a test they do to make sure the lungs are developed enough that she will be able to breath without having to spend anytime in the NICU. We felt like she would be ready at this point, but wanted to do the test just to be sure.

So...today at 3:00 we went to the doctor and he did the test. It takes about 2 hours to get the results. He called us about 6:00 and gave us the disappointing news that her lungs aren't quite ready for the world.

So, our plans have come to a screeching halt and we won't be meeting our little girl tomorrow. We will re-test her lungs next Wednesday and hope for the best. So we'll just leave the bags packed and sitting at the door.

If we look at it in a non-selfish point of view, another week really will be the best thing for Brooklyn. She'll do better not only with her lungs, but the chance for jaundice will be a lot lower and her sucking reflex will be much stronger.

So what we ask of you...
Please keep praying for us. That's really all we can do at this point.
We'll keep you updated....

Another Party For Brooklyn!

Last week some of my very special friends held a baby shower to celebrate the arrival of two different babies, Brooklyn and her soon to be friend Ambree. The two girls that hosted the shower and all of the girls who attended have recently had angel babies join their families, just like Branson. Because of this, we all share a special bond...we have connected in very personal ways. We all found each other through the world of blogging and have become great friends ever since.

Each one of these women are amazing, strong, and beautiful. They have all done so much to teach and lift me in my times of need. Thanks girls for such fun celebration!

We had fun opening gifts...

This is Amy who made Sheila and I both the cutest diaper cakes I've ever seen...complete with diapers, hair bows, ribbons, a bottle, and lotion...how fun!

We are the two "pregos". I can hardly wait for Brooklyn and Ambree (Sheila's baby) to meet!

The decorations Amy and April came up with were so fun, as you can see from the other pics, but the fireplace mantel was especially beautiful as it featured pictures of all our angel babies. Each one of them was just too perfect for Earth.

Thanks again for such a great time. I value each angel mom more than they know...love you guys!


AND....
Just in case your wondering how big I'm really getting, here is the 35 week picture...
And just for a quick update...
We went to the doctor this morning and Brooklyn seems to be one happy kiddo! Growing fabulously! There appears to be no problems or complications. We will do the amnio test on her lungs one week from today and hopefully say our "hello's" next Thursday! I can hardly wait!

The Witches Are Out!

One of our favorite Fall traditions is to visit Gardner Village. Each year they decorate the shops and grounds so festively with life sized witches doing several different activities. Along with enjoying the fun atmosphere as you stroll through the little shops, there is plenty of yummy fall treats and cute decor for the home!

Rob and I had an awesome date night!
Here are a few of our favorite witches ....

They "flying witch" and the "peak-a-boo witch"...the shutters open and close on the window...so cute!

Could I relate to this witch?...you better believe it!

These two witches are fixin' to boil up some special brew

Yes, Rob found him another woman, who he so kindly shared his caramel apple with...
I was jealous to say the least!

These witches were out at the ball game...notice the catcher's large behind...hilarious!

This witch was on her way to market...

This witch was very pregnant!

This one must have had a little too much to drink the night before!

This one is sitting on the roof trying to improve her cell phone connection!

We had such a fun time, and it really got us in the Halloween spirit! I love fall and all the fun things that come with it!

Baby Shower by Mail

Last week we got such a fun suprise!

As I answered the door Thursday afternoon, there was the jolly mailman standing there with two boxes addressed to Brooklyn Call! I could hardly wait to open them and see what would be inside her first mail delivery.

As we opened the two boxes we found lots of fun baby supplies and a darling little scrapbook. We opened up the scrapbook to find pictures of some of our good friends from Kentucky with the baby gifts they had each sent for Brooklyn. Each picture was also grouped with a note from each one expressing their excitement for her arrival and their love for us.

RuthAnn Baxter

Sarah Lassen

Shawna Wachs

Gwen Anderson

Saylor Adams

Caroline Nicholls

The rest of the book was filled with notes from people at our church who weren't able to attend our Kentucky baby shower, but wanted to send their love through little notes. We were so touched that these amazing people would take the time to celebrate our little girl with us although they're thousands of miles away!

Thank you so much to each of you for being so thoughtful. Your continued love, support, and friendship means the world to us!