Isabella Grace Is One Month Old Today... And The Contest

Our little girl is 1 month old today. I have dealt with a lot of different emotions the last month.

Joy, Fear, Sadness, Hope, laughter, helplessness, thankfulness, doubt, confusion, exhaustion, brokenness, fulfillment, compassion, loneliness, humility, and joy again... to name a few, and in no exact order.

To finally get to meet our daughter. But, then to be kept from touching her, let alone holdind her, for almost a week, was heart breaking, but humbling, as well.

To then bring her home, but feel like 2 weeks were, in a sense, stolen from my time with her, that I was gipped, was consuming me some of these past nights. I was telling the Lord, "I feel like I am 2 weeks behind everyone. 2 weeks behind a newborns feeding needs. 2 weeks behind my body trying to recuperate. 2 weeks behind my husband and his needs. 2 weeks behind our friends and family that I know what to see the baby, but I dare not come off the mountain for fear of still not having the nursing down. 2 weeks behind the rest of the world that has continued to spin, regardless of my pity party."

The Holy Spirit impressed on me this verse that I have clung to often the past few years, especially when dealing with Tim and his spinal cord injury:

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-5

Why wasn't I recalling all the answered prayer? How the Lord had answered the desires of our hearts? Why was I dwelling on the suffering, instead of rejoicing in it? Why, the Word of God says that suffering produces perserverance, and that produces character, and that hope!!! And just like God's Word says, hope did not disappoint. Our Isabella is home with us. Healthy. God truly poured out his love unto our family by bringing Isabella Grace into our family. So, on this day, 1 month after she came into this world, I will rejoice, rejoice, rejoice!!

Care to join me?






Some of Isabella's favorite things at one month old:

"My big sister and 4 big brothers"



"Bath time with my brothers looking on, while they take a bath, too"



"Talking to my Mommy as she sings her 'Purty Grace, Purty-Purty Grace' song to me over and over and over..."



"And Mama's milk, of course!"

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Now, for the caption contest... naming the picture below of my niece, Sonoma, holding Isabella Grace.



There were lots of great entries, and I can't seem to pick just one. Will you help me decide? The winner gets a choice of giftcard to Starbucks or ITunes. (Please submit your vote for your favorite on the poll on the TOP of my sidebar. The poll closes Monday night at 9pm, pst.)

Choose from these great ones:

1. Tammy on the go said:
"Is she mine?"



2. Cheesemakin' Mama said:
"Mommy in the making"



3. Miguel said:
"I have the perfect thing for that acne!"



4. Dani Joy said:
"One day I want one just like you."



5. Karizma said:
"God was not lying when he said he fearfully and wonderfully made you!"



And an honorable mention goes to my baby Daddy, Tim, for his entry:
"A touch is worth a thousand words."

Thanks so much to everyone that joined in. A special shout out to Nicole for de-lurking... I knew you could do it, girl!