Lyla Grace

Lyla Grace Staswick

Born Tuesday, April 10, 2012

9:15 AM

7 lb. 7 oz. 20 in.

I find it only appropriate that today, on April 18th, my official due date, I post a picture of my eight-day-old infant daughter. This picture was taken yesterday by our dear friend Jenny. You can find her blog here.

This past week I have found myself just being grateful. Grateful and thankful for this new tiny life, for my sweet toddler, for my loving husband, and for my family who is caring for us right now during this transition time.

I am thankful that I am healthy and well. I had a beautiful labor and delivery (which I will write about soon), am recovering well, and I have a healthy newborn who is an excellent eater and sleeper and pooper (which, for being a baby, are pretty awesome feats!).

I am grateful for my friend Jenny, who labored all night with me and into the morning until Lyla was born. Gentle encouragement, a steady hand, and back massages go a long way during a natural, un-medicated birth!

I am thankful for a husband who provides for us so faithfully every day at work. Even though it's hard to have him gone every day all day, it makes his time at home that much more treasured for all of us.

I am grateful for a Mom-in-law, who has been with us all week due to Lyla's early arrival. She has been cooking and caring for us non-stop. I couldn't ask for more.

I am thankful that my own dear mother is arriving tomorrow afternoon, after a full year of us being apart. Being separated by countries is a cold, hard reality that sometimes is hard to face every day...especially when there are young grandchildren involved and very expensive plane tickets.

There is so much more that I could say, but Lyla needs to eat and Lexi needs some Mama time before bed. But as a parting thought, when our Heavenly Father gives gifts, He does it lavishly. What a beautiful life we have in Him!