Happy Birthday Rylee

I still remember the day I found out I was pregnant with Rylee. In my mind I wasn't "supposed" to be pregnant, in other words she wasn't planned. I tried my best to be excited knowing that every child is a gift from God. But in reality it had been a long nine months with Trevor, who at that point was still getting up one to two times a night, and I was exhausted. I wasn't sure I could do it again so soon. My friend Jenni, a couple we went to the Pastor's College with, found out shortly she was pregnant too. We had a few e-mails back and forth and then the e-mail came that her baby had a terminal birth defect. From then on out my pregnancy was never the same. God used her son Chase's life to show me the sin in my own and I was never again not thankful to be pregnant. Thank you Jenni for letting us all partake in Chase's life!

A year and a day ago I went to the dr. and was told I was at 4 cm. Having strong contractions for a few days I figured I'd be dilated. But a four? Wow, who stays there for days. God graciously gave me a great night sleep and I woke up at 5 am with contractions. Determined to keep them coming I went to the gym and walked furiously until I could no longer breath through the them. Not something I'd advise to other pregnant women :-) I drove myself home and Chris and I shortly went to the hospital and had Rylee a few short hours later. My brother Ryan who walked downstairs to get a fork walked back up and she had been born. It was that fast! He said to my parents " I just went to get a fork!".

She has lived up to her middle name since birth- Grace. She has brought so much grace to our lives and has been very gracious to me through her first year of life. She must've gotten word of Trevor's sleeping difficulties because from four weeks on she has slept 11-12 hrs at night and has only woken up two or three times in the middle of the night -always due to a fever. She is really easy going, following wherever her brother and sister go. She has the most contagious laugh and beautiful smile. She appears to be fearless like her brother. That was a new thing for me after Taylor, a fearless girl? She is a determined one as well. I'm sure I will see more of that this upcoming year. You can see it in her eyes when she has her mind set on something... there is no turning back! She is also my most cuddly baby. If you've seen her with me you know she is quite the mommy's girl and I don't mind one bit! She loves to snuggle and bury her head into my chest. We love her dearly and are so thankful to God for bringing her into our lives!

Happy Birthday Rylee Grace!