Just because I can still call her baby

She's still my baby girl and always will be MY girl. However, her status will change in a matter of days. Her new title will be BIG sister. And boy is she going to be excited to have a little person in the house to mother.

Amelia - 7 1/2 months

Amelia is on the move. The kids have so many nick names for her but the newest is "Hot Shot" cuz she thinks she is BIG stuff. Not only is she crawling but can go to a full stand from a squatting position without the support of a piece of furniture. My babies all walked before a year but I don't remember any of them standing at such an early age. Oh, do babies grow too fast or what? I am grateful God gave Amelia to us. She has been so much fun and has blessed us beyond measure.

Amelia - 5 months

My sweet baby is changing every day and we are all continuing to enjoy every minute of her precious little life. Enjoy, yes, but fight is a little more accurate. I think I just may ground the older three kids from her for an entire day if they continue on as they have. This is what I hear on a daily basis, "It's my turrrrn", "I called her", "She held her longer than me", "It's not fair that he gets her again", "Why can't Amelia sleep with me", "She always sleeps with you", "Mommmm, she is hogging Amelia", ok, you get the point, Amelia is verrry popular around these parts. Even though it gets a bit old to hear these complaints, I am grateful they love and enjoy her as much they do. It's better than hearing, "Do I have to hold her again?".

Amelia - 4 months

My beautiful baby. She's growing up and doing big girl things...like rolling over. I seriously have never put her on her belly until today. Honestly she has barely left my arms. I am enjoying every second of this precious little life. What a blessing she is.

I love those eyes!

I love those cheeks!

I love those lips!

Amelia - 2 months

We are so in love with this precious little one. I can hardly believe that two months ago today, less than two hours from the time I write this, Amelia was born in this very same room just feet away from where I sit. Now I look at her and no longer see a newborn. She has graduated to infant with her chubby cheeks and thunder thighs. Oh how I love all of her, every crease and roll. It has been a heavenly two months, rocking her, and holding her, and kissing her, and squeezing her.

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

Amelia - 2 weeks

Here is Amelia at two weeks. We have been on hiatus from blogging since she was born spending time with and getting to know her. We are beginning to establish our new “normal” and life is feeling pretty good.

Wanted to say thank you for the overwhelming warmth and care that we have received in the many gifts, meals, kid watching, and acts of kindness from friends and family.








These photos where taken by our great friend, neighbor, fellow home school mom, and photographer. Thank you Melinda!!

Amelia Frances

Amelia Frances Carel joined our family today, January 15, 2010 at 12:48 p.m. She weighs 8 pounds 6 ounces and is 20 1/2 inches long.

Formed nine months ago as two cells meet, then perfectly knit together in the womb, the miracle of birth is an awesome display of God’s majestic splendor. Today I met my daughter for the very first time and although I have experienced the joy of being a new father three times before, the awe and wonderment of it all overwhelms me.

We chose this time to have our birth at our home under the amazing care and supervision of our midwife, Rene’e. It was such a privilege to share this miracle of new life with such a wonderful and godly woman. She and her assistant Rose Marie prayed and cared for Gretchen as she labored and then delivered. They graciously served us and made this experience a joy.

Mark and Jody Robinson drove from Illinois to be here for the birth. Jody has been at each of our children's births and it was such a privilege to have her with us again. She chased kids when necessary, helped prepare food, set up, cleaned up, took video, took pictures (amazing pictures of Amelia's first moments of life), encouraged and comforted us both. We did not see much of Mark as he had kid duty. What a gift to have them with us.

Gretchen and I were able to share a last minute date night last night and enjoyed a dinner and some time together “hanging out.” The birth was amazing. Her water broke at 3:00 a.m. about two hours after we went to bed. She progressed through the night and morning until about 11ish when labor truly began. We filled the tub (plastic kiddy pool) and prepared for the water birth. Gretchen was strong and I was very proud of her, after only about five strong contractions in the water, Amelia decided it was time to meet her expectant family. Gretchen caught Amelia and pulled her up and to her chest....amazing. We covered her and held her while Jake cut the cord. Each of the kids got to see, touch and kiss her before knowing whether they had a brother or sister.

The whole process was surreal. I look forward to the joy that this new life will bring to our family.