Mac's appointment and the memory of Hope.

Mac had a checkup last Wednesday, January 25th. My little man is getting so big! He's 16# 10oz now, and 25.5 inches long. He got all his shots and did pretty well. I'm glad though that we don't have to get anymore until 12 months now. He'll have another "well baby check" at 9 months to make sure he's doing well. He's rolling all over the place now and is starting to sit on his own a little, when placed that way. He's eating lots of veggies and a few fruits. I just started (within the past week) the fruits and he's loving those of course! I'm making most of my own baby food, which is surprisingly easy. I bought bags of frozen peas and green beans, cooked them until they were super soft, threw them in the blender with some water, poured them into ice cube trays and froze them. After they were frozen, I popped out the "ice cubes" and put them into zip-loc freezer bags. Super easy way to store individual servings! When I need them I just pop them into the microwave. I've also baked squash and sweet potatoes and pureed them and frozen them. It's fun to mix and match the veggies. He's not real fond of the green beans so I sneak them in with something he finds a little more tasty. :)

On a more serious note, its the month of February. And in my life, February is not my favorite month. On February 8, it will have been two years since we got the diagnosis that our baby Hope Catherine was terminally ill. Diagnosed with Cystic Hygroma with fetal hydrops and most likely Turner's Syndrome (they were unable to diagnosis this without genetic testing but was the suspected cause of the cystic hygroma) the doctors were surprised that she'd even made it this far. I got to carry her for another 3 weeks before Jesus took her home. On February 26, at 25 weeks pregnant, we discovered there was no longer a heartbeat, and on February 28, 2010 at 5:15am our beautiful baby was born. We got to spend several hours with her in our arms, which was oh so bittersweet. Leaving the hospital 24 hours later with no baby in my arms was one of the HARDEST days I think I'll ever have here on this earth. Only with the love and peace of Jesus Christ and the love of my family was I able to get through each of the following days.

We'll never completely understand God's plan for Hope in our lives but I do know this. I have two BEAUTIFUL children now who are incredibly special in their own ways. I have an amazing husband who loves me despite my quirks and faults. God has blessed me beyond measure and I'm reminded each day to share his love and how precious this life is. Our days here on earth are numbered, and it's what we do each day that matters most to Him. I know that our experience with our daughter has brought me closer to Him, and made me more bold in sharing the Word with others. If one life has been changed for the Lord because of Hope, then I know her purpose was fulfilled. My beautiful little daughter, Hope Catherine, will never be forgotten.