Baby Dedication and Other News

We missed the Baby Dedication at our church by a few days (the kids had just gotten out of the NICU when it was held). We will participate in the next one at church, however, it doesn't take place until March 2010. So we got together with two other couples in our Sunday School class and had a baby dedication and picnic out at the park.

Adam's dad lead the ceremony and talked about how the idea for a baby dedication comes from the book of Samuel where his mother Hannah dedicates him to the Lord. I can relate a lot to Hannah. She struggled with infertility. For years she was without child and oh how she wanted a babe. She cried out to the Lord and asked him to see her misery and give her a son. She promised that if she had that son she would give him to the Lord (1 Sam. 1:11). I know that pain that Hannah felt when she saw all the other women giving birth to children. I know what it is to cry out to the Lord and ask for a child. I also know the conviction that if you were blessed with a child, you would know that the child first belonged to God. This has been something that I remember when I start worrying about my children. That as much as I love them, and boy is that more than I can even express, the Lord loves them even more and they are ultimately in His very capable hands. I know that does not mean all harm will pass them by, but I can rest assured that when harm comes their way (we live in a fallen world so I'm sure it will happen sometime) the Lord will walk that journey with them just as He so faithfully walked the journey of infertility with me.

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord." 1 Sam. 1:27-28a These were Hannah's words as she dedicated her son to the Lord and they express our hearts as we dedicated Quinn and Riley to the Lord and to raising them to know and love Him. It was a beautiful day with memories that we won't forget!

My mom made their outfits for the occasion. She did a wonderful, fantastic, beautiful, amazing job! She usually makes amazing quilts, hasn't made clothing since I was young, but did such a good job that I think she'll make some more! Here's Riley's sweet dress. I hope you can see the detail! It was so beautiful!
Here's Quinn lookin' handsome in white! So cute! I know that I call my children cute and adorable all the time (I am pretty biased), but hey, that's a mom's right!

Thank you Nana for all the time you spent making these gorgeous outfits! We love them and are so excited that they had such a personal touch from you!

My sister got the kids bibs, Quinn's is cute, but you had to see Riley's for yourself...

She's such a good aunt! I know when Riley is upset and mad at me she will probably run to her Aunt Hesper to talk and I'm so thankful that she'll have her there!

This has nothing to do with the dedication but Uncle Pete gave the kids these for Christmas (when they were still inside me) and they haven't been big enough to wear them until now. Riley has on an Aerosmith onsie and Quinn's is Lynyrd Skynyrd! Thank you Uncle Pete!

In other news, we had our follow up Dr. appointment. Quinn was 17lbs. 4 oz! He gained 3 pounds in 6 weeks and got back to the 25th percentile so the Dr. was very happy! Have I mentioned that he loves eating. He has even started feeding himself puffs! He also is working on getting 2 more teeth, pretty sure the front two. They are red and swollen and he has been very fussy! Poor little guy...I know it hurts him and it's no fun for me either (like when he won't sleep and won't let me put him down)!

Riley weighed 13lbs. 13oz, still in the 5th percentile. The Dr. has referred her to a specialist to look at the flattening of her head and determine if she needs a helmet. We are waiting to hear when this appointment will be so I will keep you posted. Riley has also seemed to have a little setback with her torticollis, she has been tilting her neck a lot lately and her physical therapist had to really stretch her on Wed. I am also trying to work with her, sometimes she really cries and gets upset so I think it's uncomfortable for her. Please keep her in your prayers!