Neecee's baby shower

James' youngest sister, Denise, is due the end of this month and today was her baby shower. (someone else took a picture of she and I, but I don't have that one yet)
She was showered with lots of great gifts for their baby girl, Isabella, and we all had a great time. It has been fun to watch her grow up, as she was just 8 when James and I met. I am looking forward to having another niece and seeing her as a mom (Oh, how life changes!)

We can't wait to meet baby Catoda :) We're doing a little photo shoot later this week, so I'm looking forward to that and will post more pictures soon!

New baby Hekman

I was delighted to be in the room today when Jess had her sweet baby girl, Alayna Joy. Jess was a champ and did great during her delivery and the whole process made me want another baby...I know, I know, I have enough kids and don't worry I'm not having any more, but there is something about a newborn baby that still makes me ache in a way nothing else can :)
Congratulations Matt, Jess and Ethan! Thank you so much for allowing me to be in the room and share in your special moment :) Love you!!!

Hilary Mae

Here's my precious new baby niece :)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Baby Hilary

My niece Hilary is doing fine and got to come home today. My sister, her husband and their girls are all really excited that the baby is finally coming home, after 5 scary days in the NICU.
Here's the story...Soon after Hilary as born, she started having troubles breathing, gasping for air and her stomach became really distended, but after lots of tests, IV fluids and oxygen she is doing fine. The Dr.'s think it was because she has excess air in her stomach and somehow it was pushing on her lungs causing them not to be able to fill with air completely...whatever that means, but all is well. Thank God!
The hospital where they were didn't allow kids to visit, unless they are siblings, so we decided to wait to visit until they were both home and save the hospital chaos of 5 kids running around in the waiting room, for another time :) We will be visiting them soon. I'll post pics of her, as soon as I take them. I can't wait!!!

Independence Day Baby--please pray

Today turned out to be more than just a celebration of our country, or my dad's birthday! My sister had a precious baby girl, her 3rd, Hilary Mae Rhodes.
Every year since my Dad died, my sisters and I call to say "Happy Birthday Dad!" to each other as a way to remember him. We started our day quite early, 3:35 am to be exact. The phone rang a little after 1, but neither of us answered it...It rang again at 3:35 and this time James answered it. I woke up to him talking and realized it was my sister. I asked James what time it was and thought it was a little early to be calling to say "Happy Birthday Dad", but she had a better reason, she was in labor and had her epidural and couldn't sleep, so she called me to chat (nothing like sisterly love to chat for nearly an hour at 3 in the morning) I was so excited, but still able to go back to sleep. I called her again around 7 and the Dr. was just about to come and check her!!! Her labor went really smoothly and Hilary as born around 10:30 am!
I can't wait to meet her! I just talked to my sister and the baby was having troubles breathing so they took her to the NICU and my sister is really upset (understandably!) They aren't what's the matter and have a camera down into her stomach to check things out, an IV in her little arm and she is on oxygen. Please pray for both the baby and my sister! I will keep you posted on the progress! Happy 4th of July!