Blessing Day

We blessed our precious girl on July 29th in Colin's parents' ward in Twin Falls.  Our bishop would not let us that day because it was not a Fast Sunday.  My family was going to be up that weekend so we really wanted to do it then so that they could be there.  Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen's house is pretty central for everybody and can accomodate everybody, so it was more convenient to do it there.  Plus, Oaklyn LOVES visiting Twin Falls with grandparents and all her cousins!

That day was so special from the very beginning.  I had to wake up early to shower and get ready (hello, 10 a.m. church is impossible with a newborn). When I came out of the bathroom, I found that Colin had gotten Oaklyn out of her bed and had laid her on my pillow next to him and covered her tiny feet with the blanket.  The two of them were fast asleep.

Oaklyn was a perfect gem through sacrament meeting.  She fell asleep in the car on the way and stayed asleep the entire time.  I could tell Colin was a little anxious, but also excited about giving his girl a blessing.  He had been very thoughtful that morning and during the announcements and opening song.  He just sat, holding his girl and looking at her.

Colin was joined in the circle by his dad, his two brother in laws, and his mom's cousin.  We wish that other family members and friends not only could have been there, but could have stood beside Colin in the circle.  The blessing was strong and tender at the same time.  The Lord truly works through worthy priesthood holders.  And while her earthly father was the one giving the blessing, her Heavenly Father was inspiring him with what to bless her with.  She was blessed to be born at this time and was sent here now for a specific purpose.  As troubles come into her life, she will know to turn to the Lord and to her parents.  She will choose a worthy companion who will take her to the temple.  I have come to love listening to Colin give blessings. And it was so special listening to him give her a blessing.  While Colin is tough, rough, masculine, strong... basically a manly man, he has a very tender heart.  We are so excited for the life Oaklyn has ahead of her and just hope and pray that we will be the kind of parents she needs to help her live up to her potential.

Coming Home

Well we have officially been home for about a week.  This new little life has brought a lot of adjustment, patience, and ups and downs for us.  We were very ready to get home with our little girl. 

 She looked soooo tiny in her carseat.

 Yes, that is wrapping paper on our door!

 Oaklyn's very own lifesize bear.  (well, her size bear)

Oaklyn loooooves cuddling with daddy.  Actually, she loves cuddling with just about anybody.  She loves to be snuggled  and held.  So far, over the past week, she has been a pretty good little baby.  She's already got her own little 3 hour schedule going.  She wakes up, eats and poops (usually at this same time, I keep telling her that's gross, but she doesn't seem to mind so much, as long as she gets food) and then checks out her surroundings or watches the person holding her for about 20ish minutes until she falls asleep again.  Most nights she goes down to sleep around 11 and only wakes up once, around 3, to eat and then goes right back to sleep until about 7.  Hopefully this keeps up, I may have an all night sleeper pretty soon here.  Overall, she is pretty content and easy to take care of.  We've had a few outings and she does really well in her carseat or stroller.

Her first doctor's appointment was this past Tuesday.  Everything sounded and looked good, according to doc.  She lost a few ounces of weight, but that is normal.  The doctor even cut off what was left of her umbilical cord (it was not looking very good).  It is basically healed now, there's just a little scab left that is so close to falling off.  I also had my doctors appointment on Thursday and everything looks great for me too.   I am healing really fast.  According to my midwife, pregnancy doesn't agree with me, but giving birth sure does!