This is the story of us...

God has told us that alot in the past year..."Let Me handle this." A year ago this January, we found out we were expecting our sweet baby girl in October.

God handled it, and decided that she needed to join the world in July instead.

In December, he said "Let Me handle this" again, when I had to leave my job that I loved.

God handled it, and is providing for us in ways we never imagined.

On Sunday, we were able to attend church for the first time since we brought Sayla Grace home from the hospital. Unfortunately she wasn't able to go with us (it'll be about July when she's allowed to go), but we were really moved during the service. Of course we love our church family and were so excited to get to see everyone.

During one of the prayer times, I really heard God speak to me, and I asked Him to help me in this new year. I need to get back to Him. To give it all to Him...let Him handle it all. I prayed that He would help me, daily, to let Him handle everything, and put my own wants and needs aside.

Let's back up to Saturday night. Owen felt God was speaking to him in a dream. When he woke Sunday morning, we talked about his dream. After church, we made a pit stop at the store for some formula and a few other things, then home to see our baby girl.

Monday morning, I woke up on a mission...Let God handle it all. And on our way out the door to an ENT appointment for SG (standard...nothing's wrong), something happened that will forever change our lives.

God swooped in, and said..."Hey...I'll take it from here."

But right before He said that, this was staring us in the face....

Yes...you saw that right. No...that is not a picture from last January. That is a picture from Monday morning.

We are pregnant! AGAIN!!

We have always wanted a big family, but we didn't quite expect it would start growing so quickly!

We went to the doctor on Monday for blood work, and found out on Tuesday that we are indeed pregnant. I'm currently 5 to 8 weeks along. I go back Wednesday for more blood work just to be sure my pregnancy hormone levels are growing the way they are supposed to, and to confirm just how pregnant we are. Since we weren't planning this, we really have no clue! I know I can't be more than 8 weeks though.

We are shocked, but so excited. The next year will sure be interesting and difficult. I will have to be on bed rest, we just don't know the details yet. We will need help, we just don't know how yet. But we'll be sure to let you know!

We appreciate your prayers during this time. We know this is God's doing (that's the dream Owen had Saturday night...that I was with child!), and that He is in this 100%.

We just didn't expect two babies in diapers!!

I have been such a blog slacker lately! As you can imagine, we have been incredibly busy with the holidays. And I've been so exhausted that coming up with witty or moving posts for the blog has been the last thing on my mind. In fact, it's still the last thing on my mind, but I figured I could get a quick post in while Bitty is napping.

I can't even remember what all I've told you, so forgive me if you've heard this before...

Since we brought her home, during the day SG does really great. Never fusses and eats like a champ. But when 9p hit, she turned into an evil Colic nightmare, crying constantly from 9p-12a, not eating well, but obviously hungry and just all out cranky. Owen and I would pass her off back and forth, and occasionally just put her in her crib to cry it out. But once she went to sleep, she slept until morning.

As soon as she hit 8 weeks (adjusted age), the Colic Devil seemed to find the door, and she has been a complete angel ever since. She goes to bed around 10:30p, and sleeps till 7:30 or 8a. It's fabulous. The only time she cries is when something is wrong, and we can usually figure out what it is and fix it immediately.

She has started smiling when we talk to her, and talking back on occasion. Right now all she can say is "Goo" and is quite good at it!! If you say "Goo" to her, she will say it right back. Any other sound/word just confuses her, and she looks at you like she's trying very hard to say it, but usually nothing comes out. It's pretty cute!

She is loving tummy time and her swing. Though I'm sure I don't put her down long enough for her to enjoy either!

She had a fabulous first Christmas, but I didn't stop long enough to take any pictures!!! I'm such a bad mommy! I did take some at her grandparent's houses, so I guess that counts. I'll share them as soon as I have time to upload them!

I have officially quit my job, and I must say I do miss it. Well, not really the work part, but I do miss the social interaction! I have started helping out my step father some on the side with some of the day to day activities of his law firm. It's super nice to be able to work at home and take care of Bitty at the same time, and I'm very thankful for the opportunity. I just hope I do a good job and he doesn't have to fire me!! That would be awkward!

SG has just woken up from her nap, so I've got to run! Sorry so short, but you understand! I hope everything is going well with you!

Things have really been going great since the surgery. I am sorry it has taken me almost 2 weeks to update you!

Sayla Grace's surgery was a huge success! Before, she wasn't having bowel movements, and was screaming a lot because her tummy hurt. And now she's pretty regular, and very pleasant. Except for around 9p every night. She cries like clockwork from around 9p to 12a or 1a. She's pretty inconsolable during this time, and it really tries our patience.

In fact, I'm sitting in her room right now with Pandora playing a radio station I created to help calm her down. It's playing Norah Jones, Jack Johnson and John Mayer. Not really the best lyrics for a baby, but she doesn't know what they are saying...it's the sound that counts!

The surgery was scary, and I don't wish those feelings on anyone. The worst part was when they took her from me to take her to the operating room. It was so bad, I don't even want to talk about it anymore!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. This was the first year that Owen has had the day off since we met, and of course it was really special for us as a family. Both of our extended families came in town to meet SGP (well most of them)...and we really had a wonderful time! I would chalk this one up to the best Thanksgiving ever!

Sorry for such a short post...I just wanted to give a quick update before going to bed. I think I've finally got her to sleep!

Also, if you are on Facebook, feel free to find me...I update a lot about Sayla Grace on there...about her daily antics and sometimes my frustrations! I will continue to update the blog, but if you need more frequent SGP news and photos, Facebook is really the way to go for the moment!!

Here are some random pictures from the week, and some more of Sayla Grace....

In our room with her now. She's resting peacefully in my arms now. And
all is right with the world again. Thank you for the prayers!!

More later...

Out of surgery, everything went well. Took longer to get an IV than
the surgery. We won't see her for another hour after she wakes from
anesthesia but she is doing well.