Nine Months In - Nine Months Out . . . (and repeat!!!)

I thought it was neat when my friend honored her son's 9 month birthday with a special post about 9 months IN/9 months OUT. I thought it is a neat moment to reflect on. I also remember thinking though how very FAR away that would be for me and my Ella. But here we are . . . April 28th and my baby is about to have more experience outside of the womb than within. For some reason, it is so hard for me to grasp that I am the mother of a baby so close to one. (I'm sure those of you with older or grown children must be laughing. I suspect it doesn't get any more believable the older your kids get).

Sixteen/Seventeen months ago I was pouring over pregnancy books. Marveling at my little "lentil" turned "raspberry" turned "fig". (FYI - the pregnancy books compare the size of the baby to food items for much of the pregnancy). I was seriously "proud" when I read things like 'this week, your baby is developing arm buds . . . ' You won't want to be around me when she graduates! :) More recently we've poured over books about how to get your baby to sleep better at night . . . I digress. :)

Some highlights of Ella's nine months in:
- obviously, learning we were expecting!
- feeling her first kicks with Jason while flying back to Memphis from Austin
- learning we were going to be parents of a daughter
- choosing her name
- hearing her heartbeat. Towards the end of the pregnancy, Jason even heard her heartbeat by just pressing his ear to my belly
- watching her MOVE each night. Unbelievable. How I missed that after she was born!
- reading Psalm 139 most days of the pregnancy
- the generosity, love and prayers people showered on us and covered us with during the pregnancy
- Waking up the morning of her birth knowing I would be holding my baby in a few hours. So hard to get my mind around that

(the very beginning of the journey . . . )



(just a couple of hours before Ella was born)



Our miracle!





And some highlights and memories of Ella's first nine months of life:
- hearing her cry for the first time. And my own tears that followed.
- holding her for the first time
- listening to Jason sing to her
- her newborn Pterodactyl noises
- traveling cross country together
- her thoughtful, curious look that she has had from birth
- her beautiful laugh
- her sweet talking voice
- the way she holds my fingers or plays with my hair while she nurses
- her recent scrunchy-nose-smile
- her generous kisses
- her falling asleep on Jason's shoulders recently
- and developmentally: Ella is crawling backwards, rocking on all fours, has two and a bit teeth, says momma, dada and bubba, is trying to pull up and dances to any music (even her dad's attempted beatboxing). . . hysterical.

Ella on her 9 month birthday



So much more to share and love about our nine month old. We are so thankful to God for her. Tonight I sat by her crib. I find myself full of praise, full of requests and yet speechless all at the same time.

Since I've been reflecting on Ella's nine-months-in, it only seems appropriate to share a little nine-month-related news. Recently we learned a little more about God's goodness, generosity and dare I say . . . humor?! We are expecting our second child! Surprise! Baby Whaley #2 is due in early November.

I Wanna Love You

A friend had this song and slideshow posted on his youtube account. The words really made an impact on me. These words explain the deepest desire of my heart, but the one I fail at so often. The song gives words to the deep thankfulness I feel to God for all He has given me and for His promises.

Recently I find myself easily discouraged. When I feel misunderstood, challenged or discouraged in life and especially in this new ministry in Wollongong, I pray that regardless of these things, I will continue to love and serve God. And that I will remember Him as my manna, my light, my life, my healer, my protector . . . my constant delight.



I wanna love You regardless if anyone else does
I wanna serve You even if I'm all alone
Though others forsake You I wanna give you my faith and trust
Faithfully follow everywhere You go

Repeat Verse 1

Chorus:
You are my sun in the morning
My star in the night
You're my manna from heaven
You're my fountain of life
You are my oil, you're my healing
My constant delight
You're my Shepard protecting me
You are my guiding light

I wanna praise You regardless if anyone else does (I wanna praise You)
I wanna thank You for the wonderful things You do (I wanna thank You)
It doesn't matter if I am poor or if I have plenty (It doesn't matter)
Everything I have give to You (I give to You)

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:
Some people say You're not reality
Some people see just what they want to see
I see Your power all around me
I feel your presence deep inside of me

I wanna love You regardless if anyone else does (I wanna love You)
I wanna serve You even if I'm all alone (I want to trust You)
Though others forsake You I wanna give you my faith and trust (and I will follow You)
Faithfully follow everywhere You go

Repeat Chorus (x2)

I wanna love You regardless if anyone else does
I wanna serve You even if I'm all alone

Scriptural Reference:

"He is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth." 2 Samuel 23:4

Pumpkin, anyone?

Here's miss Ella Rhys hamming it up while eating her pumpkin. It was like she knew she had pumpkin all over her face. I was feeding her in her stroller since we were out...we are not usually this messy. She's not the least bit phased by it though. And proudly showing off her two bottom teeth. Just when I think I can't love this girl anymore...

Since reading Watership Down a couple of years ago, my husband has been rather, well . . . obsessed with rabbits. In fact he thought we should name Ella, "Hazel". Not after my grandmother (as he pretended) but after one of the rabbits in Watership Down. I just didn't want to have to break it to our daughter years down the road that really she was named Hazel after a rabbit.

All that aside, I do have to admit, she makes one adorable little rabbit.

Ella Rhys is 8 months old and weighs 7.56 kilograms (about 16.6 pounds). She has her two bottom teeth, is sitting up, lunging forward from the sitting position and can scoot backwards around the house. She's almost saying "mama", and exploring other sounds, too. She loves to mimic her parents, stand assisted, play with her momma's hair and give her parents kisses. She has a contagious giggle...scroll down to the previous post to hear her laugh if you haven't already.



Out in the backyard. Things are blooming in the fall!


We've been working on some baby sign language. Ella Rhys has a few of her own variations. Here's her "all done". Sometimes you just take what you can get



She's also on the move a lot. Often times not happy with where her journey takes her



But generally enjoying the new freedom and culinary delights found along the way

If this doesn't make you smile . . .