Dreams really do come true...

As a child I played dolls all day and night. With friends we would play "house" and pretend to be moms as I dreamed of one day having a family of my own and being a mom to a real live "doll" On September 8, 2011 at 6:54 in the morning this dream became a reality. I have had this reality once already with Ian but the experience I have had with Asher has been night and day to the experience I had with Ian. If I wouldn't have had Ian first I wouldn't know to be so grateful for the birth of our perfect little boy Asher.

Wae and I headed to the hospital Wednesday night for me to be induced. They expected I would have Asher late the next afternoon. However, our little Asher was so ready to meet us that he quickly arrived early on Thursday morning. I bet no one in the world has had a better experience at a hospital than we did. The nurses were actually CHEERING us on during delivery. They were crying, we were crying, and I kind of think the doctor might have cried. You see...all these nurses took care of Ian and fell in love with him. They followed his story and now they wanted to be a part of Asher's life. They made our experience over the top and to the nurses at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham...we LOVE you!!! Thanks for helping me shower at 3 am during contractions so I would look presentable :), thanks for drying my hair at 5 am so it would look good in my pictures, and thanks for cheering me on to meet our little boy. You girls are AWESOME!!!

Asher...can I say perfection and not be bragging?!? He is...he is perfect. With tears running down my face I tell you that God blessed us with a perfectly healthy little boy who we love more than life itself. We never knew things could be so good and happy and easy. He weighed a whopping 8 pounds 3 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. He has a head FULL of hair and it has a mind of it's own. He moves his arms....he can spread his legs out the way a baby is supposed to...he screams at the top of his lungs and wakes the whole house up...he can hold his ears....did I mention he can move his arms?!? How precious it is for us to watch a baby move his arms. He sucks down a bottle like you wouldn't believe. We can't keep him full he's so stinking hungry :) I LOVE it!!! He pees on me and he poops on me and I think it's perfection. He has some big eyes and full chubby cheeks. He looks just like his daddy and is one handsome fella' He has my heart!!! I love him more than I ever knew I could. He has the longest fingers and feet. He's just perfect to me and I'm so thankful my God is faithful!!

I know...I know you want pictures. :) Beware...you WILL fall in love with this little guy and he is an addiction. Trust me I know. I'm completely addicted to him and can't imagine a day of my life without him.

Excitement beyond words...

Well...the week has finally arrived. The week when we will meet our miracle baby Asher. This little boy has started out a little stubborn and has proven that he's not entering the world until the doctors make him :) We are so anxious to meet him we can hardly contain ourselves. We have tried to talk him out...didn't work. We have tried to walk him out...didn't work. We have tried to ride in the bumpy pastures to get him out...didn't work. We have tried to encourage him out by spicy foods...didn't work. We went to the hospital 3 weeks ago in false labor...didn't work. I have contractions all day every day for 3 weeks now and I must say...I am ready for that part to be over. They get worse every day and I must admit at times it gets a little scary. We live 1 hour and 45 minutes from our hospital so trying to balance false labor and time for travel has been a little nerve wrenching.

But THIS week...he's coming. I told Wae last night it felt like the week of Christmas does for a 4 year old. You know the excitement you have over Santa's anticipated visit. Well that's exactly how I feel at this moment!!! I can't help but to sing the song..."Grace, Grace, God's Grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, Grace, God's Grace..." You know the odds of us conceiving a healthy child were out of this world. Wae and I wouldn't have tried for another child had it not been for God's grace. Had he not chosen us for his genetic miracle of Uniparental Isodisomy we wouldn't be having Asher. Don't think for a second that I don't think about that EVERY day and praise HIM for his miracles in our lives.

The pack and play is in the living room ready for a precious little boy to nap in. His bouncy seat is all put together and also in the living room ready for him to play in and his bassinet is beside my side of the bed ready for sleepy time. (I know, I know...he'll probably sleep in my arms all night :) ) His bottles are sanitized and all the passies too. He has a closet full of clothes and shoes like you wouldn't believe. He inherited all his big brother's clothes and shoes you see, so for 3 months he has A LOT of clothes LOL :) We have diapers and wipes galore and are sitting on ready. Our bags are packed and we're ready to go meet the newest love of our lives.

The emotions have been raging lately. I've missed Ian more these last few weeks than I have in months. The fear of letting go of some of the hurt in our lives because we have such happiness headed our way. If we let go of this hurt does it mean we have forgotten Ian?!? If we are happy with Asher does it mean we have replaced him with his brother?!? No...it simply means we are LIVING again. It feels as if our lives are about to start again. We are about to start a life of happiness and joy and just to be honest that feels a little bit weird. We are used to heartbreak and stares because our child looks different. We aren't used to laughter and stares because our little boy is normal and precious to all eyes!!! Of course we all thought Ian was the cutest little boy in the world, but others stared and wanted to know what was the matter. Oh how our world is about to be so different.

So to Ian...I love you my sweet and precious child! Mommy will NEVER forget you and I am not trying to replace you with your brother Asher. We are simply adding to our family. I pray you will be your little brother's guardian angel and protect him all the days of his life. I thank you my precious Ian for teaching me how to love and how to be a mommy to your little brother. If it weren't for you, I would take this life for granted. But because of you, I now know to cherish every moment with Asher and to love him without holding back. Thank you Ian for changing your mommy and know that you will always hold a piece of my heart. I love you from the tip tip tip of your head to the bottom bottom bottom of your toes!!! You will always be my sweet, precious, and perfect Ian!!! Love you!!!

Prayers for a healthy baby Asher and a safe delivery are very much needed this week!! I will post pics when he arrives.