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Sunday, January 11, 2009

The Joys of Motherhood


It is hard to believe our precious daughter has already been with us for over a week. She was one week old on Saturday. I am so thankful to Gary for keeping the blog updated during the past week and a half. We are now all home and enjoying life as a family of four (of course we haven't forgotten about Deacon!). Mary Laine is such a good baby. She usually sleeps until we wake her up to eat and she eats very well. When we left the hospital on Friday, she was already almost back up to her birth weight. We are already noticing that she is much more alert than she was even a few days ago. She loves to eat and to be rocked and sung to and she does not like diaper changes or bath time. After several months on bedrest, I am so thankful to have an appetite again and to be sleeping well. I truly am loving every second of motherhood and am so thankful that Mary Laine is healthy and that she is here!

I was pointed to a beautiful passage in Matthew this week. Matthew 21:16 says, "Yes; have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself'?" (referring to Psalm 8:2). How beautiful to know that my "nursing baby" is able to praise God?!?

The name Mary Elaine was a fairly easy decision for us. First of all, she was named after her grandmothers - Gary's mom is Mary and my mom is Elaine (Lanie). Mary is also the first name of my grandmother, my sister, and Gary's aunt. Elaine is my middle name, my cousin's name (who goes by Laine), my cousin's daughter's name, and my best friend from high school's name. We also loved these names because of what they mean. Mary (according to some translations) means "Beloved" and Elaine means "Bright Light". She is certainly our beloved daughter and it is our prayer that she will be a bright light illuminating the gospel. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." Matthew 5:16

We will continue to post pictures and updates of our beloved bright light.

Love from Gary, Kathryn, Mary Laine, and Deacon

3 comments:

Dawn E said...

How precious! And, what a legacy of a name you have passed down to her. Riley was just asking last night what Mary Laine meant. Riley's first and middle names mean "valiant defender of mankind." Dan would tell her her namesake each night when he prayed. When she was two if anyone asked her name, she would say, "Riley, Defender of Mankind." It was too cute...like a superhero.:) We can't wait to meet her.

DK Baria said...

oh how great to read your post! i can't wait to see her and get in some rocking time. dk

The Hensons said...

oh, please!!! everybody knows you named her after me!! i expect a clarification in your next post!! :)