Merry Christmas!

"War is proclaimed between the Seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. It is the fruit of this enmity, that there is a continual warfare between grace and corruption, in the hearts of God's people. Satan, by their corruptions, buffets them, sifts them, and seeks to devour them. Heaven and hell can never be reconciled, nor light and darkness; no more can Satan and a sanctified soul. Also, there is a continual struggle between the wicked and the godly in this world. A gracious promise is here made of Christ, as the Deliverer of fallen man from the power of Satan. Here was the drawn of the gospel day: no sooner was the wound given, than the remedy was provided and revealed. This gracious revelation of a Saviour came unasked, and unlooked for. Without a revelation of mercy, giving some hope of forgiveness, the convinced sinner would sink into despair, and be hardened. By faith in this promise, our first parents, and the patriarchs before the flood, were justified and saved. Notice is given concerning Christ. 1. His incarnation, or coming in the flesh. It speaks great encouragement to sinners, that their Saviour is the Seed of the woman, bone of our bone..." - Matthew Henry

Advent 2013

Good Morning

Summer 2013

Ruby Jubilee

Ruby Jubilee was born via c-section at the end of May! After a week long NICU stay, we happily came home and have been making up for lost snuggles ever since.

She was a roly-poly 9lbs at birth, and has gained very well! After three long days of IV nutrition, she was able to start colostrum in bottles, then nursing. Thankfully after a few days and some tips from the awesome lactation consultant, she figured out nursing and we haven't had any more issues.

Now we are enjoying figuring out four under six! So far, frozen meals, Netflix, and help with the housework as I recover from surgery have been lifesavers. I knew a c-section recovery would be harder, but didn't realize just how much longer and more painful it would be.

I may share more of a birth story at some point, but the short version is that at 42 weeks I finally went into labor, the midwife was almost here and the birth pool was filling when I had alarming bleeding. We transferred and found that she was a face presentation, so I was quickly prepped for a c-section, which went pretty well. Afterwards things did not go as planned- Ruby was transferred to a larger hospital for fluid in her lungs, elevated white blood cell count, elevated heart and respiratory rate. She had some breathing issues, as well as some stomach dystension, that concerned the doctors in addition to their concerns that she might have an infection. By the time I was able to join her two days after birth, she looked much better, and we were able to hold her for the first time. :)