Bella's First Bath!

Today we gave Bella her first bath! Garrett was so excited to help! As you can see from the above picture she was a little on the worn out side after having a big adventure in the bathtub.

Bella

JOB - URINE TEST

JOB - URINE TEST
(Whoever wrote this one deserves a HUGE pat on the back!)


Joe, the average worker says;

Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my
taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get
that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no
problem. What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people
who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to
get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Please
understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do,
on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their lazy
butts, doing drugs, while I work. . . Can you imagine how much money the state
would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?
Pass this along if you agree or simply delete if you don't. Hope you all will
pass it along, though . . . Something has to change in this country -- and
soon!!!!!

guess we could title that program, 'Urine or You're Out'.

The Story of Arabella Grace McKim

Arabella Grace McKim was born on Easter Sunday April 12, 2009 at 10:25 AM weighing in at a whopping 5lbs 11oz and 18 inches long. Her story is quite unique. As my doctor, Dr. Dunn, has already stated she is going to be a drama queen. =) We have waited for so long and tried so hard for her and she has finally come, but of course had to make a grand entrance!
As many of you know Garrett's birthday was April 9th. My baby boy turned 11!!!! I just can't believe that! My biggest fear was that Bella would come on his birthday. Thank goodness she waited...a few days at least. She and I had talked and I told her she had to wait to come until after Easter because we were having everyone over to our house for Easter/G's b-day dinner. As you can see, she is already not listening to her momma! She did, however, allow Garrett to have his b-day sleepover with some friends on Friday night.
Saturday, April 11th I woke up having contractions. Off and on all day which was nothing new to me. Finally about 2:30 I started timing them and they were between 8-15 minutes a part for about 2 hours. I called Dr. Dunn and she told us to come on in. SO, we get to the hospital and get all hooked up and what do you know....the contractions stopped! I knew that would happen! So we were scheduled to go on on Wednesday, April 15th to be induced anyhow and Dr. Dunn said that we could either stay and go ahead and have her or go home and come back on Wednesday. I vote for staying! So they put me on cervadil that night and boy was it a long night of contractions, back pain, and no sleep. Aaron went to pick the kids up about 8:00 the next morning while I was going to eat breakfast, shower, and then they would put me on pitocin. Right when my breakfast got to my room my water broke. Aaron was parking the car when it happened so he couldn't come in until they got me all cleaned up. They said I could still eat and shower if I wanted, but the contractions were coming so hard and fast that all I wanted were DRUGS! BRING MY EPIDURAL NOW! So, they finally got my epidural and Bella's heartbeat kept dipping and then spiking. They kept turning me to see if it would help and it didn't. Come to find out she had turned breech sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning and also had meconium (had pooped) in the womb. They said they needed to do a c-section and do one now. I was worried, Aaron was worried, but I somehow knew everything would be okay.
So they wheeled me into the OR and made Aaron wait outside in this waiting room. He was all dressed and ready to go. They were literally holding Bella up inside me so she wouldn't be born breech because they said my labor was moving FAST! We were waiting for the anesthesiologist to come and knock me out because I wasn't numb enough from my epidural and they didn't have time to wait for me to be numb so I was alseep when Bella was born. That's okay because she was born and is perfectly healthy! We are so truly blessed!
Needless to say I was quite out of it for most of the day on Sunday so if you came to see us at the hospital on Sunday I apologize. I was still half asleep from the drugs they put me on to knock me out for the surgery. And we were actually able to go home a day early since Bella and I were doing so well. They gave us the option, but after already being in the hospital for 3 nights I couldn't wait to come home and sleep in my own bed!
So, for now I am super sore, but feeling good! Bella is a good baby and so sweet and LITTLE! We both go to the doctor tomorrow (Thursday, April 16th). I get to have my staples removed (I remember wathing them take Jen's staples out of her arm and it is really cool!) and she gets to have her first check-up. We are praying that she will continue to grow to be healthy and strong!
Thanks so much for all of your love, support, and prayers! They are GREATLY appreciated!
Love to all!
The McKim Family
Aaron, Jenny, Skyla, Garrett, and Bella

Baby Bella Update!

Well, we went to see Dr. Dunn today and everything looks good! Bella is still growing like a weed and is "big" as Dr. Dunn has stated. I wasn't dialated at all which surprised me a bit since I have been having so many contractions. BUT, she thinks that the reason could be all of the scar tissue I have from having so many surgeries to remove the cervical cancer. We knew this could be an issue from the start so there is a possibility that Bella will be a C-Section baby!
We go back to have an ultrasound next Tuesday to find out how big Bella is and then to discuss our plans to have Bella. Dr. Dunn is thinking that Bella is a big baby and is a little concerned. She is going to induce on the 15th so only 8 more days! WOO HOO! SO, next week we will have a baby girl! CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

I Know How I Designed It

"…we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus…" Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

My amazing husband can do anything. He's a fix-it man. There isn't anything he can't repair or create. He rebuilds damaged computers for family and friends, repairs weed eaters and garage door openers for neighbors, and rescues broken furniture from trash heaps. Recently he brought a chair home from a dinner party. It wasn't a gift and we didn't steal it. Someone sat in it and broke it!

After two days of taking the chair apart - performing what looked like orthopedic surgery to me, you know when pins and screws are inserted to keep bones and joints from further damage – followed by a little gluing, sanding, and staining, the chair looked brand new.

"Wow!" I said, impressed.

"Sit in it and rock back," he encouraged.

"Rock back? I don't think so! What if I break it?"

"Oh, believe me. You won't."

"How do you know?" I asked, not convinced.

"I know how I designed it. I know the pressure points and how much stress it can take" he responded with a smile of confidence. "Go on. Sit in it and rock back."

I sat down and rocked back.

The chair was solid. I don't care who sits in it, or how they land in it now, it will not break.

I think about the times we don't believe we can handle any more stress. The pressure seems overwhelming and we cry, "Time out! I can't take any more!"

God responds, "Trust me. You will not be destroyed. I know your pressure points. I know how much stress you can take. I know how I designed you."

I cannot describe the peace I felt when I related the work of my husband's hands to the work of God's hand.
Of course He knows how much I can take. After all He is my Creator, the one who bent down by the river and fashioned me with His hands. He's the one who knit me together in the depths of my mother's womb, the one who is called the Potter.

He knows the exact temperature needed in the kiln to create the perfect clay vessel. He knows how hot the fire must be to separate the dross from the silver and gold. He knows how much pressure a diamond or emerald must withstand in order for it to come forth solid and brilliant. He knows how long the irritant must sit in an oyster before it becomes a pearl.

My Father knows exactly how much I can take. He knows because He designed me. With that realization I am able to trust Him and smile at the future, no matter how hard life is today.

Lord Jesus, You are the Carpenter. You know exactly how to build a piece that will withstand pressure and stress, a work of art that will not easily crumble. You created me the same way.
Rather than tremble in the fac e of despair, help me trust in Your design. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Here she is via ultrasound 3-23-09