May 1st

Between April 17, 2012 and May 2, 2012 our little family was accepting and adapting.

I had picked up a painting of the Stormy Sea - verse 23 a couple years ago and for Christmas 2011 my mom had it framed for us.  It hung in our bedroom and for those two weeks after Ellie's birth I looked to that picture for fortitude.

Here is the picture now hanging in our den.

My personal favorite part is this particular artist's decision to have a man getting sick over the side of the boat.  Now that sums up the depth that one can find oneself in during a rough time! 

We did take quite a few pictures of Ellie her first two weeks of life - Tuesday to Tuesday to another Tuesday.  

The first Tuesday - her birthday!  5:00 in the morning on the couch getting the car loaded.  I didn't want to leave this spot!  She came only two hours later and the family joined us at the hospital. 

Our dear Father Schreck who has been our shepherd since the beginning of our involvement at the school/church in 2002!

An amazing amount of food brought over from the wonderful people at the school.  It cracks me up that golf was on t.v. that day!  Nothing has changed in that area!

The three enjoying looking at their new sister. 

  

Julia and Ellie. 

 

Me on the phone undoubtedly with either my friend Wendy or cousin Alison who have been my baby-counselors with each child.  Although I think I've forced them both into retirement after Ellie.

  Jeff's famous baby hold.

 

 

We have this picture hanging on our wall.  It symbolizes Ellie's personality - she is totally out of control of the things that happen to her and she obediently accepts it with open arms. Lord help us be like her!

 

 

During those two weeks we tried to do some "normal" things for the kids to help the time go by.  We took the four to the driving range one beautiful April morning.  I remember this day having the cell phone with us for the call from the doctor with the blood work from the genetic lab in Atlanta confirming Down syndrome.  Luckily we didn't get the call until later that afternoon with a bed nearby sit on together.

This is May 1, 2012 late in the evening. Jeff is enjoying (very much) the bag of cheese flavored cornmeal snacks brought by his peers.  Ellie is asleep in her corner until we bring her to bed with us.  This was a Tuesday.  Thank you God for the first two weeks of Ellie's life to adjust to her being here and catch our breath a little before Wednesday, May 2nd.  That day the water got a little choppier in our boat but God led us gently by the hand assuring us we would not drown.  

See you tomorrow for that story.