Welcome Baby Weston

He is here!!!  Our second grandson, Weston David is here!  As many babies do, he decided to keep mommy and daddy up all night before making his grand appearance.  Ivy was actually a couple days overdue, which I have never experienced.  I can be quite impatient and was blessed with having my babies all early.  Ivy was very patient and was a trooper to the end.  I was expecting a big grandbaby because he past his due date, but he was a perfect 7 pounds 2 oz.  We were unable to be there for the birth but were able to go and see them shortly after.  Brent, Latisha, and August were able to join us on the trip.

Alex had sent a picture of his first born and as I am sure many mothers do, I could see so much of Alex in the picture.  When we got there and I was able to hold Weston the similarities were so much so, it was almost like having a flash back to holding Alexander as a baby, soooo precious. We all enjoyed our time holding him, snuggling, and watching the faces he made.

Our time there was short and as always it is so hard to say goodbye.  I know the next time we see Weston he will have changed and grown, but we are so grateful that Alex and Ivy are close enough that it shouldn't be too long before we make the trek back up to see them.  Our younger kids stayed home this time, so they are looking forward to coming up and seeing their new nephew, soon.

Welcome baby Weston.  Congratulations Alex and Ivy!  Cherish this time, because as the saying goes, they grow up so fast.  We look forward to seeing you soon.  

Weston and Grandma :)

Weston and Grandpa

Grandpa and his grandsons.

Here we are with our new grandson

Three generation picture

Me and my boys

Latisha is finally an auntie

August wanted to hold Weston, but wasn't sure when he was holding him,
Then wanted to hold him again

The new parents and their baby

So grateful we all got to be together.  

Saying Goodbye For Now

Salem's little life was so very short but still has a story.  At 9 weeks gestation Latisha found out she had a bubble near her placenta that burst and was very painful.  She had thought she lost her baby but she saw the doctor the next morning and the baby was fine.  Latisha was told to take it easy for a couple weeks which she did and all seemed well.  The first of December they discovered a hematoma which burst. In a pregnancy, a hematoma forms when the placenta shifts and blood collects. Latisha continued to have problems throughout the month. A week ago her water broke.  She went to the hospital and the doctors were not very encouraging.  They did record the baby's heart beat and gave her a card for a free Build-a-Bear that she can put the recording in.  After a day the hospital sent her home.  We were hoping for the best but later that night Latisha started having labor.  The doctors told her she had a couple more weeks before they would be able to save baby.  We hoped the labor would stop but it got much worse.  Brent took Latisha to the hospital, but there was nothing they could do and while the doctor and nurses were running around getting "things" Latisha and Brent were alone and delivered Salem.  Moments before they were listening to her heart beat on the monitor and now she was gone.

The first thing I noticed when I saw little Salem was how very peaceful she looked.  We could see features of Brent, features of Latisha, and she even resembled her brother.  So, small, and fragile, but fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together in her mother's womb. The nurses were great and told Latisha she could have her as long as she wanted, so we were able to spend time with her.  They had put a cute hat and mini diaper on her. When August got there he was so sweet and gave Salem a gentle kiss. The hospital has a butterfly room where they invited Latisha to go rock Salem and spend time with her.  The family spent time in the room and August got to play as they spent the last time together as a family with Salem.  The hospital put together a memory box with the baby's foot and hand prints, a hat and diaper that matched the ones she wore and a couple other things.  We are grateful for the treatment we received from the hospital.

Latisha and Brent decided to have Salem buried on my mothers plot in a cemetery that overlooks the city.  A couple days later we went to the cemetery and laid flowers on her grave and celebrated her little life.  Salem impacted and brought joy to our lives and in our mourning we are still grateful for the gift she was.  We say goodbye for now but look forward to seeing you again.

Salem Marie

It is with deep sadness that I make this next post.  Today, Brent and Latisha's little girl was born at 21 weeks and went home to be with Jesus.  She weighed in at a whopping 9.8 oz and 10 inches and ohh so very beautiful.  We had the privilege to spend time with her and hold her, touch her little face and love on her as much as we could.  The hospital had an adorable hat, diaper and blanket Latisha could wrap her in and it was comforting to be with her.  We hurt but we know that little Salem Marie is with Jesus and her sibling Payton in heaven and in that we find peace, that one day we will spend eternity with them.

We love you Salem, Dear Heavenly Father,  give her a hug from Grandma.  This life is but a moment in all eternity, we will see you soon.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for  I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  (Alex sent this to me, thank you my son.)

Happy New Year and Pregnancy Updates

Here we are, another year.  I pray 2017 finds you happy and well.  New Year's Eve we took the kids sledding.  It was quite cold but since there was very little wind and a good amount of snow it was pretty nice.  Then we came back for a quiet evening.  We had thought about doing more, but things have been busy around here and with church being in the morning we watched the NYC ball drop at 10:00 our time and cleaned up and went to bed.

I am looking forward to this year and a big part of that is the new additions we are expecting.  Alex and Ivy are right at the end of their pregnancy.  Soon they will be parents to a little boy and we are so excited to meet this guy.  Latisha and Brent just found out the gender and it won't be long until their little girl makes her appearance, of course not for a few months, "Baby, you stay nice and cozy in there for a while."  

God has been good to us this past year, it has not been without it's ups and downs but God has been and always will be good.  We pray we all draw closer to the Lord this year and 2017 will be the best year yet.  

God bless and have a great day.

Alicia

sledding

Ivy in her 9th month beautiful silhouette picture

Alex and Ivy had a Maternity photo shoot

Latisha at 19 weeks