5 Weeks Old Tomorrow!

The time is flying by for sure! Everywhere we go, people tell us to enjoy every moment-- and we sure are trying! The first few weeks were challenging but we seem to be getting the hang of a few major things about being parents. We have much to learn.

It's so amazing how much life changes.. OVERNIGHT!

When I pictured being home with her during this time, I pictured long days of a virtually spotless house, a perpetually full and clean baby, and myself all prettied up for when Lance arrives at home... notwithstanding gourmet meals prepared for dinner every night.
Was. I. ever. wrong.

Now, I understand from hearsay that things will get easier, and believe me, they already have in some respects. Lucy is currently quite happy in her swing as I write this.. Two weeks ago, that would have never happened. But she's growing and changing every day-- and as she does, things are slowly getting easier. There are certainly days that I take a shower at 3pm instead of first thing which was formerly my habit. Each day is different with it's challenges and joys. More joys than challenges. Always more Joys.

But, seriously those of you that have small babies or have had children surely remember the first few months. No? Allow me to remind you. :)

I had no idea how fast I could get myself ready from start to finish, leaving out all of the luxuries that before baby, seemed to me to be necessary. Honestly, if I brush my teeth before the sun is high in the sky, it's a good day. There's nothing like becoming a mother to make you realize what a bit of a DIVA you were before motherhood. Really. It's embarrassing to think about it.. but where I usually carried a handbag full of "essentials" and "just in case I need 4 colors of lipgloss.." I now am quite satisfied with chapstick and a check card. Wow. I am learning that I can function on an astoundingly small amount of sleep. I have learned to do almost anything left-handed, (I've always wanted to be ambidextrous... little did I know all I had to do was give birth!)
I have learned that if I want to eat, I better do it FAST and planning ahead is essential to my survival.
For example, I should be preparing for her next meal currently instead of writing this.

All kidding aside,

I am the happiest mom in the world and I cannot imagine my life without this sweet little blessing. She has taken to smiling a lot these last few days. The mornings are the sweetest times when we are able to spend time together shortly after she wakes up. This morning, in the middle of her "breakfast" she stopped (and believe me, the kid was hungry!) just to look up and smile at me for several seconds. She fills our hearts with joy and causes us to forget all the struggles that we sometimes have getting her to sleep, etc. I absolutely LOVE how much personality she already has.

Okay, well... the little one is stirring and mommy's "alone time" is officially over-- thank you all for your patience as this blog's pace is considerably slower than it used to be! We will work on catching it up!

12 Days old... The many faces of Lucy...

We. are. tired.

Never the less, we wanted to give you a few pictures of our girl and what's she has been up to these last few days.

She is a pure joy-- even when she keeps us up at night. Haha.

Ok, clearly this is not a face... but so cute.

Pretty Girl.

So far we are not having much luck with teaching her not to stick her tongue out... Oh well.

Spending some time in the swing

About to get a bath and not very happy about it.

Home Sweet Home

We are finally home with our little 5 day-old sweetheart and we could not be happier to be here. The staff at Rex Hospital was simply amazing and they took wonderful care of all three of us-- never the less we are so happy to be here in our own little home, as we try to adapt to our brand new life. Things are going well so far-- tonight is our first night-- so we will let you know how it goes! My mom will be staying with us for a few more days and it's such a blessing to have her nearby in this time of adjustment. Tonight, she and Lance's mom cooked us a wonderful home-cooked meal of pot roast and veggies, creamed peas, squash casserole and homemade biscuits-- WOW! It was such a welcome change from all the various non-home cooked meals we have had over the last few days and we are so grateful to them for being here for us!
For those of you who don't know, having Lucy this past Tuesday was a bit of a shock for us! We went to our 39 week Dr's Appt. and discovered that my blood pressure had sky-rocketed and that I was displaying signs of pre eclampsia. Our Dr. decided it was best to go ahead and take Little Lu by C-section, because she was showing no signs of coming on her own. So-- a few hours later, we found ourselves with our little one very quickly on the way!! The Lord watched over us and baby was born at 9:19pm with no problems or complications. Lucy Marie Stuckey weighed 6 lbs. 11 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long! We stayed at Rex a couple of extra days due to my continued blood pressure issues and thankfully those seem to be getting better. Please continue to pray for us as we get into a good routine and more importantly that we will contiuously praise the Lord for this great and wonderful gift He has given us--(even when we are exhausted in the days to come!) Thank you!

**UPDATE**
Clearly I knew what was shortly ahead of us even as I wrote this post yesterday-- our first night at home was a rough one to be sure. We both got about an hour and half of sleep last night. WOW. We know it will get better-- and we KNOW it's well worth it to finally have our girl safely at home.

Little did we know...

What would take place later that day... (May 26th)!!!!

Lucy Marie Stuckey was born May 26th, 9:19 pm. She weighed 6 lbs. 11 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long!!! We are all three doing very well-- but very tired. More later! :)

A weekend of Celebration!

After 3 years of hard work, Lance received his Master of Divinity Degree from SEBTS!!! I could not be more proud of Him as He has diligently studied while remaining an attentive husband and father over the past couple of years. It seems like yesterday he and I met when he had not been here but a few months. I have cherished the joy of standing beside him as his wife for the last part of his seminary career and I cannot wait to see where the Lord takes us next. Please join me in celebrating what God has done for our family and in the life of my wonderful husband-- who is now.. a GRADUATE!!

I LOVE this picture. I think I shall frame it.

P.S. One week from tomorrow is the Due Date. Whoa! Unbelievable.