Blessing Day

I thought that Lila's blessing day might be sad for me because my parents, siblings, and other relatives who have always come would not be in attendance. But luckily I just felt so blessed. Debbie had been here for about 10 days and Guy flew in on Friday night to be here. Aaron, Allie, and the kids came. Chancho's Uncle Jim and Aunt Sue came, along with daughter Katy and Jessica. Also, their sons, Nick and Jim, came with their families. I really love them all so much and felt so blessed to be a part of their family and to feel such a closeness to them.

Instead of trying to plan a meal, we invited everybody over to our house in the evening for a Baby Lila celebration. Catherine let me use all of her beautiful party serving wares. Debbie bought me a 3-tiered server that I've been wanting. I bought and made lots of yummy food and a great time was had by all. I hope!

My three girls:

Pretty little flowers on a pretty table:

The Jims:

Matt, Catherine, and Grace M.
Matt & Catherine:
Guy & Deb flew from Utah to be here for the event:
Cousin Ruby:
Allie & Emma (who looks more like 17 than one who is not even an official teenager yet!)
Deedle loving on her baby sister:
Cousin Hannah, who loves babies more than anything in this whole world:
Grandma Debbie:
Cheryl & Allison. People are always telling these two that they look alike. Perhaps not so much side by side, but I love them both and they do remind me of eachother.
Proud parents:

I LOVE MY BABY GIRL!!!

More of mother and child:
Finn & Ly-Ly:
Even more me and my wee one:
Sue & Jessica:
Nick:
Jimmer:
Whoa. Another one of me and baby-kins:
The cake:
Josie & Aaron. People have often said that I look like this older brother of mine. I wasn't so sure. But if you took away the facial hair (and the scalp hair), this could almost be me. A more manly version, but still...
Guy and Paul (Debbie's brother):
The spread. Spinach dip for baguettes, brie for crackers, raspberries, blackberries, oreo truffles. YUM!
Allison & Emma:
There were lots of other kids running around. Mostly couldn't get them to stop long enough to take their photos. Or maybe they were just outside in the heat getting bitten by chiggers.

I am so in love with my baby girl. My love just grows for her every day and I hardly want to put her down. Rather than looking forward to her being in a big crib and sleeping in SC's room with her, I love that she is still in a cradle next to her bed and that I can hear her breathe all night long. I can't believe we almost didn't have her. I can't help but play the Tom Petty line over and over in my head, "I can only thank God it was not too late. I can only thank God it was not too late." And then I pray that He will protect her and never take her from me.