Thanksgiving

We are back from California visiting family for Thanksgiving.  Trips like this are so hard because you look so forward to seeing everyone, and before you know it the trip is over.  On Tuesday, we got into L.A. and were able to spend time with Emily and prepare for an "Open House" of sorts where much of my Dad's family came over for dinner, family time and games.  Apples to Apples is my favorite, and gets pretty interesting with a group that big!  But Ally and I proved that no matter how far apart we are, we still know each other as well as ever and have the same sense of humor--we guessed each others cards instinctively!  Wednesday the rain held up long enough for the boys to get 10 holes in while the girls got to take a look at the Wedding site '09.  Oh how lovely it is!  Everything is perfect for Emily--just her style.  We also got to take a look at the Flower Market:beautiful!  Then we were all off to Laguna to our hotel.  Here we met up with my mom, Pepper, and then my my mothers' side of the family.  Uncle Mel and his wife treated us to a lovely dinner!  PJ and I, not really adjusted to the time change woke up very early each morning.  Thanksgiving Day was a bit overcast, and we took a walk to the beach--there is something about the Ocean, makes you feel that you are at the edge of the world as PJ puts it!  We got back just as the down pour started, but by the time the tee times came around, it was clear and sunny; perfect as much of the crowds stayed away.  There we 20 some of us for dinner in a private room, and my mom had planned a surprise impromtu baby shower with the family, which was very neat as I hardly get to see them all.  Dinner was great and then was wrapped up with family VHS videos...oh boy!  Friday the boys golfed again, and the rest of us grabbed brunch on the ocean, it was spectacular.  Then we all walked to the beach and watched the tide come in and the waves pick up--humbling beauty.  We had more family games, and then were headed back to Pasadena where PJ and I were able to eat dinner on our own on Colorado Blvd (where the Rose Parade goes) and window shop!  Baby's first trip to California was great.  Everyone got to feel much movement and it was all of their first time seeing me pregnant; what a joy!  We sure did miss our little Madi!

First Visit

On Saturday, PJ and I were able to meet our niece Ellen!  She was laying on the couch when we arrived, and we instantly were in love.  Having this precious, innocent, miracle in our arms was an incredibly humbling experience.  Nothing else mattered--and it seemed that time stopped while we were there-not a care in the world for me.  Lynne and Todd are so good with her, and was great to be able to see.  She is so tiny, so dependent on her parents and I was in owe that all of us enter the world this way.  It made us so excited to meet our little angel baby!  Sunday, PJ and I embarked on the task of consolidating to one closet so the baby has a closet, and it is really nice to have that done!  We have a set of onesies, and a ducky robe and slippers hanging in the closet so far.  We also have 2 handmade blankets made for PJ and his sister as well as the outfit that PJ and Lynne came home from the hospital in, so tiny!  Today was our 25 weeks Dr. appt, and everything is normal!  Baby's heartbeat was 150, and I just love hearing it.  They gave me a copy of all my medical records so that we will have everything we may need while on our trip to California.  We leave a week from yesterday, and I honestly can't wait!

New Arrival!

Ellen Katherine Cassidy was born just a couple of hours ago!  See her picture below--she is adorable!

11/11

Because we are pregnant again--and past 12 weeks, I haven't thought much about the  miscarriage(except the added worrying that something might happen again, and how neat it will be to see that baby someday in heaven)--until last night.  Today, 11/11, was the due date.  My sister and I talked about how neat that date was!  Well, here we are.  I had so many questions of why God let us get pregnant for it to end in miscarriage--and especially when Lynne, PJ's sister was due about the same time.  I think we may have our answer.  Lynne's water broke last night, and may have Ellen Katherine on 11/11.  Now we will never know when, if we carried to term, that baby would have come--but that sure would have been crazy!  I clung to two verses during that time that I read over and over: Philipians 4:8-9 &13 and Psalm 62:6-8, and as I re-read these tonight, I see how when in despair we cling to our rock and salvation-for he gives us strength & boy does he ever for I would not have been able to go through that alone.  The Lord does work in mysterious ways.  We wouldn't be pregnant with this gift had we still been pregnant with the first--so I am thankful everyday for this pregnancy and all the wonderful moments it brings.  

I pray for Lynne and he labor tongiht , and can't wait for the news that little Ellen has entered the world and is in the loving arms of her parents!

Surprise! Happy Birthday!

Oh, this weekend was so fun!  It was Carolyn and Marcy's, my mother-in-law and their best family friend, surprise Birthday dinner.  The six "kids" showed up to the restaurant early and then the 2 couples came.  The moms thought it was a romantic dinner for four by the lake, and to their surprise---it was for 10!  We had a wonderful time of laughter and fun!  Then the women beat the men in Pictionary--a family tradition!  Today (sunday), we had a nice breakfast, and both Paul and Carolyn got to feel baby kick.  They were surprised at how much baby really does move!  I can't wait for our trip to California so that my mom, sis, and dad-and the rest of the family-can feel baby too, and see the baby bump!

Friday was Halloween, so instead a Friday night fish fry, PJ and I went on a date on Thursday night.  It was so wonderful, and we promised to not talk about anything baby.  It was very nice to catch up in this way--we had so much fun!  We are going to try to make this a tradition.

Friday was fun handing out candy to the cute little trick-or-treators!  Two little kids came up, and looked about the same age.  I asked if they were twins, and the woman answered, no they are cousins 6 months apart.  I got a huge smile I am sure, as I could picture Ellen, and our baby, cousins--4 months apart, they will have such fond memories.