Emma Grace is 8!!!

Today is Emma's 8th Birthday. Wow...the time has flown by! I just can't believe it's been 8 years since I held my first daughter for the very first time. What a gift she has been to me. Emma has challenged me in ways that no one else can, she has touched my heart in places only she can, and she has brought me to tears more times than I can count with her own tears, sweet words, or prayers. She is feisty, fun, loving, ornery, compassionate, funny, sweet, and incredibly tenderhearted. She loves all things 'animal' and especially loves baby animals. Littlest Pet Shop toys must have been created with Emma in mind...she LOVES them! :) Emma is a little prayer warrior. She makes me very proud!

Today started with Upward basketball games followed by our traditional Chocolate Chip Pancake breakfast then presents. This afternoon we went ice-skating (no, I didn't skate - I sat at the window holding the baby and watched though:) which is one of Emma's very favorite things to do! In fact, Nona & Poppy gave her 8 weeks of ice-skating lessons for her birthday present! Emma's friend MacKenzie went ice-skating with us and is spending the night tonight. They are currently watching a movie before bed. It's been a fun day of celebrating Emma by doing the things she loves to do!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, EMMA GRACE! You make your mama's heart happy. I love you to pieces!!!

Sophia Bliss Curry

Baby Sophia has arrived! Sophia Bliss was born into her Daddy's hands at 6:51pm on Saturday, January 21st 2012 surrounded by loved ones!

Labor started at 2:16am and was off and on all day.
I had my usual 'labor crowd' here at the house all day entertaining me, taking care of me, and encouraging me...I am so blessed to have so many people that love me and want to be a part of my children's lives...starting the moment they are born. :)

Late in the afternoon (maybe 4:30ish?) my contractions gained momentum and got closer together and by 6ish I was ready to be done. I only had about 5 total pushing contractions before Sophia was delivered - AWESOME!

She weighed 6'7 and was 18 3/4 inches long. Almost 2 lbs less than Maggie! She seems so tiny to me. Since Saturday we have been showered with gifts, meals, visits, and encouragement from many friends and family. I just can't say enough about how blessed I am to have such an amazing family as well as so many wonderful friends who truly live out Christ's love by caring for those around them...namely me. None of my children should ever be able to question whether or not they are loved. :)

What a great week it has been loving on our new sweet baby girl. And so far she is so easy. Sophia is already sleeping for 3-4 hour stretches at night in her bassinet and allowing me to rest well. Her siblings adore her! Maggie loves her although she has seemed to be a little ticked at Brett & I...today has been a little bit better so maybe she's getting over it. :) We are just so excited about God's plans for our family!

In other news...on Monday we bought our very first Suburban! I say first because I seriously doubt it will be our last. :) It is currently having new tires installed and being inspected...we are hoping to be able to pick it up sometime this weekend. Exciting!

I've been meaning to post this blog all week and just couldn't seem to put sweet Sophie down long enough to come down to my computer. This morning I realized that it had to be done today because tomorrow is Emma's 8th Birthday and I will want to post all about her! So stay tuned for more tomorrow!!!

P.S. - Sorry for the weird layout...I am still learning all the ins and outs of blogging...well, actually working a computer in general. I'm not very tech savvy. :)