Welcome Home Baby Girl

Ready to leave the hospital

Very excited brother and sister

poor Anna getting squished by the welcoming committee

The whole family at home

Meeting the Family

We are so excited to welcome Anna to the family!

Spending time with Mommy and Daddy

Excited big Sister Catherine and big brother Will

Family of 5!

Sleeping with Daddy--we teach our kids to take naps early

Welcome Anna Frances!

Anna Frances Hatten was born on Saturday, 3/27/10 at 4:55am, weighing 9lbs 5oz and 21 inches long.

What a big beautiful baby!

I'll post more about the actual birth and related events later...just wanted to get a few pics posted.

Every Day is One Day Closer....

We're getting closer and closer to time for baby #3 to arrive. I have finished putting the nursery back together for an infant--raised the crib mattress, pulled out newborn onesies, washed blankets and burp cloths, etc. It really has been nice having so many gender neutral things to use for each baby. There really has been very little to get to be ready for the new baby. So your nursery is ready, little one. Feel free to come whenever you want!

People ask me almost daily how I'm feeling. Some days are better than others, but the truth is that I'm tired, sore, uncomfortable, and feel enormous. Some days I can overlook most of these things. Some days I focus on them too much. Yesterday was one of those days. I didn't feel very well and decided at times to have a little pity party for myself. Oh, how deep are my idols of comfort, pride, and selfishness and how quickly Satan can bring them to the surface.

But God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love with me. He gently reminded me to "fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross"---my level of discomfort is nothing compared to what Jesus endured on the cross. So focus on that Betsy, just focus on that. It's hard to complain when you're thinking of your King who was crucified for you.

And remember, Betsy, it is such a blessing to have these children. They are gifts from God. There are many people in the world who would love to have a 4 yr old, 2 yr old, and be pregnant. Count your blessings, Betsy, count your blessings.

I'm convinced that these are some of the reasons God has called me to go through pregnancies and be a mother. He uses it to reveal my sinfulness, my selfishness, my idols. He uses it for my good and His glory. He reminds me to consider it joy to face many trials so that I can develop perseverance and may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

So how am I feeling? Humbled, really. And in love with my King who counts me worthy of his grace and mercy.

Celebrating Baby

I've had lots of fun celebrating Baby #3 with friends the past few days.

My Mentor Mom Bible study group took me out for dessert to Brick Street Cafe last Thursday for a diaper and dessert shower. It was great to have some time to relax and talk with everyone and I really appreciate all the diapers!

Then last night (Tuesday) some girls from our Sunday School class braved the crazy weather and went to Coffee Underground to celebrate with my friend Laura and me. They were very generous and gave us some diapers and a gift card to Babies R Us. We love having reasons to celebrate!

Laura (due March 24) with baby boy Harper and me (due April 4) with baby ?--we're still working on the name thing.

A few more snow pics

A few more pics from our winter wonderland:

I thought this pic of them walking together was really sweet

Attempting to sled in the driveway, but a Rubbermaid lid was all we could find for our "sled" and surprisingly, it didn't work that well.

Will doesn't love the snow as much as Catherine. After about 30-45 minutes, he was cold and wet and totally over the whole thing! Catherine was having a blast though, so Mommy took Will inside while Daddy stayed out and played with Catherine.

Snow!!

We got about 3 inches of snow last night. It's that really nice powdery snow (much better than the ice we usually get). We took the kids out this morning to play in the snow.

All bundled up and ready to play

Making snow angels with Daddy

Playing on the fort in the woods

Will's favorite snow activity: eating it

We had lots of fun and now we're watching the snow melt.