22nd Day and Photo Interlude

Since Samuel and Anna were both born on a Saturday, I can roughly track what was happening in Samuel's life at Anna's age.  Today marks Samuel's downturn from which he never recovered.  We spent a terrifying (and yet strangely peaceful) couple of hours thinking that Samuel was dying on his 22nd day of life, and from this day until Samuel's death, Bryan and I didn't go home again but stayed at the hospital 24 hours a day.  In many ways, today in Anna's life marked the beginning of the end of Samuel's life.  I don't know if that makes any sense to read, but to me it's a significant day.  From this day forward in Samuel's life, I knew he was dying apart from an absolute miracle of God.  My days of hoping for a baby boy at home to love and care for came to an end, and I began to prepare myself for Samuel's death.  It's sad to me to think that my days of hoping for something in this life were already behind me.  When I look at Anna, I think of how her life has just begun.  I can't even imagine preparing myself to give her over to God.  I don't know how we did it with Samuel.  It was only by the grace of God.

Really I got on today to post a few fun pictures of the last week or so.  So here they are.  We are all clearly smitten with this little girl.  Later I will post some more adorable things her brothers have said.  I love this family so much!

My mom with our three kids on earth

Momma and Anna

Joel on the 4th of July.  He loves corn on the cob!

Me and Caleb on the 4th of July

Normally Anna is swaddled very tightly for naps, but sometimes when she's totally out, I put her down without the swaddling.  Today I came in to find her sleeping like this, and it cracked me up.

Bryan and Anna hanging out in the hallway

Daddy LOVES his little girl!

Caleb staring at Anna

Caleb entertaining Anna with his Cars 2 cars

Caleb driving cars on Anna :)  This makes me laugh every time I see it.  Only Caleb could gently drive cars on his sister's face!

Our Beauty  :)

Joel staring at Anna