Mary Cate, one month

Mary Cate is now weighing in at 9 lbs., 8 oz. and is 22.5 inches long, though Dr. Luginbill says the nurse measures long. :) She smiles regularly and "talks" to us when she's in a happy mood. She loves to be held and likes to be outside looking up into the trees. All the other kids are great at calming her down and entertaining her.

There's a sweet story behind the little pink teddy bear ("Betty Bear") in the picture above. This summer, I was a presenter at a weeklong curriculum training/conference. It was my first time presenting, and I was working with very experienced and amazing teachers. In the days leading up to it, I worked endlessly to prepare. But by Sunday I was in a near-panic, wanting so much to do right by the participants and my co-presenter. I just prayed that I could play to my strengths and share the things I'd learned over the past few years.

The week was intense but amazing--I learned a lot and we had a great group of teachers. On the last day, one of the participants presented me with this bear (I was 7 months pregnant). She told me that while she was on the plane Sunday heading to East Lansing, she decided to do some crocheting but couldn't decide what to make. She felt the Lord was telling her to make a pink teddy bear. So she did, though she didn't know anyone who needed a pink teddy bear. When she met me and found out I was going to have a girl, she said she knew it was for me and that God wanted to bless me in a special way. And it was such a blessing! I will treasure this bear and remember how God remembered me and Mary Cate that week.