Gabriella

So, this past Sunday, was Gabriella's debut and Baby Shower. Yes, I know a little odd to have the baby shower after the arrival of the child. But if you know my past pregnancy issues, I believe you would understand why this was decided by both Chris and myself. As a gift from Kelly Lowry, we got a journal for me to write in for Gabriella along with the attendees to write their wish/dream/hopes for Gabriella.
   I read them all and they all brought me to tears, I couldn't read them without crying. So I decided to let Gabriella know a little bit about the person who was writing their wish/dream/hope to her. I promise nothing negative was written because I'm not the kind of person to be negative. Upon completing that task, I started writing to Gabriella. I'm not sure how many of you know what Gabriella's name means. It's a Hebrew name and it means God's gift, to Chris and I both her and Joannie are truly God's gift to us. I was told when I was 24 years old to stop trying to have children because I'd never be able to have them for medical reasons. The doctor who told me this, I'd love to go back to and show him the error in his prognosis. Chris got tested before we got married to see if he could ever have children and well he was also told he would never be a father. I don't think I need to tell anyone that God's plans aren't what medical science dictates, but what His' will is. Needless to say, we didn't listen to our doctors, and we tried. Our first miracle, was Joannie surviving her twin's early miscarriage. The second miracle was Gabriella, her name only seemed fitting to both Chris and myself.
  I've told very few people, my only two desires for my children are to the following:
    1. For them to know that God and their parents love them unconditionally and abundantly.
    2. For them to know God, as their Lord and Savior, and to have a relationship with Him.
My children will always know they are loved, by my actions and how I talk about them. I've experience what is like to be loved unconditionally as a child and to be loved conditionally. I choose unconditional love because no matter what I do or what mistakes I make, I know I am loved.  I'm not perfect, I am far from perfect. I am a follower of Christ and I follow my Lord's examples.  I feel that while I am here on earth, I have been entrusted with the health, safety, and well being of my children here on earth. While I may make decisions that some may question regarding the health, safety, and welfare of my children know that these are my decisions to make as God's servant to these precious gifts that God has entrusted me with. My children are and will always be gifts from God to Chris and myself.  I hope that anyone reading this will see their children if they have any as God's gift also. God bless and keep you and yours!

A Mom Again

  For those of you who don't know, Chris and I recently became parents again to a beautiful baby girl. She reminds me a lot of my husband and my first daughter. Her complexion and facial features are all her daddy's, while her temperament thus far is so much my sweet little Joannie. Gabriella Christine Cormier, was born on the 21st of July via c-section. This was not the way I had envisioned having my second child, I had planned on having a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-Section), but unfortunately God or Gabriella had other plans. She was transverse breech which meant that a VBAC was no longer an option, while another C-Section was and would need to be scheduled.
  The first week of little G's life as we call her has been pretty eventful. First, not even 24 hours out of the hospital I ran a fever which wound up being due to me being engorged as we were trying to breast feed G but had to give it up due to me not producing enough milk. It had been roughly 8-12 hours since I had G on either one and well just say both G and I were doing well at it but I was unable to produce enough to keep her satisfied. She's on a really good schedule now and gaining weight as she should be, so we will be sticking to formula. No matter how much I wish I was able to breast feed, I found myself way too exhausted to even keep up with it. I know, the benefits for her is that my breast milk is the best, I just don't produce enough unfortunately. I did try, and Chris' Aunt told me that she was very proud of me and that some women just don't make enough. Chris also supports me in this decision, which was made when I was crying and trying to go to sleep and upset that I couldn't give my daughter the best thing for her.
   I know while not everyone may agree with me for the reason(s) I chose to give up breast feeding, in the end I had to do what was right for me and my sweet little miss G. She's sleeping on a better schedule, gaining the weight she should be gaining, and honestly seems to be happier this way. I even caught a glimpse of her laughing in her sleep this morning as she was laying next to Chris in our bed. Usually she sleeps in her own crib right next to our bed, but this morning Chris let her snuggle between the two of us. It was truly a sweet sight, if you're lucky you may even see these photos on Facebook.
   Little G truly is a blessing to all of us and she makes our family complete. I would not trade her for anything in the world. I often wondered when she did come out if I would love Joannie any more or less, I find the answer is no I love both my girls the same, as unconditionally as I possibly can.