Feeling Good!

I wanted to post a final update on Claire's health. We saw the doctor on Friday, and she said that Claire had recovered wonderfully. In fact, Claire has been sleeping, eating and playing incredibly well. It's been great to get back to our everyday adventures.

We even gussied up our new wagon and enjoyed a walk to the park.

Health Update

Hello everyone! I wanted to take a moment to update you on Claire's health. She's doing much better. She still has a low fever and has been sleeping quite a bit, but it seems her smile says it all. She is certainly on the mend. She was up and walking a bit today, playing with some of her favorite toys. She's still quite weak, so she'll take a few steps and then her legs give out. But she always gets right back up again. She is also eating a bit, which is encouraging. Slowly, she's getting stronger.

Joe and I were reminiscing last night about Claire's birth. It, too, was a scary situation as she was five weeks early and there were some complications during the delivery that put her at serious risk. I remember as Joe and I waited to go into the delivery room, we prayed over our unborn baby and sang to her "T'his Little Light of Mine". We didn't know her name, or even that she was a little girl, but we loved her so much. And last night, as we held her in the hospital, once again, we prayed over her and sang "This Little Light of Mine". It was a special moment that was a wonderful reminder of the gift God has given us to know and love this little girl.

Thank you to everyone who said a prayer on Claire's behalf. Thank you for your care and concern. It's greatly appreciated. I'm certain she'll be up and about, tearing through the cupboards again in no time :)

We love you all!

Seizures are Scary

It's 10:30 p.m. and Claire is tucked safely in bed -- something I have taken for granted. I'm so grateful to have my baby girl home and healthy. Joe and I agree, tonight was the scariest night of our lives. Claire has had a fever the last couple days, but as I sat and rocked her this evening, she started shaking, her eyes rolled back into her head, and she wasn't responding to me. I shouted for Joe, and we quickly gathered what we needed and headed to the car. We didn't know what to do, but we knew we needed to get to the hospital. At this point, though, Claire started turning blue and frothing deep in her throat, so I called 911. Within a few minutes a fire truck pulled up to our house and an ambulance came to take us to the hospital. They reassured us that she would be fine. She was suffering from a Febrile Seizure. In their words, her body was "rebooting" as a way of dealing with the fever. After checking her out at the hospital, the doctor felt it was a virus which caused the fever, and that she should recover quickly with no residual effects. While she was scared and confused for a while, it wasn't long after we got home that she perked right up and was even laughing again. A sound so sweet to a parent's ears.

Showing off my new teddy from the nice firemen and my comfy gown from the hospital.

I'll even do a one-armed "so big" for daddy!

Thank you, Lord, for our beautiful baby. Thank you for health and happiness. Thank you for giving us peace when we're scared and for watching over us when we're in danger.

Amen.

John Ball Zoo

Dad, Mom and I spent the morning at the Zoo with Uncle Mike, Aunt Laura and cousins Sylvia, Gracie and Andrew.

We had a great time...

and saw a lot of animals. Including...

Bears

[Sylvia, Gracie and Andrew watched them closely]

Birds

[I wasn't too sure about them]

Wallabies
[Aunt Laura and Mom liked how the Joey sat in the mommy's pounch]

BIG Monkeys

and Pink Flamingos

[Notice the Classic Haverdink Stance]

If you would ask my Daddy, though, he would tell you I spent most the morning, not admiring the animals, but exploring cool things like long hallways to walk and fun steps to climb.

Now this is what I call a good time!

Anniversary Adventure

Last week, Joe and I (Jen) celebrated 3 years of marriage, and to celebrate, Joe arranged for us to go sailing in Grand Haven. It was something he had surprised me with on our first anniversary, but being newly pregnant with Claire, it just didn't work out. So two years later, here we are! Ready and excited for our sailing advenure.

This is the boat we went out on - a 63' schooner.

Still in love :)

Fun on the 4th

Happy Birthday America!

Aunt Linda ("Nash") and I had fun in the water at

the Nash family gathering on Sunday.

A lot of fun!

Avery and I enjoyed the sprinkler beach ball.

Monday was also fun at Grandpa & Grandma Sternberg's house, but as you can see, too much fun makes a girl feel sleepy.

Made For Me

Mommy made these matching dresses for me and my baby.