An Early Arrival...

Well everyone... I got my wish. Baby Sophia Elyse Ross was born yesterday morning at 8:53AM. Pretty unexpected and crazy... Here are the stats:

Sophia Elyse Ross
Born Sunday, June 29th, 8:53AM
6 lbs 12 oz.
19 1/4 long

(Almost identical to Wyndham's... so funny)

4:15AM: Labor began... thought I just had to go to the bathroom
6AM: Got out of bed to pack and tell Randy- pain getting more intense very quickly
7AM: Neighbors arrive to stay with Wyndham
7:15AM: Try to figure out why I can't find any clean underwear to pack and worry that I can't say bye to Wyndham before we leave
7:20AM: Neighbor and loving friends kindly kick us out of the house as I continue to have contractions every 2 minutes
7:25AM: Leave for the hospital
7:26AM: Realize that our car is below E on gas...
7:27&AM: Scream/cry and pray aloud that God will get us to the hospital before we A: Run out of gas and B: Have the baby in the car
8AM: Screech into the ER in Canton and fall into a wheelchair
8:15AM: Arrive in the birthing unit
8:53AM: Sophia is born

Sophie was here at 8:53AM... needless to say, Randy almost had to tap into his Grey's Anatomy skills halfway to the hospital. The unfortunate thing was that because I so far into active labor when I arrived, they weren't able to give me any kind of medication for the pain. Yeah- my worst nightmare. Sure, sure, I had aspirations to have a natural birth...a long time ago...before I had Wyndham. When you are doubled over in the worst pain and the only thing left to do is push a child into the world, you feel a little trapped and without options though. Thankfully, God gave me the strength and Sophia was born healthy, alert and content.

She looks a lot like Wyndham did when she was a newborn. Fuzzy brown hair, cute pouty lips and very alert to her surroundings. As with all newborns, she looks like a cute little old man which I love. She just needs a plaid vest, a derby hat, corduroy pantaloons and a pipe:) Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

Blogs, Bobs, Babies and Big Decisions

So... if you haven't noticed... It's been awhile since my last blog post. There are a few reasons for this, the main one being that we haven't had the internet until yesterday, and the second being, it's been a difficult time for our family...

Let me begin with lighter fair- Wyndham's hair:) After years of being bald, her hair has finally grown in thick and afro-like (thank you Wood/Ross genes). I have been diligently helping the growing out of the bangs process along this past year, and we've finally reached a corner!

During a recent visit to my parents in MI, we took her to a cute little kids salon called, "Clippers". It is owned by someone I know from Reeths-Puffer, and it is a great place for kids cuts. Anyway, Wyn finally got her first "big girl" haircut... And by big girl haircut, I mean, she actually looks like a KID as opposed to a toddler. I found the video camera last night (in prep for baby #2), and we watched old moves from the past 3 years. I cannot believe how much she has changed over these past 3 years. It is quite amazing. She has gone from baby blob, to mullet girl, and now to this beautiful china doll with chubby cheeks, clear green eyes and long skinny legs. She is insightful, innocent, yet silly and devious all at the same time. She is our biggest accomplishment thus far... we are so thankful God has entrusted us with her.

Speaking of parenting, you can see from the side bar of the blog, we are days away from delivering Baby Sophia. This pregnancy has been such a different one for me as many of you know. I've suffered a lot of side effects I didn't have with Wyndham, and I hate to say it, but I've turned into a whiney pregnant person who just "wants to be done". Between hypoglycemia, mega vericose-veins, aches, pains, acid reflux, swollen ankles and general ickiness, I am ready to meet this little one!

The doctors had some concerns earlier (the placenta was in a dangerous position for a while, and then they discovered that she was breech for a while-- thankfully, both of those issues have changed!!), but now all seems well... on paper. I on the other hand hope that every little twinge is the beginning of labor:) I am savoring these days with Wyn as I know that life is about to change dramatically, but I cannot wait to add to our growing brood. Wyndham can't wait teach Sophie all kinds of things too...

(Please excuse side view... still can't figure out to rotate these things!)

On the future front, Randy and I have been all over the map (literally and figuratively) when it comes to what our next step in life will be. As many of you know, Randy resigned his pastoral position here in Ohio back in mid-April, which has sent our seeming "stability" into a chaotic and painful journey. God is faithful though, and we are certain that He has called us to the ministry. Now, it's just a matter of where we are to follow next....

Our two most promising possibilities at this point are West Michigan (resuming my former job and Randy pursuing ministry/teaching and seminary, and some opportunities in the Chicago area- also an epi-center of opportunity and grad programs for us both). It's been an interesting journey, trying to understand what it means to be "called" and also, what we value for our family as Christians. We are thankful for possibilities, though the heartache runs deep. We will never be the same, but we are growing and learning more about God each day. No one in the bible had or was promised an easy life. These lessons are hard, but every day is truly refining us into deeper followers of Christ.

Today, we celebrate 6 years of marriage... I can't believe how far God has brought us, and pray that we have the courage to keep following...

Stay tuned!!!