The McCarty Family

The Mother's Day after I miscarried our first pregnancy, my heart was heavy wondering if I would have the priviledge of being a mother. Up until that point I had understood very little about the longing that a woman knows if she desires to be a mother and cannot be. That year I had a glimpse into that sorrow.

I was in LA for a cross-cultural counseling class where we attended church Sunday morning at FAME (First African Methodist Episcopal Church). A beautiful message was preached about the mothering qualities of God reflected in a woman that are epressed in a multitude of ways by all women, whether or not you have biological children. After the service, I was warmly greeted by men and women of all ages who hugged me and said, "Happy Mother's Day." Each and every woman was. It was beautiful. God's loving kindness expressed to me once more.

It has been three years and I know that this gift of two beautiful girls is very precious. I think about that day every Mother's Day, knowing that my life is richer for having experienced it. Reminded also of the ways that we as women can "mother" in so many ways and to so many people in our lives.

Aunt Aly and Grandma Julie came to visit for a couple of days after Natalie was born. They took Noelle to do some fun things which gave me some good time alone with Natalie. It was really nice to have some time with them and I was surprised that I felt coherent and able to actually enjoy visiting. Thanks for visiting you two!

Ryan has been such a huge help. This first week has gone really smoothly. I couldn't imagine if I was on my own. Noelle and Ryan have adventured all around town. It's amazing how much calmer we are with a second baby but of course you have the challenge of a toddler in the mix that keeps you on your toes :).

Natalie Kelly McCarty
Born at Hoag Hospital Newport Beach
9:10 am
7.7 lbs
20 inches

We are so overjoyed at her arrival and love having her here in our arms. The labor and delivery really could not have gone better. Our thanks to God after concern along the way. The nurse actually commented, "your body was made to do this" which was so nice after months of thinking the opposite.

Natalie is just the sweetest little thing and has been doing excellent. I'm feeling really good, just tired of course :). Noelle is so excited about baby sister.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support! She's a beautiful gift from God.

Here are the pictures many of you have been waiting for!

We decided to move Noelle into a new room and put baby sister in her old room, using all of the baby stuff. Noelle's not ready (or at least I'm not) to move into her big girl bed yet so we moved the crib into the room and baby sister will sleep in a bassinet for a while. Noelle really likes her new room so I thought I would show you all some pictures of it.

I didn't want anyone to think that we had forgotten to contact you about the baby being born. She just hasn't come yet. With all of the contractions that I had throughout the pregnancy there was concern of her coming early but it is obvious now that they were not something to worry about. Even though they are still coming frequently and much stronger now, they are not putting me into labor. I am now less than a week from my due date. We'll keep you all posted! We can't wait to meet her!