Sophie-Girl is here!

Sophie Gwen Draper

March 5, 2012

7lb 1oz, 7:25 a.m.

Sophie is sure the joy of our lives right now. She came a few weeks early but was as fit as a fiddle from day one. Everything went swimmingly with the labor and delivery, except for the part near the end when I thought I was going to die. But that part only lasted about 2 or 3 minutes, plus, I didn't really die, so all is well. Truly, with this baby, we have been very blessed. I have felt excellent and ready to walk and move around from the moment she was born. It really has been the best birth, as far as recovery and what-not. 

Sophie is our little piece of Heaven on earth and all the kids are thrilled to have a little baby sister around. Daniel was a bit skeptical at  first but has gotten to love her and treasure her as we all do. She is so fun to hold and I try to at least 24 hours a day. I can barely even let her go so Christijan may hold her. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE newborn babies! They are so precious and lovely and tiny and perfect. My thoughts go out to all newborn babies and I pray in my heart that every one is loved and cherished and treated kindly.  I know the world isn't quite like that, but I pray for all babies to be loved and I pray especially hard for those who are not quite as treasured or adored. 

 Thank heaven for Mom's! She was able to come and carry us through the first week after Sophie was born. Our little sweetheart came about 2 weeks early. The week that she showed up, we had a program or event every night! Honestly, I do not know what we would have done without Mom here. Matthew had a choir performance, Aurora had a story performance at a Storytelling Festival, and Thomas had his kindergarten program. Mom cooked all the meals, did all the dishes, did all the grocery shopping, laundered our dirty clothes and played with the other 4 kids the whole time. I had to take Sophie to get tested for Biliruben every day after she was born, for almost a week so Mom stayed with Daniel so I could get the doctor stuff taken care of with little hassle. She truly saved us. It was very fun having her stay with us and Daniel and Thomas miss her terribly, as do I. Thank you so much, MOM!

Now, we're slowly settling into our new life with 7 family members. Life is just great, with our little ups and downs, and we are very happy we know a little of the great Plan of Happiness our Heavenly Father has set in place. It's great to know there is such a lofty goal to work towards and that families can be together forever, if they work hard and try to follow God's will. I will include several darling photos of our Sophie-girl now. The first is of her 2nd day on this earth. She is taking a sun bath to try and rid her little body of that darn biliruben. She has yet to grow into her skin and she is so cute. Enjoy and hope her cute face brings a smile to yours as it does to mine. 

 Her first Family Home Evening. 

 Sophie's brave older brother, the "Knight of the Woeful Countenance".

 First bath. Loved it!

 Oh, my goodness! What a doll!