A 'Quick' Delivery

We are once again overwhelmed by God's grace to bless us with another healthy child. On Saturday morning, December 27th at 6:01am, Amelia Kay was born. We had been cared for in Greensboro by a doctor's office that worked with women desiring to attempt a regular birth after a c-section. Since Samuel was an emergency c-section in Japan, and I had no post-operatoin reports, they have been wonderful to work with us. Throughout the pregnancy the doctors monitored various things and said that we should be good to go to attempt a regular birth again. David and I tried to prepare better this time also. We left for Japan at 15 weeks pregnant with Samuel and were unable to take a birthing/child care class. The hospital offered these so we spent six weeks preparing for an all natural birth. 

On Saturday morning, December 27th at about 1am I had my first contraction with her. Then another and another every 10 minutes. I had similar ones with Samuel in the evenings for three days leading up to his birth and my water broke with him before the real contractions started, so I honestly didn't think this was the real thing. They wouldn't stop so I tried resting in between contractions, walking, various positions and a bath. I woke David up around 3:30am and he looked at my chart and said these are 3-4 minutes apart, we need to go to the hospital now!! David's mom came over to be with Samuel and we left for the Greensboro women's hospital which is about a 40 minute drive. We got checked in a little after 5am, I was at 9cm and they rushed me to a delivery room. After only 30-40 minutes of pushing, she was born at 6:01am. She actually came out waving with her hand on the side of her head.

We are truly thankful for the Lords hand of protection on us as we labored through and were successful at having an all natural birth after a c-section. Amelia was 7 lbs13 oz and 21 inches long. She was slightly smaller than Samuel which I'm very thankful for. This birth experience was so different than Samuel's. It was amazing to be able to see her, hear her, and hold her instantly. I didn't see Samuel until he was 3 days old, and then it was only for a couple of hours each afternoon during visiting hours in the NICU, until he came home at a week old. We are enjoying the experience of having Amelia from day one!! 

My recovery has been a drastic change, like day and night. I feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. This birth experience has been a dream come true for me, and something I've wondered about since the birth of Samuel. The Lord took care of us. We both were released on Monday, December 29 after lunch and were thrilled to be reunited wih Samuel. He doesn't seem to know what to make of her. The other night I sat on the couch next to him and tried to show her to him. He looked at her and scooted to the other end of the couch. But he's so sweet when she starts to cry in the swing. He will sit down in front of her and sort of 'talk' to her. He even 'kissed' her good night once.

We are truly thankful as 2014 comes to end. God has blessed and provided for our family.We are looking forward to 2015 as we continue to raise support for Japan and prepare for language school. We don't know what 2015 holds for us but we know who does and He will take care of us.

Please enjoy some pictures:

A few hours after delivery

Snuggles with Dad

Going Home

A few days old

At home!!

Psalms 127:3 - "Children are heritage from The Lord, offspring a reward from Him"

Amelia Kay

 A post coming soon about her birth.

        Happy New Year!!!

Back in America!!

I know it's a little late, but we've been traveling and time has just flown bye. We returned to the US on the evening of Monday, July 28th. We reported to our mission agency (Fellowship International Mission) the following week and have been visiting family as well as supporters. It has been wonderful to see and visit people in person. We are back in NC getting settled, and getting back into our home church, First Christian Church of Ramsuer. We are in the process of reconnecting with our prayer and financial supporters as well as looking for new churches and individuals to partner with us as we want to return to Japan. 

We will still send out email and newsletter updates with our progress and time spent here in America. We will also be updating our blog with life updates and pictures of our time in America. 

Hayride at the Cook Farm

Two Cooks: Plus Two

Two Cooks: Plus Two: That's right one more little 'cook' is on the way. We couldn't be happier to have had Samuel and now to be blessed with another child, we are overflowing with joy and excitement. We found out on Good Friday, April 18. We've been keeping this secret for quite some time. We had thought about telling family on Mother's Day because we told them on Father's Day last time, but for no particular reason, except that we wanted to surprise family, we decided to tell them when we returned to America. We knew we would be almost half way through the pregnancy, but I didn't really begin to show until 20-25 weeks last time anyway so I knew I could hide any baby bump until then!!

We are expecting a little girl around December 28, 2014. Last time Samuel was a few days late, so we could even be looking at January 2015. Either way Christmas and New Year's just got a little more exciting for us :)