Welcome Abygael!

On Monday, December 29th, Leigh and Dean went to the hospital at 5 am to be induced. Many hours later, Abygael Campbell Dean entered the world. She's a healthy 7 lbs 3 oz (so much for all those predictions that this was going to be a big baby) with the cutest mop of dark hair.

To Abygael: we can't wait to meet you and kiss you and introduce you to your sweet cousins. And to Leigh: aren't you still 15?? How can it be that you are married, working, and now a mother? Where did the time go? I wish more than anything that I was with you to hug you, hold Abygael, and talk through all the fears and questions I know you will have. But with a newborn myself, that will have to wait a while. Know that I am praying for you, Dean and Abygael. I pray for wisdom when she's not eating or sleeping well. I pray for patience when the crying seems to be too much. Perhaps most of all, I pray that you will soak up every bit of joy this new life will bring you. Remember that she is God's child, and He has entrusted her to you as a precious gift.

Well, my Anna is calling, so I must go for now. Until I can see you in person, I'll see you on Facebook.

Abygael Campbell Dean
12-29-08
7 lbs 3 oz
19 inches

Christmas with a 2 year old

So fun! I love how Holly starts handing out presents to Matt and me. Sweet girl.

Her rain boots are a little big, but all the more fun to stomp in...

Anna's Here! A month overdue announcement...

I owe an apology to my second-born. I promised I would not be the parent that takes fewer pictures of you or never gets around to making a scrapbook of your first months of life. I have failed to deliver on my promise - your bedroom (Holly's old room) still has pictures of Holly in the frames and some of her toys in the closet. And now one month has passed and I'm just getting around to posting an announcement of your arrival. But it is not for lack of love! Quite the opposite... it is out of pure love and devotion for you that moments spent holding you, rocking you, feeding you, and introducing you to life (crazy life!) with your precious sister take priority over pictures and scrapbooks. And even blog posts. I definitely want lots of pictures to record these first months and years, but we'll get to that. Right now, in these sleep-deprived and hazy days, I'm enjoying just enjoying you.

And my apologies to those of you who are just learning about Anna's birth! You must be wondering if she is a month overdue.

Anna Caroline Rife

November 19, 2008

8:08 pm

8 lbs 8 oz.

(I try to keep Facebook fairly updated with photos. If you're not on FB, you can check this link: http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2011456&l=df807&id=1171625296)