4 weeks old

9 lbs, 20 7/8 inches

And every bit girl!

Notice the receeding hairline...We noticed she had lost a bunch of hair up front after her last bath. Hopefully more will grow in soon! :)

with Uncle Sean

Napping with Papaw (Nick's dad)

Nick's brother Pat liked her "burrito style." She was less squirmy that way, he said.

With Mamaw and Papaw

Spiritual Growth, Part 2

2. Are you more and more loving?

"The mark of a Christian is love, especially love for other Christians. "Dear friends," urged the Apostle John, "let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God" (1 Jn. 4:7). If you are growing in love you are growing in grace....Can you recall recent instances of Christlike love in your life? Have there been occasions when you've sacrificed your own preferences, plans, or rights for those of others? These are mileposts on the journey in grace. Those stalled in selfishness are stuck spiritually."

Spiritual Growth, Part 1

This morning I pulled out an article that was given to us at the last ladies' meeting for the PC wives. The title of the article is "10 Questions to Ask to Make Sure You're Still Growing" by Donald Whitney. I thought I would take the next several days and put one question per day on here, as I found these very thought provoking. He prefaces the article with this:

"It's often hard to recognize spiritual advance over a week's time or maybe even a month's time. Trying to determine the progress of a soul is like looking at the growth of an oak- you can't actually see it growing at the moment, but you can compare it to where it was some time ago and see that there has indeed been growth. The following 10 questions can help you discern whether you are maturing spiritually. Use them to evaluate the past six to 12 months."

1. Are you more thirsty for God than ever before?

"The writer of Ps. 42:1 said, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." Have you been thirsting for God like that? Is He your passion? If so, your soul-thirst is a sign of soul-growth. Do you yearn to know Jesus Christ more and more intimately? In spite of all of his maturity in Christ, in spite of all he had seen and experienced, the Apostle Paul declared late in life, "I want to know Christ" (Phil. 3:10). What was he talking about? Didn't he alredy know Jesus better than most of us ever will? Of course he did. But the more he knew Jesus, the more he wanted to know Him. The more Paul progressed in spiritual strength, the more thirsty for God he became. Is your soul thirsty for the Lord? Do you long to see Him face to face? Like a deer thirsting for water are you thirsting to be filled and saturated with God? That's a sign of someone who's growing as a Christian."

to be continued...

PC Valentine's Banquet

On Sunday, we attended the Valentine's Banquet that Sovereign Grace puts on for the Pastor's College. The evening was wonderful! We had received very little information about the evening except that we were to meet at the church at 5:30. When we got there, they took our car for valet parking and ushered us into a "waiting area" for appetizers. When everyone was there, they took us out one couple at a time to a very fancy Lincoln and drove us around the other side of the building (we still had no idea even where this event was yet! The ride was very formal and secretive, with our driver using a walky-talky to give the status of "Lincoln 1," as our car was called. We approached the front of the building, and as the driver was saying "Lincoln 1 approaching escort, over" we were suddenly behind a cop car that turned on its lights and siren and pulled us up to a "red carpet" lined with a cheering crowd (the Pastor's College and Sovereign Grace staff and kids). It felt very much like I picture the real deal to feel...flashing cameras, people waving books for us to sign, as well as an announcer who introduced us as we were getting out of the car. It was so fun! When we got inside, they had set up the church lobby like a fancy lounge, complete with a fireplace. They took a formal picture of us (which we later received in a nice frame) and served everyone hors'd'vours on fancy platters. They set up tables in the next room over with beautiful decorations to complement our steak dinner. While we were eating there was a "cabaret" type show with different husbands and wives from the church singing love songs and acting out little skits. All in all, the evening was very fun and romantic. The evening served to remind me that even as consuming as having a baby can be, Nick and I are first a married couple.

May today be filled with romance, for all you married couples! Happy Valentine's Day!

1st Real Bath...She loved it! (look at that belly!)

This one is kind of blurry, but I thought it was really cute

Okay, I said I would never be a sucker for baby toys, but Kathryn really seems to like this one. I put it in her crib, and she looks at her reflection as she's falling asleep. I think she can really see herself, because her eyes seem to focus on it.

Portrait Shots

These were taken when she was 1 week old. I'm really amazed at how quickly she is changing...she has almost outgrown newborn diapers! And clothes that she was swimming in last week seem to fit better this week. Although I'm not really dreading change, I really am enjoying every bit of her tinyness because I know it won't last long.

"Hey, Who are you lookin' at?"

Sleepy Girl

Daddy's Girl

"I have a sneeking suspicion that you're about to change my diaper!"

A long night...

I knew it would probably come eventually- that is, a night of no sleep. Well, last night little Kathryn didn't go to sleep until 4 am. After a week and a half of pretty predictable waking once a night to nurse, we were a little thrown for a loop as to what to do. What a good opportunity to receive grace from the Lord (something I'm seeing in retrospect...I was not quick to say that last night in my bleary-eyed state of emotions.) I think she has been going through a little growth spurt the last few days, as attested to the fact that she weighed 7 lbs 7 oz. at the doctors today! Up from 6 lbs. 12 oz. in a week! A night like last night is a good reminder that I don't have everything under control, and that's ok. As it turned out, she ended up falling asleep laying on me on the couch, so even if I didn't get much sleep over the night, I got some good cuddle time (and eventually I fell asleep too). Thus begins the long-term process of laying down my life for my little one (and ones to come!) I think a night with little sleep proved to show how selfish I am, and it is a good reminder to look to the Lord for strength. And even though it was hard in the moment to be almost asleep and having her start crying several times, the neat thing is that it really doesn't seem like that much of a sacrifice. I would not trade a day away of having the new responsibility of caring for our daughter. Maybe that's God's way of lavishing grace on new moms? :)

What's in a name?

We orginally thought that Kathryn would go by Kate, but now that she's here, we're thinking we really do like her full name. So the verdict is still out. (Actually around here she's called "sweetie," "Pumpkin pie," and "Peanut" more than anything else!) So for now I think we'll stick with Kathryn.

More Pictures

She LOVES being snuggled!

Napping with Daddy

Budding Opera Star?

1st bath... She loved the warm water

Not a Happy Camper!

Naked Shot!