Happy Birthday Ivey - 4 Months and Counting......Blessings

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
As an individual I had a plan for my life. So far things have worked out according to my plan. The general outline was as follows, high school, college, and career, find right man, get married, have children, raise children, and grow old with husband. Along this path, the threads have weaved themselves into a fabric that has become the canvas for my life. Looking closer, the detail in the canvas is exquisite. A true masterpiece.

Today Ivey is 4 months old. I can’t help but wonder what her plans are in her own heart. And yet, what plan does the Lord have for Ivey?

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Ivey is full of wonder. She is a Gift from God, given a very special skill. She has the unique ability to touch the heart and soul of every person who whispers her name. She can unlock hearts that would never open under any other circumstance. She has the power to humble the most prideful of individuals. Ivey unlike others will be able to use the gifts God has given her for their divine purpose.

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17
Ivey is perfect. She is my baby girl. This week she weighed in at a whopping 7lb. 12oz. She is diligently pacing herself in all that she does. She is teaching me the joy in patience. In this past week alone, she has met a couple of her own milestone. We knew that Ivey’s milestones would be unique to her, not necessarily those of the average baby. This has been a topic of complete apprehension. Little did I know, her milestones would cause sheer joy throughout our household, they revel with the sight of seeing your first born take his first steps.

(At this point we have tossed all the books, What to Expect the First Year, etc. You know the books I’m talking about. We don’t even mention the comical “Growth Chart” that all children are plotted on and then scrutinized at Mother Outings.)

Ivey has been sleeping, lying on her back, with her hands thrown over her head in sheer comfort. Up until this point, her contractures and stiffness would not allow her arms to rest comfortably out-side the center of her body. She sucks on her fingers for comfort. Ivey is smiling full-size grins. She smiles when I say her name; sing to her, or when she hears her brothers. Ivey loves when Knox and Walker lay in the crib with her. She loves to play Pat-a-Cake and Row-Row-Your-Boat when we do physical therapy, more smiles. Ivey is tolerating a bottle in her mouth now. However, she will only take around 5cc from a bottle in one feeding. But it is all PROGRESS! My favorite milestone that she has finally met in the past few weeks, she stops crying when I pick her up. She and I have known one another since she was just a thought in my mind. Finally, she is letting me know she feels safe with me and that she knows I am her mom. In spite of her physical hardships, she is a very happy baby.

Ivey is a good and perfect gift from above. She is often labeled as a Special Needs Baby, and will probably have this label for the rest of her life. I think that is Great! She is special and she has needs not much different from any of ours. The difference between Ivey and me, she has the very SPECIAL ability to show all of us exactly what we NEED.

We know that In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Happy Birthday Ivey….4 Months and Counting….Blessings