Aida's 3 Month Pictures and More

It's hard to believe that our Aida bear was 3 months old yesterday!  I love that her "birthday" fell on Valentines day :)  Almost daily over the last year, since learning I was pregnant, the words of David in Psalm 139:14 have come to mind, 

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."  

I am so thankful that Aida has been created with special intent and love by our Creator!  The sweet spirit, funny and playful personality that flow out of her daily in new ways are such a blessing to Peter and I.  It is a powerful and constant reminder that we serve a great God that is intimately involved and sovereign over each and every one of His creations, no matter how small.  

As new parents, we have been given abundant grace and mercy over the last 3 months. In that short span of time, we have gone from knowing(basically) NOTHING to having the insight and skill to care for and sustain another person - wow!  We have learned to flex in new ways and make major adjustments to daily life as we knew it. 

When I reflect on how vast those changes have been, I clearly see how great grace is! There is no way the last three months would have been filled with such (relative) ease and joy, if it had not been for the Lord graciously leading us through each day. Now, that's not to say it's been perfect.  We have each had our share of frustrations...I will admit to a few "meltdowns" on my part.  But comparatively, those times have been few and fleeting.  Here are just a few evidences of said grace, my "Ebeneezer's" for the first three months of Aida's life:

- a baby who typically only cries for a legitimate need (sleep, food or some type of physical discomfort); is a very decent sleeper for the most part - bad nights are the exception rather than the norm; is healthy and happy.

- a husband who was instantly a wonderful, very hands-on father; is exceedingly patient; was equipped with much more practical "baby knowledge" than me.

- supportive, loving, wonderful family and friends who have spent countless hours supporting, loving and encouraging all of us though time, travel, fun mail, food, gifts, prayer etc.

- a church body that loves Christ, his Word and his people through excellent teaching and ministry .

Here are a few photos from Aida's three month "shoot" :)