Diana Kay

Diana Kay joined our family on Friday, June 15th at 6:49pm. She weighed 6 lbs 15oz and is 20 inches long. Her name has special meaning to us. When I was 18, I went to Ecuador and volunteered at orphanages there. The main orphanage had 20-30 babies and toddlers that I took care of 24-7. Being with those loving, precious, beautiful children took the seed of desire for motherhood and nourished it to where I knew that one of my greatest desires was to be a mother and give my love and heart to such precious little ones. I was completely overwhelmed with their needs, but one of the greatest lessons I learned was that as I served these children and prayed for help, my heart and abilities expanded to give more and more. The Lord truly loves each of those children with an overwhelming love and I felt so blessed to be a part of showing that love. One of the first big experiences I had in Ecuador was the adoption of one of the little girls. She was our best walker and had big brown eyes and dark hair that curled just above her shoulders. Her stomach was big because of the poor nutrition provided and she had this beautiful and innocent sweetness to her. I can remember how overwhelmingly happy I felt when she was adopted- that she would have a family to love her with an individuality we couldn't provide for her. The memory of the Ecuadorian girl Diana and the other children reminds me of how loved we are by our Heavenly Father and how precious each child is in His sight. My own little Diana- whose name means 'divine, perfect or luminous'- is a sweet and beautiful daughter of God and we treasure her.  Her middle name, Kay, is shared by her sweet and loving great grandmother Marilyn Kay Davies. a woman of faith and service whose life is a blessing to all around her. I look forward to sharing with her my tender experiences and what a special heritage her name has.

Diana was induced and everything went just fine! Interestingly, I had Diana in the same L&D room as I had Michael and Jacob in. Crazy! It was a busy day at the hospital so we ended up having 7 nurses by the time we were done. I also had to be on antibiotics for 4 hrs before they'd start the induction since I have quick labors, so we didn't get started really until 2pm. Fortunately, everything progressed plenty fast. The doctor did barely get ready for when she was born, but hey, I'd warned him! :-) One push and voila- the amazing miracle of birth! Diana had the cord around her neck once, but the doctor took care of things quickly and she was totally fine. Seeing her for the first time after such a LONG wait was beyond words- such joy and love for the darling curious bundle in my arms.

The kids came to visit the next morning and it was quite the experience. As they walked in the door, Michael burst through asking me "Did it hatch mom? It hatched?" I was a little speechless at how to answer since I was trying to imagine how in the world he thought the hospital process worked (a room full of nests for expecting moms to sit on their eggs?). Jacob said 'baby baby' a few times and then went straight for buttons, emergency cords, etc. Nicole couldn't wait to hold Diana and although she was half terrified that Diana might cry (which is a full out girly scream- none of that little mewling cry), she rocked and patted Diana and told us to be quiet and then said "Mom, look I rocked her to sleep!" Her face was lighted with joy, it was really special to share that love for Diana with her. Although I had told the kids my tummy would slowly get smaller, Michael still asked the age old question asked by toddlers, "Are there more babies in there?" And Nicole, who wasn't quite sure what to think of the hospital nursing gown, told me she didn't think my dress was modest. Again I had to giggle thinking of her imagining me going to church in the billowing blue cloth. I assured her it was just for the hospital and not a Sunday dress. The kids have all kept asking to hold her and although they're still figuring out just what a baby is like, they've all been sweet and accepting. Although personality takes time to develop, there is a definite difference in Diana in her lung capacity. I have never heard a newborn with such volume or such girly crying and shrieking. The pediatrician says she is a fourth child that will certainly not be ignored :-) Welcome to the world our little angel Diana Kay!