Whirlwind

This past month has been a whirlwind to say the least!  After my parents visit, we headed up north for a quick trip.  Our first stop was by my parents place and to Plymouth Wesleyan where Riley was dedicated.  After the Sunday service, we trekked to Michigan to stay a night with my sister (Kelly) so Riley could see the rest of the Dongell clan.  So great to see Jen, Brent, Brandon, and the kiddos.  Love and miss you all tons!

Shortly after our return to North Carolina, Brenton's parents dropped in to love on our little gal who fell in love with her grandparents.  Riley started to cry the day after all our company was gone as she was not held every second of the day.  Our sweet girl is having to grow up, though not by her choice!

Riley will be four weeks this Thursday and is getting a belly to match her plump little cheeks.  We are loving having more to love on.  We have been blessed that she is sleeping a six hour stretch at night on her own accord, though we have been learning to adjust to her new fussy behavior as she stays awake more throughout the day.  Guess there is no such thing as a baby that does not cry!  However, I must make the disclaimer that she is a good baby and we have had it pretty easy, not sure what we will do with a baby that is not naturally as peaceful!

 

Our Little Sleeper

So far Riley has proved to be a restful little gal.  Of course she is up a number of times a night to eat, without us having to set an alarm, but then right back to sleep.  It has been a blessing as she only cries when her stomach gets a little gassy, when she has made us a messy diaper, or when it is simply time to eat.  Thank you Riley for letting us sleep a little!

While we are still tired, we are blessed with a sweet and beautiful charmer.  The one who currently has us mesmerized and constantly wanting to cuddle her.  She is more precious than we could have expected or imagined. 



And even with another big weekend snow storm, my parents blessed us with a last minute visit this past weekend and early week to help spoil us and Riley.  We are also looking forward to seeing the Benwares shortly, as both parents have been so gracious and flexible regarding visits due to snow storms, work schedules, and anxiously waiting on Riley's arrival.  Thank you to both our godly and loving parents that have gone before us to model parenting and set wonderful examples for us to follow!

How Our Sweet Riley Graced Us...

We cannot thank everyone enough for praying us through God's timing concerning the birth of our little gal. Had Riley graced us early, I really cannot imagine how different our experience would have been.  The Lord's timing in Riley's birth was so amazing. We went in early Thursday morning to be induced. While the hospital staff was preparing for the day and monitoring the baby and I, they realized my contractions were 5 minutes apart (though I felt nothing). Within the half hour my contractions came on strong and were less than 2 minutes apart. From the point I started to feel contractions, Riley was born less than 3 hours later. Praise Jesus that we had scheduled this very specific induction date and for all the prayers. If the Lord had not coordinated these specifics so intricately, I would not have made it to the hospital in time to receive the epidural. I am amazed with anyone who has given a natural birth at this point! Thank you for your prayers and thank you Jesus.

Riley Grace Benware was 9lb. and 21in., to everyone's surprise.  Her little foot prints were so big they went onto the writing space in her baby book.  Our doctor, and the two nurses were all floored with her size, as we had been assured our baby could not be 9lb. or more.  A few of the first comments in the room were, "Look at that mass of hair!" and "Those hands and feet are huge."  We have plenty of loveable pudge, which just means more to cuddle, and tons of dark baby soft hair.  Riley's little blue eyes are still taking time to open much as she is still a little swollen.  It is fun to see her changing ever so slowly, even in one day.  We love our little girl.