Emily, originally uploaded by netdoc73.

Another photo of Emily by Grandpa.

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit for Emily’s dedication. She enjoyed all of the extra hugs and kisses! A baby can not get too many of them. They were able to stay almost a week. Robby took off of work while they were visiting so that we could all visit and enjoy Emily. Our excursions included an afternoon at Fall Creek Falls and a picnic at Norris Dam.

We had another good checkup at 4 months. She weighed in at 12 lbs. 2 oz. and 23-1/2 inches. As of her first two visits her size was in the 15th percentile for children her age. With this visit she has grown into the 25th percentile for size. I can tell that she has been growing because my arms get tired when I am holding her. Obviously she is growing faster than my arm muscles. At this visit she had a very traumatic four shots and one oral vaccination. I don’t think I have ever heard her cry so loud or make more tears. She took it easy for the remainder of the day and napped a lot. I think it is going to take longer this time to recover from the shot. She will go back to visit the doctor for a 6 month visit.

We dedicated Emily on May 6th at our church Christ Chapel. Dedications are not required in our faith, but it is an act of surrender that we wanted to make. I’ve been thinking about what that surrender should look like for me. I have always had a sense that Emily was God’s creation as much as she is a mix of Robby and I. In fact, my doctor gave me a compliment about the pretty baby that I had made, and I pointed out that her beauty is God’s gift. God has entrusted her to us, and it our desire is to give her back to Him.

Who can be with Emily every moment of the day? Who knows Emily’s personality before she expresses it? Who knows what will happen before it occurs? Who always hears Emily when she cries? Who knows what each cry really means? I definitely don’t and can’t.

If I want to give good gifts to Emily, what better gifts will her heavenly father give her? What can I give Emily that God has not given to me first?

We prayed and waited for Emily. In God’s timing we received our gift. We’re excited to see the gift grow and enjoy the blessing everyday. We pray that we are as big of a blessing to Emily as she is to us.

I commit to remember that Emily is a gift from God and teach her of her Heavenly Father, of the love and salvation of Jesus, and the companionship of the Holy Spirit. I pray that God will give me the strength to do this and that my friends and family will encourage me in my lifelong effort to do so.

Grandma, son and granddaughter, originally uploaded by netdoc73.

A photo from Grandpa. This was taken during my parents’ first visit just after Emily was born.

A Family Portrait, originally uploaded by Robby Edwards.

Grandma and Grandpa posed for a photo with Emily and her mother during a day trip to Fall Creek Falls State Park.