Blake's Blessing Day

Sunday, February 26, 2012, Blake Ryan Larsen was blessed at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Leesville, LA.  Greg, Taylor and I made the trip to LA on Thursday evening, February 24th so spend the weekend with them.  Ryan's family (Tad, Kathy and sister Megan) came down from Stansbury Park, UT also.  Ryan gave Blake such a sweet, sweet blessing.  Greg was invited by Ryan to join Tad, the Bishop, and the missionaries in the circle to perform the ordiance.  What a terrifice day!  So happy we could witness such a milestone in Baby Blake's life.



Baby Blake Part I

I was able to stay with Sarah, Ryan and Baby Blake for 16 days in Leesville, LA.  Blake's birth has been a  joyous experience for our family.  I helped with some housework, cooked and shopped for the Larsens.  My favorite thing was loving on Baby Blake.  I did lots of diaper changes, burping, bathing and dressing him in the cutest newborn clothes.  We went to many doctors appointments too.  Poor little guy was jaundice and had to have bili light therapy which meant he had to have lots of blood tests drawn from his little feet.

Anyway, I had fun taking pictures of the little guy.  One day I asked Sarah if I could do some pictures of him.  She said "sure."  I took Sarah's nursing pillow and put Ryan's army jacket around it.  I placed Blake in the pillow and put this cute hat on him.  My friend, Carol Johnson crocheted this hat for him.  The pictures turned out great.  The camera loves Blake.

I love Baby Blake too.  Can't wait to get my hands on him again!

Loving Being a Grandmother

I'm still in LA visiting with Ryan, Sarah and Baby Blake.  I love being here.  I am able to help out around the house with some meals and chores but the best thing I do here is loving on Baby Blake.  What a good baby he is!  Sarah is adapting remarkably well to motherhood.  Her maternal instincts came to her the minute she gave birth.  Ryan is crazy about their little bundle of joy.  Who wouldn't be?!



Blake Ryan Larsen~February 2, 2012

On Wednesday, February 1st, Greg and I got a text from Ryan that Sarah was being admitted to the hospital.  It was time for Baby Blake to be born.  I quickly decided to get online with American Airlines and make arrangements to change my travel plans.  I had to get to LA asap!!!  Instead of leaving on Friday, February 3rd at 6:15 a.m. from Raleigh Durham International Airport to departing on Thursday morning at 6:15.  Needless to say, I couldn't go to sleep.  I was so excited!  I finally got to sleep around 2:00 a.m. and got up at 3:30 to get ready.  Luckily, I had packed my suitcase and tote bag the day before (just to see if I could really get all my stuff in the suitcase...I did) so all that was done.

After getting ready, I woke Taylor up to tell her good-bye.  She wanted to go with me and of course, that wasn't possible.  She couldn't be away from school and work.  Greg took me to the airport and I boarded the plane.  This is the first time I have every traveled by air by myself.  Actually, I haven't flown often maybe 5 times in my life.  I was a little nervous about getting my connecting flight in Dallas Fort Worth but everything worked out time.  While I was waiting for my plane to take off, I got a text from Ryan that Baby Blake was born at 9:37 a.m., 6 pounds-11 ounces. He was 19 1/2 inches long.  He had hair....Sarah's color hair!

I was greeted in Alexandra, Louisiana by Tiffany at the airport.  She picked me up around 11:00 a.m. (there's a 1 hour time difference from NC).  We had a wonderful time to catch up on the 45 minute drive to Leesville.  She took me to the base hospital (Fort Polk, BJACH).  There I met my beautiful grandson.  The moment I saw him, I was overcome with emotion.  My heart was filled with gratitude, my eyes teared up and I held the sweetest miracle sent straight from Heavenly Father, Blake Ryan Larsen.

Sarah did well with her delivery and she looked absolutely radiant.  Ryan and she glowed with happiness and pride.  I am loving every minute while I'm here. I am staying with Sarah for a couple of weeks.  Greg and Taylor are holding down the fort in Wake Forest.  I miss them and they miss me but we all know this is exactly where I need and want to be.

I LOVE being a granny :)

February 1st

Waiting, waiting, waiting...Baby Blake is taking his time.  Sarah has had some contractions (about 7 minutes apart) for about a day now.  She is tired of waiting and trying to be patient.  Bryant and Mrs. Wiggins went down to be with her when the baby finally decides to come.  They've been down there since Monday.  I plan on going down Friday.  I'll be boarding American Airlines at 6:15 a.m. to make my way there hopefully in time for the birth. We are happy about Blake's debut.

We found out Tiffany had a miscarriage last week (January 27th).  No one knew she was pregnant yet.  She and Clint had just found out a few days before then.  I know only too well the horrible emotional and physical pain that she's going through.  There is horomone inbalance not be mention the stages of grief/mourning that you experience.  I had a miscarriage a few months before I got pregnant with Taylor.  I remember the day I found out.  I laid on my bedroom floor crying until I had no more tears.  It seemed that every woman I saw for months was either pregnant or  had a baby in her arms.  This is such a sad time.

Two of out three married kids have had to experience a miscarriage.  (Danielle is now in her 2nd trimester of pregnancy and is doing well).  What a bitter-sweet time for our family.  Bitter because of Tiffany and Clint's miscarrage and sweet because of Baby Blake.  I know this will be particularly hard.  I pray that the birth of Blake may help Tiffany heal and look toward the future.  Only time will take care of her pain.

So, let's us look forward to the future and pray that the Lord will continue to be with us during the good times and the bad.