Liam's 1st Summer

Before you were two months old you were able to hold your head up and push your self up. We tried to give you a bottle now and again so Daddy, Mema, Mma, Papa and other loved ones could enjoy the intimacy of feeding you but you had other plans...you never found any interest in taking a bottle. It's a good thing nursing had become a normal part of our lives by now...Mommy is so glad we were able to have that special bond. There were some difficult times here and there between your constant nursing and Mommy's sleep deprivation but it was all worth it!

You were two months old when we travelled to TN with Mema to

see your Aunt Theresa, Uncle Jim and cousins. Your cousins Lee, Sarah and Shelby Jean were visiting TN from OH so you got to meet them, too...we had a great visit.

The next day we celebrated Daddy's first Father's Day. You were a very good baby at mass and we had a wonderful day at home with Mma, Papa, Uncle Paul and Aunt Margaret.

Before the month of June passed, you continued to enjoy your many visitors, playing in your exersaucer and swinging in your Johnny Jump Up. You rolled over, found your thumbs and visited Mma's school & Papa's office-all very exciting!

We started July off with a bang...

Happy Independence Day!

You loved waving the American flag and were so cute, of course, bearing your stars and stripes.

You also took your first swim in the little pool Daddy bought you. Mma and Mommy had lots of fun playing with you in the water.

The three of us joined Mma and Papa on your first overnight roadtrip to KY. Since you weren't fond of car rides, the 8 hour trip turned into 12 hours...yikes! Although your version of background noise (screaming from the back seat) wasn't our first choice, we did have a really nice trip. We went to the Spencer family reunion in the eastern mountains nearby where Papa grew up. It gave you the opportunity to see Great Granny again and meet your loving Aunts, Uncles and cousins for the first time. Your cousin Erin had so much fun reading to you...

everyone was so overjoyed to finally meet you.

On our way home to GA, we spontaneously decided to return via the Smokey Mountains which added yet another state, NC, to your travel resume. You made the mountains even more breathtaking...it was a wonderful day!

You continued to be such a blessing warming our hearts more than the summer sun. We enjoyed each and every milestone of your newborn stage and looked forward to each new day knowing you would bring yet another smile to our faces.

Liam's Baptism

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Your first visit to our church, Prince of Peace in Flowery Branch, GA, was the day of your Holy Baptism. Father Fred Wendel was our priest. He celebrated a beautiful mass providing you with your first Holy Sacrament. He poured Holy Water over your head, anointed you with Holy Oils and blessed you. Mommy, Daddy and your Godparents, Mma and Papa, also made signs of the cross over you praying for your many blessings from God. We lit a Baptismal candle representing the light of Christ and presence of the Holy Spirit. This Holy day was witnessed by many people including your

Great Granny who came all the way from Kentucky, Mema, Uncle Paul & Aunt Margaret, Aunt Chrissy, Uncle Dwayne & cousins, Aunt Allene & Uncle Bill and many extended family, friends and fellow parishioners.

We further celebrated the joyous event with all of our loved ones at home sharing a thankful blessing, delicious food and a beautiful cake made just for you. We hope to always recognize this very special day!

Our Sweet Newborn

Welcome Home, Liam.

Your arrival home was filled with wonderful visits, continuous nursing, "loads" of diapers, little sleep, lots of firsts - by us all - and every moment worthwhile.

You had your first doctor's visit, first bath and first walk at the park all before you were one month old.

You went to Mma and Papa's house & Mema's house for your first visits.

We celebrated Mommy's first Mother's Day, too...what a perfect gift!

Happy Birth Day, Liam - April 17, 2006

Happy

Birth Day,

Liam Spencer McConnell!

You were born

April 17, 2006 at 6:16 p.m. at Emory Eastside Hospital in Snellville, GA

You weighed 7 lbs., 11.3 oz. and were 20 inches long. Your hair was blonde with shades of red and your eyes were a beautiful blue. Your skin was so soft and smooth. You smelled so fresh and new.

You were perfection.

Mommy and Daddy were so thankful to finally hold you in our arms. You were exactly what we dreamed of and prayed for & more. God answered our prayers in so many ways and we truly felt the Holy Spirit among us. You instantly added joy to our lives.

Your Papa, Mma and Mema were there to share in the excitement of your arrival. Many family and friends came to visit you in the hospital...some from as far as Massachusetts. We were so thankful for all of the love and support from so many people who had, too, longed for this miraculous day.

Your presence filled with us with such awe that at moments it seemed surreal. You were so tiny, so beautiful, so completely and utterly dependant on us and were the best thing we ever did in our entire lives. You were the most important gift ever entrusted to us. You continue to be our focus in all that we do...not a moment goes by that we are not reminded of the blessing that you are to our lives.

The McConnell Family...And Liam Makes Three!

What a whirlwind at the hospital, with mid-wives, doctors, nurses and loving visitors. We were so thankful to everyone yet so ready to wrap up our bundle of joy and bring you home. Home...home is where our family is...And now we are whole.

Thank you for coming into our lives, little one. We celebrate this day as your birth day. We will celebrate this day for years to come as your birthday...but we also celebrate the longing, the anticipation, the hope, the joy and the faith that was born.

We give thanks to God above for His strength, to Jesus Christ for His love and to the Holy Spirit for unending guidance. We pray that we will always be Christian role models for you looking to the Trinity for continuous Faith, Hope and Love.

We love you, son....Always, Mommy and Daddy xoxo

April 16, 2006

Happy Easter Sunday, 2006! Well, despite my uncomfortablies, tremendous swelling and actually looking like an Easter egg, we managed to make it to Easter Sunday Mass. It was a wonderful celebration to share with so much to be thankful for. We prayed for our son to be born happy and healthy and soon as we were a week overdue. My sister-in-law made a good point...we worked so hard all pregnancy long to keep our little guy in for him to stay a week late...definitely ironic! The day was further celebrated with our extended family including my cousins who came from MA to witness the arrival of our precious miracle. We were counting every second.

March 2006

As wonderful as our pregnancy was, we did have our moments of asperity. I spent most of my pregnancy on bed rest due to different issues in my first and second trimesters. Despite our fears and anxiety, we entered our third trimester carrying a healthy baby boy. He was proving to be the miracle we knew he was all along. He strengthened our faith and our spirit day by day. Our friends and family continued to be icons of loving support. We received three beautiful showers, enjoyable visits, generosity of time and help around our home. By March, we were able to have our picture made together proving to all who viewed it just how joy-filled we were to be carrying this tiny blessing.

August 2005

This is the month and year that we were showered with a tiny blessing from above. On Tuesday, August 3rd, 2005, we so joyously shared together the news of a tiny baby whose gift of life was truly meant to come to fruition. This picture genuinely captures how elated we were to be part of such a miracle.

Determined to start a blog

Ok, I am definitely just over the "technological age threshold". The idea of blogging is very foreign yet very inviting. I appreciate writing, journaling, logging and tracking especially when it comes to keeping memories of our daily lives ever present in our minds. However, having said that, this is all very new to me (I mean, come on, when I was in college nobody even had a computer. We used typewriters...I wonder if my younger friends even remember typewriters...haha!). Several of my friends blog and I imagine it to be so time consuming yet I find myself logging on to their blogs to catch up on what's going on with them and their families. Sometimes I'm months behind but between beautiful words, pictures and video posts, I feel quite connected to each one despite the distance of miles. So, I am determined to start this blog...for myself, my husband, my son, my family and my friends. Since Liam is two already...WOW...I plan to post at least one picture from each month of his first two years in order to recall and share our wonderful memories. I guess it's never too late to begin a good thing!