The Watchmen

Holding the Princess

So far it's been a journey!  After a leaving the hospital on cloud nine, we've had some adventures along the way!!  Grandma and PawPaw were able to come meet Karissa this past weekend. We are so thankful for them!

While they were here, I started to get sick.  I ended up with a high fever and severe pain in my abdomen Saturday night and Sunday morning.  Plus other issues that other new moms deal with, I was a wreck.  I ended up going to the E.R.  and later to my doctor.  It seems I got an infection, and antibiotics and narcotics were needed. 

Needless to say, we are a bit in survival  mode, but we are taking pictures like we're on vacation.  :-)

Our boys absolutely love their little baby sister.  It melts my heart how much each of them love her in their own special way. 

 Clark was shaking with excitement when he was getting ready to hold his little sister.  He sings to her and rubs her hair and holds her all the time.

 This picture captures everything.  Mischief, fear, and a future death grip bond.
Levi loves Karissa and maybe a little too much for me.  He loves to touch her everywhere despite that fact that he has a fever and is sick.  I hate telling him no, so I just pray that God will protect her.

There is a grin from ear to ear on Joel.  He sweet talks her constantly and tells her that she is so beautiful and strong and sweet.  He's my words of affirmation guy. 

She's already been nominated and declared the princess of this house!!

Karissa Hope Lillian Is Here!

 Our family is now complete.  Karissa was born on July 18th! Our little girl is the icing on the Lofton cupcake!  She was a scheduled c-section, and she born at 7:47 and weighted 7 pounds, 15 ounces.  She is the runt of our family!!  Everything went great with the c-section.  It was easier than the other times actually.   

 We went home 29 hours later.  We had to wait for audiology for a several hours.  :-(

 We have a tradition of the first birthday party when a baby comes home.  We sing, eat cake, and have balloons and gifts!!  It's a fun tradition that the little ones look forward to.

 Here's our first attempt of taking some newborn photos. 

 Having hats and hairbands is so much fun to work with.

Now the story behind the name.  If you know us, you know that we are very intentional and name meanings are very important to us.  We had a hard time with her name.  We were down to the last minute.  Here's the Bible verse that helped us make the decision:

We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this GRACE (KARIS) in which we stand, and we rejoice in the HOPE of the glory of God. Romans 5:2

 KARISSA HOPE LILLIAN LOFTON

Why Karissa?  It is taken from the Greek word Karis (Charis), and it means GRACE.   We have learned that grace is one of the most powerful gifts to humanity.  God in his mercy has shown us grace through his Son, Jesus.  And we have learned having grace for others is our way of sharing true love.

Why Hope?  Hope means to have faith, to expect.  I honestly never ever let myself hope for a little girl or a such an amazing family.  God has given us more than we even HOPED for.

Why Lillian?  Lillian means consecrated to God and purity.  Lillian main root word is Lily.  Clark really really wanted this baby to be named Lily.  Joel really wanted the baby to be named Sweet, Sweet Flower.  Lily and flower can be her nickname if the boys want to call her that.  She is a sweet sweet lily flower.

Everything is going well, but far from perfect.  Levi is sick with a fever, so I am trying to keep his two year old hands off the new baby.  Doctor said he has an ear infection and virus.  We haven't had as much help as we are used to with a new baby because Grandma and Pawpaw can't come.  Michael is running around like crazy while I am trying to be still and rest. He ended up going to the doctor himself with massive headaches.  I've been to the E.R. twice now with stomach pain and fever one time and bad headaches and high blood pressure/low heart rate another.   I'm coming around slowly but surely. 

Here's Levi adjusting to not being the baby anymore and not able to have mommy's full attention.

Thank you God for all the blessings and challenges of life!

The Birth of a Mother's Heart

As I'm getting ready for my fourth and final birth, I'm getting nervous and excited.  I always journal during my pregnancies in my baby journal, and I read the first entry the other day.  I wrote it on June 1, 2006 when I had just found out I was pregnant with my first child.  I thought I'd record it here, so that I may never forget the birth of my mother's heart.

"To all my future children,  I offer all the hopes, dreams, and love that this mother's heart can pour out on you.  I love you so much already.  I can't explain loving someone without even setting eyes on them or hearing their voice.  I can offer this explanation: God in His glorious riches grants a mother's heart the ability to love furiously and sacrificially beyond her own ability. 

I have not always had this mother's heart.  For years, I thought I didn't want children. My heart was closed off.   I was determined I could not be good enough. I was afraid my past would seep into my parenting, and as a result I would wound you.  I also struggled with selfishness and fear.  

God again in His graciousness gave me  a new heart when we cared for my niece for a year.  My mother's heart became alive as I fell into my new role as her "mother".  After losing her, I ached  for children to hold, guide, and love .  I lived for the day you would enter my life and see you with my very own eyes."

In a few days, my family will be complete.   All my dreams have come true.  I will have four beautiful, precious children to love, serve, teach, train, and hold.  I feel so fulfilled with motherhood and staying home to raise my family. 

God has blessed me with more than I could have ever have desired or hoped for.  I feel so unworthy of this incredible honor. I praise God for giving me my mother's heart.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!