Abigail Monique - December 23, 2014

"For you formed my inward parts: you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works: my soul knows it very well."

Psalm 139:13,14 ESV

Introducing our fourth child, first daughter,
Abigail Monique Bijlsma 
Born December 23rd 2014, 4:33am
8lbs 2 oz, 50.5 cm.  

       And we are in love. 

God is good and we are thrilled, a little "famke" to bring some dolls and pink into our home.  Her middle name is after my mom and her birthday happens to fall on the same day as my Opa's (her great Opa) birthday!

Birth briefing:
I woke up Andy at two am, thinking something was happening.  We called the babysitter at 2:30 and went to the hospital shortly after, arriving at 3:10am. After some assessment they admitted me at 3:30am, and the "it's a girl" rang out at 4:33am!    I am so thankful everything went so smoothly and so quickly, with no complications of any sort. 
What a relief to be on the other side, with a healthy baby girl to love and cuddle. Which is what we are doing, lots of snuggles going on around here.  With three older brothers this little lady's got in made in the shade. :)  

Having a baby during the holiday season turned out to be very relaxing, no school to worry about, no schedule to keep to, all in all it was lovely.  The day Abby was born our friends the Hummels, took all three  boys for the day.  I went home from the hospital the same day she was born, (much to the Dr's chagrin - I on the other hand couldn't wait to sleep in my own bed, drink coffee with Andy and get away from that hospital food!) so we all slept under the same roof right away.  The next day was Christmas eve, Andy was not busy and we had all the kids here, which was nice. A couple friends came over to visit, which made for a fun afternoon, and we were spoiled with many gifts.  Anno and Carola came over as well with a warm lunch and a doll for Abby:)
Christmas day Andy took all three to church with him while I napped. Seth and Tristan went with our friends (Baremans) to their Christmas dinner, and got to sleep over till Saturday, which was alot of fun for them, and made the house a bit calmer - although Rowan was like a lost little puppy without his big brothers around to keep him entertained.  ;)  Andy and I had "Christmas dinner" on the couch sipping some wine and dining on cheese and crackers. It was so cosy, and special.  Very relaxing!  Imagine the choral classics playing in the background...lights twinkling over the fireplace...snoozing baby in my arms..:)
Although it's a bit sad we  can't show her off to all our family and friends in Ontario we feel very blessed by the communion of saints here in Taber.  We have many good friends who are willing to help and are spoiling us with meals, gifts and more.  We thank-you all, sincerely! 

And now some more pictures, I had a hard time picking my favourites:)  (And there may still be too many - sorry!!).