Rosalie's Baby Blessing

 We blessed our little Rosalie on November 2nd and, as with our two others, we blessed her at home.  I much prefer blessing our babies at home, for us at least, it keeps such a sacred moment that much more private.  I asked a good friend of ours to take some pictures for us while she was up, and she willingly obliged, we love Jess!

 My precious girl.  This was right in the heart of her colicky symptoms, and she was ready to start screaming at any minute.

 Such a sweet girl.

 I love this picture.  Those feelings I have as a mother for my newborn, right here.

 Awww, look at my girl.  She is so sweet!

 My Marin, she is such a great big sister.

 And my Owen....with PB on his face, haha!

 I can't say I'm thrilled about my appearance.  Truthfully, I really struggle with myself after I give birth.  I always gain so much weight (though this was my least...only 47 pounds, HA!), and my body does not shed the pounds while breastfeeding.  I am trying hard to love myself on the road to improvement.

 Kristoffer's Grandmother, DaNece Lyman Watts holding baby girl.  She is such a wonderful support to us, such a great listener, we love her.

I wish I could say the blessing day was peaceful and wonderful, but we had some pretty intense conflict that day and the two days previous. It was a very hurtful few days, and my husband and I spent months before the blessing trying to decide the best course of action for that day, and in the end, things ended the way we thought they would.  There were many tears and many prayers for peace for that day....sometimes I wonder to any avail.  Perhaps this is the opening for another opportunity, I can only pray. 

In the end, I was able to watch my incredibly amazing, loving, hardworking husband take our sweet infant in his arms, and bless her and give her a name.  I can't tell you how much I love that man, my husband.  What a blessing to have the priesthood in my home, and to know that he can bless our children and continue to bless them in their times of need.  As a mother, I work so hard to make sure my family is taken care of with the best of what I can give, and in a society that devalues men and husbands and fathers, I want my children to know how important their father is.  I want them to feel loved and cherished by a worthy man who can help them to find their own relationship with Christ.  Is that not the single most important role of a parent?  For who else can help them make the best choices possible when mom and dad are no longer close by?  I trust my husband more and more each day because I've watched him build himself for the last nine years into the man he is today, and I am amazed at how far he has come.  There are so many wonderful, Christ driven men out there today, and Kristoffer was made for me. We've created three beautiful children together, and I've watched him bless each one with purpose, intent, and sacred duty, and I couldn't be more blessed.