And her name is...

Callan Blair McFarland!

I used this quote in Campbell's name post and still love it:

Names are important. They have power. They define us. They’re more than a bunch of letters grouped together to sound pleasant to the ear. Names are more than a convenience allowing us to talk to each other. Names are a gift from God. They contain His power. They define things. They define us.

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” – Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)

Courtesy of Compassion International: http://blog.compassion.com/the-importance-of-names/#ixzz1I09GZxua


Once again, this has been the hardest decision to make. I knew it would be because it took us so long finding the right name for Campbell. Knowing we would use a family name, my parents came across my dad's grandmother's name...Madelyn Blair. Beautiful! I really liked the idea of using Blair for this baby's middle name. Done. One part down.

But the first name has been a doozy. I loved the name Emerson, but Jacob nixed it. We liked Adyson, Emery, and Ellis...but I never had that feeling that one of them was THE ONE. I've been searching baby name sites for the past 4 months, and getting so close to her birth, I was beginning to get stressed out. I didn't want to compare it to Campbell, but I love her name and I didn't want to give my baby girl a name that is so popular that every other girl would have. I also didn't think I wanted both girls to have a name that started with a C, so I never really looked or thought about C names.

I finally just asked God to show me what her name is, because this is something He already knows. I wanted that feeling I had when I found Campbell's name. Earlier this week, I had a dream and very obviously I was calling my baby girl Callan.

This is a little ironic. I have loved this name for years. Actually I considered it with Campbell, but had a friend at work that had a daughter named Callan. We actually also have a second cousin with the name as well. And a college friend of mine named her little boy this. I guess I thought they would think I copied them, but after dreaming this, I knew this was HER name! I've been such at peace with it and Campbell is already calling her baby Callie/Callan!

I'm so thankful the Lord showed me what her name is. He continues to be faithful to me. He just wants me to trust Him. I guess I am a slow learner. I keep trying to do it all on my own. Bad idea.

So now, I am so ready to meet little miss Callan!

Callan is Gaelic...meaning flowing water...and also has a few other meanings of powerful in battle (Scandinavian), rock (Scottish), and chatter (German).

...because time is getting away from me...

As we get closer and closer to meeting this sweet girl in my tummy, I can't help but feel a little sad as the time comes that Campbell is no longer my only baby. Not that she acts or seems like a baby. She is a big girl...2 years old...with her little personality that cracks me up every day. She seems so mature right now. Yes, she is still 2, with her tantrums and meltdowns occasionally, but she talks to her daddy and me in full sentences and thinks about what she wants to say before she answers. She has an imagination.... She loves to sing and dance.

I've had a lot of one on one time with her lately because Daddy has been traveling, but we are hoping that is just about done for a little while, or at least until after baby girl comes into this world! Being pregnant, this one on one time can be exhausting, but it is also so precious to me. She constantly wants to "hold you momma." And she is now rubbing my tummy and asking when baby is going to be here. She wants to sit in my lap for hours watching Mickey, reading books, and just cuddling...and I LOVE IT!

I know that this stage of her being an only child is just part of the change of having a growing family, but I can't help but want it to slow down just a bit. Less than 5 weeks and her whole world is changing. I know she's up for it...she can handle anything. She's proven to be super flexible and go with the flow. And she won't remember the time before her baby sister was here. I pray she transitions well, and knows we love her so so much, even as we tend to a newborn. I know the love in my heart is only going to grow as I watch her become a big sister. But as a pregnant emotional mess right now I'm sad about it not being just her. But then again, I'm so excited and anxious to meet her little sister. Just mixed emotions I'm sure so many 2nd time moms feel.

But I am constantly reminded by God that she is not mine, but His. He has wonderful plans for her and I am just blessed to be chosen as her mommy. And that I am! She brings me joy that I never knew I could have! And He is about to entrust another baby girl into my care. I pray my girls will know Him and do great things for His name!

I'll leave you with a few pictures of my girl that most of you have seen on my Facebook. Her smile... nothing to describe the feeling I have as I look at her!

I will try to post an update on baby girl soon. I think we have decided FINALLY on a name (dream/details included) and I'll see if I can muster up the courage for another belly pic. Actually, my sweet sister is coming in a few weeks and I'm hoping we can sneak in a pregnancy/family of 3 photo shoot before we need to do our family of 4/newborn shoot!

...quiet time...

The past two mornings I have woken up a little after 7, just waiting on Campbell to wake up. And the past two mornings she has slept until a little after 9...it's 9 this morning and she's still sleeping. This has been so great for me. I truly think the Lord has His hand in this. You see, my quiet time with him has been pretty non-existent these days. There's no excuse...I have just found other, far less important things to occupy my mind and time. These past two mornings, I have been able to read my devotionals, bible, and pray and pour my heart out. It's been very healing and apparently just what I needed. God giving me these extra moments every morning in my day has filled a big void that has been there for a long time. I know my days are numbered when it comes to having this time...especially with a new baby on the way, but I feel like He is giving me this time because it's what I NEED. I NEED this time with Him daily to be a better mom and wife and daughter and sister and friend. I NEED this time to hear what He wants to tell me. I NEED this time to be still and listen. I NEED this time to learn and grow. I NEED this time to talk with my friend. And I am so thankful for this time. I'm so thankful for the holy spirit pushing me to pick up those books and read; to talk with God. If and when Cam starts waking up earlier, I have decided to make it a priority for me to continue to spend this time with the Lord...whether that means I set an early alarm, wake up when Jacob kisses me good-bye every morning, or just making her stay in bed for a few minutes longer while I drink my coffee and spend precious time with Jesus. It is the sweetest time. I pray I can continue it, as well as improve my walk with Him through it. I also encourage you to spend your quiet time with Him. And learn and listen and actually HEAR what He's trying to tell you. He is so faithful to us! And I am feeling the grace and mercy he's giving to me through this precious time even though I have been absent and lost in my daily walk with him. I believe He will use this time to reveal things to me that I have been trying to decide on my own. I believe that He will show me the way I need to go...and how to be ultimately a better wife and mom to my girls.

Campbell's Minnie Mouse Birthday Party

When I asked Campbell a few months ago about what she wanted for her birthday party, I named off a few things to let her choose from... Minnie Mouse/Mickey Mouse, Bubble Guppies, Cinderella, etc...and she chose Minnie Mouse. I was thankful she chose something fairly easy for me to put together since it's been crazy around here and I didn't have a whole lot of time to work on it! I loved how it turned out as well! We had a party with family only and it was perfect! I had the cake, cupcakes, and cookies made at Market Street. I used free printables from the internet, and bought balloons and hanging decor from the local party store. It was simple, yet perfect! Campbell immediately pointed everything out as hers....very possessive these days...and she kept squealing "my birthday party!" She ran around with pure joy on her face. I asked my aunt Davney to make her a Minnie Mouse shirt, and she loved wearing the Minnie headband/ears! I'll get on to the picture overload. They show the great party we had for our 2 year old girl!

 

When we say smile, this is what we get these days...squinted eyes and scrunched up nose. Silly girl!

We had a wonderful day celebrating our girl!

Campbell Grace is TWO!

I'm not sure how two years has flown by so quickly! Definitely the best, and sometimes, most challenging two years of my life. This sweet girl made me a mommy. I couldn't ask for anything more. I absolutely love the little girl she is becoming; sassiness, occasional meltdowns, and all. Most days are great! Lots of hugs, kisses, laughs, grins, playing, exploring, and talking.

Some things I want to remember from her first two years:

~ Campbell still loves Mickey Mouse and Bubble Guppies. She is also a big Cinderella fan, as well as Nemo.

~ She is very easily wearing 2T clothes...occasionally 3T shirts just because she is so tall. We will go Tuesday for her 2 year checkup and all her stats!

~ She has 16 teeth.

~ Her favorite place to be is OUTSIDE! I've been very thankful for beautiful weather lately. It won't be long before her baby sister is here and it's just way too hot outside.

~ Campbell is quite the book reader. She could sit on the couch for a pretty long time with a pile of books in her lap. She also loves to flip through the pages like a deck of cards, from back to front. It cracks me up...and can make for a long process of reading a book to her.

~ Cami can say her alphabet...and her numbers 1-10...and on to almost 20...although there are some occasional mess ups. She also is very keen on her colors and shapes. School has been very beneficial to her.

~ I have a lot of people tell me how well she talks for 2. And she does! Sometimes it's already too much, but most of the time it is in the cutest little voice and makes me smile! It's nice that she can communicate what she wants and needs and feels these days. She also can be very polite...saying please, thank you, you're welcome, and bless you :)

~ I can't wait to see how she transitions to her role as a big sister. It is 7-8 short weeks away. And we have lots to do to get ready for it, but I know we will all survive and make it work somehow.

~ C is a pretty good eater and a wonderful sleeper! I couldn't ask for better!

~ Campbell loves her daddy! Sometimes the best parts of my day are when I get to watch those two interact. She laughs more than anything when her daddy is around. They have a sweet, special relationship! She loves to "RAAWWWRR" at him and scare him. They also play lots of hide and seek as well as chase! I'm so thankful she has such a great daddy and I have such a good man to raise our girls with!

I'm sure I'm missing lots of things I want to remember, but I'm thankful to have this blog to look back on!

I'm so blessed by this little girl! I remember 2 years ago being so anxious to meet her and the overwhelming joy I felt the first time I saw her face! And now I'm getting ready to meet her little sister... I have to enjoy every moment with C while she's my only one! It has just gone too fast!