One month

Hanging with Daddy

I think Mariah was trying to take a bite out of my shirt in this picture. She usually likes to sleep right on my chest. I usually have to hold her for a while before putting her down in her sleeper or in the swing. It's ok, I know my baby girl loves hanging out with her Daddy. Today we had Daddy and Daughter day. Tawanna went out and ran errands while Mariah and I stayed at home. We had a great day.

Days, Weeks, or Months

I always wonder how people choose the methods in which to tell their children's ages. For example, when someone asks me Mariah's age a few months from now, do I say 90 days, 12 weeks, or 3 months. I will most likely refer to months at that point. Some people just get ridiculous, saying "Billy is 56 weeks" or "Katie is 37 months". I just wonder how some people choose. I suppose that soon enough I will be challenged with this mathematical dilemma. Let me know your thoughts.

One Month

I am happy to say that Mariah is one month old as of August 23, 2008. I am enjoying every minute of fatherhood. Tawanna bought her a little play area for a birthday gift. Tawanna just likes buying stuff and Mariah gives her a reason to buy. When she starts like electronics, we can make some Daddy/Daughter trips to Best Buy. :-)

God Bless,

~MarcQus

Mariah's First Bath

On Monday, August 11,2008, Mariah had her first bath in her bathtub and shower center. I will sum up the experience by saying it was eventful. I think she was expecting the normal sponge baths where I carefully covered her head with a hat when i finished washing her head, and placed her into a t-shirt when i finished washing and lotioning her torso and back. This was a shock to her senses... Little miss was not very happy about having her entire body wet at one time, but she was calmed by the sound of running water in the tub. It broke my heart to see her shivering so much once the process was all over (see below), but she slept so long afterwards … that was an added bonus for mommy and daddy!!!

I had apologize to her because I forgot to turn off the central air before I put her in the tub. I know, I know, I will do better next time... I promise :-)

~Tawanna

Moving

Its been a while since my last blog. I hope that you all enjoyed Tawanna's blog. She will try to post more if time permits. Mariah is doing great. She is developing nicely. There are moments when she doesnt let us sleep much but that is changing more and more everyday. We recently moved to a bigger apartment on campus. For those of you that were not aware we did not have central air. We had a standing portable air conditioner in our apartment. It did not keep the apartment cool enough, especially for Mariah. Since the move, to the new air conditioned apartment, she has been sleeping lot better. Moving to a new apartment makes me recognize even more how much space Mariah takes up. There is baby stuff everywhere, aggghhh! It's all worth it though when I look at her beautiful face. Yep, I am sure that I am going to spoil her.

Thanks to all of you that continue to keep us in your prayers.

God Bless,

~MarcQus

It All Started With Her Beautiful Smile... A Mother's Reflection...

The date was July 28,2008, and the time was 11:21am. This was the moment that Mariah stole my heart and while in the midst of a hazy dream after I fed her she gave me the most beautiful smile that I had ever seen. In that moment my heart became so full and I was so overcome with emotion that all I could do was cry and stroke her head while telling her that she was the most beautiful thing that I had ever seen. In that moment I reflected on the events that led up to holding my daughter in my arms and my crying became a waterfall of tears of joy.

After forty-one weeks and a day of carrying her in my womb, almost thirteen hours of a very trying labor, and a sixteen minute Cesarean procedure, I heard her cry for the first time—there are no words to adequately describe that moment. MarcQus was so overcome with emotion that he cried uncontrollably while saying “baby that’s my daughter over there” over and over again. I had never seen him so overcome with emotion. It warmed my heart to see the absolute joy on his face the moment his long awaited dream of becoming a father was realized.

It was just that one beautiful smile that reaffirmed for me why having a child is the greatest blessing that the Lord can give you. He entrusts you with a precious life that you were able to create with the love of your life. That bundle of joy is a miraculous manifestation of God’s love. The love that you feel for your child is instantaneous and instinctive all at the same time. Caring for her is an amazing adventure, because she changes so rapidly. The love that she gives me I feel to my very core. So many times I find myself crying just thinking about the fact that I am a wife blessed with an amazing husband, and a beautiful child that is the perfect blend of her parents. These are the most important jobs that I will ever have in life and I thank God for granting me the privilege to take on these tasks.

Yes, it was that one beautiful smile that shook my world in the best way possible. It was the day that I fell head over heels in love with my daughter. Thank you Lord for such a tremendous gift. ..

Nine days old

She looks at me as if she knows that I am her father. It is in that moment that I forget that I am sleep deprived and tired.

"The Little Mermaid"


Swaddling doesnt always work like it is supposed to. Tawanna and I swaddled Mariah appropriately for about a day when we realized that she loved to use her hands. Now we swaddle her starting under her arms. She sleeps great this way and has the freedom to be animated in her sleep.

Time

Each and everyday is getting better for us. I think I am the fastest diaper changer in West Michigan now. It is funny how easy some things can become second nature. We are taking it one day at a time, one week at a time.

Keep us in your prayers!

~MarcQus