On Sunday, Fathers Day, we dedicated Anna Faith. Scott asked us if we loved Jesus, if we would try to raise Anna Faith in the knowledge and love of Christ. We said "yes" and then he held her high above his head (really high because he is like 6'5) and said, "Anna Faith Garrison, we dedicate you back to the Lord from whom you came." It was awesome. I remembered Matthews dedication and I was tearfully thankful for my baby boy and girl! For my whole family.
My sweet precious girl. Yesterday, you were 10 weeks old. I laid in bed last night thinking about the night you were born. I remembered so vividly when your Daddy laid you on my chest and we both began to weep. We laughed and we cried all at the same moment. I loved you from that very moment in a way that is so hard to describe. As I reached out to touch you for the first time, I wished I could hold you, Matthew and your Daddy all in my arms. If only my arms could somehow hold all of you tightly and make everyone else disappear! It was so sweet.
The first 5 weeks of life ,my sweet baby, were hard. You had yucky reflux and would throw up most of your bottle. You were born with NO sucking reflux at all and so we would have to hold your tiny little mouth and massage your chin to get you to suck for the first 2 weeks of your life until you learned to do it on your own. And then, after all that work, you would scream and cry and throw up half of your bottle. Well, after a little medicine and a formula change, things have gotten settled! The last 5 weeks with you have been like a baby and mommy honeymoon! I am so glad you feel better!
I didnt know how I would fit the same kind of love I have for your brother in my heart! Would there be room?!?! Well, I knew there somehow would be and there is for sure! I love you and I think your the sweetest, most beautiful blue eyed creature I ever have seen!
Anna Faith, you are the most tender and content baby! You are precious and holding you will fix just about whatever may have you upset. You do not cry often! When you do, its because of a dirty diaper or time for a bottle, etc...you will look straight in our eyes and coo and smile at us. We got the first smile a few weeks ago. You shot it right at your Daddy! You DO love your Daddy! You search for him whenever you hear his voice. You will sit on your car seat for an hour, wide awake, just looking around and cooing. Your pretty blue eyes are so tender and sweet.
You still spit up a lot, but are drinking 4 to 5 ounces at a time and sleeping 8 to 10 hours a night! WHOA! I am serious! The Garrison kids can sleep.
Anna means grace and favor. May you always be under the grace of the cross and may you always walk with Gods favor in your life. Faith comes from Hebrews 11:1 "Now FAITH is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". Oh how we prayed that for you from the time we found out we were pregnant! May you live fully in to your precious name and be a woman of great faith in your Creator!
Anna Faith, we dedicate you back to the Lord. We love you and we pray, by His grace, we will raise you to be a tender, loving, God fearing woman!
Below are the lyrics to a song that your Daddy listened to a whole lot before you were born. He and I both cry whenever we hear it and think of you...we have lived these very lyrics and it makes us ache a little inside at how fast it all goes by...
He didn't have to wake up
He'd been up all night
Layin’ there in bed listenin’
To his new born baby cry
He makes a pot of coffee
He splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says
Its gonna be OK
It won’t be like this for long
One day soon we'll look back laughin’
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
‘Cause it won't be like this for long
Four years later ‘bout 4:30
She's crawling in their bed
And when he drops her off at preschool
She's clinging to his leg
The teacher peels her off of him
He says what can I do
She says now don't you worry
This’ll only last a week or two
It won’t be like this for long
One day soon you'll drop her off
And she won’t even know you're gone
This phase is gonna fly by
If you can just hold on
It won’t be like this for long
Some day soon she'll be a teenager
And at times he'll think she hates him
Then he'll walk her down the aisle
And he'll raise her veil
But right now she's up and cryin’
And the truth is that he don't mind
As he kisses her good night
And she says her prayers
He lays down there beside her
‘Til her eyes are finally closed
And just watchin’ her it breaks his heart
Cause he already knows
It won’t be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah, this phase is gonna fly by
So, he's tryin’ to hold on
‘Cause it won’t be like this for long
- Darius Rucker
