God is Gracious and Merciful!

Here she is! Anna Faustina Moses was born September 22 at 5:07 p.m. She weighed 6 lbs. 8 oz. and was 19 3/4 inches long. She has hair (not bald like her mama) and is long and skinny. She has her daddy's long toes and her mama's coloring. So far she and Benjamin don't look very much alike but I'm sure as they get older there will be little things that give them away as brother and sister.

Labor went really well. I had been dilated for a few weeks and when I went for my check up this past Wednesday I was 5-6 cm. My doctor said "I think you're going to have a baby today. Is that alright with you?". So I was admitted to the hospital; 5 hours and one push later Anna and her lungs arrived. :) Benjamin came to visit us that evening but was more interested in running up and down the halls (which I'm sure the other patients appreciated). When they brought Anna to my room after her bath she was upset and Benjamin did not like that at all. A quick exit was required. He has adjusted fairly well, especially since he gets so much attention from other family members. We'll see how he does whenever it's just the three of us! Unfortunately he knows that he can get into things he's not supposed to if he feels he isn't getting enough attention. He has, however, been very sweet towards his sister. If I'm sitting down with her he will come over and want to touch her hands, legs, and whatever part of her that isn't wrapped up.

God has been so good to us in so many ways and I think that's why His message of Divine Mercy to St. Faustina (and to the rest of the world) is so close to our hearts. We knew that we wanted to name our little girl Anne or Anna (both mean "gracious and merciful") but it wasn't until we were at the hospital that we decided on Faustina for her middle name. Looking back everything about this little girl's existence, from the beginning of her life until now, has been a testament to God's love and mercy. He has taught us to trust Him more deeply than ever and as much as I wish, at times, that I had the power to change parts of our current situation I am so thankful to God that He is in control and not me.