Merry Christmas

Most of you (that would be the 3 or 4 of you who actually read this blog) will get this in the mail but since my sister worked so hard to design our Christmas card this year, I thought I should put it to good use. Below is the Christmas letter that included with our card this year...happy reading :-)

December 2010

Merry Christmas!!

Is it just me or did 2010 fly by? it has certainly been a busy and exciting year for us. At this time last year, Bobby and i learned that we were going to be parents and as you can probably guess we spent the first nine months of the year preparing for that adjustment...as if you can prepare for that!

Rosemary Elizabeth kiger joined our family on august 25th at 9:29 p.m. she weighed in at 6 pounds 14 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. of course, we were head over heals in love with her the moment we met. it’s hard to believe that she will be 4 months old on christmas day. as one of the newest editions to our church, rosie will be staring as baby jesus this year!

in other exciting news, bobby began working at our church as the children’s ministry leader in april. he has been working hard in his new role and i am excited to see what God is doing in the lives of the children in the Tree house at warren woods. he had the awesome privilege of baptizing two of the boys from Treehouse in November. bobby also keeps busy substitute teaching and we hope that God will provide him with a full time teaching job soon.

SInce rosie blessed us with her presence just before school started i was given an extended summer vacation. i went back to work at the end of october. I was very hesitant to return, not only because i was leaving my baby girl but because i was transitioning from a middle school teacher to a high school teacher. It didn’t take long for me to get back into the groove and i am loving my role at the high school. i am also happy to report that i received my master’s of education degree last may and am content not being a student for awhile.

we are so fortunate to have our parents close and rosie is lucky enough to spend everyday with one or both sets of grandparents while we go to work. She just might be a little bit spoiled but that is ok with us :-)

We pray that you have a wonderful christmas and a very happy new year!

Love,

Bobby, Melissa, & Rosie

Night in Bethlehem

This weekend our church gym has become the the Bethlehem market place and our foyer is the site of the stable where Mary & Joseph stayed the night of Jesus' birth. Our little family has the privilege of playing the part of the Holy family. Last night while I was holding "baby Jesus" and listening to Silent Night, I couldn't help but think about what that night may have been like for the young couple. Mary was a young girl who had been given a BIG job...to be the mother of the Savior of the World! Can you even imagine what was running through her head that night as she and her new husband (who was not her baby's daddy) searched the town for a place to stay because she was about to deliver a baby? Last night as Bobby and I wondered the market place asking people if they knew of a place for us to stay I couldn't help but wonder....Was Mary having contractions? Were they severe? Did her water break? Was there anyone else with her & Joseph in the stable to help deliver the baby? Then there are the questions I have about baby Jesus....Did he cry a lot? Did he have explosive diapers? How often did he have to feed? Did Mary have trouble getting him to take naps (that thought just came today while trying to get Rosie to do this)? Did he melt their hearts with his smiles? Did he love to snuggle in his mama's arms? Did Mary & Joseph know who this baby boy really was? Did they understand what he had been born to do? Did Mary know that one day she would watch him die a terrible death?

It is easy for us to get so busy during this season that we forget why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Jesus is the reason for the season! Yes, it's wonderful to give and receive presents and eat yummy cookies with our family and friends, but it's also important that we take some time to reflect on that night in Bethlehem when Jesus came to make a difference in humanity for all of eternity!

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!
I can not believe it is already Turkey Day. Where have the last couple months gone?!?! Rosie is already three months old and as cheesy as it sounds, it seems like just yesterday when we introduced her to the world. She growing and changing so much and Bobby & I are loving every minute of being her parents (even as I write this at 1 a.m. while I rock her to sleep).

I've been back to work for almost a month now. I'm enjoying being a high school teacher. I was nervous to make the transition but it's been a good one. I was also nervous to go back to work and leave Rosie of course, but it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Leaving her every morning really stinks but once I get to school and my student file into my room, I remember why I do what I do and it's all better. It also helps to know that Rosie is in good hands while I'm at work. She gets to spend her days getting spoiled rotten by her grandparents! All 4 of them take turns watching her during the week.

Bobby is currently working as a long term substitute teacher at a local high school. He's enjoying being in the classroom and we are praying that this may turn into a more permanent position for him. He's also still working hard as the children's ministry leader at WWBC. This past Sunday he had the privilege to baptize two of the young men from the Treehouse ministry! I am so proud of the work he is doing and love seeing God working in the lives of the kids in Treehouse.

So many new things have happened in Rosie's life since my last update :-) Two of the biggest highlights were her Uncle Paul & Aunt Cassie's wedding on September 26th and taking an airplane ride to visit her new cousin (who was born exactly one month after her on September 25th).

Rosie - 4 1/2 weeks old & Edison - 4 days old

Paul, Cassie & Rosie - Grand Haven, MI

I've been thinking about all that we have to be thankful for as we prepare for our first Thanksgiving as a family of 3 and have decided to make a list (I stole this idea from my sister's blog). I'm thankful for...

1. My Savior who loves me despite all my screw ups.

2. My beautiful baby girl who makes a bad day wonderful with a little smile and giggle and who sleeps through the night...most of the time.

3. My amazing husband who does so much for our family...and cleans the bathroom!

4. Parents (both mine & Bobby's) who live close and are there when we need them...and who babysit.

5. A retired father-in-law who is always available to help do work around the house :-)

6. A mom who cooks for me every Monday night before bible study.

7. A sister who is only a phone call or text message away...and who is the best best-friend a girl could ask for.

8. A brother-in-law who takes good care of my best friend & her boys

9. Three of the cutest nephews in the world who's shenanigans bring joy to my life (even if they are driving their mother crazy)

10. A sister-in-law who not only spoils her neice rotten but is always there when I need her.

11. A brother & sister-in-law who are following God's lead and sacraficing so much to serve others.

12. All of our extended family.

13. All of our friends near and far

14. My job & great co-workers

15. My students who make my job both challenging and fun

16. A warm house to live in with a beautiful backyard.

17. A friend who takes great pics (see the Fall one of Rosie above for proof)

18. My crock-pot and freezer meals (thanks to Raychel for helping me learn the ropes)

19. Cloth diapers

20. Dryer balls

21. My iPhone

22. My laptop

23. The internet

24. Skype

25. Coupons

26. Our new car

27. My new Kindle

28. Netflix

29. Coffee...and a husband who makes it everymorning

30. Our family Thanksgiving get together (which my dad lovingly calls a family circus) where we can stuff our faces and laugh alot.

31. Decorating for Christmas - I can't wait to put our tree up Friday...Rosie even gets one in her room!

I'm sure I haven't listed everything and have probably left off some very important things but as you can see I am beyond blessed!

I hope you all have a wonderful Turkey day and maybe I won't wait so long between posts next time...but I'm not making any promises!

Proverbs 22:6

Point your kids in the right direction—

when they're old they won't

be lost.

Proverbs 22:6

(TheMessage)

We took Rosie to church yesterday. It was fun to show her off to our church family. Her Papa (my dad) had already introduced her to the church the Sunday before during his sermon. He periodically threw a picture of her up on the screen. He also held her at the end of each service as people were leaving so they could meet her.

It was important to Bobby and I that Rosie get to meet many of the people who had been praying for her since we announced we were expecting, but even more important than that is our belief in the truth of Proverbs 22:6. Bobby and I were both raised in church, I don't remember my first time going to church but I know it was soon after I was born. When we decided we were ready to become parents, we began praying that God would allow us to raise the children He gives us to know Him and love Him with their whole hearts. We continue to pray that Rosie will give her heart and life to Christ. We pray that God will use her to do mighty things for His kingdom.

I've had a song in my head the past few days. I knew it was a hymn but I couldn't remember the name of it, so I googled the line that I could remember. The words of the song sum up what I've been thinking about and praying for my child. Here's just one verse:

"How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

and feel the pride and joy (s)he give;

but greater still the calm assurance:

This child can face uncertain days because He lives."

*The name of the hymn is "Because He Lives", look it up. I also just learned that it is my dad's favorite song :-)

Our first week at home...

We have been home for a week and Rosie is already 10 days old...time flies when your having fun!! I have to admit, it's been a pretty good week. Bobby and I are adjusting well to parenthood and Rosie is a good baby. We are learning to sleep when she sleeps and taking turns sneaking a nap when we need one. Bobby went back to work at the golf course on Monday morning and my mom was gracious enough to come over at 5:30 a.m. on the days he worked so that I would have help. Since I'm not supposed to lift anything heavier than Rosie, it is nice to have an extra set of hands. Bobby's mom, dad, and sister have also been a huge help. We are blessed to have an awesome family!!

Rosie and I both had doctors appointments last Monday. Rosie had gained 2 ounces since we left the hospital, making her a whopping 6 lbs 8 oz. She also grew a half inch, making her 21 inches long. Her doctor said she looked good. My appointment went ok too. My blood pressure was still a little high so I had to go back again Thursday. On Thursday, it was still high but better and the doctor wants to see me again next week to make sure it really is back down. This is pretty normal for someone who had preeclampsia, it just takes a little while to get back to normal.

Here are a few of my favorite things that happened this week:

Our first car ride!!

Rosie did great on her car ride home from the hospital. She doesn't seem to mind being in the car seat and sleeps pretty much the whole time when we are in the car. I have to admit I got a little emotional as we left the hospital, it seems like a dream....we really were taking our baby girl home!!!

Our first family walk

We took a very short walk down our street on Sunday. I couldn't walk to far but it was good to get outside. We would have taken more walks this week but it was too hot! Hopefully we can get out more in the coming week.

Cloth diapers

Bobby and I have chosen to use cloth diapers. A lot of people look at us like we are crazy when we tell them that, but look how cute the diaper is!!! Cloth diapers have come a long way and are much more user friendly than they once were. I've done a lot of research and even though it means we've got more laundry to do, I really believe that using cloth will be good for Rosie and obviously much better for the environment :-)

Everything's Just Rosie

She's here!!!!

Rosemary Elizabeth Kiger

Born August 25, 2010 @ 9:29 p.m.

6 lb 13 oz

20 1/2 inches long

Tuesday was supposed to be a quick checkup at the doctors office but Rosie and my doctor definitely had other plans! Well maybe I should blame my body and not Rosie. My blood pressure was up when we got to the doctors office and when they rechecked it after my exam it was even higher so the doctor sent us to the hospital because she suspected I had preeclampsia. She also seemed to think that it would mean we'd be having a baby, little did we know just what the next SEVERAL hours would hold.

We arrived at the hospital at about 12 p.m. and it was confirmed that I indeed had preeclampsia, so I was admitted and they started me on magnesium sulfate to get my blood pressure back under control. Once those meds started I was on complete bed rest and that stuff made me feel YUCK! The decision was also made to induce me the started those meds soon after. Now for those of you who don't know these two drugs that I was on have a counter effect on each other! I was hooked up to monitors and we discovered that I was having regular contractions (about every 3 to 5 minutes) although at that time, I didn't know it. Little progress was made the rest of the day and they stopped the Petosin (meds to induce me) at about 11 p.m. and gave me something to help me sleep...yeah right!

After a restless night, they restarted the Petosin at 7ish on Wednesday morning and my water broke a couple hours later. I thought for sure it was going to happen within the next few hours. Just before 6 p.m. it was finally time to push. As my mom later said, Rosie is not a girl who will be pushed around! After almost 3 hours of pushing, I was COMPLETELY exhausted and Rosie was NOT cooperating. The decision was made for me to have c-section. If you've talked to me at all over the last 9 months you know how desperately I did NOT want this to happen. I was set on no epidural (in fact I had gone through all of the afore mentioned activity with only one shot of pain medicine) and a natural birth. However, God's plans are not our plans and I had to give in, my body wasn't going to take much more and Rosie was ready for her debut. They quickly prepped me for the procedure at 9:29 p.m. I caught my first glimpse of my precious baby girl! Bobby got to hold her by my head and I got to give her a couple kisses before I was sent to recovery and she was sent to the nursery for observation.

She did however get to meet all four of her grandparents and her Aunt Rebecca & Uncle Paul along the way. Apparently, they stopped traffic in the hallway for a quick photo op and then as she left, stood there uploading to Facebook and texting. I really wish I had a picture of that!

I finally got to hold Rosie at about 2 this morning (Thursday)! What a precious moment that was!!! Bobby and I have been praying for this little miracle for a long time and now she's finally here! I can't even explain all of my emotions!

Let me also take a moment to brag on my hubby...what a trooper! He stayed by my side the whole time and was a great coach! Apparently, he doesn't just have that talent on the field, he can also do it in the delivery room. I am so proud of him! It is so much fun to watch him with his baby girl, she's got him wrapped around her little finger already!

Here goes nothing...

I have no idea if I'm going to be able to keep up with this but I'm going to give blogging a try. There's a lot going on in my life these days:

• I'm just under 6 weeks from my due date, so Bobby and I are busy getting our house ready for our new addition. They tell us we're having a girl and we are beyond excited to meet her. She's expected to arrive September 1st and it feels like time is flying! Just this week we finished painting her room (by we I mean my friend Betsy finished painting) and have slowly been putting her furniture together.
• We just got back from a fun family vacation to the Jersey Shore this past week. We spent five lovely days soaking up the sun and hanging out as a family. There were many special moments and great conversations! I am blessed to have great in-laws!!
• Bobby has been busy in his roll as the Children's Ministry Leader at church. We are excited about our upcoming Vacation Bible School, taking the Treehouse Kids to a Tigers game, and the roll out of our new Wednesday night programming, S.L.A.M. (Students Learning About Missions), coming this fall.
• Just last week, I got confirmation that I will no longer be a middle school teacher but will be moving on to bigger and better things at my districts high school. I'm not certain about that bigger and better part but I'm trying to stay positive! Honestly, I'm really nervous about being a high school teacher!!!
• My sister and her family will be here next week and I can't wait! Raychel and the boys are going to stay for two weeks and I'm looking forward to spending lots of time with them.
• Oh and did I mention that I'm going to be an auntie again???? That's right, Ray is expecting baby number 3! She's due about five weeks after me and it has been fun for us to be preggers together (even if it is from 10 hours away)!!!

I have no idea how often I'll update this thing but I'm going to give it my best shot to share whats happening in our little family's life or any other random thoughts I might be having :-)