Reece meets his peeps

So one of these days I'll sit and write up Reece's birth story. Here's the brief version: 9:45pm on 3-12-13 (baby's due date) my water broke. 10:30pm checked into hospital. Labored all evening and got drugs at 7:00am on 3-13-13. I was wide awake in with restless leg syndrome, and fought my nagging upper respiratory cough until 11:45am when I started pushing. Pushed and pushed and when the doc finally untangled baby from HIS umbilical cord at 1:16pm, Brent shouted: "It's Reece!" We cried and smiled for the next hour or so just soaking up all of the love God had poured down on us. We wanted to stay in that moment forever. Finally we let the others in ;) Reece met his family. He loves you all already.

Uncle Jerh and Grandpa Wayne

Nana and Papa

Grandpa Wayne was my first visitor!!

Aunt Chelsie and Dad

Uncle Nels

Nannie

Uncle Nels, Cousin Finn, Brent, and Reece

Cousin Doc McLiesl

Auntie Emily

The Urbs

Auntie Teag

Uncle Caleb

Aunt Hallie and Cody

and we're parents

Kinda crazy that we became parents back in June. However, when people tell you that it doesn't really sink in. Well, we decided to walk Champ on Baby J's due date, and 18 hours later we have a baby in our arms. This love is so overwhelming that I can't grasp it yet or put into words what we've felt this last week. Bottom line is that we are parents, we love it and he is ours. All ours! Here are just a few photos from his birth. Many more to come!

waiting for the babe

10(ish) days left! My co-workers threw me an amazing shower at work this past week. It was a book and gift card themed shower, so we got lots of sweet reads and tons of diaper dollars! We have been so extremely blessed throughout our entire pregnancy. We've had such an out pour of love from all of our family, friends and community. We have everything we need from the car-seat, stroller, bottles, clothes, diapers, crib to sweet homemade blankets, bibs and burp cloths. Now all we need is the baby! We go back to the doctor on Wednesday to see what's goin' on. Last week I was 1cm dilated and 50% effaced, and baby was low and in perfect position. Doc said we're keeping our March 12th due date and if I should go late, then we'll induce on the 18th or 19th. Praying for this babe to come on his/own clock and not ours. We cannot wait to see WHO the Lord has for us!! Here are just a few photos of some of the gifts from this week's shower. I meant to blog all of our gifts from the other three showers, but I actually don't have photos from two of them and I put my Victoria photos on FB. I'll get to it one day.

so excited to read these books to baby j

from a student (as well as the yellow one below). He says I can only use this one if baby j is a BOY

from a co-worker..boy does she know me!

and apparently this is only for a girl baby j, hehe

quite possibly three of my favorite gifts. All handmade- over 100 hours of love and prayers poured over these blankets.

where's the baby?!

hard to read- "For this child, we have prayed"

my diaper bag/ new camera bag! super stoked about this

stuffed full of baby j's hospital gear

one stellar meal provided by one of my students and her sweet mum...delish!

Finn Visits

So I've reached the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy and would rather sit or lay on the couch than do ANYTHING else. Seriously. Battling ear infections, upper respiratory infections and out of control allergies sure doesn't help. However, when this cutie calls, one must muster up some energy to grab a few hugs, kisses, and snapshots! Nels and Teagan AND FINN drove down this past weekend to see us one last time pre-baby j. It was so wonderful seeing them because they've been in California the last several months. We are happy to have them a bit closer to home! While I still laid on the couch most of their visit, we did manage to visit the park for a few minutes. The day was too beautiful not to. Plus, I had to have some practice with the stroller before this baby comes. Thanks to Mr. Finn, I've got the BOB all figured out now. Kinda.... ;) Thanks for visiting guys! Now back to bed I go!! Two more weeks! I've got this. Let's hope the kinder kids are kind these next 9 days of teaching. Sure don't think any of them want to deliver a baby!

I know you're sick of jack....

Several folks have let me know that they think Jack is a super cute pup, but they are tired of seeing his post from OCTOBER remain at the top of our blog. SO SORRY!!!! WORST BLOGGER EVER here. I think I had even promised that I'd get better this fall since I took a hiatus this summer. Sorry again and sorry for the future too! Who knows how I'll be with this baby taking up all of my time. I hope to be much better!!! I have a hard time pulling my camera out on the weekends now that photography isn't just a hobby. I'll get better though because I know a few grandmothers who will bug me until I post baby photos!! ;) We had one of our dear friends snap a few shots of us two weekends ago. We love Ashlee with Ashlee Newman Photography!! Didn't she do an amazing job? This is us at 34 weeks preggers. When I had my 35th week check up, Doc said baby j was doing simply fantastic. He/she was measuring just under six pounds on Feb 4th when I had my final ultrasound. My next appointment is on Feb 27 and I'll be 38 weeks! We'll find out then if anything is happening. Baby's head has been super low the last several weeks so I'm interested to see if I reach our March 12th due date.