Catching up

It's been a crazy few weeks! Wanted to post these sweet pics of Weston playing in the yard a couple days after we came home from the hospital. It was such a nice afternoon and I thoroughly enjoyed being outside and watching my baby play. It had been so long since I had been able to be somewhat up and about so I loved being able to follow him around with my camera as he explored the garden stuff and discovered the tangerine tree. Love my bubs!

Sweet Gabriel Ray- Our gift from the Lord

Our tiny bundle is here safe and sound! Born 11/09/10 at 7:02 pm

5 lbs. 11 oz. 18 1/2 inches

Last week I went in for our routine testing to make sure that Gabe wasn't in any kind of stress. They decided to analyze the placenta since he hadn't been as active as usual during the test and determined that conditions in the uterus were declining. The specialist thought it would be best to have Gabe come out since he was currently doing well and didn't want to risk him taking a turn for the worse. My Dr. agreed and we were promptly sent to the hospital!

I was checked in the morning and was 0% dilated and 50% effaced...not enough to be induced so a c-section was scheduled for the evening. I was the 5th one of the day so we waited quite a while in triage- hoping I would progress quickly with the contractions I was having, but no luck there :) I was having them 5 minutes apart, but they never increased in strength, so the c-section was a must. 30 minutes before surgery Gabe's heart rate took a plunge which scared us all alot! The nurse went running and the Dr. was paged and a whole team of people rushed in within a couple minutes wheeling me to the operating room. So many things ran through my head, but I trusted that the Lord had brought us this far, that He would allow our baby to make it through the surgery.

His heart rate slowly went back up after I was laid flat with oxygen and the doctors worked double time to get him out literally in a few minutes! It was amazing! He came out screaming and pushing away from the doctor's hands- he said! His apgar score was 9 with no signs of distress at all! God has answered all of our prayers :) They are unsure why his heart rate dropped so low so fast, but the important thing is that he is just perfect! It was a wonderful difference to have our baby in our room with us and for our family to be able to hold and love on Gabriel.

The recovery for me was a little more rough this time, but that is to be expected and we have been cared for so well. Gabe is such an easy baby so far and we are still in awe that he is here with us. We came home last Friday and walked into a clean house that smelled like Thanksgiving dinner! Thank you to our family for taking such good care of Weston and making our first moments home so special. It is a wonderful relief to have Gabe here and that this long pregnancy is over. So much waiting, praying, resting and doctor visits as well as all the meals and help from family and friends have gone into his safe arrival. Words can not express our gratitude to all those who helped us these past 9 months. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Nanni Kerri

Papa Ray

Great great Aunt Sharon

Uncle Jon

Daddy and his second beautiful boy

Omie Susan and Grandpa Mike

The yummy bird for Gabe's homecoming

Auntie Marci and cousin Joy

Cousin Ava

Sweet big brother helping rock Gabe to sleep

Four years ago today...

Happy 4th Anniversary of our engagement!

Four years ago today, you gave me the biggest surprise of my life! I was totally not expecting you to walk in during the middle of my work day and capture me! I will never forget the excitement I felt as my boss said “go, you are off the rest of the day!” I knew something big was going to happen and I had never felt that much anticipation before.

The drive all the way to Carmel felt like days and I loved not knowing what was going to happen or when it was going to happen. Our engagement couldn’t have been more perfect and thank you for making it so fun and special...something I will never forget!

When you asked me to be your wife, my heart swelled with joy and pride. I couldn’t imagine that YOU were asking me to be your wife and I was so honored that you would choose me.

Sometimes it feels like yesterday that we were on the beach that cold evening and other times it feels like we have always been together and I can’t imagine what life was like without you in it. After you proposed and the beautiful ring was on my finger, I loved to daydream about what our life together would be like. I couldn’t wait to be yours and for you to be mine.

So much has happened since that day in these short four years and I am excited to see what else the Lord has in store for our marriage.

All I know is that I love you more than I can ever say or express, and that you made me the happiest girl in the world that night! Thank you for choosing me and all of my imperfections. Saying “yes” to you was the best decision I have ever made and if I had a million lives to live, I would say “yes” every time.

I love you my handsome husband, I love you so much

We're in love with our little bug

We are coming home today with a happy healthy baby! God is so good

Gabe is coming tonight!

Details to follow, but little guy should be here around 8pm at the
latest via c-section. So far everyone is doing good! Thanks for praying!
Sent from my iPhone

A Wonderful Day

Saturday was my birthday and it was such a special day! I am dangerously close to the 30 number now, but that's ok...I will always be young compared to my handsome older man of a husband. Ha ha! JK babe, I love you!

Anyway, I spoiled rotten as usual and had some unexpected birthday surprises. My Dad was able to fly in which was a special treat since we haven't seen him since July. Our friend Joey came over per Andrew's request to our house and gave me a much needed cut and color

( something I had wanted to get done before the baby came, but haven't been able to since bedrest) My mom made a yummy breakfast, which is my favorite meal of the day as well as gifts and phone calls and so much love all around! I also have a fun trip to look forward to with my hubby in January to a darling bed and breakfast for a couple nights. I'm so excited!

Thank you everyone for making the day so fun and special!

About to pop! 12 days to go!

He gets to bake a little longer

Here is our "chubby" little man today! Can't wait to see what he actually looks like outside my belly, but these pics give us a good clue :) We DO know that he won't be chubby and we also know that he WON'T be coming today! YAY!

There was a huge possibility that Gabriel was going to need to come out today depending on his growth in the last two weeks. We have been praying hard that the complete bedrest has been working and it has! He has gone from the 11% to the 27%! If he did not grow above the 11% he was at, he would have been taken out by c-section today...something that none of us wanted to happen. So the chances are very good that he can stay inside until his due date or until I go into labor!

He will still be monitored closely (every few days) for signs of stress since he is still small, and I am still on complete bedrest since my activity level can drastically change his growth. The hope is that the growth will continue to increase over the next couple weeks so that he can be as big and strong as possible before his grand entrance. ( and decreasing the liklihood of another baby in NICU) Thanks again to everyone for all the help and prayers- we are really in the home stretch now with just two weeks to go!