Hooray! He's here!

Our precious baby boy, Aaron Charles, was born September 26th at 10:57am.   After a quick 2 hour labor/delivery,  we welcomed him into our family.  He weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. and was 18.3 inches long.  Aaron has a head full of dark brown hair and is a spitting image of both of my other boys.  He is just beautiful and such a blessing from the Lord.  Praise to the Father for a healthy delivery for us both! 

After holding Aaron for a few minutes and introducing him to my family, the newborn nurse decided to take him to the NICU for some breathing issues (probably due to such a short labor).  He spent the day and night under their watch, and got to spend his second night in the hospital in room with me.  We are SO thankful and overjoyed to welcome him into our family.  We love you Aaron.

Bed Rest Countdown:16

Final bed rest countdown!!  16 weeks complete and a few more days until I will be induced :)  My doctor gave me the freedom to get up, but the hubby wants me to wait until after the baby comes.  While I am ready to have the freedom to do what I want, I know that it will be a long time before I have the energy to actually do very much. 

Some things I can't wait to do:
hold our precious baby
attend church (at least a small portion of it)
bake cookies with the kids
get my kitchen in order (I can't find anything in it anymore!)
take care of my household chores
cook dinner for my family

This time of bed rest has been LONG.  I have seen God's blessing and provision for us each step along the way including over 52 meals, weekly lawn care, housekeeping help, prayers, and numerous play dates for the kiddos and I.  Thank you to each one of you who showed us the love of Christ through the service of your hands and prayers from your hearts.  Keep praying for a safe, healthy delivery for both the baby and I.  We love you all!  Next time I post, it'll probably include baby pictures!!

Bed Rest Countdown: 15

15 weeks down/1 to go and I'll be 38 weeks!!  My doctor says she won't induce me until 39 weeks, but I'm hoping this little man won't wait quite that long.  I'm more than ready to be carrying him on the outside instead of the inside. There are only a few things left on my "have to do" list (thanks to all the help from my mom): find/wash the infant car seat, buy newborn diapers, move Adrian's clothes to JG's closet,  and pack the hospital bags.  I can't believe it is almost time to welcome baby boy to the world.  Please be praying for both the baby and my health as the big day approaches.  I am at a higher risk for some complications during delivery that I'd really rather not have to deal with.  Pray, pray, pray please!

Cravings

I was craving a decaf Starbucks mocha frappaccino today and low and behold, Jesse walks in the door with one right as I finish eating my dinner.  I don't know how he knew what I wanted, but boy did he come through!!  In 2 words-- husband awesomeness!!  Thanks honey for making my day :)

Getting stuff done

It felt nice to accomplish a few things today.  Jesse and his friend Mike spent the morning cutting down a tree at our rental house while I played with the kids from the couch.  Thankfully they played well with puzzles, legos, and the play kitchen.  Adrian even brought me all his diaper supplies and laid on the floor next to the couch for a diaper change!!  JG read Adrian a book and tucked him in for nap before he and Ava had their 1 hour rest time.  Jesse came home to a quiet and peaceful house!   I spent my couch time sewing up tears in a bunch of hand me down princess dress-up clothes, fixing holes in stuffed animals, and sewing a button on some shorts for Ava.  If it wasn't for bed rest, the dress-up clothes and animals would never have been repaired.  While these are all little things, it felt SO nice to start something and finish it all on my own :) 

Bed Rest Countdown: 14

14 weeks down (and 2 days)/2 weeks to go! 36 weeks pregnant!  I went to the doctor today and she said that the baby weighs 6 lbs. 11oz!  I also saw on the ultrasound that he has chubby cheeks and a dimple on his chin.  I can't wait to meet this sweet baby.  The doctor also said that I could start sitting up and moving around some in just 5 more days!  I made an appointment to get a pedicure and haircut as soon as I got home :)   Keep praying that this little pumpkin stays put a little longer and that we have a safe and healthy delivery!

Pei Wei memories

Tonight Jesse and I got take-out from Pei Wei for dinner and it was such a treat for me!!  As I was munching my spicy orange peel chicken, Pei Wei memories flooded my mind.  Does eating Pei Wei have a direct connection to improved memory skills??  I'm thinking it might.  Anyway, I thought a few were worth noting for fun.

-first Pei meal: over 8 years ago with friends from our newly wed Sunday school class... had my first taste of edamame
-gobbling Pei Wei with Jesse the night before Ava was born while having contractions 2 minutes apart
-sitting at the Pei Wei bar and eating Pei Wei with Adrian after a prenatal check-up.  It was the only thing that sounded good :)
-getting Pei Wei take-out to celebrate my bff Alice's b-day (and her trip to town and surviving IKEA with all our kiddos).  Adrian pulled my food off the table and onto the floor.  Alice said, "you can cry if you want to... I would" (or something like that).
-sharing a Pei Wei meal with our ABF co-directors, the Bitars, and a church leader
-tonight- trying to steal a few quiet minutes with Jesse while the kids watched a show.  They got taquitos, apples, and carrots (don't judge me) while we got the good stuff...

Thanks for letting me share some random memories of yummy food shared with special people.  Maybe I can share a Pei Wei meal with you before too long... for some reason, I bet I'll remember that one as well.