One Month Old!

Where did this month go??? I swear, it seams like we just got home from the hospital. Our little lady is one month old and we are loving her to death:)

The joys hiccups of being a newborn

The movie "Groundhog Day" has been running through my head the past few days. It's what life has felt like for the past few weeks since having Little Evalynn home. Eat, sleep, walk and bounce, eat, sleep, walk and bounce. Ha- you are never quite prepared for having a newborn in the house....as much as anyone might tell you to "enjoy your sleep while you can" and "life will never be the same", until you have your child in your arms, does the reality of it all truly sink in for a parent.

I don't know how to describe the love I have for this little person, but it's a powerful thing. Powerful enough for me to wake up multiple times in the night to check on her sleeping, strong enough to bring tears to my eyes when she lays her head on my chest, and big enough to know that I would rather bring hurt to myself than see her suffering in any way.

Evalynn has been such a source of joy these past few weeks, though we've had a difficulties as well. The poor thing wasn't getting enough from strictly nursing, so we've had to start supplementing and pumping. I'm praising God though, because as of yesterday, she's surpassed her birth weight (finally!) and is feeling more content now that her belly is getting more food. We're slowly getting used to sleeping in 2-3 hours stints, and I'm learning that every child truly is unique and it's OK if mine does not act exactly like the books tell me she should be acting.

Onto month two and whatever that may bring us! Until then, here are a few pictures from Evalynn's past month of life. Enjoy!

Meet Evalynn Grace

Taken the morning of the 31st, before heading in for the ultrasound

My due date was January 6th, but after an ultrasound on December 31st to check my amniotic fluid levels, my Doctor thought it best to get the labor process started so I was admitted then and there....ha....not exactly the way I saw my New Years going or labor for that matter. I was induced around 2pm and started getting regular contractions by evening. Jon and I spent New Years watching fireworks from our hospital room window and trying to get as much rest as possible. It was an unforgettable night! Labor continued nicely and the results are in the pictures above. Thankfully, after over 24 hours or stage one labor, I only had to go through 11 minutes of pushing to welcome my little girl. What an incredible process childbirth is!!!

Gosh, how time flies when you're taking care of a newborn. Our little Evalynn Grace arrived January 1st at 8:01pm. Coming in at 6lbs 11 ounces, she's a beauty and we are so thankful for her. We've spent the last few weeks getting to know one another, feeding, crying, snuggling, trying to sleep......it's been a life changing 20 days. She's awesome, even when she's crying uncontrollably at 3:00am, and I thank God for giving me such a amazing, humbling, beautiful gift to care for and love.


Happy New Year everyone:)

Visiting the Land of Cactus

Jon and I just got back from a trip down south to Phoenix. We had an awesome time seeing friends and family, shopping without a 13% tax fee and spending some quality time in warm, dry weather. Yay for 80 degree temperatures!!
We were so blessed by all the love all three of us received while down there. It was good for my heart to see so many faces I love and makes me excited for the next time I get to hug them again. I just wish time would have gone a little slower.

Christina and Storey hiking with Jon

Four Generations of Ladies

My mom's "non-shower" for our little lady :)

It's a Girl!

Well, we headed to UC Baby this past week to find out what we're having and it looks like we have a girl awaiting us:) Yay!! We're so excited to meet her in three months!

Brunch and Baby Showers go well together!

My amazing friend Beth wanted to put a baby shower together for me before she moved, so we got some friends together we know in our military circle up here and had a little party last weekend. It was wonderful and tasty and everyone's generosity blew me away! Thank you Beth!! I'm going to miss you like you wouldn't believe!

As easy as apple pie

I could say that about pregnancy thus far, but it would be a bit of a stretch. Though I've have an a great six months of mom-to-be preparation, I'm now starting to feel the reality of my growing belly. I can't complain one bit though....God has been so good. He teaches me something new every day through this process of waiting and anticipation and growing.

This fall is like no other I have ever experienced. The fact that the temperature is slowly dropping and the leaves are changing are just reminders that life as I currently know is coming to big turn. I'm both happy and sad, excited and scared. I'm trying my best to enjoy these last few months like a fine wine, slowly and fully. And yet, I find days slipping by like water and my to-do list of items to accomplish ever growing in my quest to have certain goals completed prior to our little "Number 3" arriving in January. The constant desire and struggle for balance....one I'm sure will only grow.

Ahhh.......well, here's to today. To apple pie, afternoon walks, wonderful fall air, getting caught up in a good story for a few hours...and enjoying the sight of my ever expanding waitline.