From the hospital....to home for the first time....

7-24-07

This blog will be a bit rough due to lack of time. This may be the trend for a while so please be patient.

Last pregnant pic!

This was outside Pierce's room just before we left for the hospital.

Just before surgery...

Daddy just before surgery -- doesn't he look handsome?

My stout little man just after birth... 9 lbs 4.6 oz!!!

This was as they were finishing up the C-Section. I have to tell you, I was apprehensive about the idea of being fully awake and cognisant during a surgery, but it was pretty amazing and I did not feel anything except the weight of Pierce come off of me! Now the healing part.... I definitely prefer normal delivery!!!

First Daddy, Mommy, Pierce pic...

Why is it that my husband is sleeping in almost all pictures we have of him with the kids as newborns???

First Mommy and Pierce pic...

These are some of Pierce's visitors...there were several others not pictured...

Pierce's first friend visitor -- Emma!

Getting ready to go home...

Heading home

Justus' first time to see "Baby Pierce" ... He was SO happy to meet him!!!

Justus could not wait to hold him.

Both were so curious, Bella is more curious than interested. At this point she wants to experiment on him by tapping him with objects around the house!

Yes, this is why his bedroom door is shut at ALL times when we are not in the room!!!

Our New Sweet Pierce...

I am just putting this one up for those who have not seen our newest little man. I have many more, but I am completely exhausted at the moment so the rest will have to wait a bit.

10 YEARS!!!

7-14-07

As of today, Gary and I have been married for ten amazing years! We have endured a great deal in the last decade, but wow what blessings we would have missed if we had given up!!!

Due to the fact that I am one week away from delivering our son, our celebration plans were limited. However, Traci and Romel came over to keep the children Saturday and we went to Red Lobster and a movie. Then, last night we actually got to sneak away to a hotel alone for the night!!!

Just a few shots...

Gary, and his great smile, as we drove away from Red Lobster.

Just before our movie -- (we went to see Live Free or Die Hard).

Again -- delivering in one week... and yes, for the smart alecks out there, I am sure there is only one baby.

Romel and Traci leaving after a fun-filled night with toddlers!

How sweet -- Traci and Romel made us a cake while they were at the house. :)

The cake has been great by the way!!!

Big Girl Bed, Building, & BBQ

7-11-07

After much deliberation, Gary and I opted to put Bella in her "big girl bed" for the first time last night. The timing worked out well because she learned to climb into the crib yesterday! I wish I could say that all went off without a hitch and she slept perfectly on night one. However, night one was rough; but we are well into night two and no problems tonight!

Justus also got to sleep in a "new bed" last night. His grandmother sent this really cool tent for Pierce's room, but after we set it up in there yesterday, it was much too big for the room. Thus, we moved it to Justus' bed for now and as you can tell he was ecstatic!!! The side benefit for us, he cannot wait to get into bed right now!

We spent Saturday at Nani's saying good-bye to Gary's Uncle Terry. He and his wife, Wanda, are moving to Colorado. Bella was just as interested in saying good-bye to Hercules (the dog).

Justus thought he would mow the lawn for Nani while we were there, or the concrete...
These were taken yesterday -- I cannot believe how big my son looks here!
Then, of course, to demonstrate his "big boy self" he decides to pour water on his sister's head!
Bella, after a short time in the sun with her sunscreen hair!

Meme brought over Bella's new furniture and this day was spent putting it all together and trying it out!
While we were putting the furniture together, the kids went to one of their favorite play spots -- Pierce's bench. They love to crawl in and out of it!
Bella likes to peek out, but if that door gets shut -- watch out, you will have an UPSET little girl on your hands. Thus, Justus loves to try to shut it as much as possible!
We were assembling the wardrobe when Gary took this pic of Bella sitting in it. I call this the, "Daddy, I'm over here!" pic.

He is all about the rubber mallet!

A sweet break for kisses!

Justus was helping to put the chair together.

On July 4th we went to Matt and Ashleigh's for a great BBQ! We all had lots of fun and enjoyed some time with friends! Bella had a great time on Morgan's swing with Jaclyn pushing her.

Jose, quite the baby wrangler! Let me tell you, I am SO slow right now, any help is much appreciated! :)


Jaclyn & Jose -- they are so precious; I need one of Matt and Ash too!

Justus found a new favorite backyard toy! I was amazed at how strong his little three year old arms are!

I wish I had this shot head on -- Morgan and Bella were being so sweet with each other.
Bella checking out everything...
I hope Justus is as good with Pierce as he was with Emma. Emma was smiling like crazy when he was talking to her.
Matt and Ashleigh -- Sorry my daughter invaded Emma's bouncer before I pulled her out! I do love this pic though.
This is one of my favorites!!!! Ashleigh with the tribe! Two of theirs, two of ours, and one of someone else's!