Picture Love

Ask my family...I love pictures, I'm a little neurotic about capturing moments, so of course I wanted professional photos to document this exciting time in our lives.I am very blessed to have a cousin who  is a talented photographer, who also lives close. I asked Brooke to take both maternity and newborn pictures. I wanted to share a few of my favorites from both shoots:

Your First Month

Grady,

It's hard to believe that you have been with us for a month. It seems like just yesterday we found out that you were growing in my tummy. The last month has been full of challenges, laughs, moments of pure peace and others of joy. It is impossible to put into words how our hearts have grown. Our time together has been amazing...and for a one month old you sure have done a lot.

We spent the first few days in the hospital getting to know each other (and relying on the expertise of the doctors and nurses):

Then they made us go home....

 Where you met your fur siblings, Kai and Kona. They love to lick you when ever they get a chance. 

 The first few days at home we really had to figure things out...Mom and Dad were figuring out the baby thing and you were learning all about life on the outside. There were tears and laughter, google searches, kisses, naps together and a lot of love.

We took you to the doctor when you were 10 days old and you already met your birth weight.

Daddy had to go back to work so we visited him there...you wore your tie-onesie so that you would be dressed business casual. The ladies at the bank really thought you were cute.

You had your first bath...you weren't sure what to think, but we learned that you like to be down in the water and listen to Michael Buble while you bathe. Sometimes after we get you dried of and dressed we dance around a little to the music.

You have posed for more pictures than we can count, but you seem to change everyday, and I don't want to miss a thing!

You helped cheer on Team USA in the summer olympics and even attended a USA themed party.

We traveled to KC to a Sip n See where you were the main attraction, and you meet several Great Aunts and your Godparents.

You have met lots of family members: 2 sets of grandparents, 5 great grandparents, 8 Aunts and Uncles , 3 cousins and lots of friends!

You went to the park for the first time in Mulvane.

 Of course you spent a lot of time doing what babies do best: sleeping, for a while the only place you would sleep was on someone's chest.

 You have been on several walks, Kai and Kona really like to go on walks and you don't seem to mind, but we have to go early before it gets too hot.

You've been on lots of car rides...the longest to Mulvane to visit Papa and Nana, but also to church, Mom's school and lots of errands. For the most part you like riding in the car as long as we don't have to stop for a train or a red light...you get that from your Dad!

You've listened to lots of books...almost every one in your nursery. Usually the whole family (even Kai and Kona) reads books in your nursery after you get ready for bed. 

I can't believe how much you have changed already...your growing up too fast! Happy One Month Little Man!!!

Week 40

Week 40 could also be called Week 1...Here's to counting the weeks with Grady instead of the weeks of pregnancy!!

The Birth of Our Lil' Firecraker

Mr. Grady made his arrival at 8:52 on July 4th, 2012. He weighed 6 lbs 13 oz and was 19 inches long. After all the worry and extra tests, turns out I was just hiding a normal sized baby...for which we are very thankful. To be honest the whole giving birth experience is very surreal. My labor started around 9:00 pm on July 3rd and continued through the night. The contractions weren't too intense, but they were different from anything that I had felt before. I stayed up through the night...watching movies, painting my nails and timing contractions. Chad slept...The next morning the contractions were still 6-7 minutes apart so we debate about when to head to the hospital...I did not want to be "that lady" who comes in and gets sent home. We went for a walk, hung out in the parking garage and outside the maternity ward before finally heading in. I could tell the nurse did not think that I was in labor and I was desperate to have Grady out, so I was praying the whole 2 hour watch period that I would progress and get to stay. After two hours the nurse called our doctor to give him an update, shortly there after our doctor came in and gave us 2 options....break my water and get the show on the road or head home and return if things don't change. Um...yeah break the water please! When they broke my water I was at 4, and things went pretty quickly after that, or at least it felt that way. I quickly decided that my mom was indeed tougher than me (5 natural births) and signed up for an epidural.

Chad...looking totally stressed out the labor process (NOT) and me obviously after the epidural.

 After 24 hours of labor- (1.5 hours of pushing) out came our little miracle, perfectly healthy with an oddly shaped head that thankfully looked better by morning. Thats what happens when you hang out in the birth canal sideways.

 Our first family pic.

 The gift basket we made for our nurses.

 Our lil' firecracker...

We are so blessed by the arrival of this little guy, and thank the Lord for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. I can hardly believe that he is here! It was a great way to spend the 4th of July!