Photo shoot with Kaitie

Kaitie came for a quick visit yesterday and we had a photo shoot today of Alexander! He was such a good sport and Kaitie took some great pictures. We had such a fun visit! Thanks for coming, Kait!

Hospital Photo

He's here!

Alexander came last Wednesday. My labor started around 2am. I must have cried out in pain because the first thing I remember is Justin asking, "Why are you waking me up?" I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't, so I walked around and we started timing my contractions. After two hours, we decided this was probably the real thing so I took a shower and we started getting ready to head to the hospital. We had the Cosby show on and I cooked up some chicken that I had taken out of the freezer so it wouldn't go bad. :) Justin blew up my exercise ball to use as a labor ball and I'd sit on that while having contractions. We called the doctor at 6am and she said to come on to the hospital. We arrived shortly before 7am and found out that the hospital was so full I'd have to wait for a bed! I labored for a while in the "daddy" waiting area (not fun) and finally got a room. We found out I was already 4-5cm and 100% effaced and my water broke the first time I was checked! I labored for about an hour more before receiving my epidural. The nurse estimated a 2pm delivery. However, every time they checked me I was several cm more dilated and by 10am I was ready to push! Everything happened so fast! Alexander arrived at 11:14am and is the joy of our hearts! He's so precious and couldn't be any cuter. We are cherishing this time with him. Here are some pictures of the little guy.

So close!

Look at how close my sweet pea is to coming home (see lilypie above)! We're so excited! It's weird to remember when it used to say 245 days and now it's down to 8! I'm enjoying these last days of being pregnant, but I'm ready to hold and meet the little guy (who doesn't feel super little anymore!). Maybe my next post will be about his birthday...;)

Christmas

We had so many fun Christmas celebrations this year. Justin and I couldn't travel because I'm so close to my due date, so people came to visit us! Justin's parents came on Christmas Day, but I never got out my camera-sad! Here are some pics from other celebrations.

Christmas Eve
We went to the candelight service at our church and then had our friends Nate and Molly over for a Swedish Smörgåsbord. We had such a great time! (Molly can't ever keep her eyes open when my camera flashes;).

We celebrated Christmas with my side of the family on New Year's Eve. Here, dad is making me laugh so hard!

presents for Alexander

dad, Justin (with his new robe), Corey

Happy New Year Alexander!

2010!

Belly Pics 3rd Trimester

37 Weeks


36 Weeks

35 Weeks

School Baby Shower

My class threw me such a special shower! We had a delicious lunch, and the duck theme was so cute. Groups of students decorated each table with different ducks (pictured is the head table with Justin the king duck, Lisa the teacher duck, and Alexander the baby duck). They showered me with gifts, prayers, and blessings. The "blessings book" they gave me is so special. Students, parents, and staff wrote words of encouragement and their prayers for me and the baby. It was a day I will treasure always.