Live Simply

I found these today through a trail of sources! My good friend KASSI became a fan of Maternal Lens on Facebook which sparked my interest because I basically cyber-stalk Kassi, because I heart her! From the fan page of The Maternal Lens I was directed to that BLOG and on that blog I found this POST about custom wooden photography blocks, sold HERE that I absolutely fell in love with right away!

I would LOVE to win a set and be able to customize them for our family but I'm thinking that even if I don't win them I may end up ordering them anyways just because they are so amazing! And I'm going to file her etsy site away (in my bookmarks, not my mind because we all know my mind is not a safe filing system!) for future gifts. Can you imagine the endless possibilities for aunts, uncles, grandparents, new parents, your business ... ?!? Amazing.

My Beautiful Baby

So, I have a LOT to learn! I had the privledge of watching and "helping" a great friend {Jenna} take pictures of our precious Clara on Saturday. It was a great learning experience and a great visit with their wonderful family!

Despite the chaos, created by 6 children ranging in ages from 4 to 8 months, Jenna created some exquisite images and I am so excited to share them with you!

You can see them here: http://jennastevens.blogspot.com/2010/02/little-miss-clara-sneak-peek-newborn.html
Leave her some love too! She's amazing!

A Beautiful Birthday

I am more than pleased to announce that we have a brand new beautiful member of our family! 

Clara Faith arrived February 22, 2010 at 02:45. 

She bounced out weighing 6lbs 15oz and was 19" long. 

The contractions started right around midnight of what would technically be Monday morning. Of course, thinking that this was just another fake out on Clara's part I tried to go back to sleep. I quickly realized she wasn't teasing this time, she meant business. 

By 00:35 she was, quite literally, a huge pain in my back and I figured I better wake the husband before she decided to make her grand appearance right there at my in-laws house. 

We left for the hospital by 00:45 and on the way Clara decided to take my breath away. The little beauty. 

Mike dropped me off at the entrance to the hospital around 01:00 and I slowly, grudgingly made my way up to the 6th floor to labor and delivery. Why they put labor and delivery all the way up on the 6th floor is seriously beyond me.

By this time that tiny girl had me bent over and breathing heavily. She also had me quite weak at the knees because she was stealing all my fluids.

By 01:30 they had me in a room and checked me and I was 5-6cm. Around 01:45 I was pushed to the edge and ended up asking for an epidural, after previously banking on a drug-free birth. I can see this girl is going to push my boundaries.

At 02:10 I was 8cm but I allowed them to do the procedure anyways, knowing that it may not kick in. A true example of the delusionalness that labor creates. "Sure, poke a giant needle in my spine when there's only a minuscule chance that the medicine it contains may take effect before my child is actually making her way out."

By 02:30 I was 10cm, fully effaced and that peanut was telling me she was ready to see the world. 

2 pushes and 15 minutes later she graced us with her presence, rather quietly, at 02:45.

She is absolutely perfect. 

I would prove it with photographs but sadly my computer was wiped last week and I'm still in the process of re-installing all my programs. 

But never fear, I will have photographic proof of her perfection very, very soon!

Blogging Break

I know that I haven't blogged in a while as it is, but it's gotten even harder since for the last week and a half we've been at my in-laws home. Just harder because I don't have any of my binders with my thoughts on mothering or on character traits - so I can't blog about those, and I don't have MY computer which has all my photos on it - so I can't even do a photo blog at the time being.
And harder because I am now 38 weeks and 3 days pregnant (who knew!) and am too tired to even try doing more than is necessary right now!

So, I'm taking a blogging break for the time being. If we get back home and miss Clara still hasn't made her grand appearance I may try catching up a little but otherwise I won't be back to blogging until after she's arrived and we've settled back into life!

I do want to comment on today though - because 3 years ago today - at this time - I was in labor with our George! He made his debut at 3:34pm on this day, 3 years ago. I cannot believe he is 3. Where did those years go? And even more shaking - did I use them wisely with him and his training?! Because 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 are CRITICAL training ages and I don't know if I used that time wisely with my George.
But, I praise God for him! He is an amazing, wonderful, sweet, tender, strong, silly, car-loving little man that I adore.