Joyful. Patient. Faithful.

Blake Denver - ONE Month

• He has grown from his birth weight, 6lbs. 6oz, to 8lbs. 13.5oz.
• He is still wearing Newborn sized clothes.
• He loves being swaddled...most of the time.
• He has big beautiful dark blue eyes.
• Has lots of dark brown hair, with some lighter hair underneath.
• He smiles with his whole face while he is sleeping and after he has eaten.
• He is starting to really focus in on faces.
• He recognizes his mom and dad's smells, faces and voices.
• He has a few nicknames: Squeaker (after all the little sounds he makes), Little Man and Little Bug
• He still gets woken up every three hours to eat by mom and dad...even though he could sleep longer.
• He loves to snuggle, especially after his belly is nice and full.
• He likes going for rides in his stroller, unless he gets woken up by a bump in the road.
• He falls asleep every time he gets put in the car.
• He 'accidentally' rolled over from his tummy to his back...twice.
• He still gets hiccups a least once a day...same as when he was inside his mommy.
• He enjoys sleeping, and coos while he is settling in.

"Your hands made me and formed me."

Psalm 119:73

 "We love because he first loved us."

1 John 4:19

 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Romans 12:12

 

We are so in love with our sweet little boy. It is amazing to think that it has already been a month that he has been in our lives because it feels like we have known him forever. We have been working really hard this month getting his weight up and getting him to become a good eater. It has been a lot of work, and not so much sleep, but so worth the effort.  He has diffidently grown this month, and already he looks so much different than when we first brought him home from the hospital. We have been so blessed by so many family and friends that have helped us welcome our new little man. So many wonderful meals, and visitors have come to welcome Blake, and to make us as parents feel a little less overwhelmed.  So very thankful for the support we have had, and for the world that we get to raise Blake in.

Our family of two is now three.

Blake Denver Bernard

June 25th 2012

12:54pm

6lbs. 6oz. 19"

Our sweet little miracle decided that he was ready to come 3-weeks early; we could not be more excited that he is here. Our family has officially gone from two to three. Sweet little Blake is the perfect addition to our family, and even though we have only just started getting to know him, I know he is exactly what Jason and I needed in a son.

It all started Sunday morning, June 24th, when I let Jason know that I thought we should go to the hospital to get checked out since I wasn't feeling so good. At around 9:15am the triage nurse said she was pretty sure that we would be heading back home in an hour or so; then she checked me, and said I was 3cm and was having contractions.  They most likely would have sent me home except my blood pressure was just a little to high and wasn't coming down.  After walking the halls for an hour-and-a-half they checked me again, and the doctor working that day decided to keep me for observation and to further test to make sure I wasn't experiencing preeclampsia.

At around 11:30pm Sunday night, after Jason and I had spent the day playing cards, spending time with family and watching a movie we went to bed...well I should say Jason went to bed.  The moment I laid down, I felt my first contractions.  Since I had been told I had been having them all day, I wasn't sure if I was making them up or not...soon enough as they got stronger I knew they were real.  I attempted to time them, and paced around the room to alleviate some of the pain.  I wanted to give Jason as much sleep as possible, but at 3:30am I was ready to wake him up and get the process going.

The nurse came in, and I could tell she was still expecting nothing really to be happening.  What did take place was that I was already 6cm dilated and 80% effaced.  The nurse turned to us and said, "It looks like this is baby day for you two! Let's move you over to a delivery room."

Jason called our parents while I dressed into the "fashionable" gown and got ready for what the day would bring.  Around 6am our family started showing up.  I took a bath in the tub...not the most relaxing bath I have ever had...I was told it would cut my pain in half; I don't think that happened.  When I got out of the tub the nurse checked me again, and I had progressed to 7cm and 100% effaced.  She said I should go walk the halls to help the labor to keep progressing.

While in the hall I had two contractions less than a minute apart, and I looked at my mom and just said, "Epidural."  Ten minutes later I was sitting on the edge of the bed, shaking, but thankful for the decision I had made.  I got a little bit of a break after the epi, since my labor stalled at 8cm.  Soon though, after the doctor broke my water, my contractions intensified, and I was officially 10cm and ready to push.  I remember looking at Jason and us saying, "This is it. Our family of two is growing into three so soon."

At 12pm I started pushing.  Partway through there was a little bit of an issue.  Suddenly there was an extra nurse in the room, and they were having me roll from side to side while I was given oxygen.  We found out later that we were close to a C-Section due to the fact that the cord was wrapped around his neck, and with each contraction and push the baby's heart rate was dropping very low. Thankfully, the oxygen helped and we were able to continue pushing.

At 12:54pm I gave once last push, and instantly Jason and my life changed for the better.  Blake came into the world crying, but when they place him on my chest he calmed down and had his big eyes open looking around.  Amazing. That's the only word I can think of to explain the many feelings that were rushing through me as I held this tiny baby that is part of Jason and part of me. He is such a sweet blessing to our family.  We are feeling so blessed that the labor went smoothly, and that our 'little man' is healthy and here.

First Bath

Going home!

Relaxing at home.

Calli checking out her new baby brother.

Happy 4th of July

Church Baby Shower...Downpour

This last weekend I was thrown an amazing baby shower at Salem Heights by some very sweet friends. I was blown away at the many details that went into making it so unique and special.

36 Weeks

Leanna, Me and Elle...Some of my great friends who threw a wonderful shower :)

Babies on Board: Michelle (October); Amanda (September); Crystal (August); Alicia (July 31st); Me (July 14th)

The theme was "Mustache," and it was so cute. There was a photo booth where people could pose with some props, a game of 'Guess Whose Mustache It Is,' delicious chocolate and lemon cupcakes and so many people that came to celebrate.

More than anything, I felt like it was a party to reassure me that Jason and I are not in raising this little boy on our own.  We are the main ones that will be doing the job of raising him, but I know there are so many others that love him as well.

"Train up the child in the way he should go; 

even when he is old he will not depart from it." 

Proverbs 22:6

I am so thankful for my family and church family that I know are watching out for us. I was amazed at the outpouring of love and support. We received so many adorable baby clothes and supplies, a crib, car-seat/stroller, bouncer, etc.

More than the gifts though, it took my breath away to look out at all the smiling faces of women that I look up to as mothers, my own mom and mother-in-law, family and friends.  I realize that I don't know what it is going to be like to be a mommy, but I am so thankful for the amazing examples I have from: my own mom, my mother-in-law and my many friends that have already begun the journey of being a mom. My desire is to become a woman that:

"Speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue...

Does not eat the bread of idleness. 

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also; and he praises her...

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, 

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." 

Proverbs 31:26-31

Nolz and Bernard Women...soon to add a little BOY

Waiting for a Boy

We are patiently waiting for our little boy to arrive. There have been ups and downs throughout my pregnancy; times when fears would creep in, and times when I was so excited to meet this new member of our family.  Now that we are nearing due date of his coming (July 14th) I can't help but imagine what he is going to look like, what his talents will be and just the amazing impact he will have on our lives. When I see little infant boys, toddler boys and elementary boys I can't help but feel a tugging on my heart. I can't believe that I get the opportunity to grow up a little boy into a man...major responsibility, but one that I can't wait to embark upon.

33 Weeks

I am still feeling pretty good most of the time thankfully.  I am just finding that after working a full day I am really tired and like to just get home and relax.  (We are at 33 weeks and 3 days...37 weeks is full-term...40 weeks is our due date) Our little boy is getting so big...there have been a couple of times that he has shifted all the way over to one side of my belly, and I could actually see how big he was. I saw his little foot the other day as well, and tickled it back in. AMAZING. There are not as many kicks since he is running out of room, but he stretches and pushes all the time. That is something that I love...those little movements that I feel throughout the day that make me think he is saying, "Hey mom don't forget I am here."

I officially have "pregnancy brain." Yesterday I asked Jason if he had put the "mailboxes out on the curb" (I meant garbage cans).  I also made the comment that we were walking our "watermelon" down the street when we were taking our lawnmower to a friend's house to take care of their yard. Needless to say this has been a very funny part of being pregnant, and has made for some hilarious moments at our home.
_____________

Besides expecting our little man, we are winding down the school year! I can't believe how fast this year has gone. I have been thankful for my job this year, but it isn't like being a teacher in the classroom, but I am thankful for what I was given.  We are still prayerfully waiting for news on Jason's position next year.  This year he has loved being at Straub, it is is only a half-time permanent job, and we are praying for a full-time position...we will see what happens, but we are excited to see where the Lord is going to take him. Still amazed at what he does each day as a special education teacher...it is something he is gifted at, and something I am thankful he has the passion for.

We are also almost done with our second year helping out with the youth group at church.  We will still help out on Sundays but the weekday activities are ending until the school year starts back up in the fall. Just this last week in fact, Jason preached on Tuesday night....I was SO proud of him. He spoke on 'boasting,' so he can't say himself that he did great, but I think he did. :) The youth group is something that we are loving helping out with...you would think that we would have enough of middle school students with our jobs, but it has been a blast getting to feed into their lives and spend time being goofy with our kids.

Keep us in your prayers with all the upcoming changes in our lives. We are so excited to start these next new chapters in our lives, and to see where God is going to take our growing little family. :)

The Countdown Begins

"So far so good." The best words an expectant couple could hear at their check-up.  We are 32 weeks along as of right now, and I'm feeling great, and our little boy is growing and moving right on track.  Our doctor said that we are in the countdown phase, "Check-up with ultrasound in three weeks, then check-up in two and finally check-ups every week until the baby arrives."

WOW.

Needless to say Jason and I are really excited to meet this little man that we have been hearing about, feeling and praying for for the last eight months.  We feel very blessed to have all good news as of yet, and the fast that I am still pretty comfortable for the most part.

It still amazes me that there is a new little life, a new family member that we haven't met, but will get to know just growing inside of me.  It blows my mind that there is nothing of my own doing that is making him grow, but that God. in His masterful plan, is knitting my baby and growing my baby in me.  What a blessing to be a woman and get to carry new life; something I've dreamed about since I was a little girl, and never could have imagined it being as amazing as it truly is.  Very much looking forward to his arrival, and the changes that are to come for our family of two.

Baby Boy

I can't believe how fast time has gone! This was taken on our girls weekend that a group of my friends and I took to Tollgate, OR (right outside of Sisters).  I am feeling really good still, and have managed to keep up with all of my many activities like teaching, working out, youth group, teaching swim lessons, etc.  The little kids at swim lesson crack me up because they are constantly asking about the baby and what he is doing.  There is one little girl that has asked me each week since December if my baby is coming. :)  I also had a very sweet special ed boy at school amazed that my baby was alive inside of me and that he had the hiccups just like he gets sometimes. Very sweet :)

Our doctor visits are getting closer together now, and that makes it seem all the more real.  A couple weeks ago Jason and I took the birthing class at the hospital, and I think that made us both feel a lot more confident about what's to come.  We both learned a lot, and got some great tips that I'm sure come the day this little guys makes his appearance will go right out of our heads.  I am thinking I may be spending some time...that is if we have the time...in the jetted tubs that each birthing room has at the Salem Hospital :)

Thankful for feeling and seeing all his movements.  We are pretty sure we have seen his little feet pushing out, and I most definitely have felt his head and bottom sticking out. :) He gets the hiccups at least twice a day, and seems to be somewhat on a sleep schedule, waking up around 10:00pm each night. We love him a lot, and are looking forward to meeting him.

Working on the baby's room...stripes that worked AMAZING!!! Excited to see it all coming together.