Newborn Pictures

Last week we finally had Kate's newborn pictures taken and we already have them back! They are wonderful. Thank you Dusty! I have uploaded several of them to our web album, for your viewing pleasure. Everything is going great. Kate is such a gassy baby and I'm trying to remedy that- and everyone has a different opinion. So this week is consumed with making her feel better. A pediatrician (not mine, but one from his office) told me to eliminate dairy from my diet. And this is after I've told her I'm eliminating salad, most veggies, and most fruit! What else is left besides meat? I talked to a lactation nurse today who told me that was crazy and that Kate was probably eating too much! What?!?! She said everything should regulate soon, just to be patient and not change my diet. I am willing to try anything, I just want her to feel better. She seems to be so uncomfortable. But, besides that- everything really is great! Noah is a wonderful big brother, who despite our fears, seems to be adjusting really well. He loves to share his toys. He even has some new stuffed animals that he feeds and changes their diapers. :) It's adorable!

Nathan enjoyed 3 weeks off from church and starts back this week. And just in time!- Our church is starting to have 2 services on Sunday. Very exciting! In our life it means for a tired Daddy by lunchtime. But it is well worth it! So, keep him in your prayers!

Well, Kate has started to cry and Noah is wanting some attention, so I'm needed.

Enjoy the pictures and this beautiful weather outside!

Kate Ann Loxley

She's here! And already a week old. The past week has been a blur, but it has been amazing. You all know I was supposed to be induced on Tuesday, well... Kate was not satisfied to be born on Fat Tuesday. What a legacy for a lady! So, she decided to grace us with her presence a little early. On Monday morning my water broke (I was pretty sure!) and a few hours later I was even more sure and called the doctor's office to confirm my suspicions. Nathan called his mom to get the ball rolling for Noah's handoff. We weren't in any hurry after our LONG day with Noah's delivery. Well, Nana had 2 flat tires on her way to our house, but she made it and ruined the tires! We waited for the tow truck and decided she would take my car and Nathan and I would go in his truck. A couple of hours later we left, made a few stops on the way to take care of some business, and then headed to the hospital. We got there around 12:30, got checked in, were in triage for an hour or so, and then got settled into a delivery room. I was about a 4 at this point. We hadn't even told many people we had gone to the hospital, because we knew it would be a long night. So no one was in a hurry to get there. Noah's sitter for the day was sick, so Nana was making plans for him so she could be there for the delivery. I told my mom to wait and come after school. Maybe an hour and a half later I got my epidural with no protest from me! It made my legs feel numbish, but not my abdomen! I was feeling my contractions. They kept getting worse and after a second dosage fix on the epidural, it wasn't working. I was crying from the pain and the doctor came in with a syringe and pumped a c section dosage into my back! praise God! Then the nurse discovered Kate's head was visible and I was ready to push. No wonder I was in so much pain. They apologized and warned me I might not have enough time to let the epidural kick in. They kept me lying down and paged my doctor twice. Everyone went into action since Kate was coming at a rapid rate that nobody was ready for. And no one but my parents had made it to the hospital yet! About 10 minutes later I started pushing and pushed for 3 minutes. At that point all of the days problems and obstacles vanished! She was 7 lbs 3.5 oz and 19.5 inches. 2 lbs and 2 inches smaller than Noah. Whew! She is such a blessing and I can't believe it's been a week. She's sitting here with me as I type and she's just a little snuggle bug. It's hard to remember these days with Noah, but I definitely don't want to take them for granted. Please continue to pray for our family. It is such an adjustment, but I think we're all rising to the challenge, even big brother! This morning he even let her play with his beloved Mack (from the CARS movie)! Today is Nathan's first day back at work, so pray for him especially. He has been super dad and I know has LOVED every minute of being at home with his family. Check out our web album for many, many pictures of our first few days!

5 days or less

Well, the title is correct, I'm having a baby in 5 days or less! This lil' lady is being induced out of my body on February 24th if she doesn't come before then. Wow! That is exciting and scary to say at the same time. I can't wait to meet her and hold her in my arms and finally KNOW that she is safe and healthy. For now, and for the past 9 months, all I've been able to do is pray and rely on God. That is such an amazing feeling- no control at all. I hate it. I am just that kind of person. But I love God with all of my heart and I know that He is in control and that's got to be enough! So, lil' lady whose name you don't yet know will greet us all very soon. Her room is officially ready! Nathan hung the curtains for me last night and I set up empty picture frames! I love her room. It came together how I pictured it in my head and it's really sentimental for me. It is definitely a repurposed room! Her bedding was made out of some of my old bedding (thank you Melody!). Her furniture is new and old. Her dressing table which is being used as a changing table was my mom's when she was a little girl and then I used it too. My parents bought me a dresser to match and that's in her room too. We bought the crib and shelves to match. It's really nice to see it all together and know how special it is and will be for her to use too! Here is a picture of the room and several more are in our web album. We haven't hung the stuff on the wall yet, because her name is going to go above her crib!

We'll let you know once she arrives!

Doctor Appointments!

This has already been a full week, and it's just Wednesday! It seems like we have so many appointments. Yesterday Noah had his 2 year well check-up and he's doing wonderful. He is 31 lbs (85 %) and 34 in (32 %). I can't believe he's actually short! The doctor says he's fine and there's nothing to worry about. He is doing exceptional in motor skills and verbal skills. After we had seen the doctor and were waiting for the nurses to come back to do his shot, Noah fell and busted his lip. I had to get the nurses, who had to get the doctor. What in the world?!? He's fine now, but cried and cried! Because of where it was they don't do stitches, but it was not pretty. He wanted his daddy. And of course, I wanted his daddy too! It never fails for something to happen.

On Monday I had my doctor appointment and everything was great there too. Lil Lady is right on track and we instantly found her heartbeat. I start going every week next week. That is the true sign of getting close to my due date. I am 35 weeks. We are going to try to pay attention to my measurements and make sure she's not a huge baby like Noah was. I just have to pray for dilation. If everything looks good, he said he would induce me a little early. Isn't that awesome? I definitely want a big baby, but not over 9 lbs like Noah was. That is so big!

Well, on Friday Noah turned 2! It was an exciting day. He had a breakfast of royalty with eggs, bacon, and cinnamon rolls. That's better than I get! He got to stay in his pajamas until lunch timme and his daddy was home to play, play, play! We went to Monkey Joe's (a playground of inflatables) with a few friends and then back to Pops and KK's for pizza and cake. He was such a pleasant and happy little boy all day and I think he had a lot of fun. He's definitely 2 and testing his limits with his temper, but I know it's only a phase. I pray they aren't so terrible. Thank you to everyone who sent birthday wishes to Noah. He is so loved and it is such a blessing.

Oh, and I almost forgot! I've posted our new pictures on our web album. We had Noah's 2 year, maternity, and family pictures taken last week. Our dear friend, Dusty, from church, has started doing photography and we decided to ask her to do these. She did an amazing job. She's a perfectionist and it shows in her pictures. So, check out our pictures and call Dusty! A link to her blog is on the right- DH Studios. Enjoy!

Big Boy Noah!

Last night was the night! We've been talking about it for weeks, but Noah finally slept in his race car bed (PICTURE #2) all night last night!!!! It was really only our second honest attempt, and we put him in it after he fell asleep on the couch...but he stayed. He woke up twice, at 1:30 AM and at 3:30 AM. He didn't get out of the bed though. He stayed in it and cried for us. I went in there to lie with him and he went back to sleep (and so did I). He woke up for good at 7AM, but we weren't upset because he fell asleep at 9:30 PM (PICTURE #1). We have a video monitor on him so we can see if he gets out of the bed, but the night before he had to get back in his baby bed because he kept getting up. I don't think he likes his crib being called a baby bed. He likes the idea of being a big boy. AND, baby sister just got a new crib and he's a big brother and can't be like her!

So, that's the news of the day. We were very proud of him. I guess this all comes with being 2. Friday is Noah's 2nd Birthday. I am still a little in shock that he is already 2. In certain ways I'm afraid the terrible 2's are starting, but in others I can see him growing up so much! Last night, he told me to be patient! His next sentence was "Watch McQueen Right Now!", so... he obviously hears us when we tell him to be patient, but I'm not sure it's working.

2009 here we come!

2009 is here! I can't believe it. It holds so much for our family. Mostly, a little girl! She is supposed to be here in 8 weeks and we are all not believing it! We are so excited, but scared out of our minds. Another kid...another person waking up in the middle of the night crying...another person ending up in our Queen size bed...another person living in our house...getting her own room...another person's toys in my living room...another mouth to feed....another body to clothe...need I go on! Obviously, we are not the first one's to go through this and we will survive. We will flourish actually! I know we will. She is going to be nothing but a blessing, just like Noah has been. I can't imagine my life without him. This morning he and I were lying in the bed talking. He was telling me "hi", giving me hugs and kisses, and telling me I'm beautiful. (I can thank KK for that one!) It was such a peaceful time. He likes to sing and tell me about the books we read together. I am just amazed by his recall and his understanding. He is so much fun!
It's raining outside and we won't leave the house until it stops. What a great reality! We have an awesome life and are so blessed~ I can't say that enough!
We had the best Christmas of our married lives. We had the best time at each and every one of the parties that we attended. We love our family so much and would regret it if we missed any of the gatherings. So, we go to them all. It's tiring, but we won't regret time spent with family at the end of our lives.
Noah is spoiled! I won't deny it, but I'm not ashamed of it either. He racked up! Our house is overflowing, but tons of fun to visit for any age child. We're taking appointments. Noah got a car bed, a roller coaster, a tractor, a walking dinosaur, firetrucks, dump trucks, books, and so much more! He is never bored to say the least. Good thing we are rearranging the house for Lil' Lady. We have to make room in Noah's room for all of his new toys! But I'm not complaining, it's a wonderful problem to have.
Well, I've rambled about us long enough while Noah's destroying his room. I hope the New Year has started off right for all of you!
In this video he is saying, Merry Christmas, Ho, Ho, Ho. Merry Christmas (doggy book)

Parties, Parties, and more Parties!

It's still several days until Christmas and we have already been to 3 Christmas parties. We are worn out. Not only from the late nights, but from coordinating babysitting! It's been fun though. What a treat to be able to spend quality time eating and talking with good friends. All of the parties have been different in their own way. With our Home Team, some of us went bowling after dinner. We had such a good time! It has been forever since we've gone bowling. It wasn't the best workout for my hernia, but the granny roll proved to get just as many pins down as my regular throw. I've uploaded my pictures for all to enjoy.

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season as much as we are!! The tree is up, the wreaths are hung, and we even put lights on the back patio doors. Noah has only pulled the tree down once, so we're hoping that's all. He is very curious about the ornaments, and has had many trips to timeout for pulling on them. Such a beautiful temptation! He loves it when it's plugged in and lit up.

We have already been to see Santa! Noah didn't know what to think, but it was a better experience than last year. We don't expect perfection, but atleast a good laugh for the parents when we plan this trip! A picture perfect memory. He's starting to understand Santa and today he said Santa was going to bring him toys and a trailer truck. Big dreams this boy has! Hope and Hannah Chayse say they want Santa to bring them candy! I like their thinking.

Enjoy the Season!