Nathaniel's Birthday

Yesterday was the best day ever! I had a wonderful labor experience, nothing like what I thought it would be. The second Nathaniel came out, my world changed forever. Daddy got to hold Nathaniel first after they cleaned him up and took prints of his feet. I was able to breastfeed him and he did great.

Lesh and I spent an hour alone with Nathaniel before our families met him for the first time. Everyone was taken aback by how beautiful he was. Throughout the night, they brought him back so I could feed him and he's done a wonderful job. Thank you God for this precious gift!

For you statisticians out there, he was 6lbs 9oz, 19 inches, and he was born at 6:48pm, Jan 27. Lesly was in labor for 12 hours and 8 minutes. Here are some pictures of his first day of life.

Nathaniel's First Picture... He wasn't happy!

He was wide awake right after coming out!

Daddy got to hold him almost immediately while they were getting mom taken care of.

Before Dr. Patronella headed off, we got a picture with her and Nathaniel.

His first picture with mom. This makes it all worth it!

Our first family picture. He stayed awake for a long time after coming out!


Lesly's parents got to come in before he headed off to the nursery to get checked out.

Lesh's mom and sister were also there for the happy event.

One last pic of the cutest baby ever!

1 MORE DAY!!!!!

Last night I woke up every 2 hours to use the bathroom and kept thinking to myself, I will need to get used to this because I'm going to be doing this for a while with Nathaniel! Today is my last day with out a child, well at least until we are empty nesters... HA! Even then they never go away do they. I'm one of them! A parent's job is never over. Lesh and have looked forward to having children since we got married and I can't believe that tomorrow that dream will become realized. I praise God for Nathaniel and the gift he is and will be in our lives. I know that God has used us to sharpen each other these past 5 years of our marriage and will continue to sharpen us with Nathaniel. There will be tons of laughter, frustration and joy and I know that it will all be worth it.
So tomorrow I go in to the hospital at 5:30 to check into the hospital for my induction. Lesh's brothers are so excited that they keep saying they are going to skip school so they can be there when Nathaniel's born, but they didn't understand that most labors last at least 12 hours. It was too cute, especially Bennett last night was like, I'm coming to the hospital at 6am to say hi and then I'll come right after school to see you. He kept on and on and my mom-in-love was, Lesly- don't worry, he won't be going to see you at that time. It was pretty funny. Last night Lesh's parents invited us over for a prayer night where they prayed over us and our future with Nathaniel. I couldn't be more blessed to know that this is Nathaniel's heritage. A heritage of Christ followers. It is such a blessing to have both sides of the family love the Lord with all their hearts.
Please be praying tomorrow for Lesh and I as I experience labor for the first time. I know all you mommies are saying ouch!! Believe me, I'll be asking for the candy man (anesthesiologist)pretty quickly. We appreciate your prayers!

Maternity Pics

Lesh was so sweet! We were just sitting around on Saturday and Lesh was like why don't you get all dressed up and lets go take some maternity pictures. I was like... Sure!!! Fun!!! So I did. We got up early Sunday and went to our neighborhood lake to take a few shots. We got a new camera for Christmas so we have been having fun playing with it. These are some of the shots we took.

Only 3 more weeks!!

I had my 37 week appointment this afternoon! I can't believe I'm only 3 weeks or less away from delivering Nathaniel! Today my doctor told me that I'm 1 cm dilated and over 50% effaced. This is good news to me! I'm glad my body has begun the process! Lesh and I have everything ready for Nathaniel's arrival. The only thing left to do is to put the car seat in the car. I have my bag packed and ready. Lesh still needs to pack his, but guys don't really care about these things and it only takes them seconds to throw stuff together. Breanna my sister in law is in charge of picking up Checkers our sweet dog when the time comes. Checkers' bag is packed as well! He has his food, collar, crate and leash ready to go! I'm definitely in nesting mode wanting the house to be clean and ready. I was telling Lesh early last week that my worst fear would be for me to go into labor and for all of our Christmas decor to still be up. Seriously???? My worst fear???? Honestly I exaggerated quite a bit there! I took down Christmas decor last week and Lesh took down the lights this weekend. So now my "Worst Fear" won't come true! Ha, Ha! I also have already put out my Valentine's decor. Back to my doctor's visit... I've been a little worried about going into labor and not having my doctor deliver the baby and I expressed that to her. She said we'll see where I am next Tuesday at my appointment and she said we could schedule an induction to ensure that she would deliver the baby. I'm not opposed to that option so if I don't go into labor on my own in the next 2 weeks, she'll schedule me to be induced on the 27th!!!! Wow! I can't believe how fast these 9 months have gone.
The Lord has truly blessed my pregnancy and health and I haven't had any issues. Praise God! Isaiah 63:7 says- I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
Thank you Lord for your many kindnesses!!

Christmas Pictures

My Mom

My Uncle Alfonso, cousin Jennifer and my grandma

My Aunt Hiedi and Uncle George

My dad, my sister-n-law Zenia, and brother Aaron

Zenia and Aaron

Christmas

Lesh and I had a blessed Christmas 2008. We spent Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas day with Lesh's parents. We opened gifts and of course Nathaniel recieved the most! He got a cute UT baby onesie from his Unlce Aaron, Aunt Zenia and cousin Azriel. He got his stroller and car seat from my in-laws. His Aunt Breanna got him his baby thermometer and a very cute toy to go with his activity mat. And of course lots of gift cards that will go towards him! Here are a few pics of Christmas!

Helping Friends

Last night Lesh and I, or should I say just Lesh, helped our dear friends Joy and Tim unload a Uhual truck. Tim and Joy recently got engaged and Tim moved his furniture from Atlanta to Texas. Lesh helped move some big pieces of furniture. Their wedding looks like it will be Easter weekend and I am blessed to be a bridesmaid. I have a lot of working out ahead of me if I want to look good in time for her wedding after having a baby! All my workout sisters out there better hold me accountable to getting my booty back in the gym once I am good to go!