"Santa Baby"

December 25, 2008

Just walked in the door from the hospital on Christmas morning and opening my second Christmas gift.  Nate was my first and greatest gift.

Baby Nate

Nathan William was born at 11:16 pm.  He is 7 pounds 9 ounces and 20 3/4 inches.  Mom and baby are doing well.

Marie in labor

Josh visits Santa Claus and update on Pregnancy

JOSH VISITS SANTA CLAUS AT WARD CHRISTMAS PARTY

Josh wasn't a fan of sitting of Santa's lap, but he really wanted to ask Santa for a baseball bat.  Josh though it would be fine to sit on the rocking horse next to Santa.  He quietly asked for his baseball bat.  I have a hunch that Josh has been a pretty good boy this year.  Maybe next year he'll sit on Santa's lap.

JOSH SAYS THE DARNEDEST THINGS

On Monday, we had an FHE that John planned.  After the song and prayer John said, "I have a surprise for you Josh."  Josh's reply was a very enthusiastic "Santa's coming?"  Not quite yet.  The surprise was a small photo book of Josh, friends, and family.  John had a cute story with it that really helped with Josh's understanding of the new baby coming.  John did such a great job!  The next day Josh talked to me for 30 minutes about baby Nate!  He is starting to understand!  He is really going to understand here in just a few days!

UPDATE ON PREGNANCY

I went to my very last OB visit for the pregnancy this morning!  Yeah!  I have a scheduled induction on Tuesday December 23rd, unless I go into labor on my own.  We are going to bring home the best Christmas gift ever (if everything goes well) a brand new baby boy on Christmas Day!  This will definitely be an unforgettable Christmas!

Christmas Time & Pregnancy Pics

Here's the Pregnancy Pics.  I'm about 36 1/2 weeks or 37 weeks here.  My official due date (or in other words the due date my doctor is going by) is December 22.  That's just 16 days away!  On Monday I'll be 38 weeks (just 2 days away).  I had Josh at 38 weeks.  I'm pretty sure this baby won't come that early, but I guess you never really know.  Ahhhh, I hope I'm ready and on the other hand I'm totally ready!  My other due date from ultrasound is December 31st!  It will be interesting to see when this baby actually comes.

  I think it would be so fun to have a new baby to hold Christmas morning, since we are celebrating the birth of our Saviour.  Since I'm due the week of Christmas, I've thought so much about Christ's birth this year and reflected much on what Mary & Joseph must have been feeling.  Christ was brought into this world in the most humblest of circumstances.  I know that he is our Saviour and our Redeemer.  I'm so grateful for the power that the atonement brings into our lives.  I hope that this holiday season that we can take the time to reflect on our Saviour and all that he has blessed us with.

John & Josh setting up the Christmas Tree!  I love Christmas!

Trip to St. Louis in November

John had an interview at Washington University (Wash U) on November 14th and 15th.  We decided to make it into a family trip to visit our good friends, the Bylunds.  They were so nice to let us stay with them.  After 2 days of interviews and dinners, John drove from St. Louis to Gainesville, Florida (14 hour drive) for another interview and Josh and I stayed at the Bylunds for a few extra days. When you are about a month away from having a baby, driving in the car for 14 hours just didn't sound fun.  Josh and Grace had a blast together.  They get along so well! We did some fun things like go the the Children's Museum, Library, a really neat park, and we drove downtown by the river and saw the Arch and the hospital.   

Today Josh called Grace on his pretend cell phone and pretended to talk to her.  He talks about Grace and her house all the time.  He really misses her.  I'm glad that he got to spend so much time with her.

Josh and Grace on the Tite Rope at the Magic House (Children's Museum)

Josh Fishing at the Magic House

Josh and Grace Holding Hands