Ezra's 1 week pictures

I was having some fun while Ezra was making some pretty priceless faces.  Megan took some professional pictures this past week, which will be coming soon.  Can't wait to see them!  Until then, here are some to make you laugh.

Newborn pictures

Here are a few pictures from the second day baby Ezra was home.  He still had his little bellybutton on.  So new, so fresh, so sweet.  I'm very much in love with this little man if you can't tell.

Zeda and Ezra

The first week little mister was home, we needed to sunbath him in a window.  People kept saying he was tan, he was actual just jaundice.  Jarrod and I can't produce a tan child. :)
Here are a few shots of Z being all up in his face.  I have a feeling all of my pictures from now on will be the same way.
She doesn't understand "give him some space"

Lovely gifts

One thing that usually gets over looked is the gifts you receive in the hospital when you have a baby.  Sure, diapers and other things are nice when taking a baby home, but one thing that makes a hospital stay sweeter is fresh flowers.  I loved how every nurse that came in commented on the room smelling so good because of the flowers and would always say, "It looks like you guys are loved."  Yes, nurses, we are loved and I am so thankful for that.
Another gift that I love getting in the hospital (not pictured) Food... sandwiches, ice cream and Starbucks!  You guys are just too good to this mama.

From: Nik and Megan

From: Fellowship (Our church/my work)

From: Nana and Larry

From: Zeda (i.e. my parents)

Not pictured: a lovely inside plant from the Johnsons.

A Journey to Parenthood

Our good friends, Steve and Danielle have decided to let people in on their struggle to becoming parents.  Danielle felt a call to share her story in hopes to reach out to other woman who may feel alone.  I'm so proud of her and how she is trying to make something positive out of her heartache.  Zeda prays every night for Danielle to get a baby in her belly, and we ask that you join us.  They are going to be such wonderful parents and I know that God has a perfect plan for them.

Check out her new blog and read her story to motherhood.

Jealous of Fertile Myrtle

A Glimpse into Ezra's story

I'm not ready to write everything out.  Ezra's arrival was a bit traumatic for me and I'm still processing the whole thing.

For now, here is a glimpse.

A contraction two ways...

Zeda, with an epidural:
I was sitting there most of the day with Jarrod while friends and family were in and out.  I laughed, ate popsicle after popsicle just having a good ol' time watching the time pass with everyone.  Someone would see on the contraction monitor that I was having one.  "Oh, I am" with a little 1950's housewives smile while taking another lick of my tasty banana treat.

Ezra, with no epidural:
Holy $#!?, I'm having another one!  Everyone watches with agony as the monitor spikes hoping it would quickly come back down.  I'm screaming and making all sorts of noises, my mom and sister are on the verge of crying (Jarrod still not there) with one of them telling me to relax my muscles and the other telling me to breath.  At one point one of them makes a joke and I sternly tell them to shhhh!!!!!!!!!!  As it comes back down, I have a few seconds to apologize to the nurse for being so loud and making sure they know I love Jesus despite what's coming out of my mouth.  Then...there's another.