Elizabeth Anne has Arrived!

 On Tuesday morning, we loaded up and left the house as a family of 3. Jonathan and I made a quick stop to drop Jonah off to spend the day with some of our favorite people. Then we headed on to the hospital! 

 They asked us to be there 2.5 hrs before the scheduled c-section time. I couldn't imagine that it would really take that long to get checked in. There really wasn't a lot of "down time" though. We were busy filling out forms and answering questions right up until our scheduled time. THEN the waiting began. The surgical team was running behind. We were delayed almost an hour. 

 They got started at 12:49pm. 

She was out by 1:17pm. 

That crying (and let me tell you, it was some darn good crying) was the sweetest sound a mama could ever hear! The Dr.'s first comment was her good coloring. The nurses told us later she was one of the most beautiful babies they have seen. They see a lot of babies, so I'm not just biased when I say she is BEAUTIFUL! 

While the Dr. was stitching my belly, Jonathan accompanied the nurses who cleaned and checked the baby. We were very anxious to hear her weight, and then SHOCKED to learn she was 

8lbs. 9oz. 

Did I mention that she came a week before the actual due date?! That is nearly two pounds heavier than Jonah who came out full term! 

 As soon as I was put back together they let me recover in a delivery room...WITH my baby. This was different from my first c-section. When I had Jonah the labor and delivery was too crowded...I had to recover on the surgical floor away from my baby. THAT was torture. 

We feel so very blessed. My heart overflows with thankfulness. Jonah came home from Grandma and Grandpa's house last night. We have spent the day as a family of 4 and I LOVE it. I love our children so dearly. I am so thankful that God gave us such wonderful treasures. I pray I can parent them in a way that gives HIM praise! 

Beautiful Bedding

Would you like to see what I believe to be the most beautiful baby bedding I've ever laid my eyes on?

My mother is a genius with fabric. 

Mom and I don't usually agree on colors/styles. I usually like more colorful things, she usually likes more ruffles. But, when we found the fabrics used in Elizabeth's bedding, we both had love at first sight! And it's even more beautiful all put together. 

We had picked out a quilt pattern a long long time ago. Before I was pregnant, much less knew I was having a girl. We loved the Amy Butler quilt pattern. She took it a step further and made it two sided. I love both sides very much! 

I'm not sure the pictures do it justice. I LOVE it. 

Also pictured: our sweet baby bag (vera bradley, folkloric)

and my latest craft project...I took a wooden letter E for less than $3 and covered it in those pretty beads! 

This baby room is a joy for me to walk into! I'm loving it. 

Honoring America

I had big plans of editing some photos for this post. Thus the delay in writing it. Well, I haven't gotten them edited in the creative way I'd planned. Nor do I see myself getting it done any other time this month. So, I'm going to write it with (mostly) unedited pictures. 

The College of the Ozarks hosts Honor America every year...a week before Independence Day. There are live bands/facepainting/ food vendors all afternoon. Then, at dusk they make some patriotic presentations, veteran recognition, and we all sing our national anthem/say the Pledge of Allegiance as a group, which is really neat. 

And of course, at dark there are fireworks. 

This was our little group this year. We had a good time over on the blanket by the rose garden! 

 did you ever notice that Jonah is eating in a lot of the photos I post?! But look how much he is enjoying that watermelon!! We had to cut him off...he wanted it more than the cookies! 

 We tried and tried to get a good shot with the pretty fireworks in the background. We got good shots of us, and good shots of fireworks. (the creative editing I had intended was going to superimpose the two into one great photo...maybe someday!)

the little guy was in awe every time! we'd told him it would be loud, and it didn't seem to bother him. actually, we tried to prep him a bit by watching fireworks on YouTube beforehand, so he'd know what to expect. 

Happy July! 

(only one week until our sweet daughter arrives)

The Ball Game.

A while back my sister called and asked if she could take Jonah out to a ball game. A minor league game...which is the biggest game Jonah has ever had a chance to attend. And so, of course, I said yes. I didn't tell him until the day before. I try to avoid too many questions when possible! 

Jonathan and I had hoped to take him ourselves sometime this summer, but with his schedule and my pregnancy...well, it just didn't suit. I'm glad Auntie Em had the opportunity! 

I think Jonah had a good time. He didn't have much to say afterward. I think he was in a junk food/over-stimulation coma. I'm sure the pictures Em sent me can explain more than Jonah has! 

Center: Jonah and Em

Clockwise from Top Left: Our cute little bobble head, Jonah and his new buddy, Brad, Hammons Field (home of the Springfield Cardinals), Jonah having ice cream, a little action on the field, and finally...Jonah playing on the slide. 

He didn't only have ice cream and cotton candy. Oh, no. Em takes better care of him than that. He also had NACHO's!!! (that was the one thing he came home telling me about). 

Our Final Week

Well, today was the day we've been anticipating. My last day working as a nanny. None of us was very eager to build it up too much. It was fairly low-key, actually. 

In the days leading up to the last day I let each kid have their day to pick what we did. It worked out perfectly and we had a pretty good mix of activities! 

Molly was first, because she left us early to attend church camp. Her choice was to see a movie:

The movie was very cute. Jonah kept asking if we could watch it again at our house! 

After the movie we went to Sonic for slushes! 

Next was Madeline's pick. 

We tried out a (relatively new in town) pizza place. 

We were very pleased with it. If you live here and haven't tried it, you should! 

Ben's choice was swimming. 

At first I told him he might have to re-think that. I didn't know if I'd feel up to it in the blazing temps we'd been having. But, when the day actually rolled around it wasn't too bad. AND we got to see my sister (since she has a pool in her neighborhood). I prefer a good neighborhood pool to the public pool any day (even if I have to drive 30 extra minutes). 

I took my camera with me today. But, as I mentioned before, we were all pretty melancholy today, and not really in the spirit of taking photographs. 

I have had an incredible time being "miss amy" and I know that will always be a part of my identity...even if it is not my actual job title. I look forward to the role I play in their lives as they grow older. I want to be like a fun aunt or trusted confidant. I plan to make a point to be an active presence in their lives for as long as ....well, forever!  Jonathan and I feel very blessed to know this dear family! 

Three More Days...(aka, a very long post)

Three? Really? Only three more days of working in the job I've had for NINE years (ok, very nearly nine years...but let's not get too technical). It has been the best job I've ever had.

I may or may not go on for a while here...some things can not be said in only a few words.

It has been the perfect fit for me, for them, truly a blessing on all sides. You know the phrase, "Thank God and Greyhound..." Well, I say Thank God and Dawn! She and Jimmy were very instrumental in connecting me with this sweet family that moved to Branson in 2003. Little did I know I'd stick with them for so many years. I was only looking to fill the time (and bank account, truth be told) until marriage happened for me. Then I fell in love. (with this family...Jonathan came later) Once I did get married I thought maybe I'd just stick around until I had kids of my own (though, I still consider these three my own in a way). Then, when little Jonah did come along, well, it just seemed to work out for me to keep "working" and take him along with me (another win/win). Now that we're adding to our family again...and um, the other three are um...well, not so little anymore.... it just seems like the time has come to make this final transition. 

I can not believe the day is coming...I don't think my brain has comprehended what a change this will be. I'm sure, what with the new baby coming and all, that it will take some time for me to fully realize how different life will be for me (and my family). Some aspects will be really good, and some, inevitably, a little bit sad. 

I sure do love these people. With my whole heart!

 Silver Dollar City, 2003

Honor America, 2004
(to me this is one of those pictures that says 1,000 words...it is one of my all-time faves. this was also the day they told me there was a new sibling on the way)

Baby Benjamin,  2005

winter 05/06

 Summer, 2006

May 19, 2007

Summer 2008

Fall 2009

August 2010

Summer 2011

Last Week (summer 2012)

I'm gonna miss spending regular time with these darlings, but I keep reminding them (and myself) that nobody is moving away. They and I live nearby. There aren't even any stoplights between my house and theirs.

And if you made it through all of that, you must really care about me and/or these kids. And you may be a little teary-eyed right now!


The End.

Birthday Buddy

 This is Baby Drew. Isn't he a cutie!! He and I share a July 1 birthday. The Atkins family couldn't be more happy to know Baby Drew and his family. They are really great. If you don't know them, you are missing out! 

After pausing to take the above photo I went searching for Jonah so we could leave church. THIS is what I found! Isn't it the cutest little moment! These two boys are truly like brothers. :) I love them dearly (both together and individually).