Thursday, August 28, 2008

Thankful Thursdays...

After a brief hiatus, thankful Thursdays have returned. Today, I am thankful for:

1. Matthew. He is just precious!

2. Ryan. He has been so helpful and supportive over the last couple weeks while we try to adjust to parenthood and I try to get my emotions and hormones in check!

3. Beautiful weather. Matthew and I have been able to take walks around the neighborhood everyday! Getting out and enjoying the fresh air has been good for both of us!

4. Healing. I am feeling very good and have healed very nicely. It is amazing how the human body works!!! I am still a tad sore somedays, but for the most part I am feeling great!

5. A long weekend. Matthew and I are looking forward to having Daddy at home this weekend for an extra day! We are hoping for a quiet, restful weekend!

Happy Labor Day!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Due Date

Well, Matthew's original due date has come and gone. He was originally supposed to be born on August 25th, but instead, he decided he liked the 12th better! Here's some random shots.


Getting ready for church!

I'm not quite sure where he learned this trick. He is balancing his pacifier on his lips. Just in case he wants it later???

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

On the Road Again!





Well, after two long weeks of not being able to drive, I am finally free to get behind the wheel again! Matthew and I will be venturing out today to go visit Daddy at work and take him to lunch! Matthew is so excited about our outing that he has been awake since about 8:15 this morning! This is his longest stretch of awake time so far. He is now starting to nod off again, so I suppose he will sleep most of the afternoon! I am so excited to drive again and be able to get out of the house a little more! Will update you on our adventures as they happen!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Church

Matthew made his first trip to church this morning. Mommy and Matthew had a bit of a long night last night, so we opted for 2nd service this morning! He slept through the entire service!! Of course, everyone thought he was adorable... Mommy and Daddy are a tad biased! He also took his first bottle from Daddy this morning. He ate almost 3 ounces... it is kind of nice to know how much he eats since I have no idea how many ounces 20 minutes equals! Gotta go wake the little guy up so he can enjoy some of the beautiful weather this afternoon! Have a great week!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Changing Everyday!



This is one of my favorite pictures of Matthew right now! I love it when his eyes are open!!!! He even crossed his eyes for the occasion!!! He LOVES his bouncy seat!!!! Right now he is napping on Grandpa Phegley's lap so Mommy could sneak away for a few minutes! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Projectile!

Warning for those of you with weak stomachs. Turn away from the computer right now!

I have just experienced something that I never quite knew was possible. Something that I can now prevent. I just wish somebody would have warned me before now. I have heard of projectile vomit and projectile puke but no one has ever told me about projectile poop! Seriously...that was probably the grossest, yet coolest thing I have ever experienced!!! Unfortunately, Matthew dirtied several burp rags, his changing table cloths, a basket, his clothes, and several diapers, but Daddy was quite proud and amazed at the whole situation as evidenced by the "Jamie, you just missed it!" yell across the house. I now know to always cover every orifice at all times when changing diapers. And to you all that have never experienced this phenomenon...YOU'VE ALL BEEN WARNED!!!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Motherhood

Well, I thought it was about time I make a post about our little guy! He is just precious! Even in the middle of the night when he is screaming for no apparent reason, I just look at him and he looks at me and my heart melts! I could just squeeze the poop out of him, however, he doesn't seem to need any assistance in that category!!!! Daddy is getting very good at changing dirty diapers and helping me however he can! He is an awesome dad and I am so thankful to have him here to help me!

I am feeling GREAT! I honestly can't believe how good my recovery has gone so far! In fact, I feel so good, Ryan and I just took Matthew for his first walk around the neighborhood. He slept through the entire thing, but we think he enjoyed it! I can't believe tomorrow our little guy will be a week old already... time sure does fly when you're having fun! I can't wait to experience more of the joys of being a mommy!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

My First Post

Hi, world! My name is Matthew! I am so excited to be here! (Where I'm from, sleep = excitement.) I have met lots and lots of people over the last several days, and it seems that I am really gonna like my Grandmas and Grandpas! Not to mention my Uncles and Aunts and my big cousin, Jacob. I am a little confused though why my Mommy and Daddy keep calling me Jacob. Hmm... Well, I'd better go. Daddy says he's not a very fast one-handed typer!


Friday, August 15, 2008

The Pitfalls of Parenthood!

We love being Mommy and Daddy! I just wanted to show you some of the things we've gone through, though!

Swollen feet!

Initiated with spit-up!

But then there are the great times, which outweigh those other times by far!

Perfect.


Mommy and her little studmuffin!

More news and more pictures!

We made it home around noon Friday! Matthew has been quite the little angel today, only screaming a few times, while sleeping most of the time. Mommy and Daddy got the chance to play photographer and hopefully, you will enjoy the photos! Mommy is healing very well and shows almost no signs of having pretty major abdominal surgery only 3 days ago. Daddy is awfully proud of both Mommy and Matthew.
There were a couple of funny things that happened at the hospital this week that I want to share.
1. The fact that Mommy and Daddy have continuously referred to Matthew as Jacob (our nephew).
2. When Pastor Paul came to visit in the hospital, Matthew proceeded to fold his little hands like he was praying. He even interlocked his fingers!
3. Matthew got in one of his little screaming fits, and we couldn't quite get him under control. Jamie noticed that his little socks had fallen off. He stopped crying as soon as we got the socks back on. We decided that socks are our friends!
Ok, enough of me typing...Here are some pictures!




Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Pictures!!!

We had quite an eventful day yesterday! After having contractions for 9 hours yesterday, Matthew decided he didn't want to come naturally. Several times yesterday morning, his heart rate would drop, causing some concern with the doctor. So, at 1:32 yesterday afternoon, they wheeled Jamie into surgery to get him out. He arrived soon after at 1:39. Jamie is recovering quite well. When I left the hospital this morning, she was getting ready to get up for the first time and take a shower. She's hoping to get something to eat later today or possibly tomorrow. She hasn't eaten anything since Friday night, so I am sure she will be quite ready. Matthew has had several visitors, including grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and our pastor. He is a very popular guy right now! Jamie will be in the hospital for several more days, and the goal is to be home on Friday. I came home this morning just to post a few pictures and get away from the hospital for a little bit. So, here goes...



Pretty happy little guy so far...Not in this picture, though!!


Mommy and Matthew...He seems to take to her quite well.
Cousins Jacob and Matthew...One of my favorite pictures of the day! Jacob came right in the room and said, "Baby!"

He is maybe 5 minutes old in this picture. As you can see, he has a little bit of hair. The pediatrician says that all his parts are in the right place and he is a perfect little boy...something we already knew!
I'll try to post more pictures as the days and weeks go on.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

MATTHEW'S ARRIVAL

Matthew Thomas was delivered today at 1:39 pm by C-section. He weighs 7 lb 12 oz and is 20 1/2 in long. Mom, Dad and Baby Matthew are all doing fine. He is a cutie and a definite keeper! Mom and Dad will update you once they are home and settled.

Aunt Abby

Monday, August 11, 2008

Happy Monday!

We made it to Monday! Daddy is at work and Matthew and I are trying to finish up a few last minute details around the house before we leave tonight! We are getting very excited and little nervous about the next 24-36 hours! We definitely enjoyed our last night of peace and quiet at our house! Ryan was imitating a baby's cry when we went to sleep last night!!! Thanks in advance for your prayers for our new family this week! We look forward to meeting Matthew and sharing him with all of you! Have a great week!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

CH_ _CH... what's missing? ME

Most of you have probably seen this little riddle. Of course, the answer is UR, but today it's me who isn't at church. I debated on whether or not to go, but I am trying to be a good girl and follow the doctor's directions! I had my own little church service at home.

Yesterday was a pretty uneventful day around here. Ryan's mom and sister brought us lunch and my mom made us supper, so Ryan hasn't had to cook too much! I spent a few hours at my mom and dad's house for a change of scenery and some friends came over last night to keep me company for a couple hours. My blood pressure was 104/78 when I checked it yesterday morning, so laying low definitely has its perks! Hope all is well in your corners of the world! Better get back to the couch before Ryan gets home!!!!

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Bedrest continued...

Well, one day of bedrest down, 3 to go!!! I am certainly thankful that this is a temporary situation and have much empathy for mommies who have to endure this for longer periods of time. So far, I have watched 2 movies, read Lutheran Hospital's Childbirth Center book in its entirety, studied 10 of 46 pages for my certification exam, watched the opening ceremonies to the Olympics, and slept!!! I am trying not to be too much of a pain in the neck for Ryan, but I have a feeling he will be happy when this weekend is over! I think I might sit outside later today... sounds like an adventure!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Matthew's BIG day!

Matthew and I have had an eventful morning! I had a doctor's appointment at 10:15 this morning. My blood pressure was 190/110!!!! YIKES! When they rechecked it, it came down to 130/88, however, it is still too high and my doctor has prescribed bedrest for me for the weekend. We will be going into the hospital on Monday night to be induced and should have our little boy in our arms sometime Tuesday! Keep checking back as we will update here if anything changes! Have a restful weekend!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Thankful Thursdays

Today, I am thankful for...

1. Flip flops. Thanks to my assortment of colorful sandals I have shoes that I can still get on my swollen feet at the end of a long day!!

2. Matthew's movements. I know that I will somehow miss the motion of this little one inside me once he arrives. It is amazing to feel him moving all over the place and I love to see Ryan's face when he catches a glimpse of him in action.

3. Faith. Life is hard, but God is good. I don't know how I would cope or get through this life without my faith. I am so thankful to have a God who loves me in spite of me and carries me when I am weak. What an awesome God we serve!

4. Address labels. I am getting ready to order invitations for a wedding shower I am hosting for my sister-in-law, and address labels are one of my favorite things!!! They save me so much time, especially when there are 80+ people on the guest list! YIKES!

5. Snoring. I think I woke myself up snoring this morning. I don't typically snore (at least I don't think I do), but when Ryan gets up to get ready in the mornings, I somehow sleep better than I do the rest of the night. This morning while he was in the shower I woke up to my own snoring. I had probably only been asleep for about 20 minutes, but it was glorious rest nonetheless!

Maybe next week Thankful Thursdays will include the delivery of our sweet baby!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

The Chapman Family

Steven Curtis Chapman and his family were interviewed on Good Morning America this morning following the accident that took the life of their youngest daughter Maria. Here is the clip that had tears streaming down my face the entire time. I just about couldn't breathe when Steven said that as he and his wife were pulling out of the driveway to go to the hospital, he rolled down his window and shouted to his son, "Will Franklin, your father loves you!" What faith and love amid enormous grief!
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5524419

Jamie

Surprise!!!

Last night Ryan surprised me with a little graduation party at a local Mexican restaurant! We have been so busy getting ready for Matthew's arrival that I kinda forgot about graduating! It was so nice to get to spend some time with family before the big day! We even had cake with lots of icing!!!! Since it was my party, I got to eat the rose (I LOVE ICING)!!!! Then, we went to see Godspell. Matthew certainly enjoyed the music... he was dancing all over the place. I thought maybe the combination of music and Mexican might encourage him to make an appearance, but he is still quite content right where he is! Maybe another day! Thanks to everyone who came to the party last night... it is so nice to have this milestone accomplished!

Monday, August 4, 2008

Still Waiting...



Well, we're pretty much ready for Matthew to be here. We spent this weekend getting some things ready around the house (washing sheets, newborn clothes, putting batteries in everything...). We also hung the little quilts spelling out Matthew's name on the wall this weekend! Thanks, Phyllis...They look great! The house is ready...Momma's ready...Daddy's ready...Now if only Matthew would be ready! I love using the term "ready" because I know that we have no idea what to expect, but just go along with it!
I bought Matthew something at Baby's R' Us the other day. Football season is coming soon (preseason started last night!) and I saw the smallest Peyton Manning jersey ever! I had to get it. So I did. I can't wait to spend lazy winter Sunday afternoons holding Matthew and watching the Colts march to the Super Bowl again! Go Colts!