A Few Firsts

I have 10 minutes to spare and I'm downloading photos from our week! Our little guy has been great to us.

We've been so lucky to have Pam come to help us this week. Not many new parents get to have a nurse come and check on them each night. She's helped get our family on a schedule and has taught us a lot about keeping this little guy healthy. Thank you so much Pam! This week was SO much better than I planned on, thanks to you!

Zachary had his first photo shoot on Friday. My friend from HS came to our house and I had no idea how much work it would be to set up for these shots! Before we wrapped, she let me take a few shots and I can't wait to see the rest! Thank you AMN photography!!

Kyle didn't have the patience to stick through the entire shoot, but came over to check this last one out. I think he said it best when he said, "You'd have to be a real jerk not to like a picture of a baby in a basket! That's so cute!"

Ryan Nicks came over to hold Zachary this afternoon. I've known Ryan since the 1st grade and Kyle lived with him for a few years while we were dating.

Mike and Nicole Witty.

Pam with Carter and Dave with Zachary. The Tormoehlens came over to give Zachary a bath and Alicia cooked us up a great dinner. This was a great night!

Pam after Zachary's first bath.

Pam and Zachary. Kyle and Carter. We used to think Carter was so teeny, but she's getting so big!

Mom and Dad before they took off for Arizona for the winter.

Mom showing Zachary his first snow fall. Bundle up little guy!

Zachary's Story

I was over being pregnant and gave up thinking I'd ever had a baby of my own. I was tired, sore, and had contractions all week, but nothing seemed to get this baby movin'.

After Kyle hung the final photos in the nursery, I went to bed very sad.....and then woke up at 1am with lots of contractions. I decided to wait them out for awhile before waking Kyle. After many false alarms, I wanted to make sure this was the real thing before getting him up. At 2 am, the contractions were getting closer and stronger and I fired the alarm with Kyle. We started to pack the car and headed to the hospital. Other than having contractions, I felt great and we even had time to stop by to get a coffee and cash on our way

We walked into the emergency room and were admitted for a labor check. We got all hooked up and the nurse said if I didn't make any progress in an hour, they would release us, as they needed the room for delivering babies, not having contractions. Kyle and I took laps around the hospital and after an hour, the nurse looked surprised, as I moved forward very quickly. She just smiled and said, "You're having your baby today." It took Kyle and I for surprise!

Things progressed very quickly. I received my epidural by 9a and started to push by 10a. The Doctor told Kyle and I we'd have our baby by lunch time! Crazy!! Zach was born by 12:58pm. I must say, it was a great experience. Kyle was a great coach and the nurses were great. I was overjoyed and overwhelmed when he was born and I'll never forget it.

For the ladies- I don't know why women like to tell you their labor horror stories, but I'm here to tell you that sometimes it doesn't happen like they tell you. Sometimes, you get a husband like Kyle that supports you and helps you when you're scared. Sometimes, you get a nurse that holds you when you get your epidural. Sometimes, you get a Doctor that truly cares about you and your family. And sometimes, your baby arrives perfectly. I had an incredible experience and am here to tell you otherwise. And no matter what your birth story is, the ending is always the same. You're in total love by the end.

And we're in total love with Zachary.

Car ride home from the hospital.

Sweet baby.....

So little, so perfect.

Pam and her first Grandson.

Uncle Sean and Aunt Kristy

Pam and Dave

Day One of our new life. This is what love looks like.....

Kyle and our incredible Doctor. Dr. Reid Goodman, we're thankful for you.

Sleepy baby, sleepy mommy.

Daddy and Zach.

Colin put a blown up hospital glove in his shirt and said "Now I'm having a baby!".....jokes....

Zach and his buddy- Mr Blue Elephant

Carter, my niece, is getting so big!!

First Bath

Epidural. I love you.

Someone get this girl some drugs!!

Are You Ready Yet Zach?? We Are!

Here are photos I took the day before Zachary was born. The last week of pregnancy was super tough. I had contractions all week and a disappointing Dr appointment on Thursday. The Doctor said I didn't make any progress and that we'd have to schedule an induction. Throughout the pregnancy, I truly wanted to go into labor on my own, so this news didn't help my already raging hormones. I cried at work all day and told my co-workers that I'd be pregnant forever! I'm so glad Zachary surprised me and came 24 hours later!

Here are the long awaited photos of Zachary's room. Kyle and I wanted to create a fun and stimulating area for him to play!


This rocking chair is over 50 years old. My mother bought it at an antique auction over 30 years ago and she rocked my sister and I as well as both nephews. It truly is a special treasure in our family.

Craigslist furniture. Zachary has to dress up as a turkey for Thanksgiving- hence, the turkey leg. Way to lose that bet with the Barlows, Kyle!

Kimbo is ready to protect his little brother.

These prints are so special. I had a super hard time finding art that I liked for this wall. I looked EVERYWHERE. Kristy had an idea and had the nephews draw art for their cousin. I didn't know what they looked like, so it was a big surprise to see them framed. Call me crazy, but I never considered the nursery complete without these hanging on my wall. The night before Zachary came, Kristy gave me the photos and Kyle hung them up. I remember feeling a sense of relief and thought I was finally ready for baby to come. ........and he did a few hours later. Kristy and I joke that it was these photos that made Zach feel ready to come home.

SOOOOO pregnant. So sore. So hormonal. So ready.

Any Day, Any Time

No baby today, but pretty exciting that we had a false alarm last night. Around 2:30 am last night, I woke up from contractions. They were super strong uncomfortable! I waited in bed and decided not to wake Kyle unless I had one more.......and then they stopped.

We're packed, we're ready, and we have cell phones on alert!

And PS- There's a NEW moon on Saturday. I looked into what this means. Check it out!

"A New Moon is a time of new beginnings. This happens when the sun and moon are in conjunction, occupying the same part of the sky from the viewpoint on earth. This is a time of growing energy, newness, rejuvenation, growth, renewal and hope. This is a good day for changes in life."

Sounds pretty good to me!