She has arrived!

Hadley has arrived! She's here and we are loving it! We never knew what we were missing. She's absolutely perfect with the cutest little cheeks and toes and the prettiest deep blue eyes and the cutest tiny chin and nose. I'm so in love with her. I find myself just staring. I love to watch her so that I can catch her making her endless number of facial expressions. Ten days old and she makes me laugh with all her expressions. And goodness, she favors her daddy. I look at her and see Shane all over.
Right now I think Hadley's favorite things are her hands. She is all about her hands. She is like a little band director. She waves her arms all around with her fingers spread apart like she is directing the band or cheering for the team. She curls her hands into the tightest fists or wraps them around my finger with her strong grasp. During a fit her hands become weapons to her own body. She flails them around and scratches herself up. I try my best to catch it before she scratches herself, but I haven't always been successful. She loves to suck on her hands or during a feeding she has to put her hand up to her mouth. I think she's going to be a kinesthetic learner the way that she loves her hands.
We are so proud to be her parents. It's a stressful, tiring job, but we are so blessed to have Hadley and we are trying to take advantage of this time. I want to soak her up, because she's only going to be this little once. I feel like she has already changed in the 10 days that she's lived. In 3 months she's going to be so much bigger. I just want to cherish her during her newborn stage, just like in every other stage of her life.
Here's our love just minutes after she was born...

Belly Pics Throughout Pregnancy

8 weeks

16 weeks

18 weeks

19 weeks

21 weeks

22 weeks

23 weeks

24 weeks

25 weeks

26 weeks

27 weeks

28 weeks

29 weeks

30 weeks

31 weeks

32 weeks

33 weeks

34 weeks

35 weeks

36 weeks

37 weeks

38 weeks

39 weeks

40 weeks (due date)

40 Weeks

Wheerrreee's Hadley??

How far along? 40 Weeks... where are youuuu??
How are you measuring? roughly 42 1/2 inches
Size of baby? according to What To Expect she's 19-22 inches, 6-9 lbs, and as big as a pumpkin
Heartbeat? around 140-150 bpm
Total weight gain/loss? 32 lbs at 39 weeks- I go to the dr tomorrow so I'll update then
Stretch Marks? Still no stretch marks, but I do have a linea nigra.
Sleep? Sleep was not great this week. I wake up quite a bit whether to change positions or go to the bathroom. I also feel really tired throughout the day.
Best moment this week? Me and Shane's staycation!
Dilation/Effacement/Station? I go to the dr tomorrow so I'll update then.
Movement? I feel like her movement has slowed down this week, but I definitely still feel her throughout the day. She's just getting squished in there!
Food Cravings? I've been eating tons of the cherry cordial Kisses
News? I've been walking every night trying to walk this baby out! On Sunday and Monday I walked 3 miles and on Tuesday I walked a mile and a half. All I have to show for it are sore legs and blisters. Tonight I decided to take the night off.
What I'm looking forward to? Hadley!
How are you feeling? A little discouraged today, but I know deep down that God's timing is best.

Shane's Note to Hadley

Dearest Hadley Faye,

I’ve had the past nine months to reflect on what it will mean to be a father. All of the weight that is carried with that title, to be honest, intimidates and challenges me. I’ve been praying every day since your mother and I found out that you’d be joining our family; praying that I’d be able to protect you, love you and guide you the way that I hope and desire to. I’ve been praying that when you do wrong I’d have the patience to correct you but still show you respect, that when you do right I don’t let it go unnoticed, when you cry I’d teach you how to be strong but not be too proud to cry with you, that I am never afraid to say that I’m sorry, and that I always ensure that my presence is more important than my gifts. You could never comprehend the love that your mother and I have for you even now when you are still unaware of this world inside your mother’s womb, and I’m certain it will only grow.

I could have never chosen a better woman to be your mother. When I met your mother the things that caught my eye were the ease of her smile and the compassion and delicacy of her heart. She is slow to anger and quick to forgive. She is humble and straightforward, always wearing her emotions on her sleeve. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, she loves God and family more than anything else in this world. These are the attributes I hope you learn from her. She is as ready as I am to see your beautiful face and to hold your hand as you grow up.

Lastly, my desire is for as you grow to know and develop a relationship with God. It is His will that defines and directs our lives and it is in Him that we find peace. Despite your mother and my best effort this life will never be perfect and we cannot shield you from every harm, but by us guiding you in faith I pray you could ‘meet with triumph and disaster and treat them both the same.’

We may not always be perfect, but I pray you know we have the best intentions, that we will never leave you, that our love will never ease, and that our pride in you will never falter. You are my baby girl. I love you.

With all the love that my heart could possibly possess,

Daddy

Staycation

This weekend Shane and I had a staycation. We were hoping that this might be our last weekend before Haddie arrives so we wanted to spend some quality time together. We seriously had such a great weekend together! I am so blessed with an amazing husband who is my best friend. I wouldn't want to share this life with anyone else!
On Friday evening we went to eat at La Madeleine in Rockwall. The food was great and the company was better. We laughed and joked over dinner. It's crazy to think that our dinners out alone are numbered! Soon, we'll have a little one with us! After dinner we went by Braums to get some Egg Nog ice cream. Seriously, this is one of my favorite holiday treats. I was so excited to see that Braums had it! On the way home we rented Water for Elephants and watched it in bed. All in all it was a very nice date!
On Saturday we slept in then Shane made us a wonderful breakfast- french toast! After breakfast our Stevie's wheelchair came in the mail so we put it together and tried it out. He wasn't too sure about it at first, but I think he'll get used to it.
For lunch we went to Cheddar's. We wanted to eat out as much as possible this weekend since we might not be able to for awhile. We were planning on seeing Money Ball after lunch, but we had a couple hours to kill so we ran some random errands until our movie.
After the movie we went home and had some dinner and got ready for bed. We spent the rest of the night watching tv in bed and enjoying being together.
I wish I had pictures of our weekend to share, but sadly I don't. I did however get a video of our Stevie in his new wheels!

Our Little Turkey

Hadley, please come before Thanksgiving so that you can wear this adorable onesie!!

39 Weeks

How far along? 39 weeks... 1 weeks left! (hopefully!)
How are you measuring? roughly 42 inches
Size of baby? according to What To Expect she's 19-22 inches, 6-9 lbs, and as big as a watermelon
Heartbeat? around 140-150 bpm (at our doctor's visit today it was 154)
Total weight gain/loss? 32 lbs
Stretch Marks? Still no stretch marks, but I do have a linea nigra.
Sleep? Today Shane said that he's having trouble sleeping because I'm tossing and turning all night... I'm "sorry"?
Best moment this week? I finished the thank you notes! ... again.
Dilation/Effacement/Station? 1 inch dilated still, and still 50% effaced. I literally groaned when Dr. Plank said "1 cm!"
Movement? She's still moving quite a bit. At the doctors office today she was showing off her moves!
Food Cravings? chocolate and cereal... actually chocolate flavored cereal
What I miss? Sleep
What I'm looking forward to? Hadley!
How are you feeling? Tired and Ready

My note to Hadley

My sweet Hadley,

The past 9 months carrying you has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I have loved feeling you grow and move. I am so in awe and in love with you already and you’re not even here yet; I am anxiously awaiting your arrival! I cannot wait to hold you and kiss you. I cannot wait to see your daddy’s face when he sees you. We are both so excited to finally meet you! It will be a little sad for me to have to finally share you, but it will be so worth it! Everyone is going to love you. Your G-dad and G-ma, Uncle Russ, Aunt Gen and Harper, Lolli, Pops, Aunt Erin, Uncle Tim, Aubrey and Eli cannot wait to welcome you to our family! They are just waiting for your daddy to call and say you are on the way!

Getting ready for you has been such a joy! From the very second we found out we were expecting you your daddy has been so supportive and loving to me. He’s been to every doctor’s appointment, all the birthing classes and helped with countless to-do lists. You’re going to love him and he’s going to be wrapped around your finger in no time! It melts my heart to see his excitement over you.

We are finally done with the to-do lists and are ready to welcome you to the world!

As I’m anxiously (and a little impatiently) waiting your arrival I’ve been thinking a lot about my prayer for us as a family. I’ve been praying for your safety and health during our labor and delivery. I pray that your daddy and I will be good parents to you. I pray that you are a happy little girl full of joy and life. I pray that we can provide for you all that you need. But most of all I pray that you love the Lord with all your heart and choose to follow only Him.

In a few weeks I’ll finally meet you, my love! In a few weeks I’ll see your little face and feel the grasp of your little fingers. What a gift you are to us and I thank God for you!

I love you,

Mommy

38 week video

Such big movements you have now-a-days, Hadley Faye!

38 Weeks

How far along? 38 weeks... 2 weeks left!
How are you measuring? roughly 42 inches
Size of baby? according to What To Expect she's 19-22 inches, 7 lbs, and as big as a watermelon
Heartbeat? around 140-150 bpm
Total weight gain/loss? 30 lbs
Stretch Marks? Still no stretch marks, but I do have a faint linea nigra.
Sleep? Sleep has not been going well lately. I'm waking up pretty often. I usually only take 1-2 bathroom trips, but with the constant waking up I'm not getting good sleep, which means I'm tired all day!
Best moment this week? I finished the nursery!!! I am so relieved to have it complete! I love it!!!
Dilation/Effacement/Station? 1 inch dilated still, but she has dropped and we are 50% effaced
Movement? She's still a mover. Her movements are so big now-a-days! They can be painful at times.
Food Cravings? Salt & Vinegar chips are still high on the list
What I miss? Sleep
What I'm looking forward to? Hadley!
How are you feeling? I'm starting to become impatient. I need to cool it!

Nursery

It's finally complete! I never thought I would say those words! It's absolutely perfect; it's just what I wanted! I love to just go in her room and sit. I can't wait to bring Hadley home to it!

Diaper wreath made by Blair Christensen

End table found by Aunt Erin and spray painted blue by Shane.

Poofs made by Jenna.

I love the bird paintings!

Bow holder made by Aunt Gen. All the hostesses at the Abilene shower pitched in to add bows.

I love how it all turned out!

Changing table.

We're all ready with diapers and wipes!

I love her letters! They were made by Jenna.

Books

Her closet- all her clothes are in her dresser right now. Maybe I'll hang some up eventually.

I love her bird mobile!

I'm so happy with her bedding!


Details


Firefighter Dad


So there you have it! Now, COME ON HADLEY!