December 24, 2012

  I can't believe Holt is already one month old, even though it was a little rough in the beginning, it really does seem like its flown by. I have noticed just this past week he seems so much bigger and he no longer looks like a newborn.  He has graduated to his 0-3 month clothes because the length is too short in the newborns. He is eating up to 4.5 ounces now and has gone close to 6 hours through the night without waking mom and dad up.  Yay!!!

Our little man at 2 weeks old.  Look at those skinny legs!!!

December 7, 2012

Photo Shoot...

Warning, there are lots of photos since I can't help myself when it comes to taking pictures of this little guy.  I finally felt up to dressing him up and taking some pictures since I had so many cute little outfits to put him in.  I did learn one thing, the boy doesn't like hats or anything on his head.

December 7, 2012

Our little man......

  Holt Allen Herbert made his appearance on November 17, 2012 at 1:05 in the afternoon.  He weighed  7 lbs 13 oz. and was 20 1/2 in. long.  I was admitted to the hospital Friday evening for an induction since the little guy didn't want to come on his own.   Finally at 8:30 Saturday morning Dr. Horth broke my water to speed the process along.  I was dilated to a 10 at 10 that morning, but as you can tell, Holt might have a little of his mom's stubbornness since he stayed put until that afternoon. To be honest it was an extremely long labor and I'm so thankful every one was happy and healthy in the end after such a long night and morning.  When Holt was born I think mine and Dan's initial reaction was, "where did this little Indian baby come from?" and "I can't believe he's ours!"  He had so much dark hair!  We knew he had hair since we had seen it on the sonograms, but we didn't know how dark it would be and how much he would have.  He came into this world crying and was instantly soothed by his daddy's voice, it's amazing how they recognize our voices instantly in the outside world.
  Our first week at home was a little rough with us trying to adjust to him and him trying to adjust to us, not to mention mom's crazy hormones.  We went to his one week check up and saw that he had lost more weight even though he was eating all the time and figured out that we needed to do something different.  That night, these newly exhausted parents, tried something different with his eating and it's been amazingly better since then.  He is no longer a fussy baby and longs to be held by one of us.  He loves to cuddle and be close, which we don't mind and try to enjoy it while we can since we know it won't last forever.

 Proud daddy writing in his baby book.

 Thanksgiving Day

 Our first family photo.  Geez don't we look a little tired?

 Our first walk in the BOB.

 Daddy's lunch break

His first trip to Starbuck's.

I can't get enough of this smile.

 Best little buddies

This is why I don't get anything done.  Can you blame me?

November 14, 2012

  Almost time.....

  I can't believe tomorrow is my due date as it does kind of seem like it was just yesterday Dan and watched the word "pregnant" come up and we both stood there in shock staring at this little stick.
  If you would have asked me 2 months ago, heck even 2 weeks ago if I was ready to not be pregnant, I would have no doubt answered with a yes.  Now that the time is almost here I have so many mixed emotions.  Yes, I'm ready to feel normal, be able to get out of bed without rolling out, tie my shoe, run and work out again, see my toes, eat without having acid reflux.......but when I really think about how our life is going to change I kind of want to just push pause.  We enjoy each other, our relationship, our sleep, our ability to get up and go whenever we please.
  I was talking to a lady the other day and she made me think about the positive of what lies ahead instead of mourning what we are losing and how exciting those positives will be.  I can't wait to see him smile, comfort him when he cries, watch Dan with his son and see him comfort him, see our parents with their grandchild, hear him when he laughs, and see who he looks like.
  I look back at just how incredible a baby really is and it is truly a gift from God.  The human body is amazing and it is God's creation that has made us this way.  Many women try for years to have a baby yet something doesn't allow them to, I am thankful that God has blessed us this way and I am forever grateful. We will meet our little man this upcoming Saturday November 17, if he doesn't make his presence in this world before then.  I can't wait to see his little face, hands, fingers, toes....just all of him and snuggle him close.
 

March 6, 2012

Our sonogram at 20 weeks that confirmed he's a boy! 

16 weeks

 
19 weeks

Our first 3-D sonogram

27 weeks

39 weeks

40 weeks

November 6, 2012

Our Last Few Days

  It's really crazy to think that in probably less than a week it will no longer be just the two of us like it has been for the past 8 years.  I have such a range of emotions as we spend our last few nights together in the quiet of our house with just us and our four legged children.  It's such a bittersweet moment. We're excited as we anxiously await Holt's arrival, yet we know it will never be the same and our lives will forever change.
  The past few weeks it has really hit me.  I guess pregnancy hormones have officially taken over and I can cry at the drop of a hat at the thought of what's about to happen. I look back at the past 8 years together and think about everything we have done and it makes me wonder how we have done it all.  We have been fortunate to travel to numerous places, including NYC at Christmas time, which was a dream come true for me.  We have been to a World Series Game, we have ran a half marathon together, we have both furthered our education, I'm still in the process of completing that goal. We bought our first home together, we have been through the loss of my grandfather, we have rescued dogs, we have both been there for each other when the other needed a pick me up, the list goes on....
  I have always known how lucky Dan and I are to have the type of relationship that we have, but I think bringing a child into the world together makes me realize it even more.  This little human being is half him and half me, now that's a crazy thought!  There are certain things that as moms we probably all pray that our children get from their dad and I know I have my list.  Physically, I hope he gets Dan's clear blue eyes, long chiseled facial structure, is tall in stature, and of course, his athletic ability to be good at just about any sport he attempts.  Emotionally, I hope he gets his dry sense of humor, one thing that made me fall in love with him, his selflessness in which he serves others, his sensitivity to others, especially me, and they way in which he respects others.  Mentally, I hope he is analytical like his dad and has the ability and drive to excel.  Most of all, I hope he is passionate like Dan.  I admire that and I think so many people, including myself, struggle to find their passion in life.
  God is so amazing in how he designed the human body to support another human being.  We are constantly amazed when we watch my stomach move from the inside out.  If the amount of movement inside determines the activity level outside, I think we're in trouble.  He is such an active baby!
  One thing I know for sure, we are a team in everything we do in our marriage and this adventure will not be any different.  Thank you God for all the blessings that you have given me and I am forever grateful.