What a whirlwind

We are all home and as we have been adjusting I lost track of the days as they are all blurring together but none the less they are making me realize just how amazing this whole process has been for us.  We have come together even stronger in our marriage and relationship with each other in order to not only meet the needs of Conor but also shows how much we were looking forward to our journey in parenthood.  Many nights are double duty, Darren is enjoying his dirty diaper times and learning so much more as we continually tend to Conor and his 3 priorities, sleep, poop and eat.

As Darren celebrated his first Father's Day today I was reminded of how great of an adventure lies in front of us.  He is such a great example of a man and the priorities that lead him and our family to continually be blessed.  I could not have asked for a better or bigger gift than the gift of sharing in being his wife and raising Conor to be a man of God.  While it is hard to imagine him any bigger than he is today or how he will react to the many things we do or he is asked to, I know that we can do it together as this past week has shown me.

Darren likes to sit on the porch on nice nights or after his runs to cool down.  I imagine that Conor too will be right at his side and many great teaching moments and bonding will occur in front of our home.

I love this, Darren does not miss a beat to help and talk to Conor.  They both amaze me.

While I do not get it all our friend Chris and Darren are sure to teach Conor all about the MAC and how BSU can do better.

Photo credit to my amazing friend Amy, just warms my heart.

Today Darren took the reigns and led us to the park for a family stroll.

Although my dad, Apa/Poppi, wanted to push Conor.  I have a great daddy and now he gets to continue his role as a grandfather to 2 little ones although my niece may not be completely on board.

Two of many men that will positively impact Conor as he grows up.  His Grandpa D will have a great influence as well.  As we chose/choose our friends wisely we will also find other men who will guide, listen and befriend our little one.  And many more women who will nurture and smother him at times.

Sometimes you get surprised

We did not know the day would come, like most people but it did and it was something I could never explain but it is our story.  As close as we were to our due date and as exhausted as I had become from all the weight, swollen feet and other pregnancy symptoms Junior and God had another plan.  After coming home early from the office one day last week so I could walk, a doctors appointment the next day and lots of exhaustion and anticipation we realized Thursday night it was time to go to the hospital. I will spare the details, I would like to keep those as a memory to share with our Junior.  After a tough start to labor we finally got to meet our little one on Friday June 6th at 4:19pm.  Conor Avery joined our family a couple days early at a whooping 8 lbs 13 ounces and 21.5 in long.  I definitely could not believe he was here, he was ours and we have been blessed beyond words with a child that I never imagined.

Darren already shines for me, as my husband, forever love and friend.  He made everything easier, being positive, but also looking at all the possibilities to keep us pulled together.  Each day he works to give us the best at home and care for us like only he could, there will be times, I know we will be a handful (I know I definitely have been at times) but he will never fail us.  And now we get to share in parenthood, as we had slowly prepared long before Conor came had been borrowed to us by God, to raise and love.

We came home Sunday night to find our porch decorated for our arrival.  

What a great surprise.

Conor looks like mommy but he definitely has Darren's bone structure.  Looking forward to see how much more he changes and both of us shine through in him.

First Family Photo

This little guy has made it all worth it. 

More photos and stories to come as we spend the summer home together, the blessing of my bosses and Anna to make it all possible, as we transition and grow.

The final days

Our due date is 5 days away and while I am in a lot of discomfort and praying for patience I keep waiting for Junior to give me the signs that say "I am ready!" but instead I constantly feel tricked.  As contractions are so sporadic and not following a pattern that would lead us to the hospital and onto the most unprepared thing that will happen, a birth.
It does not matter how much I have read or been told about the birthing process nothing will prepare us for the rush of emotions that will occur or the feelings that will overcome my body.  The only thing I can do is put my mind at ease, stay calm and breathe through it all.  Although I still hope for an early arrival and with the discomfort that comes most morning I think it will be just that day, with days passing and the feelings calming and leaving my body as I get the day going it seems that we may go into the extra week that our doctor is allowing for, a week 41 with possible induction if Junior does not start the process.
This past Friday I thought, maybe Junior knows I have some minor things to get done and is waiting for me to accomplish those and get them out of the way.  Well I did just that, got up and cleaned up followed by some leftover shopping.  I even grocery shopped on Sunday, loading up snacks to have on hand so we would not have to worry about those for awhile and have it on hand for Darren.  But just the discomfort has followed me this week, thankful for a flexible office.  I came home early to walk and get into a different rhythm that would allow me get more relaxed out of my amazing chair at the office.
The countdown has been on, now its up to Junior to kick start my body and join us on the outside.