Thank Heavens For Little GIRLs!

That's right! Jacob and Trish are the very proud parents of a beautiful baby GIRL!

This is Trish's friend, Carie, acting as a guest author while the new mommy and daddy are a little preoccupied at the hospital with their new arrival :)

Dakota Eileen was born August 5th at 9:38 pm. She weighed in at 8 lbs of total cuteness and is 20 1/4 inches long with light brown hair. Mom, Dad and Baby are all doing really well and the new parents are just glowing with love and excitement! Trish just couldn't wait until she had internet access to share the exciting news and some pictures of the new love of their lives.

Don't those pictures just make your heart melt!! I hope they make hiking boots and backpacks in her size :)

Congratulations, Jacob and Trish!! We love you and are praying for you and your little Critterbug!

Finally 2cm!

I had an appointment this afternoon and I am finally 2cm and 50% effaced. That doesn't mean Critter is planning on popping out tonight but does mean that I'm moving in the right direction. I questioned my doctor if being induced on Wednesday was the best thing for me because I didn't want to be induced just because I am being impatient. She said that since I am a "smaller person married to a not so small person" she really didn't want me going much past my due date . That made me feel better about making the decision to be induced. If I do make it to Wednesday (which of course any day before that would be perfect too) I will be 4 days late. Just a little update for you.

Oh, and I scrubbed the bathroom today (no worries though I didn't use any harmful or smelly chemicals). Glad to see I did something productive! :)

Still a waitin'!

Well, today is my second day off of work and I'm up at the library using their internet. Yesterday I didn't do too much. Slept until 9:30. Ate. Got my car inspected (which took an hour of waiting). I was so afraid I was going to go in labor while I was stuck in the line and wouldn't be able to get out. Thought really hard about cleaning the house...so hard that I went and bought some cleaning supplies...then I got distracted when I got home and didn't really use them. Maybe today. Made a pork tenderloin in the crockpot. Went to Bible Study. That's about it.

An update on Critter though...next Wednesday, August 8th, I will be induced at 7:15am if he/she has not arrived yet. SO...there is an end and prize in sight!!! Can't wait. Although I really want him to come on his own so I can experience going into labor myself...I just don't want to him to be too late so next Wednesday it is. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 so I may know something more then. Tomorrow would be a good day for Critter to come because Jacob and I started dating on November 3, got married on January 3...just seems fitting to have our first baby on August 3. :) We'll see.

Keep praying for us!!

Critter's Nursery

I thought I'd post some pictures of Critter's nursery as it stands right now. I'm sure I'll continue to add little touches to it as I cater it to our little one's needs and personality. I can't wait for him/her to come and I can watch him sleep in his little crib and read books to him. Fun times are just around the corner!!

This is the very changing table that Critter's Mommy had her diapers changed on 25 years ago. We painted it black and added new knobs.

Jacob took all of these photos at the zoo for me. We had a good time at Hobby Lobby picking out the different mats for each of them. He's been so sweet and really helpful in getting the nursery together.

Critter's Dresser (it was also mine when I was little) and Toy Chest (it belong to Jacob when he was little).

All of those fun books just waiting to be read!!!!

Critter's Quilt which I still haven't finished. I just need to do a few touches on the actual quilting part and then the binding and I'll be done with it.

Still Preggo

No baby this weekend. I'm still pregnant. Tomorrow is my last day of work...yippeee!!!! Pray Critter will come soon...or that God will give me patience. I just want my little baby so bad!!

Snap, Crackle, Pop

I wanted to post these pictures from the 4th of July because they turned out really good. It's nice having a camera capable of capturing all of our fun times...and a photographer that knows how to use it! Way to go on these Jacob!

4th of July was interesting because it was probably the first 4th that we didn't go anywhere far off. We stayed home (Jacob actually worked so he could save a day of vacation for baby time). I worked around the house and then that evening we went to see fireworks with Chris and Carie in Germantown. They were really great and the weather was amazing. Note to self...Siler hates fireworks, we will never take him to see them again!!!

June 30th Shower

As mentioned previously, my Bible study girls and buddies from our old church threw me a baby shower brunch on June 30th. These are the pictures that I said I would post later.

Cute Diaper Cake that Kristen Made for me!! It's in Critter's Nursery now.

The Delicious Spread of Food we had. Mmmm...

Emily and Evelyne

Whitney, Emerson and Tracy. Tracy is expecting #2 on September 2.

Amanda and Melody. Amanda has one of the few boys of the group and Melody is expecting her second baby in early 2008. Her first baby, Cooper, went to live with Jesus after just 3 short days on this earth. She has been an amazing inspiration over the past year. Please be praying for her and her husband and that God will protect their baby and her pregnancy. You can read her blog...Melody's Blog.

Babies, Babies Everywhere!!!

Post-Doc

Well, I had my doctor's appointment at 1:00 today. Still 1cm dilated but other things seems to be moving in the right direction (Critter is good and low). So...we'll just wait and see. My doctor seems to think that he/she is around 7 lbs and will probably be around 7.5-8 lbs upon birth.

I took our car seat to be installed and inspected after my appointment. They have nurses at the hospital that will make sure you know what you are doing. It's pretty easy but I was glad to have somebody show me rather than try to figure out what in the world the directions were telling me to do. So now I am driving around with a Critter Carrier in my car :).

That's all for now. Only 4 days of work left!

Update...I am Indeed Still Pregnant

There seems to be some concern that since I fell off of the "blogosphere radar" and I quote my dear friend Danielle, that maybe something exciting has happened and some people are missing out. I have been somewhat busy at work and have been trying to reduce the amount of extra time I spend at the office so blogging has gotten the boot. I have lots to write about too. It's just going to have to wait.

Anyway, I just wanted everybody to know that I have not had Critterbug yet. We are now less than 2 weeks away from the due date. I have an appointment tomorrow where I should find something else out and possibly set up an induction in the event that he/she doesn't arrive on his/her own timing...just to get it on the schedule. I had an appointment last Wednesday in which I was 1 cm dilated and she was estimating Critter to be about 6.5lbs. My last day of work is a week from today. Crazy!!

I am SOOOOO ready to meet our newest bestest buddy. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and that the delivery will go wonderful and that Jacob won't get annoyed with my constant "ooo I hope Critter comes today" comments.

I'll try to give another update tomorrow after my appointment.

Showers of Showers

I am so thankful for all of the great things that people have done for us throughout the pregnancy. We have been so blessed by the outpouring of love and generosity. Some of the greatest fun has been having baby showers...and not just because of the great gifts but because of the time that we can fellowship with our friends. Here is a run-down of the baby showers over the last couple of weeks...Thanks to all who gave gifts and helped host these special events for us.

June 24th: The sweet ladies of our new church, Union Avenue Baptist, held a joint shower for Carie and I after service. These ladies get so excited about babies and even though many of them did not know us personally, they still had a desire to serve and give to us. Carie and I were both blown away by their extreme kindness. Pictures below.

June 28th: Jacob's work held an afternoon cake and ice cream shower for us. They all pitched in to give us a large gift certificate and our pack 'n' play. Jacob is so thankful to work with the people that he does. It was nice to meet the people that he spends everyday with...and you know, they aren't all nerds :).

June 30th: My girls from our old church threw a brunch for me. Some of us still get together for Bible study on Wednesday nights but the others I don't get to see too often. It's great when we can all get back together like we used to. Fortunately, Carie's shower is this weekend so we get to do it all over again. The girls (Carie, Whitney, Kristen and Tracy) did a safari theme since that is what we are doing our nursery in. It was adorable. Pictures to come later.

July 8th: The girls from work held a potluck shower for me this past Sunday. We had some delicious food and a great time. I am so thankful and blessed for the people I work with. Many of these girls do not have babies yet so I appreciate them reaching out to me and doing something a little different. I love it when I can get together with the people I work with, outside of work hours. Pictures to come later.

Belly Buddies

We had SO many gifts to open!!

Lots of yummy food. The tomato sandwiches were awesome. I can't believe I am saying that considering a year or so ago I wouldn't even eat tomatoes!!

Pregnant Friends. Carie, I'm so glad we have gotten to go through this together!!

Yay for my diaper genie. No smelly diapers in Critter's Room.

After all of these wonderful showers I think we are pretty much ready for Critterbug to come. The nursery is mostly done (although I'll continue to add little touches for the next couple of years I'm sure). We have our video camera, our car seat (thank you so much Martha) and our bags packed. Now we just need a baby :) I'm getting SOOOOOO excited and can't wait until the day comes. 3.5 weeks to go....I'll keep you updated.

8 Month Belly

Here is my belly picture taken at 33 weeks. It was supposed to be taken at 32 weeks but we got a little behind and forgot to take it. I am now 34 weeks along and getting bigger by the day. I am going to the doctor every two weeks and my check-ups have been great. Baby is good, blood pressure is good, tummy size is good, weight gain is good...last appointment was 19 lbs. I'm sure I've hit the 20+ mark by this week's appointment...especially with the afternoon Skittles breaks I have been having :). Please continue to pray for me and Critterbug as we are getting very close. Less than 6 weeks!!! God has really blessed us with a great pregnancy and I am so thankful for that!!

Greenville Baby Shower

I am so sorry that I am just now posting about my baby shower that Lauren and Sally held for me on May 19. Things are starting to pick up as we approach the arrival of our baby in about 6 weeks so I need to get caught up and post things as they happen.

So...as I left off in the wedding post, Lauren and Sally threw a baby shower for me for my Greenville friends and for all of my family that was in town for the wedding. It was so much fun and I always enjoy getting caught up with those of you that I don't see that often. Lauren and Sally prepared a nice spread of food...veggies, cupcakes, chicken salad croissants, lemonade, etc. I got many nice gifts...a cradle that Clarence made me with his mad wood working skills, a mobile, a bouncer, a boppy, a baby bumbo, books, blankets, diapers, a play gym, a bath tub, towels, a diaper bag, toys, clothes, bibs, washcloths and MUCH, MUCH more. I am just overwhelmed with all of the generosity and kindness people have shown to me and our baby. Thank you all!!!

Oh...and according to Marsha's very official and scientific ring test...we are having a girl :). We'll see if she's right.

My family in PA got this little penguin outfit for Critter to wear when he comes up for Thanksgiving and it's so cold. You'll probably see some REALLY funny pictures of him later...and possibly on our Christmas card for '07.

This is a scary picture of me with red eyes but I wanted you to see my cradle that Clarence made for me. My task this evening is to start the pad that goes in it. I will show you the finished product. In this picture, it was not yet stained so it looks even better now.

My best pal Ryina. Ok, her name is Ryan but I like to call her silly things.
Me and my little cousin Samantha. I think she was a little bored at the shower but she sure is excited about the baby coming. She looks like she could be my daughter in this picture. In fact, she is starting to look very similar to the way I did when I was her age...even has matching freckles.

Family Wedding Pictures

Here are some nice pictures of my family after the wedding. I promise to get the baby shower and my belly picture on here soon. I've been busy, busy lately.

Ahhh...I'm so behind!!

I think it’s about time I get caught up here. I don’t have many pictures to include yet so I’ll add those later. I’m looking forward to having computer and internet at home one of these days so I won’t get so behind.

So what all do I owe you? The Wedding, Baby Shower, Beach Trip, Child Birthing Classes and as of Saturday 8 month tummy photo. To save you from too much reading, we’ll start with one at a time. Hopefully I’ll get caught up. Since I don’t have any plans any time soon, I shouldn’t be missing out on any newer posts.

The Wedding…

Well, as you all know, my dad tied the knot with Martha on May 19th. Jacob and I drove to Greenville on Thursday evening and even after a stop at KFC for a mashed potato craving and then the gas station for TUMS, we made it in record time. The next morning I don’t remember what we did…I guess just hung out. That afternoon I went with dad to pick up the wedding cake and then had my hair cut by my old hairdresser. She started cutting my hair back when I was in elementary or middle school. Then that evening was kind of crazy trying to figure out where all of my family was since they were coming in from PA and WI and WV and everywhere else. We got to spend a little time talking with them but then headed to bed. I’m really glad they all came down for the wedding. Saturday morning we got up and got ready for the wedding. I hung out with daddy for a little bit while he got ready and then we went to the church together. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and perfect. The flowers were gorgeous and the pastor’s sermon was perfect. Dad and Martha even made it through without crying (I on the other hand might have sniffled a little). After the ceremony we went to the lunch reception at High Cotton. The food was yummy as was the cake…mmm I love wedding cake. I am so happy for my dad and Martha and look forward to sharing in years of happiness with them.

After the wedding festivities were over and dad and Martha headed to Atlanta to leave for their honeymoon we went to my first baby shower…but that’s the next blog so you’ll have to wait!

I've attached a few pictures that Martha sent me that her boss took. I'll get some more from Jacob one of these days. I haven't even seen the ones that he took!!