1 week

I have wanted to blog for a week now, ever since Caleb was born, but somehow I can never find the time.So I am practicing my multitasking skills and going to attempt to blog while feeding Caleb. We'll see how good I am at typing one handed.

This past week has been a blur of wonderful experiences that I will always treasure in my heart. The time that we had with Tanya and Caleb in the hospital was priceless. I was able to be in the delivery room when Caleb was born and Brian came in soon afterwards. It was such a special experience which continued that night when I spent the night with Tanya in her room. I was able to help take care of Caleb and I will always be grateful to Tanya for that experience. As Brian mentioned in a previous post, we are so blessed to have such a wonderful friend as Tanya.

We brought Caleb home Thursday and it has been an absolutely wonderful experience taking care of him. I LOVE BEING A MOM! Even at 2:00 am I absolutely love gazing into his precious little face. Our son sure is such a cutie!
Yesterday was his 1 week birthday. I took him to see the pediatrician and found out he now weighs 6 pounds 12 ounces (he's only 1 ounce away from his birthweight!) and is 19.5 inches long. He is a very healthy little boy. For his 1 week birthday he only woke up during the night once-happy birthday to me. (Don't worry-he made up for it last night by waking up every 2 hours to eat.)
Now what you all have been waiting for- more pictures!Caleb on his 1 week birthday.
I thought this outfit was very festive although it was quite big on him.
Such a handsome little guy!!
We took this picture today after giving him a bath (he has peed through 3 diapers today-I think it's time to invest in some different diapers) and when we took off his pee soaked outfit we found his little umbilical cord missing-yep it fell off today!

Tanya

Today we received temporary custody as well as a renewed appreciation for Tanya. She is such a wonderful person and Jenny and I admire her for her strength and kindness to us and everyone else. We know that pregnancy and adoption are very difficult experiences for anyone, but we have been amazed at Tanya's resolution in her decision. We know that it is two separate things to know what to do and to actually do it.

Our relationship with Tanya will continue through letters and pictures and Jenny and I are morning the loss of a continued relationship as it has been. I have seen Jenny light up as she talked with Tanya and as she told me about their experiences together. I'm grateful to her for letting us be so involved and I view some of what I felt during the delivery as sacred feelings and impressions. Tanya has an amazing personality that is focused on others, which is how I want to become too.

Thank you Tanya - we love you

We're home

We brought Caleb home on Thursday. Here are some pictures.

This is the outfit we brought him home in.
The first thing he did when arriving home was sleep.

His first bath

Sun tanning to help with Jaundice

Caleb's Debut!

7/16/2008 3:53 AM

6 lbs 13 oz

19 inches

So, we finally have access to the internet in our home-sorry about the delayed blogs!

So much has happened since the last blog.... BUT first of all the time is getting closer-Tanya is 36 weeks! I have been able to be present during 2 ultrasounds as well as all of her appointments. She also came over for dinner and saw the finally completed nursery (pics below). I have thoroughly enjoyed the time that I have been able to spend with Tanya and the wonderful friendship that has developed.
Kind of simple-but I really love how it turned out.
(Thanks to Kathy for her ideas and mom for her sewing skill!)

Other news and fun:
Brian graduated with his Master's in December and walked in April.
I also graduated with my bachelor's in April but didn't walk.
It is so wonderful not to have homework ever again. YEAH!!!

Thanks to both of our families for your love and support!

We spent some fun time with my family up the canyon from my mom's home.

Tyson, Becca, Mat and Em enjoying the campfire.

Ethan (my nephew) celebrated his 8th birthday and was baptized.
All of my family were able to be there except Tyson and Becca and Amy and Matt.
(I can't wait to see them at the family reunion in August.)

Most of my family at Ethan's baptism.

AND last but definitely not least, Brian and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. Wow, I can't believe that it's been 5 years- 5 wonderful years. I am so incredibly lucky to be married to the most wonderful husband in the world!

Caleb Ray

We've decided to name the cute little guy Caleb Ray!
Ray is Brian's middle name, as well as the middle name of Brian's father and grandfather.
Can anybody guess why we chose Caleb?
Everything is going well. We ate dinner with Tanya and her family (very yummy lasagne!) on Sunday. It was a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to her next appointment on Monday.

Update

So, a lot has happened these past few weeks. I guess one of the biggest changes is that we've moved. Yep, after 5 years we have left Provo. We are still in an apartment, but hopefully it will be just for a little while longer. We are trying to see what we think of the area as well as seeing if Brian can survive biking to his work (I agree that he's a little crazy, but he's determined!) Anyway, we'll see what happens. Hopefully it will end with us buying a home. One problem the move has caused is that we no longer have internet access-hence the reason why I haven't blogged for a little while.

Kind of a funny side note-the first thing that was set up in the new apartment was the crib. (Brian's parents bought us a crib and brought it with them when they helped us move the first night. They wouldn't leave until the crib was set up, although it was pretty late at night. Needless to say they are excited as well.)

Heartbeat

Tanya invited me to her doctor's appointment yesterday. There was quite a bit of good news such as the doctor said she could come off bedrest-Yeah! It was so awesome to hear the cute little guy's heartbeat, (we are trying to decide on a name) which made this whole wonderful experience feel more real.

After the appointment, I enjoyed hanging out with Tanya and Kari (her mom). Kari took us both out to eat (thanks so much!) then we ended up going shopping. Although we couldn't find any clothes for Tanya, I ended up with some adorable little outfits.
Kari gave us his first little outfit. Isn't it adorable?
Tanya picked out this cute little ensemble.
I love baby clothes which only added to my excitement about this whole thing.
What a wonderful day!