Our Beautiful Daughter & Family

Nico is a big brother!

This morning at 7:29 AM ET, our baby Nico became big boy-big brother Nico. He, along with the rest of us, are ecstatic to welcome Sophia Genevieve (Sophie G for short) to our family. Baby and mama are doing great. Sophie is 6 lbs, 4 ozs and 21 1/2 " and came out crying and hungry immediately but once fed, contently snuggled right up with mommy. She is simply wonderful. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

Our gratitude goes out to our loved one's for their untiring support and most of all, to the grace of God! The truest of a Merry Christmas.

Jake and Felisa

Nico Will Be A Big Brother Soon!

Well...baby will be coming sooner than we thought...

Kidney bean is still breech so we have scheduled a C-section for Monday, December 20th! We have arranged nursing care and grandmas for Nicolas...and Garrett will be with his dad in between visits at the hospital. On Wednesday they plan to take my gallbladder out as well...so we have a lot going on during our stay. We are asking for no visitors during the first 24 hours...we are not really sure what to expect...so we would like to have that time to assess the baby...make sure it is feeding ok...and make decisions based on what we know...also (I'm sure this goes without saying) it is cold and flu season...if you are having any symptoms please wait to visit us when you are feeling better...Nicolas just recovered from pneumonia and the flu has made its way through our home...Jake is dealing with the flu as I type....so we are trying to avoid illness as best we can...

I have been getting our laundry caught up and straighten the house up this weekend...I also wrapped Christmas presents...and now Nico and I are snuggling on the couch while I type...I've put him to bed every night this week because starting Monday I'm not supposed to lift anything heavier than the new baby...So Nico and I are going to have to get creative with our snuggle time...

I'm a little nervous...mostly because I've never had a c-section...but I've talked a few women who have and did some reading so I know everything should be fine and go smoothly...It is hard to believe that the time is here...the baby should weigh close to 6 pounds...so it will be tiny and adorable...I'm sure!

Please pray for our health and recovery!

The c-section is scheduled for 11 a.m.

I will make sure we post some pictures some time that day...

Much Love,

Felisa

It's finally here...

Life has been busy with school, moving, and being pregnant and tired...and with the holidays coming up life doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon...certainly once the baby arrives we will slow down...

But here is a little bit of news...Nicolas got his wheelchair!!!! We started this frustrating process in June of 2009! Nicolas was outgrowing his stroller and his spine was really in need of support...we are seeing twists and turns on x-rays that should be straight...so the arrival brought great excitement and relief...

There was some unexpected emotion though...you know...I know Nicolas will not walk and needed to be in a wheelchair...but while he remained in his stroller I think reality hadn't quite sunk in completely...He looks so big sitting in his chair and I still call him my baby...and it is incredible to see him sitting up...but when I finished my thoughts with ...he is in a wheelchair...my baby is in a wheelchair... well...tears filled my eyes... and I guess its hard to explain how I didn't see that coming but it snuck right up on me... I quickly reminded myself how long we waited and how necessary the wheelchair is for Nico and that this is a good thing...perspective changes everything and if I can teach Garrett anything it is that focusing on the positive is not only healthier but necessary for life and our faith in God. We are thankful for Nico's wheelchair but most importantly we are thankful for the life God has provided for us with Nico!

We moved Halloween weekend...we are mostly settled in with only a few more boxes here or there...and we do have to unpack the garage still...we are enjoying the new house and the ease it has brought us...The day Nico got his wheelchair Jake was like a kid...pushing Nico in figure eights around the living room and kitchen...then in and out of rooms showing him inside and outside...at an almost running pace ...it was funny! Well here are some pictures of Nico...I'll post some new home pictures soon...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Felisa

September Weather...

Thank goodness for cooler temperatures! Nicolas and I have been able to get outside and enjoy walks together and other fun activities...A couple weeks ago we (Jake and Garrett too) went to the Grabill Fair....That morning I found out I had put on 8 lbs. last month so I wanted to kick off the new month in style with some country fair junk food! HA! Nico has a new love for swings...the motion is really relaxing to him...I think he loves the breeze in his hair...Check out the video below! Mostly we love hanging out on Mema and Papa's porch...It really makes us look forward to enjoying our's soon! The house should be done in about 8 weeks! Today when I was there, they were trimming the house....doors were up to...I look forward to this home so much and what it means to our family...I am so thankful...and with every little thing that is done to make it more a home... just leaves me speechless! I'm giddy with excitement! Nico update...he did lose another tooth last week...pretty uneventful (no blood or pain this time)...in fact we can't find the tooth and I have searched his pooh for a week now! Tomorrow the doctor is having us do a chest x-ray just to make sure he didn't aspirate a tooth. I'll let you what we find out! He has a Riley trip coming up October 4th to see Dr. Hainline (genetic metabolism)...

I am 26 weeks pregnant today and doing great...The baby looks really good too...and likes to ham-it-up for the camera...very photogenic! At my next appointment I will be 28 wks pregnant and will have some labs done to check for gestational diabetes...just a standard thing...no worries...No concrete names yet for little kidney bean but there is still time...and maybe we need to meet this little one first...I'm sure when the time is here it will be something other than Kidney bean :)

Garrett is doing great in Middle School! All A's and B's thus far! We are really proud of him! Garrett's football games have been fun and exciting...He has had some great tackles...even sacked the quarterback for a 5 yard lose! He has had grandparents attend his 1st few games and loves the fan support...This weekend Jack, Will, Grace, Shannon and Camden are going to cheer him on! Should be fun...and afterwards we plan on apple picking and playing at the park!

Last night Jake, Garrett, Papa Gary and I went to watch the Colts play! It was a late game but very exciting! I'm beat...so it looks like an early night for me!

You can see his eyes peeking a little! :)

Much love,

Felisa

Thought you might want to see a 20 weeks Picture!

August News...

---

Everything is going great...I'm sitting here typing with

one hand while the other is holding nico...he is in

good health besides a little eye infection....he has

been awake alot lately so we have really been

enjoying the eye contact and interaction...the "bun"

...or as we call it, kidney bean, is also in good health

...we are not going to find out the sex this time :) ...

this typically drives everyone crazy but we thought it

would be fun...we had our 20 wk ultrasound on

Friday and the baby moved its tiny little fingers and

hands...it also opened its eyes and looked at us...

well, in the direction of the camera!!!! So cool! Garrett

started middle school last week...it doesn't seem

possible...We went school shopping and he picked

out some really grown up styles along with cologne

...He is so cute! ("Lord hear our prayers")...anyways,

he is loving middle school so far... Jake and I have

been running around like crazy trying to pick out

things for the house and we're also out checking

the lot frequently...I'm back to school now too...so

we both have to work and finding spare time for

family and the house can be tricky...to top it off

Garrett just started football...2 hour practices 3

nights a week...

Yes, life is busy...but fun! Thanks for all the

birthday wishes...I had a wonderful day with my

boys!

Enjoy the photos!

Miss you and much love to all...