Nico's 1st Mate and a few other firsts!

Ahoy, Matey!

Trying to hold her head up!

Starting to smile!

Taking a bath in mommy's sink!

Trying to suck on Nicolas' hand!

Snuggle time with Nico in mommy and daddy's bed!

Nico is getting big!

When my pacifier is not in sight, sometimes I find my thumb...and when I can't find either I let everyone know about it!

Mommy gave me my first Pedi...the OPI color name was "Girls Love Pink"

Nice!

Everybody is healthy and doing great! Life is good!

Sophie's 1st Bath and Manicure!

Fragile...

Pronounced FRA-Gee-lay...must be French (A Christmas Story)...anyways...

Late last night while feeding Sophie I was watching Nico and thinking of my three children and how fragile each one is and how fragile they make me feel. I am in awe and wonderment every time I look at them...How could something so precious be created let alone how did I deserve these beautiful blessings... All I do know is God is good...God is gracious...God is incredibly giving...And I am eternally grateful! Everything I need He has provided...

Enjoy your loved ones as I do mine!

Hug them...Kiss them...every chance you get!

Felisa

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