Jack is ONE!!!

I came on here to finish up this post I had started about Jack's birth story,  but realized how very long that post had gotten and that I just need a new one!  SO very much has happened in one short year and I truly cannot believe Jack is turning 1.  I know I have said that about every baby, but I honestly believe that with every baby it goes faster and faster.  I have blinked and my baby is not so much a baby anymore!


It was one year ago that I found myself having contractions (yet again) and not knowing if they would result in Jack's birth or not.  But, we still went in at 7am and knew he would be born that day.  Our doula met us there and was such an encouragment and calm voice during the entire day.

The contractions never slowed down, but after about 7 cm, it was noon and my doctor really wanted to be able to stay with me for Jack's birth even though he was supposed to be leaving.  I did not really want to end up with the doctor after him, so I let him break my water (it was 12:50 at the time)  By 1:21 I was fully dilated ready to push and Jack was born at 1:25 (without any pain medication I may add) and I only say that because the worst of it all was between 1 and 1:20, NOT the last 5 minutes!  But I would not trade that experience for anything, having had an epidural with all the others and knowing in the back of my mind that I didn't really need them with the girls because they came super fast also.  And Jack's birth was by FAR the easiest recovery and I credit that to the no pain meds.

I felt on top of the world once again holding this precious blessing from God

 7lbs 10 oz

 Getting his first bath

The kids meeting Jack

 I love those tiny toes peeking out

Taking a few pictures while waiting to be discharged

I had the best homecoming waiting for me...this chalkboard message made me cry

6 days old:

3 weeks old- Photography by a wonderful friend, Amanda McQuade

3 months- the dino is getting smaller and he is getting bigger!

 What's up, Jack?

 My morning cup of sweetness

 I want a bite of that...

 At grandma & grandpa's on Brice's Creek

 1st Baseball game

 Walking Sean to school

 First haircut by daddy

 stuck in baby jail while mommy sews

 Looking at our doggy through the window

 In the mountains to cut down our Christmas tree

 1st Christmas

First Snow

 He wanted to get down & play in it SO bad, but I didn't have any waterproof pants for him so Lilly was holding him up

What a fun year, my sweet boy, and I can't wait to celebrate with you tomorrow!  We're going to have our family tradition of Krispy Kreme for breakfast, spend time as a family and have our extended family over for dinner and cake & ice cream!  I love you to the moon and back and pray you grow in wisdom & knowledge of God to know and to serve Him.  You are a blessing to us and I am thankful we have been entrusted as your parents.  Can't wait to see you coming more into your personality like your brother and sisters and continue to grow as a part of our family.  

(Sean, Lilly & Brilee are beside themselves wanting to eat your cake!)

 We spent the evening drawing eyes on our yellow cups for tomorrow too