Introducing the lovely, the precious, the doll... McKenna Mae Luke!

She's here!  Finally!  On October 2nd, 2012 we welcomed with loving arms a beautiful baby girl, McKenna Mae Luke.  She weighed in at 7 lbs. 9 oz. and was 21 inches long.  We just love her so much and are enjoying our time with her, it is for never enough time spent, and we can't seem to get anything done around here because we'd much rather be staring at those baby blues and that beautiful red hair.

Time flies because McKenna is almost two weeks old already!  She will be two weeks old tomorrow, and we go see the Dr. for her two week follow up, and the lovely PKU.  She is already too big for her britches, holding her head up way too much, smily (we claim that we can also see the hint or start of dimples in her cheeks - we're hoping! since both mom and dad have dimples!)  She changes so much almost daily and is really so much fun!  I tried to take newborn pictures of her today, and was sucessful, however she didn't want to go to sleep for any of them so there are a few different poses I'll have to try later if I can get her to sleep for some... this little one is for sure not one of those sleep newborns - she wants to be awake and not miss a thing during the day!

We are both really enjoying being parents, Daniel is so helpful and encouraging with everything - it is so cute to see him interact with his "little princess".  We are so blessed to have this little one in our lives and thank the Lord every day for the opportunity He gave us and the sweet little one He entrusted to us.

Pictures galore below, but she is just so cute!  I can't help it!  Enjoy!

McKenna - About 3.5 hours old

2 Days old, starting to like her "bink", this one she doesn't have the IV back in for the second time yet.

Holding hands with Daddy

Sitting pretty in her swing

This is how she likes to sleep, hands up and out.

Wide awake after eating early in the morning, loves to play with that tongue!

She is a contortionist! Wiggly!  9 days old

Daddy's Princess sleeper, it is rather fitting for her

Sunday naptime all spread out in the bassinet, 12 days old

Sample newborn pic, just off of my phone, all she wanted to do was look at the camera, it was so fun snapping pictures of her!  Love this sweet little girl to pieces!  13 Days old here.

Running out of things to do on my own..

So while waiting for this baby to decide to make her appearance I am trying to find things to keep myself busy at home when Daniel is working such late hours.  This past week I put together the glider (don't worry, Daniel had carried the box into the bedroom so no heavy lifting was done)  and I also put together the little cubby for toys and books - we still need to anchor it to the wall so that it won't get pulled on top of anyone playing with it - but I think we have a little bit of time before worrying about this little one crawling and pulling herself up on things!  

To update - we will hopefully be adding to our family of two this week sometime - but apparently she is pretty stubborn like both her parents, and we also think pretty comfortable and warm where she it at.  Fingers are crossed!  We just want her here safe and healthy. 

Next update I'm thinking I will be a momma!  We are very excited! :)  Take care!

Much needed update!

I apologize for seemingly falling off of the planet.  Life has been insanely crazy and hectic since about July, we are ready for some calm, but don't see that coming in the near future as we are still awaiting for baby girl Luke to come.

With the start of a new school year and a very challenging group of students behavior wise this year I am surprised this baby has not come early from the stress!

We also were finally able to find and purchase our first home, and we are so happy and blessed to be in a house that we love and are slowly making into our own.  Daniel is very happy to have a place to do projects and has already worked on, and finished, redoing the baby's room so it is all ready for her to come.  We were able to close on the house on August 17th and start moving things in the next day, a big thanks to our families for helping in the chaos to get everything moved, especially because school was starting for me then at Monday.  Both our families have been very helpful in helping us to get things organized enough to function - and helping me out greatly since being 34 weeks pregnant and continuing to grow each week makes putting a house other and moving things around really difficult.

Baby update: We have no idea when this baby will decide to come.  I am 38 weeks and 2 days today and just hanging out - my students just know that there could be any day that I don't come to school and the baby could come now or in two weeks - we are on her clock.  My due date is September 25th, Daniel thinks that she will come on the 18th, my dad thinks the 20th.. I have no idea - but everything is ready for her to do so!

We hope everyone is doing well and will update as we can and are able.  Hopefully this baby will come on her own, if not, the doctor will induce on Oct. 2nd.    We are very excited to welcome this little one!

 Per request a growing photo - this is at 37 weeks 5 days (last sunday)

Here is a picture of the room and crib, we love how it turned out, the picture doesn't really do it justice - you have to see it in person to actually get a real feel for the color.  Walls are like milk chocolate, crib bedding is mainly green and brown paisley - love how it turned out.  There is also crown molding on the ceiling that Daniel and Conlee put up and looks wonderful and really completes the room.

50! That is half of a century!

In our family we have a lot of June birthdays, Happy Birthday to all of them, each one a neat experience in their lives. Chants turned 17 on the 1st, Wyatt turned 1 on the 22nd, and my Dad turned the big 5-0 on the 23rd. He has been a good sport all week between having a picture in the newspaper and various little things occurring at his office, as well as an awesome sign on the fence placed early on his birthday... And then to top it all, coming out of a very fulfilling church meeting to find his way into his vehicle blocked by rolls of saran wrap and ribbon, must love neighbors :)

I love my dad, he has always been and continues to be a much needed figure in my life. He has taught me many important things from always doing your best (what is the point of doing something if your are not going to produce the best outcome you can?), he has taught me how to persevere, to be patient, to think before I speak, and most of all this last trying year, to have faith and learn to listen to and act on that faith. I am so excited for our little girl to get here and meet her Grandpa, and I know he will continue to teach me and her, and our family as he continues to be a big part and influence in our lives. Love you dad!!

Freezer Jam!

So I tried out my first attempt at making jam, can't say if it tastes like jam just yet because it is still setting up, but it looks super good, and appears to be setting up too thanks to Grandma Wilson's expert advice. Thanks Grandma! Have to thank my mom for letting me use her kitchen space and her knowledge also, she is a great help and a really good sport when it comes to some of my crazy ideas. So after one flat of strawberries ( got a great deal on strawberries through Bountiful Baskets 1 flat for $11 ) I have 12, 2 cup containers of yummy strawberry jam to go into the freezer... :) PB&J anyone?

Our family is growing by two feet!

Daniel and I are happy to share the news that we will be welcoming Baby Girl Luke into our family on or around September 25th, 2012.  We are very happy and feeling very blessed for this opportunity that is ours after a long wait.

More updates to come in the future, we are enjoying our time with this special spirit that is growing right now and have high hopes that all will continue to go well and she will arrive safe and sound in a few short months.

Can you find what is hidden?

Some of you already know what this is, don't spoil the surprise!  I found this Sunday and brought it to my classroom to show my kids and teach them a lesson on adaptations since it is in the core, how is that tying a unique find to the core :)  I have not seen one of these since I was a kid, so I was pretty excited to see it just sitting on my car.  Enjoy! - and can anyone tell me what the adaptation might be?