Little Valentine

On Tuesday, February 22nd we said goodbye to the bump...

And hello to Audrey Luisa Valentine.

I started having contractions 6 am on Monday morning, we arrived at the hospital at 1 pm, and Audrey made her grand entrance at 6:45 the next morning. It was the longest day of our lives, but we're so happy to finally have her with us (and completely overwhelmed, but that comes with the territory).
Our first family picture, only minutes into her life.

When we were packing up to leave the hospital on Thursday, Chris said, "Ugh, I always said I wouldn't be that guy." "That Guy" being the dad who holds onto the car seat, girly wife bag, diaper bag, and anything else his hands can grab. Guess what, there's no getting around being "that guy".
We changed Audrey into some real clothes, bundled her into her snowsuit, and took her home.

It's a totally surreal experience to arrive at the hospital a twosome and leave it 3 days later as a family. We are going through all the motions - the lack of sleep, the worries over everything and nothing at all, and the joy that only a 7 pound person can bring.

Happy Un-Birthday, Baby!

It's interesting that for 40 weeks I have been counting down to this day. And now it has passed just like any other ordinary Friday.

I suppose that means the real countdown begins...

A Warm House!!

Progress is being made at the house. This past week, our electricity was basically
finished and (drumroll please...) we got insulation!!! It's green spray foam insulation and it looks really cool.

We're way happy that we will no longer be heating the cold winter sky - and thatwe're that much closer to putting up drywall. Yay!

38 Weeks

Valentine Baby is almost on the way!! My due date is in 2 weeks, but if this baby is anything like its parents, punctuality won't be priority. For now, we'll play the waiting game.

And what better way to wait for a baby than playing with your sister's kids? Laci always wants to kiss "the baby" when she sees me. Isn't that the sweetest thing?

Baby Shower!!

I had my Baby Shower on Saturday. It was a blast! And thanks to some very lovely ladies (and the men in the kitchen - thanks Dad), the decorations were spectacular and the food delicious.

Amanda (my soon-to-be sister in law, yay) and her mother were responsible for these ridiculously awesome centerpieces. Who knew you could make diapers looks so beautiful??

And Geena worked her magic yet again with these favors:

After filling our tummies we played some hilarious games then ended the day with gifts.

I received so many things, including this baby blanket made by my mother. Thanks, everyone!

When I got home, I showed everything off to Chris. He was excited as a man can be about baby things, and after trying on the "Hooter Hider" that Mandy made for me (yes, it is what it sounds like) he made Bella try out a Swaddle Me.

I think he's going to get a hang of this whole Daddy thing..

The Rebuild

The last couple of weeks, Chris and his father have spent countless hours framing the house. It has definitely proved to be a long and drawn out task. They've removed rafters, sistered remaining rafters and put up new beams (I'm just regurgitating words I've heard them use). But the end is in sight!! They're almost done, which means we're that much closer to the fun stuff.

However, we're no longer hopeful that we'll be moved in when the baby comes. Some things are impossible, no matter how hard you work. We're disappointed, but we would rather be in a warm, safe, un-smelly house when the baby comes. And Chris' parents' home is that and more.

Christmas Head

Last weekend, Deg and Jess came from Indiana to celebrate Christmas Valentine style. The snow was perfect for snowman building, so the boys went out to play. But instead, they decided to build a replica of one of those gigantic heads from Easter Island.

Only, after they finished we realized it wasn't an Easter Island head they built, it was Deg's head!!