Psalm 46:10
Life has been crazy these past few months. Pregnancy, a 2-year old, work, and purchasing a new home are all such abundant blessings and have worn us out! We are incredibly thankful for each piece of the puzzle - good and "hard". Mornings have brought new strength and mercies from the Good Lord, and nights have left us crawling into bed on fumes. We have had a peace in it all, resting confidently assured that God is in control. We have met some incredible new friends, Hannah brings us such laughter and lessons each day, and marriage is a whole different character builder in itself amidst it all! Oh, I haven't mentioned this baby waiting to make her arrival amidst all the chaos...
I started feeling "different" this past weekend. Signs started appearing - all suggesting that our sweet baby would be coming a bit sooner than later. But we still had so much to do, surely she would come closer to her "due" date of May 29. Saturday was wonderfully spent at the lake with great friends. Sunday was church, some work, and much productivity at the house. Monday was Hannah and mommy day awesomeness with daddy working a ton. And in those days, the final touches were done in our hearts and in our home to prepare for Hope Avery Justice's arrival.
Tuesday morning was an early one for Steve. He woke up at 5AM for his 6AM class and had a client and another class after that! I awoke not too long after him, which was weird. But I had a feeling that this day would be different. If I wanted to get a workout in, I needed to do it then. I was able to get a great 50 minute power blast upstairs, went downstairs and had a delicious big breakfast, fixed myself and Hannah snacks and lunch for the day, took a shower and very ODDLY shaved and put on a dress (what the heez?), and got Hannah ready for school.
In the middle of this mayhem, I started feeling pretty "crampy". The more I payed attention, the more I noticed the cramps becoming rhythmic and alike in intensity and duration. The last one that happened before I left the house actually stopped me in my tracks...hummmm maybe these were contractions? No, surely not.
In the middle of this mayhem, I started feeling pretty "crampy". The more I payed attention, the more I noticed the cramps becoming rhythmic and alike in intensity and duration. The last one that happened before I left the house actually stopped me in my tracks...hummmm maybe these were contractions? No, surely not.
The cramps started picking up a bit on my way to Hannah's school. It took some strength to walk her to her classroom.I told her teachers that I may not be back to pick her up, wondering if that was really the truth. From Hannah's school I went to my regularly scheduled doctor's appointment. Things were picking up inside my belly, so I jokingly told Doc Bland and his nurse that I was having contractions. While he was doing my exam, Dr. Bland started laughing and told me that I was 6 cm dilated! HA! I wouldn't be going home that day...and Steve should probably call off the Costco trip :-)
The rest of the story can be told with these pictures. We are so thankful for each and every one of our family members and friends who have helped and supported us during this time. Hope Avery Justice is the biggest blessing we could ever receive. We are beyond humbled by God's mercy and grace.
Sunday at Lululemon, promoting Fly.
At the hospital, not going home without a babe...
Sweet nurse Shannon. She stayed with me through it all.
Grams and Pops drove through the night to help us out. They are so great.
Kinda like this one.
The best big sis in the world.
The rest of the story can be told with these pictures. We are so thankful for each and every one of our family members and friends who have helped and supported us during this time. Hope Avery Justice is the biggest blessing we could ever receive. We are beyond humbled by God's mercy and grace.
Great times at the lake and finally a chance to relax! Maybe this brought Hope Avery on...
Sunday at Lululemon, promoting Fly.
At the hospital, not going home without a babe...
Here we go...had to get 2 rounds of penicillin first so that baby wouldn't have Group B Strep like Hannah...
Already taught 2 classes and trained a client...baller Daddy!
After 40 minutes of HARD labor, she was here. Miraculous.
Teary eyed.
Intoducing Hope Avery Justice to the world! Born at 4:45 PM ET at 6 lbs 13 oz, 19 inches, exactly 37 weeks of gestation!
Her umbilical cord squirted blood everywhere! Sorry for those of you who are sqeemish :-)
Our sweet girls.
Our favorite Dr. Bland. He ran up 7 flights of stairs to deliver me! What a stud. We are so thankful for him.
Sweet nurse Shannon. She stayed with me through it all.
Blessed.
Nurse Jenny. She rocked and her son is head youth pastor at our church!
Dr. Rama visited - he saved Hannah's life. What an awesome man. He didn't recognize Steve because of his weight loss!
Grams and Pops drove through the night to help us out. They are so great.
Grams with the newest Justices - Eliot and Hope!
Aunt Erin was the first to arrive as backup. Thank you so much for all of your help!
Little ones galore!
Awesome friends.
Kinda like this one.
She lost a pound after birth - teeny tiny baby girl!
Celebrating Mother's day at Macaroni Grill with Grams, Pops, Doug, Erin, and the little ones.
Just need the KJ's and it would be complete!
The best big sis in the world.
Kangaroooooo!
Love this woman.
Interesting look - Jacoish.
Pops, the man.
Such a cute outfit from Aunt Lindsay!
Rare eye open time.
DUALLIE TIME YAY!
Precious.
Home healthy and happy.
Steve and I are overwhelmed by our friends' and family's generosity with the birth of Hope Avery. THANK YOU, from the bottom of our hearts for your help, visits, and gifts. The birth of Hope was much "easier" than with Hannah in regards to my pelvis and baby's health. We don't take one bit of it for granted.
Our prayer is that Hope, along with the rest of our family, will, in everything, bring glory to God. May we fulfill God's command through Paul's charge to the Ephesians:
Peace and love. More pictures to come!
Our prayer is that Hope, along with the rest of our family, will, in everything, bring glory to God. May we fulfill God's command through Paul's charge to the Ephesians:
"Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility, and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love."
Ephesians 4:12
Peace and love. More pictures to come!