Ian Matthew's 2nd Week

Daddy's little "rookie" turns two weeks old and we are loving every bit of it! I'm so thankful to our dear Lord and my thoughtful husband for helping me with everyday housework and with the other little ones. This has given me so much peace and a stress free enviroment that I can simply sit back and enjoy Ian wrapped in my arms. I'm really trying to enjoy each day being at home with all my baybays :)

First Week

My little love bug turns one week old! I can honestly say I've been enjoying every minute of it. I promised myself I wouldn't worry so much about little things instead just focus on my family and my newest blessing. After all, they don't say this itty bitty for long :\

HELLO World! Ian Matthew is here!

My real motivation for starting this family blog was Ian and to connect with friends and family my story; almost like a "cyber diary" if you will. Now that he is finally here, I can blog about it!

For the most part, I can't complain- I've been lucky with all four of my pregnancies. This one however was my most difficult if you can call it that. My true complains were a little morning sickness in the beginning. I never did throw up; just had to eat in smaller portions and towards the end of my pregnancy I felt my pelvic bones expand outward and if I stood longer than 15 mins- my right upper leg would go numb. Other than that, I had a very enjoyable pregnancy.

My husband and I went to Baylor Sunday night 1/13 at 5pm to get induced. Once there I was given the cervidil at 8pm. I've had it in the past but it never did anything to me, so I'm thinking "oh yeah, I'll just take a nap" except I started getting contractions 2 hours later every 3-5 mins. By 2am, I was 0.5cm dialted. At 4:15am, I was 2cm and the contractions were starting to become intense. I promise myself I wouldn't play "hero" like I did in my previous deliveries and opted for an epidural as soon as I could! LOL. I got the epidural at 4:55am. By 5:10am, I was 3cm dialted and by 7am, I was already 6 cm dialated! Things were moving pretty fast! Dr. Adami came in at 7:15am and broke my bag. He told me he was pretty proud of me, that made me smile. At 7:40am, I got pitocin and by 8:55am, I was already 8cm! Super excited by then. By 10:45am I was finally at a 10! And my sweet baby boy made his entrance into my arms at 11:31am. Here are some pictures of my how it unfolded:

              

This is me, thinking my make-up and ironed flat hair would last! Ha! Well, at least I tried :)

Jared took this picture the next morning as things were moving fairly quickly. Judging from that smile, I'm pretty sure it was AFTER the epidural.                          

Ian Matthew is born at 11:31am, weighing 7lbs 10 oz and 19.5in in length. Look at all that hair!             

Jared has a profound respect for me after seeing his first one born. I just love my husband with everything that I am! Our little Ian completes our family circle.

This moment is super special to me, it was the first time I nursed my little guy! I can't begin to explain what an amazing bond one feels between their little one both emotionally and physically.
 

First time Daddy held his little guy. He was such a great coach, his mellow nature always help me stay anchored.

My baby boy's Nana. She was awesome! She stayed with me thru the whole bit and witnessed her 10th grandbaby entering this world.

My mom holding baby Ian Mattew for the first time. I'm so lucky to have her, she stayed with my other littles ones since Sunday night to care for them while mommy and daddy were at the hospital.

Super proud of this picture! Totally surprised when I saw all my kids- it wasn't part of the plan. My mom was to keep the kids until I got home with Ian but my mom surprised me and of course, I started crying.

Love this picture. First time Briana Isabella layed eyes on him. She was instantly in love with her "budder"
 

First time my oldest held my youngest. Super sweet moment for all of us. She's been in love with him ever since.
 

My little quarterback meeting his wide receiver for the first time. He didn't know what to make of it. He kept staring at him.
 

Jared and his twin brother Chad holding his nephew for the first time. He brought us a late night snack. :)
 

His first outfit he wore. I was so excited to get him back from the nursury bathed and to change him! 

The bond between a mother and her son is just surreal- I'm now blessed to have two.                            

Daddy grinning from ear to ear! and Ian is rocking the outfit his Nana bought him.                              

Getting Ian ready for his car ride home. Since it snowed earlier that day, we had to bundle him up really good. Luckly all the snowed had melted just in time for us to drive home safely.

Welcome Home Ian Matthew! I rode in back like I've done with all my kids- took lots of pics and even videoed the entire trip from the hospital to the casa. Only 10 mins car ride.

. . . .  And we are finally safe and sound in baby's bassinett. This was his little story unfolded in pictures :)

Welcome 2013 !!!

Love celebrating New Year's at my mom's! We always plan ahead for a sleep over after the festivities. It's pretty much very traditional: the ladies normally wear red panties to "spice" up the new year ;) We'll bring small carry on luggage to symbolize plenty of traveling, we eat 12 grapes at the strick of midnight- one for each resolution for each month of the new year, than we toast with non-alcoholic wine and give all our loved ones hugs and kisses. The kids love spraying their colorful streamers up in the air, using their noise makers and throwing confetti at the adults. We normally eat posole with all it's fixings, ponche (homemade fruit punch), bunelos, and tamales! Yum! Afterwards, we call it a nigh and wake up watching the Rose Bowl Parade! Love tradition with the fam :)

2012 at a Glance

No doubt every year brings us many many blessings and each day I am humbled by our LORD's underserving grace upon me. I mean, I'm human like everyone else and sin. I promise I'll do better but always fall short yet he still unconditionally loves me more than I have ever been loved before! I am so indebt to him; I cannot help but praise him in my lowest and highest! Thank You LORD for all you have given me. - Eternally Yours, Stefanie

Christmas at Nana's and Gampu's

So this year we post poned Christmas at my inlaws since our nana and gampu had a stomach virus and didn't want the kids to get it :( It still turned out great, as a matter of fact probably better! It gave all of us a little break between celebrating from one family to the other. All the kids got some really nice gifts and we surprised my mother in law with a sweet framed picture my sister in law put together.

Christmas Morning

First of all I gotta say, my heart is super happy! My kids didn't get tons and tons of gifts from us this year nor very expensive gifts but you should have seen their faces...it was simply priceless. The best part is seeing them play with their new toys time and time again! We really did match them up with toys they'll enjoy year round :)

Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve usually involves service at Lakepoint in Rockwall followed by Christmas Eve party with lots of appetizers. This year the host was my SIL Mel. The kids did their tradional cookies for Santa and opened one gift- Christmas PJ's! :)

 

We normally go to my side of the family for the traditional posada which starts around 8'ish. Our family normally has tamales, ponches navidenos, champurado, enchiladas, bunelos, amoung other delicious dishes which are normally eaten once a year! Yum! But having not just one but two this year that are under 3 and sleep by 8pm aaaannnnd being preggers.  We deceided to call it a night this year, until next year. :)

Holiday Greeting Cards

 

Our Christmas cards this year! My very sweet, and talented cousin was nice enough to come to the house and do a mini holiday session for us in our jammies. (Being close to my due date, doesn't inspire me to leave the house much- or change out of my jammies for that matter) ;D I figured for Denyce's 1st Christmas, we took studio pics, and for Bri's 1st and Eli's 1st....and since we are still waiting for the arrival of our newest member of the family....I'd save that "studio" pic for when it's his first Christmas as well. Plus it also saved time and money. This was also a great opportunity to finally announce the name of our love: Ian Matthew! Ian= God is Gracious and Matthew= Gift of God...awww :D Super happy with our decision!