Zachary Jonathan

I am teary-eyed writing this blog as I think of what a big little blessing God added to our lives this week. He is a treasure. Tuesday I went in for a planned C-section due to complications with Elli that we didn't want repeated and it sure wasn't! How fun, to joke with the nurses and doctors while they prep and deliver:) I had a fabulous OB who prayed for us before we went into the OR and was just so tentive to making sure things went smoothly. The delivery went pretty well except it took 7 tries to get an IV and then it infiltrated during surgery so I did get into a bit of hypovolemic shock (low blood pressure) and started vomiting and started fading. But the docs were quick to get me feeling better quick and no other problems. I was pretty drowsy the rest of the day due to those meds, but got to enjoy Zach throughout the day.
But due to Zach having a different blood type than what I have, he has a very high risk to severe jaundice. By day 2, his billi was really high and he had to stay in a photo bed the rest of the hospital stay. The only time I could hold him was 1/2 hour every couple of hours to quickly get enough food in him. It was so stressful because when he was out of his "billi bed" he just wanted to snuggle and sleep because he cried a lot in the bed. I was supposed to get my milk in fast via pumping or giving supplement and then try and make him eat during those allotted times. Needless to say I was in tears quite a bit. By Friday, his billi went down enough for us to take him home (and out of that bed) and it's hard to put him down now! He just loves being talked to and eats like a champ! I can't get enough of that guy!
His name...we went to the hospital without a clear choice of his name! We put so much into a name and nothing was working for both of us. In fact his name was Josiah for a lot of the hospital stay. But as Paul researched Biblical characters and meanings, etc., Zachary was chosen because of Zechariah in the Bible (the prophet and John's father) as well as his name means "God has not forgotten". When we were going through those years of infertility, some of our friends really felt that God laid it on their heart that we would have a birth son. We did, too. We feel like Zach is another example of how God remembers and keeps his promises. Jonathan was actually easy to pick because of Dawson meaning "David" and how David and Jonathan were best friends in the Bible. We hope that is the scenerio at our house as well. Jonathan means "Gift from God" and that is exactly who is he is. A very sweet gift from God. Not one we had "planned", but an amazing gift. Plus he has to have a "j" middle name!
That is the story of our sweet blessing and speaking of Zach...he is hungry!

Zach's First Day Home...SNOW!

We woke up to inches of snow on Saturday! Dawson has never seen snow, but absolutely loved it! With the help of Grandpa and Daddy, our first snowman of the year was built. We had to take Zach to the hospital to get some labs drawn, so he was stylin' it with fleece.

Finally...an Update

Ok, so we finally found a home and our stuff is "moved in", not that it's organized as organizing with 3 toddlers and in the last month of pregnancy is not recommended. Dad and Mom came out for a week to help with the move which was a HUGE help! We fell in love with this house due to neighborhood (close to home school cottage program, walk to restaurants and parks), friends of ours live a few doors down, the views of the mountains and the backyard is a forest...literally. At first we were not sure about it because the city said we cannot cut down any trees in our backyard, but the kids love "going on a nature walk" in the back yard.

I have to admit, it's been a rough road, though God has paved his way through it all. He has provided much grace when I am so exhausted and Paul has been an amazing husband and father. In 2 weeks, we get to meet our sweet baby boy (via planned c-section) and though this pregnancy is pretty rough, I hope baby waits the 2 weeks until we meet because of all the projects and time I want to spend with the kids. We are loving the weather and the community of Colorado Springs, though we miss our dear friends/family in Texas as well as wish we had family closer by. Elli misses her grandparents and cousins. Our next post will probably include a sweet little guy...

Family PIcs

The other day we went to the park with Rafa and he took some fun pics. And yes, here is one of my ever growing belly! Have I mentioned lately how HARD it is to get 3 toddlers to cooperate with pics?

Proud of our Colonel and Thanks!

Well, Sunday was Paul's last day as an active duty Air Force officer...I made him get dressed up in his uniform one last time...sniff sniff sniff. He has been in the Military his whole adult life and God has protected him as well as blessed him tremendously. I am so proud of him in his integrity and hard work. He now is in a new season of life and has been one incredible husband and dad as we have walked out the busiest and most chaotic time in our lives. As we look back and remember how we didn't know if Paul should retire this year or not (not having any idea that we would gain three more children in our lives) we felt like this was time though it didn't make sense. Now we understand why we felt led that this was the right timing last year when we decided and how God's perfect timing was happening in our lives though this doesn't always feel ideal:)


As I wrote before, we were in Kansas for almost 2 months. During that time Dad and Mom were amazing Grandparents! They served the kids and when I was sick they took over. I don't know how we could have walked all of this out without them. In July we decided to make the move to Colorado and start figuring out where we are to live, etc. Again, Dad and Mom came out and helped us babysit while we looked for homes and because the kids were so attached to them, it made for a smoother transition. We are renting a house and using what fit into our van/car as the military only moves us once. We put a contract on a house in Colorado Springs and move end of August. Whoohooo! We may have a home before baby boy is born!

I could go on and on about how we so appreciated the love and support from family and friends during this time. Oh how we need each other to lift one another up in prayer and be there for each other! It's been so evident these months! We have seen prayers answered day in and day out and know it's only because of others lifting us up. Thank you!!

I wish I had more pics of Grandpa and Grandma with the kids as these last months have been so pivotal in our kids' lives. I will have write more (when kids allow) details of life, fun in the mountains with family and our new home/community!

Father's Day...Without Daddy

We celebrated Father's Day in Kansas without Daddy, but with MY Dad and Brother. The kids had a blast. We ate amazing food under the tree by the flower garden then borrowed Uncle Loren's water slide...needless to say, Elli did not see a need for a nap today! Oh and on the last blog, Karis is sporting her latest head accessory (too much crib time in China has given us this opportunity for reshaping). She is doing great with it, surprisingly. We missed Paul so much today, but look forward to seeing him later this week!

Happy Father's Day!

We miss you, Paul, and wish we could share Father's Day with you! This is the best pic of the day...it's hard to get a good pic of 3 toddlers! You are an amazing father and Elli tells us daily of how she, Karis, Dawson and Mommy miss Daddy! See you soon!