Fat Boy!

Well, Jude had his one month appointment last week on Thursday. According to his usual habit, he peed on the floor of the pediatrician's office while his diaper was off to weigh him. He is now (at least on Thursday) 10 lbs 2 oz...almost 3 pounds bigger than he was a month ago! It's just proof that he enjoys his food. He is still only in the 50th percentile for weight, though, so I guess he's not really fat....just chubbier than before!This is Jude looking satisfied after a meal!

We're on our own now, since all the family is gone. It's a little nuts, but it's fun to finally see what my life will be like as a mom. I love it! God has been so gracious to give us a healthy boy, and He's been very faithful to provide for us so that I can care for him. I feel inadequate already, and it's not like he's asking any deep questions yet! Wow, I am realizing how much I need strength and wisdom from the Lord just to make it through the days. God is reminding me often that this baby is first HIS. It's a precious privilege, but also an overwhelming responsibility to be given the task of raising him.

Valentine's day sure was different this year...partly because we have a baby, but also because my mom was in town, so we made dinner together for Troy and had a family celebration. Everybody had a great time...here are some pictures of Valentine's and the last week or so....

What did you do for Valentine's day?

Jude has Troy's large nostrils...

First Bath

Finally! Our little guy's cord finally came off, so he had his first bath on Tuesday night (2/12). He desperately needed one! Somehow, no matter how many times you wipe a baby down with a sponge, it can't completely eradicate the smell of spit up that lingers in those cute little folds in his neck!And, the folds in his neck seem to be multiplying lately. He is getting fatter every day, and now some of his pants are too tight to leave them buttoned! I can't believe how much he eats. It's amazing to see clothes that fit one week ago look like they might rip when I try to put them on him! He has at least three extra chins, and he seems to be very proud of them. He seems to eat more time than not...I hope his binge-eating habits aren't permanent! I don't know if I can keep up with him!

My mom has been here since the 5th...thank goodness! It's been wonderful to have someone here with me during the day. We are sad that she is leaving on Tuesday. It's been fun to have help when we go places, and really nice to have someone to talk with during the LONG hours that Jude is eating! We will miss her!

Meeting the Family....

The last week has been eventful! Jude made a good impression on Troy's parents, sister, and our neice. He didn't cry, even when he had to share his toys with his cousin! We enjoyed a weekend full of eating, talking, and watching football...but most of all, watching the babies do really exciting things like drool, sleep, and stare at bright lights!

Here are some pictures of the fun!


Troy and I are very thankful for families that love the Lord and will help us raise Jude in the knowledge of Him.

We all got a little excited this week about the Jesus Storybook Bible (new from Zondervan) that was given to us by our friends, Luke and Josie Stamps. In fact, both Lifeway bookstores are now cleaned out of them since the Schuknechts were in town. But, really, it's a wonderful children's Bible that actually helps kids get the BIG picture of Scripture, while learning all the Bible stories. I encourage everyone to check it out for your own kids or kids you know! I have learned from it as well...There's some really good theology in it, and it has challenged me to think about the stories in the Bible in a new way. It especially shows how all of the Bible relates to, or points toward the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. If you have other favorite books for kids, please share!

If you are one who likes to see our favorite new photos of Jude, here are a few from last week.

New Pictures!

Here are some new pics, as promised!

This week has been exhausting, but wonderful. Troy is still off work until Tuesday, so he's been doing lots of normal house stuff while I feed Jude. It feels like that's all I do...but I don't mind! We thought we'd share some new pictures with you! Jude is now 12 days old, and today he gets to meet his Oma and Opa (Troy's parents), Aunt Erin (Troy's sister) and cousin Kate (Erin and Cameron's 4-month-old daughter).

By the way, below is how Jude sleeps most of the time...he's not a fan of having his arms swaddled AT ALL. We call this "The touch-down." Troy's pretty sure his calling in life is to be a referee.

Jude's first week...

Well, tonight around midnight, Jude will be one week old! He's still about as small as he was when he was born, but he's developled many new skills over the past week. They include: sucking, squeaking, pooping (A LOT!), peeing through a couple outfits per day, and this morning he managed to pee through a diaper, an outfit, and his blanket onto his parent's bed, through the sheet and into the mattress! It's quite amazing.



Oh yeah, he likes to show off his skills too, because he peed all over his daddy at his first doctor's appointment. We learned very quickly that a change of clothes for him isn't sufficient. We need them for the whole family! Somehow, though, when it's your own baby, even his pee isn't so bad!

Troy and I are thrilled to be parents. Though we're exhausted, Jude is delightful. I feel as though I am just now beginning to understand God's love for me. I can't describe the way I love this little boy, and to think that God loves him (and me) infinitely more is unimaginable. I am overwhelmed with thankfulness every day. God has answered countless prayers. We are struck by how fearfully and wonerfully He has made our little boy!

Jude Glen has arrived!!!

Eight months ago, when we told Stevi's parents that she was pregnant, Doug immediately requested that he be born on January 22nd (his father's birthday). When Stevi's water broke yesterday afternoon, it looked as if Doug may get his wish. But Jude was born 7 minutes before midnight on January 21st.

Both Stevi and Jude are doing great! He was 7 lbs. 11 oz. and 19.5 inches long, including a 5 inch long cone-head :)

For those of you wanting to see his new digs...here's some photos of his room. Yeah, those are custom drapes and custom bedding! For those of you who don't know, Stevi's mom made all of those! Don't they look sweet?!! Thanks Colleen!!!

Christmas in Kentucky

Well, it's back to work today....but it was a great vacation! Ahhh....being teachers has definite benefits. We were off work from Decemeber 21st until January 7th. We spent our break loafing around our house, getting things ready for the baby, watching the 3rd season of Lost, and eating lots of fudge!

Christmas was certainly different without family, but it was special in lots of ways. After being forbidden by the doctor to climb in our car and drive to Texas while I was 36 weeks pregnant, we settled into the idea of having a Troy & Stevi Christmas. We ate traditional Christmas meals from both sides of our family, read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and watched Elf. Best of all, we had time to reflect, pray, and enjoy reading about the birth of our Savior. Enjoying many quiet moments allowed us to feel as though the meaning and purpose of Christmas didn't escape us this year. It was a blessed time.

We were not entirely alone...a precious elder in our church and his wife, Dr. and Mrs. Ware invited us for Christmas dinner. They hail from Spokane, originally, and Dr. Ware did his undergraduate studies at Whitworth. In a place like Kentucky, it's especially fun to be around fellow Northwesterners who understand why we are shocked that the no-smoking ban is still being implemented in HOSPITALS this year (!), why we don't think race horses need public televised funerals, and who have heard of things like huckleberries and recycling!

Another evening, we played cards with our neighbors and their family. We were the only ones present who were under 75, and we learned lots about everything from cards to politics. It was a fabulous time. I know our baby will have lots of Kentucky grandparents!

Now....we are just playing the waiting game until our baby is born.....and we promise to blog more often, especially once we have his cute little face to post (at least we're hoping he's cute....)! Three more weeks....hopefully less!