McKlayne Eliana

Psalm 13:5&6:
I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me.

Thanksgiving...that's what we're overwhelmed with right now.

Thankful hearts to the Lord for He has been so good to us...in so many ways...our beautiful, healthy baby girl was born at 6:02 this evening...McKlayne's labor and delivery was oh, so different compared to Asher's...the Lord protected and healed me of any complications I had been having again since Asher's birth...we know so many of you have been praying and He's been faithful to answer those precious prayers...thank you. We love you all.

My 4 hour labor compared to my 20 hours with Asher was AMAZING! I could have 8 babies if all my labor & deliveries went like this one! And she is TINY compared to our big ol' boy. She weighs 6 lbs 14oz. and is 20 inches long. As difficult as it was to wait these past several days, it was worth it for such a short labor! Our little girl is eating like a champ and we haven't heard but about one peep from her since she's been born

She looks so much like Asher did when he was born...just with more (and darker) hair! Here's are a few pics of her right after delivery.

Here's Asher, just a few minutes old:

Other things I am grateful for:

My sonic water with lime and extra ice...they changed the policy and now allow mothers to drink while laboring! How amazing is that? It made all the difference for me.

Epidurals, my anesthesiologist, my lovely nurse, Tawnya, and amazing doctor. They ordered me an epidural even before my contractions were super intense...I definitely experienced some, but nothing to complain about! Dr. Davis was performing a c-section and was going to come break my water afterwards andwanted me to get my epidural before he broke my water. Here I am shortly after my epidural talking on the phone and attempting to watch 24.

We didn't end up watching any 24 episodes, because I opted to take a nap instead...did you just read that? There was no napping involved in my labor with Asher...but I napped for an hour! This is when I transitioned from a 4 to a 7 and then from a 7 to a 9, twenty minutes later.

My sweet new family of four...we don't have a pic of the four of us yet, but we'll get one today! She's a Daddy's Girl already!

Here's the video of Asher meeting his new baby sister. He loves her so much! Check out how he honks her nose (his initiation into the family...either that or he's trying to straighten out her crooked little nose.)

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A little bird updated me...

We're posting updates of Kirby and McKlayne's progress via Twitter. Look on the right side over there labelled "Twitter Updates" and know what's going when right when it happens.

Countdown...and a Contest!

I've been pretty bad about updating on anything pregnancy related for a while...we've been very busy with more home improvements, getting ready for this little girl, and chasing after a VERY active 17 month old!

We're converting our garage into a "multi-purpose" room for a laundry closet, computer room/play area, and an extra place to sleep.

Here's some proof of the boys hard at work:



He loves "helping" Daddy.



What would a girl do without a couple of "handymen" like these?



How does this brilliant man know how to do everything?



And this little mister is going to learn it all from his Daddy...what a happy wife he'll have one day!


Most of you know what the plan is for McKlayne's birth, but for those of you who don't, my due date is July 7th. Due to my complications with delivering Asher, Dr. Davis didn't want her to get "too big" (he didn't want me to have another 8 lb baby) so he scheduled my induction for July 3rd...the ONLY day we were hoping that she wouldn't come!

July 3rd is our 3rd Anniversary and, selfishly, we're not too excited about having to share it! When we were picking a wedding date, we chose this one, so that we would always have the 4th off to be able to go away for the evening of our anniversary if we wanted. But, that's all that Dr. Davis' and the hospital's schedule would allow. So, we're keeping this date and praying that she comes before then!

Which is very possible! I went in today and was 75% effaced and almost a full 3 cm. dilated! He said she "looked to be" about 6 1/2-7 lbs...but how much can they really tell from poking around on your belly? Dr. Davis said he'd "probably see me this weekend" since he's on call and would be surpised if I lasted until next Thursday.

Isn't that what every pregnant lady wants to hear? We shall see! I could sit like this for another week!


(Pic taken tonight, in my 39th Week!)

On to the fun part...leave a comment with your guess to when you think McKlayne will be born (the date...even if you don't think she's coming until the 3rd) and her measurements (height & weight.)

My guess is Saturday, June 28th; 7 lbs 4 oz; 20 inches long.
Charlie's is Sunday, June 29th; 7 lbs 8 oz.; 19 1/2 inches long.

No matter what, a week from today I will have a baby girl...this is still so hard to believe! I can't wait to meet this crazy girl who's been kicking around in me so much lately!

Cutest Lil' Ag

If you happen to be at the mall, go to Aggieland Outfitter's (by Macy's) and vote for the Cutest Little Aggie. Asher is #43. You can vote until the end of June.

Happy Father's Day, Char!

Asher adores you.

It's obvious by the way he tries to imitate all your silly sounds or expressions.

It's apparent every afternoon just after 5 when you get home from work by his giddy squeal. No one can make him laugh all the different ways you do.

It's clear by the way he tries to please you and the thrill he gets when you encourage or cheer him on.

And I adore you.

I love that Asher is imitating you...watching you so intently because he sees what a man who loves the Lord with all his heart looks like...he's watching the way you honor me and how you treat him with gentleness and grace...and he'll oneday become a man who leads his family according to the Word because he's witnessed his Daddy doing it his whole life.

I love that there is joyful noise in our home at the peak times of 5:00 and 7:00 every evening. He loves his Daddy-time when you first get home...and you selflessly give him all your love, energy, and attention...even though somedays I know you're exhausted from a long day at the office. When I give him a bath, the giggles are just not the same...he loves the time after dinner the two of you wild boys share, splashing and squirting each other. Thank you for building him up...he's so secure in your love.

I love that he fears you...and is beginning to fear you more as you continue to discipline him. Thank you for training him in this at such a young age...it's amazing to me what this 16 month old understands because of your patient training...there will be much peace in our home because of this. I love to watch him repeat a behavior like throwing his dirty diaper in the trash over and over again, because he knows he is doing something to please you...he craves your affirmation. It makes my job much easier as I enforce these rewards and disciplines throughout the day. Thank you for training our son up in a way that will teach him the fear of the Lord.

You boys are so precious to me. I'm thankful for the man I get to learn from everyday in our home...and the little man that longs to be just like his Daddy. Happy Father's Day, Char! I'm so proud of you and love you with all my heart!

A few of his Favorite Things...

I have been meaning to post these for several months now...I seem to have an ongoing list of Asher's "favorite" things and the more he learns and gets into stuff, the more he is starting to LOVE many things! So my next couple posts will probably be pics or videos of him doing his favorite things.

As you can see, I've been working on pics with Lightroom...and I am in love with this program! Lyns and Larra, I welcome any tips that you may have! (I would like to know why the coloring looks a little different when I post these pics on my blog compared to what I see in Lightroom or even just in the plain viewer from the files...does that make sense? When I upload them to blogger for some reason the color is a little more dull or grayish.)

Anyways...back to Asher! In this set of pics, I have captured several of his favorite things...and one of mine! First, he loves, loves, LOVES to be outside...he could stay outside for hours if I would let him.

Secondly, he loves hats...probably because it's something that he always sees his Daddy in. He loves to wear hats...but his favorite hats are Daddy's hats. Everytime he walk by Charlie's open closet, he says "hat, hat" and points at the hats hanging on the wall and signs, "please." How precious is this hat that Brettney and Key gave him?

Another thing he loves is playing with Daddy.

Almost everyday, we wait outside for Daddy to get home and as soon as Asher sees his Daddy riding (on his bike) or driving up, his face lights up and he flaps his arms up and down excitedly. Playtime after work with Daddy, is probably one of his most favorite times of the day...and it's mine, too! I love watching my boys run around and chase or tackle each other and love hearing their laughter and squealing.

Another story about Daddy and hats: We recently got satelite (No more watching Baby Einstein over and over and over! Mommy is very excited about our new selection of entertainment!) and the other day I turned "Handy Manny" on for the first time for Asher. A couple minutes later, I heard "Hi, Dada!" and he was waving at the TV. I looked up and saw Manny...who totally looks like an animated version of his Daddy in a red and white hat just like Charlie wears! But especially, since he's always carrying tools around to fix stuff! Who says TV isn't educational?

And one of the things that his Mommy loves...her baby boy in just his diaper! I love that chunky, adorable little body! Need I say more?