meet Asher

{My last post was written about 2 hours before we headed to the hospital not knowing that we were about to meet our little man.}

Last Tuesday night, we were hanging out at home and I was blogging about being 38 weeks pregnant. Trav and I were watching tv when I started having sharp cramps. I didn't think they were contractions because they were constant. Everyone said that contractions would come and go and you can time them and so on and so on. Well mine came and never left! We waited around hoping I would feel better but after about 30 minutes plus and talking to the on call doctor we decided to head to the hospital. Just to be safe. It was sometime after 9:00pm when we loaded up and made our way to Methodist Hospital. Neither of us thought that this was the night. We had just been to the doctor the day before and nothing much had changed since our last appointment.

Once we arrived at the hospital, we signed in and were waiting to be taken back. We waited about 10 minutes. All the while I was having terrible cramps. They called my name and as we were walking back to a room my water broke!

I honestly cannot tell you what went through my mind at that moment. I remember being so excited and scared to death all in an instant.

I won't go into any of the labor details. We had a pretty normal delivery. It wasn't terribly long which I am so grateful for.

Our little man came into the world Wednesday, December 14 at 11:26am.

(Our lives were forever changed at that very moment.)

He came out kicking and screaming, literally!

He weighed 7lbs 9oz and was 21 inches.

And if you ask Travis, he will tell you he has a 13 inch chest...

We have tons of pictures but I'm only going to share some of my favorites. Being a new Mommy doesn't allow me much time to blog. I also am very aware that I have Mommy brain so please excuse any grammatical errors and run on sentences... I'm typing very quickly while my little man sleeps! =)

Our first family photo.

I knew Travis was going to be a great father but I honestly didn't know how truly amazing he could really be. His love for his son is a beautiful thing to see. I cannot explain in words how wonderful he is to me and Asher! Just a side note: He's officially changed more diapers then me!

I've never known a love so great.

Asher's Nana and GJ

Asher with his Dad, Poppy and Papaw.

Trav's dad, Asher's Poppy, is holding Asher. Travis was born with dark hair and it slowly turned blonde. My mother-in-law sent me some baby pictures of Travis. He and Asher look like twins. It's the sweetest thing. I will share those pictures soon..

Now do you see why my little man has dark hair?

Sisco, party of 3

My amazing parents. They stayed with us for a week after Asher was born. Our fridge has never been so full and my heart has never been so happy. They helped us out so much our first week! We would've been lost without their help. I am blessed to have the best parents in the world. Yes, mine are the best, not yours. =)

Papaw and GJ love Asher

Nana and Poppy love their new grandson!!

I am so glad that my sister was here to meet Asher on his birthday! She has been such a huge help throughout my pregnancy. I always went to her with questions. She's super Mom and I want to be just like her.

We are HOME.

I.love.this.picture.

Going to the pediatrician for our first check-up!

And can you believe that he's already one week?? Well now technically he's 10 days old.

Days fly by when you have a newborn. You forget the time, day and oh so many other things. Nothing else matters as much as the little love that now fills your heart.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17

37 and 38 weeks....

Sorry it's been so long. We've had a crazy few weeks and blogging has been put to the side. I was getting on to blog about 38 weeks and realized I never did 37. Oops!! And what's even worse is that tomorrow we will be 39!! Craziness huh?!

Happy 37 weeks...

What Asher looks like at 37 weeks:

Full term!

About 6 1/3 lbs and over 19 inches

Happy 38 weeks...

What Asher looks like at 38 weeks:

6.8 lbs and 19.5 inches

The best part of week 38? My parents coming to Memphis. They spent Thursday-Sunday here and totally spoiled us. We celebrated Christmas early and enjoyed lots of time together. The next time I see them will be when Little Man is here.

Mom and I pampered ourselves with pedicures on Saturday. My feet will be looking good for delivery! =)

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." Psalm 150:6

ornaments

36 weeks...

9 months down. Whoever started the whole, "Only pregnant for 9 months" saying is totally wrong. 9 months my hiney. Our ninth month kicked off celebrating Thanksgiving. We didn't get to go East this year and visit with family. Too close to our due date. I wasn't happy at first because the thought of not seeing any family on Thanksgiving broke my heart. But we had a very good and well needed relaxing few days. Our great friends, Courtney and Kyle, let us join them for Thanksgiving lunch! We went to Courtney's Mom's house and enjoyed some delicious food. Oh yeah... Kyle and Courtney are pregnant and are having TWINS!!! Their little loves will be here in June. I cannot wait to meet them and I'm so excited that Asher is going to have so many friends to play with.

All in all week 36 has been great. I'm still very uncomfortable which isn't going to change until Asher arrives. My favorite place right now is my bed. I hate getting out of it each morning and love to crawl in it every night. I'm battling a cold/sinus thing right now. At the moment I'm doing much better but a few days ago I wasn't happy.... being tough and not taking medicine isn't very fun.

Happy 36 weeks!

I think my belly doubled in size in about 3 days!

I never imagined it being so big.

Here is what Asher looks like today:

About 6lbs and 18.5 inches

We've had a wonderful house guest this week. Trav's Mom came to town for almost a week. She was one of Trav's patients this week. It was great having her here and getting to spend time with her before little Man arrives. She brought us some more goodies for our nursery. She's so talented. I have a few more things I need to add to his room and then it will be complete. I will post pictures then.

Thanks for coming and visiting us Judy! We loved every minute of it. Cannot wait for you to come back because that means Asher will be about to arrive!

"I do not nullify the grace of God, for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose." Galatians 2:21

35 weeks...

35 weeks and let's just be honest, my body hurts. I have reached the point where I am purely uncomfortable. Fun stuff. My skin feels like it's going to rip apart. My little man is still very active and is so big. He pushes his little bottom up on my left side while stretching what I think is his legs out to the right. He likes to do this at the same time. He likes to use my stomach as a punching/kicking bag. It's incredible how his movements have changed. He used to be everywhere but now he's pretty settled and moves in the same spots. I know that not all babies are this active and I'm so grateful that my Asher is. I love his every little kick, hiccup and squirm even if it does feel like he's breaking a rib.

Tomorrow we are exactly one month away from our due date. I know most babies are not born on their due date but it makes me super excited to think about how close we are getting. Everyday that I'm uncomfortable is completely worth it.

Happy 35 weeks!!

Here is what Asher looks like today:

About 5 1/4 pounds and over 18 inches

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34

school shower

I've been so blessed to work at such an amazing school the past three and a half years. My school is truly one huge family. Last week they threw me a baby shower and it was perfect. We had a Pot Luck lunch and everyone brought in a dish. There was so much food and it was all delicious!! (I wish I would've taken a picture but I didn't. I actually forgot my camera and borrowed these pictures from Mrs. Maxwell.) They completely spoiled my little family with food, gifts and love.

Diaper cake and cupcakes!

My first grade friends!! I love these three ladies.

My amazing principals. They are the best women to work for!

Mrs. Mabry and I sticking out our bellies! =)

Thank you Harrold Family for a wonderful day and showering my little family with so much love!

34 weeks....

34 weeks down and we are currently 5 weeks from our due date! Holy moly is all I can say. We are so excited to be so close to meeting Asher.

I had a great week. My weekend was spent with some of my favorite people in the world. Jim and Jan aka Mom and Dad. They arrived in Memphis Thursday afternoon and stayed until Sunday. Travis went to Missouri on a hunting trip with his Dad so my parents came to town to hang out with me. I absolutely love it when they are in Memphis. I was off on Friday for Veteran's Day so it was great to have two full days of just Mom and Dad time. It was great!! Friday we spent most of our day shopping around and just hanging out. We stopped by the Puryear's house for a minute so they could meet sweet Kate.

Saturday we headed to Oxford to visit my cousin Chris, Molly and their little boy, Shivers. Chris and Molly moved to Oxford this summer and I've seen them about once a month or so since then. I have loved them being so close. It's been great to get to see Shivers grow over these past few months. He is the happiest baby I've ever been around. He loves to smile and when he does it's with his entire body! I cannot wait for he and Asher to meet.

Mom and Dad headed back East on Sunday and of course Mom cried. Ok, ok.... I cried, too! I love it when they are here but it breaks my heart when they leave. I cannot wait until we live much closer to each other.

Needless to say, week 34 was great!!

Happy 34 weeks!!

This is what Asher looks like today:

About 4 3/4 pounds and is about 18 inches

He's a growing boy!!

Mom and Shivers. See his sweet smiling face?!

(He's 5 months)

My sister sent me an email the other day of her daily verse that she receives via email. It is so perfect for me right now. I so badly want to fast forward time but I know that I need to trust in God and know that his timing is the right timing.

"Blessed are all those who wait for Him." Isaiah 30:18

baby bump

About a month ago, when we headed home for a shower, we also had some maternity pictures taken. Thanks to Ashley Wade, we now have some amazing pictures to keep forever and share with Asher one day.

No one else will ever know the strength of my LOVE for You. After all, you're the ONLY ONE who knows what my heart sounds like from the inside.