Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers

Monday, April 28, 2014

Easter Celebrations

We had a full week of celebration as Grammy and Gramps came into town! We had so much fun, spending time at Klyde Warren Park, the neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt, Hope Park and enjoying the beautiful weather at home.

Off to the Park






water fun at home too! Ready...Set...


 Warming up...
Bath Time



Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt; James & Finley 2.5 years old





CANDY!!!!

Easter Bunny Came!




Time for Easter Brunch with the Dabrowski's and Catelotti's!

This is the best we could do...minus Everett







A few more memories to complete the week...

Planting & Park Visits



LOVE

Happy Spring!

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Freezing Time

Trying to freeze time. Capturing our lives right now; a fresh, new family of four.



















Everett- 1 Month Old

Everett Russell Shempp is 1 month old!

Weighting in at a whopping 11lbs 9oz you are everything we could have ever prayer or hoped for.  You are such a great baby.  Calm, relaxed, go with the flow easy.  You love to take baths, sit in your swing, play/kick on the floor and watch your big brother. You seem very as ease with the wild rukus of a 2 year old, who jumps over you and drives his trucks millimeters from your head.  You've already had your fair share of head bonks and eyeball pokes, but somehow you seem not to care as long as big brother is close by.  You are going to be tough!  When he leaves, you fuss and turn your head side to side looking for him.  I absolutely adore your little budding relationship.  I can't wait to see it blossom.  You are such a strong little guy, holding your head up while on your tummy and moving it side to side following the noise.  You love for me to hold you sitting up, so you can look around. You, thankfully, love your stroller and we have been out walking everyday while you snooze.  Thanks to you, mommy as a lot of working out to do ;)

 You are eating great, nursing every 2-3 hours during the day.  Sleeping great too, heading off to bed around 9:30-10:00, getting up to eat around 3:00 then up for the day around 6-7.  You are dream during the day, eating, playing for an hour or so then off for a 1/2-2 hr nap.  The evenings you are fussier as you grow tired, usually fighting a late evening nap.  You have started to take a bottle from Dad in the evening, which you scarf down about 5 oz easily but often seem frustrated that the feeding is over so quickly, you like to take your time.

We had you tested for food allergies and unfortunately, just like your brother, you are allergic to milk and soy protein. I'm on my strict "nothing fun" diet and you seem to be doing great so far.  So for now, we'll continue to nurse and see how it goes.  Fingers crossed!

You started smiling (really smiling) this week. Nothing makes me happier then baby coos and smiles.  You are gorgeous….(even with a bit of a receding hairline ;)






We're blessed beyond our wildest dream.  Happy 1 month little E :)

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Everett Russell- A Birth Story

God has a great sense of humor and a powerful way of teaching me lessons about control and trust and surrendering; bringing Everett into this world was no different.  If you follow this blog, you know that initial blood tests would reveal a significantly low level of PAAP-A hormone, often associated with low birth weight, premature birth and even still birth.  Research on this hormone is still fairly new and I was reassured that the risks, although 3 fold for me, were still very low.  However,  I was very shaken by the news and my prayer warriors vicously threw up prayers for growth, health and a full term pregnancy.

Enter God's Sense of Humor...

At 39 weeks and 5 days, Dr. Branning decided it time to schedule an induction.  I was huge (50 inches around) and baby was huge (measuring 42 wks and approx 9 lbs).  It was time to force this little man out.

After a quick 5 hours of labor and only 50 minutes of pushing. Our angel arrived. The doctors were all surprised by his size, the L&D nurses called me a rock star (my ego liked that!).  He was finally here; all pink, chubby and perfectly healthy.  Never question God's perfect plan for your life, he's got your back and knows what's best.  Lesson learned.

My heart has doubled in size. Introducing Everett Russell Shempp.

2.27.14
3:51pm
8lbs 15oz
20.75 inches





Our family feels full and happy, grateful for a wonderful birth experience and a perfectly healthy baby boy.  Shempp- Party of 4!