It doesn't get much better than this

The Story

Everybody loves a good labor story.....and if you don't then you can just scroll down & look at the pictures! :)
Contractions started on Wednesday evening around midnight...10minutes apart or so but they never got bad & they never seemed to progress so I just ignored them. (couldn't have been that bad since I slept thru alot of them). Thursday morning they were still there but no change so Audrey & I decided to meet for our pool playdate as planned (calm down this does not end with a water birth delivered by a friend:)
By the time Ryan got home, I knew something was up but wasn't ready to go the the hospital since they still were not progressing. We hung out for awhile then I decided it might be time to clue in the poor papa.
He urged me to at least call the Dr. which I reluctantly did (good thing)
They wanted to check me to see if I had progressed for since Monday...could I come in right then? Ugh what a pain. But we went anyway. Good thing
At 5pm I was 3 cm & 50% effaced with contractions 10minutes apart and relatively no pain. Jude was born a little after midnight. I have no idea why my contractions were 10minutes apart for nearly 17hours & then within 7hours he was here.....probably bc Ryan had predicted that he come the same day as the Saints played the Vikings. Why was that his prediction you ask???? Because Audrey was born the same day they played them 2 years ago :) ....dont ask me.
I will tell you that when we missed kickoff to leave for the hospital, I did tell him that he only had himself to blame :)
Anyway, we are thrilled with him!!!!
Daddy is happy to have "evened the playing field" although I tried to tell him that 2boys vs 2 girls is still not even :)

Gramma Cathy or "caffy" (as Audrey calls her) rushed right over to meet the little man. We are planning an overnight stay & some good cooking as soon as we get into our house. (side note: we were suppose to close on Friday (jude's b-d) but were pushed off to the 24th...please be praying that this date sticks & we are able to move forward...seeing that almost ALL of our stuff is in boxes)

Audrey is doing GREAT in the roll of big sis!!! She loves him & our prays for a smooth transition are being answered! I prayed that she would see him as a great addition to this family & not as someone who was taking her mommy's attention away. She wants to include him in all our games/activities/reading/singing etc

Jude Ryan

We are pleased to welcome our son to the world!!!
Jude Ryan
Born 9/10/10 12:22a
5lbs 14oz
19 1/4 in long
Be back soon with the story!

What A Blessed Life

I am so sorry I've been MIA this summer. Being pregnant & working & keeping up with Audrey was definitely more than I thought it would be. Now I am home (done with work) & have no excuse. I will say that I did try to post some videos a couple weeks ago but never could get them to load so I hope that I will at least get an E for "effort" & forgiveness.
We've had a lot going on lately & I've been want to blog but didn't bc of sooooo many uncertainties.

First of all, we have been looking for a house since we sold ours (in PA) in February....the search is FINALLY over. The Lord has provided us with a home that we absolutely love. That being said, this house comes with a few issues: its bank owned: &&&&& they really don't care that we would like to hurry up & get in the house before our lil bundle gets here. We love love love this house/property/area & so we are trying to have patience & leave it in God's hands.

Audrey is 23 mos old & ready to be a big sister! She is SO sweet to "our baby in mommy's tummy". I don't think she gets that this thing is going to come in & shake up her world. For now, I am just enjoying watching her read, pat, kiss, put to bed etc the baby. I am also trying to lap up every sweet moment of Audrey & Mommy time (especially cuddle time) that I can get.
She is turning into such a big girl so much that she doesn't even resemble a "baby"(although she's still my baby). Her little personality just lights up my days & her sweet spirit fills my heart! She is really witty & loves to make you laugh. She catches on right away if you are teasing her & loves to play along!!!
She is making so many complete sentences that I find myself amazed each day by how much she absorbs (& listens to). We've been working on our letters & she can pretty much say her ABC's. We've started working on recognizing them as well..... She can definitely pick out an "A" ...."for Audie" (of course). "D for Dinosaur" & we worked a little on F this week (although I did get a little lazy this week). I am really trying to be intentional in the time we have together & have at least 1 planned activity/day.

On another note, Ryan started a new job in August (but has been interviewing with them for awhile) & is falling right into the company that he feels he will be able to have a real career with! For those of you that knew about this potential job, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for your prayers! ......in HIS timing right?

Lately, I've been counting my blessing (which seem like so many right now) & just blocking out all the negative & the evil that always seems to be at your doorstep. I am SO thankful for my healthy, sweet & loving child & amazed at how wonderful my husband has been to me despite my seriously crazy pregnant hormones!

We went to the park the other day before dinner & were surprised to find that we were the ONLY ones there. We played for what seemed like hours together in this huge park (all to ourselves) & I was just so filled with contentment & happiness for the life that I live. I watched Ryan & Audrey play together & the bond that they have & couldn't help but feel lucky to be a part of both of there lives! I think about this little one coming very soon & although I want my energy back (and my body) I know that this child will as richly bless our lives as Audrey has.

On another blessing note! My sisters Lindsay & Susan have both delivered healthy babies!!!

Miles Everett was born on 8/26 to Lindsay & Mark
AND
Abigail Ruth was born on 9/1 to Susan & Joe

As angry that I am that they have left me in the pregnancy pack alone... I am thrilled/thankful for these 2 new healthy lives & can't wait for our little one to grow up with cousins so close in age!

Sorry this is the only pic you are getting...our camera is either packed for the hospital or packed for the move...not sure & def. not getting my 9mos pregnant butt off couch to find it :)
I will try to get some house pics posted & hopefully a new little baby to post on too!