Braddock is Here!

On Thursday our baby, Braddock Jeremiah, will be one month old.  My how time flies already!  It seems like only yesterday when he made us a family of three (well, five including Miles and Maximus).  We been so blessed by friends and family who have stopped by, made us dinners, and helped us out.  Thank you!  Here are some pictures of our little bundle...

Baby Bastian's Nursery and Preparation

We are finally ready to welcome Baby Bastian to the world!  Well, I suppose we've been ready for a long time, but now we have all the physical items in place.

A well stocked nursery with clothes, diapers, stuffed animals, blankets, a rocker, a cozy rug, and lots of books in place.  Check.
Hospital bag packed.  Check.
Diaper bag packed with a small going home outfit and a larger going home outfit.  Check.
Baby books read.  Check.
Pediatrician selected.  Check.
Baby classes attended.  Check.
List of people to contact.  Check.

I'm tired just thinking of all the preparation that's gone into it all, not to mention all of the physical preparation my body has been doing!  But I realize none of the above things will make us good parents.  (Their completion only makes me more Type A than I was before, but I hear I won't have that problem very soon.)   Only a lot of God's grace will prepare us for real parenthood.  So, in addition to the above list, I'm reciting this list in my head, too...

A well stocked nursery... by God's grace and generous friends,
Hospital and diaper bags packed... with things we may or may not need,
Baby books read... with humility and the admittance that I still know very little about raising a baby,
Pediatrician selected... but knowing every one we interviewed seemed very knowledgeable and great,
Baby classes attended...but I still can't swaddle a rubber, immobile baby doll much less a wiggly infant,
List of people to contact... although I'm sure I've forgotten someone!

I could go on and on.  I'm already figuring out that parenthood is 25% 10% really hard work and 75% 90% God's grace. Even though I can already see it coming, experiencing the end of myself as someone who can prepare for almost anything will be a humbling and difficult good thing for me.  I'm reminded of the David Crowder song, "if grace is an ocean, we're all sinking."  I'm ready to sink in some grace!  (Do you think I could wear floaties just in case, God?) :)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways submit to Him, and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:28-30 

And now for the nursery pictures... because I know it will probably never look this neat and tidy again!

 The crib is mine from when I was a baby, and the dresser to the right was in Jeremiah's nursery when he was a baby.  I repainted it and put little animal pulls on it.

 The sign is courtesy of some friends of ours and their vintage shop, Pursuing Eden Vintage Sales and Rentals.  Thanks Doug and Kristal!  My friend Susan helped me with the mobile.  She gave me the idea and the backbone parts for it, and I made the rest.  The bedding is courtesy of "YaYa," a.k.a. my mom.  

 The little shoes on the dresser were Jeremiah's.  :)

 This is our "functional" dressing area.  You can tell I need another basket on top for the toys we've already acquired!

 I love this old dresser I found at a resale shop for our changing table.

 The whole room...

  Our "blessings board" with prayers, notes, and scripture from the baby shower at the Titus' this summer. 

We're ready to meet you little guy!

Sweet Baby Isaac!

This weekend Joanna and Aaron were blessed with a son, Isaac Aaron Archer! He is precious!

Shelby Cake and Ice Cream

This cuteness is a girl I've taught for 4 years.  I've known her since she was a baby and was so excited for her to be in my kindergarten class 4 years ago.  I looped up with her to 1st grade, and then I began teaching a 2nd/3rd grade loop and she was in my class again!  So here we are 4 years later having an ice cream outing on a very hot summer day before she moves to Colorado.  Her little friends in our kindergarten class used to call her "Shelby Cake" even though her name is Shelby Kate.  Precious!  Her family and 4 other families of children I have taught for 4 years have witnessed Jeremiah and I meeting, dating, being engaged, getting married, and being pregnant!  I know Shelby Kate's family has wanted to move to CO for a long time, so I'm really happy for them.  But I'm certainly going to miss this girl!

Jonathan Comes to Visit!

Jeremiah's younger brother Jonathan has come to Texas once a summer for the past several years to visit Jeremiah.  He usually stays about 2 weeks and the they stay up late, watch movies, play golf and do other "manly" things.  This was his first visit since Jeremiah and I have been married, so I didn't know exactly how I would fit into the "manly" routine.  I certainly shouldn't have thought twice about it!  We all three hung out and had a great time watching the Olympics, going to see the new Batman movie, and eating plenty of good food!  I tried to let them have their guy time by declining golf outings and video games.  :)

The last day Jonathan was here we tried Pop's Burgers.  Jeremiah had already eaten there and said their burgers were great, and he was correct!  I think I might agree that they have the best burger in FW.  Thanks guys, for making me feel included.  Jonathan, you are welcome in Texas anytime!

Baby Shower at the Titus'

Saturday was a wonderful day of spending time with friends and family at a baby shower hosted by the Titus' family, Lauren, and Jen.  The house was lovely, the decorations beautiful, the food delicious, and the company perfect.  They certainly spoiled our new little family.  We are just overwhelmed with gratitude for all the family and friends we have anxiously awaiting Baby Boy's birth with us.

 The sweet framed clothesline with messages on it for Baby B

 All the yummy food!

 "Sweet Baby Boy"  There were candles burning in the little glasses :)

 Beautiful little details

 Me, Chris, Krista

 The Hostesses with the Mostesses: Lauren, Jen, Aunt Patty, Bailey, Quincy, and Susan

 Sweet Brandon Family

 Funny onesie Krista made

 Jeremiah loved this bib!

Aunt Patty, JB, mom, and Marcy

Surprise Baby Shower!

Last week I got the chance to visit Jeremiah's parents.  He had to stay home and work unfortunately, but I had a great time!  His mom - Twila, sister - Jaime, and cousins - Joan, Michelle, Dessie, and Cora threw me a surprise baby shower!  Every afternoon I would take a nap and wake up in time for dinner.  One day I woke up thinking we were going to have a girls' night since the boys went out to a baseball game.  Little did I know "girls' night" really meant Baby Shower. :) 

 Jaime and Cora hanging out in the kitchen

Dessie and Michelle preparing snacks

 All the yummy food

 Cakes!  The BBB is for Baby Boy Bastian

 Twila and me

The cute runners, bow ties, and mustaches Michelle made for the party :)... and Cora peeking between all the presents!

 So pretty!

 I obviously loved this gift :)

Bucking broncs and boots outfit from Nana :)

Thanks girls for making me feel so special and welcomed into your family.  It was a really fun week!  We can't wait for you all to meet Baby B!