Love at first sight

As you may have heard Malia made her grand entrance into the world on Thursday, October 25th, 2012 at 9:36pm.  Before I get into how beautiful she is and how our lives are forever changed I will bring you all up to date on our birth story.  

This is me at our 39 week appointment...

Little did I know our daughter would be here 3 short days later!

I was having contractions all week that were not painful.  I kept googling and asking friends how I would know if they were "real" contractions or not.  All they kept saying was, "Oh, you will know!"  And, come to find out, they were right.  I should have known when we went to sleep on the 25th that something was up.  Our dogs, Floyd and Sugar, had been acting differently for the prior couple days.  On this particular night though they would not leave me side, literally.  Here is a picture of how they fell asleep.  

 Our bed (where I was laying) on the right and the bassinet on the left.  

Sugar's head is fully under the bassinet.  

They have never slept like this before or again.

At 2am, I knew that my contractions were different than they had been prior.  Painful and close together.  I downloaded a contraction app to keep track and laid in bed until Aaron woke up around 6:30am.  He had a professional development training at work so he actually slept in later than usual.  When he started talking about his day I told him I didn't think he should go to the training and that I was pretty sure he was going to meet his daughter that day.  We were both excited but calm.  We took our time getting ready, we showered, I put on makeup, fixed my hair and we arrived at the hospital at 8:30am. 

Around 11am we were finally admitted the labor and delivery.  I was in quite a bit of pain (although none of that yelling and moaning you see on TV!).  Around noon I got an epidural.  What a relief that was!!  I spent the next several hours laboring until around 8:00pm when it was time to push.  Malia arrived shortly after 9:30.  If I could describe our birth story in only one word it would be, peaceful.  Yes, peaceful.  We had such an amazing team of doctors and nurses that made the entire process smooth and comfortable.  I had the most kind, patient, loving coach in Aaron.  He took such excellent care of me.  We had lots of extended family waiting for her arrival.  They showered her and us with such love, and waited all day at the hospital for her to be born.  I could not have asked for a better birthing experience.  The most amazing part was getting to meet this beautiful little girl.  Our daughter, Malia Joy Moreno.  

 7 lbs 2 oz, 19 3/4 inches, perfect...

 That is one proud daddy

Our girl - Love at first sight!

We spent one short day in the hospital and then we were off.  Off to our new normal, our new life.  It is hard to put into words the overwhelming emotions of love that we have for our daughter.  Even as I try to write about her tears stream down my face.  This is love, this is what I was made to do.  I was made to be Aaron's wife and Malia's mommy, to love and respect him and to protect, love and care for this little girl.  For a long time I struggled with what my purpose was, I always tied my purpose to my career.  I thought if I got one more degree, a promotion, a raise that would fulfill me.  Little did I know God had an even greater calling on my life.  I am so thankful for His will and this life that He has blessed me with.  I can not wait to see all that God has in store for Malia and for our family.  Thank you to everyone who prayed for this little girl and for our family.  We are blessed!

Headed home from the hospital, first car ride, first breath of fresh air... 

Here's to many more firsts for this beautiful girl!

Wrapping up loose ends... she is almost here!

It is difficult to describe how amazing this pregnancy has been.  When I think about how blessed we are to have amazing friends and family or how God has been so faithful to Aaron and I, I can't help but well up with emotion (something that is quite new to me!).  

One of my favorite things to do it listen to Aaron talk about Malia.  Whether it is that he can't wait to hold her, or he wonders what she will look like, or about coaching her soccer team someday.  He is going to be the most amazing father and I am so excited to get to share this life changing experience with such a wonderful man and husband.  

I have prayed for her everyday since we found out we were pregnant.  I have also prayed that God would give us the wisdom and strength to guide, love and care for her.  I know that God has created her with a specific plan and purpose on the earth and that she is going to do big things in His name.  I am so excited to meet her and get this party started!!  

In the meantime, this is what we have been up to over the past couple weeks as we await our precious baby girl.


We were blessed with another (yes this makes 3!) baby shower.  It was a complete surprise put on by my team at work.  What a blessing it was!  They did such a great job and even got Aaron in on the surprise.  I have been truly blessed with an amazing place to work and incredibly kind people to work with. 

Thank you all for your kindness!

We also had some maternity photos taken.  I am so happy to have captured this special time with a few photos.  We went to a small park in the Pearl District, had great weather and a great photographer, everything was perfect.  These were taken at the end of September so I was about 36 weeks pregnant.  Here are a few of our favorites.  

We have also been adding some final touches to her nursery.  We still have a couple pictures to add to the walls but I love the way it looks so far.  I certainly hope that Malia likes pink! 

 We found this toy chest at an antique shop for $40 - I just love it!

 I also love the banner and poms from her baby shower.  

 We added shelves above her crib.  

We will also add a photo to the right of the mobile. 

More poms from her baby shower.

I really like the different shades of pink and gray.

 All we really need is Malia and this room will be complete!

I am now off of work until at least April of next year.  My days are a mixture of nesting, cleaning like crazy, painting, decorating, napping, relaxing, reading, blogging, praying, pinteresting, wondering when she will arrive, googling multiple times per day "signs you are going into labor" just to see if it says something different this time.  What a blessing to have this time to prepare and relax.  Physically I feel good, I am just so excited to meet her that I hope she comes soon! 

In preparation for the big changes in our lives I found a fun idea on Pinterest for date nights with your husband.  I preplanned dates for us for the next 12 months, starting in November.  I gave these to Aaron as a gift.  He seemed to really like them and the fact that I was thinking about him and our relationship.  If you can believe it, I have been a tad bit focused on Malia.  Anyways, I am really excited to open an envelope each month and see what fun activity we get to enjoy together.  It also gives me an excuse to blog about something other than Malia!  Here are some photos of the gift - stay tuned for the fun part, the dates with my hot hubby!

Each month's date envelope

Thanks to everyone for all your love and support throughout our pregnancy.  Please continue to pray that her birth would  be smooth, that she would be healthy and that God would prepare our hearts for this amazing responsibility.  My next post should include pictures of our baby girl.  

Here is the most recent picture of me at about 39 weeks.  It is fun to have friends pregnant at the same time - Sarah is 23(ish) weeks and having a boy, Christy is 27(ish) weeks and having a girl.  

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The Countdown begins... 36 Weeks Pregnant

It is hard to believe that I am 36 weeks pregnant and that we will soon get to meet our baby girl Malia.  The last several weeks have been filled with celebrations, rest, preparation and anticipation of what is yet to come.  Here are just a few highlights of what we have been up to.  

 Love!

Aaron's twin brother, Stephen, was married on September 7th to the love of his life, Erin McKinney.  It was fun to celebrate with them, between the bachelor and bachelorette parties, the bridal shower and the actual wedding we had non-stop festivities for about a month, and we loved it!  What a blessing to have another Godly couple to be a part of Malia's life.  Here are some photos of the fun day!  

 33 Weeks Pregnant with my Handsome Husband

Stephen and Erin (with my handsome husband looking on :))

Our fun, crazy, loving family enjoying the photo booth (did I mention how handsome my husband is)

We have also spent the last several weeks tying up loose ends.  Getting Malia's much needed car seat, going to breastfeeding/parenting/childbirth classes and assembling her pack n' play and strollers. 

Sugar with Malia's Car Seat, she is really excited! Can't you tell?

Sugar was so excited she decided to jump on the counter and eat an entire loaf of banana bread as well as the tin foil it was wrapped in

Speaking of tin foil, this is Malia's spaceship/pack n' play (this is called cat proofing)

Taking a break from our hard work with Smores.  He takes such good care of me!

We are pretty certain that Malia will be a Michael Jordan fan, I mean, why wouldn't she be?  So we have also been accumulating, thanks to wonderful friends, some MJ stuff for her.  I don't know why but I just think they are so cute and I can't wait to see her in them.  I told Aaron this morning, I can't believe our unborn daughter has more Jordans than I do.  Things they are a changin'. 

 Her first pair of shoes

 2nd pair

 A Jordan Onesie!!!

In the coming weeks we will be busy finishing up final preparations for Malia's grand entrance.  We will be packing our hospital bags, doing Maternity photos, and having her car seat installed.  Oh and for some reason I have this intense need/urge to paint our bathrooms and build a laundry/cat room, we will see if that actually happens and keep you updated.  

As the big day approaches, we just ask that you would pray for God's protection over Malia.  That He would continue to strengthen her body and prepare her (and us) for her debut into this world.  I have also been praying that God is placing a calling and purpose on her life.  I firmly believe she is going to change the world.  I don't know if that will be because she will be a doctor that cures cancer or if it because she is going to have a daughter of her own and be an amazing mother (or maybe both!).  Either way, I know God has big plans in store for this girl and that she will be on this earth to glorify Him.  

Showered with Love

I just have to start off by saying, we have the most incredible group of friends and family!  Over the past month we were given two baby showers and we were literally "showered" with so much love, prayer and kindness.  Thank you so much for those who hosted and participated.  We are overwhelmed by your generosity and care for our growing family.  Malia is one blessed baby!  

The first shower was thrown by our care group and was for both Aaron and I.  You will recall we have an amazing group of couples that we meet with every Tuesday to share life with and grow in our relationship with God.  Jessica and April are amazing hostesses and made us feel so loved and cared for.  The rest of our group, who have turned into some of our best friends, brought food and amazing gifts for us.  It was such a special day for both Aaron and I. 

You will notice the amazing decorations!  My friend April has started her own business, Pastiche Party Co.  She is so incredibly talented and did a great job of decorating for the shower.  The best part is that many of the decorations will be perfect additions to Malia's room.  

 Malia Joy Banner 

Beautiful Decor

Yummy Food

Delicious Mini Cupcakes

This table made me cry, instantly... something about seeing our baby!

 

 I just loved the way Jessica wrapped this... pretty sure this made me cry too!

She is going to be a stylin' baby!

Jennys, thanks Froelich's!

Part of our care group, such lovely ladies!

Jessica and April - the hostesses with the mostesses :)

 

Remind me to wear heals when I take pictures with supermodels!

 

 My amazing husband and I!

The second shower was thrown by some of the best friends a girl could ask for - Serina, Hollie and April.   They all went out of their way to make sure that the day was special, paying attention to even the smallest details.  Many of my closest friends and family were able to make it.  Two of my favorite parts of the day were praying for Malia as a group and hearing parenting advice from my wise friends.  Knowing that so many are excited for our family, praying for Malia and here to support this new phase of our lives truly blesses me beyond belief.  Thank you for all those who attended and made this day so special for me.  The kindness that you have shown our growing family is amazing and I thank God for each one of you.   

They did such an amazing job decorating!

 It was all fun and games until it started raining :)

Mimosa Bar and Red Velvet Cupcakes - YUM!

 The beautiful gift table

Love all the colors 

 Let me tell you about my friend April... she rocks!

Oregon Food Bank girls - love them!

 Some of the amazing women I get to call friends

Very best friends a girl could ask for!

Malia's room after the shower, we are blessed!

A special thank you to Jessica, April, Serina and Hollie.  I am so blessed by each one of you.  You are amazing examples of true, honest, kind and generous friends.  I treasure each one of you for your insight as well as your compassionate loving hearts.  Thank you so much for your kindness and excitement for Malia.  I truly love you guys!!