The Hale's

Update!

2011-10-19T20:51:00.000-07:00

I have been neglecting this blog forever it seems! Kysten had been taking a bath for a couple of months!!
Both Mike and I have been busy with work and other things (we will let you know at a later date in November and no it isn't what your thinking...).

I have been trying to get my photography business up and running. I am so excited! So if you want family pictures, portraits, baby pictures, wedding pictures you name it I'm your girl!

Kyrsten is doing great! She is sooo becoming a toddler and this is one of the funnest stages! She is talking and talking back. Lol! Mostly to tell me or Mike "No". She can say the following (not the best but tries): Dadda, more, milk, woof woof, thank you, bye-bye, and no.

Just for fun... Crying. Thought you all could be a part of this too. The really fun stages of toddlerhood. Lol!

She also loves giving people funny faces. She will either smile really big or give a funny face. It's pretty adorable if you ask me.

She is becoming independent especially with eating food. She wants to feed herself and it's comical. She tries to get the food on her fork and put it in her mouth but it doesn't always make it. That's the fun of growing up right?

She also loves her some crackers.

She loves to look at books while sitting in your lap or a chair if she is feeling independent.

Loves just to be able to sit in a chair period. "Such a big girl!"

She has this thing with having to hold onto things for long periods of time. She loves babies and her bunny rabbit. It's very cute!

She still also loves the bottle. Working on that one. I really want to stop washing bottles! lol!

Runs into things all the time. Bruises weekly.

Drools all the time (teething still).

She loves Great Grandma Yvonne!

She loves to give hugs, she blows kisses, waves and says bye-bye, points to her nose all the time

and will lift up her shirt to show you her belly button. Be careful though she may lift up your shirt just to see your belly button.

She loves to color. What child doesn't? It's so much fun!

She is for sure a girly girl (for now). Loves to get dressed up. I hope it stays this way for awhile at least. I love it! Dad not so much...

Her hair of course is getting longer but you wouldn't be able to tell because it is so curly. She gets compliments on it all the time and I of course being her mom, love it!

She loves to go outside and play. Loves looking at everything on the ground, leaves, rocks, some gross things, you name it!

She loves to ride a bike, truck, anything that has wheels!

She is so much fun and a huge joy in our lives!!

Until next time. Have a fabulous rest of the week!! God bless you and yours!

What I'm not doing anything?...

Bath Time Fun!

2011-08-27T22:14:00.000-07:00

I am always finding that I can get great shots of Kyrsten while she is in the bath. She is always so happy (most of the time). It is so funny watching the progression of these photos when she realizes that I have sat back further than normal from the bathtub. Enjoy this cuteness!

P.S. Gotta love that hair!

I Heart Faces Challenge: Beautiful Eyes

2011-08-15T20:31:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how much she has changed but those big beautiful eyes are still the same.
I am entering this beautiful photo into a I Heart Faces Challenge. You can view more entries if you click on the icon below.

Saturdays like this....

2011-08-06T22:51:00.000-07:00

Are awesome! It was a day that daddy was around (no baseball) and we really didn't have major plans so we kicked it around the house in the morning. After Kyrsten's nap we decided to go garage sale shopping with no luck but found an amazing park in Martha Lake!
It was huge, with a great skate park, ball park, playground, and awesome art. We had no idea that it existed! It was a nice detour for us to get out and stretch our legs...

The day continued to be awesome! Lunch with Grandma Yvonne and Uncle Bob at our favorite... "Taco Del Mar"!!

Of course I couldn't resist taking some pictures of the beautiful roses Grandma got from the Denham family!

After getting home Kyrsten wanted a snack... We call it "Fishy Swa" aka "Goldfish"! When we weren't looking she thought that it would be more fun to put them in Lola's dog bowl to eat from. It was pretty cute. She is getting such a creative and funny personality.

We ended our night at home going through old CDs that didn't have writing on them. It was fun going through them and reminiscing through all the great songs.

I just love days like this!!

I love looking out our window at the end of the day and today was great!!

Fresh Home Grown Potatoes

2011-07-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

Last year around September or October time we planted red and brown potatoes in Mike's Grandmother's backyard. We really didn't think anything would happen. But low and behold we had a about ten red potatoes. It was so surprising and pretty cool!

Kyrsten was loving the potatoes. Who would have thought. We were all just amazed. It seems so simple but it's the simple things in life that are the best!

They are so pretty! I can't wait to eat them!

Bath Time

2011-07-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist posting some bath time pictures of Kyrsten. She loves to take baths. It's one of the only times that I can get her to smile while I am behind the camera. Enjoy!

I Heart Faces: Props

2011-07-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist doing a photo shoot with Kyrsten this last week. After being sick and dealing with ear infections it was nice to get her outside and enjoy being a kid. Even though she isn't smiling in this picture I actually got her to look at me with a camera in my hands. It's really hard getting her to do that these days.

"Look momma I have a pretty flower!"

Update

2011-07-13T21:43:00.000-07:00

Well the Hale family is doing better. We all got sick one more time after that sick week a couple of weeks ago but we are now finally on the mend and feeling so much like ourselves.
I have missed my happy Kyrsten and now she is back. At least she has been for a couple of days.

Here are some fun updates that Kyrsten is doing these days...

She loves to carry her baby around or keys (notice them in her hands in the picture above?).

She is walking so good these days but every once in a while falls head first (we still say she walks like a drunk sailor). She has my forehead so she pretty much has bruises constantly there.

She says "Hi" when you walk into a room.

She waves bye bye when she is leaving or is going to bed.

One of her favorite foods is KFC Chicken (without the skin) she just eats it all up and she loves Fish crackers.

(This isn't KFC (raviolis) but it sure is funny!)

She loves her daddy a lot these days. I think it's because I drop her off at Daycare and he's the one that gets to pick her up. So I look like the bad guy (I know, I know play me a little violin). It's super cute though!

When she runs to you she doesn't stick out both arms it's always just one.

She says "Thank you" (tank oo) but I don't think she knows what it means. She just hears mommy say it to her all the time.

She likes to sing to herself. It's the most adorable thing ever. She's just like her daddy that way.

She has so many teeth now and the fussiness shows it. Three top front teeth, two bottom front teeth, molars on the bottom, and a couple cutting through on top. Just saw a new bottom front tooth trying to cut through today. Fun times!

Her hair is getting so long and still so curly. She gets compliments on it just about everyday. You know I love it too. I'm a proud momma!

She loves to give everyone high five. Dad is still trying to teach her knuckles. Not quite there yet but almost.

She also loves to play with the letter magnets on the refrigerator in the kitchen. Thank goodness because I don't think I would ever get to cook a meal.

Curious about everything... Loves to open and close things...

I may have missed somethings but by they sure do grow up so fast and are always changing. It's so fun being a parent and getting to enjoy watching your child grow. It's a wonderful blessing.

Until next time. Good night!

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-06T20:28:00.000-07:00

We had a great 4th. We spent it with some awesome friends the Lonts and the DeKoekkoek's! Hamburgers, hot dogs, Smores, and fireworks! It was the second year in a row and didn't burn the Lont's house down so that was a good thing.
Enjoy some pictures...

Sick Baby

2011-06-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

This last week and a half has been crazy! Kyrsten went to Day Care for the first time Monday before last. It was heart wrenching for me to drop her off . I cried like a big baby but got over it once we got to see her on video at the center.
The video thing is the best thing ever. I can take a look at her anytime.
When we dropped her off that Monday we noticed a couple of kids with runny noses and a couple of them coughing. I looked at Mike when we left and said, "Kyrsten will be sick by the end of the week." Sure enough Wednesday night she was breathing funny in her sleep and woke up in the morning with a tiny fever.
We took her into Day Care anyway we just thought she was hot from her sleep. Later on they called us to come and get her. She ended up with a high fever of 103 degrees. She had a runny nose and a cough.

By Sunday her eyes were glued shut with green gunk. So we went into a walk in clinic and found out she had conjunctivitis in the eyes and an ear infection.
Sorry if these pictures gross you out. But this is what happened.

Kyrsten was on the mend after getting some eye ointment and antibiotics for her ears. But Mom, Dad, Grandma Patty, and Grandma Renee' were sick with her cold.

Then by last Thursday the antibiotics gave her a BAD diaper rash so a Dr visit and no more medication. "Bag Balm" here we come!

Just when we thought things were looking better after the Diaper Rash she woke up this morning with a Rash all over her body!! We have no idea what it is from but it's crazy. We take her in to see the Dr. again tomorrow.

Please pray for my baby girl she has had a rough road since going into Day Care (hasn't been back since she got sick). Please also pray for us as well. It's been a rough week and a half.

Besides the Rash she is doing great! She is such a happy little girl!!

Weekend in Leavenworth

2011-06-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we took a mini family vacation to Leavenworth, WA and had such a great time! We was so nice to be together. I love taking these mini vacations. There is more to come in the future!

We stayed in a little bungalow at the 59er Diner. The food was fantastic! We had breakfast and dinner there on Saturday. The milkshakes were FABulous!

The bungalow we stayed in was called "Roy's Knotty Cabin" (not what you think it is). It was a cute little cabin all decked out in cowboy design from the 50's. It was small but very comfy and quaint.
Kyrsten had a hard time falling asleep the first night but did great the next day for her nap and bedtime. :)

The Details...

Saturday we spent the whole day in Leavenworth walking around. Leavenworth is such a cute little town! The weather was perfect and the sun was shining so bright!
For lunch we had pizza and then ice cream for dessert! Kyrsten enjoyed both VERY much!!

After spending the day in Leavenworth on our way back to the cabin we stopped at a few places to sight see. This is truely God's country. I love living in Washington!

Family Picture time!!

When we got back to the cabin Kyrsten and I took a nap while Mike went out fishing at "Fish Lake". Well the lake lived up to it's name. Mike came back to the cabin a couple of hours later with four fish! I was so happy and proud of him!
The weekend was just fabulous and we are looking forward to the next mini-vacation!

Swimming

2011-06-05T20:45:00.000-07:00

Today was Kyrsten's first time ever going into a pool and she LOVED it. She mostly liked being in the floating whale. I didn't dunk her for fear of the "crabby girl"! She loved being able to walk off the edge of the pool too. More swimming to come this summer for sure!

Getting ready to go to the pool. "Cheese!"

Just chilling in her floating whale

Grandma's House

2011-05-20T22:40:00.000-07:00

I just love going to Grandma Yvonne's house! Her yard brings out so much imagination and reminds me so much of my childhood. Great memories...

Just beautiful! The flowers were in bloom and I couldn't resist taking pictures. Of course!!

God's Gifts and Callings...

2011-05-15T10:59:00.000-07:00

Last night Mike and I went to a Silent Auction Fundraiser for our cousin's Doug and Jill Hicks. There was wonderful fellowship, raffles, and great food to raise money for their up coming adoption from Ethiopia! There was so much love in the air it was awe-inspiring!

Sometimes we don't see it right away, that "calling". But when it is evident it tugs at your heart like strings on a harp! It pulls you in and changes your life completely.

It is so scary and yet so exciting at the same time. With the Lord by your side you know that He will give you the strength and wisdom you need.

"You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light."

2 Samuel 22:29

"...then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause."

1 King 8:45

"Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD."

Psalm 27:6

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."

Psalm 28:7

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

1 Chronicles 16:34

We are so excited for the journey that God has led Doug & Jill to. They are going to make great parents to a wonderful child in need.

We can't wait to meet the little one and for Doug & Jill to get to watch he/she grow into the beautiful person God made them to be. It's an exciting journey and we are thrilled!!

We love you Doug & Jill!!

Joy, Smile, Determination, Fun

2011-05-13T21:06:00.000-07:00

Kyrsten just loves to take baths and she just won't sit still. She has to be standing up and taking things off the shelves constantly.
It shocks me at how quickly things change with her all the time. She is growing so fast. It is so true when they say it goes by in a blink of an eye.

Happy 1st Birthday Kyrsten!!

2011-04-28T23:31:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st Birthday Kyrsten! I can't believe it!

Happy Easter

2011-04-23T23:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter Everyone!

Swinging!

2011-04-19T22:01:00.000-07:00

We went to the Mukilteo Beach yesterday to take pictures and to walk around with my friend Kelley and her little girl Chelsea.
Chelsea wanted to swing on the swings and I thought well Kyrsten is big enough now so I will see if she likes it. She LOVED it! Enjoy some pictures and a video!

6th Anniversary Weekend

2011-04-10T21:23:00.000-07:00

It was an awesome weekend that was well needed!
Mike surprised me with so much on Saturday. We got on the ferry over to Kingston to drop Kyrsten off with the Grandparents Dan and Patty. While we waited we got out and took Kyrsten to the water. She got a Sea Shell that she wouldn't put down and she got to see her first train. Mike was so cute he would cover up her ears when the train would blow it's horn.
She loved being on the ferry like usual. We took her outside and it was cute watching her facial expressions in the wind!

After we dropped Kyrsten off with Dan and Patty for the first time over night (which wasn't as bad as I had imagined it in my head) Mike drove out to Fat Smitty's Burgers. He had me fooled by telling me we were going to McDonalds for lunch. Let me tell you I wasn't all that thrilled when he said that. But when we pulled into Fat Smitty's it was a pleasant surprise.

That was one of the coolest places I have been to. I loved all the dollar bills hung everywhere. It was amazing! The food was fantastic too! The burger was just about as big as my head! I had to squish it down just so that I could fit some of it into my mouth. I only ate half of it though. It was just too much!

Mike and I met this really great family from New Hampshire that sat next to us. We told them about a few places to go and visit on this side of teh water (of course without revealing where Mike was taking me, but later when I went to the restroom he told them) and then we just chatted for a bit.

Just before we left we hung up a dolar billed signed by us. I kept saying to Mike that I have to bring my mom and stepdad here they would love it!! There was a lot of Marine stuff everywhere. It was a great way to start the adventure.

After Fatt Smitty's Mike took me to Fort Warden out near Port Townsend. It's where they filmed An Officer and a Gentleman. Along the way we saw four deer, one doe and three fawn. It was so cool. I loved Fort Warden it was great to get to take so many artistic pictures. It was a nice surprise from Mike. He really out did himself.

After Fort Warden he took me to a Light house as well. It was beautiful!

Just when I thought we were done Mike took me to Chetzemoka Park. It was stunning and it wasn't even summer yet. It's a great place to have a wedding! There was a birthday party going on there and a couple laying in the grass. There were so many beautiful flowers!

Mike got a couple a great pictures of me swinging on a tire swing. It was so relaxing and fun! I felt like a kid.

After all that he took me to where we were staying. Now mind you this whole time he has been telling me that we were going camping. I thought it was pretty supicious when we didn't even have any "Camping Gear"!

He asked me if I wanted to just buy some food to cook over the open fire and I went along with it. We got steak, prawns, red potatoes, broccolli, and ice cream for desert. We did all of this shopping before we got to where we were staying.

When we got to the building in downtown Port Townsend I was stunned! It was so cool! We stayed at the old Clam Cannery Hotel! The room was amazing! From the outside you would never think it was as beautiful inside but that is part of what makes it so breath taking. We stayed right on the water and you could hear the waves hitting the rocks and see the birds flying up above.

So when we were finished cooking our food we were able to eat seaside! We were even able to do the same for breakfast. We watched a movie from netflix on the huge screen and just relaxed. It was so weird not having Kyrsten around. We kept having that feeling of "I feel like I should be doing something." It was so nice to have a glimpse of the "Before Children" (even though we both missed Special "K").

I had so much fun! This anniversary is on the top right next to our first when we went to Disney world.

Thank you Mike for a great weekend (thanks to Dan and Patty for taking care of Kyrsten and G-ma Yvonne for watching Lola)!!

Tutu Again

2011-04-08T22:08:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist trying to get her in the Tutu again. She hated it! She was only happy if I gave her keys to play with or a flower. I was scared the whole time she was on the chair too. I was so afraid that she would fall off.
But I was able to get a couple of cute pictures.

She is full blown crawling now and she says "Hi" and "Dada" all the time. She is standing with the help of chairs, couches, etc... She will be walking before we know it. It's so crazy that she is going to be one in a just a few weeks. This year flew by!!

G-ma Yvonne's 80th Birthday

2011-04-05T22:09:00.000-07:00

Preview of the Photo Booth Pictures that I took. It was a great Birthday! Happy Birthday Grandma Yvonne!

TuTu

2011-03-29T21:23:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist. My friend Kelley brought over this adorable Tu Tu and I just had to put her in it.

Mike's new toy!

2011-03-20T20:34:00.000-07:00

Mike got a new Toy today! He is pretty excited about it. Can you tell?

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

It was a great day! Lunch with my wonderful and handsome husband....

Smiles from my baby girl...

Sunshine on my face...

A walk in the sun with my daughter and my cute dog...

Shadows...

New flowering buds on the trees...

Flowers...

Just the beauty of what God creates!

Great dinner with wonderful friends!!

It was a FABULOUS day!

Dadadadada!!

2011-03-15T21:20:00.000-07:00

I caught Kyrsten just saying Dadadada over and over! I don't think she knows what she is saying but it's cute!

Kyrsten

2011-03-14T21:26:00.000-07:00

Isn't she cute?

She crawled.....!!

2011-03-08T20:32:00.000-08:00

So I was talking to Mike on the phone tonight and she actually took a couple of knee shuffles!!! I was so excited!
I tried to get her to do it again for about a half hour but this is all I could get. This one was more like a army crawl...ENJOY! I know I did!
It's going to happen faster than we know!

Just an update

2011-03-05T22:31:00.000-08:00

Kyrsten is 10 months now and is doing all of the following:
Brushing her teeth (with mommy and daddy's help)
Rolling to get places but sure tries to crawl. She will get up on her hands and knees look back at her legs and drops to her belly again and starts rolling. She is so close to crawling it's crazy.
If she wants something she will go to great lengths to get it.
She can sit up on her own without our help. It's quite comical the way she pushes herself up.
She reaches for mommy and daddy when she wants to be picked up. It puts a whole new spin on things for sure.
She has separation anxiety as well. She doesn't like it when you leave the room.
She is teething like nobodies business. The slobber it crazy! And the crankiness is not something you can get used to. But she is a trooper.
She loves to make clicking noises with her tongue to the top of her mouth.
She is trying to stand in her crib. So we had to drop the mattress just in case she did start standing and fell out of the crib. She can't quite get up and when she tries it is funny to watch.
She loves making noises and "talking" while she is in the car. It's where she does it the most. Very cute!

Fun times in the bath...

2011-02-27T20:14:00.000-08:00

Grandma Patty's Birthday

2011-02-27T10:44:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Mike's mom's birthday yesterday. The company and cake were great! Happy Birthday Patty!

Just because...

2011-02-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

I had a photo session with Kyrsten tonight and I got some really good shots and just had to share.

She is so beautiful....

2011-02-22T20:52:00.000-08:00

The Park

2011-02-20T18:09:00.000-08:00

We went to the park today to take advantage of the beautiful sunshine! Kyrsten was having fun but she got really cold by the time we were done. She was not a happy camper. All in all we got some good pictures out the whole thing. ;)

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T21:21:00.000-08:00

Kyrsten made momma a bouquet of hand-print flowers for Valentine's Day! I just love our Nanny Carissa this was her idea! How fun!

Pastor Jeff's Last Day!

2011-02-13T20:17:00.000-08:00

It was our pastor's last day at Timber Ridge Community Church. Jeff and Tawni you will be missed at our church! We have enjoyed you both so much and pray for amazing things in your life's!

WOW Two Teeth!

2011-02-02T20:20:00.000-08:00

Today Kyrsten broke two teeth!! Not one but TWO! I am so proud! She has been just chewing on everything like no bodies business. I mean everything has been going in the mouth. I even caught her trying to chew on Lola's bone (gross)!

I tried a few times to get a good picture of her teeth. I had to coax her to open her mouth for me by holding the spoonful of food outside her mouth for a few seconds. She absolutely hated it but I got some good shoots!
I just can't believe it!! Way to go Kyrsten!

9 Months

2011-01-28T20:33:00.000-08:00

Kyrsten is 9 months old today! The last nine months have gone by so fast. When I was pregnant with her it sure didn't go as fast. I couldn't wait for her to get here. Now I can't wait to get home from work everyday to see her.
She is getting so big! Her hair is getting curlier the longer it gets. It's kind of wild and cute at the same time.
She still doesn't have any teeth but she sure loves to talk and yell. Her favorite things to say is "na-na-na-na!" She also loves doing zurberts (I think I spelt that right - she loves to stick her tongue out and make noise). She rolls to get places. But not all the time, I am sure that is coming soon. When she is in a sitting position she will lean forward like she is attempting to go into a crawl stance but then it's like she gets scared and goes back to the sitting position.
She is now taking only two naps a day at about a couple of hours each nap. Which Mike loves, means his naps are that long also.

She is such a good baby and we just adore her.

Snow

2011-01-16T11:00:00.000-08:00

Last week on Wednesday night it snowed at least 4 inches! Mike was awesome and went out and took pictures when he was home from work late at night. Thanks babe!!
Our neighbors downstairs took their kids outside to make a huge snowman! They did an awesome job!
By the time I got off of work the next day the snow was melted so I couldn't take Kyrsten out to play. I am sure I will have more opportunities.
I loved the snow!!!

Just playing and doodling!

2011-01-15T08:12:00.000-08:00

I got this new application for my pictures and it had taken me a while to really figure out how to use it and now that I know how I just love it. I was playing around with pictures that I have posted in the past and thought I would share them with you. I love this application!

2011-01-11T21:16:00.000-08:00

She is cute and I of course couldn't resist! She is my best subject and I just adore every piece of her.
She has a smile that lights up a room and eyes that just glow with delight, and a cute little (or big however you see it) scream she has when she is happy and talking.
She hasn't quite started crawling yet. She just hates to be on her tummy. We joke that she will probably be one of those babies that goes from sitting to walking.
We will love her no matter what she does!!

Bath Time

2011-01-06T22:01:00.000-08:00

I got a new lens with my Christmas money and I LOVE it! Of course it is awesome that I have the cutest subject! (Click on the picture to view it in a larger size)

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

2010-12-29T11:58:00.000-08:00

We usually spend Christmas Eve over at Mike's sister Chris' house. It was really fun to watch Kyrsten open up gifts and to hang out with family.

Christmas day we spent the morning with Grandma Yvonne and Mike's parents Dan and Patty. Later that evening the whole family came over for dinner and visiting. We also watched old home movies and picture slides. It was awesome! It was a very fulfilling Christmas.

Merry CHRISTmas Everyone!

2010-12-25T06:55:00.000-08:00

Merry CHRISTmas to everyone! I thought that I would give you all a sneak peak at our Christmas Card Pictures. It is a bit late but coming soon.

Thank you Great Grandma Janice

2010-12-24T08:12:00.000-08:00

My Grandma Janice who is down in Texas for the winter where it is warmer than in Oklahoma sent Kyrsten a beautiful quilt that she made for Christmas. We opened the package early! It is just great and we love it! Thank you Great Grandma Janice! We love you!

Content...

2010-12-18T07:07:00.000-08:00

Last night Kyrsten was so fussy. I didn't know what to do. I tried everything to entertain her and she just wasn't happy. So the last thing I did before I put her in the bath tub was to just let her be naked(with a diaper on of course) for a little. She was content, happy and not fussing! Not sure what to say about that but I got some good pictures of her. Enjoy!

Just for Fun....

2010-12-13T21:24:00.001-08:00

I really don't have much to say just wanted to post some recent pictures of Kyrsten!

I love this time of year....

2010-12-01T16:09:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Season...It is my favorite time of year. All of the lights, the hot cocoa, all the Christmas music you can handle, snow (if your lucky), and just the love in the air! You can feel it the just radiating all around you. There is just something about it that brings out the kindness in everyone.

I am especially excited to celebrate Christmas this year because we get to do it with Kyrsten. My Christmas' will forever be changed now that we have a child to experience it with. I am delighted at the idea of seeing things through her eyes. It will be so new and refreshing.
I am so thrilled to get to teach her what it really is all about. May she from this day forward know the love of Jesus Christ and what He sacrificed for our sins.

We decorated the day after Thanksgiving like I do every year. I love traditions and I am sticking with this one. We decorated our Fireplace that we never use but for only this time of year just to decorate... It was cute watching Kyrsten experience the Christmas Tree for the first time after waking up from a nap. She was so enthralled by it. It was so adorable! I look forward to so much more this year. So Excited!

May you all enjoy this season with your loved ones and don't forget the reason for the season!

"My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen." - 1 Corinthians 16:24

Carrots!!

2010-11-28T16:54:00.000-08:00

We fed Kyrsten Carrots for the first time on Saturday and of course she loved them. You can tell just by looking at the pictures... She is a food lover and it shows. These are some of the funniest pictures I hope you all enjoy them as much as we do.

Welcome Kaylee Hope

2010-11-27T22:37:00.000-08:00

Today Kaylee Hope was born!! Happy Birthday to Kaylee and welcome to the world! We are so excited for our friends Shaun and Courtney DeYager!!
Kaylee Hope was born at 12:56am on 11-27-2010 weighing in at a whooping 8lbs 8oz (and she was a week early) 20" long!!

She is so sweet and mommy and daddy are doing great! They are so in love. Praise the Lord for such a blessing!

“At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail." - Job 14:6-8

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-26T07:18:00.000-08:00

It was a great day and I am so thankful for so much! Most of all I am thankful for my family! I thank the Lord everyday for the gifts that He has given me. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and I wished that I had seen more than just my family in Washington. You all know who you are... I love you!!

Kyrsten's First Snow

2010-11-22T15:56:00.000-08:00

It snowed for the first time yesterday (still snowing today). I decided that it was too cold to bring Kyrsten out in it so I just got some good pictures of her being captivated by it.

Birthday Lunch

2010-11-20T17:27:00.000-08:00

This Saturday some of my very best friends (Shawna, Kelley, Jessica Joy, and Michelle) took me out to lunch at Red Robin (I think it's my favorite restaurant). With our busy schedules of babies, new marriages, and jobs we were able to squeeze in a couple of hours of girl time without all that business.
Thanks to Mike for letting me enjoy sometime with friends without the baby! All though I sure did miss her.

These girls are so awesome! I am so blessed and honored that the Lord would place them in my life! I luba you ladies!!

Sweet Potatoes...

2010-11-19T23:01:00.001-08:00

New Career Beginnings....

2010-11-06T08:08:00.000-07:00

This last Thursday I cut my hair again but this time I cut bangs! I haven't done that in a very long time. I guess I just wanted to have a little change before I started my new job this last Friday Nov. 5th.
I have been a wreck the past week and half coming up to the day... Just ask Mike! He is a very patient man to deal with my moodiness. The Lord sure blessed me with Mr. Right! I have been so nervous and excited at the same time. I think it's a good thing. I've been told by many that it means I must care about it a lot and I DO!
I am going to love my new job! I really like the people so far and what I will be doing. I thank the Lord for this new blessing in my life!
Please continue to pray for me in this journey as I learn new things and meet new people.

"The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything." - Deuteronomy 2:7

I know He will continue to be with me!

Halloween and such...

2010-11-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

GOT CANDY?

This past weekend we celebrated Halloween at Mike's G-ma Yvonne's house. It was fun to get together with the family for some chili dogs and some apple spider (cider). Prior to the gathering Mike had sent out a letter from Kyrsten.
Deer Familee, I am so louking 4word to my furst Hallowean this yeer. I wuld luv it if u wanted to join me at my grate gammas house. I think daddy said we wuld b ther at 5, and start eeting arownd 6. We will hav chillee dogs, or chillee potatos 4 peeple who r vegtables. Mommy, daddy and grate gamma will hav the chillee, dogs, buns and potatos 4 everybuddy. Wee will even hav sum pepsee and my fav, milk! If u want 2 bring sumthing, pleese let my daddy no. Thanks and I luv u! Kyrsten Nicole Hale "It's Kyrsten's world, everyone else is just living in it"
That was a very cute letter from Kyrsten!
We dressed her up as a bat this year but didn't take her out. Next year will be the year that we do that. Lola also dressed up for the occasion as a vampire. Very scary!

We also fed her avocados for the first time and she LOVED it. So far so good no allergic reaction.

We also went down south to hang out with some of our great friends and their children.

We also had a baby shower for Courtney and Baby Kaylee Hope. She is due at the end of this month. We are so excited for them! You can find their story here http://zacharymichaeldeyager.blogspot.com/

The Group

The touches...

So many cute gifts!!

Fall 2010

2010-10-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

I just love to take pictures and I have a fabulous model for it. Enjoy!

Look who's eating?!?!

2010-10-18T20:16:00.000-07:00

We decided this past weekend that it was time to start Kyrsten on Rice Cereal and she LOVED it! It was hilarious and very entertaining. We wanted to start on the weekend because both Mike and I were together so that we could enjoy this moment as a family. We had already planned on going to our friends Brian and Bonnie's house for dinner so, they ended up being a part of history for Kyrsten. They helped by holding Kyrsten's arms down so that she wouldn't grab for the spoon or bowl that I was holding. It was classic! Who knew it would take three people to feed a baby? She did so good it was like she was meant to start now. She would suck on the spoon like it was a bottle but really got it for the most part.
Check out the video and pictures. Enjoy!

Weekend of firsts...

2010-10-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

We took Kyrsten to "The Farm" this weekend as a family for the first time. We picked out pumpkins, played some miniature golf, looked at the animals, watched "The Pig Show", conquered the Corn Maze, enjoyed some kettle corn and an apple cider doughnut, etc... The weather was perfect with some clouds but towards the end of our visit the sun came out to give us some warmth. We had such a wonderful time and can't wait to bring Kyrsten back next year when she will be older and enjoy herself more.

The corn maze was in the shape of the state of Washington with roads, cities, bridges, etc.. It was really cool!

We also took Kyrsten to her first Mariner's game (courtesy of a friend at work) with Shaun and Courtney. The seats were really awesome! Kyrsten did so well the whole game. Towards the end she was getting tired. Too bad they lost their 100th game that night. We had fun though!

Getting ready for the game. Daddy got her this cute outfit. I had to make sure she had a bow on so that people knew she was a girl.

Concentrating on holding the ticket

Hanging out with Shaun and Courtney

This last week I tried getting her to sit up and she is doing great... For only 3 to 5 seconds at time. But at least it's a start. :)

We were going to have her wear this Banana outfit for Halloween but by the time this month is over she will be too big for it. So I decided to get some pictures of her in it anyway. Too cute to pass up!

Blessings

2010-10-02T07:17:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share with you all about my recent blessing not to boast but to celebrate in what God has done in our lives and what He can do in your life!

Since I have let the Lord into my life so many blessings have come to me. Before I even knew the Lord He blessed me! It doesn't always have to be about money either it can be about relationships, moments, the weather, you name it!
This last week I received another blessing from the Lord that I know that I don't deserve but He has done it anyway!
After coming back to work from being on Maternity leave I took it upon myself to start looking for a new position at the company I work for. Not because I didn't like my current job but, because I wanted to grow in challenge and in financial stability.
At first I tried to look within my organization but that for good reason didn't work out (totally God working in that I am so sure of). So I decided to apply for other positions outside of my organization. After three interviews I was offered two positions. I had to make a choice between the two. With a lot of prayer and talking to my husband I decided on one. I went with my gut/heart on this one. Without telling too much I went with the one that I knew would be less stressful. Even though I love a challenge! It was the right choice not only because I just absolutely loved the people I interviewed with and love what I will be doing but it also has given me a significant raise that Mike and I were not at all prepared for!
Even as I write this down I my eyes welt up because I know that God has been, is, and will be with me every step of the way in my life!
I come from a background with no college education and in my early twenties I did things I shouldn't have done (people out there that know where I have come from you know what I am talking about) and past job experiences that were just stressful, depressing, drama creating, and tiresome. God has brought me to this place in my life and has blessed me and Mike beyond anything that we could have ever imagined!!
I thank God everyday for my wonderful Husband! The Lord blessed us with wonderful jobs and a place to live! We ave some of the most wonderful and supporting friends! We are so blessed to have such a close family too! Most of all He blessed us with our beautiful daughter Kyrsten Nicole! Mike had her name picked out before he even knew that I was to be in his life!
The Lord has a plan and it is perfect!! On days that are down right depressing or heartbreaking I have to constantly remind myself of that. I am one of the most impatient people you will ever meet and I am constantly praying for patience. But God always delivers! Just when I think I know what is best for me God does something even better!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

Go Washington Huskies & Seattle Seahawks!!

2010-09-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday and Sunday we all dressed up for the State of Washington. Our state did so great last weekend. Washington Huskies won, Seattle Seahawks won, the Storm won, and I even tink the Everett Aquasox won too!
In this family you have to love sports so we are starting Kyrsten out right!

Posing for Mommy!

2010-09-12T07:46:00.000-07:00

The other day last week after one of Kyrsten's naps I thought I would take some pictures of her because she was in a good mood. I just recently got a new camera that I had been wanting for quite awhile so I thought it was a great opportunity to play around. Enjoy!

The Monroe Fair

2010-09-12T07:15:00.000-07:00

We went to the Monroe Fair last weekend with my mom and had a great time. Of course it was Kyrsten's first time going. She wasn't really into a whole lot which is quite understandable. But, next year will be a different story. We have been going every year since we were married whether it be the Monroe Fair or the Puyallup Fair. It is kinda what you would say as a tradition.
This year the weather was great! It wasn't too cold or too hot it was just right!
We looked around at a lot of things and ate some of the great food but we don't go on the rides. Things may change as Kyrsten gets older but, that's how we do the Monroe Fair!

We of course went straight to get scones our favorite at the fair! My mom had not had them before and loved them.

Teaching Kyrsten the right of way to the scones!!

My Mom Enjoying some great Fair food! Well not all of it was great but the fried pickles were! Lol!

Mike enjoying a Purple Cow Milkshake! So GOOD!

Kyrsten enjoying the animals. Next year she will actually get to pet them and even ride the horses!! So crazy!

Mike just purchased a soda for us of course so that we could get cheap refills. Gotta love Mike and his thriftiness.

It's rough being a baby at the Fair it really tires you out.

Just because....

2010-09-03T22:04:00.001-07:00

4 Months Wow!

2010-08-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

It is just so crazy to me to think that four months ago Kyrsten Nicole came into this world and we are her parents. She has blessed us and we love her so much!! It is a new adventure everyday with her and we love it!!!

She rolled over for the first time from her back to her tummy on Monday, August 16th. It happened while I was at work but Mike was able to get a few pictures and we are so proud of her!!! I was able to get a video of her rolling over from her tummy to her back later that night. I have yet to see her roll over from her back to her tummy but I'm sure I will see it soon enough.
She is now old enough to play in her ExerSaucer and she loves it.

Enjoying her ExerSaucer

This past weekend we went across the water to Kingston to visit Mike's parents Patty & Dan. It was Kyrsten's first time on a ferry and her first time going to Grandpa and Grandma McAferty's. We made vanilla mixed with strawberries Ice Cream for the first time over there. It was so good and I can't wait until we make some more.

Yummy Homemade Ice Cream!!

Hanging with G-ma Patty

Hanging with G-pa Dan

We also went to Wye lake to visit the Hale said of the family. It had been a long time since the last time we saw everyone and it was so great to get to see them. We need to do it more often.
It was so hot that day so we had Kyrsten put her feet in the water for the first time. At first she got a little fussy but after a bit loved it. It was very cute!

The ride back home from the weekend was so beautiful with Seattle in the distance and Mt. Rainer. I love living in this part of the country it is so beautiful!

Kyrsten is 15 Weeks old!

2010-08-11T20:06:00.000-07:00

She loves to suck on her thumb a lot more that she does her pacifier.

Tummy Time, she is getting so strong with lifting her head and even trying to roll over from her tummy to her back.

Such a cute chubby face! Love it!

Thank you thank you very much!

Bath Time - We take one very night and she absolutely loves it. She talks and of course sucks on her thumbs the whole time.

Daddy & his girl

One of Mike's baseball friends Jonah came to visit.

Reeva Leahy came up to stayed over.

Time for Change!!

2010-08-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

I got a new hair cut this weekend. I have really only gone this short a few times in my life and I love it. It takes a while to get used to but I needed the change.

You guessed it Kyrsten is 14 Weeks Old!!

2010-08-06T21:44:00.000-07:00

She is talking and babbling more. Trying to turn over every chance she can get. Laughing so much more and we are loving is so much!

Hanging out with Aunt Chris!

I just love her ears! She takes after her daddy!

Just before her bath!! Look at those cute cheeks!

Kyrsten @ 3 Months

2010-07-31T16:13:00.000-07:00

We went to get her pictures done today. She wasn't in the best of moods but we were able to get some shots.

Kyrsten is 13 weeks old!

2010-07-30T22:05:00.000-07:00

The Many faces of Kyrsten.....

Making her daddy proud by sporting some sporty clothes!

Kyrsten is 12 weeks Old!

2010-07-21T21:50:00.001-07:00

Each week is better and better and I can't believe it! How fast she is growing!! I love every minute, moment, every giggle, smile, dirty diaper, and the list could go on. She is just amazing!! We love her so much!!

This last weekend Grandma and Grandpa Ingram came to visit. It was a short one but fun. We took them down to the Edmonds pier while Mike did some crab fishing with no luck. It was still a great time and I think that they enjoyed it and that's what matters.
Kyrsten almost turned over this weekend. I tried catching it on video but as soon as I turned on the camera she stopped trying. Go figure!

Kyrsten and Grandma Renee'

Grandpa Larry & Grandma Renee' at the Pier

Kyrsten is 11 weeks old!

2010-07-17T06:49:00.001-07:00

Wide eyed!

Almost 3 months and getting so big!
It has been twos weeks since I went back to work and we all are getting into a routine. It is so wonderful knowing that Mike is with her during the day and I can be with her at night. Not putting her in daycare has given me so much relief and makes it easier for me to go into work. Plus all the money we are saving is huge!
Something really special has happened this week with Kyrsten.... Drum roll please!......
She is sleeping at least 8 to 9 hours each night!!! Woohoo Special K!! Giving her a bath seems to do the trick in helping her sleep.
We really lucked out with a good baby!!
This last weekend we went to Lynden to check out Mike's last coaching game for the summer. We stayed with our good friend Bonnie's parents. It was a great weekend besides the fact that I was dealing with incredibly horrible allergies. Mike's team didn't do so great Saturday but ended up winning the last two games on Sunday. So they were able to end on a good note! Go Riptide!

Bonnie's Dad Andy just loved holding Kyrsten!

Thanks Auntie Bonnie for my cute outfit!

Kyrsten at the game sporting her jersey!

Daddy at the game!

One Hot summer afternoon! So Sweet!

Kyrsten is 10 Weeks Old!!

2010-07-08T19:37:00.001-07:00

Trying out her Bumbo for the first time this week.

Napping with Daddy!

Happy 4th of July!

It was cold on the 4th!

We went to visit my girlfriend Courtney's baby girl Sophie! She is 8 weeks younger than Kyrsten. Wow! they really do grow fast!

Kyrsten is 9 weeks old!!!

2010-06-30T17:07:00.001-07:00

Daddy & his Girl!

We went to Kyrsten's 2 month doctor appointment yesterday for a check up and to get vaccines. She is a healthy little girl weighing 11lbs 9 oz and at 23.5"!! She is growing so fast!! After the appointment she spent the rest of the day sleeping. It was so weird to have that happen but I guess it's better than having her cry all day.
She is cooing more and drooling more! Lol!
Just as lovable as always!!

I go back to work tomorrow for the first time in 9 1/2 weeks and I am very anixous about it. I really don't want to leave my baby girl for 9 hours a day. She will be with her Daddy which is great! The good Lord has blessed us and we don't have to put her into daycare!!
Like I said before it is so crazy how fast time flies!

Kyrsten is 8 Weeks Old!!

2010-06-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

Wow she is two months old!! She is doing so much these days. She is cooing, smiling, grunting, fussing, and we are changing more diapers. She gets over stimulated and gets frustrated so it's fun trying to find different things to entertain her. She is such a sweet little girl and she is starting to get a personality all her own and we just love it!

Daddy and his girl on Father's Day!

I cheated and sat her up on the couch. So Cute!

Look at those cheeks! So adorable!

She loves to get her diaper changed she is always smiling!

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st Father's day to Mike!! I can't believe that he is a daddy! Thank you for all that you do Mike to be the great dad that you are! The sleepless nights, the crying episodes, the constant diaper changing but most of all the love that you have for our daughter Kyrsten Nicole. I can't wait to see how you both grow as father and daughter. So far it has been a beautiful transformation in you! I hope today is a great day for you and one of many many more! We love you Daddy Mike!

Kyrsten is 7 weeks old!

2010-06-17T09:16:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that she is almost two months old. It has gone by so fast. It is true when they say it goes by fast and to enjoy every moment.

She smiled for the first time this week. She had smiled before in the past but I really think it was gas. She actually smiles at me or Mike when we talk to her. She definitely is recognizing us. It is so cute and fun to watch all of the new things that are happening with her.

Grandma Patty & Kyrsten

Kyrsten is 6 Weeks Old!!

2010-06-09T17:35:00.001-07:00

We went and had family pictures done on her 6 week birthday!

She is growing so fast!!

In a Sling

Best Friends

We went to Luke's 2nd Birthday party so she got to meet some more of our family.

Jill & Kyrsten

Doug & Kyrsten

Kelly & Kyrsten

Dana & Kyrsten

Kyrsten got her face painted and so did I! It was so fun!

We had visitors this week as well. Our good friends Amanda and her beautiful son Isaiah!

Kyrsten is 5 Weeks Old!

2010-06-02T19:04:00.000-07:00

Enjoying some side lying...

Enjoying some Pappa Dan Time....

This last weekend we went to Federal Way to celebrate Mike's best friend Shaun's 30th birthday and our good friend Bonnie's 30th birthday! It was so much fun to get together with friends and show off Kyrsten...

Kyrsten & Noelle (They are only 5 weeks apart!)

Amber and Noelle

Kyrsten and Julie

Bonnie & Kyrsten (Happy Birthday 30th Bonnie!)

Jessica Joy came up to visit us! It is always fun to hang out with Jess! Luba you girl!!
Jessica Joy & Kyrsten

Kyrsten is Four Weeks old!

2010-05-26T23:01:00.000-07:00

Kyrsten & Mommy

Daddy, Kyrsten, and Lola

Wow! It has already been a whole month since Kyrsten Nicole was born! Incredible how time flies! She has for sure grown so much already and we are loving every minute of it!

She rolled over on her side this week!

Bath Time

We went to church this wee k for the first time and Kyrsten was the center of attention! It was so wonderful. The pastor's little girls couldn't get enough of Kyrsten and all they wanted to do was just touch her hands. It was so cute!

Great Friend from Church Jeane

The Girls: Maddy, Brooke, and Reagan

This last week we didn't do much but I did take her to go and visit with some of my co-workers. It was a fun to get to show her off. It was nice of everyone to take sometime away from their busy schedules to visit with me and Kyrsten.
It gave them an opportunity to see the baby that had been growing that whole time in my belly! Pretty cool!

Kyrsten's Birth Day Pictures

2010-05-25T20:19:00.000-07:00

At the hospital the picture people came in to take pictures of us and Kyrsten the next morning after she was born. I finally got the pictures back. So here you are to enjoy!

Pappa Dan

G-ma Renee'

Kyrsten is Three Weeks Old!!

2010-05-19T12:24:00.001-07:00

Three weeks ago today she Kyrsten was born!! She is so adorable and we can't believe that she is all ours.
This week we tried tummy time and she did so well.

We also ventured out to go to a few restaurants with her this week as well. The first place that we went to was A&W/ Kentucky Fried Chicken of all places and she did fantastic! We also went to Taco Del Mar (my favorite place to eat when I was pregnant) and to Old Country Buffet and she did great at those places as well. All she did was sleep.

She also went to her first baseball game. On Sunday we went to Mike's U14 Riptide Baseball Team game. All the moms were so excited to see Kyrsten (and me too). They welcomed me with open arms and were so nice. Kyrsten did so great but I had to leave just before the game was over to go home to feed her.
Mike came home later with gifts from all the families on his team!! I felt horrible that I had left. I had no idea that they were doing that at all. They had a cute Jersey and pant suit, a toy, diaper depot for stroller, swaddle blanket, cute little outfit, and the big gift an "Exersaucer"!! They spoiled us!!

What she wore to the game (I know it's not baseball but it sure was cute!)

We also had a few more visitors this week too:

The Ververs

The Knotts

Co-worker and great friend Gabrielle

Some cute pictures from the week:

Her headband and dress... It started out on her head and then over her eyes then around her neck...

(Workout Session: look at those muscles!!)

Remebering Zachary Michael One Year Ago Today

2010-05-17T10:08:00.000-07:00

You are so missed Zachary Michael DeYager!! We love you!!!

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

To find Zachary's story here is his blog:

http://zacharymichaeldeyager.blogspot.com/

Kyrsten is Two Weeks Old!!

2010-05-12T09:14:00.000-07:00

Kyrsten @ Two Weeks Old

I can't hardly believe it Kyrsten is Two weeks old! Time sure does fly by so fast! We had more visitors:

Courtney Thomas

One of my Best Friends Shawna

One of my Best Friends Kelley

We celebrated Mike's Birthday a week late over at his Grandma Yvonne's house so Kyrsten got to meet a lot of the family that day. It was fun watching her get passed around.

Great G-ma Yvonne

Cousin Alyssa

Grandma Patty

Uncle Pat & Aunt Gerri

Uncle Tim

Aunt Marie

Cousin Meagan

HAPPY 33rd BIRTHDAY MIKE!!

For Mother's Day Kyrsten supposedly called up daddy and told him to get me a card and flowers. That was very sweet of my baby girl! It was so nice to get to celebrate Mother's Day with my little girl!

Kyrsten is a Week Old

2010-05-05T21:11:00.000-07:00

First Family Picture

So much has happened in Kyrsten's first week. We stayed at the hospital for two nights and went home on Friday, April 30th, Mike's birthday. We had a few visitors at the hospital:

Not Pictured: Pastor Jeff and his Wife Tawni and one of their daughter's Reagan/ Associate Pastor Tim and his wife Livy

Grandma Renee'

Papa Dan & Auntie Chris

Great Grandma Yvonne

Good friend Kim

One of my Best Friends Michelle

Going Home from the Hospital

That afternoon Bonnie one our good friends brought over Taco Time for lunch. That was a nice surprise! Thanks Bonnie!

Later that night we had the Lont family over and they brought delicious Chicken Enchilada's and a beautiful Pink cake for Kyrsten and for Mike's Birthday. That was very sweet of them! Thank you guys again!

The next day which was Saturday, May 1st we had to take Kyrsten in to the hospital and clinic to get her Billy Reuben checked and to just have a basic check up. Come to find out her Billy Reuben count for jaundice went up from a 9 to a 16 over night. It was pretty scary for new parents like us. We had to leave her at the hospital over night and that was so not easy for me. I of course cried the whole way home. I did not want to leave my baby at the hospital. I called several times that night to check on her. We were lucky that we had such a nice nurse that was in charge of her that night. She was very understanding of me and my emotions.
I guess it is pretty common for babies that are breastfed. My milk didn't come in for four days after she was born. So poor baby girl was dehydrated. She had to be hooked up to an IV and put under the bright lights. But she bounced back fast and was only in the hospital for one night.
I wanted to get a picture of her under the lights but by the time I realized I could do it it was too late. So I got a picture of her big feet.

My milk came in the day that we got to bring her home and she is doing just fabulous and we LOVE having her home!!
We had other visitors during the week until her first week birthday.

Great Friends Shaun and Courtney DeYager

Cousin Jonah

First Week in Diapers "Gross!!"

Kyrsten Nicole is here!!!

2010-04-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

I am finally getting to it....
I went into labor Wednesday morning 4/28/2010 at 3am and checked into the hospital at 4:30am. We checked into the hospital the same day that we did last year when we delivered our first. It was really nice to know that we were going home this time with a baby. We thank the Lord everyday!!!
Once I was in the room the nurses checked my cervix and I was only dilated to 3cm so they had me walk around for 45 minutes. While we were out they got us a new room. The first room we got was really small and didn't even have chairs for Mike or my mom. It was very uncomfortable. The room they moved us to was the twins room so it was huge!! We were so blessed to get that room. It was on a corner so the view was amazing! It even had a flat screen TV!

I walked around most of the time while the contractions were about 4 to 5 minutes apart and lasting about 60 to 90 seconds long.
Another blessing that we received was the same nurse that we had last year. When she saw our name she requested to to have us. Kathy is her name. She was just amazing last year and we remember leaving last year and her saying that she would love to see us back in the hospital under better circumstances. It was so nice to have a familiar face.
Dr. Zeh has also been around since the last pregnancy and she has been so amazing and very understanding. Come to find out she was on call all of Tuesday and once she found out they we were checking into have Kyrsten she took a nap and decided to stay to deliver. Wow! What another blessing from the Lord. It made it that much more wonderful.
Around 9am Kathy came into ask me if I would like to get set up to have an epidural. They were going to have a c-section at 11:30am (with another patient) so they needed to get me hooked up to fluids in time before the anesthesiologist came in. At that time I wasn't ready to have it. I wanted to try to go all the way without it. Dr. Zeh and Kathy came back into the room to ask me again at around 10:30am and also checked my cervix and I was still only around 3 to 4cm. I couldn't believe that I had not progressed very much by that point and I was so nervous about the epidural and was not sure. Mike had the Dr. and Kathy leave so that he could talk to me about it. Needless to say he talked me into it due to the fact that I had been in labor already for 7 1/2 hours and at the time I didn't know it but I had another 7 1/2 hours until I started pushing. I wouldn't have had the strength to push if I had not gotten it. So Mike was right. ;)
Once I got the epidural they were able to given me petocin to progress the labor.
At 3pm the Dr. checked me again and I was at 5 to 6 cm so they upped my petocin dose. Once that happened I could still feel my contractions a bit. But I had asked for that epidural be light.

Before the Epidural

After the Epidural (fat faced full of fluids)

At around 5:45pm I asked my nurse Kathy about my epidural because it was making my left side so numb. I couldn't even lift my leg at all. She had my lay on my right side to see if it would move to that side and even things out. At that point around 6pm the Dr. came in to check my cervix again. She checked and said that I was fully dilated and 100% effaced and that we were ready to have a baby!!!
I was soooo nervous that I started to shake! I couldn't believe it and was very scared.
At that point my mom was going down stairs and Mike had to run out and grab her from the elevator to tell her that we were having a baby!!!
My mom held my right leg and Mike held my left leg (the really numb one). Mike watched for the contractions on the screen while my mom fed me ice chips and put a cold rag on my face between pushes.
I pushed for 1 hour and 20 minutes. I had Kyrsten Nicole Hale at 7:18pm. She was 7lbs 8oz and 19.5" long. We were instantly in love!!

The Nursery

2010-04-27T13:00:00.000-07:00

The Nursery is finally done! I feel accomplished! I love to just go into the nursery and sit on the rocking chair day dreaming of holding Kyrsten Nicole in my arms.
It is a warm and very inviting room to me and I love it!

38 weeks 5 days

39 weeks 4 days

Maternity Pictures

2010-03-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

Mike and I went and had professional pictures taken today. Mike was able to get a discount through Groupon on line with Debora Spencer Photography. We were able to have a one hour session with five touch up pictures for $50! Pretty cool huh? Here they are... What do ya think? I think I look HUGE!

Almost there!

2010-03-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

So many fun and exciting things have happened in the last month or so....

Mike and I started our Birthing Classes on Saturday, February 20th and went every Saturday until March 13th. It was great that they combined the labor, breastfeeding and child care. The classes were taught by a Dula whose name was Melinda. She was a very down to earth lady and very sweet and full of info. The first three Saturdays were on the birthing portion with all the breathing and relaxation exercises. The first half of our last class was on Breastfeeding taught by another lady (forget her name) and she was hilarious! The last half of the class was on Child care taught by Melinda and she was soo tired. She had come in from a birth the night and morning before with no sleep. So needless to say she was all over the place but we still learned a lot. I'm especially fascinated by the 5 S's: Swaddling, shhhing, swaying, sucking, and side laying.

The first Saturday was shocking, we watched a live birth (on TV of course) and if was horrifying!! Mike and both looked at each other with fear "What have we gotten ourselves into?" The next two Saturdays I found myself crying after each one due to the fear of the unknown of what to expect even though I had just heard what could happen, etc. But, I've been feeling more and more confident in the last couple of weeks and I am ready (I think).
After the last couple in the class has their baby which is in the beginning of June we will have a reunion on June 23rd to see everyone and there babies! We met a lot of really great couples!

Saturday, March 20th I had my first baby shower and it was spectacular! I had so many people there and I felt sooo blessed! I had family and friends, friends I had not seen in a long time and even some of my coworkers showed up. It all meant so much to me. My mom even came into town to join me for the baby shower and to see her pregnant, very pregnant daughter. I loved the decorations (safari theme of course), the games, the diaper cake that my sister in law made (thanks Chris for everything), the cakes were delicious!! The company was just fabulous!!! Baby Kyrsten is so spoiled already and I just love it!!
I also had a baby shower at work given by the Office administrators and that was so much fun too. We played a lot of games and ate huge cupcakes from Costco (major sugar rush). Once again baby Kyrsten was spoiled.
I can't wait to get to dress her up in all of the cute clothes she got!!

On another note at my last Dr.'s visit she has ordered me to go to the hospital every three to four days for a non-stress test on the baby and once a week have an ultrasound to check on the amniotic fluid until I go into labor. This is just a precaution due to my miscarriage last April (since they don't know what really happened). The Dr. wants to make sure the baby is happy (I also think she wants to give me peace of mind as well).
I had my first test on Monday and it went well but we were there for 2 hours! The baby wasn't moving much, all she wanted to do was sleep. We even had an ultrasound and I had the tech check again to make sure the baby was in fact a girl (cause we have all this pink!). The baby is in fact a girl and everything turned out great! We also had one on Friday and we were only there for an hour and baby was moving and very happy according to the Dr.

It feels like it has taken forever to even get to this point in my pregnancy and I am so excited and nervous at the same time. Mike and I are going to be parents soon in about 5 weeks or less (or more hopefully not)!!
Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we go through the next couple of weeks getting ready for her arrival and after her arrival!
You all mean so much to me and I feel very blessed to be able to share this time in my life with all of you!

34 weeks along