She's here!

We had such an exciting week last week as we went into labor at our doctor's appointment and became parents about a week earlier than expected!

After 24 hours of labor our beautiful daughter was born via c-section!

Mylin Hadassah, 7lbs 8oz, 19 inches long born Friday June 25th at 2:03 pmShe's gorgeous, sweet and perfect

She doesn't cry much, but when she does it sounds like a little bird (or a squirrel...) which makes it even more cute!

We are so in love and feeling totally blissful

Thank you God for this amazing gift!

a favorite dish

Saucy Ravioli (a TOP favorite of mine!)
2 c. cherry tomatoes
1 clove garlic (um yeah - or 3 times that...)
3/4 c. chicken broth
salt
pepper
1 9 oz package of cheese ravioli
basil
parsley
parmesan cheese

Blend tomatoes and garlic together. Add to chicken broth, salt, and pepper in pan and bring to boil. Add ravioli, return to boiling, then turn to simmer, cover and cook for 6-8 minutes. Dish out topped with basil, parsley, and parmesan cheese! Add some garlic bread on the side to sop up the sauce :)

Why do I love this recipe so much?!
1. It is ready in 15ish minutes - even if you time the heating up of the oven and baking of the garlic bread as you are multi-tasking!
2. You can add as much garlic as you want!
3. It reminds me of my mom :)

Enjoy!

VICTORY! (at a slight cost...)

I mowed today!!!
Tomorrow I will be 38 weeks pregnant and today I rocked my huge belly by using our self-propelled push mower for an hour
This victory was not without cost:
1. I had to have my mom come over to tie my shoes before I could begin...
2. Even though its only 83ish out - the temperature + 30 pounds of baby heater = a heat index of 171 for my preggo body... :)
3. I was a sweaty mess when I was finished!

Last week when I was so empowered with mowing at 37 weeks pregnant I took my husband and sister-in-law to lunch to celebrate myself
This week I will celebrate by reading and napping on the couch all afternoon (maybe homework if I feel motivated...) before heading to Chesterfield to watch our nephew play t-ball tonight!

newest nephew - baby Jace

3 weeks ago Jace Wade Draper was born!
This was our first visit with him

We already like to make the same faces :)

This bib says "I love my Aunt" - I don't think he understands...

woes and toes

the woes of pregnancy...
not only can i not touch my toes or tie my shoes, but i can't paint my "tonies" anymore either!
(as our neices maddie and cosi would say...)

my wonderful husband lovely offered to try his hand at this - it was his first nail painting experience!
he did an excellent job with the hot pink (shout out to my alabama merkle ladies with this color!)

per request

This is mommy and baby at 35 1/2 weeks!
To put things in perspective, our oldest neice, Maddie, was born when Jill was 35 1/2 weeks along...

the time is coming near...

we are one month away from our due date - whew!
a few weeks ago my response to 'how are you feeling?!' changed from 'really great, i can't complain, i've really enjoyed being pregnant!' to, 'i'm starting to get a little uncomfortable, but i really can't complain, i've been blessed with a great pregnancy!'
and now...these few weeks later i want to laugh at myself last month!
i was feeling uncomfortable then?!
the past 5-6 days are throwing me for a loop!
i am exhausted, my feet began to swell, and i literally cannot pick something up that is on the ground unless i am also on the ground and then i can't pick myself up!

i didn't write this to complain - but to give us all a laugh about how much pregnancy changes what you are capable of!
for the last few months i have been pretty much able to keep up my pace and activity and independence - i am recently realizing the joys of letting other people pick up my pen that i dropped, help me carry groceries in and fetch me a refill of water :)
i am still able to stay active and be busy, but this basketball that i am smuggling under my shirt is taking a toll on me!

i can't wait to meet our little bundle and be able to paint my own toes again :)