Our First Bath...

Afterwards wasn't so bad...

Didn't mind the warm water...

DID NOT like the scrubbing...

Justin did a great job giving Jude his first bath while I played photographer. I am really excited to have this become a part of our routine. I wanted to take a few moments and say how great Justin has been about letting me have some time to myself, even though I'm with Jude every minute of every day practically. I have started pumping a bottle so Justin can give Jude his last feeding between 10 and 11, that way I can go ahead and go to bed around 9:30. Fortunately, Jude doesn't tend to wake up until about 2 or 3 after that feeding so that gives me some really good rest. (Knock on wood please!) Justin also has a fairly flexible schedule at work so after we wake up and I give Jude his morning feeding, we get ready, have breakfast as a family and Justin takes Jude and Mason on their morning walks so I can have a good 30-40 minutes of shower/ME time. What a blessing! I am so thankful for both the sweet men in my life!

I FOUND MY THUMB!

Needless to say, I was a thumb sucker and I also had a blanket named Scrapped (don't remember why I named it that, but I did)...is Jude following in Mommy's footsteps?

Also, for all the Mom's who have breast fed, any suggestions on how to get these little hands out of the way when we're feeding!?!?

1 Week Appointment

We had Jude's 1 week appointment today with Dr. Cuthbertson. Everything went great. Little man is up to 8 lb. 4 oz, which is 1 oz above his birth weight, which is good. He is in the 50th percentile in weight and 60th percentile in length, so we have a proportionate guy for now. I am ready for his cord stump to fall off even though the Dr. said it looks fine. I'm so nervous he or I are going to rip it off while changing a diaper or something, haha.

I want to also take a moment to brag on how impressed I have been with Dr. Cuthbertson. When we started looking for a pediatrician, I knew I wanted to go to someone who was a smaller practice and preferred personal relationships with their patients. If you know me at all, I need a nurturer when it comes to my health care needs, hence why I LOVE Dr. Smith and Dr. Golden as my OBGYN's. So, any who, after lots of suggestions and Justin and I praying over it, we decided to go with Auburn Adult and Pediatric Care with Dr. Scott Greer and Dr. Bret Cuthbertson. We have just happened to have seen Dr. Cuthbertson in the hospital and today and we love him. On all their paperwork, they even put, "It is our pleasure to serve you by taking care of your child." and they also are open about their faith. I am very thankful God directed us to these doctors. :) There are lots of wonderful ones in Auburn and I'm glad we found the right match for our family...

Our Little Man...

For those who have experienced parenthood, you know the emotions Justin and I are feeling...completely falling in love, wanting to protect this child from all the bad in the world, and overwhelmed with God's grace over our family as we raise him to be a godly man.

Jude has adjusted well at home. Yes, there are some very tired nights and I often feel like a cow, constantly trying to meet his nutritional needs, but these are things all new parents go through. No complaints from this Momma (at least not today, haha). I feel like we need to "knock on wood" because things have gone so smoothly thus far. I pray that God will continue to bless us and use us to raise Jude in His way.

Hope you enjoy the pictures from our first photo shoot...I can't believe that at 2:35 am tonight, Jude will be 1 week old! I know the time is going to fly!

Sweet Baby Boy

First Family Picture

Thanks to Beth for announcing Jude's arrival yesterday for us! :) Jude is doing well and adjusting quite nicely to life after the womb. He is absolutely beautiful (not that I'm not bias or anything. )

As for just a few details of the delivery, my first contraction woke me up around 11:40 am. I thought I just had a bad stomach cramp honestly because my stomach was upset. I had 4 contractions 7 minutes apart before I realized something legitimate was going on so I went and woke up Justin. He got out of bed to help me time contractions and they were still about 6-7 minutes apart. I went and got Jill up and we called the parents to go ahead and start driving at this point. (Jill's spring break is this week so it was AMAZING to have her be a part of this with us.) I took a quick shower and at this time, my contractions were already 5 minutes apart. By the time we got in the car and drove to the hospital, my contractions were 3 minutes apart! I was admitted by 1:20 am and was already dilated to 6 cm. By 1:40 I was 8, and by 2:00 I was a full 10 and ready to push. After 35 minutes of pushing, Jude was born perfect and healthy!

I really had wanted to try natural child birth with no medication but I knew this was a heavy task. Justin and I had been praying specifically that the birth would be quick...God answered that prayer with a yes and I only labored for less than 3 hours TOTAL! Truly, thank you Lord.

We are both doing well and he's ready to nurse...Praise be to the Lord for all He has done! The Dellinger family is more blessed each moment by having Jude in our lives.

Welcome Baby Jude!!

Jude Aaron Dellinger arrived on Tuesday, March 15th at 2:35am! He was 8lbs, 3oz, and 21in long. He has brown hair and blue eyes. Mommy and baby are doing well! Please continue to pray for their new family!

Thanks, Beth (Nikki's college roommate)

Tummy Pics

Valentine's Day Weekend-35 Weeks
37 weeks

37 weeks

Today, 38.5 weeks (I definitely can tell Jude has "dropped" in this picture.)

I haven't posted my tummy lately, so I thought I would give a few updates...everything is progressing well and we're just waiting for our sweet little boy to arrive on God's timing. We're 10 days out from our due date! I can't believe it! God is so good and I have enjoyed this season of life so very much!

Happy Birthday Momma-Soon To Be "Dee Dee"

The Lamb ladies before wedding dress shopping for Jillian
Fun in the summer time!

I wanted to send out a "shout out" to my wonderful Momma on her birthday today! Not only has she been a source of strength, truth, and encouragement over the years, she is also my best friend. I am so thankful to have her in my life and I can't wait for her to be here with us when we meet Baby Jude!

Love you Momma!

A Page Is Turned Bebo Norman

A Page Is Turned

Yesterday evening, my wonderful husband asked me if I would like to watch our wedding video. He was so sweet and thoughtful! So, after dinner, we snuggled on the couch and re-lived one of the most wonderful days of our lives. We laughed and honestly, we both were very touched as we remembered our vows and the promise we made to one another, to God, and to our families.

In the midst of this beautiful change we're about to experience in the birth of our first son (which could happen any day now), I needed to stop and remember/realize how wonderful my husband is. I have seen him grow in his faith and in his love of his family so much over the past 2 1/2 years...it's been amazing. I am so thankful to have this man leading our family and to stand beside me in this life.

See the link above to hear the song sang at our wedding...we felt like it was perfect for us at the time, and looking back, it still is! He stills my heart every day...