Blessed to be a Blessing

Friday, December 2, 2011

Zephie is 1 Month!

I can't believe how fast this past month has gone! We have only been a family of four for such a short time yet it's already hard to imagine life any different. Although it was..... so much different. We have transitioned, although not always smoothly. We are doing it... by God's grace, and the blessings of SO many other families who have brought us meals to enjoy. What an amazing gift. Seriously! I'm so thankful!

She is really a great baby! Super content during the day. But she desides that makes our life too easy so she develops this 10pm-12am awake/crying period(!!!) Which has made my afternoons look like this:

and daddy's evenings look like this:

Most days we try to get out of the house: Walks on nice days, library visits, grocery/shopping runs. Zander still doesn't like to see "his" stroller being borrowed!

Overall, he is an AMAZING BIG BRO! Gives her like a zillion kisses a day.

He also throws away dirty diapers, gets the wipes, and helps put in her paci, which sometimes she just doesn't want to take.

We have also enjoyed lots of company:

Like the night we came home from the hospital, my family including Cuz Dax. I know buddy, a GIRL! Ewwwww... trust me....You'll grow to love her!

Uncle Al and Aunt Jenn, with Jenn's family for Zephie's first ever basketball game.

HOLIDAYS: In one month of life, Zephie was also able to experience TWO holidays. The first-Halloween. Because I had a rough day, Zephie and I stayed home. But daddy and Tigger got to go out for Zander's first trick-or-treating experience. When they got home all 4 of us walked around our block, which was fun too, but Zephie didn't get any candy this year ;o).

Then Thanksgiving!

In complete awesomeness Shileny style.... Thanksgiving in the Woods! Yes, please! Thank you God for a beautiful day, so my sweetheart wasn't cold. And Thanks G'ma Boopsie for making sure she would stay warm with the tent/heater :)

Our first "long" car ride (only 2 hours) and thanks for VHS videos, it was actually really fun, because Zephie slept entire time and Andy and I got some good talk time.

We were able to do some other special things during Zephie's first month!

Zephie's Dedication: We realize what a gift from God Zephie is to our family. So we wanted to have her dedicated. The kids put on their cute-ness for the day!

Zephie was the youngest of all the little youngsters that were dedicated and prayed for

Both sets of Grandparents were able to come which was really special too!

and our roomies, The Goodriches also had their daughter, Lenora dedicated on the same day! So we had a joint dedication party!

Speaking of parties..... Zephie particpated in her first Birthday Mustache party. Happy 60th Uncle Rod!!

Zephie has already been to 3 basketball games. Although they were all in Carver, she will get to go to Hilton next week for the ISU/Iowa game!

She also had to apply for her passport, asap. So here's her passport photo that will last her until she's 5. Do you think she will change by then?!?

The last week she has not only developed more chunky legs, but also getting so much stronger holding her head up. Way to go, Sis!

Here's a couple 1 month photos of our "Sweets"

Thanks to Auntie Katie and Alice for the monthly onsie pack that you will see each month so we can document how she is changing!

ps- I'm LOV'N the girly things! I mean seriously- tights, bows, hot pink, leopard print! So FUN!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Best of Zoo Friends

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Welcoming Zephie Delal

I made this comparison the day before Baby Sis was born. Zander's was taken at 36.5 weeks, and he was born at 38.5 weeks. While Baby Sis was taken at 37.5 weeks just two days before she was born! Can you tell how much lower baby sis is and that she was 1.5 pounds lighter than Zander at birth.

Here's the Story...

On Monday, October 24th, Andy's mom and dad came to Iowa City to get Zander for a couple nights so Andy and I could spend all day together to celebrate my birthday the next day. We were so excited and I already had the day completely planned out. Including all the birthday deals in town, free Starbucks, Texas Roadhouse, and the Atlas. Also enjoying some splurges like going to get my hair cut and going to a matinee movie. The last time we would get to go all out before our baby girl would be born. I was SO PUMPED!
I went to bible study after Zander left with Andy's Mom and Dad the night before, feeling good. When I got home Andy and I went to Java House for a pre-party warm-up for the next day. One of the last things I said to Andy before bed was that I didn't want to have the baby on my birthday because I wanted to spend all day celebrating with him, then I asked him "Is that selfish" I think he said No, but honestly I feel asleep within minutes of that.

I woke up a few hours later at 2 am. with "gas cramps" This is vaguely familiar. Remember Zander's Story? Went to bathroom, laid back down, and felt like I was leaking... meaning-Was I peeing the bed? I couldn't stop myself, but it wasn't enough to make me know with confidence that "yep my water broke". Another cramp, more leakage, called Labor and Delivery, took a bath, contractions 5ish minutes apart, Andy started packing and running around because they were getting longer and stronger. Quickly! We had nothing prepared or packed for the hospital yet!

3:30 We were on our way to the hospital. I was eating ice cubes between contractions, and wearing one of Zander's cut up diapers to keep the van seat dry (my water was slowly breaking and I didn't have any pads... that's why!!) We got to the monitoring room at 4am. Feeling like this is happening FAST, and this was NOT my plans for my birthday! It was just supposed to be him and I.

At 5:30, I had an epidural and was soon 8 cm dilated. They needed to get my antibiotics in fast (I was strep B positive and ideally they would start them 4 hours before delivery, so they wanted things to slow down at this point). We chilled, relaxed, made some phone calls, and at 6:30 I was 10 cm, but everyone was in no hurry because they wanted the antibiotics to get in. Doctor Sheppard came in at 7 am and I started pushing, but it still just seemed kinda we'll-see-how-this-baby-progresses but not the REAL DEAL yet bc I wasn't even pushing on every contraction. At about 7:30 I knew it was for real because the lights came down, the doc got her full get-up on, and all the tools ready. I just knew it was TIME! One contraction later baby sis's head was out! In an instant I went from thinking "This was not my plans for my birthday" to "complete fallin' in love with this beautiful girl that God has given to me". She was perfect and the best birthday gift God could have given to me.

7:35 Zephie Delal Bishop was born. Weighing 7 lbs. 11 oz. and 20 inches long. She was a peanut compared to Zander! I had some minor complications of delivering the placenta and heavy bleeding immediately afterwards, but other than that Zephie was perfectly healthy.

So that's the story.....

Once again, I'm blown away with God's timing. He always has the perfect plan. What a special way to celebrate my birthday this year, and all the years to come.

I was worried about not getting my free starbucks:o). Well Andy still went there and they gave him 2 free ones! Oh yeah, could the day get any better?

Oh yeah...... it can get better! Look at who came to celebrate with us!

Zephie, we are blessed and excited to welcome you into our family! Let the journey begin!

Monday, October 24, 2011

love

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Atypical Saturday: in pictures

Last Saturday was atypical for us during our time back in Iowa. We didn't travel anywhere, and didn't really have ANY plans/errands to run (with exception of a Birthday dinner later in the evening) It was really a refreshing day! We also had just got a new camera (total God story) the day before, so I was anxious to try and figure out how it works. So thought I would document our day with pictures.