He's HERE!

Well it's been a month now since our little one arrived and we are just now getting into a groove and used to this no-sleep thing. We are learning the true meaning of exhaustion!
Joseph was born October 3rd at 8:21pm weighing in at 7lbs 11ounces, via csection. After 24 hours of labor, little man was still being stubborn at coming out so instead of completely exhausting myself out by pushing for another hour, my doctor and I made the decision to pull his little booty out of the window instead. :) Before he was pulled out, my doctor warned me that most csection babies come out very quiet and for me not to be worried if he doesn't make a sound at first. However, being the special little guy that he is he came out screaming! It was music to our ears! And the flood gates opened, we were both so emotional and happy that tears ran down both our faces.
Vince was able to cut the umbilical chord and as soon as little man was cleaned up both headed to the nursery. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see or hold him for 3 hours (SUCKY!) but all of our family was able to see him in the nursery and bring me pictures they had taken of him. And from just the pictures I could see how perfect he was/is!
So for the past month we've been asking ourselves how a 7lb baby could completely turn our lives and house upside down! Again, he is totally and 100% worth it. We are totally in love with this little miracle and all that he brings to our lives.

Obviously inbetween a contraction...

He's HERE!

Joseph's fan club

Aunt Jordie and Lilly Kate

Jojo and PaK

First Family Photo

Aunt Jordie

Aunt Lala

Jojo

Pa K

Lilly Kate

All three grandbabies

New Mommy...and looking rough.

Grandpa

Grandma

Perfection.

Nursery update

The nursery is officially organized! Still waiting on mom to finish the baby bedding and curtains and a few small touches needed here and there but overall we are done! It feels awesome to have his room so clean and put together, I don't think Vince and I's room has ever been this organized.

"So what exactly goes in that bed, Mom?"

POP goes the weezle

We are now at the home stretch and this mommy is ready to POP! We couldn't be more excited to meet our sweet new family member. Are we ready? That is a question that I cannot answer. We have more diapers and wipes than we can count, car seats installed, all clothes washed and in drawers, and the bark collar is on the dog. We seem to feel prepared but know that many surprises could be looming in the next few days.
This week we are 38 weeks along. Having a full nights sleep is a thing of the past and I realize it will be that way for pretty much the rest of my life. Naps do happen though and I'm taking full advantage while I can. Vince and I are both "nesting" in our own ways. I'm getting all laundry done and trying to keep the house clean while Vince is attacking the yardwork and reading his part of our Babywise book. This adult thing is really tiresome :)
I can not thank my sister and my mom for all of their hardwork in helping me prepare for little Joseph. My sister has spent her entire visit (3 weeks now) organizing, cleaning, and preparing me for what this little man will bring. I am incredibly blessed to have her here. Mom is currently on a sewing marathon getting all the baby bedding and curtains done for the nursery and I know it will all get done and will be absolutely beautiful. I don't know what I would ever do without these two women in my life, they are true blessings in my life. We've also enjoyed spending so much time with the girls, they are at such a fun age. Getting to see them and play with them on a daily basis is something I wish we could have more of. This weekend they are headed back to TN so my sister can help me with Joseph our first week home. It will be a very hard to see those two adorable blondies leave. Here are some pics from the past couple of weeks of everyone waiting around for the new arrival!

Thimble's getting a lot of attention

Whiskey's ready and waiting too.

Lots of cuddles happening down here

My baking assistants

Painting at the childrens museum

Baby Whale Shower

I am finally back home after a 2 week vacay to Tennessee for our Babyshower and Babymoon. It was a busy trip to say the least.
Words cannot express how grateful and appreciative we are for all the love everyone has shown us. My sister, mom, sister-in-law, and friends put together such a beautiful shower.  I was completely blown away at all the beautiful details that went into making my day so special, it made me feel just as loved as I did on my wedding day. I also cannot believe how many out-of-towners were able to come and celebrate with us. We thank you!! The shower total came to 35 guests! It touches my heart to know how many people love our baby Joseph already. He is truly blessed. And while the girls were gawking at cute baby stuff, I sent Vince to play golf with the guys. I wanted him to be celebrated as well. So with the help of my dad, The Joseph Lombardy Tournament was created with 12 of our family and friends included. Luckily, the rain held off and they were able to enjoy a fun game with Pa K winning of course but he let Vince take home the prize which was a beautiful grey golf towel embroidered with Joseph's name on it.
After the shower, all of our out-of-town family and friends were invited back over for bbq and beer. It was a great way to come together and catch up with everyone from all the days excitement.

While in town, Vince and I were able to have a friend of mine shoot a few maternity pics. This was her first time taking pictures of people and I am still amazed at how beautiful they turned out! (Small sneak peak below).

Charleston and Seattle friends!

Charleston, New Orleans, Seattle, and Hawaii

Our Aunt Carol from Memphis

Our Cousin Becca and her son Braden from Mississippi

Aunt Teresa from Mississippi and LK

Uncle Nick and Vince

Vince and Aunt Lala watching the Georgia game

This was shot at Good Shepherd Church where my family and I attended for 10+ years.

7 Months

We're only 2 months away from meeting our little squirt!!! It's amazing how fast this all has gone! I've started seeing my doctor every two weeks and will have our next ultrasound in a week or so to see what position he's in. I can definitely tell that he has turned, there's a little foot that keeps kicking me in the ribs and hates it when I sleep on my right side. A few days ago, I was driving and felt him karate chop me in the side so I pushed back and surprisingly he did it again! Stubborn, I just smile. Vince has been rubbing my back a lot lately and baby hates that as well. Apparently someone is running out of room in there and seems to like one spot which causes severe back pain on my part. He's constantly rolling around and I can finally see him doing gymnastics if I watch my belly closely. He gets stage fright every time I get Vince to watch though...not sure what that's about. So now I try and capture the movements on my camera so I can prove that he's practicing his somersaults.

On Friday we registered at the hospital which surprisingly didn't scare me whatsoever but got me even more excited! And then on Saturday we attended a breastfeeding class. I just recently read the breastfeeding chapter in my Babywise book so everything that was discussed at the class was familiar to me. Plus, seeing and hearing my sisters experience with her little ones helps me to know what I'm totally in for. However, the real reason I wanted to go was for Vince's sake...you know just so he can see and get a clue about how intense this part of having a child will be for me. :) I think he gained a lot by going and I'm blessed that he is so supportive of me and my feelings.

Vince and I have decided to practice the Babywise technique. It's something both our sisters did and still do. Over the years, being a nanny and working in daycares, I've seen all sorts of different schedules and ways parents manage their child's daily activities, routines, feedings, etc.. so making the decision to raise my child the Babywise way was a very easy one to make. Over the years, we've seen how well it has worked for our our nieces and nephews and I'm excited to learn more and more about it now that I have one on the way. I know it won't be anything easy so I'm asking for many prayers of consistency and patience. 

The nursery is slowly coming together. Mom is about to get started sewing the curtains, bedding, the rocking chair pillow, and of course the quilt. She's had the fabric picked out and bought since I was 5 weeks pregnant...gotta love her excitement! We're doing greys, whites, and a deep teal color. Vince came into our marriage with a painting of a whale that we've decided to use and since we were able to get pregnant on our trip to Hawaii and seeing the whales was my favorite part of the trip :) we've decided to have whales be apart of the theme in the nursery. This past weekend we even came up with a perfect piece to put over the crib. Together we cut, sanded, and painted it. I love that we did it together and is something that Joseph will have over his crib for years to come. (nursery reveal pictures coming soon...) 

My baby shower is in just a few weeks and I cannot wait to see everyone!!! I decided to have it in Tennessee because it's home. It's where I grew up and is where all of my childhood memories are. It's also a central location for all of my out of town visitors. My Hawaii family is making the trek back to the mainland! It's been 7 months since our trip there and being with them for a whole month will be the absolute best time! My sister and the girls are coming to visit for an entire month and staying until the baby is born. Having her around will definitely help me feel more at ease about any last minute baby requirements that I might need to get done. She's miss organization too so I'm expecting little squirts room to be in precise conditions. 

Vince and I have also decided to take a week baby moon after the baby shower and head to Lake Norris with our sisters, brother-in-laws and another couple friend of ours from Seattle. I just hope all the driving will agree with me...boppy leg pillow will be packed as well as my boppy wedge(COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT RIGHT NOW). After all the house reno's and the busy-ness we've had over the past couple of months, Vince needs a break. He's worked so hard the past couple of months and is completely worn out. I think this trip will help him to relax with some wine and finally enjoy a cigar or two...or three...or four...

7 Months!

We've hit the "I can't reach my toes stage" and I needed pretty nails for church. Luckily, I know a good artist :)

Kind of looks like a jell-o mold wiggling around. Gross? Maybe. 

Home Is Where The Heart Is

We have officially been in the house for a few weeks now and it's a huge relief! The flooring was the last thing to go in before we moved in and I still can't believe what a huge difference it has made. The house finally seems more put together and OURS. Once we were moved in with the awesome help of my aunt and cousins who slaved in the heat for me, we were able to start the decorating process...which of course is our favorite part. We've also been able to finally start putting the nursery together slowly. The week before we moved in, mom and I decided the closets needed a makeover and while Vince was at work we ripped out all of the old nasty wire racks and repainted both spare closets. I was more worried about the baby's closet being that we would need all the storage space in the world for his things so I called in yet another favor from Pa K. Over the past weekend, he worked on creating a wonderful closet with lots of extra shelving. I am so excited to paint it and get all of Joseph's goodies organized! Thanks Pa K for all of your hard work! While Pa K was putting his creativity to work on the closet, my mom and Vince were busy stripping furniture for the nursery. We've decided to use my old baby bed, my sisters dresser from years ago, as well as an old rocking chair that was once my dads! (Side note: this rocking chair was left on my grandparents front porch with a big bow on it when my father was born and to this day no one knows who left it there.) It's made a few trips around the states and can finally call home in yet another Joseph's room. Growing up I also knew the chair being black and in high school my dad painted it white to match my bedroom. Needless to say it needed a slight face lift. Stay tuned for the outcome. So here are a few pictures from the past couple of weeks. Hopefully once everything is finished, I will post some after photos...that's if it's all complete by the time little man makes his appearance.
We are so grateful for all of our family and their hardwork. It was a strenuous couple of weeks and not being able to help much was frustrating on my part. We could not have completely any of these projects if it weren't for my parents as well as my aunt and cousins who helped us make the big move. I look forward to many dinners with friends and families to celebrate both the new house as well as the little man.

Slapping it on

Lots of cutting in

The flooring arrived! Happy Day!

The supervising crew 

Maneuvering 

Flooring battle wounds

BUSY

Thimble checking out the boys work

The puppies like it 

 

Sweating or glistening? 

Thank goodness for muscles

And another that cleans 

Stripping for the baby

Closet stuff for the baby 

The rocking chair