Joy & Grace 3.16.14

My friend Joy and her daughter Grace (from Wrangell) came to visit a week before my due date just in case if baby decided to come that week.  It was such a blessing to have them with us!  They helped take care of Jeralyn and played with her.  She loved having them here!  We all did!  She asks about Joy and Grace a lot.

Playing Outside 3.13.14

Jeralyn has been having a lot of fun playing outside.  She reminds me of myself when I was younger.  (All she needs now is her own "hamburger stand").  She likes to collect rocks and pretend to fish in the puddles.  She is so much fun!

In our fenced in area (which was used as a dog run/kennel by previous owners) there was a dog water dish that she puts rocks into.  When it rains, it fills up with water, and then she puts her little duck inside.  We could see it from our dining room window when we looked outside and she would notice the duck was turned on its side and she would be concerned.  I love all of the details she notices.

Photo Shoot 3.13.14

While my friend Joy was visiting, we did a little photo shoot with Jeralyn.  I wanted some photos of her hugging my belly.

Family photo

This one cracks me up.  She totally did that with her eyes on purpose.  When Joy took the picture she said, "Oh, I think she was cross-eyed!"  And sure enough, she was!  Silly girl!  I can tell from these photos that my belly was looking lower as well.

Baking Cookies 3.15.14

This was a hard day for me emotionally.  I guess it meant that baby was coming soon.  The reality that Jeralyn was no longer going to be my "baby" was hitting my heart, and I just wanted to be with her this day.  She asked if we could bake some cookies together, and I happily obliged.  I love her so.

Singing 3.14.14

Jeralyn loves to sing!  Usually it's songs about Shelly, and sometimes we can't understand her, but it's so cute!

Our New Normal March/April 2014

(Photo credit to Natasha Smith)

My girl!

First family walk as a family of four.

Sister Love

"Wakey, Wakey Joshua!"

It doesn't get any better than this!

Jeralyn Promise March, 2014

(Photo credit to Natasha Smith)

Love these photos of Jeralyn!

Big ole laugh!

Beach/Hike 3.22.14

(Photo credit to Natasha Smith)

Home 3.20.14

(Photo credit to Natasha Smith)

I stayed 2 nights at the hospital to catch up on some rest.  Jeralyn was SO happy to have us back at home!

I wonder what she was thinking at this point.  Like if it suddenly became reality that this little guy was actually going to LIVE at our house.  She didn't seem to mind.

The rest of these pictures were taken on different days.  Quent and Natasha spent some time with Jeralyn in the great outdoors with taking walks and exploring the beach.  She loved it!

Photo shoot:

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Hello Baby! 3.18.14

(Photo credit to Natasha Smith)

Well, there won't be any belly bump photo for Week 40 because baby decided to come on his due date!  Joshua Robert Smith was born on March 18, 2014 at 8:03 am, weighing in at 8 lb 3 oz and was 21 inches long.

Here we are a few hours after he was born.  Jeralyn kept on saying, "Joshua!"  I think it was love at first sight!

Aunt Natasha with her new nephew.

The second day they came for another visit and Jeralyn brought me some books for me to read to her.  Her memory of the hospital was eating an apple each time she came.  I thought that was funny because my memory of meeting my brother for the first time (I was 3 years old) was eating Goldfish crackers (I don't even remember seeing my brother--ha!).

39 Weeks 3.11.14