First Full Day of Life

     Whew, what a day!  I was able to get "detached" from everything (catheter, IV, leg wings (don't ask), etc) so I'm a free woman and feeling pretty good.  I'm obviously sore but my 16 staples are doing their job and keeping my innards from falling out. 
     Titus had a "loud" day, deciding it was more fun to make noise and be awake than to be quiet and sleep the day away.  He was circumcised this morning, so that probably started him off on the wrong path, but even with that, he wasn't that bad. ;)  He ate a LOT more and more often, so that was an adjustment, but overall, what a sweet baby boy we have!  Mark and I both wondered how we could possibly love another child as much as we love Marcus, but just like every other parent with two or more children told us, you will, and we do.  We are definitely in love with our little Titus Jeffrey already. 
     Marcus spent the morning with his Grandma B while Granddad and Granny came to visit Titus and I.  Mark went ahead to work to deliver his bread as usual.  Around lunch time, the grandparents switched, but in between, Titus and I had some much needed skin-to-skin Mommy/Baby time.  Grandma B held him a good long time this afternoon, while Granddad and Granny played the afternoon away with Marcus.  On the way to get Granny's hair cut at the salon, Marcus fell asleep, so he took his "nap" in the car today.
      Finally, this evening, Mark and Marcus came over to eat our celebratory supper together and we actually had time to sit down and chat for the first time all day.  It's definitely different the second go round when Mark can't just stay here with the baby and I, 24/7.  It's ok, though.  We're making it work, and just like we said a few days ago, we look forward to the challenges that another child will bring to the family, not to mention all the extra joy that comes with him. 
     Here are a few pictures from our day, Friday, June 14th, 2013.

His hat says, "Hello World," and his sleeper says, "I've Arrived!"

Grandma B and Titus.

Wide-eyed and serious

Mean face

Celebratory Meal - I had chicken & rice pilaf, Mark had steak and vegetable medley.

Marcus thought he was living the high life in my fancy bed.

Daddy and his boys.

The three I love most in this world.

Every little squeak Titus made, Marcus was attentive to.

IT'S A BOY!!!

     Just in case you haven't already heard, today we had a baby BOY!  Titus Jeffrey Schuurman entered this world at 12:51pm weighing in at 8 pounds and 11 ounces.  He is 21 1/2 inches long and has a great set of lungs.  He screamed his head off when he first came out and has been pretty quiet for the rest of the day.  Here are a few pictures taken from his first day outside the womb.

Literal TRUTH

     Only one more day until we get to meet the newest member of our family.  I'm thankful Mark had the day off so we could spend some time together as a family of three, one last time.  We are EAGER and EXCITED to meet the fourth member, yet it's bittersweet too, because things will definitely be different around here.
     Nonetheless, we've taken lots of maternity pictures this pregnancy and had one more to share.  It's Psalm 139:13 written on my stomach.  Or as I like to call it, "Literal TRUTH."  God is LITERALLY weaving together a child in my womb and it's one of the most incredible experiences ever.  Whether this baby is born tomorrow or, like my sister, her babies were born at 26 weeks of gestation, God KNIT us all together in our mother's wombs.  Not only does He know us physically, like where our birthmarks are or what color hair we'll have, but He KNOWS us, inside and out, personally, emotionally, and intimately.  God's Word always comforts me, but specifically this verse is made real, yet again, today, as we approach the last days of this pregnancy. 
     Thank you for continuing to pray for a safe delivery and healthy child tomorrow.  We will give God the glory whatever happens.  Also, continue to pray for our precious nephews, Tyson and Hunter, as they grow and get stronger.  God KNOWS those boys as well and definitely has a plan for their lives, just like He has for Marcus and his little brother or sister. :)

This is the week!!!

     Well, much to my dismay, this sweet baby has not come out yet, but it's probably a good thing.  Marcus and I were able to clean a lot this weekend and get plenty of nesting done.  Mark, on the other hand, needed to rest and try to get better.  He's STILL not over having his wisdom teeth pulled.  He's had a fever on and off for weeks now, even after getting a higher powered antibiotic last Wednesday.  He did have one small abscess that needed to be re-cut open & drained, but other than that, the oral surgeon  said everything just looks swollen, but "normal."  I'm having a hard time believing that.  Either way, Mark has another follow-up appointment with him tomorrow, so we'll see if anything has changed.  He's taking his medication religiously, every six hours, gargling with warm salt water, etc.  He's doing what he should this time around, but still feels pretty awful.  And on top of everything else, his right wrist is the biggest it's been in months.  That's a "good" thing since he can go into the specialist's office *hopefully* this week to get fluid drained from it.  He had a physical there a few weeks back, but the doctor was baffled & wanted it to get worse so he could drain & test the fluid build-up.  It's difficult to see him in such pain & discomfort, but also hard to care for him, Marcus, and myself being this pregnant.  We are praying and HOPING that this week, he gets better so we can have a healthy baby and he can enjoy the first few days together with me. :)
     In other news, I was 3cm dilated at last week's doctor's appointment and have one more pre-opp visit tomorrow.  Our beloved Dr. Cobb will be doing the c-section again, scheduled for Thursday at noon.  Tomorrow's appointment is more about paperwork, but if we do have an examination, I'll try to post any changes if I'm more dilated, baby has dropped, etc.  I was 80% effaced (thinned) on Thursday as well, so my water could break any time.  As much as I WANT it to, Mark thinks it won't and the baby will probably not come earlier.  TIME WILL TELL, but until then, we'll try to be patient and enjoy just being a family of three for a few more days.
     Finally, please keep praying for our precious nephews, Tyson and Hunter.  Marcus was talking about them the other day in the car and said, "Daddy told me that when Tyson and Hunter get strong, they can leave the hospital and go home with their mommy and daddy."  I explained that was Uncle TJ and Aunt Liv.  Then he proceeded to tell me, "When our baby gets out of the hospital, he's going to go to Uncle TJ and Aunt Liv's house, too."  (he calls the baby he, even though none of us know the gender...honest)  Nonetheless, it should be an interesting transition when he realizes he has to share mommy, daddy, & his domain. :)
     Next post should be of the baby!  Thank you for your continued love and prayers.

Beautiful weather = plenty of outside time, even if it's just puzzles on the porch

Can't keep pants on this kid - playing in water on the porch

Every kid's best friend - a HUGE box

He had kicked off his covers & was like this one morning last week.

My poor husband has been freezing to death with his fever while I have been sweating my face off.  Hopefully we'll both even out next week. :)

"Texting Daddy," he says.

He LOVES to paint & do "projects."

Reading books, naked as a jay bird.

The past 3 mornings, he's woken up & snuggled with Mark & I in our beds between 6-7am.  LOVE IT!

Helping Mommy clean under the table where I can't reach.

You can't tell it by the picture, but it was raining pretty hard this afternoon.  He enjoyed playing in the rain and puddles for a few minutes before thunder began.

Our little daredevil, jumping off the table.

"I need a picture, too!"

39 Weeks!
-3cm dilated as of last Thursday.
-Baby dropped dramatically Friday night.
-C-section scheduled for Thursday at noon.
-Next week's photo will have a baby in it!!!

Only Child...Not for Long

     Unless this baby comes earlier, we are scheduled for a c-section on Thursday, June 13th at noon.  On the day I took this picture, Marcus was having a particularly "defiant" day.  He knows his time as an only child is fleeting, but hopefully we will have a smooth transition into a family of four.  I'm sure there will be difficult days, but overall, I do hope that Marcus can grow to love his little brother or sister.  Like it or not, this baby is coming soon!

Canadian Visitors

     This weekend, Mark's brother Greg and their cousin Craig (aka: Gunner) came for an overnight visit.  Gunner was looking at purchasing a vehicle in Eastern NC so Greg came along for the ride.  That way, they both could come by, visit, and stay with us, even if it was for just a short time. 
     They arrived around 5:30 and we all ate supper together.  After the food had settled, we took them by the salon to check it out, then drove through UNCA and downtown Asheville.  Again, it was a super short visit, but we loved having them here.  Marcus absolutely adored his time with Uncle Greg and Gunner and they all played well with each other. :)  I just enjoyed hearing them all laugh like they only do when together. 

Skyping with Aunt Lisa, Emma, Sam, & Alyssa.

Gunner, Marcus, Uncle Greg, and Mark - A good lookin' group!

38 Weeks!
-This week's doctor's visit said I lost 6 pounds (yeah, right!)
-Still 2cm dilated
-Baby is continuing to move a LOT!
-Even though I'm still eager to meet this little blessing, I've chilled out quite a bit over the last week.

A Week of Fun in Pictures

He's been so dirty in the evenings and going to bed so late that morning baths have been prevalent this week.

He still loves playing the "drums"

...so much so that he broke my two wooden spoons (literally)

Summer Blast-Off party at church Wednesday night was a BIG hit for Marcus.

He was only big enough to do the slide & bounce house, but that was enough!

He did it all by himself and went SO FAST!

He even left with his first tastes of cotton candy & a snow cone.

I cannot stand how cute his little smug self is. 

Makes my heart smile. :)

Riding "bikes" with our neighbors is another favorite pastime of Marcus'.

Marcus (2 1/2), JoJo (8 1/2), and Tori (turning 7 tomorrow).

JoJo and Tori were skipping and dancing in circles and Marcus copied them to the best of his ability.  He thought it was so cool to do what they were doing.