Settling In

It's so nice to be home! And we are quickly settling into a routine. I was a bit concerned about how Jonathan would handle having Rachel around. He has done much better than I expected... he just wants to pat her and give her hugs and kisses.

Aunt Sherry came to meet her niece. While she was here she snapped some photos of the munchkins... just had to share one with you.

Home Sweet Home

This was our quickest labor and delivery and also our quickest hospital stay. Lee Ann gave me the option of staying one more night or heading home today. (Who can rest when you have 4 and 5 am fire drills!) I'm ready to get this little crew all together under one roof. But before we head toward home...

Rachel Ann's Story

For about 10 to 14 days, I had been having contractions (and No! They were not Braxton Hicks.) After seeing our nurse midwife Monday morning plus the regular contractions, we knew things were right on time with our due date being Saturday the 25th. That evening, Eddie and I took Isaac to spend the night with a couple of friends. On the drive to their house, I teased him that tonight might be the night and our last time as just the four of us. Little did we know what the next couple of hours would hold. Sure enough, shortly after we returned home and had Jonathan to bed, the contractions started - but this time they were only 5 minutes apart and not stopping. We decided to head to bed and get some rest. But by the time I made it to my room they were already 3 minutes apart. Hum... time to pack. My sweetheart started packing those last minute items on my list. Quickly it became difficult for me to walk during a contraction. Hum... time to call Mom and Lee Ann. By the time Mom arrived at 11:45, I was ready to go! Eddie did a great job missing every bump between here and the hospital. A little less that two hours after we arrived at the hospital our precious little girl was in our arms.

“…the goodness of God endureth continually.” Ps. 52:1

She's Here!

Meet our newest little blessing...

Miss Rachel Ann Bohannon

Born this morning at 2:37 a.m.

7 lbs 2 oz

20 inches

I'm in Love

These guys have stolen my heart! I can't imagine any other way to spend my days than with these precious boys. I just love them so!

"Contented by Grace"

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:2

Photo by Eugene Wyatt

"In Psalm 23, green pastures and still waters are a sign of contentment. Few images convey the concept of peace like a flock of sheep under shady trees with their legs tucked under them, chewing the cud beside still waters. Sheep don't lie down to eat. They only lie down after they have eaten, and then they relax and enjoy again what they've previously eaten. Nor do they lie down if they're nervous or frightened. They only relax when they feel secure, content, and at peace.

The provisions of God's grace come with overflowing blessings, along with accompanying contentment and joy. God's grace enables us to enjoy His fields and His folds. When the Lord is our Shepherd, we have everything we need. We shall not want. We're blessed, supplied, led, protected, and content with our Great Shepherd.

Jesus said, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. John 10:10-11"

I have learned so much about God's grace this year. My mind is not able to comprehend. My heart just overflows to think of what God's grace means in my life. Because of it I am truly "blessed, supplied, led, protected, and content" because of my Great Shepherd. The name and the passage of scripture we have chosen for our little lady is so appropriate.

May Rachel Ann always have life abundantly

because she chooses to follow her Great Shepherd.

Rachel: God's ewe; one with purity or innocence of a lamb
Ann: Favored Grace and my precious grandmother's name
John 10:10-11 "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. "

Hey! Where's My Ticker?

I wanted to post a few photos for ya... when I realized my pregnancy ticker is gone! No fair! When I placed that thing on here it had over 200 days- and our little guy was certainly not as active as he is now.

Here I am in the single digits and it's gone. OH well...

I'm a bit melancholy knowing that pregnancy days are coming to an end. Thankfully, all our pregnancies have been good. I'm not one of those women who has to deal with other "issues" while expecting... no swollen ankles, hemorrhoids, do I need to go on?

So its a bit sad that this season is coming to an end. Just wanted to ponder a bit.
I suppose if Mary pondered, I can too!

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:17-20

Breakfast with Hoppy

Jonathan isn't a breakfast eater. This morning, I talked him into eating some "O's" with milk if Hoppy would eat some too.
He decided he liked this arrangement and especially getting to see the photos on my camera.

I just love this age!

38 Weeks?

Wow! As my "baby" sister said, "It's time to get this party started." Tuesday evening brought some good strong, regular contractions. At our weekly appointment on Wednesday we learned that sure enough dilation has started and we're already to 60% effacement. And boy am I rapidly loosing those brain cells. My one goal for today was to get all the laundry and ironing completed. When I got to the very bottom of a basket of laundry, I realized I just sorted folded and put away an entire load of dirty clothes! So where was the basket of clean ones? You guessed it- in the washer. The basket of tiny little pink things made the job a bit more fun though!

What A Ham

Isaac and I managed to snap some fun photos of Jon Jon... gotta be quick. He loves to wear Brother's goggles (who knows why!) and to "hide" under the aquarium. I still have yet to figure out how he gets in there.

Fall Fever

I may not have orange fever this year- but I certainly have fall fever. These cooler days have just been wonderful! I'm looking forward to heading into my favorite seasons: fall, winter, and spring!
All summer, I had been promising to make smores. Finally! A cool enough evening that I would not be miserable with a fire! Hope our new little lady enjoys being outside as much as the rest of our family does.

Orange Fever

It's Football Time in Tennessee! My guys headed off to see the Vols play their opening game this weekend [with cell phones charged and ready in case I needed them to return home]. I think I've finally been cured of "Orange Fever." I didn't mind at all to stay home this year.

When a young man "stole" my seat back in 2005, I was a bit jealous.

But Jonathan and I had a date of our own. We headed to Granny's house for a visit and then picked up dinner on our way home. I think we had as much fun as the big guys did.

What more could a girl want?

I was up this morning by 6:15 and on the road by 8:15. My day still wasn't over when I pulled into the driveway at 9:05 tonight. So, would someone please explain why it is 1:55 AM- yep, AM- and I can't sleep? Even my sleep tincture doesn't seem to be doing a bit of good.

I wish I had a photo journal of our day. Maybe some of the special moments will be locked into my memory. Isaac and I use to have the best time on our "dates" to see our nurse midwife when we were expecting Jonathan. They are a bit different now with the three of us- but still oh so special!

• Isaac chasing Jonathan around the exam room this morning while I was hooked up to the fetal monitor checking on "baby"- who by the way passed with flying colors. It use to take us a good 20-30 minutes {along with lots of cold, sugary Capri Suns} to get any movement from Jonathan. [Does this mean she's going to be more active than "Tidal Wave?"]
• Maneuvering the HUGE Target shopping cart into the family restroom. They didn't have the family restrooms when Isaac was a tot. I've always wanted to use one of those!
• Browsing the baby aisles- not for myself- but for a gift for a dear mom that is due about the same time we are. It was nice to see things from a different perspective for awhile.
• Watching Jonathan go "crazy" in Books-A-Million. Could a 17 month old really like books more than me?
• Stepping back for a moment to realize what a thoughtful 11 year old young man we have.
• Laughing at Jonathan's attempts to sit in the infant car seat while I tried to install it next to his own seat. [When we bought our 2001 Tahoe, I wanted a third row seat in hopes of carrying lots of little people around. I forget that everyone would need car seats!]
• Wondering what went through Jonathan's head when I ask if he would like to go see Nana and he heads to the bedroom to retrieve his blanket... on a 90 degree day may I add!
• Looking up to see him bringing me Nana's potty- again! Doesn't he realize it's obvious he just wants another M&M?
• Talking with Isaac all alone about his evening: music lessons, Scouts, time he had with Dad. I sure do enjoy our maturing relationship.

I'm blessed! What more could a girl want.... except sleep?