Baby Pictures

We took some baby pictures on Saturday out at the ranch and here at our house. Check them out and let me know what you think. Rayleigh was a little crabby, so we didn't get as many good ones as I would have liked, but oh well. That's the joy of having a little baby! They do their own thing. Here is the link.

http://www.blackrockphoto.com/ On the bottom, click "Sessions" then select "Another Piece of the Puzzle". There are also a few from a maternity session we did.

Rayleigh Jean!

After a really long birthday, Rayleigh made her debut at 9:07 p.m., weighing 8 lbs and 19 3/4 inches long. I was EXHAUSTED by the time she got here, and I am so grateful I had Kit & my Mom there to help me and cheer me on. I don't know if I could have made it through 2 straight hours of pushing (half of that with no pain meds) without them. They were awesome, and I am so happy that we got to share that experience. She is very healthy, and there is no doubt her lungs are working fine! :)

We came home Friday around noon. The first two nights have been challenging, both for Rayleigh and for Mom & Dad. Rayleigh is getting used to being in her new surroundings, and I am trying to not freak out every 5 minutes while she sleeps at night, wondering if she is ok. I know...typical new mom. The days are great, and she is a pretty good baby. Nights, although challenging, are fun too, because she is very alert and she makes lots of funny noises and faces.

Kit & I are both really loving being parents. I never knew I could love anything so much and do so instantly. Her first cry melted my heart and changed me in a way that is indescribable. Kit has been an amazing father so far. I always knew he would be a great dad, but he has surpassed my expectations by far. He is always right there to help change a diaper, get up with her at night, or grab mom a glass of water....whatever we need. He has been extremely supportive of both of us, even as Rayleigh & I are still trying to get this breastfeeding thing figured out. He even hit a home run for Rayleigh the night we went in to have her! He can't wait to teach her all about baseball and really looks forward to reading to her. He's already buying books and stuff. He talks to her a lot and you can see how much he loves her when he holds her and looks into her cute little face.

Mom (Granny) & Makemma (Aunt Kemma) were here for the rest of the week/weekend. Doug (Doodles) brought Makemma up on Thursday night and then had to leave Friday morning. My Dad (PawPaw) and Piper (GiGi) came up on Friday and spent the weekend with us as well. We've taken lots of pictures and had a few "Wardrobe Changes" for when people have come over to visit. Here is a link to my Picasa albums so you can see the most recent pictures and order any if you want to. Thanks to everyone who has called, e-mailed, texted, and/or come by over the last week. All three of us really appreciate your love, support and prayers. Take care, and I promise... more to come soon!

Just a little longer now...

We went to the doctor again today, and I was finally dilated to a 1! Hopefully things will start to pick up the pace a little bit now... I tell ya, I am SO ready for her to get here... Not only because my feet swole up literally almost three times their size today, but also because I can't wait to see our little girl! For sure by this time next week, I will be a Mommy and Kit a Daddy!

It truly has been an amazing experience having all of our family and friends show us so much love and support over the last few months. We are so blessed to have such an amazing network of people that love us, and I can't wait to introduce Rayleigh to that!!

I am excited to see how our other "kids" (Cinch the dog and Stuart the cat) react to having the baby around... I will be sure to take lots of pictures to show post and show everyone.

I am really excited to celebrate my first mother's day. I'm not sure if you technically qualify if you haven't had the baby yet, but we are going with it anyway. I already feel like a momma!!

Well, that's all for tonight. I will keep you all posted as Rayleigh's birthday gets closer!

Much love,

Bri

My Growing Belly

Here are some pictures of my growing belly over the last several months. We can't wait for Rayleigh Jean to get here.

36 weeks
32 weeks

26 weeks

Getting Started...

So, I'm taking a page out of my cousin Jill's book (Thanks, Willy!) and starting a blog for Kit & I so that all of our friends and family can keep up with us and vice versa. I'll try and update several times a month and add pictures and just plain ol' happenings to keep everyone up to date. Hope you guys enjoy!!
Love,
Bri