My dad was so proud of Isabella. He came 2 weeks after she was born with Cheryl, Levi, and Julissa. I was so happy to see everyone. I meant a lot to me that they came. I wish that we could be closer so that they could see her growing.

Just a few days after Isabella arrived Chad's mom and sister came for a small visit. It was so wonderful to have them here. They couldn't have come at a better time. I really needed some mothers around to help out with questions and just being supportive. They prepared wonderful meals every night and much more food that we could prepare ourselves after they left. I loved to see them with Isabella and she loved them too. Thank you for taking the time to come down and see your little grandaughter and niece.

It was absolutely amazing when Isabella was born. I was speechless for awhile and just sat there looking at her little body as the color began to flow into her fingers and toes. It was incredible to have another life in the room with us. We came home about 4 hours after she was born and have been enjoying spending time with her. My Mom and Sister came down to visit from Alberta to meet Isabella. It was so nice to have them around, they are very helpful and made a lot of food for us. We cannot thank them enough. We are thankful for our new daughter and pray for her everyday.

Isabella's Birthday

At 7:00 am on 08/04/08 I felt the first signs of labor my water broke. A few minutes later the small pains of contractions started. I still wasn't for sure if I was really in labor because I was two weeks early. By the time I took a shower and dressed the contractions had increased in frequency and intensity. We still had a 45 minute drive through Miami morning traffic and my contractions were getting closer. We finally arrive at the Maternity Center at around 10:00 am and the contractions were 5 minutes apart. I was checked and I was dilated 7 cm. I was shocked everything happened so fast. I hopped in the tub which was calming for a few minutes and then the pain really started. I kept thinking to myself I will not be able to take this much longer the pain is too overwhelming. What seemed like hours was only minutes till I was fully dialated and was ready to push. Riding out each contraction I asked the midwife how long from now does it take to push the baby out. She said it can take 15 minutes or 2 hours depends on how much and how hard I push. I made up my mind that no matter how much it hurt I would push till she came out. I pushed through the burning with all my strength and the most amazing and life changing experience happened Isabella was born. It took 4 hours 45 min. She was placed on my stomach, and Chad and I just looked at her with amazement and awe. What a miracle life is. There was a peacefulness in that room and I know that God was there looking down on us. This is true love!

My niece Brooke was a big help at the shower and at home. She stayed with us for about a month. She kept me entertained the entire time she was here it really made the last month go by quicker. She can't wait to have another girl in the family and Isabella (this is the name we have picked) will adore her too. Tomorrow is Brooke's birthday I don't think Isabella is coming by then. She hopefully will be here in a few weeks.

Ahh the baby shower.......It was beautiful. My friends Vana, Maria and Denise put it all together. The shower was at our Church in Miami. The colors were yellow and green. There was lots of food and we played a few games. One game was everyone had to guess the size of my belly with ribbon. Chad almost won but another guy Brandon actually was exactly right. We all had a lot of fun. Our baby girl recieved lots of great gifts. Thank you to everyone that came and help to make us feel so special. We love all of you.

5 weeks left and it feels like it will never come. I have decided to try and walk everyday so that it may help the baby come quicker. The summer days are very hot and it is hard to stay outside for very long without getting exhausted. I have been spending lots of time at the pool. I have found this to be very relaxing and gives my body a rest from all the weight I have to carry around. Chad and I are almost finished with our birthing classes and we feel just a little more prepared about getting our little girl into this world. I still feel very unprepared though for the actual everyday things that I need to do to take care of this small baby. I am hoping that my maternal instinct will kick in and I will know what to do. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband that will be my support and a wonderful father. So I should have no worries.

The Nursery

Memorial day weekend Chad and I spend working on the nursery. I finally found the bedding set that I wanted. I decided on not decorating the nursery in pink. It was too predicable for me to do that. Green is a safe color in case the doctors are wrong about the gender. We also painted the room green and lavender (you can't see the lavender it in this picture). In less then 3 months there will be a little baby sleeping in that crib. I am getting very anxious.

Gender

May 9th we went to get a 3D ultrasound to find out the gender of little one. The tech was 100% positive that we are having a baby girl. I have been waiting to find out for so long. I am very happy to have a girl. I can't wait to see her face to face.

We just moved to Miami, Florida. After about a few weeks I just had this feeling that I might be pregnant. I was right I took the home pregnancy test and it was postive. I didn't really start to have symptoms that I noticed till after I had gone to the doctor to verify the pregnancy. Overall I think that I feel pretty good. I was exhausted and took naps a lot the first 3 months. I had some cravings pickles, pancakes w/peanut butter and orange juice. Pregnancy has been quite an adventure. I really enjoy looking at my belly every morning and seeing if it has grown. The little kicks and flutters have started and they comfort me because I know that little one is there. I wouldn't go so far to say that I love to be pregnant but it is an experience this is very special and I wouldn't want to miss out on.

Due Date

Three more months. This is all that is left of life as I now know it. 8/18/08 is the expected date of our little one. We do not know right now the gender but on May 6 we are going to have a 4D ultrasound done. I will hopefully be able to download the video and once and for all know if I should decorate blue or pink.