Thursday, April 26, 2012

Josiah is One Week Old!


On Tuesday, April 24th, Josiah turned one week old!  A lot took place this week as we brought him home and settled into life with the 3 of us.  Mom took charge of Josiah's needs and Dad took over everything else! :)  We are learning to follow Josiah's schedule while also trying to shape his eating and sleeping habits for later.  We have received tons of smiles, coos, and cuddles in response.  Here are some pictures of his first week:
Granddad and Daddy and Josiah -- Three Generations of Williams
We loved having Granddad and Grandma come visit!





Josiah's first bath at home

One week old Josiah -- long and lean

Love those blue eyes and adorable facial expressions









We lost our umbilical cord stump!

We love our little man.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Introducing Josiah Raef Williams

He's here!  On April 17, 2012 at 5:19am, Josiah Raef Williams made his appearance and greeted us at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, TN.  He was met by an expectant mom and dad, Gigi, and Aunt Ashley, along with the hospital staff and Dr. Crowe, mom's OB.  
Here are some pictures of the first moments of Josiah's life:

Dr. Crowe delivering Josiah and handing him to Mommy.  Daddy shouts, "It's a boy!"
Mom's first moments with her son

Josiah being checked by the nurses


Daddy watching over his son as he's being checked

Weight: 7lbs 6 oz.
Length: 19.5 inches long

Happy and healthy baby, clean and swaddled

Daddy and Josiah

Gigi and Daddy loving Josiah

Josiah meeting Gigi and Daddy

Mommy and Josiah

The New Williams Family -- Mom, Dad, and Josiah

Mommy and Gigi
Mommy in love with her son

Josiah Raef Williams, our blessing from above!



Monday, April 9, 2012

40 weeks......and STILL pregnant!

So yes... the long awaited due date of April 6 has come...and gone...and our baby remains snugly tucked away in Mom's belly!  I have had lots of symptoms of an imminent arrival, but it's not 100% time yet, I suppose.  An ultrasound tomorrow will make sure everything is going okay.

Waiting for the baby last week while on my spring break was met with mixed emotions.  I tackled my to-do list and finished it in 2 days.  I'm not one to become anxious or disappointed with alone time...but I was going crazy by Wednesday not having anything to do or my precious child to hold.  The arrival of our infant also brings with it family time from our loved ones who are 4-8 hours away.  I was so expectant of it all -- the baby, family visits, and Raef and I becoming a family of 3.  By Easter Sunday, I was hopeful we would have our risen Lord in the delivery room ... but that didn't happen.

I went back to work today -- just can't justify sitting at home while I could still be productive (and lesson plans for the next 6 weeks are done, so work has become quite easy!).  It was a professional development day so for teachers, it meant a lot of time working in our classrooms.  I spent the time with Jesus.  I knew I was disappointed and confused and uncomfortable at being 3 days overdue... but I wasn't seeing things from His perspective.  How good to sit with Him!  How good to really allow myself time to just be.  Quickly He showed me that this baby is pretty special -- already this child is choosing to make his/her grand arrival at just the appointed time.  And how I will need the lesson as a mother to allow my child just that -- time.  I think I understand this baby more...and although I am still waiting, I find joy in waiting now.  Thank you, little one, for teaching your mother...I know us learning together is just beginning!

Date night playing putt-putt
And the cool thing is that as the Lord helped me see the beauty in waiting, He also allowed Raef and I some sweet time together as a couple.  Dating my husband is something that's important for us to continue, and I am very thankful for lots of little dates that were squeezed into this week while it is still just the two of us.

Thanks, Lord, for being in control of the timing!