hunter's big day

last picture as a family of 3

(or 4 if you count bunny)

looks like this one is after the epidural

trying to get some color in my sweet man

3 generations of Bain men

my boys

Abby meeting her little brother

first family of 4 picture

my precious miracle

my other precious miracle

Hunter -

Well, you are here! After (what felt like) a long time of getting sick, surviving the Texas 100+ degree heat, doctor appts., ultrasounds, PRAYERS, holidays and then the everlasting month of January....you are HERE and we could not be more thrilled!

After months of waiting and planning, you were scheduled to arrive on Friday, Jan. 28th. Even though I had my bags packed a few weeks before thinking that you would come early, you just weren't quite ready. The big morning arrived and your dad and I were off to the hospital at 7:00 am. We got checked in and were all set to go! We met your sweet nurse, Amanda, and Dr. Campbell came in to see me and check on you. The morning went by fast and everything was going great. The doctor came back about 1:10 to check on you and said you were ready to meet your family. You were born about 20 minutes after that at 1:30 pm.

You cried more than your sister did when she was born but it sounded great to us! The nurse took you and said you were perfect, which we already knew! She wanted me to hold you tight on my chest to try and get some color in that white precious body of yours. You were quite the pale one! You started getting some color in those cheeks and your daddy and I started noticing how much you looked just like your sister did when she was born. Just amazing. Perfect.

We got settled in a new room and you met your family. Your big sister was ready to come see you after months of waiting and talking about you. She was shy at first when she walked in the room (of course ALL eyes and a video camera were on her) but she warmed up quick asking "what is baby Hunter doing?" over and over! I think it was pretty much love and first sight.

You and Mommy are heading home this morning. I have tried to think about how much our life is about to change and how much fun it is going to be. I have tried to think about our new family and what it is going to look like. Well, for a while, it will look like a mess I am sure! It is going to take a while to get used to having TWO children in our house. However, I am honestly looking forward to every minute of it. I can't wait to see you grow up with your sister. I can't wait to see you with your dad. I can't wait to love on you all.day.long!!!

I will get into my prayers for you another day. I have many, but I am confident in the fact that you have right in front of you great examples of what a man of God should look like and I do not take that for granted. Praise the Lord for these men!! You have big shoes to follow.

I love you, son. Your dad and I are beyond thrilled that you are here and can't wait to see what's in store for you!!!

Happy Birthday my sweet boy!

Hunter Allen Bain

Friday, Jan. 28, 2011

7 pounds, 10 oz and 20 in. long

He is here and he is perfect!!

my sweet girl

Abby - Let me just start by saying I love you. I love you more than you could ever imagine. I love that you sit and rub my stomach and talk to "baby Hunter". I love that even though you have no clue what is about to happen to our family, you are so excited about helping me with him because he won't be able to do things that you can. I love that this morning as you were telling Hunter "good morning!" he kicked and your face lit up. I really love that you told me that when Hunter came home from the hospital that "we would all be a family".

A family. Yes, we will my sweet girl. Honestly, for a long time, your dad and I thought that YOU alone might just make our family complete. But, then we decided that you needed a brother or sister more than we thought you did! Hunter will (more than likely) complete our family. He will look up to you and love you just like your dad and I do.

Please know that things will be hard for a while. Things will be different, but your dad and I will always be here for you even though Hunter needs a lot of our attention as well. YOU are our #1 girl and always will be. I praise Jesus for you every day. MY girl!!!

Friday will be a big, big day!! I can't wait to see your face as you meet Hunter in person. Give him lots of kisses, but not all of mine, ok?? I love you. I love you!!

another sweet celebration

Last night, two friends from my neighborhood play group gave me a precious shower to celebrate Hunter's arrival! It was a casserole shower and each person brought a frozen casserole so my freezer would be stocked and ready with some yummy meals once he is here. Hunter also got some new things as well....diapers, bibs, burp cloths and a few new clothes.

It was a fun night of eating and laughing with these moms that I have known since Abby was about 6 months old. It is so neat to watch our kids grow up together and live so close to each other. Just another reason why we couldn't move out of this neighborhood. Thank you so much Melissa and Stacy for a great night. It was just perfect and I am honored to call you all friends!

36 weeks and big sister class

Actually 37 and 1/2 weeks here, but close enough

Abby had her Big Sister class this morning at the hospital where I will deliver Hunter. She woke up excited about it and it really is a neat idea for older siblings.

We first made a trip to the donut shop across from the hospital. Then we headed to the class. Abby made a frame with her picture in it to put in Hunter's "crib" at the hospital. The kids practiced swaddling and how to hold the baby. We also went on a tour of the hospital so Abby could see where I would be and where her brother would be. Talking Abby through things is helpful to her, so Bo and I thought it was great for her to also be able to see where we would be for a few days. Crazy to think Hunter will be here soon!

snow day

Last Sunday, the "Arctic Blast of 2011" did hit Dallas! It was so much fun. I LOVE snow....in small doses. I wouldn't want to live in it all winter long, but for a day or two it's a blast. We all bundled up three or four different times during the day and went out to play for a bit. Then we would get really cold and come in for a hot bath. Love making these memories with Abs!

celebrating baby hunter

Katie, me and our mom

great friends celebrating with me

sisters

fun gifts

and

awesome cupcakes

This past weekend was a blast. My mom and her good friend, Kelley, came in town for a few days to help me finish decorating my house. Kelley has an amazing gift and I love going around town shopping with her. She tells me what I need to buy and I do it! So fun. After a busy two days of that, it was time to celebrate Hunter.

My neighbor and sweet friend, Jen, wanted to throw me a baby shower. I decided that a girl's dinner was all I needed and so she took charge and sent invitations, got her crafty self on by making me an amazing diaper cake and made a Sprinkles trip for my favorite cupcakes. She also had a few other surprises up her sleeve. She knew my mom was going to be in town, but she talked with my sister and sister in law and they were planning a big surprise. About two hours before dinner, the doorbell rang and my SISTER was standing there. I was in TOTAL shock. It was such a fun treat having her here and meant a lot to me. My sister in law made plans to come, but couldn't come because of the weather they were predicting for Dallas and east Texas. We missed her! Jen, it was an amazing dinner and I so appreciate everything you did for me. You went way above and beyond. Loved it and loved celebrating my little guy!! Thank YOU!