He's Here!!!

Two weeks and two days early, Lucas Burton Gierhart arrived in this world weighing in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces and 20 inches long. We have been in heaven ever since. We absolutely adore this little guy and are so happy.

He surprised us Thursday, February 25th early in the morning. With a big kick that felt like it may have shaken the bed, my water broke at 3:15 am. This was especially surprising given I had not had a single contraction before this time, during this time, or even after. Thinking that I would likely end up going about my usual day on Thursday (obviously I know little about how this stuff works) I called my doctors office because the piece of paper they had given us a week earlier indicated that a broken bag of water constitutes a telephone call. I called and to the shock of Chad and myself we quickly realized that we were most likely going to deliver our baby that day!!!!! OMG! This felt a little early. We didn't have the baby's clothes washed yet! We hadn't decided on a name yet!

So after breakfast and a shower (instructed by the doctor) and a few e-mails to our employers, Chad and I headed to the hospital. From there things went relatively fast for basically being in labor all day. They induced me at about 8 am. I had an epidural at 12 noon. We waited for several hours, sent messages to family and friends, then things started happening in the later afternoon. The baby moved all the way down and we waited for the 10 cm green light. That finally came and then it was time to push. This lasted about 1 hour and was my least favorite part. I was soooo happy when it was over and would not have liked pushing for a single additional minute! Then I was sooo happy he was early and smaller than he would have been otherwise!

It was the best experience I have ever had and we are so thrilled that he is here. My primary doctor delivered Lucas and he and all the nurses were so wonderful. Chad's dad hopped on a plane that night and met his grandson on his birthday!

All was good and has been since!

Here are some pictures!

Here's me sending you all an update!

Chad and me in the labor and delivery room (you can tell by the smile on my face that the contractions had not started yet)!

One of the first pictures of Lucas.

Our first family photo.

Lucas and his Grandpa Charlie.

Family photo in our post-partum room.

A proud new father.

Getting ready to head home.

Baby Pic

Here is a picture of our little guy from our last ultrasound. We were able to get some 3D images. It looks like he has chubby cheeks, a big nose, and big lips. We just love the picture and Chad and I both have it as our wallpaper on our phones.

It's fun to see him everyday.

I'm definitely feeling him move around a lot, which feels so weird - not at all what I thought it would feel like. I guess I really didn't have any idea what it would feel like, but definitely not like this.

It takes me by surprise every time!

Yikes!!

So the week before Christmas I was asked to teach an 8 week graduate psychology course at the university I work at. Scary, I know...especially given I have ZERO teaching experience. I was really hesitant to commit to this since the class is scheduled to end 11 days prior to my due date. Yikes!!!! Chad wasn't too sure about this either. However, I decided it was an opportunity that I couldn't let pass me by. Plus, my maternity leave is unpaid so the money is definitely needed. The good news is that I've now survived two classes (2.5 hours long each!). I only have three students - I started with four (I am not going to take personally the fourth student's decision to drop the course after the first class - my wavering self-confidence wouldn't be able to handle it!). I am finding that I really like teaching, even though the subject matter is dreadfully boring (Psychological Testing). The students are so great; active and engaged in the class and not too hard on me, which I appreciate. So, now I'm just hoping that this little guy doesn't come too early. I realize he is going to come whenever he's ready so I've made arrangements just in case.

Only six more classes to go!!!

Baby Shower

While in Pocatello for the holidays, I had a baby shower on January 2nd, the day before we headed back to Chicago. All my dad's sisters came and many of my hometown friends were there. Trish and her family came all the way from Salt Lake City. She even brought her 3 month old baby girl, Sayge. It was so great to see so many friends and family members. Some of whom I have not seen in over a year (Brittney and Chris Ann!). It was so fun to catch up, eat goodies and celebrate this little baby to come. I got so many adorable clothes for the baby. I also received three handmade blankets from family members. My sister did a wonderful job preparing all the food and serving as hostess. Trish brought goodies all the way from Utah.

It was so fun!

My cousin, Rachel, her son, Cooper, and me. This picture was taken by my little niece - that's why we look like giants.

Jody, Karen and Penny.

Brittney, baby Sage, Trish, and me.

Maddy and me.

Steph, the shower hostess. I know this picture is blurry, but it is such a great one!

Christmas 2009

We had a long, fun, eventful Christmas this year. After a flight cancellation due to adverse weather conditions on the afternoon of December 23rd, we waved goodbye to Chicago on Christmas Eve morning and said hello to southeast Idaho Christmas Eve afternoon. Once we arrived in Pocatello, we spent the day wrapping the presents we brought on the airplane and preparing yummy food for our Christmas Eve dinner. Christmas morning we opened presents with my parents then headed up the road to Buhl to see my extended family. Fun, fun, fun. We saw my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and most of my cousins on my dad's side. We then saw my mom's oldest sister and two of my favorite cousins and their children. We even got to spent the night with my aunt, just like old times when I was little. The next day we headed to Challis to see the Strand's and stayed there for six days. More fun. Lot's of visiting, card playing, movies, Wii, and walks. We even got to see both Lane and Kelli Ann in their taekwondo class. Just in time for New Year's Eve, we all headed back down to Pocatello to conclude our trip. We had a small New Year's Eve party and watched the ball drop. The kids were so excited to stay up until midnight. It was great to see so many family members this year. Thanks everyone for the great time.

Christmas morning.

Opening presents.

My cousins and me on Christmas night.

Opening presents with the Strand's the day after Christmas.

Lane and Kelli Ann kicking the bag.

Lane and Kelli Ann sparing with each other.

Good friends, good times!

So we had some visitors all the way from Pocatello, ID last weekend who were not my parents. First time ever. They didn't actually come to see us, but came on business and Chad I took full advantage of the situation. The night following their arrival we met them on the 96th floor of the John Hancock building for drinks (Sprite for me) and an amazing view. The next night we had the best pizza in Chicago and went to a Bulls game. After some seriously risky ticket scalping - which involved avoiding police and undercover cop surveillance, Chad and Dennis secured four tickets. Little did they know Misti and I were unexpectedly given two tickets (row 1 seat 1 & 2!) by some nice guys who had extra tickets as we waited for our hubbies at the main entrance. Finally we entered the arena with our six tickets in hand and sadly discovered that game was already half over! Oops! We thought the game started at 8pm not 7pm! O'well, it was lots of fun anyway and a close game that went into overtime.

I hate you Dunkin Donuts!!!

Yesterday I had the worst day ever!!!! I left the house at 8am to drive out to the suburbs to visit a training site for the university I work for. At the request of my supervisor, I stopped to get donuts and orange juice to take to the site as a friendly token of thanks for the training they provide to our students. I found a street with open parking...yeah! I went to feed the meter and saw that it would not accept payment until 9am...yeah! I head into the Merchandise Mart where there is a Dunkin' Donuts, no line....yeah! I place my order, pay, grab my donuts and juice out of the cooler and head back out to my car. To my unpleasant surprise, my car is GONE! What! I was only inside for about 10 minutes. Immediately I realize the car was either towed or stolen and I started bawling. I go straight to the meter and read 'No parking until 9am'! What! How could I have misread that? After a trip to the impound and fees totaling $344, I was off to my appointment for which I was 30 minutes late (with donuts in hand). Very bad morning!!! Thanks for your help and support, Chad. Thanks for your sympathies Mom and Trish - they helped tremendously!