This is our life...

Only a few short weeks ago, I was wondering when our little boy would come into the world. I was anxious about the delivery and if I would be able to be a good mom to this little person. Eric continued to be a listening ear and encouraging voice, reminding me that the Lord was in control.

Boy, I couldn't have imagined the depth of how the Lord would show that he was sovereign over our lives. After a visit to see our new niece on Feb. 8th, we joked about how it would be funny if we ended up back at the hospital to deliver while Carrie and George were there. At 6a.m. Feb. 9th, we headed into triage at Northwestern's Prentice Women's Hospital. And the doctor assured us that we would be meeting our little boy that day!

At 2:28p.m. (only 22 hours after our niece, Esther, was born), Timothy David Hufford made his way into the world. I won't share all the labor details (you can call me if you really want to know), but let's just say that 30 minutes of pushing is not bad! Dr. Kelsey said that I had a second delivery labor. :)

We've been home now for two weeks today. Eric has been back at work for about a week and a half. Some days seem longer than others, and I find so much joy when Eric comes home! We've been blessed by meals from church friends and family, and Eric has been on a baking kick - homemade bread and pizza and burritos. And we enjoyed an at home date last night with Sweet Mandy B's cupcakes. :)

We are amazed at how beautiful God has made this whole process and how he formed Timothy to be especially who he is.

Here are a couple highlights:

*2/9: Lips quivered when I held Timothy for the first time

*2/12: Smiles after he has a full belly

*2/16: 1st time to read "Go, Dog! Go!"

*2/18: 1st walk with Timothy to Stella (coffee shop)

*2/20: Timothy almost "fired" poo at Eric while was changing him

*2/24: At his two week appt, he weighed 8lbs 15oz!!

*He only likes to be swaddled when he is too tired to notice. :)

*He likes to pee out of his diaper. We are constantly changing his clothes. I'm not sure how the washing is going to go once we start using cloth diapers. Yikes!

*More pictures to come!

Timothy David Hufford

Timothy David Hufford

Birthday: Feb. 9th, 2010

Born at 2:28p.m.

Weight: 7lbs. 12oz.

Length: 20.5 inches

We are loving this new phase in life as Timothy's parents. Until I can post more, here are some links to pictures of us:

*http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2033336&id=163801297

*http://buckfamily.smugmug.com/Births/Birth-of-Baby-Timothy-David/11229067_UywhV#787474773_daNLw

Our Second Christmas!

How wonderful to have another Christmas with Eric. This year brought many joys, some traditions, and some first time extravaganzas.

*Eric's Deep Dish Pizza. He makes this treat for us occasionally, and he continues to get better and better at making these. Maybe he should open his own Chicago Pizza Restaurant. :)

*Christmas morning: Eric opening his stocking. Santa brought him vanilla syrup for his coffee. He must have been a good boy this year!

*Christmas morning: Kristine's new kitchen towels!

This was a special year for Eric and I. We spent the morning at our home, sleeping in, eating cinnamon strudel bread, and drinking coffee. What unique time, just the two of us. We were realizing that next year will be quite different with a 10 month old. We will remember this year!

*Our table at Christmas

*Our Christmas Tree: We discovered last year that our tree was pre-lit. :) We were able to use the color lights we originally bought for the tree around our windows.

*This is my second year to join Carrie (my sister-in-law) and Aunt Susan for decorating gingerbread cookies.

1. Make the dough at home.

2. Roll out and cut out cookies of choice. (I chose a moose and two different reindeer.)

3. Bake the cut outs.

4. Decorate the cookies!

(I made a few other random cookies: presents, ornaments, and small people.)

*Santa's reindeer!

*Carrie and I at the annual Hufford/Lori and Dale dinner/Christmas Tree decorating. Our little babies are continuing to grow. Only a few more weeks to go!

It's been a while...

I was looking at the last blog posting, thinking, "Wow, my belly looks small." :) And I thought it was big back at 28 weeks. Little did I know what was in store. :) Here's the latest belly pictures:

A picture with my face, as requested. :)

*beginning of wk. 36

*Middle of wk. 30 (below)

Pregnancy Wk. 28

I can't believe that I have ventured into the final, third trimester. This is the 28th of 40 weeks.

Pros/Cons thus far:

Pros -

*Watching Eric's expression as he feels our little boy move around.

*We were able to feel either a heel or elbow just last night! Quite incredible!

*Baby showers! (Handmade cards that were made for me from church friends.)

Cons-

*It's hard to imagine there being any more room in my belly for him to grow.

*It's been hard to comfortably sleep at night.

Week 28

*Made by Mrs. Kowalski

*Made by Annaleigh

*Made by Mrs. Parnell

What I've Forgotten to Post :)

These are all the little things that I have forgotten to post about. Pictures help fill-in the missing pieces. :)

A recent sausage pie.

Grandpa Buck, Eric, and Daddy on our recent trip to Franklin, TN.

Hannah, Kristine, Mom, and Grandma Buck, also, while we were in Franklin, TN.

A surprise dessert Eric made for us one evening. :) You don't have to be camping in order to have great smores!

Beautiful flowers received from my family on my 24th birthday.

Eric treated me to a sunset cruise with fireworks and invited great friends, Talissyn and Tyson, to come along! What a perfect birthday gift!

I loved the candles he picked specifically out for my homemade birthday cake. Can you see the excitement beaming from my face?

One of my dearest friends, Mary, got married!! What a beautiful bride!

Mary and I at her bridal brunch. :)

2nd Annual Camping Trip

Oct. 10-12th in Devil's Lake:

Eric and I were excited to take our second camping trip together over Columbus Day weekend. Talissyn and Tyson were supposed to join us, but due to sickness, they weren't able to join us. After the weather, I'm sure they were glad to be back in their own beds.

This year was quite different than last year. We were in shorts and short sleeved t-shirts. This year, we were completely bundled up in Winter gear. :) Welcome to the unpredictable mid-west. Instead of Michigan, we headed up Wisconsin.

Not the best picture to start out with, but it does show how cold it was. Our oil for cooking turned from a liquid to a solid. :) (I look tired as this was the second morning of our trip.)

Eric doing a great job cooking bacon to go with the pancakes I would make. Look at the roaring fire! All Eric's doing!!

Our little tent. We'll have to get a babysitter next year if we want to go camping. Our little buddy won't fit in here. :)

This was during our short hike around Devil's Lake. There were tons of rocks in this area from a "rock avalanche" many, many years ago.

As you can see, it was quite cold during our time there. Highs: 40* Lows: 25*

Panoramic of Devil's Lake

If I might say so myself, I think this is a studly picture of Eric!

Before we headed to the campsite, we stopped at a Pumpkin Patch. What an experience! They not only had pumpkins but a whole animal farm - INCLUDING GIRAFFES!! My favorite!!

Eric enjoyed feeding all the goats. He even made sure the littlest one got some food. :)