Our precious baby boy

Well, from the last time I wrote, much has happened (obvoiusly). Zeke showed up in this world on his due date...timely little fellow! I went into labor at 3 in the morning and went to the hospital right away because my contractions were only 4 minutes apart. When we got there I was told that my Dr. wanted to give me IV fluids to see if it would slow down the labor (ON MY DUE DATE!!)-well, he messed up my contractions, but I was still dilating, so they had to admit me. I asked them to call Rachel, my midwife and she came in ASAP. So, when she got there, she broke my water hoping that the contractions would start getting closer together and more consistent again, but that didn't happen, so pitosin was the only choice. I had made a promise to myself that if I could go naturally again, I would, but if there was a need for any pitosin, that I would get an epidural. So my uncertainty was answered and the epidural team came in. It was a woman (who I believe was a student) and the Dr. who looked like he had literally rolled out of bed and landed in the delivery room. Nate and Kristy were asked to leave because the procedure needed to be sterile, but I am sure that even Nate was more together than him!! So after the woman tried 4 times the Dr. decided to give it a shot and finally got it after 3 tries. I just about passed out and they had to lay me down and give me oxygen, but after it was over I am glad that I had it-because there was no break in the contractions with the pitosin and they just kept raising the dosage over and over! While I was pushing the OB Dr. called my midwife out of the delivery room to yell at her for not being at the office-she really wanted to deliver for me and I am so glad she did-it was the best experience. I pushed for only a half hour and he was born: Ezekiel Raymond Robinson, 8 lbs 5 oz and 21 inches long. Healthy and loud! Mia stayed with our families while Nate and I were in the hospital with Zeke.

While we were there we were informed by my OB Dr. that he didn't feel comfortable performing the circumcision so we had to take Zeke to CHOP to get it done, were all the Dr's who saw him felt that our OB was crazy for not just doing the circ in the hospital! We were itching to get out of the hospital and get home to Mia.

The transition was easier than we expected, Mia is completely in love with her little brother and she is the most nurturing big sister. She includes him in her play alreading and is constantly making sure he has his binkies and blankies (she calls both of those things "meemees"). We are just loving our little family. He's a super easy going baby as long as his belly doesn't hurt, he's not hungry, and he doesn't need a diaper change.

He had his week check up and he was 8 lbs 7 oz and 21 inches long. Sensitive skin, cysts under his nipples, sacral dimple, and yeast in his mouth-but nothing serious and all of it has cleared up now-except for the yeast-but that's on its way out-we hope. He is not breastfeeding-my kids don't latch on right-but I am pumping and will keep on pumping for a little while, at least.

His month appt was Monday (6-22) and he was 10lbs 6 oz and 22 inches long. He looks so much bigger to me. He's smiling and cooing at us and we are just having a blast with him. He is laying on my lap right now, sleeping while I type.

It is amazing that all the anxiety and fears that we had before he was actually here have not even been an issue.

Mia just loves him. He sleeps through everything.
She sleeps through his crying.We haven't had any jealousy (yet).
He sleeps at least 4 hours at a time at night, but has slept 7 hours at a time.
He doesn't breastfeed right, but I'm not a raving lunatic over it this time.

My husband is just so calm and helpful (most of the time!).

God is providing financially as he always does.

I healed in three days and have felt great ever since (one small back inkury that was better in a day thanks to a chiropracter friend).

I didn't have to wait as long with him-as uncomfortable as it was this time.

SO-praise God, He is so faithful! His blessings are so amazing~

39 weeks tomorrow

Zeke will be here any day (we hope!). I'm actually writing this to record Mia's 18 month Dr.'s Appt. I like to know that I have her height and weight recorded somewhere other than the little piece of paper that I scribble the numbers down on while I'm there. At her 18 month appt (she was actually 19 mo's) she weighed 23lb 4 oz (25%) and 32.75 (75th%) inches long.
I just started to read Ezekiel-I researched Miriam before we had our Miriam-and I am amazed at the power of God. Nate tells me that Ezekiel means "strength of God", but it has definitely opened my eyes more to who our God is and how much wrath Jesus took on in our place. Ezekiel was used by God to be the one to tell Israel the things they didn't want to hear with no guarantee that they would ever listen. Imagine being so filled with the Spirit that you can tell an entire nation complete truth straight from God knowing that no one will listen. We pray that God will use our children in their lives to fulfill His purposes and glorify Him. We know that might not be an easy path to accept as parents, but what more could we want for our kids than to have an awesome relationship with the God of the universe and to serve Him their whole life in response to a love for Jesus. If you would join us in praying for our kids that way, we would really appreciate it.

So Soon, So Excited

Can't believe how fast time has gone...as always, I am amazed by my inability to keep up blogging, but I guess someday I'll look back on it and be glad that at least I wrote an update here and there. Life is wonderful...

Nate is still loving his job at Stockton and is now starting to clam more-the water is warming up and the weather is starting to get beautiful (right now it is thunderstorming, but this too shall pass!).

My job is 5 workdays from being over for the summer-I'll be done the 30th. I made up all my May treatment sessions in advance in case I went into labor early. I really love my job and the women that I work with. The kids are sweet and I praise God for how he provided this job for me.

Mia is getting so big. She is 19 (almost 20) months old now and is talking up a storm. There;'s not much she isn't trying to say and she is really putting words together well to form full thoughts. So amazing to see her wheels turning. We didn't know she knew any of her colors until yesterday she told us what was green, blue, white, pink, red, black...this morning she told us yellow...The things that come out of her mouth shock us, or keep us rolling in laughter...on that note, she is starting to get a little sassy so we are trying to be consistent with her. Still can't get her to say "thank-you" so we've adopted "gracias" instead, which she attempts every time you ask her. Gives great snuggles in the morning, loves her Daddy so much, and is so excited about Baby Zeke coming. We got the infant carrier down for him and cleaned it up the other day-she looked in it, looked at us, and said "BABY?!?!" (as if to say, where is he???). She and I are in aggreement that he should be here very soon, but I am only 37 weeks pregnant and Mia hung out in the there for 42 weeks. Now, this pragnancy has been nothing like my first, but I am not getting my hopes up about going in early!! Since the last blog about Zeke, I've only been in the hospital once-false alarm (little guy in the wrong position!!!) and no other major issues since then. Had another ultrasound-definitely a boy.

We've been leading a Bible study for the 18-30 age group...been going well. Our goal is for them to feel like a family here and of course to learn truth from God's word...Nate has been teaching on Acts and he is doing such an awesome job. I told him a few weeks ago-the best thing he has ever done for our marriage is spending more time with the Lord. It is so easy for me to respect him as a man of God, a loving father, and a faithful and fun husband. Having one child hasn't put as much strain on our relationship as I anticipated, and I'll leave my anxiety about having two children in the Lord's hands-though every day I have to work to let go. Today Nate was watching Mia so I could rest for a bit after work...I woke up to her screaming because Daddy was taking away the toy she found while he accidentally drifted off to sleep while on baby duty. She was drenched in toilet bowl water and had decided to fill 2 brand new buckets meant for storing toys with water, too. I told Nate that doesn't really calm my anxiety about not being able to watch her all the time while I'm trying to feed the baby. He's definitely the more laid back of the 2 of us, but he does discipline and gives her lots of time.

So we're hanging in there until the little man shows up. I'm just going to say now that the next blog will be after Ezekiel is born-there will be pictures.

Thank you for all your prayers-baby is healthy, I'm feeling pretty good-aside from normal pregnancy discomfort, Mia is excited about meeting Zeke, and Nate is happy in his life and jobs. We are blessed to look at each other every now and again and just say, "I am so happy with my life". We know our lives are blessed, not because of all the conveniences and the comforts, but because Jesus saved us and we would have no hope, purpose, or joy without Him. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Enjoy the pictures-Trip to FL in January and Easter

The news...

So...Its a boy! Completely shocked, I think we both thought the baby was a sister for Mia (probably just because a little girl in our house is all we know), but she'll have a baby brother in May! We are very excited that He looked completely healthy and was on target for his growth-to the day. Praise God for His faithfulness...we feel so blessed!

Still feeling great-no more major issues or complications. We are still leaning toward calling him Zeke, short for Ezekiel. Middle name is still not decided upon-we have some ideas, though.