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.

A fresh perspective...

Many of you have been praying for me over the last 5 days or so. Thanks so much. For those of you who haven't heard already, Christmas night, I had a very interesting evening. The doctors think I had a TIA, a mini-stroke. Mom and Dad came over to help me get dinner on the table-everyone was on their way over and within 15 minutes I lost the peripheral vision in my right eye, the feeling in the right side of my face and tongue, the feeling in my right hand, and I started having a really tough time getting the right words to come out of my mouth.
Nate and I went to the ER and sat for at least 4 hours. We finally got into the ER around 9 or so, and then I was admitted to the hospital around 3:00 AM. Long night...but before I even went back to talk to a doctor all the symptoms had subsided and all the function returned-a headache showed up, but other than that I felt fine. Sorry about the run-on's-they are not a result of the stroke!! Ha!
CAT scan of my head and Ultrasounds of my heart and neck all came back fine. The most popular speculation is that it was caused as a result of the baby we lost back in October. They told me at that point that the baby would reabsorb into my bloodstream-weird-but apparently a blood clot went to my brain and they think that's why.
So here we are feeling SOOOO blessed, so grateful for health, life, everything.
Mia was an angel through it all-both parents kept her for a night-which, had it been in my control, I would have stressed over leaving her...not an issue.
Nate was able to stay with me the whole time-He is such a Rock. A dream to have as the head of my home. He wasn't detached, just focused on not panicking.
Neither of us had to take off of work...we were already off for the holiday.
Our families still enjoyed their dinner together (and cleaned up my house afterword-thank you!!)
I found out what was wrong with my throat for the last 8 weeks-a wonderful doctor (Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist) came to see me while I was in the hospital (which helped with insurance issues) and was able to find an ulcer on the back of my voice box that no one else could see (he used a scope down my nose-that was something!) and now its being addressed.
My sister brought me good food, my brother in law brought me flowers, and God just brought me a new perspective on how awesome He is. I just love Him so much.

In the Busyness

Christmas seems crazier than ever this year. I think I am learning my limits a little more clearly. It's not the first time this Christmas season that we have planned to go to a party or event and have just had to maintain our sanity by staying home instead. Not that we wouldn't love the fellowship, but our sanity and stability is tied much more to the status of one little person in our lives. She knows when too much is too much, and she knows when Mommy and Daddy should just slow down. And she lets us know!

She is getting big so fast...making us laugh all the time, finding more personality in that little body...we just adore God for the joy that He has brought us through her precious self.

Today Nate did the Christmas monologue at church and the choir (I'm in that) did a few songs. Its really awesome to be involved in a church we love. Family was there to support...so appreciated! A few days before Christmas and only a few more (thousand) things to get together. Trying to put it all in perspective...what's worth stressing about and what's worth saying, "I'll do the best I can and that's all I can do".

Christmas isn't worth celebrating if it's not focused on what it was truly for...just trying to keep my head focused in the busyness.

Big girl is gonna be a big sister!

Another baby is on the way! That's the news that's been so exciting lately. We definitely planned it, but obviously it must have been OK with the Big Guy too! Due May 12, a few days before our anniversary, a day after Shawn and Kristy's anniversary, and around some big event for just about everyone we tell! Gonna be a busy time of year, but we are so excited.

I had lost 12 pounds by week 7 of the pregnancy and was eating everything in sight, and was very very nauseous so I had a feeling something (like twins) was going on. Well, last week we had an ultrasound at 9.5 weeks and we were having twins. Sadly, one of the little ones didn't make it. So, we are having just one baby, but we are so grateful that this baby is OK. We had another ultrasound yesterday and were again encouraged that the baby's heartbeat, size, and movements are healthy. We were definitely sad when we found out we had lost one of the babies, but we are fully trusting that God knew what he was doing. All of the medical professionals who worked with us during this time were so encouraging, never calling the baby a "fetus" or acting like it wasn't a loss. That little one was conceived just to go be in His presence (and maybe Mom-mom finally gets to meet one of our kids).

Mia is completely clueless about the idea that the world won't revolve only around her precious head!! She has always loved to jump on my tummy and bounce when I'm holding her, so that surely isn't going to stop anytime soon, and I sure don't want her to. I figure she'll catch on when the baby is here. Nate and I have both already struggled with wondering if we could ever love another child as much as we love her, but what makes us love her so much is that she is our child, and so will the next one be.

The anatomy ultrasound is set for Christmas eve. We think it's pretty fun that we'll see all those incredible little baby parts and (hopefully) find out the gender of the baby around Christmas.

So Mia is definitely using her feet as her primary mode of transportation now. She's also talking all the time, busy, busy, busy, and busy!