It just keeps getting better!

After 4 days of our new life with Lillanna, our hearts melt every time we see her. Of course she sleeps most of the time (except overnight), but the lack of sleep is a small price to pay for such a beautiful gift. Tom has been taking more pictures than we will ever have enough albums for, but that's ok with us.

This morning we had Stanley Steamer come out and clean all of our carpets. While they were here, we thought it would be a good time to take Lillianna for her first "stroll" around the block. Getting out and walking on such a beautiful and sunny day was quite refreshing after spending 4 days in the hospital and a couple of days at home inside. Lillie slept through the entire stroll, but it was nice to get out and expose her to some fresh air.

Joy's family will be with us for a couple of weeks longer. They have been a huge help around the house and it's fun to have them around during our little paradigm shift.

Tom had class tonight (Professional Wedding Photography), but was back home by 9pm following a quick trip to Walgreens to pick up some prints. We typically print our own photos and enlargements, but when we just need some standard 4x6 prints, it's so much easier and quicker to upload them and then run down and pick them up an hour later. When Tom has more time (ha ha ha..yeah right!). He will crank up the Epson 2200 and print some larger versions of our favorite Lilly pix for framing (will we ever be able to afford picture frames again?)....diapers?...frames?...diapers?...frames.?... Such decisions.

Here are some new photos. Some from the hospital as we prepare for the trip home, and a few from home as we transition into this new life the good lord has provided for us. Enjoy!

Our last day at the hospital. It won't belong 'till we're oughta here!

Lillianna just wanted to fit in with the staff.

Here cute coming home outfit. Though she slept through the whole thing.

Uncle Ryan bought her the cute little pink bear.

Car seat?...Check! (Yep...still asleep)

Still sleepin'

Heading out...Our first family walk around the block.

An unfortunate sign of the times.

'Nuff said.

God's precious Miracle.

Pope Lillianna (actually she should be called poop Lillianna)

Welcome Lillianna Mae Archibald

Lillianna Mae Archibald was born Sunday evening at 6:25 p.m. Our little Lillie Bug weighs 4 lbs. 12 oz. and is 18.5 inches long. She is a very curious little one and loves looking around.

Only a few minutes old.

1st Full Day...

It BABY Time!!!

It appears that we have arrived at BABY time! Last week it was determined that Baby Archibald was about 1 pound smaller than he/she should've been for being 35 weeks old. We were told not to worry, but that we would have to squeeze in an additional visit each week for a special ultrasound to determine Baby Archibald's growth status. Our first of these special tests was Friday afternoon.(October 26th.)

Following the 45 minute test, our OB entered the room and said, "Congratulations...you're going to have a baby..." We both thought to ourselves, "Yeah..we knew that." Then after a long pause, Joy said, "Do you mean today?", to which the Doctoer replied, "Yep...are your bags packed?" We told her that they were, but they were at home (about an hour away). We were told to head home, get our things together, get our butts back to the hospital and get checked in.

Now, the baby is not in serious distress, but due to an issue with the placenta, the baby has not been getting proper nutrition lately. Not a major issue, as long as they induce labor now and get little baby Archibald OUT of there so that they can better assist in providing the proper nutrition. As they put it... "We can help the baby better outside than in".

So here we are on Saturday afternoon in the Labor and Delivery Room at Fairview Riverside Medical Center just a few miles from where we both work everyday. The baby is fine, we are just waiting for the "jump start" drugs to work their magic and start the labor process. That could happen at any time. We DO know that we will not be returning home without baby Archibald safely nestled in the little car seat that awaits him outside.....or her?

Joy's family is "awaiting further development" back at our house. Tom's family anxiously awaits news as well, while they bite their nails in Oregon. Grandma and Grandpa Archibald are still planning their trip out for the original Thanksgiving time due date and are happy that they will get a full 3 weeks with their 9th grandchild.

Below are a few peliminary photos of our experience so far.....starting with a "belly shot" of Joy taken just before we left for the hospital Friday evening.

More news and photos to follow soon (Yes, we brought the laptop to the hospital - get over it!)

A last minute photo before leaving home (last time as a twosome)

After checking in We got some stats....

Joy thought she should make a few calls.

Ugh! Breakfast...do I have to?

Just a little pain...

Finally...some rest (at about 8 am yesterday)

The view from our window on the day of Baby Archibald's birth.

More to come soon...

Tom's first studio shoot

The fact that "Baby Time" is getting so close still takes us by suprise at least a few times each day. In just over a month, our lives will certainly be changed forever. We think we have all of the necessities in place. We met with a pediatrition this morning and he seems like a nice guy so we have decided to give him a try. We also have an appointment with the Sheriff's Department to install the car seat. And finally, on a recent shopping trip we completed our list of what we think are the most essencial baby items to have on hand.

The above portrait of Joy is just one sample from the dozens that Tom took for his first portraiture assignment. Tom couldn't wait to post them online despite Joy's humble resistance.
View a slide-show of Joy's portrait session by clicking here.

Today is Tom's birthday (45), so he took the day off. Tonight is our final "Baby Class". After six weeks of "Heeh-Heeh-Heeh" ing, we are excited to move on with our lives. Though we have a much better understanding of what to expect here in a few weeks. The tour of the maternity ward at Fairview Riverside Hospital was also very exciting and informative.

In other news... The Web Shack is thriving while Tom struggles to keep up with the web design work and still keep his 4.0 average at school. Perhaps the baby will keep us home and allow us to get more work done.......well......probably not. I must have just been day dreaming.

Fall is in the air with temperatures falling into the 50's. Today is very windy and a bit chilly. A good day to stay inside and try to get some work done.