2 weeks old

Sophia turned two weeks old today. I can not believe how fast time is moving!! She is a little more awake each day and it is fun to watch her as she begins discovering the world around her! She is very expressive!! One of things Josh and I are anxiously awaiting is the day that Sophi's umbilical cord falls off as it is beginning to gross both of us out just a bit!!

2 Weeks Old

Sophi and mommy are beginning to learn our routine and starting to get out of the house a bit more during the day! Dad begins school and teaching next week and we are hoping to get a glimpse of what the fall will look like for us as a new family!






Josh and I are continuing to enjoy the experience of being parents. It is challenging at times but also so much fun. It still amazes us how much love we can have for this precious little girl. She has stolen our hearts. We thank God for the gift he has given us in Sophia.

Pictures of our little girl

Just thought I would share a few pictures from the last few days. Enjoy!!

Shiloh loves Sophi

So Sweet

Dreaming

Tummy Time

Lolly and Pops

Three Generations

Sophi loves Shiloh

One week old

Sophia Caris turned one week old on Friday. It is so amazing how fast time goes by. I truly understand now why people say savor every moment!

One Week Old

We went back to the doctor this past Thursday to check Sophi's weight progress. She weighed 6.11 ounces when we went in on Monday and by Thursday had gained a little over 7 ounces putting her at 7.2 ounces! We were given the go ahead to let her sleep longer at night which has been very nice!! She has been a good sleeper up to this point and we feel very blessed.

Since we have been home Sophi has had many firsts. She went on her first walk, had her first bath, wore her first bow, took her first bottle, took a first visit to see good friends, went to her first restaurant for a meal and allowed mom and dad to go on a first date since she was born.

First Bath

First Bow (and such a sweet smile!!)

Visiting Nate and Kristi and the rest of the gang

First Date for Mom and Dad

Kyle and Lahela - First visitors to the house

We are having so much fun getting to know our precious little girl! She is such a joy. Here is a video of one of our favorite times of the day, Sophi's awake time when she smiles her sweet smile!

Lolly and Pops will be leaving Tuesday and Josh and I will officially be on our own as parents for a few weeks before more visitors arrive. We are excited to begin establishing our new routine as a family but nervous about all that will involve. We know we will make mistakes but are grateful to know that God will give us the tools and abilities we need to be the best parents we can be for our baby girl.

More updates to come so stay tuned!

Visitors and coming home

Josh, Sophi and I spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning in the hospital. Along with my parents we had several visitors while there. Megan and Drew were our first visitors and we so enjoyed sharing our Sophi with them! Will and Pam came Sunday afternoon. They were so sweet to bring us goodies to enjoy during our stay there and were both naturals with Sophi!

Will and Pam

Megan and Drew

While at the hospital Sophi had lots of tests and check ups which she passed with flying colors. However, she did start to lose a good bit of weight and the doctors thought she might have a case of jaundice. She had to have blood drawn twice (fortunately I did not have to watch this take place!). We were sent home with an appointment to see the pediatrician the next day to check her weight and jaundice progress.

We were released to go home early Sunday afternoon. It was such an exciting moment to bring our baby girl home. Once home Sophi met her big brother, Shiloh for the first time. However, since being home we have learned that Sophi defiantly remembers Shiloh's voice and does not startle at all when he begins to bark (which is a blessing!).

Headed home!

Shiloh and Sophi meet!

We are having such fun at home learning about our baby girl and growing as a family. Thanks so much to my mom and dad for making this transition such an easy one for us and giving us the opportunity to spend this precious time with our daughter!

More updates to come soon!!

Our happy family!

Sophia is here

It has been a long few days since I last wrote because our little girl decided it was time to make her entrance into this world.

My parents came into town on September 9 and we had fun celebrating my birthday, but anxiously anticipating when Sophi might arrive. Thursday morning I thought my water might have broken so Josh and I headed to the hospital. They unfortunately could not completely determine if that was the case so they kept us there most of the afternoon to monitor my progress. My contractions were pretty steady but not increasing in length or intensity so around 4pm they sent me home. After a long afternoon we decided to head out to dinner, during which I was continually counting those contractions. After dinner I still wanted to walk around after having to lay in a bed most to the day so we headed to Target. After picking up a few supplies we still needed I headed up to the baby section, just to take a look around. While standing in the bottle aisle I all of sudden felt a gush running down my legs only to look down and see a large puddle of water laying on the floor below me. I turned to my mom and made a face and then pointed to the floor. Of course we all new my water had FOR SURE broke and we quickly headed to the car, my mom having to go tell a Target employee they needed to do a clean up on aisle 9!

Josh and I got to the hospital around 10:30pm that Thursday night, were admitted into a labor and delivery room around 11:15pm. My contractions at this point were really strong, I had dilated to 4 centimeters and decided it was now time for an epidural! I received the epidural around 12:30pm and Josh and I settled in for the night. The lights were turned off and we slept until about 5:00am when I began feeling my contractions just a little more. They checked to see how far along I progressed and I was now at 9 and 1/2 centimeters dilated! I had slept through most of my labor which was soooo nice! They had me rest one more hour and checked me again at which time I was 10 centimeters and ready to push! The doctor was called and I began pushing at 7:15.

At 8:19am on Friday morning, September 11 Sophia Caris Strahan was born. She was absolutely beautiful from the very first moment she arrived. She weighed 7 pounds 5 ounces and was 21 and 1/2 inches long. I can not begin to describe the incredible feeling it is to have my precious little girl in my arms.

God has truly blessed beyond what Josh and I could ever have imagined. We are so grateful for the opportunity God has given us to raise this little beauty. Please continue to keep Josh, Sophi, Shiloh and I in your prayers as we make this transition. Thank you all for your love and support during this time.

Here a few pictures of our special day. More pictures and details to come so stay tuned!!

Last moments as a two...on our way to the hospital to become a three

Getting ready to push...don't I look excited?!

Sophia Caris Strahan
September 11, 2009 at 8:19am
7.5 pounds 21 and 1/2 inches

First family photo

Lolly and Pops with the new family

Proud Daddy

Sweet Sophi (sorry this is sideways)

Maternity Pictures

Josh and I were lucky enough to get to work with Whitney Warnes (one of my employers at Fuller) and her husband Nick taking some maternity pictures. Whitney is a photographer and did such an amazing job. She has only be able to post some of the photos so far but if you want to take a look go to www.whitneywarnesphotography.com and click on portraits. The password is Sophi. Hope you enjoy.

Still not much change on the labor front. I am having a few more contractions each day so I think Sophi and I are making progress...just slow progress. Mom and Dad come tomorrow and hopefully will keep us entertained until Sophi arrives. Stay posted for breaking news as it happens!!

Going on 39 weeks

Tuesday I will be 39 weeks! As of now I am still feeling pretty good. We had a doctors appointment today and discovered that I am 80% effaced and 1 centimeter dilated. The doctor even touched Sophi's head while checking things (a little weird really!). Things seem to be moving along and he felt I could go any day or it could still be about 2 weeks. I had only gained one pound since last week and he thinks that pound went directly to Sophi, now weighing about 7 and 1/2 pounds.

Here are some pictures of me taken yesterday after my last day of work!! I will not return to work until after the new year. I am excited to have a break for a bit and so thankful I get so much time to spend with my little girl when she arrives!

Thank you for all the prayers each of you have been saying our our behalf. Please continue to pray that everything goes smoothly and that Sophi's transition into this world is an easy, healthy, happy one!

Keep checking in for updates as Sophi's birthday draws near!