...and then, there were three!

(Eric)
On December 16th, at 10:46pm, we welcomed Cade Jeffrey Matthews into our family! He came out healthy and handsome at 6 lb 7 oz and 19 3/4 inches long. It was not without a little excitement either. Melissa started having contractions early in the morning on the 16th and by 3pm we were in the hospital monitoring mom and baby. It turned out that Cade didn't like the contractions as much as mommy didn't like them either. His heart rate would drop with each contraction. After trying a number of things to make mom and baby more comfortable we were faced with a possible c-section, which turned into reality around 9:30pm. A little over an hour later our baby boy entered the world. Melissa and I both cried as we heard his first little cry. Such an amazing moment to hear your child before you even lay eyes on him.

While Melissa was finishing up in the operating room, I went into the nursery with Cade to watch him get bathed and checked. Everything was normal, and so within about 15 minutes the 3 of us were reunited back in the original labor/delivery room we were given.

Dr. Mandleman took care of mom and baby :)

Our first outing since coming home was to Cade's first pediatrician appointment. He got a shot for Hepatitis B, which needless to say hurt Melissa and I more than Cade. He took it like a champ though, and we headed off. So far, so good! Our thanks are certainly first and foremost to the Great Creator who allowed us to enjoy the birth of our firstborn son. We are ever mindful that the Lord is first and foremost to be praised and worshipped, and He is certainly magnified during a time like this. I'd also like to take a minute to thank everyone who prayed for us during the pregnancy these past 9 months. God has answered faithfully with much kindness to us, and He acted upon the prompting of your prayer for us and for Cade. With much sincerity, thank you.

Can I blame it on the baby?

Can I blame it on the baby? My reason for not posting in over a month...
So much has been happening that I can't seem to sit myself down to update the blog! Now I have no excuse because as of last Friday I am no longer a career woman, but a full time mom instead. No, Cade hasn't arrived yet, but I am in full preparation mode. Finishing up his room, washing clothes, Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, and Christmas tree shopping. I am excited to say that I am done with the shopping and wrapping! The baby's room is almost ready and I have been getting some much needed rest while battling a cold.
I would like to give an update on what has been happening (though if you read Jenny's blog you'll get a good idea!) I have had not 1, but 4 wonderful baby showers! We have been spoiled like crazy, but what I have enjoyed the most is seeing friends and family and sharing in wonderful memories before Cade arrives.

Mom's "Family" Shower

Jenny, Michelle and Stacy Shower

Office Ladies Shower (playing a fun, but competitive game!)

On my mom's birthday she went to Disneyland with my dad and Eric and I took some fun pictures with Jenny to capture my pregnancy. Jenny did a fabulous job and they will be a wonderful keepsake.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with the Cooper side of the family a week early. It was a big group with some of our favorite family friends in town to celebrate with us as well. Thanksgiving day we shared with Eric's family in a slightly untraditional fashion. We had chicken fried steak instead of turkey! It is a Matthews' family favorite. Both celebrations were filled with lots of love and laughter.

As it draws closer to Cade's arrival I am filled with so many emotions. I am excited for him to join our family, nervous for labor (yikes!) and in awe of how our life is about to change yet again with this tiny miracle. I have been comforted recently by reading a wonderful book by John MacArthur called The Extraordinary Mother. It has a collection of stories of mothers in the bible. Their courage, faith, strength and love for their children has been an encouragement to me. A particular scripture quoted in the book has been most inspiring "A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come, but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world." John 16:21. I can't wait for that moment of JOY!

37 Weeks

39 weeks!!

Trip to Underwood Farms... 2 years later

October 12 celebrates one of the best days of my life. It was 2 years ago on this day that the one the Lord created for me proposed in the most special of ways. He carved "will you marry me?" into a beautiful pumpkin and left it among the uncarved pumpkins, and right next to a white pumpkin, for me to find.

After leading me through a lane of pumpkins, we started to walk among them and I noticed one had been carved, but couldn't see what it said. Eric got down on his knee to turn it towards me and that is when I noticed it said "Will you marry me?" Out of shock I exclaimed " Did you do that??!" He said yes and asked me again to which I said "YES!!" We spent the rest of the day celebrating and rejoicing in the love the Lord had blessed us with.

Now here we are two years later expecting our baby boy, Cade in just a few months. I can't wait to watch Eric holding our child. It will be an exciting day for our family. This weekend we went back to Underwood Farms where Eric proposed and walked down memory lane, holding hand and talking about that wonderful day. I am just overwhelmed by the blessings I have received in marrying this wonderful man. He cherishes me, spoils me and I can't believe how much more I love him today than yesterday. The Lord continues to reveal to me in the smallest ways how He created Eric to be my perfect match.

We took some fun pictures to celebrate our engagement, and picked out the traditional pumpkin and white pumpkin to celebrate the occasion! Thank you Husby for each day you show how much you love me. I am a blessed woman and cherish you as my best friend and love of my life. Thank you for making me a mommy and for caring for our family. I am so grateful to be walking this journey with you.

30 weeks pregnant and thinking my belly is pretty much the same size as the pumpkin I am holding!