he is here!

well, we didn't have to wait long! :) our precious Alexei arrived on friday, june 8th at 1:11pm. we were blessed with an intense but really good 12 hour labor. Nick and Christina, our friend and doula, provided amazing support and encouragement to me during the labor and by God's grace we were able to give birth totally naturally without meds. Alexei is a healthy little guy now, praise God, but at birth we had a little scare with the dr. saying that they couldn't hear any lung sounds on his right side. they took him to the NICU for an hour and half to monitor him and it turned out to be some fluid that cleared out on it's own. we realized even more so because of this experience just how blessed we were to be able to have him back in our arms just an hour and a half later (when this picture was taken) in the labor and delivery room while so many other precious little ones were still being monitored. since that time everything has checked out to be very healthy. he was 7 lbs 14.7 oz and 19.5" long. we think he is the cutest baby to ever be born, but we are not biased at all. ;)

first time in the car seat! it's been 48 hrs and we are on our way home! he looks so little in there, but don't let that fool you, he is not as fragile as he looks. :) he has such a strong grip it's unbelievable. he has been eating like crazy and is such a good natured little baby. Nick and I have spent countless hours holding him and just staring at all of his cute little parts. what a miracle a little child is! we are so blessed to have him.

here we are getting ready to go to our home. we had a great hospital stay at North Austin Medical Center and had fantastic staff the whole time helping us out and overwhelming us with information. it's like they give you a crash course in "this is how not to kill an infant" and send you on your way. :)

we had read some books but it's totally a different ball game when you are set free with a little human and become solely responsible for their care. it's really exciting though and we are enjoying every minute of it, though sleep deprived and a little foggy around the edges. it's amazing what a human body can still do without much sleep. :) it's hard to believe it's already been a week since he was born! going through the day today i kept reliving the moment when we saw him for the first time and they laid him on my abdomen. there is nothing else like that moment in the world. God is so amazing how He designed the whole birth process.

one of the many cuddle time sessions. :) we never get tired of staring at him - who could, he is so stinkin' cute! :) he loves to be swaddled when he is sleeping (Nick has become an expert swaddler) but during his alert times he loves stretching his little body as far as it will go and look around with those beautiful big eyes of his. right now they are a beautiful dark blue, but i don't know if they will stay that way. when do baby's eyes change colors anyways? i've been wondering. let me know if you are aware of that little tidbit. i would be most interested to find out. :)

it has been so much fun to become aware of his little mannerisms. nick makes this same face when he stretches out when he is sleepy. :) look at those little biceps! he has the cutest little deltoid muscles too. :)

ok - as i am rereading this it is totally sappy - sorry - i am a first time mom, what can i say. it makes me feel better that you are only reading this because you want to and i am not making you, and i promise i won't quiz you on the contents. if i were you would probably just skip the written part and just enjoy the pics;) in fact - i think i will call it a night on the typing and just let you look :)

they are self explanatory - cutest baby ever in the hands of his parents who are completely in love with him and happen to have a camera nearby at all times. :) i especially love the after bath pictures - he gets so alert and just looks around and makes the cutest faces. ok. i promise i'll stop now. hopefully i'll be good about keeping you guys updated with current photos. thanks for reading this far!