I know that this is way overdue... My only excuse is that I have been BUSY!  Most of you know already... however...

I would like to announce that Isaac Orion Laube is here!

He was born on Mother's day (How amazing is that? God is so faithful!) May 9th 2010 at 8:02am.  He weighed in at 6 pounds 6 ounces and is 18 and 1/2 inches long.

I wrote on Friday, the 7th, that I was 36 weeks and full term.  It never occurred to me that I would be sharing the very last pictures of me pregnant... that my one and only bare belly picture was the last simply because I would never have the opportunity to take more!

On Saturday Ryan and I set out to get the last few things ready around the house so that we wouldn't be in a huge rush right at the end of my pregnancy.  We had things split into two days...  We would do the yard and house work on Saturday and the last little baby things on Sunday after church.  If we had only known! 

Ryan headed outside to clear our alley and do the yard work and I set out to vacuum and dust and do some other small chores...  Five o'clock rolled around and I was just done!  (Done working but certainly not done with the work!)  I couldn't believe how tired and sore I was because I had done almost nothing!  I was having contractions every 20 or 30 minutes and told Ryan that I was just going to sit down and drink a ton of water because I probably had just not had enough.  So I sat...  I kept a lid on it until about 8pm when I finally told Ryan that they weren't really slowing down.  In fact I could time them about 7 or 8 minutes apart. 

Ryan started to get worried and I assured him that every woman has good practice contractions in the last few weeks of pregnancy.  We watched a little TV and went to bed at about 11pm.  I laid awake for hours.  The contractions were strong enough that I couldn't sleep through them but it was four weeks early so I just decided I was being a wimp.  I pulled out my What to Expect When You're Expecting book (which I had not picked up since my first trimester) and read about the stages of labor and started to wonder...  

Finally at about 2am I started to time the contractions.  While Ryan slept beside me I timed my contractions at 3 minutes apart and 45 seconds long for a full HOUR!  At 3am I woke Ryan up and let him know we needed to get ready and go. 

Poor Ryan.  You have to realize that I had been quiet about everything so he went from peaceful sleep to rushing around the house packing a daddy bag at 3am from a page in a book since we hadn't gotten that far and getting me ready to go to the hospital in a matter of moments!

I got up and took a quick shower and away we went... 

I was checked into the hospital at 5:10am...

And then they checked me.  Imagine my surprise when they told me I was already at 8cm and 95% effaced!!! 

Well, I wasn't too shocked... those puppies hurt!!!   

They rushed to start and IV and in the rush they totally blew my vein.  I'm pointing at the huge blood pocket that developed over less than five minutes...  It's more than two weeks later and it still hurts but at least the bruise is finally starting to fade.

 Ryan decided that there should be documentation of my contractions.  I guess this would be a good time to tell you that by the time I was checked into the hospital it was too late for any pain killers whatsoever.  They talked about the possibility of an IV push but it ended up being too late for that as well. 

 So I was just breathing through these puppies.  In the end, the only pain killer I had through the whole experience was Extra Strength Tylenol for muscle pain.  They tried to give me Vicodin but I was determined to breastfeed and couldn't figure out how that was supposed to work.  Vicodin knocks me out!

I had a nurse that almost got seriously decked!  She kept coming in the room and hiding in the corner...  As soon as a serious contraction would hit me she would come over and start asking me questions. 

I did my best to breath through the pain and answer every one.  About 5 minutes before they set me up to push she told me... 

"I just have to say that I seriously admire your control.  I've never seen anyone push aside the pain that way and keep talking!  You're my hero!" 

It was then that I realized she had been doing it on purpose to see how far she could push me!  As much as I seriously appreciate the compliment... HOW ANNOYING!  She even had me signing paperwork until I was in transition and my hands were shaking so bad that I couldn't hold the pen... then she says...

"No worries, Daddy can sign all of these for you."

What?!  Why was she having me sign them then!!!?  Oh well, at least I stayed a lady and got some kudos for it!

Here I am about 20 minutes out from pushing!   

When the time came it came fast!  After about 20 minutes of pushing Isaac Orion Laube made his appearance. 

Tiny and perfect... 

They were worried about him being so early so they put an oxygen mask on him for about five minutes to make sure his little lungs dried out.  But there was nothing to worry about! 

He weighed in at 6 pounds and 6 ounces.  They said that if he had gone full term he would have been well over 8 pounds!

He was 18 and 1/2 inches long and ready to stretch out!

 Such a sweet little guy...

 Here I am shortly after his birth looking a bit worse for wear... and a bit shell shocked!  (The orange paper mache flower was my Mother's Day gift from the hospital staff.)

 Holding my son (WOW) shortly after his birth. 

 Ryan in full 'Shock and Awe' mode.  Remember... he had exactly 5 hours to get used to the idea of being a daddy TODAY! 

 "I'M A BOY!"

 Ryan wanted to document the very first middle of the night feeding... 

 Here I am shortly after the clock shot, burping Isaac. 

 Daddy taking a turn... stay awake!

 Ten perfect little toes!

 Baby LoJack!  No really...  It's an alarm system that locks down the maternity ward if you take baby too close to the doors.  Pretty cool...

 Daddy's first night time diaper change.  Go Ryan!

 Mustache kisses!

They sent us all home the very next day since we were doing so well.  Here Isaac is all wrapped up in the baby Air Force blanket I've had in the making for years.  Talk about dreams realized... 

 Nothing like daddy's hands...  Or pirate mice!

 Kissing cheeks! 

 Ready to go home.  30 hours after labor!

 Too tiny for his car seat!

 Here we go!

He slept the whole way home all tucked in and warm...

 When we got home I took one look at the bruise on my arm and just knew that I had to document it!  YUCK!  It got much worse before it started to fade and as I said before, it still hurts more than two weeks later!

 So in love...

 He loves to lay with his hands tucked up under his chin... 

 And he has the longest little fingers...

 The caption for this picture should be "Oh, I think he's hungry!"  But what Ryan really said was... "Oh man do I feel sorry for your boobs!"

 Nothing calms Isaac down like daddy eating his feet!

 I love his little profile...  cute button nose...

 Daddy's mouth and chin...

 Then it was time for his very first bath! (Well, first bath at home!)

 Go daddy go! 

 Good job daddy!

Just about done... 

 Hmmm... what have we here?

 I'll take that camera mom!

 Getting dressed after bath time and wide awake. 

 So chill...

 Nothing like baby kisses!!! 

 So this is love...

I can't believe that after more than 9 years of infertility, loss, and heartache I have a baby in my arms.

Thank you so much for all the years of prayers and support!  You have all truly impacted our lives!

Stay tuned for more pictures...  Did you expect anything less? 

All my love,

Courtney

 

 

Ladies,

I owe an update... oh boy do I! 

Over the weekend (On Mother's Day to be exact!)  Isaac Orion Laube was born. 

He was born at 8:02am May 9th and weighed in at 6 pounds 6 ounces and was 18.5 inches long. 

He's beautiful and perfect and tiny!!!  He was exactly four weeks early.

We are home and doing great. 

I have a post with pictures and my birth story in the works but this little guy is eating into my time!  (Get it?  "Eating"  you know like breastfeeding?  Har har!   So here is a sneak peek picture of my little guy and if you know me on Facebook the pictures will probably be up there tonight or tomorrow. 

So without further ado...

Isaac Orion Laube

All my love,

Courtney

Good Afternoon!

I have so many things to catch up with but today is a very special day and so it gets to take over!

Today I am 36 weeks pregnant.  I am officially full term!  I never thought I would be sitting here after all these years just a few weeks from meeting my son face to face. 

I'm getting huge and it looks like this guy is starting to drop.  My back would believe you if you told me so! 

As a result of my hugeness and the dropping kiddo I have some exciting news. 

My poor road weary mother is coming back to Texas. 

Why? Ryan has a class that he HAS to take.  The Air Force is flying him out to Georgia to attend it.  The bad part?  It's the 17th through 28th of May!  He won't be back in Texas until 6 days before my due date!!!  Everyone here is panicking that I'll have Isaac while Ryan is gone so Mom is obliging and flying out to "babysit" (HAR HAR) me for the 11 days he'll be gone. 

We don't really have any plans... Maybe she can help me lay up some casseroles in the freezer for those few weeks after he's born...  there's a thought! 

~~~~~

So, I had my last regular appointment yesterday.  From now on, I see my doctor once a week until Isaac gets here.

I'm going along just fine with no complications and Isaac is right on schedule as well with a healthy heartbeat, good orientation, and constant movement!  I've discussed my birth-plan with my doctor, had my tour of the hospital and completed all but one of my classes for the base.  The only things left to do around here to get ready are to pack our hospital bag, put the car seat base in the car and write down a list of phone numbers to call when we get checked into the hospital...  We'll have it all done this weekend.

I'm even almost done with all the blankets I had on my list!  I've been a busy little bee...

So without further ado...  I'll show you my official 36 week picture and my one and only bare belly shot! 

Excuse the pasty paleness of my belly... is it obvious that I don't own a bikini?   

So, in the spirit of fun... I'm opening the pole for guesses...  I want to know your guess for the following...

(Keep in mind my due date is June 4th)

 

Date of birth:_______________

Birth weight:_______________

Birth Height:_______________

 

And with that I'll bid you farewell,

Courtney

 

 

Today is a very special day in the Laube household! 

Today is Ryan's 31st birthday! 

You all know how I feel about him right?  I've made it pretty clear. 

He's the kind of guy who'll do anything to make life just a little easier... 

He's the kind of guy who makes me laugh out loud a dozen times a day!

He makes me smile...  Oh let's just be honest...  He makes EVERYONE smile!

I mean, really, it's pretty hard to not feel happy when you're around this guy!

I'm insanely proud of him and all he has accomplished.

Let's just say I'm crazy about him! 

I mean come on people... this guy has super powers! 

So without further ado...

Happy Birthday Ryan!

You're my favorite!

NUBBS

Courtney

Good Morning!

Heavens to Murgatroyd do I ever owe an update!

I'm going to have to catch up in several posts... so in this first one I'll update on the things I've been promising with the most frequency.  Operation Nursery, He's still a boy, and my 34 week update!  Then over the next few weeks I'll catch up the rest of it!  I can't believe it's been almost two months since I was really here!  So much has happened in the past 7 weeks...

I'm going to begin with 'Operation Nursery'.

First I'm going to show you again the picture of the nursery before Mom and I got at the furniture...  We refinished the antique dresser to the left and the old 70's rocking chair to the right.

I say 'we' but to be perfectly honest, it was mostly my mom.  Refinishing requires far too many chemicals that I'm not supposed to be around.  I spent a great deal of the time locked into a different portion of the house just watching her work or running errands for her whenever she needed something.

Here she is stripping the dresser...

I braved the room once in a while to check out the progress.  I'm not one to sit back and have others work on my stuff so I couldn't stay away all of the time! 

No worries though, I wore a mask!

It's coming along... sanding and staining and sanding and varnishing...  It was a lot of work! 

 Once that was done (No worries I have pictures of it finished and in the nursery) we started work on the chair...  It was horrible!  She sanded it down with an electric sander and then I helped her sand it down by hand.  Once we had it sanded she applied stripper and... NOTHING! 

We went through three different kinds of stripper and several home remedy tricks and nothing broke through the old varnish.  She swears they must have stuck this sucker in a kiln after they lacquered it!!! 

So for a time we thought that this was it.  The way my favorite rocking chair in all the world would look forever!  For a few days we were sick with the thought!!!

And then I had an inspiration!!! 

"Let's paint it red!" 

So we did and it's AWESOME!!! 

Since we were going red I had her paint the Pirate wheel red too... 

Oh, have I not told you about the pirate wheel?

This will hang above his crib.  When he's born I'll write on it

Captain Isaac Orion Laube
Commissioned
(Insert his birth date)
USS Scuttlebutt

That last is a joke of Ryan's.  He always teases that when he retires he's going to take up piracy.  He wants to be the 'Dread Pirate Lauberts' and captain the USS Scuttlebutt (Scuttlebutt is an old sailing term used for gossip) and I'm to be his pirate wench.  Please imagine me hugely rolling my eyes at this!

So here is a picture of Mom working at the helm... snicker!

 So are you ready to see the finished product?  Dare ye enter?

 Here it be!  A genuine pirate nursery!  Remember that the green and red lanterns are the Starboard (green) and port (red) of his little ship!

We absolutely love it and I'm so glad I went with red! 

 

 Here is a blanket that I got at the shower and decided to make into a wall hanging...  right over his blanket rack, which incidentally is getting very full!  But... I'm not done yet...

 Didn't the dresser turn out beautifully!?  It turns out that once we got it stripped down it was birds eye maple!  They just don't make them like this anymore!

 I love my red chair!  I can't wait to rock him in it...

 My mother in law bought us our diaper changer to match our crib.  Ryan commissioned her to make us a sign to hang above it... Ready for it? 

It says "POOP DECK"  How funny is that? 

I don't have it hung yet because I need to go out and buy a hanger for it.

This is the pirate bedding.

 Here's a close up of the pirates for fun...

Even Gandalf loves the nursery and spends much of his time there these days basking in the sun.

 We are thrilled with the outcome of 'Operation Nursery'.  There are a thousand other behind the scenes things that you can't see... like the fact that the dresser is full of his little clothes all washed and ready to go, the shelves are arranged with his toys and the things he'll need shortly after birth, ect.  It was a well packed three weeks!

THANKS MOM!  There is no way I could have done it without you!

Another thing to come out of the past few weeks was a new ultrasound!  I went in for my 32 week appointment just a day after my return to Texas.  My mom came with me since she was here and when my doctor saw her he decided that she needed to see her grandson!  How cool of him was that!!!?

So I have a 32 week ultrasound that proves he is healthy and thriving and at 32 weeks measured in at 4 pounds 1 ounce and right on schedule. 

It also proved once and for all that he is most definitely a HE!

 One last thing that I most definitely owe you is an updated pregnancy photo.  How about several?  Ryan and I went out into the backyard since it was such a nice day and decided to do a little photo shoot. 

Let me remind you what I looked like last time at 27 weeks...

And here I am now!  YIKES!!! 

Okay okay in all seriousness... Here are the results of our little photo shoot...

 

 

 One more goofy picture just for fun.  I was joking around with Ryan and stuck my foot up.  I asked,

"Hey honey, do I look like I've got a little captain in me?"

He replied, quite straight faced,

"Why yes you do.  A little Captain Isaac Orion Laube!"

Well duh!  We are doing a pirate theme!

He got a laugh... of course!

And last but not least... this will be my official 34 week pregnancy picture.  I can't believe how fast it's going! 

 Well, that will do it for me today. 

I'll be back with more soon! 

All my love,

Courtney

 

 

Ladies,

I know I owe so much here...  I have so much to share... pictures and stories and and and! 

My trip to Phoenix was a whirlwind and my shower was great... Three weeks flew by and were packed by so much it still hurts my head to think about it.

I'm now home in Texas and my mom is here with me and we are working on stuff for the nursery... My Dad will join us tomorrow and then one week later they are out of here. 

I'm 33 weeks along and HUGE!  I know I seriously owe pictures...

We may have FINALLY found a church here in Del Rio.  We'll see how it pans out but boy have we missed having a church!

When I got home Ryan and I took Gandalf to the vet because he could suddenly barely walk.  I'll talk more about it later but long story short... he has severe degenerative bone disease.  It looks like we'll have to put him down in the next few weeks.  If you've known me for a while you know that Gandalf is my baby and we've had him for a wonderful 8 years...

Basically I'm physically and mentally consumed right now.  Once actual activity slows down a bit next week I'll be back.

I have done my very best to make sure I know what's going on with you ladies but I haven't had two minutes to rub together to comment.  Please know that I'm thinking of you and praying for those in need. 

All my love...  be back soon...

Courtney

***UPDATE***

I'm here in Phoenix safe and sound!  The drive wasn't too bad though I'm glad to be done with it!  Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.  I'll try to be back soon!

*****

Ladies,

I'm a few hours from walking out the door and hitting the road for Phoenix!  I had intended to get back on here and visit before I left but time did not allow...  I'll try to come around sometime this week!

Just FYI...

Today I am 28 weeks and entering my 3rd trimester!  Can you believe that? 

Ryan and I worked like dogs all week and now have the house totally ready to go as in... spring cleaning is done, EVERYTHING is sorted and we've taken a full five car loads of stuff out of the house!  I'm so pleased with all the work we've done and now I can't wait to get back here with my mom and my spoils from the baby shower and get totally ready for Isaac's arrival! 

That's it for me!  I need to hit the shower and then the road! 

Send up a prayer for me today if you think of it...  13 hours is a LONG drive!

All my love,

Courtney

I hugely owe an update! So much has been going on and yet nothing much to report.  Seems like life is so often like that doesn't it?

I have a few funny stories and a few interesting tidbits to share though (and some come with pictures) so here I am!

I should give you an update on my blanket rack! 

First and foremost I received the receiving blanket that I bought from Chelsey a few days ago.  It's beautiful and just what I was hoping for.  I wish you could have been there to see Ryan's face when he opened up the box and saw all the little planets and spaceships!  It's PERFECT!

On top of that I finished another blanket for Isaac (the red and brown one) so my rack is filling up.  But if you know me... you know there will be MANY more to come.

In fact I'm well on my way to finishing another one... here it is in progress...

All this talk of crocheting and blankets brings something VERY fun to mind. 

I joined a community for yarn crafters that has just rocked my world.  I STRONGLY suggest that any of you knitters or crocheters out there join up!  It allows me to record each and every project I'm working on or have done in the past.  I can enter; size, yarn used, pattern used, colors, length of time and I can post pictures of each project as well!  It's an awesome place to record your stuff... I can picture myself looking back in 10 years to find out "what pattern did I use on that blanket for so and so?  I would really like to make that for this new baby!" and there it is!!! 

It's called Ravelry.com and if you want to look me up on there I'm AFwifeCrochetNut

You can find me here if this works...  http://www.ravelry.com/people/AFwifeCrochetNut

I found this site through my cousin, Cindy!  She went on an internet wide mission and mercilessly searched out the Sterling yarn I pleaded for a few weeks ago.  And through a lot of hoops and emails she found this community. 

One of the amazing function of this website is that they have yarn trade/sales.  She found a woman who had my yarn!!!! 

After some back and forth between Cindy, this woman and myself, lo and behold I got this in the mail today!

So my Air Force baby blanket for Isaac is back on!  I'm so excited I've been grinning like a fool all day!  The most amazing part of the whole story is that she GIFTED this yarn to me.  When she heard my story and the reason I wanted this particular yarn from Cindy she decided she wanted a hand in it. 

What a neat story I'll have to tell my son someday. 

"I bought the yarn for this blanket in Germany years before you were born.  I worked on it in Texas and then ran out.  Your cousin from Arizona found a lady in Louisiana who had enough to finish it!"  Talk about an effort from around the world!

~~~~~

Telling you this story brings me to another and completely hilarious story! 

My UPS guy.

I love him.  He is one of the nicest of his breed and always goes out of his way to wait a moment in case I might be home so that if I come to the door he can say hello and to have a nice day.  One day a few weeks back we were having such beautiful weather that I left the front door wide open for the breezes and sunshine.  (Of course the screen door was closed) I was in the back bedroom sorting some yarn when I heard Gandalf (remember he is a 110 pound Newfoundland mix as friendly as the day is long and as big as a horse!) bark and run for the front door. 

I decided to run out and see what was up and was amused to find my dog standing at the screen wagging his tail while my poor UPS guys stood 10 feet away on my walk behind the iron gate we have, package in hand and worry all over his face.  I came out to take the package and let him know Gandalf was friendly.  He just chuckled nervously and replied, "I was just picturing him jumping right through that screen!" We exchanged pleasantries and he was on his way.

Today, when my yarn came, I was the recipient of a real life ding dong ditch!!!! 

I was standing about three feet from the front door when the bell rang.  I was puzzled because I hadn't heard the iron gate open (It squeaks terribly) but I walked to the door and opened it to find the package on my stoop and my UPS guy already all the way across my yard, in his truck, and pulling away in a cloud of dust yelling "Have a nice day!"  In order to achieve this feat the poor man had to have snuck up the walk, eased open the gate, put down the box and run full tilt back to his truck!  I suppose he's a bit afraid of dogs huh?

~~~~~

So in other news...  As I mentioned, we've been having a nice day now and then for a few weeks now... This past week has made me a believer that spring has sprung here in Texas! 

When I went out to get the mail a few days ago I noticed something that begged to be photographed!

Oh there is truly nothing like spring green!

And If I wasn't a believer these guys would have converted me!  The birds are back in full force complete with spring songs!

Ah sunshine and blue skies how I've missed you!

~~~~~

Speaking of spring...  Today I am 27 weeks pregnant.  The time is flying by!

(Let me just remind you that this means I have only 91 days until my due date!  YIKES!)

I have a few pictures from the past two weeks but no official picture from today... (I need to get that done!)

Here I am last Friday at 26 weeks standing in the window of the nursery... 

 And here is my official 26 week picture.

 

 Then in the middle of this past week I noticed that something happened and I was suddenly huge!  These pictures were taken just five days after the ones above!

Here I am again in the window of the nursery...

 And then standing by the crib!

And nope... you can't chalk it up to a big meal seeing as I can't actually eat a big meal! 

Things are going well.  Isaac kicks all the time (in fact he's kicking now) and we're healthy as can be! 

I have one more appointment on Wednesday and then my doctor is releasing me to travel.

So I'll be heading for AZ next Friday (the 12th)  I'll be there for about three weeks visiting family and then of course attending my very own baby shower!  My mom and sisters are throwing it for me along with various ladies from church and invites are about to go out.  I'm really excited for it!  I can't believe that after all these years I'm making a trip home for MY OWN baby shower!

Well, that's about that on my end. 

Ryan has next week off unexpectedly so we'll be working on the house and getting things ready for Isaac.  We also need to finish things up so that the house is ready to go when I come home with my mom to get the nursery all set up in April!  So I'll be busy but I'll try to come around before I hit the road again!

Courtney 

Ladies I am so sorry! 

This past 10 days have just gotten away from me... I've been so busy and so overwhelmed with things to do that I just haven't been around.  I have frantically snatched an hour in the evenings to read up on you and my heart has just been broken for so many of you.  There is so much going on!!!  I haven't had time to comment because I don't want to just leave a sentence but I've been praying for you and thinking of you VERY often. 

Today is another day that has gotten away from me...  I had a four hour class today for pregnancy that I HAD to go to but because my timing has been off the whole pregnancy I was the senior preggo chick there... Honestly it was a bit of a time waster but oh well...  I promise that I'll be around to catch up and update in the next day or two...

I just wanted to let you know that if I haven't commented I'm not ignoring you.  I'm praying so hard for you ladies and your families!!! 

All my love and I'll be back shortly...

Courtney

PS  Chelsey I got the blanket and it's amazing!!!  Ryan went NUTS over it and I'll be posting pictures asap! 

Love you ladies!!!

 

Good Afternoon!

Nothing much going on around this neck of the woods. 

Ryan had to work on Saturday and by the time he got home in the early afternoon I was down and out with a full blown cold... As a result our weekend was pretty much a bust (read we didn't get anything done) and that's starting to get a bit stressful. 

I leave for Phoenix for my baby shower (and some family visiting time!) in just a few weeks and there is A LOT that needs to get done before I leave.  I'll be taking back a car load of stuff because while I'm at home we'll be doing a garage sale.  Ryan and I have spent the last few weeks going through the house trying to cull down our stuff.  We need to streamline our lifestyle a bit since the rest of our lives will likely be spent moving all over the world and we just can't afford to haul around boxes that never get opened!  But... with the yard sale happening while I'm in Phoenix we only have a few weeks to finish so that I can take those things back and make a little cash for baby things!  So... time crunch!

When I come back to Texas my mom will be coming with me as I said before to help get the nursery ready for Isaac...  That means that there are things that need to be DONE before she gets here so we can really focus on doing what she is coming here to do and because Ryan has been so busy with work lately that means that it has to be done before I leave!!!  Good thing that spring is in the air around here and I'm all full of energy these days!  I need that spring cleaning boost to help me get through this mess!

But... for today I'm sitting on my tush working on blankets because head colds do not lend to working and sorting...  I had to put the blue and silver blanket on the back burner... I used the very last of my Sterling yarn and so far nothing has come to light for me to buy...  SO I will save it for last just in case something comes up and if not... I'll unravel the whole thing and find a replacement silver and start over... It's not like I've never started over before! 

My current project is this little beauty in red, chocolate brown and tan...

Here is a close up of the stitch...

I'm loving how it's turning out!

I guess that's about it for me today!  I'm off to enjoy the very last leftovers of my newest creations...  (Curried Cream of Cauliflower Soup and Couscous salad with tomatoes, summer squash, and fresh basil with a balsamic vinegarette dressing!  YUMMO!)

Courtney