1 month!

how is it that we have a one month old?! it seems like we were just bringing jay home from the hospital.

this past month has been overwhelming and hard at times, but has brought us more joy and love than we ever thought possible. It has truly been the best month of our lives!

Our baby boy weighs 12 lbs. 5 oz. and is 24 inches long! Needless to say... He is our "big" little man! 

Jay loves to eat and cuddle... I seriously could snuggle him all day! He is also becoming more alert throughout the day. During tummy time, he will kick his legs and turn his head from side to side. He's a pretty content baby, but will let you know when he is tired and hungry! :) 

We are so blessed! 

jay's newborn pictures...

... thought i'd share a few of our favorites from jay's newborn photo shoot :) 

thanks to my parents for this timeless gift and to jana candler for taking these beautiful photos!

birth story part 2.

at about 4am on wednesday, july 16th we were moved to labor and delivery. 

i'm ready! (and feeling much better once having the epidural!)

this cup was constantly filled with ice chips throughout the day... 

finally, sometime in the early morning hours of thursday, the 17th, i began pushing. after about an hour- with not much luck or progress, it was decided that i would have a c-section. i was okay with this, seeing as it was a possibility all along, and after 24 hours of waiting, i just wanted to have my baby! :)

so, at 5:42 am, Jay Nichols entered the world!

so thankful for this precious gift! :)

jay's birth story...

at my 40 week doctor's appointment, we decided that if jay did not come on his own, i'd be induced. so, on tuesday, july 15th, kevin and i headed to the hospital to have our son!


here is my final "belly" picture... as we are leaving for the hospital. whoa! :)

we decided to eat our "last meal" at jason's deli in greenville...

then, it was on to the hospital at 6pm to get checked in!

this was the first room we were taken to and where we spent tuesday night.
i was given cytotec in order to prepare me for pitocin.
i was a little nervous since i've never been admitted to a hospital before, but the nurses were very understanding and explained everything that would be happening.

and the waiting began...

to be continued...

he's here!

james "jay" kevin nichols III was born on july 17th at 5:42am.
he weighed 9lbs 14oz and was 22 1/4 in long.


we are in love!!

thank you to everyone who has been praying for us during this incredible journey! God is so good, and we are so thankful for our little miracle :)

more updates to come... 

40 1/2 weeks!

july 9, 2014... baby jay's due date came and went...

i really thought we would be going to the hospital for a scheduled induction last week; however, the Lord had other plans :) i went to the doctor last tuesday, and since jay was still happy and healthy inside the womb, we decided to give him one more week to make an appearance on his own. 

however, he must be very comfortable inside because not much has changed since then. so, at my appointment today, we decided to go ahead and schedule the induction. kevin and i have to be at the hospital tomorrow evening at 6pm, and i will be induced on wednesday morning!

i'm thankful to have carried jay full term (and some), but i'm so ready for him to be here! ...although i will miss my "built in" shelf at times :)

thank you so much for all the prayers! we appreciate them more than you know! hopefully soon i'll be able to introduce you to our sweet miracle! :)

39 weeks!

i went to the doctor yesterday for my 39 week appointment... jay is  measuring 8 lb. 1 oz.! 

everything looks good, even though i haven't made much progress since last week. so, if nothing happens between now and then, i will go back to the doctor on tuesday, and possibly schedule an induction for wednesday (or friday) of next week. 

if you know me at all, you know that i love to have a plan... i thrive off of to-do lists and structure... which sometimes drives kevin crazy! but, i've been claiming the above verse for the past few weeks. of course i would like for jay to come on his own, but ultimately, i know that the Lord's plan is best, and i just need to trust Him. :) 

this is another verse i'm claiming.... i know the Lord has brought us to this place, and we are so thankful! ...my prayer is that i won't be worried or afraid of the unknown over the next week, but that i will rely on the Lord's strength in all things!