Welcoming our new baby!

On October 19, baby Ruth Elizabeth Vinson was born! This much anticipated arrival came early in the morning. She was exactly a week late and we were getting a little impatient, maybe it was just me (Lauren). Josh and I had finished watching a movie on Saturday night and turned in around 11:30pm. Not an hour later, at 12:20am I was abruptly awoken when my water broke. Mild contractions started 15 minutes later and quickly intensified. We went to the Birth Center at 2:30am with the contractions closer together and lasting longer. I'm not sure the midwife quite believed me when I said the contractions were every 4 minutes and lasting 1 minute. I mean, I know I'm a first time mom, but I know how to read a watch! So we showed up there and she checked me and said "Oh! You're 6cm dilated! We'll keep you here." And so we stayed and the labor quickly progressed. I was imagining myself lounging in the hot tub for a few hours through labor, but the reality was there was no "lounging" during labor. I was in there for about a half hour before I got out and had to try something else to ease the pain. Josh had popped in the Gladiator soundtrack, one of my favorites, when we first got there, and it ran through just shy of two times before she made her entrance into the world. Ruth was born at 5:17am weighing in at 8lbs 4oz, and 20 1/2in long. She has a full head of dark hair and dark eyes. She is just beautiful. She's been a great baby, very content, eating well, and pooping a lot. :)
Josh has been an incredible dad. He was the self designated middle-of-the-night-diaper-changer for the first week as I was very sore and tired. He's amazing with her. I'm feeling better now, but we're still not getting a whole lot of sleep, which we expected. So that's it for now, she's waking up and will no doubt be hungry!

Hiking in the ADKs

Josh and I and our friends Matt & Nicole Welsh went hiking in the high peaks of the Adirondaks this past weekend. It was a quick weekend trip just to get out and enjoy life in the raw. I had the little one in tow (I'm about 5 1/2 months pregnant now), so Josh carried most of the weight in his pack, while I carried my ever-so-heavy sleeping bag, ground pad, clothes, and both our camp pillows. He's so wonderful. We did Haystack Mtn, and wandered down the the falls that were near our lean to. It was way too cold to swim, but the water was beautiful- crystal clear. Here's some pics from the trip...

Ultrasound

We had the 20 week ultrasound today. First of all, it's crazy to think that it's half way over already. In a mere 20 weeks, this baby will take it's first breath. Second, it's amazing to visualize the small wonder growing inside. The baby was so resting comfortably with it's legs crossed, just not wanting to wake up and stretch out. So we still don't know what we're having, it'll be a surprise in a few months! The ultrasound tech said she could take a guess, but it'd only be a 50/50 guess on the gender, which was our odds to begin with, so we'll just have to be patient. :)

Suhr Wedding

Garrett and Bethany Suhr's wedding in Harrisonburg VA. We came from all over the US to reunite to be a part of this day. It was fantastic to be among friends, to catch up and laugh together. Now that all the roommates are married off, we are looking forward to having reunion times when we get to hang out and relax together. We're not sure when this is going to occur, but someday...












Baby update:
The morning sickness is finally over, praise the Lord. The tummy baby bump is growing, but I still don't really look pregnant unless you know me. We have an appt for May 22 (our 4th anniversery) for and ultrasound to find out the gender. So I'll be updating you guys on that when we know!

Announcement!

Introducing baby Vinson!

I got an ultrasound done yesterday and wanted to share the picture with everyone! We don't know the gender yet, we'll find that out in another 6-8 weeks, but here's the little one! I think it's sucking it's thumb in the top picture.

I'm about 13 weeks so far, and only a little tiny tummy bump to show for it, but on the US I saw the heart beating! So it is really real, not just nauseated days and doctor visits. It's about 3 1/2-4 inches long and already it's little body is functioning at an amazing level! I was blown away by seeing this little living body in mine. Josh and I are both thrilled and looking forward to meeting the little one. The due date is October 12. We'll keep you updated!

so, it's been a while...

I know, it's been forever since we've updated this. We have been living life, working, and the like. Josh is finishing up grad school this May, he's downstairs reading so here I am. We just enjoyed about 3 inches of snow- the most we've gotten this winter, but it was 45 degrees today, so it only stuck around for 2 days. Unlike our parents in WI who are enjoying (well, maybe not anymore) a good 2-3 feet of snow for the last few months. And I think they're getting hit again, if I saw the weather correctly today. Enough jabber. Here's some pictures of good times we've had recently!

This is about 2 hours north of us at Rausch Creek Park- it's a giant playground for big boys. Josh and 2 friends took my Jeep for a day of off roading. They had tons of fun playing in the mud. I opted not to go this time, I'll go when it's warmer. We are a 2 Jeep family now, a Wrangler and a Cherokee. It's lots of fun, except at the gas pump.

This is our home. In August we moved into a duplex. This is an upgrade from the apartment complex where we share washer/dryer with 25 other apts. It's been a nice change. But, as all humans do, we are still wishing for more. Someday we want a yard and a garage. I know, lots of time...

Over Christmas our Young Marrieds class at church had an elf party. We had to dress up as an elf-something. Like, on the right, and elf-lifeguard. We ate, played a white elephant game (you know, oh THOSE wedding gifts), and hung out. We have an incredible group of friends.

We have said goodbye to some of our closest friends as the head in to full time ministry at camps out West- the Coates in Montana and the Hofferts in Wisconsin. This has been a hard time but the Lord is good. We love you guys!