NEW NEWS: Baby Reid's Bday Story

I want to start this post with:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight"

(my theme verse for the past week)

So Sean and I have been battling with a very important decision this past week. Last Wednesday we saw my GI specialist to check up on my Crohn's disease. Everything went well, but as we were there, I inquired about what complications could occur if I delivered vaginally. She said that because my disease is in remission, I most likely would be ok. But as we talked longer, she went over some very serious complications that could happen in result to pushing for too long or tearing too much. The complications would result in multiple surgeries to fix me down there (don't want to be too graphic).

On Thursday, we saw our OB-GYN and she suggested that if I did not want to risk any of those complications - it would be more safe to schedule a c-section. I have been crying on and off everyday since, because I really wanted the "birth experience". Sean and I went through 6 weeks of Lamaze and we were both excited to do it together as a team! Our labor and post-partum bags have been packed anxiously awaiting my body to go into labor.

Well all in all, I began to seek out other professional opinions and continued to pray.. As the days have gone by- each perinatologist I have asked and other doctors- all have said C-Section without hesitation.

So it was up to me.. I had to trust that God was hearing my prayers and that he continued to bring people in my life to give me clarity. It has been a hard few days to wrap my mind around it. I so desperately wanted to have a natural birth and for me that is just not what is best. I have to do what is best for Reid and my own heath and future health.

I feel like there is such a "stigma" for women that have C-sections. I don't know why I feel that way, but I do and that has been so hard for me to cope with.

I have to keep reminding myself that God has blessed me so much already. The fact that I was able to conceive so fast and then carry him full term without ANY complications to me or him has been a PURE MIRACLE! So I have to trust that this is all a part of his Perfect plan!

Also it doesn't matter how the baby comes out, as long as mom and baby are healthy- that is the most important. Right??Well.. after all that saga.. the date for baby Reid's Birthday is:

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd, 2011 at 930 am.

We would so appreciate all your prayers that everything goes well and that my recovery isn't too horrendous.

We will be delivering at Kaiser Zion- visitors are more than welcome but please try to contact Sean before you come.

Thank you for all your love and support thus far. We cannot be more overjoyed knowing our son will be here in ONE week!

My Pregnant Twinsie gave birth: Happy Bday Franklin!!

One of my best friends has been pregnant with me. She was 2 weeks ahead of me and well its been so fun to walk through this incredible experience together. On Sunday 1/16/11- Franklin Gregory Pyke was born. It was the same day as our joint shower, but unfortunately they weren't able to attend the shower since they were giving birth to their beautiful son! I guess it wasn't so unfortunate that they didn't get to come to the shower since they got to receive the best package of all! Today, we went and visited them at the hospital and it made me so emotional. I cant believe that in just a few short weeks i will have our own son! It made me so excited to see little frankie and to imagine their future friendship. Enjoy some pics we took today of the precious lil guy!

















Photos by Sean Walker Photography ( my amazing husband)

Special Delivery: Friend Shower

This past Sunday, we had so much fun. My best friends threw me a gorgeous shower including all the husbands. Andrew and Cheri have recently bought their first home and fixed it up so beautifully and so graciously hosted our beautiful shower. It was intended to be for me and my other dear friend Karrie, but Karrie went into labor that day and birthed her beautiful son the evening of the shower. SO it was an exciting day all the way around. The theme of the shower was "Special Delivery" and the girls made every detail so cute. It was truly one of my favorite days in my entire pregnancy. It was really relaxed. We ate delicious food, played really funny games, and just laughed alot and then got to celebrate all together when we received the text that Franklin Pyke was born. It made it so real that Reid is coming soon. This was the last "event" before his birth. Gosh I cant wait to meet this lil guy.








Bestest friends a girl could ask for!

Cheri and Andrew= Host and Hostest with the Mostest!



My precious mom.

Sister's lil family.

Love these kids.. cant wait for them to have their first cousin!

Spoelman Family, Oliver is goin to have a lil buddy soon!

Gettin started young.













Sean had to chug out of a baby bottle.. so funny!

He did it..almost 4 minutes later.

Who is going to dress, change the diaper and swaddle while blind folded the fastest??

Mommy of course.

the bump: 35+ 36 weeks::Official Maternity Shoot by the very talented SWP

Last week we had a thursday off and in the afternoon we felt like doing something fun together and Sean has been wanting to take "official" pics of me while I am preggers. So we went on a photoshoot and ended it with sushi date. It was really fun. We headed out to Mission Trails Park and did a quick hour shoot. It was really fun but kind of awkward sometimes when it was just me and no one else in the pictures!

There has been no greater time in my life than being pregnant. I have never felt so healthy, energetic and blessed! As we get closer and closer to the due date, I have become overwhelmed with tears the last couple days. I just cant believe how God has adorned us to be parents. I have never felt so close to Jesus. I find myself praying and thanking the Lord numerous times a day for this miracle he has growing inside of me. Well only a few more weeks left of this amazing journey, so I am trying to live it up as much as possible!

Sorry if you think this is a vein post.. there are a lot of pics of just me and the baby bump.. but many people keep asking for more pics of the belly.. so here it is.. I promise not to post this many next time.

Sean Walker Photography Featured on Style Me Pretty's Emagazine: Top 2010 Weddings

I am so proud of my husband for all the hard work he has put into our photography business this past year. There is no photographer that deserves it more than Sean. He literally has worked so hard this year launching our very first year of photography. So when we found out yesterday that he was featured in Style Me Pretty's Emagazine, we were shocked. We got to work with some amazing clients this past year and without them we would not be where we are today. Please check out one of our favorite weddings this past year. Sharon and Casey were so in love and it is captured in their photos. Check out pages 90-94 of the magazine to see the gorgeous spread of Sean's work.

Open publication - Free publishing - More buying guide

the bump: 34 weeks and HAPPY 2011!

This past week we had so much fun going up to Lake Arrowhead. It has been a tradition for the past 4 years to go up and celebrate with college friends. We got up there Thursday afternoon and stayed through Saturday morning. We caught up with dear friends, cooked, played games, read books, took lots of pictures and walked around the beautiful lake. It all was a blast! I cant believe another year has passed and now a new fresh start. I can not wait to see what this year unfolds. In just one month we will have a whole other person to add to our lil family, and I am sure that 2011 will be filled with growth and blessings. As far as new year's resolutions- i have a few, but I dont really like making them because I seem to always set them too high and then I fail.. so this year I am desiring it to be a year of flexibility, growth and love. I am becoming a mom- a role i have NEVER played before and I am wanting to be the best i can be, but also leave room for plenty of error. I hope you had a great holiday season with your loved ones.. Happy New Year!

The whole gang minus a couple..

Me + Cheri= Always posin for the camera.

I love him!

The Sparkle Girls

Lauren Started the Annual Dance Party off right...





Get it Stace!

Preggers can have fun too!





The Midnight Kiss