The Best Change

Since the time when I wrote last this past summer, we've had some changes with the house, etc. But by far, the best change in our family has been the addition of our little baby, Hans. He came into the world on September 11 around 8:20 in the evening. I was about 39 and a half weeks pregnant and was having TONS of Braxton Hicks contractions. Several nights they had become very regular and I wouldn't sleep for a few hours and then they would stop. ugh!

So at my Doctor appointment, I asked my Doctor if he could just break my water...because I always have my babies pretty quickly after that happens. He was going to be out of town on my due date and had surgeries scheduled the two days before that so he said, "Can you come in this evening?" So, we were admitted into the hospital at 4:30. He broke my water around 5:30. And by 8:20, Hans was wailing his adorable little cry.

He has been an absolute joy! I am SO SO thankful to have such a content, happy and easy 5th baby. I think if he had been a fussy baby, I would have felt very overwhelmed. So, I don't take for granted what a good baby he is!

Hans Hisato, just minutes after being born. Lots of people ask where we came up with his name. Hans was a name Matt threw out one night when we were talking about names. I liked it right away. It means, "God is Gracious"...which of course I love! And Hisato is my Dad's name. He was pretty happy to have a grandson with his name. :)

Here, Garrison is meeting his little brother for the first time. He was the first sibling to hold him. We didn't know what he'd think since he thoroughly enjoyed being the baby of the family.

 I just love how he's studying Hans. It's like he's thinking, "man...how is this going to change my life?!" But I am happy to report that he has never shown even an ounce of jealousy. He loves him and honestly, I think he's just too busy to be jealous! ha!

Our family with our new little bundle...we are starting to really look like a lot of people! hahaha! Oh and yes, my kids are covered in tatoos like they belong to a biker gang.

 The kids were crazy about Hans right away! So sweet how God placed a love for him in their little hearts.

 Aria was SO excited about her new baby brother! ...and don't you love her huge necklace? :) it's a play thing from Grandma's...she loves any kind of bling!

 Josh was so excited too!! He was the one that a year ago kept telling me, "We NEED another baby!" Well, there you go bud! We may not be able to oblige every time you think we NEED something in the future.

 Darci was excited but a little bit more shy about holding him. She was a little nervous about making him cry.

 Later in the day, cousins and Aunties came. Aunt Booxy and Titus came all the way from Michigan to meet him!! Booxy has managed (no matter where she has lived) to always be in the hospital to meet all her new nephews and nieces. You are dedicated Boox!!

 Titus thinking, "wow...what a loud mouth!" no...he was really excited too.

 Meeting Aunt Marie

 That evening, the kids came back with Matt. It was so sweet to watch Aria feed him a bottle

 Gare still contemplating the life change he was experiencing :)

 The next morning Darci held him for awhile. I love this picture of her.

When we got home, Will and Oliver came to meet Hans again. These next two pictures are so sweet but make me so sad that they are such poor quality. I was trying to take a picture too fast to get the settings right. These little cousins are crazy about baby Hans.

 Oliver always calls him "Baby Han!!"

 Aria has been my big helper with Hans. She is always talking to him and making him laugh. She loves to feed him a bottle and is such a good little mommy. So adorable really.

And finally, here are a few shots my sister, Tami took of Hans and me in the hospital. She is so good!! Tam, do you want to just move back here and be my resident life capturer? Is that a job? Wish I could afford to pay you to do that! haha!