One week ago, we welcomed Samuel Elias Wells- our son, our delight!

Samuel has arrived and already brought us incredible joy in these five short days as the 4th member of our family. We named him after the Samuel of the Bible- his name means "answered prayer" or "asked of God".  Hannah asked God for a son after being barren and God graciously answered her prayer with Samuel. We, too, prayed for another child and God answered our prayer with Sam.  His middle name is Elias, which means "The Lord is my God". This is our prayer for Samuel- that the Lord would truly be his God, and he would desire to serve Him above all else.
Here's what has happened thus far:
It all started last Wednesday and Thursday when, overnight, I had contractions that were as close as 8 minutes apart, but they completely disappeared during the next days.  Friday evening I went to bed with contractions 20 minutes apart or so and figured it would be the same story over again, which was getting pretty annoying. But this night was very different- about 3 hours after going to bed, I woke with very strong contractions about 10 minutes apart and thought maybe, just maybe, this would be it! Within 2 hours, they were fluctuating between 2 and 5 minutes apart so I thought I'd better call the doctor.  She told me to come to the hospital. Finally! Despite the incredible pain that was coming every 1.5 minutes by the time we were on the way to the hospital, words cannot express the overwhelming joy that I felt at the very thought of meeting my son.
One thing that you don't want to happen is to have a baby anywhere AWAY from where you planned! The contractions were coming fast and furious on the way to the hospital (1.5 minutes apart- so much for being admitted when they are 5 minutes apart as recommended) and we thought it was actually a possibility  it could happen! But God protected us and we made it- when finally in our room at the hospital, I was at 8 centimeters and progressing fast. About an hour and a half later at 5:28 am, I was 10 centimeters and ready to push. Samuel came to us 1 minute later at 5:29 am. Yes, it's true- 45 seconds of pushing and out he came. Don't hate me!
He is absolute teeny-tiny perfection! He's a little guy- born at 6 lbs, 3 oz and 20.25 inches. Mike and I spent the next few hours soaking him in, and praising the Lord for the gift of his precious life! There was no growth on his face, which was a concern based on my last ultrasound. We firmly believe that God miraculously healed Samuel in my womb. We serve such a good God!
We brought him home 24 hours after he arrived because we wanted to be able to be with Evangeline- she wasn't allowed at the hospital because of H1N1 concerns. Samuel was looking good and I felt okay, so they released us and we took our precious angel home with his big sister.
She's been funny with her little brother. She doesn't pay much attention to him, except for the occasional, "Hi Sam" as she skips past him, or "He's cute" as she leans over him sleeping. We also have gotten quite a few, "You touch it mama!"  She seems to be adjusting okay, but she's had daddy home all week to pay attention to her when I can't. It could be a whole different story come Monday. We shall see.
Sam is doing well. He sleeps constantly and we have trouble keeping him awake for feedings- probably a result of his jaundice, which is finally resolving.  He had to have blood drawn twice this week to check his levels. At one point we thought he'd have to be admitted to the hospital to deal with the problem, but once again God proved faithful and answered our prayer that Sam's levels would not be high enough for an admission.
Our house has been crazy- full of family and friends who are surely falling in love with our boy, just as we did the moment we knew he was due to join our family. We certainly have enjoyed their company, but are also enjoying a day of peace with just the 4 of us, too! Mike and I often find ourselves gazing at our 2 precious kids thinking, "How did this happen to us?!" We know that we do not deserve the blessings that have been bestowed upon us- God's grace has showered us with gifts that we could never have earned. We praise Him for His goodness to our family.
Here's a few pictures of the week!

In Labor- about an hour away from meeting Sam.

Our boy in his first moments...

Proud Daddy with sleepy Sam.

First family photo

Grammie and Sammy

Mommy and Daddy

Cousin Addie with Sam

Our little angel

Brow furrowed, as usual...

First bath- one of the only pics of Eva b/c she's been refusing to get in one with her new brother

All fresh and clean after first bath

Napping in the sun to help with our jaundice issue

Special thanks to my mom who stayed over THREE nights to help us! You rule, mom!

Who sleeps with their hands like that?? (He's borrowing his big sister's blankey)

Update on Baby Boy Wells

Just wanted to give you a quick update on the baby, since I had an ultrasound today. The ultrasound was to check his size because I have consistently measured small. Good news- although he is small, it's a non-issue. He's in the 20th percentile and looking very healthy.

There is some information that is not so good that I figured I might as well share, since it will most likely show up in the pictures everyone will be asking for when this baby comes! I don't have a lot of information, but here is what I do know. They found a "growth" on his right cheek (the cheek on his face, unfortunately).  The doctor said that the most common thing that it could be is a hemangioma, but there is no way to know for sure until it can be evaluated after he's born. They do not know the size and there is no recommendations for doing anything at this point.

So, we are a little nervous, but feel great that Sam is very healthy otherwise. We must wait and see. Living in the uncertainty sucks, quite frankly. But, we are trusting in the Lord to continue to guard and protect him and believe wholeheartedly that He will- He is a good and faithful God!

We appreciate your prayers- ours is that this thing would stop growing (and even begin to shrink) immediately and that no action (like surgery) will be needed after birth. However, we know that no matter what happens God is holding our boy in the palm of His very capable hands.

UPDATE #2:
Growth is approximately 1 cm, and the doctor feels fairly confident that it is a hemangioma. There is a small possibility that it is not there at all because the doctor was not able to get a very good view of his face because of his position and lack of fluid. We are feeling really hopeful and at peace. Thanks for all your prayers!

Updates to come

Pictures of Baby boy's room and basement project coming soon :)
Stay tuned...

A look back at 2009

What a crazy year it has been! Full of fun, transitions, rejoicing, uncertainty, frustrations, questions (& answers).  We have relied on God to guide and direct us this more this year than any other that I can remember, and for all that brought us to that point, I am grateful.

As I look back on 2009, I am struck by the faithfulness and goodness of God interwoven into every aspect of our lives. He has blessed and protected us and those that we love dearly.  There are several people close to us that experienced loss and heartache this year- we know that even in the midst of that pain, God is in control. He sees the "bigger picture" and holds those who suffer in the palm of His hand.
Some of the struggles that we currently face will continue into 2010, but we trust God fully as we make every effort to align our steps with His word, and His will.  For now, though, I am taking a walk down the memory lane of the year 2009, which was full of love and laughter in so many ways. Feel free to join me.
In addition to describing the pictures (italics), I added some parts of the journal I keep for Evangeline (in quotes), and some other random events that might have happened each month.


January: First snow of the year (Lauren sledding with Eva and Caleb);  Eva begins her "tongue" stage
"You are the most beautiful girl in the world! But, more importantly, you have the most beautiful spirit".
Aunt Heather is pregnant- Praise the Lord and many thanks to Dr. Goldberg for helping yet another Whitnah family member have a baby!

February: 2 of my favorite pictures of her; Eva's first birthday

Eva walks!

"I pray daily for God to give me and your daddy wisdom to know what is best for you, patience to wait in whatever ways are necessary, and compassion to see you the way He does. Parenting is so fun, but also terrifying. I fear that I will mess you up and then realize that it is inevitable! But, God's grace is strong enough to fill in the gaps that we miss".

March: Eva is beginning to look less baby, more little girl; Eva hits a really good "nap stride"

April: Mandie's wedding- I did her bouquets and arrangements (they were some of my favorites); Easter fun; taking advantage of a random 80 degree day in April

Eva really gets the hang of signing this month, and starts really trying to talk

"Judah is absolutely enamored with you and is all over you constantly. He walks in our door, says, 'where's Eva?', goes over to you, puts his hands on your face and squeezes while his whole face shakes. It's one of the funniest things I have ever seen."

May: Eva chooses "Judah" as her first word, and looks longingly for him out the window; Mama and her little angel

Lauren is pregnant with baby #2

June: Eva's first trip to the zoo; her obsession with her helmet and life jacket begin as we prepare for summer

"You are my Evangeline- my angel, my treasure".

July: Eva makes her flower girl debut at Aunt Lauren (Mike's little sister) and Uncle Nathan's wedding; I did Lauren's bouquets and her's was another one of my favorites

August: Eva's 2nd trip to OBX and the beach; Mike baptism; Baby Sloaney

Niece/Cousin Sloane McFarland Whitnah is born!

Mike is baptized at Providence Church by Neil.

Eva's obsession with jewelry gets out of hand this month; she also gets a little crazy over vinegar marinated cucumbers.

September: Lauren revealing the sex of baby #2- it's a boy!; Young Family Adoption Yard Sale- one of 3 sibling fundraisers to help our sister and brother-in-law adopt a baby (over $3,000 raised)!

We start the basement refinishing project!

"You are sleeping peacefully right now. Daddy and I still go into your room every single night and pray over you. I could watch you sleep for hours."

October: Eva & Caleb at Mommy & Me Music; enjoying tea with her baby (such a little girl!); Halloween with her cousins
Mike's Uncle Richard dies of muscular dystrophy
Eva moves to the big-girl bed (see previous posts for information on that insanity)!
Aunt Sara and Aunt Dawn are pregnant!

November: Lauren at 29 weeks; Eva bouncing- a new favorite; one of many trips to Longwood Gardens throughout the year

The basement refinishing project is done!

December: Gingerbread house extravaganza at our house; Eva all dressed up on Christmas Eve; Eva and Caleb enjoying stockings from Grammie; the whole Whitnah Clan

Aunt Sara's baby is going to be a girl!

2009 is behind us and 2010 is ahead. We have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to. We are truly blessed beyond measure and cannot even begin to express our gratitude towards those who love us and encourage us every day. God has used you as instruments of joy in our lives.