Open House, Open Heart...

WELCOME BABY AXEL! My baby is almost 2 weeks old. Its crazy, time just flies. In some ways my labor & delivery seems like ages ago, in another ways it seems like this lovely baby just came out of nowhere. So I'm finally ready to share a little of my story!  My goal was to deliver my baby all natural. After lots of research I decided it was what was best for him. I went into labor Monday August 5th at around 10pm. Caleb & I went for a walk and after being back at the house for awhile I started having contractions.  My labor progressed fairly quick. This was truly a blessing from God and something I've prayed for, for months. At 1am I woke Caleb up and told him I was ready to go to the hospital. We got our things together and were checked in at the hospital by 1:20. I was 7cm dialated when we got there. After monitoring the baby for about 20 minutes I asked if i could get in the bath to help relax & deal with the contractions.  At 2:10 or so I decided I wa...

Its 12:22am. I may or may not finish this blog tonight. Probably wont. My eyes are heavy, I am so sleepy but my restless legs & some random pains are keeping me awake. Oh, and of course my wiggling baby. I'm 37 weeks & 4 days! I have had such a roller coaster of emotions & thoughts in the past couple days so I thought I would share.  Im really struggling with the idea of having my baby on the outside (sounds really strange, I know.) I never thought it would be like this but I just have this sudden overwhelming feeling that its just such a rough world & I cant imagine bringing my precious infant into it. To be honest, I never realized what a journey of trusting in God this was going to be. I never imagined thinking my baby is safer in me, and I'll stay pregnant forever.  If you know the kind of pregnancy I have had, than you will understand what a stretch it is for me to be thinking that way. Puking multiple times a day for  months was no treat, but kee...

Let the countdown begin!!!  So crazy, my little one could be coming anytime. Caleb & I are excited & nervous all at the same time. We finally got our nursery all set up, I'm in love with it of course (pictures to come.) We are trying to spend these last few weeks enjoying everything around us. Im in this season of learning to "embrace the moment I am in." Its a beautiful season... Yesterday I had a baby shower with my sister-in-law & Calebs cousin Suyuan.  My MIL & SIL hosted it! We had such a good time! It was nice to be in the company of loved ones & just have a good time & relax. We are truly so blessed!  The last couple weeks have just been all about baby prep! My parents (Mom & Step dad) came & spent a whole day helping set up nursery & organize baby clothes. So helpful! My AMAZING friend Angela also came over for a day to help me deep clean & organize my kitchen & living room! I then realized I dont move as fas...

Caleb & I finally got to take a weekend away. Such a blessing. we were able to spend friday through monday just the 2 of us. It was actually our first getaway alone since we've been married! We spent the weekend doing some of our favorite activities like canoeing, target practice with calebs gun, taking walks in the woods & preparing yummy food over the fire!  The 2nd day we were there Caleb chopped wood and I ran around and took pictures of all the beautiful sites.  My hard working husband! :) I'm thankful we had the chance to get away. We needed a chance to relax and just spend some time just the 2 of us. We both have felt tired of life in general lately and truly felt treated by God to take a weekend to be rejuvenated. We also got the chance to take some fun maternity photos of my growing belly. I'm now 29 weeks! Its crazy how quick August 10th is going to come. I'll hopefully be sharing some of those photos soon! Lots of Love- Briana

Its been awhile since I've blogged, dont know how far to go back to update everyone so I'll just throw some randoms out there! Its been a crazy month of May, well its been a crazy year in general. God has been doing quite the work on our hearts. Its been.. Challenging. Emotional. Overwhelming. & Exhausting.  My wise pastor Phil Schenck said something that really caught my attention today. It went a little something like this.. " Its a powerful thing to choose to follow God, but its even more powerful thing to do it his way & at his time." He was referring to Moses & how sometimes when we take matters into our own hands, even if it were a God focused thing, we end up in the "wilderness." Sometimes we get so caught up on the idea that we forget there is a time and a place for it and maybe that just isnt now. You may have had all the right intentions and it may have been a "Godly" thing but since its out of his timing it just...

Its been a crazy week both good & bad. Thankfully its ending well! It was a long week of just dealing with normal stresses. Caleb & I have been house hunting and have been unsuccessful to this point. Gods really been putting on my heart "being obedient even when I dont understand" time after time. So onward we go.  Thursday we had some friends from our church over for dinner. I made burgers for the first time in awhile and most everyone seemed happy :) haha. Friday we got the joy of seeing family! Calebs brother Elijah & his wife and son (Jackie & Malachi) came to visit! We had Salmon, sauteed veggies and wild rice. Jackie treated us to some delish gluten free cookies. I had way too much fun with those! After dinner we did a quick tour of New Ulm. At the Schells Brewery they have a few peacocks, so we got some fun shots of them & got to watch Malachi play! Isnt he adorable!  Another exciting thing from friday was my baby sister was born! Its such ...

What a week its been! I'm so glad its Friday! the week has been especially long & I've missed my hubby. Happy to have him home for a few days. I had my ultrasound today and baby boy is measuring perfectly with the August 10th due date. I'm thrilled & feel blessed to know that he is growing well. God is faithful!  A cute profile shot from the ultrasound today! Precious, he has my heart already! After my appointment Caleb and I laid around for awhile and just caught up after a busy week. So happy to have him home :)  We decided to take a quick trip to Minneopa Falls in Mankato to see the newly restored bridge and the waterfall! there was a little bit of snow falling down but it was beautiful!  Caleb was saying how he doesn't want snow for his birthday (April 20th) and we laughed about how all I wanted for my birthday WAS snow (January 17th). Believe it or not there was no snow in New Ulm on my birthday. This Minnesota weather is crazy...