God continually teaches me new things through this kid. First, I feel like I have felt a love that has never entered my life before. It's amazing how sweet motherhood is. It was well worth the wait. I would never and could NEVER give up this precious gift. Second, I realize I would do anything to take an ounce of pain away from this sweet boy. This week Channing has had a virus and it's been hard to hear him squeal in pain and not be able to do one thing about it but hug him & love him with all that is within me. Even at times that was hard because I was so tired but I realized I can always find more when it comes to this little guy. Third, ALL the " I WILL NEVER" comments you made to yourself BEFORE you were a parent, were made out of complete and utter stupidity. I used to think I would NEVER go out of the house without having had a shower for two days....ate those words. I used to think I would NEVER take my kid in the car simply to get him to go to sleep...ate those words. Unfortunately the list goes on and on and I can joyfully laugh at how dumb I was before becoming a parent. Fourth, there is so much more to learn!

I'm making every effort to embrace each and every moment with this kid but I barely feel as if I can keep up. It is going by much more quickly than I would like. I love this little fella with all that is in me. I feel so blessed to be chosen by an amazing GOD to be his mommy. I am so thankful for the honor and the privilege.

Here's some sweet pics of our little gift of joy this week.

such a kissable little face

noticing his mobile on his swing for the first time

totally holding that neck up on his own

strong grip on daddy....I'll never let go!

There is nothing sweeter than to see the man you first loved hold and love on your second love.

mommy's blue eyes

ready for our walk...look how big it is!

Another Great Week

4 weeks have flown by. I feel as if I've blinked once and he's grown into a one month old. It has been the most fabulous four weeks. I'm so grateful for the amazing blessing God has given us. We wake up and can hardly believe it. John still looks at me and says " We're parents!" as if somehow over night it might have changed. We are so in love with this little boy and an increased love for a Savior that could give up such a precious son for us!

Sweet Blue Eyes

John's parents came to visit. Channing loves time with Mama Nissi & Papa John.

Papa John & baby John

continuing to grow...

A VERY busy week 3

This week has been filled with firsts! It's amazing how fast it seems that he's changing. I see new things about him everyday & I spend the most time with him.

Channing's First Halloween:

Channing and I do tummy time every single day. He's great at it. He's been lifting his head up since we were in the hospital. He's a very strong little boy. Tummy time usually looks like this.

But this week, Channing decided he wanted it to look like this & I just happened to have the camera! It was so quick I could hardly believe my eyes!

Channing's First Bath

Up until this week, we have been giving Channing baths with disposable washcloths. I am a big fan of them, but it was time for a real bath. He wasn't fond of being out of his comfy pajama's, but once we got the warm water on him he was content to a certain degree I guess. I'm sure it will grow on him.

Bath time was followed by a massage with bedtime lotion and reading a good book.

Loving his massage.

Daddy doing diaper duty & making him happy with warm pajamas.

He loves to listen to me read books. He'll grab at the book and try to hold the side!

2 Weeks

Today Channing is 2 weeks old. It's so hard to believe that 2 weeks has already gone by. We've learned so much together in the last two weeks.

Today at the 2 week doctor appointment Channing weighed 7lbs. 10oz. The doctor said he looked wonderful and he even showed the student doctor, Claire, his peeing skills. I tried to warn her, but she felt sure the diaper would be fine loosely waiting for the doctor to see little Chan Man's booty, but before she knew it there was pee everywhere. I just laughed cause I could so see it coming. What can I say.....my son has peeing skills. Better than his daddy who at a few weeks old pooed on the doctor!

This week Channing got to take part in his very first Trunk or Treat outreach event at church! He was an adorable pumpkin and very contently hung out in the baby bjorn while mom helped dad for a while. It was strange not having such an active part in the event after 7 years of being right there for everything in the ministries that God has placed John in. It was hard for me to leave early, but God reminded me that I am helping with a new ministry...our family & I love it!

We had a little photo shoot for his first Halloween. I didn't go crazy buying some expensive costume that he would wear maybe for an hour...my how God has changed my heart about things like that! So grateful for being molded and changed! Our little outfit cost $2 at a consignment sale & I must say he is the cutest lil' pumpkin I've ever seen.

a bite of preciousness...

1 week old....

It's hard to believe that it's already been one week. It has absolutely flown by and we've enjoyed every moment of it. Little John Channing is such a precious gift and we have waiting so long on the Lord for this blessing that it makes it a bit easier I think to embrace all the changes that are taking place in the Berry Household. John & I talk about how we've longed for these long nights, dirty diapers and sweet & precious times of just gazing at him. It was so worth the wait.

The story of his birth....

On October 14 we woke up and discussed our day. John felt like we should put all of our bags in the car for our afternoon doctor's appointment. I was fine with that but hadn't planned to put in my bathroom stuff but he was persistent. I guess I just didn't want to get my hopes up that they might say it was time. I was so ready to meet the little guy! I went & taught preschool that morning and John worked in the office. After preschool we headed to lunch at On the Border. We love their lunch specials & we had been encouraged to try spicy food to help progress our little fellas arrival. We were up for anything. So we both had the lunch fajitas and they were scrumptious! Probably not the meal I would have chosen to eat if I had known the rest of the days events but it actually wasn't a problem at all. Maybe that salsa did help progress things!

We headed to see Dr. Lewis. As she checked me I was quite uncomfortable & she kept apologizing because she knew it was painful. After her exam she said with a smile " Well you're at 5 cm & I'm sending you to the hospital." I couldn't help but yell out a REALLY????? to which she laughed and headed out to write up our paperwork. We immediately looked at each other and just SMILED. It was so exciting yet so surreal. We immediately started calling family because she said our little fella would be here before the mornings light & we wanted everyone to be able to share in our joyful event. John got the Berry family called & B & Coley just happened to be right there with Mama Nissi & Papa John so they were on their way & so was my family!

We headed to the hospital and sat in the parking garage taking care of important things at church that needed to be covered...Caroline, worship practice, feeding the football team, the worship set for Sunday & everything that falls in John's list of responsibilities for a weekend. He wanted to be able to have everything taken care of so he could give us his full attention. I was so grateful for his plans he had made prior to this time. He was prepared just in case we did have Channing on a weekend. Gotta love that about him!

We headed in, had to register because we had planned to do that after our doctors appointment and they took me back. I was immediately taken to my room & got skip triage. So grateful. I had met a girl at the doctors office who was a labor & delivery nurse. She had called & gotten a friend to be my nurse. Love provision from the Lord. I had prayed I would get a wonderful nurse that would help comfort me during this uncertain time & the Lord provided not one but TWO!

I laid in bed watching Channing's heart rate & my contractions from 4:00-6ish never feeling any pain. I was having a good time getting excited with John. His grin went from ear to ear & it gave me so much joy to see him finally getting something he had desired for so long. At about 6 they started pitocin to help regulate the contractions. They kept asking me about the epidural but I just wasn't in pain and didn't feel the need to get it yet. The contractions began to increase as the pitocin was going in and I started having to breathe through contractions about 8:00. My family was there & brought John something to eat so they headed out to the waiting room & I finally got the epidural. I was terrified of that needle. Why they make you watch the video I will never know...I would have been so much better off without seeing it! I sat there on the side of the bed & prayed as tears streamed down my face out of fear for that stupid needle. I hate those things! Before I knew it, Christina my nurse was there encouraging me as I prayed & it was over. Within 20 minutes was at 7 1/2 cm. She said we would definitely see this little guy before midnight.

About 10:30 I started pushing and John was such a cheerleader! Many times I was so excited about it being time to meet him that I wouldn't be able to hold the last of the three breaths! I was just beaming with JOY!!!! Dr. Lewis and John had the best time singing songs & playing with one another. It made it such a fun time! As the big light came down John broke out in song " Blinded by the light...." & Dr. Lewis joined in saying she loved "that JAM". Such peace & joy filled room 2 as I 'labored' for Channing. Dr. Lewis at one point turned to John and asked him if he was ready? John was then given a suit & gloves & told he would deliver Channing! OH HOW I WISH I HAD THE PICTURE OF HIS FACE! It was priceless & is forever embedded in my memory!

Not 20 minutes later a sweet baby boy entered this world by the hands of his father. He was handed to me by John & I loved on him. It was so amazing. He needed a little 'roughing up' as Dr. Lewis said to get him breathing good, but the moment that God breathed life into him was so precious. His lungs were filled with air by his heavenly father and he began his first series of praises! It was glorious!

They checked him & and said he was perfect. We spent an hour or so with him by ourselves and enjoyed the newness of being a threesome! Our family came in and we were able to share him. It was so great to see our journey to parenthood be completed and to be able to share it with our loved ones.

Going home outfit!

We specifically prayed for a few things:

- a son and it was answered

- little pain and it was answered

-great nurses and it was answered

-a joyful and peaceful delivery and it was answered

-a healthy baby and it was answered

What an amazing God we serve! Each time I look at Channing I am reminded of God's faithfulness!

No milkman around here folks.....

Daddy 30 years ago....

Me today......

He's Arrived!

John Channing Berry

October 14, 2010

11:12 pm

7lbs. 8.5 oz

21.5 inches long

Waiting on Our Little Pumpkin

The waiting continues. Last week Doctor Jones met with us & checked me. I was dilated to 2 cm & 70 % effaced. So fun! We both let out a squeal & Dr. Jones just smiled. She said it made her day because it had been a long time since she had seen a couple so excited about their new little one. That night I walked & we tried all the home remedies we could possibly try, but Little Channing wanted to bake some more!

We took some shots of this ginormous belly of mine to remember these last few weeks. I feel as if he has pushed out & just keeps pushing!

This week at 37 weeks we saw Doctor Jones again. She said we were at least 3cm & maybe more and that my cervix was paper thin. She did not doubt that we would go before our due date. She told me to go ahead & make an appointment for next week but she wasn't sure that we would see her!

We've got everything ready...WE THINK! We are so excited about Little Channing's arrival.