Watch Me Grow: {Emma}

And then there were FOUR!

She's here at last!

Our sweet baby girl, Emma Jane Blankenship, actually arrived on her original due date of February 3rd (I know, I know...that NEVER happens!). I'll get into the details of her arrival later but let's just say for now that things went FAST and very well and our healthy daughter was born naturally via VBAC at 8:09 a.m. on Super Bowl Sunday, weighing in at 6 lbs. 14 oz. and measuring 19 1/4 inches long. She obliged her daddy by making her entrance early enough that he was still able to watch the golf game and the Super Bowl! Such a considerate daughter we have!

Big Brother Jackson is enamored with "his Baby Emma" and loves to give her kisses and touch her head. He is so curious as to why she's so little, when she'll walk and talk, and why she can't eat cheerios or whipped cream. Mommy & Daddy are equally in love with this new addition to our family.

Here is a photo journal from Emma's first couple of days. There are many more to come, of course...

 

 

Dude, I totally should've brought my board!

Who knew that a January day at White Pass Ski Resort could feel so much like Spring with blue skies, warm sunshine, and plenty of snow for Jackson's first time out on a snowboard. We took a couple hours during our Annual Blankenship Family Cabin Weekend to dedicate to Jackson's dream of being just like Shaun White. Watching all those youtube videos of Shaun certainly paid off because our little dude took to the slopes like a pro and with a little help from Dan was soon on his way down the mountain...doing mini jumps and looking like a real pro on his board. It was way too much fun for these proud parents!

 

And right about then, he took off on his own and there was no looking back. This kid is a natural!

 

They say pictures are worth a thousand words, but in this case I'm thinking that a video (or two...or three) is worth at least a thousand.

Is anybody else tired out just from watching Dan run after Jackson?


I love how Jackson is smaller than the snowboard!

I had Dan snap this pic of me with Jackson so that he can autograph it for me once he goes pro.

We're already looking forward to taking Jackson out to the slopes again soon. Hopefully we can plan a trip to the mountains before Emma makes her debut without risking a roadside delivery!

coming soon {Baby Emma}

Well, we've reached that pinnacle moment of pregnancy where my belly is big, my back is incredibly sore, a myriad of tiny pink outfits are waiting to be worn, and Jackson (like the rest of us) is asking daily when he will get to hold his baby sister.

Emma herself seems more than ready to make her debut. I swear she's trying to escape through my belly button! I honestly don't remember ever being so uncomfortable inside my own skin during my pregnancy with Jackson and I still could have up to 4 full weeks left of this so please!...bear with me if I seem to get a little cranky.

Needless to say, we're anxiously awaiting the arrival of this precious baby girl who we've prayed for all these months and all the years preceding her conception. What an amazing gift from God we've been given in this baby girl who we've yet to see face to face! And how appropriate that her name Emma Jane also bears the meaning of "God's Gracious Gift" (as does Jackson's).

While my sister Julie was in town for Christmas vacation, we forced her to brave a very chilly day down at the beach here in Edmonds and take photos for us (I broke the ye olde tripod we normally would use) and she very graciously acquiesced to my plea.

Here's the outcome of our family walk to the beach -- one of our last as a family of just three!

 

And here's one bonus shot just for laughs...if the focus hadn't been on the background, it would've been a new favorite, I think! :)

 

For this child {we} prayed, and the Lord has granted {us our} petition that {we} made to Him.  

 I Samuel 1:27 (adapted)