Juliana's First Week...

It's so hard to believe that our little Jules is already 1 whole week old! I don't know where the time has gone :) She could not be more sweet, we are so blessed! Our lives have definitely changed already and we are getting adjusted pretty well I think. We have been to our pediatrician and had to get some help with feeding due to a little tounge tie issue- however things are now on the upswing and we should have it all corrected by next week. Our doctors have been awesome!We are actually getting some sleep believe it or not! My mom has been with us and will be here another week- THANK GOD!!! Between the three of us we are doing our best to keep Juliana happy as a little clam. We go for our first pictures on Monday and I'm really excited about that! Rudy and Daisy are doing really well adjusting- Rudy is much more interested in her and acting protective already! It's so cute. Well- it's time to feed her so I've gotta run! Enjoy the pics!!
Love
Michelle

Hope Family of Three

Well, it has been four days now since we have become the Hope Family of Three :) We are in heaven! We made our debut back home on Valentine's Day and introduced Jules to her new home and anxiously awaiting dogs- Rudy and Daisy. They loved her but I think they think she is just a visitor! My whole family has been here and staying with us so with all the people and excitement, they have not realized she is here to stay. I know they will love and protect her and she will love them once they all get adjusted. Stay tuned for some pics of the three of them! My niece Micayla- who is my twin brother Michael's baby girl- is 6 months old and was here this weekend as well. We took their first pictures together! They are going to have so much fun growing up together being so close in age. My little brother and his fiance (Lulu) were also here for her birth. Jules will make her first big trip to their wedding in 5 weeks! Overall everything has gone really well so far and we continue to give God all the Glory because there is no way this could be going so smoothly without His hand being in it all.

She is pretty much just eating (and that is going well with the exception of some pain on my part- which I will hopefully get past SOON!), sleeping, and getting her diaper changed. Juliana is so sweet, even when she cries- which is not often- it's the sweetest little cry you have ever heard... but don't get me wrong it BREAKS my heart when she does cry!

I have to wake her up to eat now that she has gotten milk- she is so funny after eating- it's like she is in a drunken bliss :)

Tomorrow my dad goes home and it will just be the three of us and my mom who is staying to help us out for a couple of weeks (and we are SO GRATEFUL for that!).

While in the hospital my dad worked on our house finishing up some renovations we recently made to prepare for our little arrival- Thanks Dad!

We have the greatest family in the whole world and are so happy they have been able to share in this special time with us.

We look forward to our first week of doing life as parents and having visitors coming over to meet her!!

I can't say or type it enough- God is SO Good! This little miracle named Juliana has forever changed us and I love that we can share some of that with y'all.

Stay tuned!

Love

The Hopes

Juliana is here!

Wow! What a day- our precious baby girl Juliana Jade was born at 2:26pm. at 7lb 10oz and 19 1/2 " long- with a head full of hair! God is so good and I just want to give Him all the Glory for the wonderful experience we had today and our baby girl! I'm just overwhelmed by His grace and mercy and the blessings he has poured out over us today! Juliana is perfect and we had a great labor and delivery with no complications and very little pain. My mom and Darrin were in the room as she came into the world and they both have not been able to stop talking about how amazing it truly is to see a baby born.

She is a very happy baby- so content with Darrin's laid back personality ( I think). Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers-which I know will continue as we are only just beginning this new adventure!

Love from a blissful new mommy!

Michelle

The Last Bump Day!

Me, Daisy, and Juliana- a nice shot of the baby "Bump"

Good Morning on this dreary Wednesday! I'm up early and thought I would take the time to post on my last "Bump" Day! Today is the last day I will be pregnant with Juliana, our baby girl :) We are very excited and I can't believe I'm finally going to meet her tomorrow!!! My family is all travelling in tonight to be with us on such a special day and such a BIG event! Darrin and I will officially be parents tomorrow (don't let Rudy and Daisy hear that though!).

We have done EVERYTHING I think you can do to possibly prepare ourselves and our home for this sweet baby girl. However, I know we could never truly prepare ourselves for the life change that is about to take place. We are so blessed and want to give God all the Glory now- even before the delivery, because I know he will be with us and take care of us and everything is going to go according to His perfect plan- which is perfect! We are so thankful to all of our friends & family who have thrown us showers and given us tons of great advice and support over these past 9 months. God is so Good! Since this is my first baby and delivery- I'm not sure how realistic this is, but I plan on posting tomorrow night after we have her to let you all know about the experience and how everything is going..... and also to show you what she looks like!

Until then..... I'm going to enjoy my last day with this baby bump! (ok it's hardly a bump anymore).

Love Love

Michelle