OUR BIRTH - as it happens

Well folks, it is indeed happening... we're having a baby TODAY! Good thing we've been studying our "Pregnancy & Baby Instructional Books" - (click above image) - man, we could have really screwed things up if we didn't read that book ;)

Okay lets fill you in! We'll use THIS Blog Post to keep you updated (so feel free to forward our link to friends & fam). Check back every couple of hours for more updates (they will appear below this paragraph). Keep us in your prayers.

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Sunday - 10:30am

We checked in at 9am for another fluid level test. They're checking fluid levels and... survey says: it's too low for Joelle to remain safe inside the womb, she'll be better off outside. Every visit has been progressively less fluid. Everything else (Joelle's vitals & Mom's vitals) are normal, we just don't have as much fluid as we'd like. Two healthy girls though! So that's a blessing! And Joelle is 37 weeks along, so she should fine-n-dandy. I guess we'll find out when they pull her out.

Sunday - 11:15am

It IS just about time. We're prepping for the surgery. Once they pull Joelle out, it'll be "Daddy Time" for the first half hour or so while they stitch Court back up. Then we'll all reunite back in our room... at least that's the plan.

Sunday - 1:00pm

Surgery wen't AWESOME. Joelle is beautiful... she looks like a Keating! Her and Court are bonding and eating... so weird... we're suddenly PARENTS! She's 6lbs 6oz and quite a crier.

Sunday - 4:15pm
Bath + Food for all + Nap + New room with a view + Fruit smoothies + Soft baby things + Amazing nurses = one happy family.

Sunday - 6:00pm
Had some time to bust out the "big camera" and snap some photos while everyone was resting in the afternoon light (these photos are already my all-time favorite images I've EVER taken). Now it's time for friends and family to start visiting! Time to show off our drop-dead gorgeous daughter!

Sunday - 8:30pm
We've had lots of awesome friends visit, baby and mom are doing fantastic and Grandpa and Grandma Keating (Dennis & Marsha) just flew in on a last minute flight from Socal to visit their first grand baby. Gary's mom, Laloni (she's already a professional grandma) is also here and we're all just enjoying Joelle... she's so tiny and cute! And she looks like Court's baby pic.

Sunday - 10:00pm
A massive "THANK YOU" to all of you out there - for your love and support. It is VERY much appreciated! We feel so blessed to have such outstanding friends and family. Good night everyone, we'll catch you all in the A.M.

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Monday - 11:30am

It was a looooong night. Baby and Mom are a-okay, the grandparents brought us some killer burritos and coffee (God bless you people)... so now we're just hanging out in ye ole room. We'll probably be in the hospital until Wed (maybe Tuesday if we obey the rules). Courtney is off of all the I.V.'s and tubes...etc. She's walking around and feeling REAL good - thanks to our friend Percocet. So far, nothing crazy to report... everyone is doing awesome.

Here's Joelle with "Marmee" (Gary's Mom's Grandma Name)

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Tuesday - 7:30am

Happy Anniversary Court! You amaze me and I couldn't be more in love with you than in this moment right now! Two years with the most smokin' hot lady in the universe... and I'm looking forward to the rest of my life with my two piping-hot bambinos!

Well, our second night here at the hospital was a lot better than our first. Joelle fed like a champ, we all got some sleep and Court just ordered the LARGEST breakfast known to man (dear room service: I could kiss you right now, you're the best). It looks pretty cold and miserable outside our window, so we're content to just remain inside and relax. Although, I (Gary) am about as cooped up as a caged Orangutan... I need to get out of this room for once :) Maybe I'll go make a "second breakfast" run for Court... she's an eating machine.

Tuesday - 9:00am
All the Docs just got done visiting us, they said Mom & Baby are rock stars. They also said we'll be released tomorrow morning - hurray! ... but also scary at the same time! They're just ganna let us walk out of here and be on our own... I don't know how I feel about that right now :)

Tuesday - 6:00pm
All is well with Team Christenson. Yup, still just chillin' in the ole hospital room. We're thankful for one more night under the superb care of St. Charles Hospital, but at the same time, we'll be stoked to be at home and under the care of Grandpa & Grandma Keating :) Oh, Courts milk came in surprisingly early and from what I can gather, it's pretty crazy! Joelle is beyond stoked to have a super full belly though.

Tuesday - 8:15pm
First things first, we love love love Joelle, there is nothing more beautiful or more precious in this world :) We just got done with a massive lasagna dinner and some beers provided by the lovely Marsha & Dennis, and we just received THE BEST floral arrangement piece from Mary Taft - she's so awesome! All the nurses and docs have commented on them. We got caught up on some SNL debate coverage and now it's bed time! Honestly, we're pretty wiped (especially Court), so keep her in your prayers these next couple weeks. For a healthy recovery and for lots-o-rest. We're expecting life to be kinda difficult for a bit, so please forgive us for not responding to emails and calls on a regular basis. We REALLY REALLY love you all and appreciate your encouragement and support in this journey. We couldn't do it without you. Hopefully we'll be reporting from home tomorrow. Sleep Tight.

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Wednesday - 9:00am

We're up, had a killer breakfast, Joelle is a pro at feeding and we're all really well rested! Joelle is seriously doing fabulous - she's even started gaining weight. Both our docs visited and gave us the go-ahead to take our kiddo home... Holla! We're way ahead of schedule and the nurses and docs are very impressed with both girls. Praise the Lord!

Wednesday - 2:00pm
We're home and loving every second of it. It's amazing how little you really need in life to survive. All we had in that little hospital room was a bathroom, 1.5 beds (mine was really more of a couch), an extra sink, our Cameras and my Mac Book Pro (a must have for life in general:). Now we come home to our awesome house full of all our CRAP that we just keep accumulating - don't get me wrong, we're lovin' the crap right now. It's all just extra fluff and really not that necessary to life, it's just comfort... but man it's great in this moment... we're blessed, or should I say spoiled ;) Welp, our house really does feel like a home now with the kiddo in it. Life is good my friends, and we feel a whole new purpose in life.