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This blog reveals stories and imagery from our professional work and personal adventures. We are creative portrait and destination wedding photographers that live, work and play on the west coast of the US of A. We also run an award winning graphic design studio. But more than that, we’re a young abstract family trying to live this life to its absolute fullest. As you look through some of the blog entries below you will get a good feel for what makes us tick, and you’ll be introduced to some of our latest design and photo projects. Check back often for updates, and if you see something you like don’t be afraid to leave a comment.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

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.

34 comments:

Jeff & Christy said...

We are praying for all of you as well as for a safe delivery and a healthy little girl!

Evan and Lyndsey Hendrix said...

Yay so exciting! We will keep the two girls in our prayers!

lorensaved77 said...

Hoo Ray Happy Birthday Joelle!
We are Praying for a Safe,Smooth, no complication Delivery!
Amen!
Love you Guys and Congrats!
nancy

michaelandciara said...

ooh, we are beyond excited at this point!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Being a parent has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and my little one is only 3 months old! I will be praying for Courtney's recovery and for your new family.

Anonymous said...

Her dark hair is a Courtney look alike! Congrats! What a fun learning experience!

D and K Gates said...

Gary
So happy for you!! Your baby is beautiful! Congrats! Best wishes!Plus your blog looks awesome as always! :)
Kenna

miss kerry said...

Because Joelle comes in my year of Birthday haikus:

Tiny wrinkled face...
I love your parents so much.
Happy Birthday Girl!

So excited for you three, LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Jenna Strubhar said...

Yeh! Welcome beautiful baby Joelle! Wish we were there to see her. We better see blog updates every day! We'll be checking.
BTW Courtney, only you could look that amazing after giving birth! You're one hot mama!

Anonymous said...

Prase God for Joelle's safe arrival! We rejoice with you...and are enjoying all the great pics and your thoughts. The parenthood journey has begun!

Chris and Jill Walsh said...

Yeah, finally!!
Isn't God's plan so much better than our own :)
We love you 3 very much,
what a happy day.
Jill, Chris and Joelle Walsh
ps. Court, you look amazing!!

michaelandciara said...

awe, is all I can keep saying, awe, we're so stoked, awe, she is so cute, awe you are a sweet family, awe...what a joy! oh, and we must agree - Court you are absolutely radiant!

lorensaved77 said...

Awesome baby Joelle Is So Beautiful Just Like her Momma!
Love you guy's and CONGRATS!
Parents now...WOW!!!!!!!!!
Love the Loren Family
Nancy,John,Jonathon and Michelle.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Joelle! What a wonderful day and beautiful little family. We love you guys and are so excited for you!
Casey and Matt

Blair & Carisa said...

Congrats guys! Glad everyone is doing good and healthy! We'll keep prayen for you guys!

Evan and Lyndsey Hendrix said...

Congratulations you guys!!! So exciting, the pictures are amazing!!

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOSH!!!!! Blessings galore! Joelle is gorgeous-can't believe her eyes are so open! Court-you almost leave me speechless...except I'm never speechless so I'll just say Wow you are a gorgeous mother...wow! Gary-you look pretty natural in the scrubs-maybe you can moonlight as a doc? Can't wait to hear how you felt when you both first saw her!!!! Congrats!!! Mary

littlemissmk said...

congrats guys. what a blessing. she is beautiful! :) kelley, alton, and macy brooks

The Wallers said...

Yeah!!! So happy everyone is doing great! She is simply beautiful. We are just ecstatic for you and your new little nugget! Can't wait to meet her.
Get some sleep!

Jeff & Christy said...

She is beautiful!! We are so glad that everything went well. We can't wait to meet her!!

anjuli paschall said...

i have happy chills just seeing and hearing about Joelle's arrival. We love you guys and can't wait to meet your new treasure! love!

michaelandciara said...

so special to see the keating grandparents! dennis you are a natural!

nicole aka gidget said...

Congratulations! She's adorable! (and was the same weight as my little one!)

Anonymous said...

Congrats! Your baby is sweet and beautiful - and Gary... the shots you've taken are truly exquisite. :)

Way to go.

Liza on Maui said...

What a precious family time, what a precious baby, what a blessing!

Jeff J. said...

Congrats guys! What a beautiful daughter you have. I'll be praying for the whole family in the coming months. Look forward to meeting Joelle in December, and I'll try to find some cool African XMas gift for her. Be blessed. Love, Jeff

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! What an amazing way to start your 3rd year of marriage!
At least when you leave with her you will have that instruction book! Can't go wrong there!

michaelandciara said...

I was just trying to remember that yesterday...Happy Anniversary!!! Our anniversary is close to Mik's bday too, but I think yours is closer!

Anonymous said...

don't worry Gary....monster cookies are coming soon:)

Anonymous said...

Cherish, cherish, cherish this time. More preciousness will come, but this package is like no other. The birth of a family is near to God's heart.
Bless you all!

Kim said...

Thanks so much for sharing your joy with all of us. It is great to be able to "check in" every few hours from SoCal - and even "see" you via the awesome pics. Blessings to you during this miraculous, wonderful, slightly mind altering season of life. --- Kevin and Kim Gavin

melissaw said...

Congrats from the other Woodards. We are stoked to hear about the birth of your baby girl. Great pictures too. =)

melissa, steve, kiah, and isaiah

michaelandciara said...

told ya that purpose and passion would come...it is a awesome calling!

so glad you are home, your home looks beautiful by the way, and I love that "crap" of a desk you found at Goodwill - i'm jealous.

Our prayers for your beautiful family...hopefully we can see you guys sometime soon, oh and did I mention that Joelle is BEAUTIFUL!

lorensaved77 said...

Hi Guys
Just saw the new pictures you posted, What a beautiful baby girl, Joelle is Gorgeous!!!!
So happy for you all!
Dennis and Marsha you look so Proud!

Love you and hope to see you in person some time soon...when are you coming back to Maui? You know the waters here are a perfect temp to teach Baby "J" how to swim...just a thought!
♥ and many Blessings
nancy