Welcome Baby Leland

Leland Ryan Miller arrived 2 weeks early on Nov 2, 2009 at 11:09am at Hillcrest Hospital weighing in at 6lbs 5oz and 20 inches long....


....just 35 hours after his cousin, Josiah Gibbs, in the same hospital...same delivery room too! It's quite a story!

So...take a look at this guy who happens to look identical to his big brother, Jude...

Motivation

So I am nearing week 37...feeling large and in charge...but overly frustrated with how life can overtake my energy. Sleep is barely an option these days as hips fall asleep and go numb or my 4-yr old comes down with flu symptoms and feels like sleeping horizontally with Joel and I. He likes to lay his head on daddy's tummy and legs over top my bulging belly...must be nice to have recliner-parents!

I wake up and am inspired by Joel's committment to get a productive day in and I go to start cleaning only to yawn and yawn and end up snuggling on the couch with Jude watching Dinosaur Train or better yet, Sesame Street.

I have to remember that this time with Jude is precious as it's a matter of days/wks now until Leland joins this family and transition occurs. I am hopeful....excited...and mostly, grateful. Just would love a miraclulous dose of motivation - but guess I have the rest of my life for that....off to snuggle some more...

Here is my latest prego pic....not playin' around....this baby IS coming!

hate goodbyes...

So, our dear friends, Dylan and Candace are moving home to Vegas....on one hand it's really super awesome for them to be near family, grandmas and grandpas, cousins....but on the other hand...they were really becoming great "family friends."

Dylan and Candace are creative artists, "makers of fine things" - so check out their stuff: CandaceTodd.blogspot.com


Something I am learning is how easy it is to take for granted the people you have right before you...your husband/wife...your bff....your fantastic neighbor....and when "life" takes them on another journey, it hurts. We will miss you guys a ton but know that our relationship not something geography will dictate...Godspeed friends...

And his name is....

Leland Ryan Miller

Leland is pronounced "Lee-Lend" and means, One who dwells near fertile soil that will one day become a vineyard or an orchard.

Ryan is his middle name after his Uncle Ryan...Joel's oldest brother and the man who has helped to spiritually lead not only his own family but all of us through some tough times. We love you, Ry, and hope this little guy learns how special it is to be named after quite the man!

Jude is entirely excited by the idea of this little person...he consistently watches my belly to see the growth, talks to Leland, assures his little brother that he'll be out soon and "not to worry" - it's beyond adorable.

We have enjoyed this season of pregnancy-not only because it was a long wait-but also to watch it through the eyes of our 4-yr old. We'll NEVER forget this time with Jude...it's been in the words of Jude "Super Smuper Duper Special"

Our next son...

We had our ultrasound this morning....the radiologist easily saw his "male lovelyness" and we knew another son was in store for us. He was 1lb and healthy as an ox! God's so good!

Thanks to all for praying!

Jess

Happy Father's Day from us....

We love you Dad - We love you Grandpa - and Joel we honor and appreciate the day to day sacrifice you make for us without complaint! May you truly feel our love and know how grateful we are for your love and faithfulness. I thank you for being the example to Jude of who God the Father is...you do it better than you could ever realize...

Sweet summer....welcome!

Joel and I have made an intense effort lately to make our time together with Jude and one another a priority. Not only is a new little child coming along to rock our worlds...but its our last summer with JUST one child in our home.

I am excited to say we're meeting our goal...playing outside a TON...being active with our amazing church family....planning an entire 9-day vacation where we are making memories together, enjoying the warm weather while it lasts, and seizing each moment we have together.

Here are a couple of shots of our summer so far...celebrated Joel's bday with a surprise dinner...did Crepes for lunch...and walked the Coventry Street Fair together too!





Coming up....Melissa Milroy's wedding on the 4th of July....loads of July Birthdays....and an Author's Show on July 27th at the Beachland Ballroom.

Hope you are making the most of your time together too....