3 weeks and counting.

I enjoy writing and taking pictures (sounds like the start to a bad e-harmony add), but uploading pictures takes much less time. Written blog coming later.

Cousin Jewels & Chris stopped by and helped us out with some 3 week photos. These are some of her favorites and other pictures we've taken these past few weeks.

Don't kid yourself, it was just gas.

First snow.

Favorite spot to sleep.

Interesting thought, let me contemplate my rebutle.

You came THIS close to getting IT!

Is my head really going to be that big!?

Favorite pastime (at least during the day).

Continuing with the tongue out pose.

And again.

Enjoying the flakes.

1000 Words

Someone once said, "A picture is worth a thousand words", so here you go...

About 5 hours before Yegi went into labor we had dinner with friends at Litton's(nice face Sarah Beth)


T-minus 3 hrs and everyone came over to the house to hang out for a little while. The preggo's wanted a picture together.


Yegi's water broke and we got to the hospital at 2am. The all-star team showed up at 3am and didn't leave until it was over.


My family made it in later that morning. This isn't all of them...just the prettiest of all.


Yegi feeling good after the epidural. Just before starting to push.


After about 3 hrs of pushing the doctor was afraid of her head bleed and we went back to the O.R. for a C-section where the nurses determined he was "sunny side up" and twisted which was keeping him from being birthed.


Introducing...River Cameron Cole. 7lbs 7oz, 20-inches long. Just after congratulating the doctor on a successful birth.


Meeting mom for the first time.


Dad and his size small full body Tyvek suit.


Meeting Grand-Lad for the first time.


Family coming to meet River.


Multiple generations of grandmothers. I love this picture.


Cousins Julie & Chris.


Family photo.


G-mother, Great-Aunt Sonya, and Nana.


Great-aunt Betsy, G-mother, and Madar-Joon.


Aunt Anna.


Aunt Jenny.


Taking a nap.


The women on mom's side.


More visitors. Soon to be in this situation.


Heading home.


Found out River had high Bili-Rubin levels and needed phototherapy. Children's Hospital set us up with a home unit that River stayed in for 24 hrs. Not fun but it did work. He's doing well now and no longer has Jaundice.


It was super bright in our house which made it difficult to walk around without sunglasses on.


We were so tired the second night at home so Yegi's mom came and stayed up all night with River while we slept. She held his hand all night so he knew she was there since he had to wear a blind fold.


Got my first bath at home.


Happy at home with my mom and dad. Thanks to everyone for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers and for all the support. We are enjoying every minute with the River man and look forward to having him grow up with all of you in his life.

- Chris, Yegi, River, Daisy, Chaco

Stacking Glasses

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Finishing Strong

Its coming down to the wire. We have entered the final trimester (cue Rocky IV themesong Final Countdown) and my thoughts have finally changed from nervous to excitement. I used to be scared to death that a kid would walk up to me and call me "Dad", but now I look forward to it (jk-ing here folks, sorry honey, I know you're shaking your head right now). Everyone told us that these 9 months would fly by. I'm sure here in a year or two I will say the same thing to my friends that are in this same situation but for me time has moved much the same as it always has.

We have done a lot during the past few months: one family beach vaca, one with friends, one trip to DC, one room overhaul, another trip to a Young Life camp as "adult guests", two multi-day backpacking trips (me only of course), a summer on the lake (albeit not enough times out), a full UT football season, the beginning of a basketball season (go Blue Devils & Vols), Yegi gained tenure (Congratulations!), I didn't get laid-off (Wa-hoo!), 7 baby showers (yes, SEVEN), 22 pounds gained by Yegi (thus far), 15 by me (thus far!), 10 hormonal temper-tantrums (and Yegi wasn't happy when I screamed either...), a major budget change (good luck Nama, see you in 5-10), 5 trips to the hospital with 8 overnight stays (sorry Cigna Insurance), 1.5 months of bedrest(thank you friends for all the meals, visits, TV show season dvd's), 3 weeks of Labor & Delivery classes(which included more video of lady business than I ever wanted to see), Thanksgiving and hopefully Christmas with our families.

We are heading into the Christmas 09 weekend and Yegi is doing her best to keep River swimming. Although I'm a little worried she might try and have him early just for the sake of entertainment. Her bed rest has been unenjoyable for the both of us (more for her). Being able to do nothing for yourself is not as fun as it sounds especially when your "helper" does not do things the way you want them too. I have been trying to mimic Yegi's procedure for each task she normally performs but realized early on that my college habit of not paying attention until it matters has carried on into my married life. Needless to say, we are both excited about her coming off bed rest and I am especially looking forward to have someone to play with...