Let's start at the very beginning...

As you may know by now, we welcomed our son, Harold Aden Wertz V, or Quint as we are calling him, into the world on Tuesday, May 8th at 11:03 PM after being induced that morning.  He was 7 lb. 14 oz. and 20.5 inches long.  The whole process began at 7:15 AM and our lives changed in a wonderful, amazing way in such a short period of time.

We arrived at the hospital at 7:15 AM and Aden and I enjoyed some quiet time of relaxation, conversation and merriment... at least until mid-afternoon when things got painful.  We played cribbage, talked, and I introduced him to my pregnancy indulgence - "What Not to Wear" on TLC.  I texted my mom & sister and said it was like vacation, only I was wearing a hospital gown and hooked up to an IV.  :)  The rest of the afternoon and evening wasn't so vacation-like, but in the end we had a beautiful new son and in that time and over the course of the next week, I gained a much deeper appreciation for my husband.  He was the most amazing coach ever and took care of me so sweetly, gently and selflessly. 

I am amazed at how much love I have for our little guy.  I love watching Aden with him as well - I think it is safe to say that we are both smitten and the lack of sleep, etc. pales in comparison to how awesome it is to finally snuggle with him.  Since having Quint I have come to appreciate my husband, my bed, sleeping on my back, pain medications, my supportive family, my Creator, and far more in much greater dimension!  There are so many little joys as well as great discoveries and truths that we have only begun to understand.  Who knew you could sit and look at the same little person for so much time and be filled with so much joy!  ...And who knew you could change so many poopy diapers in one day...

First full day home from the hospital

Meeting Auntie Meg

Oma and Quint having quality snuggle time

Buddy meets Baby (the beginning of a beautiful friendship)

"He's a lumberjack and he's ok..."

Family time on Mother's Day

Auntie LoLo came up for an afternoon

"Just because I'm wearing a ducky outfit doesn't mean I'm not a tough guy!"

Sing our song to Quint..."Sweet Pea, apple of my eye..."

Quint wore this on Aden's first day back to work in honor of his daddy.

Meeting some of the cousins

Grandpa singing a song to Quint

First outing - weight check at the doctor

First bath - He's really excited!

Tummy time!

More cousins and family!  Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Tara, Madeline & Caitlin

Grampy and Quint

Having a heart to heart

He found his thumb!  But he hasn't found it since. :)

Holding his head up all by himself!

Mommy & Quint time

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

Sometimes (often), things don't work out as I planned. As of today I am one week over my due date.  Do I really have anything to complain about?  No.  Was my plan and schedule different than what has transpired?  Yes.  Is it the end of the world?  No.  Has it been a frustrating week?  I'd be lying if I said no. 

41 weeks and baby is content in the belly...

I am reminded of our house hunting/moving process last summer, when we had to move our belongings into storage and live with a friend for two months as we found the right house and went through the rigorous process of getting a closing date set.  It is in times like these that I find I have to make a choice about how I will respond.  How will I handle the unknown or better yet, Who will I allow to handle the unknown.  Is it up to me alone?... or am I able to relinquish control over the situation, realizing that an attitude of surrender to One who is greater is a far better choice!  Ahhh waiting...it always builds character, but it's not always easy.

It is easy to let fear, anxiety, discouragement, frustration, annoyance, etc. hold mastery over us.  But I am reminded of James's words in James 1:2-4, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  Now this week hasn't been full of huge trials, but it has surely tested my patience.  I have learned that everyone has an opinion and everyone means well, but at the same time it's not always helpful or encouraging...a great opportunity to practice patience and grace.  I am not typically one to be fearful, but when you're thinking about the well-being of your baby and your well thought out plans that aren't turning out the way you'd hoped, is easy to let the voices of fear and anxiety speak loud and clear. 

So, tomorrow morning we are going in for an induction.  And maybe we will have a baby tomorrow, and maybe we won't, but he will come when he is ready.  As I was reminded last summer during our moving process, it is always better when I have surrendered to the timing and terms of my Creator and Heavenly Father because ultimately He sees the big picture and His perspective is eternal while mine is limited, finite.  It is in the surrender that I find peace and comfort.

"Be still and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10

39 weeks and getting sassy!

Love having pregnant friends. Bethany at 28 weeks and me at 39. 
Sabra wanted to get in on the fun too!

Baby Boy has been the token male at many bridal showers this spring.

41 weeks and still going strong.