It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We decided it was now or never to get our Christmas tree, so last week we headed out to the great unknown to get one.  Well really we hopped in our car and went two minutes down the road to a little tree farm.  For Grant it was a grand adventure.  It was his first trip away from home (except to see the Dr.).  He was so excited that he actually woke up for the occasion.

He braved the wicked cold long enough for his Mom to say, "Sure, that one!"

And before he knew it we were headed back home, Griswald Style, with the tree strapped to the roof of the wagon.

Aside from that adventure, Grant also got to meet some new people this week.  Our good friends Beth and Patrick spent Saturday with us and showered Grant with gifts.  Thanks for coming to visit and for all the gifts and the delicious cake!  It was GREAT to see you!!!

The rest of the week Grant spent cuddling Mommy and Daddy.

Now that is a darn near perfect week!

More Weekend Pics

It was quite adorable to see Lara with her baby boy and Jenny with her baby boy.  I can't believe in 9 short months that Grant will be so big!

Luke sure enjoyed crawling around the house.

Peek-a-boo!!!

Grant already has a couple of best friends.  They try to comfort him when he cries and lay by him whenever they get the chance.  I have been impressed by how well Cooper and Luna have adjusted to Grant in the house.  Both of them will try to cover him with kisses at times but by and large give him his space.

Grant is absolutely changing by the day.  I am anxious to hear what his weight is at the Dr's appointment at the end of the week.  Here are a few wide-eyed pics.  He still sleeps like crazy but is definitely spending more time looking at the world around him.

Determined, Dedicated, & Tough

Just a few of the qualities Jenny has shown herself to have yet again.  Jenny completed a half-marathon in State College on Sunday.  Dale, Grace, Jenny and Luke made the trip Saturday night and stayed until Sunday.

It was a nice day for the race but quite chilly!

 

Here's Jenny making  a pass at Beaver Stadium right by the finish line.

And the result.....

A FIRST PLACE finish in her age group!!!  Congrats Jen, you did great!

Meeting the Fam

In his first week, Grant has gotten to meet his grandparents and almost all his aunts and uncles (we are anxious for you to meet him Heather and Denise).

Just cause he's so darn cute.

Here are some more pics of Grant Wesley.  He has been amazing so far.  He just eats and sleeps and has provided the smoothest transition to parenthood that Lara and I could imagine.

Here's an exhausted pair after a LOOONG day of labor.

 
...and here a a few more cute pics from the hospital.

I'll finish up with a couple pics from his first trip to the Dr. on Tuesday.  Grant's weight was up to 7 lbs 8 oz from a low of 7 lbs 2 oz in the hospital and his jaundice is all but gone. 

Happy Hunting!!!

Grant wanted to wish everyone a happy first day of rifle season.

Both Grant and Lara are doing great.  We were discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon and the transition to home has been quite smooth.  Our little zoo of animals have adapted quite easily to Grant being in the house.  Thank you all for your sweet comments on the last post.  We have also been receiving many phone calls and visits and we feel so loved from all the kind words and support that we have gotten.  

Thanksgiving - Our New FAVORITE Holiday!

This Thanksgiving brought us much to be thankful for.  Namely the birth of a beautiful, healthy son.  However, before I get into details about him, something would be amiss if I did not mention my wife.  I expected Lara to be amazing in labor, she was all that I thought possible and more.  Our day, as many labors are, was filled with not only physical pain but disappointments and frustrations along the way.  I won't get into details here but at every obstacle she moved forward with the same tenacity, strength, and resolve she had shown hour upon hour prior.  She was calm, focused and amazing......simply amazing.  At 4:19 am on November 26, 2009, Grant Wesley Law was born.  Both he and his mother were healthy and happy and  I am sure that any parent would give up their birth plan to have that result.

So here is the little bugger!  I won't post many pics now because I need to get back to Lara and Grant at the hospital but certainly many more photos will come in the following days and weeks.  

All the Dr.'s wanted a piece of the little guy as he entered the world!

 

Grant was 7 lbs 11 oz and 21" long at birth.  I cannot even begin to express the joy that Lara and I are feeling with the addition of this precious little baby to our family.

 

Still Waiting

For those of you regulary checking our blog to get baby news, I thought I would let you know the little girl/guy seems to be enjoying mommy's tummy.  So far nothing happening this weekend.  Although, Lara decided to do some baking tonight.  That is quite odd for her, maybe some maternal instincts kicking in?! 

40 Weeks, 4 Days and Counting

Here is Lara on her due date (Tues).  As you can, see she is still putting on her scrubs and heading out to work everyday.  I think she's decided this upcoming Tuesday will be her last work day before baby (if the baby doesn't come sooner).  Today we had a Dr.'s appointment and since she is past her due date, they conducted a non-stress test in which they hooked Lara up to a fetal heart rate monitor for 20 minutes.  They were looking to see if the baby was moving and his/her heart rate was elevating along with the movement.  The Dr. said it is a good sign if the baby makes 4 movements in 20 minutes.  Our little one moved about 20 times in the first 15 minutes and so they took Lara off the monitor a little early!  So it appears the little one is still quite healthy and active.  Our next appointment will be Tuesday as we have now moved up to twice weekly appointments.  We will be doing another non-stress test.  I have to say, aside from the ultrasounds the non-stress tests are the best appointments.  Lara gets to relax in a recliner and we get 20 minutes to just sit and listen to the baby's heartbeat.  

Boy

oh boy is it tough waiting on this baby.  

Gotcha, just for a second, didn't I?

Still Waiting on a Baby!

As you may have noticed, the baby counter on the right says that Lara is 40 weeks pregnant.  Today is her due date!  We are very anxious to finally hold the little one (so are many others judging by the increased volume of telephone calls!).  So far no signs that he or she is ready to see the light of day.


On Sunday we went for a little walk around Fisherman's Paradise.  I am sure we were quite the sight.  Lara has developed a bit of a waddle these days and I was limping along with a bum foot.  Even with our physical ailments we had an enjoyable nature hike.  

Waiting on Baby Law

Our baby is still pretty content in Lara's belly.  At last weeks Dr's appointment Lara was about 50% effaced and around 2cm dilated.  At this morning's appointment she was right about the same place.  Our hospital bags are packed and we are anxiously awaiting the newest member of our family.  Lara is still working full-time and getting along pretty well.

No language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a mother's love.

~Edwin H. Chapin

5K & Fun Day!

The weather report was calling for a pretty wet and rainy weekend but we actually had some nice weather. Saturday afternoon when the rain broke we headed to Fisherman's Paradise with the dogs.

As you can see Cooper was loving the golden rainbow trout at the hatchery! He would have been in there in a second if we would have let him. Luna on the other hand was a little more timid which makes sense since some of the fish were as big as her.
We wondered why so many people were along the stream. Kinda cool that a big competition was going on.
Then we got a phone call from Jenny that she had just decided to run a 5k in State College on Sunday. Try as she might, I decided to take pictures rather than run in it myself. Here are Jen's adoring fans waiting for her at the finish line.
I just had to include this photo of Ella that Lara took.
And here comes Jenny for another good finish.
Congrats Jen!!! Nice run!
And after the race we came back to our house to watch some football and "play" in the backyard. I say play but really Jenny, Jed, & Lara spent a ton of time cleaning up all the leaves in the backyard. Thank you guys so much for visiting (and the gorgeous yard you left us!). We always enjoy the company of your family so much!