17 Days...

until Chase is 5 months. Whoa. So, I figured, I'd better post his 4 month photos before it's too late :)

The photoshoot ends when he finds the sticker. :)

He was so excited to pull it off. A big accomplishment to him. haha.

All done. Happy belated 4 months lil man!

His Name Fits!

So I forgot that I said I would post this. I gave you a tiny explanation (click here to read) before he was born but not too much because of that fact that his name is so literal. I was afraid you'd guess ;)

Did you wonder "why Chase Journery"? Well here is our heart behind his name! I'd love to hear what you think, that is unless you hate it. haha.

What is in his name?

So what does his name mean? His name is pretty literal and you may be thinking it is somewhat of a “hippy” name, but here is our reason for naming him Chase Journey.

Choosing a boy’s name was a lot harder than we imagined. It actually took us until I was 6 months pregnant to finally decide what we would want to name a son, if we had one. (By that time, Ted already knew Chase was a boy, I did not.) We had chosen the middle name ‘Journey’ but could not find the perfect, meaningful name for a son.

We chose Journey for a few reasons. For one, Ted and I both had been on such a journey throughout our lives, both having had intense journey’s to get to where we are today. Our journey is unfolding beautifully and that is what we desire for our son. Which leads to our most important reason for the name ‘Journey’. We pray that he would pursue his journey with the utmost integrity, vision, passion and with his whole heart. A journey of becoming a man of integrity amidst the everyday struggles. The journey of humility, vision and of course, adventure. The journey to finding who he is in Christ.

When we came across the name ‘Chase’, I gasped. I asked Ted, “What do you think of Chase? Chase Journey?” He immediately loved it too. We both agreed. It was perfect for why we had chosen Journey. It fit. It was what we desired and it was us.

The definitions we love;

Chase:

-to pursue with intent to capture, to follow in pursuit of (his journey)

-to follow or devote one's attention to (his journey)

Journey:

-passage or progress from one stage to another

Chase’s birth was in fact, like his middle name, a Journey! At 9 days overdue, we had a 42 hour labor ending with a c-section and a healthy boy! Chase entered the world July 18th at 2:12am, at 8lbs 15oz 21in. We are so thankful for his safe arrival!

Chase has already captured our hearts and added such a unique dynamic to the Davis’ family. He is full of life and his personality is already shining through. What a joy! Our friends and family instantly fall in love with him and he has already brought us closer together.

Thus, Chase Journey!!!

09.09.09.

9 Things I Love About being a momma

(9-9-09 gave me a reason to blog)

::01:: Celebrating the small successes and sharing each one with people! I find joy in the little things, but didn't always share that joy and now I have a reason to always share Chase's little successes! Smiling, making bubbles, rolling onto his side, holding his head up, recognizing a toy or face, etc.

::02:: It teaches me to be selfless. A daily lesson. Sometimes an every minute lesson. Getting up earlier than I would normally, sacrificing the raspberry white mocha because it upsets his tummy, taking care of his needs before even thinking about a shower, etc. So good!

Adios!

::03:: I love that being a mom requires me to be an adult and a child simultaneously. I am allowed to be silly to make my sweet boy laugh, talk in a high pitched voice to coax that smile out, dance like a crazy, soon - play pretend, and someday he will paint and colour with me... but I also must be an adult and immediately responsive to his needs.

::04:: I love the look on his face and in his eyes when I capture his attention and he recognizes "it's my mommy!" But I also love look he gets when he is crying and he knows I am there and about to hold him in my arms.... oh my w o r d! Melts my heart.

::05:: It teaches me to be patient!

::06:: Being a mother has challenged me more than I've ever been challenged before. In integrity, in humility, in my walk with God and in my marriage because one day and sooner than I can imagine, he will begin to watch mommy's every move. So, I've been challenged with what I am doing with my life! Hard but good!

::07:: Watching Ted be a daddy! Words cannot describe!

::08:: Chase's life has already strengthened the ties with the people who love us.

::09:: It gives me a deeper understanding of love. Whoa. How to even put this into words?! I really can't.

Ted's Mini Me.

Chase was sportin' clothes daddy wore when he was a baby.

Our Journey: Chase Journey Davis

It wasn't what I had imagined/pictured, but it brought our beautiful son.

We decided if we had a boy, we would name him Chase Journey and as it turns out the name suits him quite well. It was quite the journey to bring him into the world. 42 hours of labor which ended with a cesarean. We are just so thankful that he is well and here with us! We are in awe!

Waiting to meet our baby. The longest wait.

July 18th @ 2:12 am

8lbs 15oz 21in

He had a rough start because of the long labor. He is so strong though!

My first time holding my little Chase.

My little sunshine is here! It's so surreal!

He has his daddy's eye shape, my nose and lips.

Holding onto mommy.

Ted is already blowing me away with how great of a father he is.

Daddy & Chase

He is so perfect, even in spite of his battle wounds :)

Our Crib!

Looking up instructions on the web.

Cribs are more complicated than we thought. This was our 2nd attempt!

My job was to hand him these little items. 

The final product! So surreal!

Ted wanted to put the "daddy's little alarm clock" onesie on the bed, which I thought was precious!

This makes everything more real!

 Ted said maybe we should push our bed against the wall and I told him it was okay. He was like, "You just want to be as close to the baby as possible huh?" He caught me =)

As we put the crib together it began to hit Ted more than ever before. As we placed the crib sheet set, the bumber and the mobile on Ted was helping and kept saying, "Soon our baby will be in here. Wow." I'm glad we did this now for many reasons but it's so incredible to see his daddy side more and more each day!

Two New Finds Bring Tears to my Eyes.

Both new finds brought on the tears!

One:

Ted recently created a wordpress blog, including the design and layout. He wrote something so simple yet profound which made me cry.

http://teddavisphoto.wordpress.com/

He also wrote on our blog as well:

http://tedandjamidavis.blogspot.com/

Two:

Colby Caillat's song Capri. I was working in the web department yesterday just letting all kinds of music play to inspire me, and heard this song for the first time. I don't know how I had ever missed it! Seriously, this song is on repeat on my ipod now. Even as I cleaned today, repeat. Ted was like, "It's about a baby girl you know..." Which I know, but I am almost convinced deep within that I'm carrying a baby girl, EVEN if I am not... I ADORE the beginning part of this song. Check it out.

Week 26 photos coming soon!

*craving of the week: quesadillas with sour cream & picante*

Why a Home Birth?

Many ask me, why did you choose to do a home birth instead of a hospital birth? Well, today I will answer and hopefully thoroughly. (With my mind these days, that is a lot harder than it may sound).

*Now for a disclaimer, let me say this. Many women I know and love, choose hospital births. This is not a blog about bashing hospital births and medicines and all that jazz! This is what I have chosen personally! I know a ton of women who have had incredibly midwifes in hospitals, and have super healthy kiddos now. This is nothing against you, if you are or have done this! Seriously, I hope you all see my heart is what I'm about to share! *

A little bit of history... when I was around 12 or 13 I attended a home birth for my mom's dear friend. As much as I was shocked to actually see a birth, I remember really enjoying the calm atmosphere, and the fact that they wanted to bring this baby into their own home and most importantly, a home embellished with God. Until I was married (which ironically I swore I would never marry), I didn't think about this again.

When we found out we were pregnant after months of trying and trusting God, I immediately wanted to do a home birth, but knew it would be hard to share that with Ted, and with my extended family. I knew they would be hesitant, but only because they wanted a safe enviroment for the baby and I. I shared my heart for wanting a home birth, and Ted was worried.

We ended up deciding to head to the doctors, and went ahead and planned on having a hospital birth. I won't lie, I was bummed but I understood Ted's hesitation was out of love for me, and the fear of the unknown. Well, our first appointment bombed. We were treated terribly (and I'm not exaggerating). The lady that checked the baby and I out, was very impersonal and actually quite rude. We left the clinic that morning feeling discouraged, and we both didn't feel peace, but Ted still wasn't ready to commit to a home birth understandably.

The weeks in between our first appointment and our 10 week check up, we frequently discussed a home birth. I also spoke with other mothers, (which there are 2 at our base), who have done home births. I asked them a lot about it, and with their encouragement- Ted met with one of the fathers to see what he originally felt about them, and what the process involves. We were still very undecided by the time we went to our 10 week checkup.

We saw the baby for the first time. For Ted, this made the entire pregnancy more real. The weeks of sickness made it real enough for me. We were treated a lot better this time, and still both walked away feeling no peace. So we then prayed, and decided to pursue a home birth.

I have many reasons for doing a home birth, but here are my most important, and heartfelt reasons for why I chose a home birth.
- First, I want to set the tone and atmosphere. I want to bring our baby into this world in an atmosphere of praise and adoration to God. I want to be able to spend however long labor is, in prayer and worship. I want our baby to come into the prescence of God first and foremost.
- I want to be with my baby immediately after labor. I want to hold him/her, despite how exhausted I am. I don't want someone to wisk my baby away. I want the first precious moments.
- I want to give birth naturally. I am a weakling, I know this more than anyone, and I want to remain focused the entire process of delivery.
- I want to be with my loved ones, while going through labor. I want my friends and family to be the first ones who welcome our baby into the world.

Can you do this at a hospital? I am sure you can and go for it!! A home birth is what we feel peace in pursuing.

I met our midwife yesterday, fell in love, and had total peace.( She believes in God, and will let me set the tone for the day) Oh, and Ted liked her too. In fact when she asked, "Do you guys need more time to think about this.." I was surprised and overjoyed to hear Ted answer first, saying we are set on doing a home birth and having her deliver our baby!!

We have totally peace, and I personally can't even share with you how excited, thrilled, anxious... I am for the next months to pass and to meet our little one! Hope this made sense! :)

Love,
Jami & the kickin' baby E