This past weekend my cousin Liza and dear friend Nibha drove 11 hours through rain, sleet, and snow to hang out with us and meet baby Jane. Liza also happens to be an incredibly gifted photographer and, after our pancake breakfast and french press of coffee, she captured these Saturday morning shots.

Thank you, Liza and Nibha, for coming, for bringing such joy to our home this weekend, and for sharing your time, your talents, and your lives with us. So grateful for your faithful friendship and for the way you have loved on our little Jane Bug.

Tuesdays with Jane

Okay, so technically it's Wednesday but I'm a new mom so cut me some slack. ;)

Hard to believe our little Janie Bear is two weeks old already! In an effort to record & remember these early days of her life (I know this time will pass by soooo quickly!) and to satisfy doting grandmas and aunts, :) I'm initiating Tuesdays with Jane-- a weekly blog post with pictures (and perhaps a story or two) of our sweet Jane. Tuesday because that's the day she was born... unless I forget, and then Wednesday will have to do. :)

And so without further ado, this week's Tuesday with Jane...

For 9 days (incidentally, as long as Grandma Jan was here), Jane had us fooled into thinking she was a perfect baby... or we were just really great parents. "This whole baby thing is easy! What's everyone complaining about?!" Ahem...

We have since discovered that Jane is indeed a real baby and we are not such incredible parents after all. This week she has particularly enjoyed exercising her vocal chords at nighttime. (Her dad is amazing and has been covering night shifts- so mama can sleep- and taking LOTS of coffee to work each day. Such a good man.)

But... this too shall pass, and in the mean time we're trying to savor the snuggles and sweetness that come with this newborn phase too. Someday I know we'll miss these days... and maybe even the nights. :)

Jane Elizabeth

One week ago today, we welcomed Jane Elizabeth into the world and into our family—hands down the most incredible day of our lives.

Our hearts exploded with a love so immediate and intense no words could describe, and yet so common to parents of all history that no words are necessary. We were simply smitten.

After laboring all night in the hospital—by far the most difficult marathon I have ever endured—finally the moment had come. The doctor told me I was going to catch the baby, and with one last push I reached out my arms and watched in awe as a full head of dark hair slipped its way out of my body and into the world.

“It’s a GIRL!” Danny announced.

I swooped her to my chest—her tiny body a slippery mess—the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. 

Little Jane lay on my chest taking her first breaths, and me—her mother—soothing her first cry. I have relived this moment a thousand times, and it never fails to bring me to tears.

Jane endeared herself to us so quickly. On our second night at the hospital, Danny and I were listening to her rhythmic breathing as she slept and imagining the life ahead of her—imagining sweet Jane as a toddler… a child… a teenager… sweet Jane on her wedding day… or having children of her own. We looked at each other with tear-filled eyes, wishing she’d never grow up, wishing we could freeze this moment forever. How is it possible that after only two days we couldn’t fathom life without her?

Jane means “God is gracious,” and already she embodies this to us. We wonder how her personality will develop, but we pray that she will grow to be a woman who knows the grace of God and shows that grace to others.

Happy 1-Week Birthday, Janie Bear. We love you so much and are so glad you’re in our family!