Time is flying by! Dominic is getting so big, a whopping 15lbs at 2.5 months. The car seat is getting heavy! He has been in his 3-6 month clothes since he was 2 months old. We have had our challenges none the less. Dominic has some pretty intense reflux problems and cried for about 2 months straight, no joke! He has been on Zantac and a special formula that seems to eliminate most of the symptoms. He is about 80% improved so I really can't complain there. We have about 2 good days and one bad one. The bad ones can be a bit harrowing, but I praise God for his healing just the same. I celebrated my 30th birthday on Friday. Chris and I had dinner at Morton's while Grandma babysat. We were all going to go but Dom got a cold on Halloween. Needless to say, we didn't get to put on his costume, bummer! He is all better now and was really a little trooper throughout the 2 days he was sick, still smiling! He is learning to hold a rattle and has been smiling, cooing and laughing (more like a loud giggle) for a few weeks now....I know, my kid is so advanced! Chris has been super busy with work and school. He is taking next month off of school to spend more time with us. I am so thrilled about that!

We're In Love!

Our little D is a month old! Time has just flown by....well maybe not the sleepless nights! He is growing bigger every day....could be the amount of food he constantly consumes! We had his newborn pics done 2 weeks ago and he was so photogenic. He really did a great job, so alert and ham-ing it up! Dad and Mom are doing really well. We are just trying to make him fit into our lives instead of the other way around. Some days are easier than others! We are religiously doing "Baby Wise", a must for new parents. I try to read him scripture every day, as my best friend Jana said, "Faith comes by hearing!". We had a day out on Saturday, a trip to Michael's, the mall and then PF Chang's for dinner. Dominic went along and he did so well, not a peep from him the whole time. We have had lots of company. Chris' parents came to visit the first weekend in Sept. and then my Dad, Ellen and sister Jill came last week. Uh oh...he's stirring..time to make the bottle!

Sunday's Child Full of Grace

We welcomed our precious little boy into the world on Sunday night Aug. 24th. I went into labor early that morning, about 3am. We headed for the hospital around 11am. Contractions were unpredictable so I waited to have the epidural knowing it would slow down the process. Around 4pm I was more than ready for the pain to stop! The doctor's began to induce labor around 9pm and shortly after it was time to push! Dominic made his appearance at 11:04pm. A long day for us all! Chris was there to cut the cord. He watched the whole process and held his ground! I was so proud! The hospital released us with a clean bill of health on tuesday and we have been home adjusting to one another and our new schedules. We think he is the cutest thing ever! I am sure you will all agree! What a precious gift from God!

Welcome Dominic

Baby Dominic Dale Ward was born on August 24th, 2008 at 11:04 p.m.

He was 8 lb. 6 oz. and 21 inches.

Mom and Baby are both doing good.

RMCC Shower

Aug. 9th was my final shower at church. Yes, having 4 showers was crazy and yes I do have that many friends (everyone keeps asking me that!). It's a blessing! Krystal and Stephanie, 2 of my closest friends in AZ hosted it. We had great girl time hanging out together. Baby Dominic is ready to go and in position. All signs are pointing to any day now....so where is he?! I've had 3 or 4 days/nights full of contractions and then...nothing. I guess he is just gonna take his sweet time! Everyone's bags are packed and ready to go. We scared the waiter at Cheesecake Factory on Friday because he thought I was going to go into full labor right at the table....no such luck! Chris and I drove home from there peacefully, but my mom on the other hand was having a nervous breakdown in her car! As usual, Friday night was full of contractions but no baby!
Other news on the horizon.....Chris starts A/C school on friday. He is looking forward to it although he will be away from home more. I took my HUGE and STRESSFUL test at the AZ Assembly of God district office on friday morning to become a certified minister. I have one more interview in front of the General Council in Sept. and then I will have my official title. You can officially call me Pastor Kara at that point = )
10 baby days and counting..........

Tea Dreams Baby Shower

This past weekend my old college roomates, Lauren and Michelle, hosted a baby shower for me at a tea room in Gilbert. It was very "girly" with lots of pastel pink and crystal chandeliers! Any posh girls dream = ). As you can see from the picture of my niece Chloe hugging my belly, there is no denying that there is a bun in the oven! Keep reading, I had to make this into 2 posts because of all the cute pictures.

Tea Dreams Continued.....

We had a great turnout and I loved being able to catch up with some of my best girlfriends that don't get to see very often. A big "thank you" to all my friends who made it out and enjoyed a fun-filled girly time! Week 35 and counting.....

Are we there yet??

Week 32 and still counting! We stayed in last night and watched fireworks on TV since it was WAY too hot to go somewhere and sit. We had a little cookout with my parents (who are officially AZ residents now!). We spend a lot of time in their pool, such a treat! Last week we went to Vegas for the annual skin care show. Chris had to be the designated bag carrier! He did a great job at not complaining! On a different note, I have completed my degree to become a certified pastor. After 4.5 years of studying and spending 50% of my time with my nose in a book, I hardly know what to do with myself! I am sure the nesting stage will officially be setting in with this big obstacle out of my way. Stay tuned as the count down continues!

29 Weeks and Counting.....

We finished the nursery and it has been loaded with lots of gifts so far. It turned out really cute, the polka dots proved to be a bit of a challenge! In other news, Chris and I spent a weekend in Sedona for Kimberly and James' wedding, which ended up taking place in the Scottsdale hospital chapel. Long story! Kimberly is doing better and since all her family from Michigan was already present they decided to tie the knot in the ER. It was actually pretty cute and will make quite a story for their kids someday! My basketball in the front is becoming a little more tedious to carry as the days go by. I have gained 20 pounds so far and everything is progressing normally. Dominic is very active and seems to kick every time there is a Prince song on the radio....I think he likes him! How strange! Maybe that will help put him to sleep at night??

Michigan Shower

I headed to Niles for our next baby shower on April 26th. This shower was hosted by my stepmom Ellen and the Camp Gilbert Ladies. We had a great turn out and an adorable cupcake-cake! I was able to spend a lot of time with my family. Jill came home for an extended weekend trip. It was her 26th birthday that weekend. Danica also hosted a cookout at her house. It was such a pleasure to spend time with great friends. I don't think I have stayed out that long since high school!

Nashville Shower

Chris and I headed to Nashville for our first baby shower on April 19th. It was hosted by My sister in-laws, Tara and Shelley as well as my best friend Jana. We had a large turn out. The decorations were perfect, lots of purple, brown and greens. We had a really great time catching up with family and friends. A big THANKS to all who attended!

Dominic's First DVD

We had another ultrasound this morning to take some measurements of his brain and heart. He was too busy trying to show us other "things" that he thought were equally important last time! We got a great DVD this time of him moving around, blowing bubbles and yawning. Click on the "play" button on the bottom of each little screen to see him in action. Chris and I went to Nashville for our first baby shower last weekend. Pictures of that event will be up soon!

The First Kick!

Reality is beginning to set in! Dominic kicked my hand last Sunday afternoon. Well, I had to push on him a bit to get him to do it but he did! I have finally realized this week that it is not indigestion.....it is baby. We have been staying really busy every since we found out it was a boy. Well, first we had to return ALL the baby girl clothes that had been purchased and I do mean an entire closet full, that includes a pink fur coat purchased by my mom (I know, I know we live in AZ, there was no stopping her!). We all went off the deep end I guess. For the past dew days we have been working on the nursery, ok Chris has, I've just been pointing and directing. He is installing chair railing right now. The nursery will be blue and brown polka dots with matching turtle bedding. The turtle shells have matching dots too! Who says boy things aren't as cute?? I will add some pictures when it is done, it may be awhile knowing how wonderful our painting skills are....

I have included some new pics of our most recent adventures. One of our dearest friends Angela just got married. It gave me the opportunity to wear my first maternity dress. I took in my first training day game with some great girlfriends, and of course our silly pup Snoot. He's in for a big surprise in a few months! But he will have a buddy for life once Dominic grows up a bit. Snoot will have to guard his wrinkles!

Holy Cow! It's a BOY!

We had our second ultrasound yesterday and much to our surprise......it is not a girl! As you can tell very clearly from the picture to the left, that is a BOY!! Little Dominic (that's his name) was very photogenic yesterday and allowed us to get lots of shots of his face and side views. I prayed all morning that the baby would be spread eagle so we would have no problems determining the sex. Let's just say he was eager to cooperate! The doctor said he was perfectly healthy, a little over weight and very tall!! YES! I have attached a picture of his long legs to this post as well. We are going to register today. What do you do with little boys?? As most of you can imagine, all my close friends and family have just laughed at the fact that princessey Kara is having a baby boy! Chris is still walking around with his chest puffed up! He is a VERY proud Papa!

There's a BUMP!

Yep, it's the first official belly shot. This is the start of week 14 and it is starting to become more obvious that there is something in there! Well, to the rest of the world it looks like that something could just be a few extra cup cakes! We still have about 6 weeks until we will find out what we are having. Michael and Shelley came out to visit around Valentine's day and we hiked Camelback Mountain with them and then went to Morton's. It was a great weekend and it took my mind off of being sick!