Lots of New Exciting Stuff

Well, it has been 2 weeks since our last post and a lot has went down! Sorry for the delay in updating. We just found out yesterday Hillary's best friend, Jessica (Krieger) Hodges had a beautiful little boy, Mason Isaac. 8 pounds 6 ounces 20 and 3/4 inches long. Way to go Jess! Brent kudos to you too buddy. We are sooo happy for them and their new family!

As for us, Hillary had her second shower last weekend hosted by my aunts, Natalie Novak, Debby Berry, and Jodi Van Winkle...I wasn't even invited and they are MY family. I heard from a reliable source, though that it was outstanding with lots of great laughs, gifts, support, and "tips". We are so blessed to have such a wonderful group of family and friends who love and support us and our new growing family. Thank you all so much!

As for me, yes I finally graduated...and just a shade under a decade! For those of you that are wondering, No you don't have to call me Doctor. You may simply address me as "sir". It was a very nice ceremony with a special time dedicated to just our physical therapy class prior to the actual graduation. I was elected by classmates to give the farewell address to those attending. It was a bitter sweet moment, because while it is wonderful to be starting a new page in my life (one with an actual paying job) it will be hard to leave behind the great group of peers whom I shared 3 years of growing and learning. We finished off the weekend with a "Cinco de Mayo" aka "Cinco de Joel-o" party at mi casa hosted by none other than my beautiful pregnant wife, Hillary. It was alot of fun hanging out and celebrating with everyone.

Today we had Hillary's 37 week doctor's appointment. Yes, every week now!!!! Hillary's belly is still measuring a bit small...but if you ask her, she will disagree!! So, we had the opportunity to have another ultrasound just to make sure everything is checking out alright. Camden is doing great!!! Plenty of fluid, good heart beat, he gained a whole pound in 2 weeks, and most importantly readily identifiable boy parts!!! Hill's doc said she is probably measuring a bit small because of her "strong abdominal wall" or as I like to refer to it "abs of steel" or "Body by Hill". We are doing so well and cannot wait for 3 more weeks for Camden to be here and to meet him. We are just so anxious to see what he looks like. Thanks for all of your continued prayers and we promise to keep everyone updated. Unitl next time...

1st Shower

Let me start by saying "I Love Pizza!!" This must be Joel's kid. I even had the leftovers from my "pizza themed" shower for dinner tonight. What an adorable idea. I can't imagine a better day than today...it was great to have many close friends and family able to share this exciting time with me. Thank you all so much for all of the wonderful gifts. We are so blessed. I want to especially thank the girls who put this all together for me to make it so speical. So, thank you April, Natalie, Brytni, and Anna (we missed you Jess, but know you were there is spirit!). I am so thankful to have each of you as friends! Camden will just die when he gets to meet all his "beautiful aunts!" We still have a few more showers to go, and he is already spoiled rotten! :)

Things are going great with the pregnancy! 5 weeks from Tues. is the big day! The "nesting instinct" has definitely set in, as we have turned our house inside out this weekend getting ready for this baby. Poor Joel....I think after having him pull all the dishes out of the cupboards and lay down new contact paper, he was about to kill me. :) What a trooper! He is surprisingly really good at painting my toenails, which I can no longer see or reach! He patiently bundles up when I ask for the air to be on and am STILL sweating!!! I can't imagine a more loving husband...I'm so lucky. Let's see if he can hang in there 5 more weeks (hopefully 3, NO MORE than 6!!) Starting Tues. we see the doctor every week...so stay tuned for more updates!

Remembering Zach...

Dear friends and family,

We wanted to take this opportunity to remember Joel's brother, Zach, who was taken from us way too soon in a tragic plane crash a year ago this weekend. This year has definitely been a roller coaster of emotions, as we are dealing with daily grief and loss, as well as joy and excitement at the arrival of our precious baby, Camden Zachary. Having this baby boy has been the most thrilling time of our lives, but it's also equally hard not be able to share our joy with Zach. He would have been the BEST Uncle, and we ache to know that he won't be able to hold Cam and get to know him, here on earth. Even though Zach isn't here with us anymore, we feel that he knows Camden already and will be rejoicing with us not only on his birthday, but throughout his life.

Joel and I are committed to teaching and showing Cam what kind of person Zach was. We are blessed to have his beautiful music, which Camden already loves. We're counting on those CD's to sooth any and all crying. :) Zach was the most hardworking, goal oriented, and musically talented person we know. His love of the Lord and his family are examples to us daily. Our prayer for Camden Zachary is that he grows up to be a fraction of the person his uncle was and is. Even in the womb, we have started to share our favorite stories and memories of Zach with our little man. Zach was an inspiration to all he came in contact with, and will continue to be an inspriation in his nephew's life.

Thank you to all who have been praying for our family during this time. Your prayers are truly felt. Your cards and words of sympathy mean so much to Joel and me. Hold your loved ones close, as we are reminded of how very short life is. We can't wait to hug and kiss on Cam in just 6 short weeks!!

Happy Easter

The nursery is officially done!! All we need is a baby to put on the finishing touches. Thank you Margo for making all of the bedding. It looks awesome. Hillary is now 31.5 weeks along, but if you ask her, she is 33 weeks. Her sister, Natalie and her have a screwed way of keeping time. Hill is doing great still, although she is starting to get a little more uncomfortable...I don't know why. Hormones raging and constant clothes changing keeps me hopping. It even makes me do some crazy stuff, like trying on Camden's duck towel, just to break it in of course.

We just wanted to put another update out there to wish everyone a blessed and happy Easter. As we are counting down until our new arrival, we pause to reflect on the numerous blessings we have in our lives and the tremendous sacrifice that was paid for our salvation. We love you all and can't wait to catch up again with the next posting. Watch that belly grow!!!

30 week belly!!

30 weeks along, and I have definitely moved from a "bump" to a "belly"! Camden is growing so fast...we are noticing big changes everyday. According to our latest doctor's appointment on Tues., he is approx. 3 lbs. and 17 in. long, with a super strong heart beat of 141. Both he and I are right on track. Joel and I are amazed each visit by what a miracle this whole process is! The 10 week countdown has begun! Cam loves to kick me(hard!) on the right side in the ribs when I'm laying down. We can actually see my belly jumping! Joel thinks he's trying to get outta there! :) I disagree....I think I've made a sweet little home for him. Joel has been replaced at night by my favorite body pillow. LOVE that thing! :) I'm working on some negotiating strategies to keep it even after Camden is born. As each week passes, we are growing more and more anxious about meeting that little guy!

Things I can't wait to do post-pregnancy

1. Drink coffee everyday (and every other source of caffeine)

2. Where pants that zip

3. Sleep in any position BUT my side

4. Play with my precious baby

Things Joel can't wait for about post-pregnant Hill

1. A wife that doesn't grunt whenever she changes positions

2. Losing that body pillow!

3. No more burping (at least from Hill...Cam burping is no biggie)

4. Not hearing "but I'm pregnant!" :)

Best Friend Bellies

Hi friends and fam! Usually Joel does the posting, but I'm the boss today!! Last Sunday, my best friend Jessica came all the way from Arizona for her baby shower. She is due to have sweet little Mason 3 weeks before we expect Camden! It was so good to spend some time with Jess and see her adorable little belly. Talking with her was so fun, since she's going through this pregnancy business too! Somehow she could identify with all the prego drama a little more than my hubby. :) Just teasing...Joel is absolutely wonderful...SO sweet and attentive. He will be the BEST daddy in just 11 more weeks. He talks to Cam everyday and tells him to keep working on his swing (we all know that's what he's doing when he moves around in there....swinging bats, and fielding baseballs). We're pretty sure we have a Joel, jr. seeing as how I can't stay out of the pizza and doritos. Definitely daddy's boy! :) We've officially diagnosed Grandma Misty and Aunt Brytni with a baby clothes buying illness. They have been so generous and thoughtful...Cam is one lucky kid! This has been such a fun journey for us and we can't wait for Camden to meet all of you! Stay posted for 11 more weeks, and we'll make sure to post pictures of our precious boy. Love you all!

Nursery & baby update

Yes, I think we are finally done with the furniture for the nursery...but we all know how much my vote counts. We went to Ikea up in Chicago this past weekend and picked up some pretty cool items to put the finishing touches on things. Now, we just need the bedding which Margo is so thoughtfully going to fabricate for us. Thanks in advance Nana!

While we were up there we stayed with Hillary's cousin, Nick and his wife Bry. It was nice to visit with them and see their place. We saw the musical Wicked and ate at some wonderful restaurants and found out little Cam loves deep dish Chicago style pizza, just like his dad. I am alreay grooming him for Chicago and Wrigley Field. We wanted to have a last getway with just us before Camden gets here. It was a terrific weekend!!

Hill had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday for her 26 week check-up. Everything is looking fine and we are right on track, measuring at 26cm on the dot! Camden must realize how much his mom LOVES to be punctual. She is going to start going to the doctor every 2 weeks now, that is crazy! Hillary is starting to have a little heart burn. We think that given his genetic background, he will be a hairy baby...it'll be spiked with gel right away if so. Lady killer! Also, we registered today at Target and Baby's R Us. It is all VERY overwhelming. We had fun overall, and only almost got a divorce once in the store! Just joking. We hope all is well with everyone and sorry we haven't updated in a while. We love you and can't wait for Spring!!