Meet Me Here Monday: Happy Due Date!!

Not only is it the Chinese New Year...

but today is the day we thought we would celebrate for the rest of our lives as Davis' Birthday...

but in God's perfect timing...we've been able to enjoy and love on our little guy for an extra two weeks!

This was our first full week of "all by ourselves" parenting....so we just took it easy and spent some good time cuddling and loving our baby.

We also practiced using the Moby Wrap for when I actually do have to take Davis out in public. I think that thing is going to be wonderful because it keeps him all snug and happy in there!

But then on Saturday, we had a few visitors! The kids I nannied for, for the last 4 years came over to meet Davis. It was so great to see them and just chat with them about school, friends, and of course Hot Wheels. My favorite quote from our time together was when Ryan said, "Mrs. Chelsea, when Baby Davis hatched...." Ha! Yes, sweet boy, when he hatched!

 My parents also came down for the day, so it was nice to just hang out with them for a little while as well.

They LOVE their grandson!

 Del's parents will get here tomorrow which we are super excited about! I am so thankful that Davis was born when he was so that they could meet him before they head back to China. Yep, you read that right....Del's parents live in China. So, it's a huge blessing that they were here for Christmas Break, because otherwise they wouldn't have met Davis until Del's graduation in May.

Then on Sunday, we caught a "wild hair", and took Davis out in public so as to meet some friends for lunch. Yep, D's first outing was to Buffalo Grill! It worked out perfectly with his feedings, so he did great while we ate and visited.

 So, in celebration of Davis' Due Date, he has moved from the bassinet in our room to his crib!

{I know, we are breaking probably 100 different " crib rules" in this picture. But don't worry, that blanket is a crocheted so he can still breathe if he moves it over his face....and he can't move around that much so I think we are safe with the bumper pads for now!} :)

  But thankfully Del kept the monitor on his side of the bed, which is a good thing, because I know I would just stare at it all night to watch him sleep!! ha.

But so far this week is off to a great start!

We are still taking things slowly, so as to not get overwhelmed {speaking more for myself rather than Del}....but I am quickly realizing that I cannot get as much done as I am use to within the course of a day. I am having to set realistic goals, and just be happy with whatever happens!

I hope your week is off to a great start as well! Because it sure would make Davis happy if it was! :)

Davis Cole Sloneker is HERE!!

 A week ago yesterday, our son, Davis Cole, made his grand entrance into the world.

{So without rambling on and on...and without showing you every single picture we've taken over this past week, which I'd really like to do...I'm going to try and recap the day to the best of my epidural-enduced recollection.}

On Monday, January 9th, we went to our weekly doctors appointment hoping to see that I had made some more "progress" towards labor....which I had. Ever since 35 weeks I had been dilating about a cm or so a week. So by the time Christmas rolled around I was walking around at 3-4 cm dilated...which made me a little nervous since we spent 2 weeks up in NWA seeing our families. But we made it back to LR without Del delivering a baby on the side of the highway, so we breathed a sigh of relief. :)

So, last Monday when we went to our appointment, not only had I made progress, but my blood pressure was also a lot higher than its ever been...especially during this pregnancy. Samantha {our doctor} monitored it for a little while, and when it finally settled down she said to go home and just rest. Originally, she advised us to go for a walk since she had just stripped my membranes in an effort to try and get labor started...and let me tell you...it worked. I started having contractions every 5 minutes...and that trend continued for the next few hours.

We heeded Samantha's advice to go home and just rest. Del monitored my blood pressure {yes, while wearing a Snuggie...that's how we roll around here. Don't knock it 'till you try it! ha.} but the contractions still continued.

 We started getting a little restless, wondering if we should head to the hospital or not...especially since Samantha kept texting to say to come on up so we could get this show on the road...but we just didn't want to get sent back home if the contractions weren't strong enough.

So we waited a little longer, and while we were waiting our stroller showed up {bonus!} so Del put that together and I finished up a few things around the house. We already had our "go bag" packed and the nursery was ready to roll as well. I felt like we were "as prepared" as we could have been...but it was still crazy to think that if we went to the hospital we could possibly bring home a baby! I don't know if you are ever truly prepared for that one! :)

But, around 9:00 we were finally ready to go. We snapped one last belly picture and headed out the door!

We arrived at the hospital and they already had a room waiting for us. We asked if I would get checked first to see if these contractions were "for real", and the nurse said "Nope! You're 38 weeks. You're going to have a baby tonight." Ok then! She handed me a gown and from that moment on, it was go-time!

The anesthesiologist came in and asked when I wanted the epidural, but I told her I'd wait for a little while. Then at 11:00 Samantha came in and broke my water, I had two contractions, and immediately told them that they could bring the anesthesiologist back in because I was ready for the epidural now. ha. Needless to say, I don't have the highest pain tolerance. Once they administered the epidural, it immediately went to work on my right side but I could still feel all the pain on my left. So they had me lay on my left side, hoping gravity would run it's course...and eventually it did. Thank goodness!!

Then probably around 1:30am, our nurse Selina {oh, and I can not even tell you how excited I was when we found out our nurse's name was Selina! It's one of my all time favorite movies! :)} came in and I told her I felt like I needed to push because I was feeling a lot of pressure. She had her doubts that I was actually ready to push since Samantha had just broken my water at 11:00. But she humored us, and when she checked she said "Yeah, the reason you're feeling pressure is because he's right there!"

She ran and got Samantha, got her suited up, and set the room up for delivery. It was fast and furious!

At 1:45am I started pushing and at 2:01, we heard the first sweet cry of our 6 lb 2oz, 18 3/4 in son. 

And just like that, our family of two became a family of three!

My parents made it to the hospital right before Davis was born, so we visited for an hour or so before we all realized how tired we were. I think we slept for a few hours until around 7:00 when I got really hungry and Del went to get us some breakfast. But when he was walking down the hall he saw a familiar face! His best friend, Josh, had driven down from NWA to meet Davis and spend the morning with the new dad! It was a sweet time for both of them.

Throughout the day, Tuesday and then Wednesday morning, Davis had so many wonderful visitors. Thank you to each one of you for coming by and loving on our little boy within the first few hours of life.

Our first night with him went great. We worked on feeding and then just snuggled with him all night. We definitely could have gotten more sleep, but we just couldn't keep our eyes off him. {We're probably paying for it now. ha}

And before we knew it, it was time to head home...where the true test of parenting begins! :)

Since we've been home, we've only fallen more and more in love with our little guy. And little he is! I think he could stay all curled up in this position all day if we'd let him.

We've spent our days sleeping, eating, changing diapers, smothering him with kisses, trying to fix his hair into funny hair-dos, and cracking up at all of the funny faces he makes. And yes, if you're wondering, he looks EXACTLY like Del. {Which I, of course, think is a great thing!}

My parents left on Sunday evening, so on Monday, we spent our first day of "real parenting" by giving Davis a bath and then going for a walk! We've had beautiful weather here recently so we thought we should take advantage of it!

It was great for me to get out and walk as well. However it didn't take long for me to realize how COMPLETELY out of shape I'm in. Nine months of pregnancy will do it to ya'! Oh well, it was totally worth it...and pretty soon, Jillian and I will reunite for an all-out booty whooping! But for now, we will rest, recover, and love on our little buddy.

And so, for now....I'd just like to say thank you. Thank you for all of the prayers, texts, emails, phone calls, visits, and meals you've sent our way. It means the world to us and we truly are forever grateful for the love you've poured out on our family.

A few days before we went to the hospital, I got a little weepy at the thought that pretty soon it would never just be Del and I again. But now that Davis is here, it's like he's always been here and Del and I's love for each other has grown so much more since he's been here as well. It's an amazing phenomena that I can't really explain, but am completely thankful for!

I hope your week is off to a great start, and if you're ever in "the neighborhood" feel free to stop in and meet the newest member of our family! We think he's pretty great! :)

What a Wednesday!!

I don't know if this week could have been any more exciting!

After much {and I mean, MUCH} praying, anticipating, waiting, studying, traveling, laughing, crying, moving, more studying, agonizing, expecting, hoping, dreaming, still praying...and lots more studying...

we found out that Del MATCHED in ENT in Tacoma, Washington!!

We are so excited but also very humbled by this opportunity the Lord has placed before us. We know that the decision could have gone so many different directions, but just like Del getting into med school, we are confident that this is the direction the Lord is pointing us in, so we will do our best to walk faithfully in it.

I don't know if I explained it in much detail here on the blog...but during September and October, Del was traveling around to different Army bases and interviewing for one of the few spots the Army opened this year for ENT. He spent a month in Tacoma, a month in Hawaii, and then a few weeks in DC interviewing and getting to know the people and programs as best he could in the short amount of time he was there. He met a lot of really wonderful people and was excited about the opportunity to learn under so many wonderful attending physicians and residents.

We knew that Wednesday, December 14th was the official date that they would release the results, but we didn't really know how it was all going to go down. But finally, at 12am Eastern/11pm Central Time, the results were released and there was much celebration in our household!

So, after calling and texting friends and family...and then really being too excited to sleep....we decided to celebrate the next morning with a fun breakfast date {which, I'll admit, was selfishly initiated by me because I was seriously craving some eggs benedict}. So, we woke up early and headed to IHOP before Del had to go into work. It was a great morning and a great breakfast....but I definitely went home and went back to bed because this prego has to get her sleep while she still can!

So, at the beginning of June, this little family of three will be heading West.

We are REALLY looking forward to living in WA and being so close to the fun city of Seattle. It will definitely be a big switch from living in the South our whole lives, but we are excited about the change and just the new phase of life we will be in.

But for now...yes, we will start planning for the future....but we also know that we need to live faithfully while we are still here. We still have six months to spend with family and the friends we have made here in LR...and as always, the Lord always has things for us to learn as well....but we will also be welcoming a new little man into our lives in 5 short weeks! So, as much as we are excited about this new adventure, we are exponentially more excited about meeting our son.

We pray this week that Davis will be single hearted, willing to be sold out to Jesus Christ.

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-2


As you can see, Davis is growing fast and actually making progress in the labor department! We had an appointment today and I am dilated 2cm, which I know can stay that way for a long time, but it was also good to know that he was progressing on his own as well. His clothes are washed, and his room is almost ready....but I still feel pretty unprepared for the reality of what "bringing home a baby" will actually be like.  Thankfully, Del will be off for the month of February, so we can figure it out together!

I hope your week is off to a good start and that you get to spend a lot of great time with those you love this week.

Sweet Six Month Sheppy {Little Rock Children's Photographer}

We took Shepherd's 6 Month pictures before Fall decided to change to Winter overnight, and I'm so glad we did! Shepherd is not only part of our "Baby Plan", which means we get to document each major milestone of his first year of life....but he's also the son of some of our good friends, Josh and Aubrey. We love this family and wish we could see them more often. We were in Community Group together before we moved to LR, so it's a treat each time our lives cross paths. Shepherd {aka, Sheppy} was so good for this shoot....but for me the funnest {is that a word?} part was seeing his little personality come through in the pictures.  I hope you enjoy!

Sweet Baby Feet

Love those little hands.

 Rock On, Sheppy.

 Ha. Everytime I look at this picture all I can think of is, "You sneaky, Mommy!"

 {incase you don't know what I'm talking about in that last comment, you HAVE to watch this video!}

Ok, no lie, I started crying when I edited this picture. If this were Del and Davis I would blow this up, put in on a huge canvas, and cherish it forever. Oh I just love it!

Pretty Mommy

Love this family. Such sweet friends.

Happy 6 Month Pictures Shepherd! I've loved watching you grow thus far. Next up...1 Year!!

Meet Me Here Monday: Insta-Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, I made the executive decision to give the camera a little vacation, and decided to just take pictures with my phone. Which in all reality, I probably ended up taking more pictures than I would have otherwise. So, win-win for everyone!

Thanksgiving this year was a little different because Del's immediate family is still in China, so we only had one side to visit and eat with. It was kind of weird, so we are really looking forward to seeing them over Christmas. So since we wouldn't have any traveling between houses to do, we envisioned that we'd easily slip into "sweat pant purgatory", but thankfully that never really happened!

Don't get me wrong, there was a lot of lounging that took place...but there was also quite a bit of productivity as well!

My holiday baking didn't start out too strong. I decided to get a jump on the Pumpkin Bars while we were still in LR on Wednesday morning...but unfortunately Batch #1 had other plans.

Thankfully Batch #2 turned out beautifully....especially once they were topped with the delicious Cream Cheese Frosting!

We loaded up the car on Wednesday night, and headed north.

My mom and I spent most of Thursday morning cooking and baking....

...and then we packed it up and went over to my aunt and uncle's house for Thanksgiving lunch.

I'm not sure who was more excited about the feast we were about to devour!

Davis' Great Grandmother! :)

Once we woke up from our Thanksgiving-coma, Del and my dad decided to burn some calories by starting on their Thanksgiving Cabinet Project. They worked on it late into the night...but then had to turn it in so that they could get some sleep before the Razorback game the next day!

Friday morning, we woke up and....well....we just kept eating. Ha.

I made Paula Deen's French Toast Casserole....which was just the right about of sugar we needed to get up geared up for the game!

 ....Unfortunately, the Hogs didn't eat the same amount of sugar that morning....because the fire they had in the first quarter died out in the second, and they never got it back.

So, the men turned their frustration into productivity and made a huge dent in their project! 

On Saturday afternoon, we went up to Eureka Springs to celebrate my Great Aunt Elizabeth's 100th Birthday! Wow, what an accomplishment!

Grandma, Del, Elizabeth, and me.

Fun story, when I was 10-ish my Aunt Elizabeth {who was in her late 70's} and I water skied in a bicentennial  celebration for Holiday Island. It's a memory that I will never forget.

My Grandma and her three sisters. What a wonderful group of women! I'm so thankful that I've had the opportunity to live around them for the majority of my life.

After the birthday party, we went out to dinner for Del's 29th Birthday!

Nothing says "Happy Birthday" like a good steak dinner, right?

{I have a feeling I know what you're thinking....and the answer is, Yes, we still haven't stopped eating at this point}

On Sunday, we met Ellen and Todd {Del's sister and boyfriend} for lunch, and then we drove up to the UofA and finally found my name on the sidewalk! So, Davis and I had to get a picture with it! :)

 Then we returned to the house and the men finished their project!
I think they did a pretty good job, don't you?!

 So, now we are back home and life has pretty much resumed as usual....other than it was really hard to get motivated after such a wonderfully relaxing break.

I'm 31 weeks pregnant now, and still feeling like Davis is trying to dig and kick his way out of my stomach. ha.
We prayed this week that Davis would have a great submission and reverence to the Lord.
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you." - James 4:7


We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and are now getting excited about celebrating the birth of our Savior!

Happy Monday!