Children are a Gift from the Lord

Thank you, Catherine Wilson, for making my baby announcements for me! I love them.

(You can view Catherine's card website at PolkadotsPaisleys.blogspot.com )

This is a little photo shoot I took of Josiah at 1 week old.

I was so excited to capture a couple pictures of him smiling in his sleep which he does ALL the time. I think he must have some pretty funny dreams. Once in a while he'll even chuckle a bit like he's laughing. At 10 days old he gave me his first 'real' smile while awake. It was the sweetest thing! He has a dimple on each cheek and even on his chin. Does every mother think their little boy is the cutest thing ever?

When I look at this photo I think of the song I learned as a child.."Oh, be careful little feet where you go; For the Father up above is looking down in love, Oh, be careful little feet where you go.."

The 3 Muskateers!

Julie is a VERY proud big sister. She loves her baby sister and brother so much.

Daddy and Josiah catchin' a few Z's

(I don't know if that recliner could fit any more babies!)

Josiah with his Great Grandpa Thomas Gray (who Josiah gets his middle name from)

Josiah with his Great Grandma Gray (Patsy's mother below and father above)

Josiah with his Great Grandma Oleta (my dad's mother)

Josiah with his Papa Randy (my dad). His sweater swallowed him and made him look huge! (Josiah, that is =)

Sleeping in the bassinet

I loved this one with Josiah and the girls.. The expression on his face is like, "Ewww, girls are kissing me!"

The kids and I met Brandon on his lunchbreak one day and had a picnic at the hospital's duck pond.

The girls loved feeding and watching the ducks

Alyson and her daddy

The girls were so funny one night.. They wanted to wear bandanas on their heads and dance and play with their daddy..

Intensly watching a good show on TV

Reading 'Dumbo' with Daddy before bedtime.

Alyson, Julie and Josiah (2 1/2 weeks old) at Mimi and Papa's house after church

Alyson and I

Josiah- 2 weeks

Working on the computer with Dad

My two Diva girls!

Welcoming Josiah Thomas Campbell - March 5, 2009

Sunday, February 22, my sister, Rachel, my mom, Kim, mother-in-law, Patsy, and my sister-in-law, Amber, hosted a family/church baby shower for me at Patsy's house. It was such a blessing as we were given many needed things in preparation for our new baby boy. Thank you to everyone who showered us with gifts and love!

This is me at 37 1/2 weeks- 1 1/2 weeks before Josiah was born.

Rachel's mother-in-law made the beautiful cake. The theme for the baby's nursery is a prince theme, so the cake topper was a chocolate crown. Thanks, Marilyn- it was delicious!

Patsy crocheted two baby blankets for Josiah. They will be very special keepsakes for him.

Julie enjoyed helping open the gifts..

Labor began Wednesday evening, March 4th, and we went on to the hospital. The next morning at 5:30 a.m. they started me on a pitocin drip to speed the labor up a bit, then broke my water at 10:00. He was here by 11:08 Thursday morning! After delivery I was praising God that it was over with. It was, by far, the hardest of my 3 labor and deliveries I've experienced. It wasn't like Alyson's delivery: walk in to the hospital dialated to 9 cm, ready to deliver in minutes!

My friend, Rachel Negley, was so kind to stay with our girls Wednesday night while we were at the hospital. She brought them up Thursday afternoon after naps. Thank you, Rachel, for all your help! And also to my mom for staying with them Thursday night. It was a blessing to have a peace of mind knowing the girls were taken care of and having fun.

Julie, especially, was excited. She couldn't get enough of Josiah. She kept kissing and touching his head and saying over and over, "He's so cute!" Alyson, on the other hand, wouldn't acknowledge him for quite some time, but by the end of their visit she was smiling at him and even tried to give him a chip! I was really concerned about how Alyson would do when we brought him home, but she has adjusted quite well. It helps her to see Julie's love and excitement towards him, so now she, as well, enjoys playing the role of a big sister. She enjoys getting diapers for me and watching him eat. I am thankful thus far for a good and easy transition with the girls. It is an answer to prayer!

The proud daddy of a baby boy!

Aunt Amber (Brandon's sister)

Poor Grandma Patsy was so excited about the birth of Josiah, but ended up not holding him after delivery because of being exposed to a stomach virus. She was afraid of the possibility of being a carrier of the virus, so she didn't want to take her chances of passing it to Josiah.

Brandon, Josiah, Grandpa Randy Campbell, and Great Grandpa Thomas Gray

Uncle Rusty and Aunt Rachel

Mimi and Papa

This is the first boy in the family for my dad (Papa). He had two girls, then two granddaughters, so he was all smiles and a proud Papa when Josiah arrived.

Josiah Thomas Campbell

8 lbs 20 1/2 " long

Two proud big sisters, Alyson and Julie!Patsy and Randy, when sure that they were not sick, came over to hold Josiah for the first time. They were thrilled and very proud grandparents!