One Year Ago Today...

I married the man of my dreams. We have had a wonderful first year. It has been full of special times along with it challenges. We have already been through a lot together. Adjusting to a new home and life together, finding out we were expecting in December, two trips to California, a newlyweds retreat, growing a big garden, raising various animals for meat, milk and eggs, about a month when Andrew was sick with a colon flare up, and the birth of our little son. Through everything we have just fallen more in love with each other. We have also been learning that God will see us through whatever comes our way. So here's celebrating a wonderful year of marriage. I love you Andrew!

An Outing

Wednesday was Andrew's birthday. So we all went over the the Engells for a little while that evening to celebrate. Jon and Aimee (Andrew's sister) were up visiting from California and Aunt Jeanna was visiting from over on the coast. This was little David's first outing. He was pretty content at first, but later after being passed around, photographed, and poked by little cousins he got a bit overwhelmed. He sure did sleep good that night though!
We all had fun time with everyone.


Andrew opening gifts.
The birthday dessert.
Aimee holding David.
Uncle Luke's turn.
Melissa with little Annie.

Annie in the laundry basket being admired by Grandma Engell and Aunt Jeanna.

Jon, Aimee, Justus, and Annie with Andrew, David and I.

David with his cousin Justus and Grandpa Engell

Grandma and Grandpa with the grandchildren; Annie, Justus, and David.

Special Flowers

While at the hospital Andrew surprised me with this beautiful bouquet of red roses and white carnations.



These flowers were from my mom when I left the hospital

David Andrew Engell III

Announcing the birth of our little boy David Andrew Engell III. He was born September 16th at 5:41 am. He was 7 lbs. 3 oz. and 20 inches long. He is such a sweet little baby and a joy to have. We praise God for His blessings.

Labor and Birth

We are so excited and grateful for the blessing of a new member of our family. We are also grateful for the Lord's guidance and protection through a long and difficult labor and recovery.

Labor began around midnight on Sunday. By Sunday morning when the midwife came I had dilated to 7 centimeters. But then I didn't really make any progress. Contractions would get harder for awhile then slow down. On Tuesday afternoon I thought my water broke and felt a little like pushing, so I tried for awhile but it turned out I still wasn't fully dilated. At 8:30 that evening my contractions really picked up and were quite hard and close all night. I think it was around 3 am that I really began pushing until he was finally born at 5:41 am. I was so relieve and exhausted to have it finally over after three nights and two days of hardly any sleeping or eating.
It soon turned out however that my placenta wouldn't deliver and I began seriously bleeding. It was decided that I needed to be rushed to the emergency room. On the way to the car I passed out once and seriously scared Andrew (and everyone). Andrew my mom and the midwife took me in. The baby stayed with Melissa at home. As soon as I arrived they hooked me up to all sorts of monitors and an IV. They also gave me a blood transfusion. I was barely conscious through the whole ordeal. When I was more stabilized the doctor had to go in a pull the placenta out, which was still partially attached. The bleeding was now under control and I was feeling much more alert.

I had to stay in the hospital overnight. Melissa and Andrew's mom brought the baby down. Andrew was able to stay in my room with me the whole time, I was so glad.

On Thursday evening we finally all came home. Since then I have been resting and recuperating. It is so wonderful to all be home together now enjoying our new baby.


Melissa's creative pictures of early labor in the tub.

Our just born little son... a memorable moment

Little David getting weighed and measured.

Fairtime!

The Northeast Washington Fair was the last weekend in August. We all enjoyed spending time there and seeing all the exhibits. Here are a few highlights.

The Fair Parade


Aleah with her dog in the parade


The Engell's Concert





Our Entries
It was fun to win some ribbons for my wedding dress

We also entered some of our vegetables



The Entertainment
Adam enjoyed participating in the magic show.

Out to Lunch

One afternoon my mom, sister and I went to town and had lunch and a fun little bakery. Here are a few photos.

While We Wait

Well we are still waiting for the baby. My family is up here visiting and waiting...
So in the meantime I mave been canning things from the garden. I made relish, dill and sweet pickles, pickled peppers, and green beans.