Happy Birthday!!

It is with full and joyful hearts that we would like to introduce... Emory Jane Dess! She was born on Dec. 6th at 8:46 PM at Baylor Hospital. She weighed in at 7 pounds, 4 ounces and is 21 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great and we just made it through our first night. Labor was not easy, but certainly worth it! More details to come, but here are her first pictures. I will update this more as soon as I can.

Had some swelling around her eyes here that has already subsided.

She has some short light hair- about as much as her dad's.

Ryan & Jenny waited patiently for her to arrive...

Baby Pool

At the baby shower and when our family got together we had everyone write down their guesses of when baby Dess will enter the world. Some guesses have already passed but here they are.

Grant Dess: November 26 7lb 10oz

Angela Wallace: November 26 10lb 2oz

Karen Thomas: November 28 7lb 2oz
Chelle Dess: December 1 6lb 14oz
Jenny Zimmerman: December 3 7lb 3oz
Ryan Zimmerman: December 3 6lb 11oz

Amy Cotter: December 4 8lb 5oz

Grandpa Dess: December 5 7lb 11oz
Ashlee Cobb: December 5 7lb 9oz
Grandma Dess: December 6 7lb 8oz

Melinda Spence: December 6 7lb 5oz

Sarah Joseph: December 7 6lb 10oz

Courtney Cox: December 7 6lb 12oz

Traci Davies: December 8 7lb 11oz
Kristi Cooley: December 9 7lb 2oz
Grandpa Zimmerman: December 9 7lb 5oz
Grandma Zimmerman: December 10 6lb 6oz
Jenny Conklin: December 10 7lb 6oz
Lauren Walter: December 18 6lb 7oz

The last doctor's appointment was Tuesday and the back up plan is to be induced December 11 and she would probably be born December 12. Chelle doesn't think we will make it that far but baby is the only one who really knows.

A lot to be thankful for

This year we stayed in Dallas for Thanksgiving since we can't really travel and our family will all be coming down soon both for baby and for Christmas. We had a great time eating loads of food and dozing off while watching football. We got some Christmas decorating done but mostly just relaxed and enjoyed the calm before baby joins us. If you watched the Dallas game you know that we also got a big surprise today... it snowed! At first it was slow rain but then it definitely got fluffier and was truly snow. If you look closely you may see some in the pictures. Chelle wasn't excited about that at all, as you can see.

This year we do have a lot to be thankful for: our wonderful families who love and support us, our health, our home, good jobs, and great friends both here in Dallas and all over the country. And of course... baby. As many of you know, we had miscarried last year and God took us through a time of trial and healing all at once. It was difficult, but has also made us that much more thankful and appreciative of this pregnancy. It was a great reminder that the Lord's timing is so perfect and that he really does want what is best for us. We are excited about what the future holds for us this year and for all the change that will be here before we know it!

Mmmmm... Sweet tarts

Throughtout the course of her pregnancy, Chelle has had very few cravings. In fact, there's been a lot of times when nothing at all sounds good, even things like ice cream or pickles. However, in the last couple weeks, she cannot eat enough Sweet Tarts. We bought 3 rolls of them and they were gone within a few days. Chelle knows the grocery stores that have them and the ones that don't. It's pretty intense.

Nursery is done! (For the most part...)

Well the nursery is getting very close to being done! Chelle finished making the curtains and bedding and Grant finally got drawer pulls on the dresser. We have yet to hang anything on the walls- we plan to put up some kind of shelf as well as her initial (no we won't tell you what letter it is. Hint: not a "X"). We'll show you pictures of that in about 6 weeks... Yes, we really are only about 6 weeks away. 4 weeks if you ask Grant. Anyway, here's some pictures:

This is bedding that Chelle made (including the blanket and crib skirt above and the bumper below):

And the modified dresser from a garage sale:

And of course, every little girl needs a chandelier! Thank you Aunt Rhelda- it really looks great!

Baby Shower

Chelle had her first baby shower last week and it was tons of fun. It was thrown by her sister-in-law Jenny and Sarah, her friend since high school. Chelle's parents were in town for it. All the girls made onesies for the baby and tried to guess her weight and birthday. Needless to say, we got a load of necessities for baby and we are so thankful for all the friends and family in our lives, both near and far.

Pregnant at the Pumpkin Patch!

First of all, sorry for the recent lack of posts. We are lazy.

So last weekend we went to the pumpkin patch at the church right behind our house to try and get in the Fall mood. Tough when you're sweating in the 90 degree heat as you are walking up there. Chelle's parents were also in town for her Baby Shower (more on that later).