Could you just eat him?

I mean, seriously.

Camera shy

Climbing

Changing

He is filling out and looking more like a baby and less like
a newborn. It definitely makes me a bit sad, but I do
love watching him change and grow every day.

Carpet

Ever since this last pregnancy, I've had less ability to taste for some reason. I thought it would be better after the baby arrived, but so far, not so much.

So as we were sitting down for Thanksgiving and everyone started to eat, I asked Jacob if the food tasted okay. The kids wanted to know why I would ask that and I explained. Jacob's dad mentioned that his own father had lost most of his sense of taste later in life and that your sense of taste is directly related to your sense of smell.

Annie looked like she was thinking something through and then asked, "Is that why when you have a cold, all food tastes like carpet?"

Visitors

Jacob's parents and brother came into town to visit and were able
to stay for several days. There has been much playing and laughing
and good times. We are so grateful they would come and be with us!

Thank you so much for coming Rex, Nancy and Adam!
We are so grateful and we love you.

Thanksgiving dinner

The company

The feast

The sleeping baby

Sleeping

Cuteness

Sacred

He still pulls his legs up and tucks them under his body when you lift him up. He still arches his back, pushing his head back as far as possible and then often falls into a deep sleep. He still squeaks and grunts constantly while sleeping. He still startles and throws his arms out to the side, then quickly pulls them up to his face to comfort himself. He still lays in my arms, his dark eyes starting at mine for long periods of time. He still loves his mama like only a baby that just recently came from inside her could.

I know that the time is coming quickly, when each of those things will change. And I would be lying to say it doesn't make me sad. But that is how life was meant to be, so until then, I will spend every second possible memorizing this sweet baby boy and his newness. There isn't another word for this time besides sacred. And I'm even more mindful of that this time than ever before.

He still holds my entire heart, along with his three older brothers

and sister. And that is one thing that will never change.

We teach reverence early

Our boy

Hiding his feelings

Sweetness

Five

Big brother

A game of numbers

Except to me, it isn't really a game. It is much like an obsessive compulsive disorder. Or close.

Numbers are a big deal to me. I guess not in general, I don't sit around counting or putting things in piles according to numbers or anything, but when they matter to me, boy do they matter.

Last March, we found out we were expecting another baby. We were shocked and thrilled beyond belief. After the initial emotions, one of the first things out of my mouth was, "This baby has to be born on the eighth." To which Jacob, very used to my insanity, just shook his head and smiled. I think his reply was something like, "You've already gotten what you wanted four times now, Linn, I think you'd better give up on this one." And I mostly agreed with him.

First, I should explain why I wanted a baby on the eighth of the month. The short of it is that it would fit our birthday pattern and make me very, very happy. You see, although in all different months, the actual days of our birthdays went like this...4...6...10...12...14. (Jacob and I both share the sixth.) What is missing? You got it. The number eight.

Second, I should mention why the odds were so hugely against me. My official due date was November 18th. In four pregnancies, I had never made it past 37 weeks (complications always brought my pregnancies to a close early). And with two of the kids, they came on week 35 and 36. It definitely appeared that my body was not made to handle a pregnancy for 37 weeks. So ten days before my due date was pushing it and I knew it. And the only other real option, October 8th, was not an option for me. We had done 35 weeks before and I did not want to go there again for sure (and technically October 8th was closer to 34 weeks). It was definitely not worth it, even in my neurotic-number mind.

You all know this, but just as a review, and because I might have a problem with being long-winded, early in October, at my regular doctor's appointment, it was discovered I was too far along in the labor process. I was immediately put on full bed rest and the doctor was very nervous I wouldn't make it many more days. But I did. And am so incredibly grateful.

And each week, when I would go into the doctor, after having a week full of hard contractions, I would hope that this baby would stay put. And he did. In fact, I wasn't progressing any further, which was nothing short of a miracle. The doctors were honestly amazed. But I wasn't. I had my family and friends praying for me and I could feel it.

Skip ahead to 37 weeks. Another appointment. No change. Then 38 weeks and the same. At this point, the doctors were not sure what to do. The hospital I was delivering at had a very strict rule that you could not be induced before 39 weeks unless there was a very serious medical reason. I wasn't looking to be induced, but there was a worry about being so far along and having things go too fast or complications occur because of it. Because I had never gone into labor on my own before, and because every thing my body was doing told the doctors I should be going into labor any second, but wasn't, it was definitely decided that I cannot go into active labor by myself.

So when I went to my appointment on November 7th, I just assumed everything would remain the same and I would be making another appointment for the following week and then it would be decided what would happen, as I would be 39 weeks by then. But after checking things out, it was discovered that things had gone even further and I was more than halfway through the labor process. That was it. The doctor told me she was going to do everything she could to get me induced in the morning. And you guessed it folks, guess what the following day was? Yes indeed, November 8th.

She told me it wasn't guaranteed. Technically I wasn't in labor, I wasn't having complications (minus horrific pain from the fun contractions), I wasn't in a place where they would normally induce me. But she felt it was a safety issue and it wasn't a good idea to wait any longer. So, this wonderful doctor launched an all out campaign on my behalf. She told me later that she thinks they agreed, just so she would leave them alone. And while I am beyond grateful for her, I have no doubt my Heavenly Father softened hearts that needed to be softened. Not because it was the eighth (although I was giddy with gratefulness for sure), but because this baby needed to come. My heart had been very uneasy for the previous two or three days and I worried for his safety, but wasn't sure what to do about it.

So, that evening I received the call that told me to show up at the hospital first thing in the morning. First thing the morning of the eighth. Honestly, are you kidding me?! Jacob could not quit laughing and said he would never doubt me and my OCD again. The funny thing is I had never mentioned it to the doctor, as I didn't need her to think me any crazier than she probably already did. She had no idea she was fulfilling a dream of mine.

So, friends, that is the story of how the gap in our birthday pattern was filled in. Four, six, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen. Beautiful yes?

And more importantly, that is the story of how the gap in my heart, the one I didn't know I had, was also filled. Nathan Grant Allen. Even more beautiful, yes?

Sweet baby boy

Going home

The first few hours

Our Baby Nate

Nathan Grant Allen
November 8, 2011
11:40am ▪ 7 pounds 13 ounces ▪ 20 inches

The name Nathan means God has given. And He most certainly has.

Try to convince me...

...that this child is not cuteness personified.

Fall sports ~ Matt edition

Fall sports ~ Annie edition