Zoe Alika

So, it's been awhile since my last post... many things have been keeping me busy (in a good way)... ;) Zoe is my biggest time-consumer as many of you could have guessed. lol

But here is the story of her birth:

On May 2nd, at 12:15am (a week and 5 days before her due date), Crystal's water broke and contractions started 15 minutes later. By 4:15am, we called the midwives saying the contractions were 4-5 minutes apart. Upon arrival, she checked Crystal and discovered her to be 9cm dilated already. "Well! I'm glad you DID come in!" she exclaimed. A mere 15 minutes later, Crystal began pushing...but after a half an hour, the midwife noticed the supposed "head" pooped--Zoe was in breech position so Jaron drove the vehicle to the hospital with Crystal on all four in the back seat. Only 5 minutes later we arrived at the Reading Hospital. The doctor checked Crystal but explained that she was too far along for a c-section to be done and that pushing through was her only option. Half an hour later Zoe Alika made her grand entrance! God blessed us completely with a safe delivery (though not quite what any of us had planned for) and a healthy, beautiful red-headed daughter! We praise God for His Faithfulness!

Some selected pics of her and our family...:)

Closer and Closer

30.5 weeks along in the above shot.


Can't believe I only have...8.5 weeks to go (at this time). Baby is taking up more and more space and I am getting very ready for him/her to make an arrival! :)

Acronym for Jaron on Valentine's Day

J: Jovial-one of the most upbeat and positive people I know!

A: Active-doesn't like sitting around when there's work to be done.

R: Righteous man of God!

O: Observant-perseveres when things are wrong and goes to work trying to fix them.

N: Nerd-what can I say? He loves his electronics and intricate man-made equipment...;)

R: Realistic-doesn't jump on every bandwagon but thinks things through and researches them.

I: Intelligent-in his job; does things on his own; seeks info on things he doesn't understand.

C: Courageous-willing to take on new things.

H: Hysterical-can make me (and everyone else around) laugh until our sides hurt.

A: Accessible-there when people need his help/assistance with projects.

R: Real-what you see is what you get.

D: Dedicated-when he starts something, he finishes it through til it's complete.

H: Helper-one of his Spiritual Gifts which he uses in abundance!

O: Original-there's no one quite like him.

R: Ready-good head on his shoulders that he uses to plan/prepare for the unexpected.

S: Sarcastic-anyone who knows Jaron knows he has a deep root of sarcasm running thru him

T: Talented-so many gifts and talents that I cannot name all the ones I see in him. :)

I LOVE YOU, Jaron!!

Ode to Baby Horst

 

~~~

A flutter, a movement, a jolt, a bump...

A finger, a toe, an elbow, a nose...

A hiccup, a smile, a grimace, a sigh...

A prayer and praise to the Lord Most High.

A seed, a fetus, a baby, a child...

Skin, bones, muscles, & organs compiled...

Growing, stretching, transforming inside...

Two parents that observe with great pride.

A blossom, a leaf, a sunbeam... relief...

From the biting cold of winter's thief...

Through pain and struggle of birth...

Will come a beautiful new life to earth.

Just as spring is anticipated with joy...

So is this tiny infant girl or boy...

A radical change to this life that we know...

We cannot wait to observe you grow.

The nights will feel much longer...

Our patience *hopefully* will grow stronger...

As we experience each new season...

We expect many changes to be pleasin'.

We look forward to holding you...

Also hearing you talk and coo...

Finding your personality inside...

We're gearing up for one wild ride!

God, bring health to this child I carry...

Jaron and I love him or her so dearly...

Give us the wisdom to raise Baby Horst... 

Our 'Leon' or 'Zoe' on Your perfect course

 ~~~

Baby Belly is Popping

So, finally around weeks 21-23 my belly has actually begun to make a visible appearance! It's fun watching baby wiggle and jiggle under the skin on my stomach... feeling the unmistakable evidence that life is growing inside of me is a remarkable and unforgettable experience!!


Jaron and I are enjoying this season in our lives and look forward to this spring's new arrival with marked anticipation!

Little Bit of Sass!

Baby kicks?

"I hear it!"

Practicing Peek-a-boo!

"Don't worry, Jaron...mine will catch up soon enough!"

Cheeky grin

Feeling fuller and fuller...

Almost Half-Way

        
  In three short weeks, me and my baby will be at the half-way mark until we get to meet face to face. It's very exciting and I look forward to that wonderful day with all the joy and love inside me. This baby is going to be so special, wonderful, and one of the biggest blessings in Jaron's life and my life. I cannot believe how a year ago I was desperately longing to start a family but both Jaron and I chose to wait until we felt God was leading in this area. How hard that wait was too! But here we are, nearly half-way through and having a very good pregnancy at that! God is good and gracious and knows the perfect timing for His plans to unfold in each life. I look forward to when I'll be posting our first pictures of the wonderful life that now grows inside of me. :)

Tiny Life

Little Baby
Growing inside of me
What will you look like
Who will you be?

I can't wait
To feel you grasp
My fingers with your hand
And hold on tight.

I'll see a world
Of wonder in your eyes
So big and serene
Staring up at me.

A slight grin
Will grow into a smile
Then become laughter
And uncontrolled giggles.

Stretching your toes,
Fingers, and legs out-
Growing oh so fast.
Learning oh so much.

Laying on your back,
Tummy, then crawling;
Mischief filling your steps.
Nothing is safe from you.

Little Baby

Growing inside of me

What will you look like

Who will you be?

Lub Dub Lub Dub

Today was my very first baby appointment. :) After taking down every detail of my family history, I was examined and I was able to hear my precious little baby's heartbeat for the first time! The midwife was able to pick it up almost instantly (whereas that does not always happen this early on). I was thrilled and a huge grin also covered Jaron's face. Our baby has life and is steadily developing into the little person he/she will one day be. I look forward to meeting this tiny person as each day passes. I pray each day that each stage of the development would go as God designed it to go without any issues/complications. I know that I'll give this child all my love no matter what happens or how it looks when it comes. 
May 13th doesn't seem so very far away because I'm enjoying each day that goes by with this special life that continues to grow more each day inside me. I know that I won't always be content...;) I know that in 5 months or so I'll be aching to just be able to hold little Horst in my arms rather than my ginormous belly. ;) But until then, I pray that each stage proves to be a blessing. <3

Explosion on the Home Front

I've been bursting at the seams LONGING to share the beautiful news that Jaron and I are expecting a little Horst Jr. come May!! We both kind of wanted to wait a while to share simply because of complications that can arise, but the very few people we did tell just couldn't keep the great news to themselves, so last night we gave up trying to hide the news. I'm 9 weeks along and very blessed to have life growing inside of me... My first appointment is October 25th and I'm looking forward to hearing my little one's heart beating out the cry that there is in fact life in my womb!! :) Rejoice with me on this glorious news! Also, pray that the pregnancy is healthy and as uncomplicated as possible. 
Blessings!
~Crystal-mom-to-be-Horst

Wisconsin Surprise

This past weekend, Jaron and I made our way out to Wisconsin to visit his family. Little to his brother's knowledge, we planned for a few weeks to surprise him for his birthday--August 2nd, and it certainly worked. He was so pleased to see us when we arrived...and a bit confused...lol. We all had such a fun time together for 3.5 days...walking around Madison, playing games, mini-golfing, eating out, eating in, eating.... lol. It was so nice to have us all together for the first time since December 2008. That's not to say that we haven't seen his parents or his brother since then...it's just not all at once. We had an amazing time altogether and I'll post some pictures from the weekend as soon as Jaron finishes editing the ones he took. 

Until then, here's some pictures that Jaron's mom took:

The gang (excluding Jaron's mom who took the pic)

Jaron and I "sharing" a cinnamon roll at the Farmer's Market that they had in the middle of Madison on Saturday

Jaron's brother, Brad and his girlfriend Kristen eating the Wisconsin's famous Cheese Curds (ie: cheese that squeaks while you're chewing it)

More pics to come...

Treasure Hunt?

So, after three long night shifts in a row (filled with emergencies galore!) I came home last night to a neat surprise from Jaron.... a small note on the front doorknob..... he was sending me on a hunt which took me from one clue to another from the upstairs, to outdoors in our shed, to the basement, and back around and around again. Each place I was sent had another clue as to where to go next... I ended up getting a bag of Reese's (which is every girls' dream!) and a $10 bill to treat myself to dinner somewhere while he was gone at worship team practice. It may not seem like anything amazing to any of you, but for me it meant so much to know he had been thinking about me and planning this throughout the day for me as a way to release the tension I'd been experiencing. It worked. I found myself wondering what the next clue would lead me to in the house... I found myself laughing as the clues revealed inside jokes we share. It was a beautiful and meaningful gesture that helped me relax and leave work AT work.

Sometimes it is the simple things that make the biggest difference in someone's life. Is there anyone you know and care about who needs a simple gesture that shows that you care? Don't be afraid to do it for them! They'll remember it forever!

><>CH

Catching Up

So, this past weekend was just wonderful and spent with many different friends. :) I have so many friends and am so blessed by the fellowship we all share. On Saturday, Jaron and I went out to see a movie with Jeff after which we joined a small group of 4d-ers at the Cline's house for their picnic. In the evening, we (along with many people we knew who went) watched the fireworks display at the Shillington Community Day.








As the thundering booms echoed across the park, I imagined what it must have been like to be at a battlefield with those deafening cracks jolting everyone as they exploded. I'm so proud to live in this country for the heritage that it has is one of strong people standing up for what they know is right and true. Granted that has not stayed the way it was first begun, but I still can't imagine being anywhere else. 
 

Sunday, Jaron and I spent the afternoon at my parents and then the Brown's home for picnicking.

Monday was amazing day spent with just my best friend in Dorney Park. Jaron and I still managed to get toasty despite applying sunscreen. A lot of the day was spent in the water park due to the inferno-temperature records. We still had a great day together and it was well-worth it! An amazing weekend spent with so many friends making one memory after another. I love seeing how each week plays out and look forward to many more throughout the summer. Stay cool everyone!

Dreaming

So, you are probably getting the drift that one of my biggest dreams is to be a mom. My heart swells with the thought of someone growing inside of me for 9 months and a smile always comes to my face when thinking about the beautiful aspects of motherhood. People tell me to enjoy being in the season I am currently living in (and I certainly am) and not wish for things to change because it will happen when it happens and there will be no turning back. Ok, please tell me I am not the only one with dreams and a desire for some kind of change? Certainly this will be the biggest change I will ever experience, but it will be so amazing and beautiful. Through being a mother, I will be experiences one season after another of my child(ren)'s life(lives) that I can not think of anything more exciting! So many future moms have such a negative aspect on motherhood that it saddens me to think that they are putting a dark cloud over a very remarkable time of their lives before even having the experience of it!  I know that I also need to be realistic and not just fanciful about the very serious side of motherhood, but that portion does not need to crush any and all joy in the different seasons! Infants will cause sleepless nights, toddlers will get into things and keep you on your toes, teenagers will drive you crazy... but it's going to be completely amazing too! I can't wait!! :-D

Baby Talk

Can't a girl just look forward to starting a family without people saying discouraging things like: "Well, if you think you're stressed now, just wait to you have kids--it'll be like all the time!" Really? No rewards? Just work, stress, work, stress....?? I have looked forward to starting a family for soooo many years and know how big a job it is going to be when God blesses Jaron and I in that area! I know it is not always going to be like looking through rose-colored glasses. I don't need to be reminded of how difficult it is going to be to raise children every time I open my mouth about the excitement I feel when I think about the future. I look forward to the blessing of having children and discouraging comments won't ever stifle that desire! :)  I try to see the glass half-full when I think about the fun aspects of motherhood: taking them to the park, watching them innocently fumble to learn the English language (that no one will ever master!), playing with them and their rubber duckies in the tub during bath time, reading them bedtime stories at night, singing them to sleep, joining them in coloring/play-do/painting, seeing them laugh for the first time, and so much more. I know it is going to be work, but it will be a lasting reward too! :) 

This Love

Jaron and I will be married for two years already come August! It's amazing that the time has gone by as quickly as it has. The assumption is that the first five years of marriage are the hardest.... so far, not true in our case! We have so much fun and so much laughter in our relationship that when the "tough stuff" comes, we can lean on each other and God to get us through and the tension melts. We enjoy the simple things in life and don't have to go on trips to "make our marriage blossom". We enjoy things like going for walks in the cool of the night, walks in the park, sitting and watching movies/tv shows (on DVD), making dinner together, sitting and editing Jaron's pictures together, a cheap dinner at McDonalds/Taco Bell/etc, and the list goes on. Those are the things that bring us closer to each day by day. I love him more each day because he is not only my husband...he's my very best friend and closest confidant. Nothing will change that. Ever. When we start a family, sure that will bring stress/tension but with the love we share, we will become closer through those times (and we'll have cute kids to show for it!). :)

Love you, Jaron-- you're the best!

Honeymoon 2008

 

           Valentine's Day 2009     

Spring 2009

                                       Fall 2009

            

  Winter 2009           

 Spring 2010

Random Fun!