And Here's Chloe!

After 40 weeks and 4 days of anticipation, Chloe Ann Freeman decided to make her appearance on August 4th at 10:44 pm. Barrett and I went into the hospital at 4:00 am that morning to be induced and after a long day of contractions, two hours of hard pushing, and a scarey OR experience, I was finally able to hold our little gift at around 2:00 am. I can't believe that she is almost two weeks old. It seems like only yesterday we were in the hospital surrounded by nurses and visitors. It has been a crazy transition. I always thought that when people said that a baby will change your life, they meant the birthing process...now I know that they meant when the baby comes home. Between healing, lack of sleep, and getting used to caring for someone a tenth of your size, this has been quite an experience. Barrett is a great dad and is constantly looking out for both of us. He is a great swaddler and comforter to Chloe and is the ultimate waiter and shoulder to sleep on for me. I'm not quite sure what I am good at yet but I am happy to report that I am healing little by little and am glad to be able to move around a bit better.
My mother is here this week and has been a great help. Chloe is quickly learning that Grandmothers are special people who will love and take care of you. Barrett's mom is coming in this weekend and I can't wait to see how she interacts with the new tiny.
Thank you all so much for continueing to pray for us. It has been crazy, but God has blessed us with a beautiful baby! Enjoy the pictures!
PS. Please do not copy and paste these pics into your facebook/twitter/myspace accounts. If you know of someone who would like to see them, please direct them to this page. I appreciate it. Love you all.

Last post before the big day

Most of you guys have already heard either through me or family but tonight will be my last post as Kerry-wife, daughter, sister, friend...tomorrow I will add mother/mom to my list of names. Today we went into the doctor's office expecting good news but we were even more excited when the doctor told us that the good news would be here through an induction tomorrow. We go into the hospital at 4am...yeah, I didn't know that time exsisted, and we will be begin the induction process. Chloe could come out any time, hopefully more towards the a.m. hours and not p.m. We are both very excited. Our parents are all here and have been an amazing support already. Barrett and I checked into a hotel in Boone and saw a movie, took a nap, watched Shark Week, gone to dinner (the last before we become parents...oh my gosh), and gotten ice cream with the folks. It has been an amazing day. Thank you all for your prayers. I can't tell you how much we appreciate them and how much we feel them.
Not to brag on my husband too much but he has been the picture of calm excitement. Everyone knows how much I love Twilight...Barrett is like Jasper right now, just controlling the mood of the room for me. He also pulled up the video of Chloe on our blog site so we could see her one more time before we meet her in the flesh. To say that I have been blessed with the sweetest most wonderful husband in the world is an understatment. Ladies, I hope you all have one like mine.
Well, we are about to head to bed here in a little bit due to the early call time for the big show but the next time you do hear from us, it will be a new us...the Freeman Family! Love you all.

The due date arrives...but not Chloe

People have said since the beginning that Chloe would be early but call it mother's intuition or just pure obedience already but Chloe will have an August birthday. Today has been rather uneventful but wonderful. Barrett and I have enjoyed eachother's company, eaten some Mexican food, watched movies, and napped...the perfect day for soon to be parents. We have an appointment Tuesday for fetal heart and oxygen monitoring. If she makes it till then, we will discuss the possibility of induction in the next week. Bascially she can come any time but it's not good for her to stay in past this week. Chloe has become even more active these past few days and Barrett has gotten to talk and touch her before she makes her arrival. Hopefully you will see some different news soon...and see a picture or two of little Chloe Ann. Thank you for your continued prayers and sweet comments. We love you all!

July 26th...

I can't believe it is July 26th already. Vacation Bible School went really well last week. We had a great turn out and the kids had a blast. Barrett took the day off today and we have been enjoying being with one another before we add one more body in the house. I'm still feeling like Chloe will make her appearance next week and not this week. It has been an uneventful couple of weeks. Only a few Braxton Hicks a day but no real contractions. Chloe is still moving around quite a bit and she responds to music and our voices. The other day, Ewwy sat on my lap and every time Chloe moved, Ewwy licked my belly. It was pretty cute...I have loved being pregnant and enjoyed each day of God's gift. We appreciate all of your gifts, prayers, thoughts, texts, and phone calls. We are so blessed to have all of you in our lives.

10 days?

Our due date is approaching at a rapid pace. It's amazing how quickly 9 months pass when you are about to receive one of the greatest God given gifts. Our bags are packed and already in Barrett's car, ready to be taken up the mountain. This week we are having Vacation Bible School at church so we have been busy preparing and playing with the kids...I say we as if I am doing something. Barrett has been busy and I have been taking it as easy as possible. Last night two of the kids ran up to me at the end of the night and said that Barrett made Chloe and I a VBS craft. They were so excited to be the first to tell me. Is Barrett excited? I would say so! He has been praying for her constantly. Chloe moves whenever she hears his voice. I can tell that they are going to have a very special relationship. While I will always be the number one girl, she is already coming in close second...move over Cota.
Sleeping is getting more difficult as the days pass even though I feel constantly tired. I guess this is my body's way of getting me ready for little Chloe. But I can't complain about much else: no back pain, cramps, or the regular issues that I have heard women having. Barrett is convinced that Chloe is coming soon, as are most of our friends and church family. They say that Chloe has dropped and that I look ready. I don't know...they could be right but I don't feel like anything is about to happen. Chloe seems comfortable in there and I am pretty comfortable so she could stay in there for another week. As Barrett says, she will come out when she is ready. I agree.
Well, I just talked in circles but at this point, I'm glad my brain is making any sense at all. We love all of you guys and appreciate your prayers and thoughts. If anything changes, we will let you know!

3 more weeks

I know I haven't written in a while but a lot has happened in the past few weeks. Barrett and the youth came home safely from the journey across the US. In many ways they were changed. The trip was a blessing to each of them. I encourage you all to check out the cabcyouth.com website and look at their videos and pictures. These youth and chaperones opened up to the spirit of God and it is continuing to move them today. To have faith like a child is a blessing.

Barrett and I are packed for our next adventure and are awaiting the call...nature's call, to head up the mountain. The doctor said yesterday that she is head down and I am at one centimeter (which could stay that way for weeks) and if I gave birth tomorrow, all would be well. Chloe is comfortable in her quarters and is in no hurry to leave. I've been walking and swimming, trying to stay as active as I can. It is exciting to think that soon Chloe will be right here...and scary at the same time. My cousin had a baby about a month ago and she got bombarded with questions about everything from the birthing process to feeding the baby. So, if any of you have any good advice or tips, please let me know. Either comment on the post or email me at daddyskerry@yahoo.com.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I will keep you posted!

12 Days...

As you all know, Barrett has taken our youth group and ten willing chaperons on a cross country mission trip to New Mexico. The group left early Friday morning and will not be back until Wednesday, June 23rd. Please continue to pray for Barrett, the youth, the chaperons, and the people this group will touch. They seem to be doing well and are diligently working and having fun. On the home front, I've been busy but trying to rest. My sister was in town until today and she took marvelous care of me. Every time I turned around, she was doing something with the house or dinner or the dogs. I loved having her here, not just because she helped me so much, but to spend some quality time with her. Sisters are so nice to have. My mother is coming in today to spend the rest of the week before they sweep me up the mountain to hang out with the rest of my family.
Chloe seems to be doing well. She is moving quite a bit now and her movements are big ones. I can see her and feel her at many points in the day. Yesterday we went swimming at a church member's pool and Chloe loved the water and sunshine. She moved around and kicked (or punched) like crazy. I imagined her with a huge smile on her face relaxing as if she was on a float. Swimming is a beautiful thing when you are pregnant. You feel weightless and relaxed.
I guess that is all the news for now. Chloe's room is pretty much done and we have all of the basics ready to go when the time comes. Love you all and thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.