February 1st... Another Date We Will Never Forget

The Z's were due to have a baby boy on February 10th of 2011. That was the date the doctor, several tests, and all "planning" was centered around. However, in a token reminder that we are truly not the ones in control, the good Lord decided that little Levi Adam Zastrow was going to make his intro into the world two minutes before 11 am on February the 1st of 2011. 9 days before the predicted date! Little Levi was barely entering our "radar" by the 1st of the month and several things were planned to occur in preparation and anticipation of his arrival. Hah!

In great contrast to his older sister's journey of arriving 4 days after her due date and after 26 hours of labor... Levi entered this world 9 days before his due date and after 5 hours of labor. What a go getter, hey?

So, I am blessed to introduce the newest member of the Z's...

*drum roll*

He "stands" 20 1/2 inches tall...

He weighs in at a generous 6 lbs 12 ozs...

and his favorite colors are Green and Gold...

(I couldn't resist.)

Levi Adam Zastrow!

The wonderfully blessed mother that couldn't have been happier that morning!

My beautiful wife was not the only mother that met little Levi that day...

Beating a whopper of a snow blizzard were both Grandma's of course!

Almost as happy as Levi's mommy!

I'm sure sharing in the little bit of pride and joy of having a boy that the men seem to have...

was the driver and courageous leader that made it possible for them to visit before the storm... Grandpa!

(He also made it possible for the Z's to return after the storm as well! Thanks Pop!)

Oh yeah! I think there was someone else pretty happy to welcome Levi to the family!

Who was it?

Herman?

No...

of course it was the new "big" sister! Avery!

She was all to happy to begin pointing out how healthy Levi was!

Yes, he has a nose!

Yes, he has eyes!

Yes, he has a mouth...

uh huh, that's his chin...

yep, you're right, Avery, those are his ears...

She couldn't be prouder... yet I couldn't help but notice that she didn't count his toes.

Oh well. It's early. She has 20 years of school before she's official anyway. :-)

So, of course the Z's will be focused on one thing in particular for the near future...

Well... maybe two things in the near future...

It's okay, though. It's how Levi would want it. :o)



2 Weeks Until "No Name" Changes Everything

Tomorrow marks 2 weeks from our due date! Ahh... Wow. Where did that come from? It seems that it snuck up quicker than I thought it would. I suppose that's how it works though, huh? Especially when you add a new job, a little girl, and winter months instead of summer months to the second pregnancy. Some significant differences I think.

Thinking of little "No Name" man joining our family soon makes me wonder how the last Baby Z will take sharing attention and time with the new Baby Z. I also wonder if she has any idea what's about to happen to her life? Probably not.

"What? Whadya mean another Baby Z?"

Avery just had pictures taken a little while ago again and was much more cooperative than our attempt at Christmas. The pictures below are either a reflection of how she feels about sharing her Mommy and Daddy or simply a reflection of how most of us feel about the snow by now already.

Then again, it could be how she feels about that hat Mommy was about to put on her...

Yeah. It's the hat. I can't say that I blame you, Avery.

By the way... you may have to share Mommy and Daddy... but no one could ever replace you! Besides... sharing isn't your most advanced area. Baby "No Name" Z is going to teach you a lot in that area.



It's a...

Today, through one of the tools/blessings God has allowed us here on earth to discover and have, Kathleen and I were able to make our first visual contact with our soon to arrive baby! What a cool thing!

It's crazy how much more real something seems when you eyes become part of the discovery process. In all actuality, it has always been real, but something really clicks after you see an ultra sound and hear measurements of your growing child that you have yet to meet personally. We did decide to find out what the sex of the baby was today and also decided that we were not going to fight the urge to share the information with family and friends. So...

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... and since I started this blog to openly share our life with family and friends...

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There it was.       Stop giggling.

 He's going to hate me for it when he's old enough to figure it out!

If you didn't catch it... its your choice to go back or not. This was actually one of the first shots we got of our boy as soon as the ultra sound found him on the monitor. Its good thing I am not superstitious... or I may have taken the "mooning" to be a sign of my mothers wish of "having a son just like you some day!" to have come true. Thanks for the great first impression little guy...

Here he is in a much more

... umm ...

what's the word...

presentable!

A MUCH more presentable pose. :0)

Praise be to God!

and we can't wait to meet you in person!