Welcome Hannah Nicole!

Well, Tim and I were awoken Tuesday morning at 12:20 to my water being broken! I was quite surprised, since baby Hannah was still over 4 weeks early, and very nervous, but we packed up our belongings and headed to the hospital. Once we got here and it was confirmed that it truly was my water, they admitted us for what I thought was going to be a long day. At both the intial check and a good hour later, I was only dialated to a 1, so I was prepared for a long day of labor. Since my water was broken, they had to start Pitocin so things picked up a little. At 8:30, I was at 3 cm and decided to get the epidural. That helped me relax a little and Tim even had a chance to take a small cat nap. At about 9:30, I began feeling some pressure which just kept increasing. I started pushing at 9:57 and we welcomed Hannah into the world at 10:06! I think I am still in shock of how quickly things moved from 8:30 until Hannah's birth! Here are a few pictures of Baby Hannah and our new family! Hannah Nicole Casey - December 30, 2008 - 5lbs. 7 oz. - 17 3/4 in. - 10:06 am

Our new family of 3 - Mommy, Daddy and Baby Hannah!

It's Been a Long Time....

Well, sorry it has been so long since I've lasted updated our family blog. In the last month, I have finished my Master's (which included a few final projects and final exams), worked on maternity leave stuff for school (planning, copying, organizing), going to childbirth class and was blessed by having three different baby showers. We have also taken a trip to Wisconsin over Thanksgiving to visit with Tim's family. Needless to say, life at the Casey home has been super busy! I have one week of school left until Christmas break and I am looking forward to those two weeks and three weekends more than ever! It will be a great chance to get some finishing touches done around the house in preperation of Baby Casey's big arrival! Here are some pictures from my showers.

The first shower was given by two of my best friends, Christie and Becca. It was a wonderful day that included both friends from church as well as family friends from O'Fallon. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends who always love and support me in everything I do.

Thanks girls!

The very next weekend some very close family friends of mine threw me another shower. "Grandma Mary" and "Grandma Betty" hosted a wonderful luncheon with many friends of my family, most of which I have known my whole life! It was a great afternoon of visiting with people who I don't always get to see. Another special treat was that Tim's mom and sister (and dad) came down just for the shower. It was a great afternoon!

Just last weekend, my cousin, also name Elizabeth, threw me a family shower in Southern Illinois where my mom and dad grew up and most of my family still lives. Having an afternoon with the women of my family was truly amazing. It is so great that even though we, as a family, sadly continue to get smaller, when everyone gets together it is always a nice time. The shower was at a bed and breakfast and it was decorated beautifully for Christmas. It was another wonderful day!