All kinds of celebrating

I had my birthday while I was on my big Texas adventure with Momma and the kids. I was so blessed to be surrounded by so many people that love me! If my precious husband had to be away, at least I would celebrate, and celebrate, AND CELEBRATE! Thanks everybody for a super birthday celebration! It feels so good to be so loved!

PS, next year I hit the big 30. It's downhill from here!

Here are my photos:

Possum Kingdom with the Blays/Tippens

This celebration was a total surprise!!!

My perfect husband had a cookie bouquet waiting for me at my Aunt's house...

Happy Birthday from the mister!

Mam-maw and Pampa, Aunt Sally and the boys had a cake for me too! Nana and Pappy had cake number 3 waiting for me!
I made a wish...and Savannah Kay did too!

I had a great birthday! Twenty nine feels really fine!

Loving Our New Little Guy

There is no doubt that this little guy is so loved!

Our little family

Big Sister Bekah

Papa

Aunt Rachel

Grandmommy

Aunt Haley

Uncle Steve

Big Sister Savannah Kay

Baby Mason Arrives

I know this is a long one...but how can you hold back the pics when you have so many wonderful ones?! Okay, so here is the run down. We decided to save our 2 week R&R (rest and relaxation) visit from Jeremy until 6 weeks after Mason was born. This would make his visit closer to the half-way mark. Plus, our visit would be less stress and provide more time to just enjoy being together and avoid the madness of childbirth. However, we arranged to have Jeremy participate in the delivery via webcam from Iraq.

I asked my precious friend and talented photographer to sit in on my c-section and photograph our delivery. I was worried that Jeremy may not have a good Internet connection to see baby Mason's big day, so I wanted to have pictures that would make up for his missing presence. Mom was there to video and support me. I was so blessed by the hospital staff. One of the nurses made it her job to just carry the laptop around so that Jeremy could see everything. I am so thankful that technology has become so advanced that with the click of a button and an Internet connection, my precious husband could see the birth of his child from a small metal building in the middle of the desert! I have posted the best of about 600 beautiful images for you to see our journey. God is so good! I am reminded so clearly that "My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ." Philippians 4:19

Meet our newest addition...Mason Todd Welch

Jeremy was online from the time I entered the operating room. He talked me through my spinal...
This is the first breath of air baby Mason took!

Dr. Priddle shows us our little man

7 lbs 11.5 oz of perfection

I love this one...like Father like son! Look at those lips!

Precious little hands

Precious little feet

Love at first sight

Mason decided the clip board was a foot stool! He had been screaming his little lungs out and then after propping his foot up, he was silent. It was hilarious! Jeremy's reaction was caught on camera!

His first footprints

Dressing to meet Daddy

Daddy was beaming with pride and love!

Why hello Daddy...nice to meet you.

This is my most favorite picture of all...bliss captured on camera.

Mommy meets her little man

I should add that my Momma is my hero! Her commitment to this endeavor has blessed my soul. She was my rock throughout...and I hope I can one day be a Momma to my kiddos like she is to me. I love you so much Momma!

He loves me so! No amount of miles could keep him from supporting me. I am the luckiest girl in the entire world!

Bear Hug Student and a Birthday

I mentioned that my family made the trip to Manhattan this weekend. It just so happened that my precious Daddy celebrated his big 61st on Thursday the 18th. Their trip was a great excuse to celebrate his big birthday. Excuse the hormonal moment, but I think it is rather important to take a moment to explain just how precious those birthdays are to me. Just 4 short years ago, cancer almost took my Daddy from us. I am so thankful he is here and mostly healthy...and celebrating 61 years alive!

Friday night I took the family to The Little Grill. This is a local place, owned by a Jamaican man. The food is really good and the atmosphere is even better...especially on Friday nights when the owner picks up his guitar and sings. He plays classics from Van Morrison, Elvis, Bob Dillon and others. To much protest from my nay-saying mother, we headed out for dinner to this little Manhattan secret. I think she thought I was taking us to some one's backyard in the middle of nowhere. And guess what....Everyone had a great time! Occasionally I do pull through, Mother.

After enjoying good food, great company and fantastic music...I asked our entertainer to sing "Happy Birthday" to my sweet Daddy. The host promptly ordered a shot of Hennessy for the birthday man...and Daddy took it like champ! It was hilarious! Mom kept asking "What is Hennessy anyway?"

Our singer even sang "Brown Eyed Girl" to the girls. When we left, everyone had a huge smile on their face and swore we would be back soon. The best part was that we felt like we had been on a mini vacation to the islands despite the outside freeze. PS, it snowed on Saturday. I snapped a few photos to remember the evening. We came home and enjoyed carrot cake and presents. It was a perfect evening!

Prior to our big celebration, I made a trip to the kids' school. Savannah Kay was the "Bear Hug Student" this week. This means she took home the class bear and needed to send back pictures of herself and some forms that shared all about her. In addition to hosting Ted E. Bear for the night...she could invite a parent or visitor to come and read to the class. I made the trek to the school (20 miles outside of town) to read a couple of books to her class (just like a good Mommy should). I think they really enjoyed my visit. I read We're Going on a Bear Hunt and Don't Be Silly Mrs. Millie. Both are really cute little books. My sister Rachel came along and documented the occasion for us. Thanks little sister! Hooray for our little Bear Hug Student!