First Few Days at Home

Our family ready to leave the hospital on Monday

Matty in his Cardinal's outfit

We're home

Matthew had jaundice and had to be on a bili-bed when we came home for the first two days. It was tough not to be able to hold him, but he looked so cute in his little tanning bed.

Matt and his home nurse who can to check his bili levels

Wednesday, Matt got to finally get off of his bili-bed and so we got to give him his first bath

All this playing really wears our little guy out

First walk, despite that he didn't fit very well in the stroller

Watching the Cards game with Daddy

First night in his bed... still sucking his thumb

Mommy catching some zzz's between feedings

Tummy time on Daddy turned into nap time on Daddy

In his chair from Great Grandma Grootegoed

Matty and his many faces

Here are some random photos from the hospital of Matt and his many faces

Mom, seriously do I have to burp?

Big yawn....

My eyes are finally open

Loves that thumb

Sleeping on Daddy

Special Visitors

We had a ton of friends and family visit us while we were in the hospital. Thank you to everyone who visited and all the phone calls and support. We are truly blessed.

Matt with Grandpa and Grandma Soeder

Grandma and Grandpa Gardner holding Matt

Blake and Aiden came to visit Matty
And so did Everett Phillips

And Chase-man too

Aunt "Girl" Marissa

Nancy, Marissa, and My mom sharing Matt

He's Here...Days at the Hospital

Everybody watching Matt getting all cleaned up. The nurses couldn't believe how many people were there for just one baby. We are blessed to have such amazing friends and family.

Matt getting his hair washed, he did so well. He didn't even cry.

Uncle Gary and Uncle Timmy holding Matt in the recovery room

Proud Grandpa (my dad) who got there about 1am after driving all the way from Ohio after he got off of work. Thanks Dad!!

Matthew Kevin all cleaned up and in our room

Daddy and Matty taking a nap

Dinner for two at the hospital

Mommy and Matty

And it begins...

The story begins in the middle of the night on Wednesday. I woke-up about 2:30am to my water starting to break. Brian told me to try and go back to sleep, but I couldn't. Soon we both ended up out in the family room watching tv and then about an hour later decided that we should head to the hospital. We showered, packed our bags, got some breakfast, and headed to the hospital.

Last belly shot on our way to the hospital (38 weeks)

Typical picture of me... this is before the contractions started to hurt

Brian resting up for the fun about to come

Me and my hubby

The day at the hospital was a long one, but I had the company of lots of friends and family. Heather and David were even able to there all the way from Ohio.

Nancy, Me, and My mom (we flew her in that morning and she spent the day with me)

After 19 hours of no progress, I only dilated to 3cm, the doctor's decided to do a C-section. A few minutes on the operating table and at 10:07pm on Thursday July 23rd,

Matthew Kevin Gardner

entered the world. He weighed 6lbs 12oz and was 19 inches long.

Daddy with Matt getting all cleaned up

Our First Family Photo

Measuring Bellies

Three Big Bellies

Jeni, Papa, Kevin

We measured to see who was the biggest... I went first

Then Papa...

And Kevin too...

Me cheering... I was still the smallest at 9 months pregnant

Maryville Baby Shower

Last week, Brian co-workers at Maryville threw us a baby shower. It was a nice little surprise and we were blessed again by friends. Only about 3 more weeks til our little guys arrives. We are getting very excited.

Brian opening some gifts

Parents-to-be