LIFE.....as we knew it....has changed forever

On more than on occasion in the past 10 days Jon has uttered these words: 

"We have a baby in the house." 

Each time he says it...there's a sense of awe and responsibility in his voice. And I totally agree. We have been given this priceless gift of a baby boy and wow! He is ours to look after and raise in God's ways....now that IS an awesome responsibility. 


I was encouraged by reading II Chronicles yesterday. Solomon cried out to God for wisdom and God loved that prayer and blessed him abundantly. So as I tackle the 3am feeds, that's my prayer too...that God would bestow upon us as Jacob's parents, great wisdom to raise our son well..in a way that honours the One who gave him to us in the first place. If you are a parent reading this, may you be encouraged to petition God for the wisdom of Solomon (even a small % of what he had would help) in doing the most important job on the planet....loving your husband/wife and raising your children.

So below is a collection of pics that show some of the different ways and means of having Jacob in our lives.....

Bath time with Mummy

Nap time with Daddy

A solution for some of the new aches and pains associated with breastfeeding.

Visitors galore...all so impressed with Jacob's placid temperament and good looks, which prompted another classic Jon line...."Obviously it skipped a generation." Hmmmmm......speak for yourself Honey:)

Great Aunty and Uncle Litzow

Great Grandfather and Grandma Van

Great Aunty Margaret and 2nd cousin Deb

Uncle Andrew

Aunty Katherine

Bible reading with Dad

More relaxing tub time

"Ahhhhhh....life sure HAS changed....but now it's even sweeter!"

The BIG Boy's Birthday

Q: So....what does a new Dad's birthday look like??? 

A: A little different to last year when we spent the day 4WDing 

through Cape York. 

2010's version may not have been so adrenalin filled, 

but it was very special anyway.

Early start as Jacob has breaky then all 3 of us snuggle.

 

Big J and little j trip around the house doing the present hunt....complete with abstract art that had J bamboozled on more than one occasion.

Finally....success! Jacob looks like he was a big help:)

Jon had said he didn't need any presents this year....because Jacob was his birthday gift. Little j was very compliant.

The boys take some 'hang time' on the couch....with Jesus. 

Happy Birthday to You!! And thanks Tammy for the 

delicious cake....perfect timing.

Jacob eats too...not cake just yet though. Dad's final birthday treat....

......feeding his son for the first time.

Kitted out

Little J has received sooooo many wonderful gifts...thanks heaps to our wonderful family and friends. There's been prams and quilts.....clothes and toys....Bibles and book.....wraps and nappies.....CDs and shoes....
But these 2 special outfits get a photo.

Thanks to Uncle A for the Team Vodafone driver's suit. Watch out for pics throughout next year's V8 season of Jacob dressed like Lownsie, sitting on his daddy's lap and glued to the big screen!

And from one super family, to a super baby...this little suit...complete with detachable cape. Thanks Aunty M, Uncle B and A. Now, I just have to get my super man a matching one:))

Introducing Jacob....

Our wonderful little baby arrived on September 6th 2010. Here's a little bit of the story....

Father's Day 2010:

Jon eagerly anticipated getting his first FD present.

A bottle of aftershave arrived on 5/09 but the BIG gift...his son....was coming a day later.

Delivery Day 2010:
We arrived at Gladstone Mater Hospital as 2.....one with a passenger though. Looking a little bleary eyed because we hadn't slept for long the night before (we were too excited) and it was an early start for the op prep.

The Moment:
At 10.51am, Jacob Jonathan Van Itallie entered the world. This is Jacob just minutes after he was born...already alert and content. He has the Van Itallie 'M' lips, just like his Daddy. He's a big boy. 9lb 13oz (4.440kg) to be exact! Silly us....in the room before we headed into theatre, we'd guessed that he'd be 8lb 1oz.

First Timers:
Jon's parents are quite delighted to see grand baby #1. A nice 3 day late birthday present for Mum and a 1 day late (Grand)Father's Day gift for Dad.

Bath Time:
It took a while to get there, but once he was in...Jacob loved it. 
Very relaxing time....just like every bath since. 

8 Times a Winner:
Kirsty's folks love the latest addition to their collection of grand children. 
Jacob evens the ledger at 4 girls, 4 boys.

A favourite:
Not a pose I have seen since, so this is a little gem to treasure.

Going Home:
5 sleeps after arriving at hospital, we leave. All three of us! 
Excited...thankful.....ready....so very happy.

toast

So motherhood has not changed me one bit. I still do really silly things...like charcoal the toast, setting off fire alarms after filling the entire house with smoke. Only difference....all before 7am! Proof that multiple multi-tasking only leads to heartbreak...or at least a darn waste of two perfectly good pieces of cafe style raisin toast! Tomorrow I will either: a) stick to one task at a time only or b) have oats for breaky.