39 Weeks, and we're PARENTS!!

Well, on April 13th, at 1:30 a.m. my water broke while I was in bed! It was about at that time that I realized baby Garcia was on his way! I knew that although I could have false labor, once the water broke there was no turning back! And sure enough, within five minutes of my water breaking contractions started, and started strong. Unfortunately for me, I did not get to have much first stage labor. Never did I have the luxury of contractions ten minutes apart, then seven, then five, etc.. My contractions started at 3 minutes apart, and only got closer and stronger from there!
We headed to the hospital at 7:30 a.m. after laboring at home since 1:30. I felt like we were making great progress. When we got to the hospital the contractions slowed, and the doctor has us start walking to pick things back up. They did, and intervention was bypassed! yay. Caleb was by my side the entire time, coaching me and encouraging me to stick with it. He was the perfect husband and sidekick during labor. Never did I want him to leave me alone, or give me any desire to punch him in the face! He was nothing less than incredible. Thank you so much honey, I could not have done what I did without you.
To make a long story short, at about 4:40 p.m. the doctor came in and had me start "Practice pushing." After she saw that I was a "good pusher" we were ready to go. With less than five minutes of pushing, approximately 4 pushes later, Menias Michael Garcia was born. He was crying, hungry, and beautiful! What an incredible experience, and a whole new world as mommy! We were so blessed on April 13th! 7lbs 14 oz and 20 and a quarter inches long.

This is Menias hours after being born. Welcome to the world little guy :)

Menias and dad trying out the Moby wrap, haha....

2 weeks old

Gaby and I on Easter, the day before he was born!

38 weeks and counting...

Well here we are, 38 weeks along!! I really can't believe it! Our little boy could come any down now! I just wish he would! The house is all cleaned, the room is put together, and the car seat is strapped into the car. Now all we need is a baby to top it all off... soon... hopefully soon!

Belly Pictures- 27 weeks

So with the help of Shawna, we got some belly pictures at 27 weeks. We were trying to get some good ones to choose from for a baby shower invitation. So, here are just a few... it's pretty weird to see! (if I say so myself!)

Although these were taken at 27 weeks, as I write this I am proud to say that I am now at 31 weeks! Well on our way to meeting our little one! We can easily say we are totally excited!!

Out of Africa!

So for my birthday, I wanted nothing more than a friends trip to Out of Africa, down in Camp Verde! Why, I don't know, but I just really wanted to go, having never been before. Here are some of my favorite pictures! It was a pretty fun day :)

This would be a three legged cheetah... talented heh?

This guy was one of my favorites! There were probably about three or four different areas where they kept the lions. At the end of the day, you could hear the lions calling to each other from across the park in their different sanctuaries! It was so neat!

Birthday season!

In the last two weeks, we have now celebrated three birthdays!! A busy time of year! And of course, right after Christmas is ending. Things have been nuts, but all for a good cause! Our good friend Josh had his birthday on Decemeber 30th, and we helped him ring in the new year with a surprise birthday party on new years eve. It was a blast! and the night ended as we all went downtown to watch the fireworks (yes, they actually had fireworks in Flagstaff) off the top of the Monte Vista hotel.

Josh with baby Uriah Palmer

Caleb's birthday came two short days later on January 2nd. He spent the day snowboarding up at Snowbowl with Josh. Then we went to Sakura for a fancy dinner with some great friends! Along for the ride was Wes and Evenstar, Josh and Shawna, and Calvin and Kendyl. The night was really fun, other than when our waiter sprayed my brand new shirt with melted butter... :( Luckily it came out in the wash, as soon as we got home!

Caleb and I at Sakura. Happy Birthday my love!

What else could you want on your birthday than to be surrounded by your best friends at an amazing dinner!

After celebrating Caleb's birthday it was my turn! I officially turned 23 on January 7th! I had to work, and a few of my students had remembered that I had mentioned it was my birthday today. They brought me in a birthday hat, a banner, and a pin they made me wear around all day, stating to the world it was my birthday! Then the day was even more exciting when my mom had a bouquet of balloons delivered to me at the school, and the principal delivered them! What a crazy day! We ended the night with another great dinner with friends at Oregano's..yummmm!

My 4th Grade class, helping me to celebrate another year!

The whole group celebrating!!

Happy Birthday to Us!! And another year rolls by.....

Christmas time is here!

We woke up Christmas morning to a beautiful white Christmas! I have not seen a white Christmas in at least six years, and was SO excited to see the snow coming down when I opened up the curtains!! Caleb and I had our own small Christmas together at home before heading over to the Phipps home for a family Christmas there. Caleb and Andrew were kept busy shoveling all morning while the whole gang waited for Rachael to finally decide to show up! The morning was beautiful and the tree looked great! The whole day was filled with hanging out, eating, and opening gifts. Not a bad Christmas! We ended the Phipps extravaganza with some family pictures. Caleb was thrilled to find out he got is long awaited Sony Camcorder!! (although his excitement was not quite what I was expecting!)

Andrew and Caleb enjoying some freshly brewed hot tea, after shoveling the driveway for dad.

Caleb with his candy pimp necklace, mom's new Ipod Shuffle, and Rachael lovin' the Obama shirt from Caleb... sorry Rach, we didn't know you thought he was "scary"....??

Our family Christmas picture... it was slightly hectic!

And like I promised to a few of you... here is a picture of Caleb and I, as well as a picture of the 6 month belly picture :) So weird!!

Merry Christmas from Caleb, Elizabeth, and Menias Garcia!

Congratulations Caleb!

Caleb recently completed his fire fighter 1 and 2 class, which was his last course necessary in being able to apply for jobs with fire departments. He got to do tons of hands on work and experience during the course of this class, including a live burn and a propane tank burn. It was his first real taste at running into burning buildings, and.... he's hooked! He graduated the class with honors, and is rearing and ready to start the hiring process with the local fire departments! I am so proud of him, and excited to see where God takes us in the new and exciting journey!

This is him learning how to extinguish a propane tank on fire... yikes!