Holding up my head to look at my Dad

Three Weeks Old!

"Waking Up" Faces

Two Weeks Old!

Joel is an amazing little miracle. Every day he changes so much! We are so blessed. Joel is growing fast-- after slimming down to 7 lbs. 5 oz. (June 8th) he is now at 8 lbs. 9 oz.! He's in the 75th percentile for height (thanks dad!) and the 49th percentile for weight. He is a slow, polite eater (must take after mom) so we spend a great deal of time nursing. These days are so precious!

We're still figuring each other out-- a lifelong process I'm sure. He's a pretty laid-back kid so far. If something's bothering him, he'll grunt for a while to let us know he's upset before he'll cry. It's like he's saying, "AHEM."

As you can see, I (Jen) am feeling well enough to pay a little attention to our blog at least! Healing will be slow, but it is coming. Doc says it'll be 6-8 weeks for me to heal from all my stitches (because of the forceps delivery). I can get around enough to take care of myself and Joel now-- so you may not see me out on the town for a while, but these quiet days at home with Joel are the best kind of medicine. I am so thankful for everything God has given us!!

Joel's First Week

The wonder of God's gifts

I can't help but praise God at this amazing gift he has given us. I think having a child of my own has started me to understand better what God felt as he sent his son, Christ to be sacrificed. His love is amazing, and seeing this bright little boy in our arms gives a totally new perspective to Psalm 139:13-14 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." We are certainly praising God for Joel and how incredible he is. Make no mistake about it, God has had his hand in this from the beginning, even in helping us get to the hospital in time and protecting Joel and Jenny through the birth. God is good. Jenny and I (Kirk) took an opportunity to pray to thank God, and to dedicate Joel Keith Knudsen to the Lord for whatever purposes the Lord has for him and for us. God is so cool! God really loves to bless his children, and we are so thankful for his blessings.

We are all home now!

Hello friends and family, we are all home now, Joel is doing really well, he seems to be sleeping fine and is figuring out eating pretty quick (he eats like his dad). Jenny is feeling good too, and now we are playing the mystery game of figuring out what the baby wants and what will make him happy. Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. We are really excited.

Our new baby son, Joel Keith Knudsen

Hey everyone here are a few pics of our new baby, Joel Keith Knudsen, born 6/5/2007, at 8:05am, in Libertyville, IL. He was born at 8 pounds, 1 oz., 21 inches long, and he and Jenny are doing well, but Jenny will need some time to heal.

He is the cliff notes version of what happened on Tuesday morning. Jenny was feeling some contraction starting late Monday night. By the morning they were regular, but from 7-10 minutes apart. Then her water broke at 5:45am, and the contractions started coming fast and furious. We got in the car as soon as we could (about 6:30am thinking we would have plenty of time) spent the most infuriating and longest hour of our lives in traffic trying to get to the hospital, where we arrived around 7:30am. When we got there Jenny was already at 9cm and they were telling her to push. Joel's heartbeat was falling, probably because the cord was pinched, so the doctor used the vacuum extractor and forceps to get him out quickly, and then little Joel was there in front of us at 8:05am!!! What a trip! After they stitched Jenny up, we got to hold our son for the first time; it was awesome!

Great Expectations

Well here I am at exactly 39 weeks pregnant...and exactly on our 6th wedding anniversary, too! When I laid down on the bench I said I was doing a "beached whale" pose. Then I tried to get up...my feet couldn't reach the ground, there was no way to push or pull myself up...and I had to say, "uh...Kirk? I really am like a beached whale! Can you help me off this thing?!"