Emelia Deitra is here!

She has arrived!  After a super long, tiring labor, and a fierce rain storm, Emelia was born to us on Tuesday September 18th.  It was truly an incredible experience for all three of us!  We had an incredible midwife and specially chosen nurses with us at delivery--their support and love made what felt impossible possible!

Enjoy some of the moments of Emelia's first days 'on this side'!

Seconds old

Healthy baby girl!

Champion lungs

Meeting Grandpa Cockley for the first time

Meeting her cousins and Aunt

Big yawns from such a little spudette

Photo Shoot

My dear dear childhood friend Ellie Spaulding graciously agreed to play around and do a maternity photo shoot with me.  So this darling lady came out to to our farm one August day to take some shots with Nate's handiwork in the background.  I am quite pleased with how they came out!  

THANK YOU ELLIE!!!

Barefoot and pregnant

Little kicks & rolls

So remember when I said my belly button was flat.....it's becoming more convex as the weeks progress

Kaleb decided he need to be a part of all the fun

Ellie's comment: "You almost don't even look pregnant in this one"

Meditative Mama

Pancake Belly Buttons

We had a Centering appointment on Monday.  For those of you who don't know, I'm going to a Certified Nurse Midwife for my prenatal care.  The particular office where we go offers 'Centering' or group prenatal care.  We are part of a group of patients who all have due-dates within a few weeks of eachother.  Instead of having a 15min visit one-on-one with a midwife once every month, we go to a 2 hour appt with a group of women and one midwife.  I've really enjoyed the experience and met some lovely ladies.  It's fun to feel that we are part of a 'tribe'--all anticipating the same huge event in the next few weeks.




A lovely farm quilt being made by one of my WV 'aunties'--so much love!


It's kind of strange being on this side of pregnancy.  Actually, one of my fears has been that people would assume that I know what I'm doing through this whole pregnancy because I was a labor and delivery nurse for several years.  But it has been so different to experience everything through my own lense.  Sure, I might have fewer fears or unknowns regarding labor and giving birth than some people, but there are still beautiful moments of complete newness, like the first wiggles and kicks I felt or my absolute amazement that my belly button is now flat as a pancake (!). 

Summer Bounty

Muddy Creek Farmstead's stand at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market-yummy veggies piled high! 

Nate's Specialty: Rainbow Carrots

30 weeks (10ish to go!)

The classic 'bump' picture: 30wks

The babes room so far

Fantastic 'Rumparoo' cloth diapers--super excited to use these! (note fab colors)

Crib: A generous gift from a fellow nursing prof--full of goodies from the WV ladies baby shower :)

Too cute for words--A Farmers Market trade Nate made with a fellow vendor

What I see when I look down....

The Start

I should probably start with a disclaimer:  I'm not a blogger.  I'm one of those people who has a drawer full of 'just started' journals and diaries.  I rarely make it past the first few pages and even with that, often have time gaps that span months or even years.  
This is a space that I'm going to try to be a bit more committed to.  Primarily, it is supposed to be a space for us to update our far-flung family and friends about happenings and on the farm and the highly anticipated entry of a new member to our family (currently expected for sometime in late Sept...10wks and counting!).
So I hope that those of you who are interested can enjoy this place and use it as a way to help Nate and me to keep in touch with you as you are off gallivanting around the globe.

More to come!
Hugs and Love,
K