Because I can...

   We love taking pictures of our baby and thought you might like to see them too.

Visitors!

    Zella is so loved. Before we even made it home, we had visitors at the hospital. Grandpa Bob and Nana Jill stopped by with treats and an eagerness to meet their newest grandbaby. So great to see them!  Once we were home, we had several friends stop by with meals and baby gifts. We are so appreciative of everyone's love and generosity.

     Both grandmas and Aunt Lolo came to visit soon after. Mimi was here for over a week. She was very helpful and productive with some projects we have been putting off. We also loved spending time with Nanny and Lolo over Easter weekend.

     Visitors are gone for now and we are figuring out our own new normal. This little blessing sure has us tuckered out.

Introducing Zella Jae!

    It all started on March 5th. Though my due date wasn't for another week and a half, I was hoping to get things started early. Therefore, I was determined to do a lot of walking over the weekend. After some walking, Lee and I decided to get Asian foot massages. It was amazing! I hardly slept at all that night and felt miserable in the morning. We went ahead and walked to brunch and ran some errands. Lee was kind enough to tackle the grocery store while I tried to nap. He got home and unpacked as I laid on the couch. We chatted for a few and when I stood up, there was an instant flow of water running down my leg. I briskly walked to the restroom when Lee asked if we should go to the hospital. I told him I would call the doctor first. The doctor assured me that I had some time, so don't head in until 7 or 8pm. Therefore,  I took a shower and shaved my legs! We had reservations at a nice restaurant, but cancelled that and grabbed curry from Biju's across the street. Van and Katie came over to pick up the pups, and then we were on our way to the hospital.

     When we arrived, everything was very anticlimactic. The nurses showed us to our room and began hooking me up to machines and checking my progress. I was 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced. Things were not progressing very quickly, so I opted for pitocin. Ahhh! Things got intense very quickly with super strong contractions. When I started shaking uncontrollably, Lee was pretty scared. Shortly after that, I received an epidural and was much happier. This allowed me to sleep overnight with the exception of the nurses coming in every so often to help me move positions.

     In the morning, I was dilated 9 cm and 100% effaced. The doctor said she would be here by 9 am. 9 am came and went with little progress. By noon, the nurses and doctor checked me again, and said I would be ready to start pushing soon. Our nurse and Lee got in to position, then I began pushing around 12:30 pm. After some time, the nurses had me get creative with some new pushing positions. Lee was impressed. It was definitely a work out. After 3 and 1/2 hours of pushing, the doctor came in and said we should try something else. He suggested we use a vacuum to move her head in the correct position as they pull her out. I was a little nervous,  but was also very over pushing. A few minutes later, with help from the vacuum, Zella was safely delivered at 4 pm on March 7th. We couldn't believe how much dark hair she had. She is perfect!

Celebrating US!

August is ALWAYS a big month in the White House. Lee and I just celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary and TWO birthdays. We celebrated by enjoying a couple of restaurants during Denver's Restaurant Week: Duo and Tag. Both were on the fancy side and very yummy. 

Can't wait for the next celebration...and new restaurant!

Celebrating 2013 in Japan!

2013 turned out to be  big year! We celebrated our 5 year anniversary and I (Jen) turned 30. :) We have never been big on gift giving to each other, so we decided to take a trip. Where better, than to Japan? Brandon Stowell and his awesome girlfriend Cliah live in Tokyo, so we thought it would be the perfect trip.

Here, you will see us being dorks while shopping in Tokyo.

We had so much fun with the Simpsons too!

Tokyo was a blast, and so was the rest of 2013. Lee and I enjoyed our first full year in Colorado. We had tons of visitors at the White Loft, and went on several adventures around the city of Denver. We can't wait for all of the new adventures in 2014!

Projects at Blake Street

Lee and I have been busy finishing various projects around our place. One of the latest ones is this old side table. In our last home, I hated this table. Therefore, it was quietly placed in our guest bedroom, where no one would notice it. When we moved, many things got pitched (sold or given to Goodwill). For some reason we kept this. It came in very handy when we realized we got rid of SO much. Within the first month, I spilled finger nail polish remover on it and ruined the top. I finally grew to like this table, but decided it needed some love. Hope you like it!

Here is another new project. It has taken awhile for this to evolve, but I think it is FINALLY complete! All in all, Lee and I have really enjoyed making our place more fun and US! I have included some more pics of projects we are proud of!

UPDATES as Promised!

Well, Lee and I just finished our first 5k. He might say it is our last, BUT I have a feeling I can talk him in to another. The run was called the Firefly 5k, and was a night run! Everyone was dressed in lights and items that glowed. It was such a pretty scene.

The run also consisted on a costume contest. Lee thought the guy in the toaster costume was the best, had to get a picture. :)

So, Lee and I just celebrated 4 years of marriage. We have never been big on gifts, so we thought it would be fun to spend one of the last weekends of summer in Fairplay, CO. Lee booked a horseback riding day. We had a lot of fun!

Here is Lee and his horse, Grandpa.

Here is a picture of me and my horse, Tonka. He was kind to me...most of the time. Well, those are just a couple of things we have done recently. Stay tuned!