Hannah's Home!

Hannah came home from the hospital yesterday. She is eating better but it is still a bit if a battle. I had to spend 24 hours at the hospital learning from the nurses how to feed her and making sure she was eating consistently. So every three hours is a test but she is doing better and better. We have a doctor's appointment tomorrow so we are hoping she is gaining weight. We love her so much and she brings us great joy and laughter. Thank you for praying.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Our daughter Hannah Nicole was born on December 23rd. She was healthy at 5 lbs, 6 oz and 18 1/2 inches. She has great lungs and is very strong. I was admitted last Friday with pre-eclampsia and had to be induced. She is such an unexpected but amazing Christmas gift. It was so special to hold her on Christmas Eve while listening to music about the holy infant born on the first Christmas. We went home on Christmas day, six days after I arrived. Yesterday she was readmitted for jaundice. Please pray for her that her jaundice clears up and eating improves. She is doing great for being so little, she just needs a little help eating. Some feedings are difficult because she's so sleepy from being early and it's kind of hard to deal with her being back at the hospital. We really appreciate all the love and support we have been given and look forward to introducing her to you all. Love, Nick and Victoria

NYC Baby?

Not quite, Samantha just let Nick practice with Serena in her car seat.

Our first picture on our favorite bridge, we finally went together

(and Hannah too!)

The new coupleMike and Sheila in the weddingAndrew and SerenaSam holding Serena while Devin is off dancing somewhereOur table buddiesThe whole tableReunited with Madelina, my old neighbor and great friend!

My name is still on the door though I think it has been sold twice

Back in Astoria, an accident. Never a dull moment... My favorite place in Astoria, Astoria ParkSam modeling the camo diaper bag we likeDInner with the Chen sistersNick's aunt and uncle after renewing their vows Times SquareOur favorite place in Times Square, the cool Charmin stop, they really made an adventure of it! Nick in Elmo heaven in the three-story Toys R Us Right after Nick says he wants NYC cheesecake, far away from Ferrara's, we run into a Central Park stand where they happen to be featuring Ferrara's desserts! They sure weren't there when Gina and I used to go running in Central Park!One of my favorite places in NYC at Christmas, the Time Warner building, where they play a laser light show to music

Larry and Ruby's wedding was very nice and a great reunion. We started off our trip going to my old co-op to see Madelina for a few minutes before she took off to Argentina. We were so glad we got to see her. Then it was off to the subway and Penn station for a train to Nick's uncle in NJ. I thought I knew NYC but Penn station tested me. We finally figured it out. The next day, Nick's uncle let us drive to the wedding which was beautiful. We drove right back to see his uncle renew his vows at church. The next day driving to church in the city, we ended up in Brooklyn. Nick is awesome driving in Manhattan but I guess it would have helped if I had ever driven there before. We ran into Dana who was also visiting from FLA. Asher was dedicated but we were too far away for good pictures. Then we met more of Nick's family before heading back to the city. We spent two days seeing everything possible in the city. By Wednesday night, my feet were in pain. By Thursday night back in FLA for Thanksgiving, my ankles blew up like the Michelin man. It was kind of scary but the doctor just said to put my feet up. I am actually on bedrest right now, just until tomorrow, for my puffy ankles. It's frustrating because there is nothing I can do but put them up which makes it hard to prepare for a baby. We survived all of childbirth and infant care classes except for one but that should be easy. Our church gave us an absolutelty beautiful shower last weekend. I am waiting for pictures from my mom. Other than that I am doing OK but am looking forward to Christmas vacation. I was relieved when I read the top of my blog, only 40 days to go!

New York, Here We Come!

We are on our way to New York tomorrow! Can't wait to see everyone! I haven't been there since I packed my suitcase and boarded a plane in March 2007. I planned to come back to close on my house but they did it long distance and my dad packed up my stuff and drove it home. Thanks, dad! I'm looking forward to actually vacationing in the city as opposed to trying to experience it while working. Larry and Ruby are getting married. We're so excited for them. Hopefully we'll see many of you Saturday!!!

Ladies' Radiance Conference

Faith, friends and foodWe had a Ladies' Meeting at church which was very nice. Some ladies decorated tables and made the desserts and we were able to hang out before listening to the message. I had fun with the Melissas squared and seeing some other friends. I'm pretty picky lately with pictures but here's a bit of a side shot for those who asked. Those are kind of hard to look at after those years on Jenny Craig but hopefuly Hannah will take most of it with her when she comes out :)! We would like to ask if you would like to pray for us. It has been my written vision since 2000 and Nick's desire as well that I be able to stay home for awhile with Hannah but the reality is not there right now. I know some people like to work which is great but for us in this moment, this is what we believe. So if you could pray, that would be great. It feels like God has granted so many miracles to me lately that I shouldn't expect anymore. But if it's His will, then I know He can do it. For some reason, after all the other things I have seen God do in time through faith and perserverance, I seem to be struggling with this one. But I know that nothing He does is based on what we have the ability to do but on what He already did for us. So I will trust Him. It is just nice to have a little encouragement along the way. I am also having the hardest time sleeping, which is probably evident in my pictures. I hate to be so vunerable but sometimes you just need a little help. Thank you for being great friends to us. Please let me know in the comments if there is anything we can pray for with you. Love, Victoria

Aww!

Isn't it cute! This sign was a surprise on Hannah's wall when I got home today. Nick and I are doing "The Love Dare" book with a couples group at church. It's the book that was part of the movie, "Fireproof". It's true, it feels kind of nice when someone gives you something you weren't expecting. We saw this at TJMaxx together but I didn't want to commit to buying it. But since Nick made it part of our "Love Dare" assignment, I don't have to feel too guilty. I am very excited because it's the perfect colors and they just happen to have Hannah's name. At TJMaxx where you never know what you are going to find. So again, without even asking, I was able to get something I really wanted for Hannah, a place for her name in her room to make it her own. The room is slowly making its way from a blue guest room to a green and pink nursery. Now all I need is Aunt Madelina to fly down from NYC and paint a bunny mural! She did such an amazing job on Asher's room. http://babybeanmiranda.blogspot.com/2008/10/ashers-nursery.html. Grandparents, aunts and uncles are always welcome here! Thanks, Nick! Hannah will love it!

Fun Stuff

Bunny, the model

The first gifts with her name on it- precious! The colors perfectly match her beddingElmo hooded towel for Daddy to keep Hannah warm when she gets out of the bath The new glider- Thanks Grandma Wolf! Grandpa Babinetz transporting the crib and dresser on his trailer

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Babinetz Future changing table, current home of the stuffed animalsWell we're actually on our way to a nursery. Nothing fancy but some nice cherry wood with pink and light green bedding (to be seen at a later date when it's done!) We've got a glider, changing table, and crib and dresser on the way via New Port Richey. Sara sent us beautiful embroidered things for Hannah that just happen to be the perfect colors! I've always wanted something special with her name on it and Sara didn't even know that! God is very good in giving us little secret desires of our hearts. We are ready to hold her but for now, Elmo and the bunny are stepping in. It's amazing what a kid you become when you have a kid on the way!

Pink Invasion

My first present to my little girl

My mom didn't want Nick to feel left out. For coming home from the hospital Love the little pantsA tank for FLAAnd a splash of purple for momThe bunny for company, the pig for Hannah's college fund For chilly nightsAnd messy meals Thanks mom!!!