Snapshot of Wes' first week!

It felt like we were packing for a trip as we prepared to go to the hospital! No major contractions, but after 9 days of waiting past our due date, we were ready to get things started!

Here's Nica and Wes as we walked out the door. It was an amazing feeling to know that when we came back he'd be in our arms!!

May 9th, 2011 at 2:52 PM GMT+8 beautiful Joseph Wesley Martin came into the world!! After his first glorious breath and cry and being cleaned up by the doctors, he was wrapped up and given to Joe to hold. Wesley didn't stop looking at him! He didn't cry or sleep, just looked intently at his daddy while Joe talked with him and held him for the first time. It was such a special moment. We were instantly in love with our son.

Here is the new mommy! Hard to take eyes off of him.

The hospital food was catered by a restaurant...we had quite the gourmet menu options to choose from every day! But sometimes ya just can't beat a good burger! :)
I like this photo...the burger is as big as Wesley!! haha

A great nurse that helped with SO much.

Auntie Chelle gave him a monkey as a gift! He was so helpful in keeping Wes' soother in his mouth! Thanks, Auntie!! :)

...such a good daddy...

Here we are getting ready to leave the hospital!!

it feels so good to bend over again!! haha

waking up from his very first night in his new bed...how can you not fall in love with a sleeping baby??

Here is our ayi, her English name is Linda. She just loves Wes!! She's such a blessing to us!

curling up into a pillow...such a cutie... <3

Here is Wes, four days old, and about to embark on his first subway ride off to get his passport photos taken!

After visiting the Canadian Embassy we went to a diner for mini-burgers!!

We've enjoyed having visitors come to visit Wes!
Here is Auntie Vivienne!!

Wes loves having lotion rubbed into him after his bath, and mommy loves it, too!!

Here is to the new adventure of parenthood!! Welcome, beautiful Wesley!!

Wesley Update

Some pictures from Wesley's first day . . .

his excited mommy




with his dad



hangin' out with dad




kisses


so happy to be a mother

Our son was born today . . .

Announcing the arrival of Joseph Wesley Martin!

Wesley was born at 2:52 p.m. Monday, May 9th.

Weight: 3.71 kg (8 lb 2 oz)

Length: 52 cm (20.5 inches)

We thank God that Wes and Nica are both healthy and doing well.

Here are a few photos . . . more to follow soon

Due Date Come and Gone...

It's official...we'll have a May baby! When in May, only time will tell. Our April 30th due date has come and gone. sigh. Joey really wanted a good excuse out of his parent/teacher meetings that were scheduled all day Saturday (4.30) but alas, our son continues to give us no reason to cancel any plans! So, we continue on with life as normal!
Here is Nica at 38 weeks...

...and at 39 weeks...

and look at us here! 40 weeks!! We made it!! But alas, no baby yet!

Nica's getting tired of trips to the doctor and only seeing baby on screen. What used to bring so much joy, is now replaced with..."hurry up! we want to see you for REAL!!" Nica's never been very good at waiting for something she's excited about.

Actually, Nica has been plagued with visions of becoming the fat man on Monty Python who just keeps getting fatter and fatter and eventually basically explodes, sliming everyone in his way. How can I get this baby out before that happens??? :(

On a serious note, lets all pray for Danny. Thursday night he was rushed to hospital, he had emergency surgery, and although the Lord answered prayers and the surgery went well without the complications that we thought possible, he will be recovering and closely monitored the remainder of this week. I have yet to know if this will affect mom's trip to Shanghai. She was scheduled to fly out Wednesday. I feel at peace with it. Danny is so precious and so brave, let's all pray together that his recovery process is fast and thorough.

I'll keep you all posted with updates about mom's trip and baby's arrival as I know! Joey is an amazing support through each stage of this process. I wouldn't be able to get through all this without him!! Thanks for your prayers,

J&N

Hospital tour, fat feet, baptism, & friends!

Last week we got our official tour of the hospital where we'll be ending up soon to meet our little boy! We are pleased with the facilities, staff, and feel comfortable with the arrangements!
Exciting days!


Here is Nica with her doctor: Dr. Cari Jia


The waiting room

Our hosptial room is private, and big enough to have a party in if we wanted! haha, probably won't be in the mood for that, but nice to know the option is there. It's got a big plasma TV on the wall w/ DVD player, a mini-fridge, microwave, even a pull-out couch for Joe so he can spend the night with us!

Joey continues to be a constant support to me, going to great lengths to make this experience positive and special for both of us! He's going to be SUCH a great dad...
I had to capture a photo of him painting my toes. :) Now that warm weather is here AND my feet are so fat that my normal shoes aren't fitting very well, flip flops are perfect attire! He did a great job on my toes, and making me feel beautiful. :)

On Sunday at church we rejoiced with Chianne as she made a public proclimation of her love for Christ and was baptized!! We've gotten to know her through our cell group and are so excited to experience this moment with her! :)

Friends of ours from Germany came back to Shanghai for a visit! The last time we saw Andreas & Christine, their daughter, Paula, was about the size of our little boy right now! haha. It was such a treat to see Paula take her first steps in our home!!!

I have heard about Daniel's spaghetti for so long...and Monday he came over to treat us with it! With a last name like Allegri, you know the spaghetti was amazing!! THANKS, DANIEL!! :D

Vivienne and I thought we should enjoy one more girls-night-out at the Hilton before baby makes his appearance! We both love jazz, and are friends with the jazz trio on the 39th floor. They are amazing!! On a break, we ran back to see Lezil's wedding dress! Wow!! Exciting days!!
If you like jazz and come to visit us in Shanghai, this will be a must-do for us! We love excuses to enjoy their music!

Ralston singing/playing in the background...

Lezil in her glory...

I'll post pics soon of when Lezil and I went wedding dress shopping with Dee! We are both bridesmaids in Dee's wedding in June! But our little family will have to miss Lezil's wedding in July, because we'll be back visiting family in PA & ON. So many exciting events taking place! Hard to fit them all in! The next exciting event??? Can't wait to post pics of our little boy!! Hurry, hurry!! :D