Today is a hard day. While we are still saying hello to our miracle Fitzy – we are saying goodbye to our baby Schrute.

We brought Fitzy home and Schrute did pretty well with him – other than the fact that he is HUGE! The next day he snapped at my sister and freaked out when we got home from visiting Fitz’s. He was jumping and panting and baring his teeth and not listening to us AT ALL. When he did get close to the baby he nudged him – HARD! He slept downstairs with Jared while Samm and I slept upstairs with the baby. Jared has been sleeping on the couch with Schrute since – I can’t have him in the bed with us – Schrute – not Jared!

I was so scared to be at home with my two babies – Schrute proved to be harder to take care of. I can’t lay Fitzy down ANYWHERE without worrying about Schrute getting in his face and nudging him – or stepping on him – or sitting on him. My days have been spent telling Schrute no – bringing the dog to the bathroom with me – anywhere I go while the baby is laying down. I can’t put Fitzy in his swing, on the floor, or on the couch or bed without worrying about Schrute stepping or sitting on him. He hasn’t been listening to us nearly as well as he normally does – which isn’t really that great anyway! I can’t nurse the baby without Schrute having his nose right on top of us – nudging hard.

Last week I took Fitzy over to Gramma’s and spent some time with Schrute alone – only to have him growl at me when I got near him! UNACCEPTABLE! Schrute’s head is about the size of Fitzy’s whole body – all it takes is one time – one chomp for it to be a fatal accident.

Bottom line – we LOVE our dog – but we LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE our baby. Jared and I don’t feel that Fitzy is safe while Schrute is in the house. I’m not enjoying the dog or our baby the way I need to be cus I am so watchful of both of them. I am not relaxed – I am way too stressed and worried that Schrute might snap at any minute.

Jared and I have CRIED and CRIED about this decision – Schrute is our BABY! He is an angel sent from God to get us through our miscarriage and struggle with getting pregnant. I am so thankful for him and the love he gave us the past two years. I cannot describe the impact he has had on my life. He has kept me company and listened to my cries. He has cuddled up with me when I needed a hug. (I know he is just a dog – but he is truly sent by God at the perfect time for us). He gives us that look that says he loves us no matter what. He waits anxiously for Jared to get home from work to shower him with kisses at the door! He cuddles up with us every night to sleep. He has brought so much joy to our lives!

Today Jared and his dad are taking him to his new home in Sunbury. He will be living with a woman and her hubbie who don’t have children – they have their dogs! Three great danes other than Schrute! A farm with lots of space to run – their own room and bed! Love and attention that will be POURED on him!

We know that he will be loved and taken care of – but it still sucks. Just sucks. People have told us to give him a few weeks – and we have – mostly because it took a while to find this perfect fit – and it’s been a stressful couple of weeks. If ANYTHING were to EVER happen to Fitzy because we couldn’t make the decision to take Schrute to a new home – you would have to institutionalize me! I would never EVER forgive myself. I am taking the little things that Schrute has done so far as warning signs. He is SO big that he doesn’t know what he is doing – where he is stepping – who he is sitting on – jumping on – chewing on. He is being so neglected with our attention on this sweet miracle – and he knows it. He deserves better.

It has been a heartbreaking decision but when it comes down to your dog or your child – there is no question.

We are so thankful for his love and companionship the past two years! We are so excited for his new family and the memories they will make together!

I took these photos on Friday – while I cried my goodbyes.

OH MY HEART – I think he knows.

Schrutie – we love you so much! Thank you for your friendship and sweet kisses over the past couple of years. Have so much fun with your new brothers and sister.

Yesterday our baby boy was two weeks old! I’ve been very blessed with GREAT photographer friends who wanted to photograph his cuteness! You can see all the different photos on my FACEBOOK!

I have been so tired and so focused on spoiling this little guy with love that I kept putting off his newborn photos – horrible right!

When Nicole from Yafeh Photography came to photograph our little guy – I took a few shots – at 12 days old!

PRECIOUS!!

I cannot get over the fact that this little guy is ours!!

Yesterday I took some shots of our teeny baby at 2 weeks old!

I don’t normally include outtakes but this one was too cute!

We are having such a great time loving on our little miracle!

Two weeks ago we welcomed our son into the world! It is still absolutely unreal to type those words!

We went to bed earlier than normal on Wednesday night the 27th. I remember waking up and going to the bathroom and then going back to bed around 2:30 AM. At 3 AM I woke up again thinking – wait – I already went to the bathroom – why is THIS happening! I went to the bathroom again and there was a HUGE crack of thunder and flash of lightning – and I said – Jared – I’m soaked! He said – WHAT!!! I asked him what I should do – should I call Johna?

You have to understand – on Wednesday afternoon I ran into Johna at Wal*Mart and we made lunch plans for Thursday. Johna said – that’s fine but we will prolly be at the hospital cus my guess for Fitzy’s birthday is tomorrow! So OF COURSE I had to call her at 3 AM and tell her that I thought my water broke! She said – well I guess you better call the hospital! In my moment of WHAT IS HAPPENING – I said – am I supposed to just let this leak everywhere on the way over? We haven’t put the car seat in yet! I have a bag packed – but do I have everything? What are we gonna do with the bubs? Jared’s parents are leaving in the afternoon till Sunday! I AM NOT READY FOR THIS!

I called the hospital and they said to come over! AHHH!!! I know that due dates don’t mean anything but I wasn’t due till the 5th of May! I was in shock that this was actually happening!!

We called Jared’s parents and his mom came over to stay with Schrute for the early morning hours. I called my mom, sister, and brother to let them know we were on our way to the hospital! Johna and Jared were my support system until Samm got there from NJ – just in time!

We got to the hospital after driving through rain, wind, and a crazy thunderstorm. The nurses met me at the ER door and we went up to the OB floor right into the birthing room to do paperwork and make sure that my water had broken. It had! I made my next round of phone calls to let people know that I would be having a baby within the next 18 hours! The nurse asked if I could feel the contractions – but I told her no. It wasn’t until a few hours later that I realized I WAS feeling contractions – I just didn’t expect them to be so mild – at the moment!

Johna came over and walked the halls with me until it was time to be hooked up to the monitor. At 8 AM my contractions weren’t progressing so they put me on Pitocin – which moved things right along! By 10ish I was 3 to 4 cm and when Samm got there at 12 I was reaching 7 to 8 cm. Samm and Johna switched out and before long it was time to give some practice pushes. I had Fitzy’s birth photographed by Bridget Reed – a FABULOUS photographer – and she spent the morning in the room with us! When it was time to practice pushing – I opened my eyes for one of the first times all morning – and looked around. Bridget was gone! I said – where’s Bridget? As soon as I mentioned her name – there she was – and I knew that I could practice pushing! Crazy the things you think about and don’t think about while you are in labor!

Jared and Samm were holding my legs and cheering me on – telling me to push and counting for me! Pushing was harder than I thought it would be – I couldn’t get the hang of it at all! Samm kept saying – his head is RIGHT there – you can do this! Jared was awesome – he encouraged me to no end! I pushed for about 45 minutes and then there was this miracle in front of me! Jared cut the cord and Samm took some fresh photos to text our family! As soon as Fitzy was out – I got a migraine and couldn’t see the right side of my vision – so I thought he was cute – at least the left side of him! Thankfully the aura went away pretty quickly. He didn’t cry when he came out – and I just needed to know that he was okay and then I zoned out! I really don’t remember much of anything after that until my parents got there!

Having Bridget in the room to photograph the birth was one of the BEST decisions I ever made – make sure to check out her slideshow here!

Fitzy was born on Thursday, April 28th of 2011 at 2:17 PM. He weighed 7 lbs 7.7 ounces and was 19.5 inches long! 7 is the number of completion and perfection – how AWESOME is that!! He looked so much like Jared when he first came out!

He is only a few moments old in this photo – thank you so much Bridget for this photo!

He is perfectly healthy and happy and so amazingly content! He hardly cries and eats ALL the time! He is a great sleeper and is just the cuddliest baby I have ever known!

Jared took the whole week off and just went back to work on Monday – we miss him so much during the day!

Here are a few shots of our days in the hospital!

OH MY WORD! JUST LOOK AT THAT FACE!!

My dad with his first grandson!

Momma and Dadda!

My Gramma Geiger and my cousin Vanessa!

Fitzy with Dan Fitzgerald – one of his namesakes!!

Oh sweet baby!

What a sweet baby boy!!

I took some photos during our first week home together too – not nearly as many as I thought I would but I was just so busy loving this little guy!

It’s TIRED in here!!

BE STILL MY HEART!!

My friend Jenn is starting a business – Janey Joy – which is where this BEAUTIFUL hat came from!!

And of course I had to include a few of our other baby!

Isn’t he BEAUTIFUL!

We still cannot believe that Fitzy is here in our arms and is ours! Thank you so much for the prayers during our labor and over the past two weeks! We felt them SO MUCH!!!!!

While I was at my parents a few weeks ago – I hit the 35 week mark!

My sister took some belly shots for me – but first we had to do some awkward maternity photos!

Samm was YELLING at him to COME OUT!

Samm also enjoys punching. She says it’s okay to punch me – I’m not pregnant in my face!

And we had to get an awkward one of me and Jared!

I do love those ones!!!

WHY OH WHY did SHE get that beautiful head of hair and not me!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE those shots!

MY FAVORITE!!!!

I LOVE that swamp and just had to get a few shots in front of it!

Samm – thanks SO much for taking a few shots of me throughout the week!

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

That is the “verse” we have chosen for Fitzgerald as his life verse!

We are so excited to raise this little baby with God’s direction!

I don’t even know what the prize might be – but I want to run a contest about Fitzy’s birth!

Make sure to comment on this blog post with your guess on his birthday – the time – his weight – his length!

I’m not sure if there will be one winner or four!

THIS CONTEST ENDS APRIL 24th – which marks 38 weeks!

More than anything – I am so excited to see his little face!!!!

My grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 11th!

On March 5th we had a party for them with their friends and family!

This frame was from their 40th wedding anniversary celebration! Their wedding topper and memory book!

How cute is this little guy! His great-grandmother is my grandma’s sister – I think! There were so many people there!

My cousin’s baby *B* – he is such a cutie!

*B* is Vanessa’s nephew – she is so good with him! I can’t wait to have her come stay with me this summer!

My aunt LuAnn and her sweet grandbaby!

My cousin’s son *D* – he will be 5 in September! *D* poked my belly and when we told him there was a baby in there – he looked horrified. He wanted to know if I had eaten a baby! Jared and my cousin Zach played angry birds to pass the time!

These sisters are too cute! We had a session earlier this year – finding out that we were related through my grandma! Craziness!

My grandma with her sisters!

My mom, grandma, uncle Ronald, grandpa, and aunt LuAnn!

Happy Anniversary grandma & grandpa! Love you so much!

A few weeks ago Jared woke up with a very unfriendly stomach and stayed home from work – camping out on the couch. I try very hard to be sympathetic – which you know is a struggle for me! Schrute – however – is VERY sympathetic!

I just LOVE him!!

He is such a good little protector! I really think he will be great with Fitzy – if anything – too loving!

When I left for MOPS that morning I caught a photo of the HUGE icicle hanging from our house! I also got a dirty look from Schrute – how dare I leave him!

He is just the BEST!

I had to take some newborn shots of Rowyn while we were visiting! She was so beautiful and perfect! Derek thought she would be cold and fussy – but she was such a natural!

SERIOUSLY – look at that face!! How adorable is she!!

Such a sweet baby!

Oh the chubbiness!

Jessica wanted some photos with the necklace from her wedding – such a great idea!

SO PRECIOUS!!

Jessica looks FANTASTIC for just giving birth nearly two weeks ago!

Such a sweet little family!!

You guys are incredible parents! I cannot wait for Fitzy and Rowyn to meet and grow up together!!

My baby brother Derek and his wife had their first child on February 7th! Rowyn Beth is the first grandchild on our side and Jessica’s side of the family!

Derek and Jessica live in Kentucky where Derek is attending seminary until the end of May! They are looking for jobs this summer and we hope that they find one near home!

A few weeks ago my mom, dad, cousin, and I drove the 12 hours to Kentucky to spend a couple days with the baby and new parents!

We ran into a traffic accident – which turned out to be a mobile meth lab scare – detouring us FOUR hours! We should have gotten to KY at 6 but didn’t pull in their driveway till 10 PM! Thankfully Rowyn was up for some snuggles before we went to bed!

My mom – Gramma Trout – loves squishing Rowyn’s cheeks!!

My brother is an AMAZING father! He loves his little girl so much!

I love love LOVE those shots! She is so comfortable in her dadda’s arms!

Holding her for the first time!

Our cousin Matt – Uncle Bunny – to his nephew – holding Rowyn!

Holding dadda’s hand!

Oh my heart! It just melts at the sight of Derek with his daughter!

Rowyn telling Grampa Trout how it is!! Love those photos!

Gramma was pinching her cheeks again!

Gramma and Grampa Trout with their first grandchild!

I just love love LOVE her!

Rowyn and her momma!

She is so incredibly sweet! Stay tuned for her newborn shoot over the next few days!

I love just because sessions!

While I was visiting my sister at the end of January – we met up with her friend Rosie to take some just because pictures! Somehow we didn’t even think about the setting sun and barely made it in time for daylight!

My sister is INSANE – lying in the snow – the FREEZING snow! It made for some awesome photos though!

LOVE THOSE SHOTS!

We also met up with Samm’s friend Jess and her little guy at Olive Garden – and I had to bring my camera in – of course!

OH MY WORD – he is just too cute!!!