A Few Pre-Parenthood Moments in 2015

The new year quickly brought a new addition to our family (a little sooner than anticipated), but there were a few weeks at the beginning when it was still just the two of us. At this point, it's hard to imagine that we ever had a life without our little guy!

Parker made chicken broccoli casserole one Sunday for dinner. And it was delicious. This man really knows his way around a kitchen.

 Less than a week before I gave birth, we went for a lovely walk on an Autumn-like January day to try out my new camera, which Parker had totally surprised me with a few days before my birthday. We discovered a park near our house--Wehner Park--and walked around its fitness trail.

 My man:

 We saw a couple of foxes while we were out and about. It was the first time I'd ever seen them in real life.

On my birthday, Parker took me to Tucanos for the first time. What an experience! I wouldn't be surprised if all that meat helped labor set in a few days later. So. Much. Meat. But it was delicious, and it was fun to be out together. This guy right here is something special.

I am huge.

My uncle Nathan was in town for a couple of days on business, so we had him over for dinner one evening. It was so much fun to catch up and hear about what the Springville Gages are up to. It's always a treat to have family visit us.

On Saturday, January 17, my sweet friends from church threw me a baby shower. Everyone was so generous with their gifts, but what I enjoyed more than anything was their company that morning. We really feel blessed to have found so many great friends upon moving to St. Louis. One of these friends, Cegan Hansen, shot a few maternity pics after the shower ended. Little did I know that my water would break only a couple of hours after this picture was taken. Oh boy. This day was about to take a life-changing turn.