Meet the Fachners... no Willems'

We just got back yesterday from our visit to Prescott Arizona to visit Grandma & Grandpa Willems as well as the entire Courtright Family.  The drive out was smooth but HOT!  Stopping in Palm Springs to feed the little one, give KC water, and get food for us was a fun challenge in the 116 degree heat of the desert...but we made it!  We only stopped 3 times on the way there and the way back.  Blake was such a trooper!  We couldn't have been happier with our amazing little traveler.

As for the visit...what can we say...it's just so hard to leave when the visit is over.  We had so much fun with our family.  Blake was right at home in Grandma's arms from the moment we got there!  Matt's 40th Birthday Celebration on Friday night was complete with a home-cooked three course Italian meal and more!  During the visit we told stories, laughed about old times, watched some slides of Matt, Jon, & Sheila growing up in Reedley and the infamous trip around the U.S. when Matt was 15 (almost 16), enjoyed the hot tub, checked out Brian & Sheila's new granite countertops (they look AMAZING), and most importantly...we made some new memories now including Blake.   We can't wait to go out for another visit soon...maybe show Blake Prescott with snow!

Our arrival to our home in Arizona...

Proud Grandparents!!!

 Blake broke a record and made it 6hrs & 19mins one night while at Grandma Willems' house!

 SJW made BKW personalized blocks that he'll cherish forever!  Every block has a special hand-panited picture corresponding with each letter!  Pretty soon he'll know the whole alphabet!

Thanks Grandma W.

It's what we do in AZ...eat well and A LOT!

Bonding... 

Front row seats for the monsoons!

There's nothing like family.

 The girls with flowers from KP.

 She & V!

Mom threw a 40th birthday bash complete with a 3-course Eye-talian dinner!

 Who's 40???

Bottom's up!

At the family's favorite Mexican restaurant...

 That's a big plate...

 and a burger with my mustard!!!

What a good boy.

 Jack & Kacie...buds for life! 

(well until there's a chewy involved!) 

Hold me...

The girls are so beautiful and growing so fast.

Blake's personal hot tub.

Although our first official meeting, our love will last forever.

Blake Kenneth Willems' first 4 weeks!!!

Blake was born on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at 1414 (2:14pm).

He weighed 8lbs. 6 oz. and measured 21 inches long!  

What a big boy!!!

It was an amazing day for us...we got to meet our son and welcome him into the world.  Contractions started at 5:43am that morning and by 8am we were walking into the hospital with labor pains 5 mins apart.  About 6 hours later Matt turned to Vanessa and said, "We have a SON!"  Such a special moment.

 

We ALL stayed in the hospital for 2 nights, which was such an invaluable experience.  Basically, we got to play house with the ability to call for help from the nurses when we needed it.  Blake stayed with us in the room the whole time and got to know us...but really we got to know him!

Here's everyone who was there to meet Blake that first day...

The Bartolomei Family...

The Willems Family all the way from Seattle!

And of course we Skyped with Grandma & Grandpa Willems and the Courtright Family from the delivery room to Prescott Arizona so everyone could meet little Blake.  

Our time at the hospital was great!  Everyone we met was so helpful.  

That made our transition into parenthood even more smooth.  

When it was time to leave...we were ready to go home with our baby boy.  

Here's Blake's first car seat experience and car ride home from the hospital.

Since the day Blake was born this family has been very busy.  

We've been to peditrician appointments, the park with Kacie, numerous visits to Nana & GP's house, Aunt"T"'s bday party, dinner & happy hour at our favorite local hang out...Islands, shopping at Target & Costco, and visiting with the many people excited to meet our new little guy!

Here we are at Blake's first check up...

  

At Dover Hendrix Park with Kacie the 2nd day we were home from the hospital...

At Islands (our favorite local hang out) with our friend Tony...

At Aun"T"'s Surprise 25th Birthday Party...

Visiting with Gigi, GP & Nana...

Having his first bath...

The Courtrights even made a visit that next Saturday...during Blake's first week at home.

Here we are celebrating Blake's One Week Birthday...complete with a 

Cookie Monster Cupcake & candle!

The last 2 days Blake has started to react with a smile & almost laughed when we play with him!
It's so darn cute!  Check out a small clip where we captured a little of this newfound playfulness!

This week we're taking our first road trip to Prescott, AZ to visit Grandma & Grandpa Willems.  

Blake is so excited to see them!

We are so blessed with the birth of our son Blake!  

We can't wait to chronicle his & our experiences in the coming years.  Enjoy!