The Bock Family

Bluebonnet Pics

2010-05-04T20:38:00.014-05:00

Gabe and I stand in awe. We are blessed with the most amazing little girl. Tears come to my eyes almost on a daily basis when I reflect upon this great gift. There is nothing that we have done to deserve her. God in His amazing love just choose us for her and her for us. We are very much aware that God gives and takes away so we are so very thankful for each new day. In just 4 weeks we will be celebrating Ella's ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY ... crazy! Below are some bluebonnet pics we took last month thanks to Sarah Giles (butterflychaserphotography) Enjoy!

No words for this one ...

She lights up the whole world with that smile!

She LOVES to scrunch her nose!

She has two bottom teeth and two top teeth have just come in!

She has so many facial expressions. She keeps us laughing all the time!

Ella is sitting all by herself! Mommy and Daddy were VERY close by ready to catch her :)

Sweet husband, precious little baby girl... blessed beyond words.

Love my Mommy/Daughter time!

Love you Ella Joy!

I'll start blogging again...

2010-03-07T07:20:00.001-06:00

Well it's been 7 months since our last blog ... I now have a computer (thanks to Mom for giving me hers) so I'm going to attempt to be better at this :)

More coming soon ...

Ella's CRAZY Adventures!

2009-08-08T10:36:00.002-05:00

Well we know it's been awhile since we last wrote....but we have a good reason...life has been CRAZY!

When Ella was 5 weeks old we were stranded in Houston on the side of the road with a flat tire. Praise the Lord my parents were with us. It was a little scary because it was SO dangerously hot and the oncoming Houston 5pm rush-hour traffic did not even seem to notice our stranded little car. Ella had her first tow truck experience! We were a little worried with the tow truck because it was almost out of gas. We could have been stranded twice. Ella was such a trooper!

About a week later, Ella's 6 week birthday, a MASSIVE funnel cloud began to form over our house. Gabe and I watched it form out our back door. We were eating dinner and it looked like smoke was rising into sky, but no....it was a funnel cloud. We cramped myself, Ella, Gabe, two dogs and two cats into our dinner closet. Thankfully the funnel cloud never because a full out tornado. Ella slept though the whole thing!

Last week, Friday, we went to pick my parents up at the airport. They were coming home from their 2 week trip in Europe. We encountered some pretty bad weather on the way to the airport and then had to wait a few hours because my parents’ plane was late in arriving. Ella ended up being in the car seat for almost 7 hours!!! She was amazing yet again… no complaining!

Yesterday Ella spent the day at the car dealership. We are now the proud owners of a 2009 Toyota Tacoma (no more KIA)! Ella was precious and let us get all the paperwork done. She was so patient!

We had to get on tonight because yet again we had another adventure...we called 911 and had a visit from the fire department! We were getting ready close down the house for the night when Gabe noticed that our stove spelled of gas and that our burner was on! Early today I was making Mac-n-Cheese when Ella starting fussing because she was hunger. I went to go take care of her and Gabe took over the Mac-n-Cheese...guess he forgot to turn the stove off...big oops! We called 911 and the operator told us to get our family out of the house immediately. I grabbed Ella out of her crib and we waited outside for the fire department. They checked out our house and we had the all clear! Guess what....Ella slept through the whole thing!

Gabe and I were just discussing how our life was NEVER this adventurous before Ella! God has been so gracious to us and He has protected us from so much harm. Praise the Lord and we thank the Lord!

We will post pictures soon!!!!

One Month Old!

2009-07-02T20:47:00.002-05:00

I can not believe that Ella is one month and one day. June blew by! It was the fastest month of my life!

Our "Sweet Baby Ella" as Gabe calls her is growing quite well :)

Ella was 8lbs 2oz at birth. At two weeks the Doctors hope that the baby reaches their birth weight again (because all babies weight decreases at first)...our little Ella was 8lbs 14oz.

I was curious as to how much Ella weighed a few days ago so I weighed myself and then weighed myself again holding Ella. There was an 11lb difference. I know that it's probably not very accurate, but still...WOW. She is absolutely beautiful and looks like a little doll. We are in awe of her. She is so precious and perfect. We can not believe that God would bless us with such a beautiful miracle. Thank you Lord!

I love that my baby girl is growing great and is healthy...but she is growing up way to fast for me already! Gabe and I are both soaking up every moment. We are not wishing any of it to go by faster (okay, okay....maybe we would like to sleep through the night pretty soon...but we are still loving every minute)!

CATCHING UP ON PICTURES!!!

2009-06-18T21:43:00.013-05:00

Okay...we know it's been too long and we've been slacking on pictures. So here are a few pics of our baby girl, Ella Joy Bock:

Momma, Daddy and little Ella...doing well and getting to know each other!!!

Megs and Ella having a little bonding time (can't you tell???) just about a half hour after her birth!

Grammy Lana holding newborn baby Ella (daddy watching in the background)!

Ella resting in Grampy Rodger's arms!

Ella opening her eyes at Grampa...about an hour after her birth!

Ella showing off her amazing "guns" and giving the biceps a little kiss!

Uncle K.C. hanging out with the baby!

Four Generations in one room: (Great) Granny, Granny, Mom and Ella!!!

Little Ella asleep at Granny's house!

Ella sleeping in (Great) Grampa Gordon's arms!

Ella is Five Days Old!!!

2009-06-06T17:17:00.002-05:00

Our baby girl, Gabriella (Ella) Joy Bock, is five days old and is going so well! She is eating perfectly and is sleeping better than we could have possibly imagined!

Megan has not really spent much time on the computer so I thought I would come on just to say thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers during our pregnancy and over this past week. They have been felt for sure and we appreciate all of you for your friendship!

Ella is awesome! She has changed our lives in so many incredible ways and we are truly blessed by having her as a daughter!

We hope you all get a chance to meet her soon!

Megan sends her love to you all! I'll see if I can get her to come on and make a post sometime soon!

Take care,

Gabe

Come Monday...Ella on the way!!!

2009-05-31T10:41:00.003-05:00

Our baby girl, Ella Joy, is one day away from arriving and Megan and I could not be more excited! The doctor says we are completely ready for her to come, so we have scheduled to have her tomorrow...if she doesn't come before then (like today...that would be cool)!

Here's what I always say: Are we ready for this? YES. Are we prepared? Heck no. I'm not sure how you could prepare for what is about to happen but we are so excited to begin this journey and are ready to start learning how to be parents. I'm sure it will be much harder than raising our two cats and dog (hehe)...but way more rewarding at the same time!

Megan has me doing all sorts of household chores as she's in full-nesting mode at this point. It's been fun (sortof) and I think the house is finally ready for our daughter!

We thank all of you who have supported us with incredible gifts, words of encouragement and prayers during the past weeks and months. They have not gone unnoticed and we appreciate them greatly!

We'll keep you posted!

Nervous but excited,

Gabe

36 Weeks!!!

2009-05-06T15:15:00.002-05:00

I have only 4 weeks left to go! I found out that my Dad will go back to Africa on June 5th and could possibly be gone for 3 months! We need little Ella to come a little early so Grandpa can be here for the birth!!!

We have 16 1/2 days left of school. I am trying not to take off so that I save my days for next year. TAKS tests are over so work has settled down. The students are very much ready to be out for the summer.

Gabe and I walked the mall on Sunday shopping for new clothes for my sweet hubby. We walked for over 2 hours! When we came home from the mall I had Braxton Hicks contractions every 3 minutes for over an hour. I guess I can not keep going like I used to.

Quick update

2009-04-21T15:13:00.003-05:00

Life is crazy and busy! Between teaching, wedding & baby showers, childcare education classes, taking care of the home, getting the home and car ready for Ella, spending time with family, and growing a baby...I am tired...yet so very blessed. I certainly have not had time for blogging! I do need to post some pictures! I have been blessed with two beautiful baby showers since I last posted and I know people are asking for nursery and belly pictures. I have not taken any pregnancy belly pictures...I know I should...I just don't feel very glamours or in the mood to show off my big belly.

I am a little over 33 weeks pregnant! Yeah! Ella is moving all of the time and it just reaffirms the miracle God is working inside of me. He is creating a wonderfully, fearfully made, beautiful little girl!

Gabe and I are excited, but I am scared to death of actually giving birth...that would be a prayer request! I don't deal well with a paper cut or a stubbed toe...how in the world and I going to deliver a baby!!! God is good...I know He'll carry us perfectly through it all :)

I'll try and post pictures soon. We'll see how long it takes before I can conquer that task. With everything else going on...I have to confess it's way down on the to do list!

Gabe is Coming Home!

2009-03-22T19:35:00.000-05:00

Starting Monday morning at 8am, Spring Break is officially over :(

Gabe has been gone for the Big 12 Tournament and then to Philly for the NCAA's to cover Texas A&M...but he comes home tonight! I am so excited that he was able to experience all of that, but I have really missed him. I can tell you that I have grown up a lot being husbandless for almost 2 weeks! The amazing thing is that I survived! I created a blog, cleaned the garage, learned how to sell on Craig's List, did our taxes, went to the Dr. all by myself, had my ring tightened and straighten (for free...they always made Gabe pay...hehe), registered at the hospital, called on an error with our car loan (if you know me at all...you know I HATE to make phone calls...even for pizza!), worked on our finances, cleaned the litter (Gabe always does it with me being pregnant) and fed myself (Gabe usually takes care of my breakfast and lunch...I am so spoiled). The biggest praise is that I wasn't scared at night either! I think it helped that I had my parent's dog and our dog, Camie, to protect me :)

I tried to rest as well. I know I will never have a week all to myself again...but that's ok...we're ready to give that up to be parents :)

Not only was Gabe gone, but my mom is in Wisconsin and my dad is in Africa. How did I get stuck here while everyone else traveled? :)

I can feel Ella's movements everyday. It's so comforting to know that she's in there moving around. I am a little over 29 weeks...the countdown is on....11 weeks to go!

Starting out....

2009-03-19T20:03:00.000-05:00

Our blog is a work in progress but I am hoping that I will be able to use the rest of Spring Break to customize it and get it up and running.

With the suggestion of some sweet friends (Tonya & Erika), Gabe and I are going to try and keep up with blogging so we can share about our lives and how they are both going to change when our sweet little Gabriella Joy arrives! Everyone has been asking how we came up with the name.

GABRIELLA is named after her daddy, Gabriel. Gabriella and Gabriel both mean "God is my strength." We are going to call her Ella. Both Gabe and I had great-grandmothers named Ella!

Gabe has a couple nicknames for his little girl. Ellie for everyday use and then El-J for sports. He is already imagining cheering on his little El-J on the field.

JOY: We chose Joy for the middle name because our hearts desire is for our daughter to be filled with the Joy of the Lord. We also picked it because I wanted to honor my mom (Barb) and her middle name is Jo, so we added a Y :)

Ella is due the first week of June! The last day of school with the students is Friday, May 29th with staff development on Saturday, May 30th. I am hoping to make it til the very end!

We are so very excited to meet Ella and enter into parenthood! Wow...what a miracle! I think I will miss my special one-on-one time with Gabe. We have been married for over 4 years and I have cherished every moment, but we will have so many new and wonderful moments and memories ahead!