I would like to introduce you to....

Things at the Baltzell house have been absolutely wonderful! We are in a frenzy preparing for Thanksgiving and I've been getting my Christmas lists and thoughts together. I will not be coming home for Christmas this year, which has been hard to think about, but we will be down for baby showers in February. Our Christmas Tree is up and the decorations are in place. December is packed full with ministry and Church events. Every weekday and weekend is basically spoken for by something going on. As much as all that makes me happy it's not what this blog will be about...

This past Friday we went to the hospital to have our ultra sound... you know, the BIG one, where we would find out what the sex of the baby is. We were SO excited! The first 30 minutes the baby was all curled up in and nestled tight into a corner. I was getting a little aggravated with the little stinker inside of me because after about 15 minutes of the technician not being able to find anything to indicate a boy or girl, she went on to just take several pictures that the Dr. wanted. When she finished that, she FINALLY (it seemed like an eternity!) got a clear picture that the little precious one inside of me was indeed a baby BOY!

Seth and his mom were both in the room and we were all ecstatic! After a few more minutes of looking around at him and watching him move, he finally settled back down and began to suck his thumb! It was the most INCREDIBLE thing I’ve ever seen! Before it was all over we were all in tears!

Me and Seth are SO excited! It’s special enough that the baby now has an identity and is not being referred to as an “it” but just to know that it’s a boy, it’s like God knew all along what we really wanted... and needed deep down in our hearts. (Even though we thought we didn't care if it was a boy or a girl!)

I am very proud to be giving my family the first baby boy. After four girls spread out like we were, Dad is elated and Mom and is just beside herself with excitement. (Deb and George, along with all of my “bonus” sibling are just as excited and a part of the joy!) Oh, and Aunt Courtney is already shopping up a storm and Christiana and Kaitlyn screamed for joy (literally!) when they heard!

We have a few names that we like, but one that sticks out to us more than the others and that is “Malachi.” Some middle name options are Malachi Spurgeon Baltzell… Malachi Austin Baltzell… or Malachi Vick Baltzell.

Of course we will keep you posted on everything! Here are a few of the pictures of our handsome little prince form his very first photo shoot!

This is the one of him sucking his thumb. For those that can't quite make it out, his head is toward the left and his hand and arm are attached to it. To the right of his head you can also see a side view of his ribs.
(clicking on the pics make them bigger)

Here is a profile view, his head still to the left. You can see his little nose and lips and chin really well.

Here is a picture of his little foot and toes. You can also see his spine just as plain as day. The Techniciankind-of labeled the different ends of the foot.

Hree is another profile shot with his head right in the middle of the picture and his arm right above his head. You can also see his ribs and spine really well in this one.