How did we get here? How did I so quickly go from cuddling my tiny angel boy, sniffing his sweet head (wait, I still do that), savoring how his soft little body fit perfectly onto my chest to snuggle; and now I have a toddler?! That soft, sweet, yummy baby is now a full-fledged little boy. A boy who is always running, says "Momma" a million times a day (sweet music!), gets mad when we don't let him watch movies 24/7, and lights up a whole room with his smile.
I love that I can see his little personality developing more every day. I love that as he gets better at communicating his wants and needs, he is visibly proud that we understand. I love that he is OCD about things being "just so". I love that something as simple as submitting to his request for crackers gets a "yay!" and a little dance. I love that he is so appreciative of gifts and nice gestures, and nearly always says thank you whether I ask him to or not (and gifts get an adorable "oh wow!" too). I love that when we sit down to eat, we say "let's pray", and he bows his little head and starts mumbling, then finishes with "A-men!". I love that he still lets me snuggle him before he goes to bed. I could go on and on.
I know that 2 will be hard. Discipline, tantrums, attitude are all hard already. I dread potty training and getting rid of his beloved paci. But nobody promised me it would be easy. Just that it would be the best time of our life. Happy Birthday to the most amazing, precious gift we have ever received! We love you so much sweet boy!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Feast of Casseroles
The first event we got to host our new home was the annual Feast of Casseroles. Several years ago, our group of friends decided to start the tradition of having our own pre-Thanksgiving dinner together. We decided on a menu, with everyone's traditional holiday favorites. We realized the majority of the menu was a casserole of some sort, and thus the name. This was our 4th year, and we had about 50 guests. We deep fry turkeys and everyone brings a dish to share. It was the best feeling to look around our house and realize there were so many people there, and comfortably. It made the headaches of construction all worth it. We are certainly blessed to be a part of such a wonderful group of friends!
We moved the furniture around to make room for enough eating tables
Of the 50 people, about 15-20 were kids under the age of 6!
We moved the furniture around to make room for enough eating tables
Of the 50 people, about 15-20 were kids under the age of 6!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Year in Review
Since it's been a year since I updated this here blog, I thought I would just bring it up to speed in one fell swoop. So, get ready for what is certain to be the lengthiest post this blog has ever seen. (Or maybe not, we all know my memory is pitiful) But I promise pictures (!) and a slide show (!) to break up the boring.
January:
Andrew got tubes, turned into a totally different child once his ears weren't a nightmare.
Andrew pulls up on the furniture.
Bought land next to some friends to build a house.
February:
Put our house on the market
March:
Andrew turned 1! Had a big party with friends, family, chocolate cake, and lots of presents.
Andrew started walking toward the end of the month. He is 30.5 inches tall, and weighs about 24 pounds.
Andrew's friend Caroline turned 1.
Grieved with our dear friends the loss of their precious baby girl Jillian.
It was so hard to have so much of the happy and the devastating all at one time. Quite an emotional month.
April:
Accepted an offer on our house, begin packing. Still tweaking plans for our home to be built.
May:
Moving day comes at the end of the month. It was kind of hard to leave our house, though we were both ready for more space for us and more room for Andrew to play. This was our first home together, where we brought Andrew home from the hospital. A little bittersweet. We moved to a duplex to save money (ha!) while our house is being built.
June:
Break ground on the house.
July:
I traveled to San Jose CA for work, leaving Andrew at home with Chad for 5 days. HARD to say the least, but we all survived.
August:
We are becoming weary of apartment living.
Andrew is growing and talking a LOT.
September:
House is almost finished!
Hmmm. I'm sure something else happened this month.
October:
MOVING!!! Spent this month getting settled in our new home.
Andrew is now 18 months old, weighs 28 pounds, and is 34.5 inches tall. He loves his new house, and is enjoying all the room to play.
November:
Celebrated Thanksgiving with my family at Mom and Dad's.
December:
Chistmas at home! Both families came to our house to celebrate. It was so nice to have plenty of room for everyone! Celebrated New Year's with a quiet night at home. May 2011 be so much better than 2010. This was a very hard year, for so many reasons, most of which I don't feel I should put on the blog. But we had babies born, strengthened relationships, happy times, and a sweet boy to celebrate too.
January:
Andrew got tubes, turned into a totally different child once his ears weren't a nightmare.
Andrew pulls up on the furniture.
Bought land next to some friends to build a house.
February:
Put our house on the market
March:
Andrew turned 1! Had a big party with friends, family, chocolate cake, and lots of presents.
Andrew started walking toward the end of the month. He is 30.5 inches tall, and weighs about 24 pounds.
Andrew's friend Caroline turned 1.
Grieved with our dear friends the loss of their precious baby girl Jillian.
It was so hard to have so much of the happy and the devastating all at one time. Quite an emotional month.
April:
Accepted an offer on our house, begin packing. Still tweaking plans for our home to be built.
May:
Moving day comes at the end of the month. It was kind of hard to leave our house, though we were both ready for more space for us and more room for Andrew to play. This was our first home together, where we brought Andrew home from the hospital. A little bittersweet. We moved to a duplex to save money (ha!) while our house is being built.
June:
Break ground on the house.
July:
I traveled to San Jose CA for work, leaving Andrew at home with Chad for 5 days. HARD to say the least, but we all survived.
August:
We are becoming weary of apartment living.
Andrew is growing and talking a LOT.
September:
House is almost finished!
Hmmm. I'm sure something else happened this month.
October:
MOVING!!! Spent this month getting settled in our new home.
Andrew is now 18 months old, weighs 28 pounds, and is 34.5 inches tall. He loves his new house, and is enjoying all the room to play.
November:
Celebrated Thanksgiving with my family at Mom and Dad's.
December:
Chistmas at home! Both families came to our house to celebrate. It was so nice to have plenty of room for everyone! Celebrated New Year's with a quiet night at home. May 2011 be so much better than 2010. This was a very hard year, for so many reasons, most of which I don't feel I should put on the blog. But we had babies born, strengthened relationships, happy times, and a sweet boy to celebrate too.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Playing Catch Up
Um, hi. I guess it's been a little while since I've been on here. Where do I start? I guess the easiest way to get caught up on the past 8 months is a slide show (or twenty). This has been one of the most emotionally exhausting years I have ever experienced. Up and down, happy and sad, grieving and rejoicing. I am worn out. First step, make blog pretty and festive. Check. Hopefully, the second step will be complete before too long. My goal is to have an actual post up here before the one year mark rolls around. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
This and That
We have been so super busy since since Christmas! Speaking of Christmas, Andrew's first was so special and so much fun. He finally got the hang of opening the gifts, though he did need to taste each "flavor" of wrapping paper before he would move on to the next. We are definitely set on toys and clothes for a while now! Chad and I were both off for 2 weeks, and we spent most of that time hanging out at home as a family. I told him it's funny how A has changed us. Before him, if we had a week straight together, I would be begging for some space, or leaving the house a lot just to have time to myself. Now I am perfectly content to just be here, and I miss him more when he's gone.
Andrew is still having trouble with ear infections, so this Friday he will get tubes. I'm a little surprised at how calm I am about it, but I'll do anything to make him feel better and rest better. I'm thankful every day for how healthy he is; if this is all I have to worry about, I'm certainly not complaining.
Today Andrew is 10 months old. I can't believe it's already time to start thinking about his first birthday party! (I said thinking, not accepting). New Year's Eve, he started crawling, and then pulling up, and even cruising a bit. All at once I have this mobile child! We've already taken some tumbles, and had some bumps and bruises. I told him to get used to it, this is the way he'll look for the next 18 years!
We have a busy year ahead of us. At work, we moved into a new building and will open up there on Sunday. I can actually see more than just a brick wall and the dumpster from my office window now. My dept has been in the same space for more than 50 years! Chad and I are in the process of buying a piece of land to build a house on, so that means trying to sell ours, moving, building, then moving again. Whew!
For several people near and dear to us, 2010 will be the hardest year they have faced. I am so thankful for my sweet healthy boy. As I looked around at dinner Sunday night, though, I was also thankful for the many friends we have as part of our family, and the fact that we all help to hold one another up when we may not feel like we have the strength to stand. Thank God for the blessing of friendship!
Andrew is still having trouble with ear infections, so this Friday he will get tubes. I'm a little surprised at how calm I am about it, but I'll do anything to make him feel better and rest better. I'm thankful every day for how healthy he is; if this is all I have to worry about, I'm certainly not complaining.
Today Andrew is 10 months old. I can't believe it's already time to start thinking about his first birthday party! (I said thinking, not accepting). New Year's Eve, he started crawling, and then pulling up, and even cruising a bit. All at once I have this mobile child! We've already taken some tumbles, and had some bumps and bruises. I told him to get used to it, this is the way he'll look for the next 18 years!
We have a busy year ahead of us. At work, we moved into a new building and will open up there on Sunday. I can actually see more than just a brick wall and the dumpster from my office window now. My dept has been in the same space for more than 50 years! Chad and I are in the process of buying a piece of land to build a house on, so that means trying to sell ours, moving, building, then moving again. Whew!
For several people near and dear to us, 2010 will be the hardest year they have faced. I am so thankful for my sweet healthy boy. As I looked around at dinner Sunday night, though, I was also thankful for the many friends we have as part of our family, and the fact that we all help to hold one another up when we may not feel like we have the strength to stand. Thank God for the blessing of friendship!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
My Hope
There is a song that is played on KLOVE that really struck a chord in my heart when I took the time to listen to the words. I don't remember artist's names that well, so I'm not sure who sings it, but the chorus is simply beautiful. If I could make a list of the most important things I want Andrew to know, this would be the list.
"Be strong in the Lord, never give up hope. You're going to do great things, I already know. God's got His hand on you, so don't live life in fear. Forgive and forget, and don't forget why you're here. Take your time and pray, thank God for each day."
It's still so overwhelming to think of the awesome responsibility given to us, but when I see it like this, it really seems so simple. My hope for Andrew summed up in these words; to live a life pleasing to God, to always be thankful of the things we have, and mindful of those who don't, to have faith in God and believe in the plan He has in store for him. What a blessing!
"Be strong in the Lord, never give up hope. You're going to do great things, I already know. God's got His hand on you, so don't live life in fear. Forgive and forget, and don't forget why you're here. Take your time and pray, thank God for each day."
It's still so overwhelming to think of the awesome responsibility given to us, but when I see it like this, it really seems so simple. My hope for Andrew summed up in these words; to live a life pleasing to God, to always be thankful of the things we have, and mindful of those who don't, to have faith in God and believe in the plan He has in store for him. What a blessing!
Give Thanks
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. (I Chron. 16:34)
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalms 100:4)
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (Psalm 95:2)
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for: Chad and Andrew, our family, my friend family, a good job, a home, health, and our church, just to name a few.
I have so many things to be thankful for this year, but most of all, I am thankful for my sweet sweet boy. I could never have imagined how much our life would change, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalms 100:4)
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (Psalm 95:2)
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for: Chad and Andrew, our family, my friend family, a good job, a home, health, and our church, just to name a few.
I have so many things to be thankful for this year, but most of all, I am thankful for my sweet sweet boy. I could never have imagined how much our life would change, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
It's Fall Y'all!
I will never cease to be amazed at how lightning fast the time is passing! How has it already been 2 months since I last posted? My sweet boy is now 8 months old, has 2 teeth, had his first Halloween, and his first ear infection (awful!). He weighs just over 20 pounds and is 28.5 inches long. He isn't crawling yet, but is just starting to get on all fours and rock a little bit. Before we know it, he'll be everywhere and into everything, probably about the time the Christmas tree goes up!
Andrew got to go to the Pumpkin Patch and see all of the pumpkins, gourds, and mums there, and for Halloween, he was Yoda (from Star Wars, if you are wondering). Feast of Casseroles is tonight (YUM!), then it's time for Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
6 months!
This weekend, my baby boy will turn 6 months old. I am shocked (and saddened) at how fast this time has gone. Andrew is such a big boy now! He weighs just shy of 18 pounds, and at his last checkup was just over 26 inches long. He wears a size 3 diaper, a size 3 shoe, and 6-9 month clothes. He started eating cereal a couple of weeks ago, and has tried some vegetables too. He loves loves loves to eat! He usually tries to "help" me by grabbing the spoon with both hands to shove it into his mouth and hang on! He went to Bible class for the first time this week, and loved it too.
I was reading back through some of my early pregnancy posts where I wrote about how humbling it was to be a part of God's creation, how amazing it was that he chose us to be Andrew's parents. Every time I look at his precious face and his gorgeous clear blue eyes, I thank God for my little piece of heaven, gift wrapped in a onesie and smelling of Johnson's baby lotion. How I pray that I will remember every inch of him right now, every giggle and whimper, the way he licks my face when he gives me "sugars", and holds my finger when I snuggle him, his favorite books and toys, his sweet happy face, and the curiosity and wonder in his eyes.
Now, how do I make it SLOW DOWN!!!?
So Good Granola
I thought I would break away from my usual posts about how adorable my child is to post a recipe. My favorite things in life are my family, friends, and food, so it just made sense. Plus I had a couple friend request this recipe, so now the rest of you (all 2 of you!) have it too. This is adapted from two other granola recipes that I couldn't decide between one day. I just sort of meshed the best parts, and this is what I ended up with. The best thing about is some of the ingredients can be "optional" (coconut, pecans, almonds, etc.)
Homemade Granola
2 1/2 - 3 cups oats (not quick oats)
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup honey
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
Combine dry ingredients. Melt butter with honey, add vanilla. Pour over dry mixture, fold together until well incorporated. Spread on large baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Stir. Bake 8-10 minutes more. Cool. Store in an airtight container.
Homemade Granola
2 1/2 - 3 cups oats (not quick oats)
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup honey
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
Combine dry ingredients. Melt butter with honey, add vanilla. Pour over dry mixture, fold together until well incorporated. Spread on large baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Stir. Bake 8-10 minutes more. Cool. Store in an airtight container.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Where did the past 4 months go?
Whew! Has it really been over 4 months since I have typed actual words here? I'm finally going to update this old blog o' mine.
So much to say, where do I start? The best place I can think of is my sweet angel boy. He's is 4 1/2 months old now, and I am amazed at how it really does go by so fast! I keep saying it's a cruel joke that God plays on us by making the time of our baby's life that we are the most sleep-deprived and out of it is the time that he will grow and change the most!
So, a little about Andrew: I'm guessing he weighs about 17 pounds now (doctor's appt next week so we'll know exactly) and he's about 25-26 inches long. I am shocked at how fast he's grown. His legs are rock solid and he loves to stand up. He has the best and biggest toothless smile! I love how he lights up when I talk to him. He loves his daddy, but he is a bit of a momma's boy. He has rolled from his belly to his back, and I think he's close to going the other way too. The child LOVES music and watching loud movies with daddy. I thank God for him every day; a child really will make you appreciate all the simple things in life. I wish I had been better about blogging weekly, there are so many things that I know I won't remember.
Some things I've learned so far:
1. Nursing a baby is natural, but certainly not easy. It takes a LOT of encouragement and pain tolerance to stick with it, but it is so worth it.
2. I am amazed at how big my heart smiles just watching Chad and Andrew together.
3. I never knew I would cry so much. Frustrated cries, tired cries, worried cries, happy cries, definitely a change for me.
4. My mom is amazing, and I know even more just how much she loves me.
5. I can worry about anything. Is he sleeping too much? not enough? Is he eating enough or too much? Should his poop be that color? What is this scratch from? Does he miss me when I'm gone? Arghhhhhh!
6. I can operate on even less sleep than I used to.
7. I can be content for hours at a time with no tv or noise, just holding my baby. (he doesn't really let me do this anymore, though)
8. I have amazing friends. Too many reasons to list.
9. I have an awesome husband, who has turned out to be a gentle, caring, even patient daddy.
More later...There's so much to tell! I just hope I remember it all by the time I'm on here again!
So much to say, where do I start? The best place I can think of is my sweet angel boy. He's is 4 1/2 months old now, and I am amazed at how it really does go by so fast! I keep saying it's a cruel joke that God plays on us by making the time of our baby's life that we are the most sleep-deprived and out of it is the time that he will grow and change the most!
So, a little about Andrew: I'm guessing he weighs about 17 pounds now (doctor's appt next week so we'll know exactly) and he's about 25-26 inches long. I am shocked at how fast he's grown. His legs are rock solid and he loves to stand up. He has the best and biggest toothless smile! I love how he lights up when I talk to him. He loves his daddy, but he is a bit of a momma's boy. He has rolled from his belly to his back, and I think he's close to going the other way too. The child LOVES music and watching loud movies with daddy. I thank God for him every day; a child really will make you appreciate all the simple things in life. I wish I had been better about blogging weekly, there are so many things that I know I won't remember.
Some things I've learned so far:
1. Nursing a baby is natural, but certainly not easy. It takes a LOT of encouragement and pain tolerance to stick with it, but it is so worth it.
2. I am amazed at how big my heart smiles just watching Chad and Andrew together.
3. I never knew I would cry so much. Frustrated cries, tired cries, worried cries, happy cries, definitely a change for me.
4. My mom is amazing, and I know even more just how much she loves me.
5. I can worry about anything. Is he sleeping too much? not enough? Is he eating enough or too much? Should his poop be that color? What is this scratch from? Does he miss me when I'm gone? Arghhhhhh!
6. I can operate on even less sleep than I used to.
7. I can be content for hours at a time with no tv or noise, just holding my baby. (he doesn't really let me do this anymore, though)
8. I have amazing friends. Too many reasons to list.
9. I have an awesome husband, who has turned out to be a gentle, caring, even patient daddy.
More later...There's so much to tell! I just hope I remember it all by the time I'm on here again!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
New Post Coming Soon!
Who knew it was so hard to write even short blog posts with a newborn???? I'm working on figuring out a slideshow to post too, so it may take awhile, but I promise there will be something new here soon!
Side note: Can anyone help me remember how to get that pregnancy ticker off my page without messing up my layout?
Side note: Can anyone help me remember how to get that pregnancy ticker off my page without messing up my layout?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Andrew's Birth Story
I have said ever since A was born that I need to write down his birth story so I don't forget. Then I tell myself, surely I won't forget that! But knowing my stellar memory, I'm going to give it a shot. (especially considering that I'm actually writing this just a month before his 3rd birthday, oh well better late than never!).
Tuesday, March 10, 2012
I went to Little Rock to do a little shopping and meet Nana, Bobpop, Grandma, and Payton for lunch at Cracker Barrel. Not really anything memorable about the day, I just remember feeling tired and huge. Same as most every other day. At my last doctor's appoinment (the previous Friday), I was dilated to a 1 or 2, and 90% effaced.
Wednesday, March 11, 1:00 a.m. (ish)
I wake up feeling awful. Not really sure how to describe it. I was crampy, like I needed to use the bathroom, and just generally uncomfortable. I tried to go back to sleep, but woke up off and on the rest of the night.
(8:00)Chad got up and went to work, I was on Spring Break this week, so luckily I didn't have to be anywhere. The weather was cold and dreary, so I got up, took a shower and put on some comfy clothes, and settled in on the couch. I had contractions all through the day, but never very close together.
(12:00) Leanne and Lauren came over around lunch time. I was able to carry on a conversation with her, but would have to stop and catch my breath when I had a contraction. They were definitely getting stronger at this point. I called Chad to keep him in the loop, but told him not to come home yet. I don't remember if I ever truly timed them, I just kept a general idea of how far apart they were. They were pretty sporadic, 10 minutes, 20, then 7 or 5, lots of back and forth. I talke to/text Rita through the day to tell her what's going on. She tell me that I am definitely in labor.
(3:00) My contractions were starting to get much stronger, and I began to pace the house for relief, stopping to breathe through each one. I called Chad and asked him to come home. I spent the next couple of hours walking around the house, I never really wanted to sit down. I did sit on the "birthing" ball some and lean against my bed to help relieve the pressure. We called my parents sometime around all of this, but told them we weren't going to the hospital yet, so they could wait and come after church if they wanted. They are 2 hours away, so they decided to head up now rather than risk missing something. They arrived probably around 5:30.
(6:00) My contractions are very strong and by this point I am pacing in Andrew's bedroom, using the footstool to the glider to drape myself over and rock back and forth. This actually helped tremendously. More than the pain, I remember the intense pressure I felt in my butt, like he was literally going to out the wrong way or something. Very strange. I call Rita and she offers to come over when she gets off work to check me.
(7:30) Rita comes over to check me. She gets a panicked look on her face, then asks to check me again. I'm between a 5 and a 6. (she later tells me she thought I was at least an 8 at first and needed to go to the hospital!). I told her to go home and see her family and get some rest and I would call her when I decided to go to the hospital.
(8:30) My contractions are coming very quickly and becoming very strong. I decided I wanted to go to the hospital. We got checked in and settled in to a room. Chad's parents arrive somewhere around this point. I am unable to speak to anyone now, and focus instead on breathing through each contraction. Leanne arrives after church, along with Cindy. My room is full of people watching me writhe around on the bed. I remember thinking, "why doesn't somebody make them all go away??, but I could't verbalize it. My dad ends up leaving the room because he can' stand to see me in pain. I'm not sure why I wasn't still walking around for relief, all I could think about was the pain and all the people in the room looking at me.
(10:30 ish)The nurses attempt to get in a heplock, but can't since I wasn't smart enough to be drinking any water during the day, and I'm a little dehydrated. They end up having to call the anesthsiologist to try to get it started. I remember suddenly feeling panicked and thinking, well if he's here now, if I decide to get an epidural later, will he be able to come back in time?...I know, totally wacko. I whisper to Chad that I want an epidural. He asks if I'm sure, and I nodded. Rita ask me if I'm sure too, because she knows I was adamant about not getting one. She asks if I want to try something to take the edge off first, but I again requested the epidural. (note to self: listen to your friend!) I remember feeling first not relief that the pain would be lessened, but guilt that I had "failed". The epidural does allow me to be able to rest some. It wasnt' perfect, though, and I could still feel every pain on the left side, and of course still the pressure. I was glad to be feeling something, I never wanted to feel like I wasn't in control of my body.
My time detail gets a little fuzzy at this point. I think around midnight I was dilated to a 7, I know the epidural seemed to slow everything down considerably. At some point they had to break my water. They ended up turning me onto my side, which seemed to help, and by 2:30 or 3:00, I was ready to push. My mom and Chad stayed in the room with me. I wasn't sure how Chad would do with all of this, considering the jokes he kept making during our childbirth class. He was a wonderful labor coach! I was so proud of him. And I was proud of my mom, for letting he do most of the coaching. I wasn't making a lot of progress pushing, I remember they got a towel for me to hold on to, and the nurse held on to the other end. She told me to pull as hard as I could while I pushed, and I nearly pulled her on top of me! TMI alert...I was so afraid I was going to have a BM while in labor, that I think that was keeping me from pushing as hard as I could! I pushed for about 45 minutes, then I could tell that he was crowning. What a beautiful, weird, intense feeling! They called in the doctor (not my doctor, but that's another story), I pushed a couple more times, and he was here (3:48 a.m.)! They had to cut me some when he head came out, so while they checked him out, I was getting stitched up. After about 1/2 hour of so, they let our families in to see him. Both sets of parents were here, as was Chad's sister. Leanne (big and pregnant too, of course) and Cindy had both sat in the waiting room most of the night, and Rita stayed on after working a 12 hour shift the day before to make sure everything worked out. Amazing friends? You bet! I remember nursing Andrew then going to sleep. I was absolutley worn out at this point, having labored for about 26 hours. I think everyone left the hospital by around 5:00 a.m.
The next day is a blur, they didn't let him come back to our room (funny how now I don't exactly remember why, but I do know they did a chest xray on him) so we spent most of the next day going back and forth to the nursery to feed him and becoming increasingly upset that he wasn't in the room with us. Finally around 7:00, they brought him back to us, we had a room full of visitors at the time, so Andrew got to meet lots of friends! There are a lot of things about this day that I will remember and/or change for the next time, but I'd say the outcome (healthy baby, healthy momma) was perfect!
Tuesday, March 10, 2012
I went to Little Rock to do a little shopping and meet Nana, Bobpop, Grandma, and Payton for lunch at Cracker Barrel. Not really anything memorable about the day, I just remember feeling tired and huge. Same as most every other day. At my last doctor's appoinment (the previous Friday), I was dilated to a 1 or 2, and 90% effaced.
Wednesday, March 11, 1:00 a.m. (ish)
I wake up feeling awful. Not really sure how to describe it. I was crampy, like I needed to use the bathroom, and just generally uncomfortable. I tried to go back to sleep, but woke up off and on the rest of the night.
(8:00)Chad got up and went to work, I was on Spring Break this week, so luckily I didn't have to be anywhere. The weather was cold and dreary, so I got up, took a shower and put on some comfy clothes, and settled in on the couch. I had contractions all through the day, but never very close together.
(12:00) Leanne and Lauren came over around lunch time. I was able to carry on a conversation with her, but would have to stop and catch my breath when I had a contraction. They were definitely getting stronger at this point. I called Chad to keep him in the loop, but told him not to come home yet. I don't remember if I ever truly timed them, I just kept a general idea of how far apart they were. They were pretty sporadic, 10 minutes, 20, then 7 or 5, lots of back and forth. I talke to/text Rita through the day to tell her what's going on. She tell me that I am definitely in labor.
(3:00) My contractions were starting to get much stronger, and I began to pace the house for relief, stopping to breathe through each one. I called Chad and asked him to come home. I spent the next couple of hours walking around the house, I never really wanted to sit down. I did sit on the "birthing" ball some and lean against my bed to help relieve the pressure. We called my parents sometime around all of this, but told them we weren't going to the hospital yet, so they could wait and come after church if they wanted. They are 2 hours away, so they decided to head up now rather than risk missing something. They arrived probably around 5:30.
(6:00) My contractions are very strong and by this point I am pacing in Andrew's bedroom, using the footstool to the glider to drape myself over and rock back and forth. This actually helped tremendously. More than the pain, I remember the intense pressure I felt in my butt, like he was literally going to out the wrong way or something. Very strange. I call Rita and she offers to come over when she gets off work to check me.
(7:30) Rita comes over to check me. She gets a panicked look on her face, then asks to check me again. I'm between a 5 and a 6. (she later tells me she thought I was at least an 8 at first and needed to go to the hospital!). I told her to go home and see her family and get some rest and I would call her when I decided to go to the hospital.
(8:30) My contractions are coming very quickly and becoming very strong. I decided I wanted to go to the hospital. We got checked in and settled in to a room. Chad's parents arrive somewhere around this point. I am unable to speak to anyone now, and focus instead on breathing through each contraction. Leanne arrives after church, along with Cindy. My room is full of people watching me writhe around on the bed. I remember thinking, "why doesn't somebody make them all go away??, but I could't verbalize it. My dad ends up leaving the room because he can' stand to see me in pain. I'm not sure why I wasn't still walking around for relief, all I could think about was the pain and all the people in the room looking at me.
(10:30 ish)The nurses attempt to get in a heplock, but can't since I wasn't smart enough to be drinking any water during the day, and I'm a little dehydrated. They end up having to call the anesthsiologist to try to get it started. I remember suddenly feeling panicked and thinking, well if he's here now, if I decide to get an epidural later, will he be able to come back in time?...I know, totally wacko. I whisper to Chad that I want an epidural. He asks if I'm sure, and I nodded. Rita ask me if I'm sure too, because she knows I was adamant about not getting one. She asks if I want to try something to take the edge off first, but I again requested the epidural. (note to self: listen to your friend!) I remember feeling first not relief that the pain would be lessened, but guilt that I had "failed". The epidural does allow me to be able to rest some. It wasnt' perfect, though, and I could still feel every pain on the left side, and of course still the pressure. I was glad to be feeling something, I never wanted to feel like I wasn't in control of my body.
My time detail gets a little fuzzy at this point. I think around midnight I was dilated to a 7, I know the epidural seemed to slow everything down considerably. At some point they had to break my water. They ended up turning me onto my side, which seemed to help, and by 2:30 or 3:00, I was ready to push. My mom and Chad stayed in the room with me. I wasn't sure how Chad would do with all of this, considering the jokes he kept making during our childbirth class. He was a wonderful labor coach! I was so proud of him. And I was proud of my mom, for letting he do most of the coaching. I wasn't making a lot of progress pushing, I remember they got a towel for me to hold on to, and the nurse held on to the other end. She told me to pull as hard as I could while I pushed, and I nearly pulled her on top of me! TMI alert...I was so afraid I was going to have a BM while in labor, that I think that was keeping me from pushing as hard as I could! I pushed for about 45 minutes, then I could tell that he was crowning. What a beautiful, weird, intense feeling! They called in the doctor (not my doctor, but that's another story), I pushed a couple more times, and he was here (3:48 a.m.)! They had to cut me some when he head came out, so while they checked him out, I was getting stitched up. After about 1/2 hour of so, they let our families in to see him. Both sets of parents were here, as was Chad's sister. Leanne (big and pregnant too, of course) and Cindy had both sat in the waiting room most of the night, and Rita stayed on after working a 12 hour shift the day before to make sure everything worked out. Amazing friends? You bet! I remember nursing Andrew then going to sleep. I was absolutley worn out at this point, having labored for about 26 hours. I think everyone left the hospital by around 5:00 a.m.
The next day is a blur, they didn't let him come back to our room (funny how now I don't exactly remember why, but I do know they did a chest xray on him) so we spent most of the next day going back and forth to the nursery to feed him and becoming increasingly upset that he wasn't in the room with us. Finally around 7:00, they brought him back to us, we had a room full of visitors at the time, so Andrew got to meet lots of friends! There are a lot of things about this day that I will remember and/or change for the next time, but I'd say the outcome (healthy baby, healthy momma) was perfect!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
I'm There
All you moms out there probably know what I'm talking about. That time where you get to the point where you're just like "okay, time to come out now little one. We're done, let's go, get on out". We'll I'm there. Not that I haven't truly loved being pregnant (most of it), and am still amazed and fascinated at the way our God created us to be able to do this, but I'm good. I've experienced it, I feel like a big bulky fat girl, and I'm done. I'm ready to meet this little guy. I'm getting whiny and I don't like it. I'm not impatient, just antsy. I'm not miserable yet, just not myself. I'm not used to being tired, and retaining fluid, and walking with so much effort, and having people look at me like "geez lady, you haven't had that thing yet?". I haven't progressed a whole lot, still 90%, dilated to about a 2 now. Time will tell, there's a full moon coming next week!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Countdown
Has anyone noticed the little counter at the top of the page? It says "24 days to go". 24. 24 very short days. That's less than a month. Not that I'm freaking out at all, nooooooooo, but seriously, 24? Plus, the way I keep contracting, I'm pretty sure it's even less than that. I went to the doctor on Thursday and I'm dilated a little more than a 1, and 90% effaced. Apparently, this boy is very low, which I knew already. He hasn't dropped (I don't think), that's just where he's been this whole time. We got some more stuff hung up in his room, so I'll get more pics up soon. It's so stinkin' cute and very colorful! Please continue to pray for us, because you know what? We're having a baby! Soon. 24 days. And it's so very real to me now.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Andrew's Bed
There is actually more stuff in his room now, but it's still too messy to want to put it on here. More pics coming soon, just as soon as we hang the window treatment and get a few more things in.
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