So tomorrow we are leaving for Ruidoso!! Vacay 2016!!! Woot Woot!!
Mom and Dad were nice enough to rent a cabin for all of us to stay in! Adam and Ches are going too! We are so ready to get away and just hang out as a family for a few days. I am so grateful to my parents for paying for us to go with them. Otherwise there would not be any vacation this year. We are so blessed!
We plan on leaving tomorrow morning around 8am! I think the day before vacation is almost better than the actual vacation lol! The anticipation of knowing you are about to go on an adventure is the best!
I believe the tentative plan is to go into Cloudcroft tomorrow and meet up with Nanny and Pappy in their camper for an early campfire dinner! Then we will head into Ruidoso and get settled into our cabin. We will be there until Tuesday. One day we plan on driving up to Alamogordo and go to White Sands. Ches has never been there so we are looking forward to showing her! :-)
I am a little nervous about how Sarah will do. We have done a few quick trips but never any more than 1 or 2 nights. She has been such a happy baby lately and so laid back and more comfortable being in new places so I am cautiously optimistic. She still screams her little head off if anyone other than Micheal or I are holding her. I am hoping that will get better this week. She does pretty good with my mom but I am hoping she will get more used to my Dad while we are away. I hate that she cries when he holds her. He loves her so much. It doesn't phase him any but I don't like it. LOL.
So today I am just cleaning and packing and getting everything ready for us to be gone. Sarah and I got up early this morning and got so much done. We both are showered and dressed for the day. And the laundry is going, the kitchen is cleaned, the beds are made and the bottles are sterilized! And its not even lunch time! I am feeling very accomplished. :-) I have a chiropractor appointment this afternoon and then we are having dinner with Kimberly from the youth group tonight so that will be fun.
Well, Sarah is napping so I better keep moving so I can get everything done before its time to head out!
Be blessed! :-)
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
365 Days
365 days have passed since I found out I was going to be a mommy! I can't believe it.
This has been without a doubt the most exciting journey I have ever been on. Being a mommy is the most amazing gift I have ever been given. Every day I wake up and am just so thankful that I get to be Sarah's mom.
A letter to my girl:
Sarah Jo,
Hey there baby girl. 1 year ago today I found out that you were coming. In a bathroom in Colorado we began our journey together. The second that test turned positive my life changed forever. You became mine and I could not wait to meet you. April seemed like a lifetime away. But until you made your grand appearance I was looking forward to being pregnant and feeling you grow inside me. Unfortunately, just a couple weeks after finding out I was having you I got sick... morning sickness (more like all day sickness) set in big time! And it pretty much lasted until you arrived. BUT its ok because the Dr. gave me some medicine that helped me SO MUCH! :-) And just so you know... I would do it all over again, nausea and all! I always heard people say they don't remember what they did before they had kids. I never really understood that until now. I had a beautiful life before you were born but now that you are here I realize that something was missing... and that something was you. You are my dream come true. Everything I do now is more fun because you are with me. It's like my life has started over and things I have done a million times before are now new and exciting because I get to see them through your beautiful eyes. I love taking you out in public and showing you off! My heart swells with pride when people stop and ooh and awe over you. It's one of my favorite things! I just want to show you off to everyone!!
We have already experienced so much in our 365 days of knowing each other... your kicks and somersaults in my tummy, your first cry, your first smile, your first coo and laugh (music to my ears), sleeping through the night (You rock sister!), figuring out how to use your hands, and so many other things. It is such a privilege to watch you grow. I feel like I am in a constant struggle between being so excited about seeing you grow into the person you will become and wanting you to stay my baby forever. You have my heart little one and you always will.
Always remember that I love you more than all the stars in the sky, the trees in the forest and the sand on the beaches!
Thank you for coming baby girl!
Love,
Mommy
This has been without a doubt the most exciting journey I have ever been on. Being a mommy is the most amazing gift I have ever been given. Every day I wake up and am just so thankful that I get to be Sarah's mom.
A letter to my girl:
Sarah Jo,
Hey there baby girl. 1 year ago today I found out that you were coming. In a bathroom in Colorado we began our journey together. The second that test turned positive my life changed forever. You became mine and I could not wait to meet you. April seemed like a lifetime away. But until you made your grand appearance I was looking forward to being pregnant and feeling you grow inside me. Unfortunately, just a couple weeks after finding out I was having you I got sick... morning sickness (more like all day sickness) set in big time! And it pretty much lasted until you arrived. BUT its ok because the Dr. gave me some medicine that helped me SO MUCH! :-) And just so you know... I would do it all over again, nausea and all! I always heard people say they don't remember what they did before they had kids. I never really understood that until now. I had a beautiful life before you were born but now that you are here I realize that something was missing... and that something was you. You are my dream come true. Everything I do now is more fun because you are with me. It's like my life has started over and things I have done a million times before are now new and exciting because I get to see them through your beautiful eyes. I love taking you out in public and showing you off! My heart swells with pride when people stop and ooh and awe over you. It's one of my favorite things! I just want to show you off to everyone!!
We have already experienced so much in our 365 days of knowing each other... your kicks and somersaults in my tummy, your first cry, your first smile, your first coo and laugh (music to my ears), sleeping through the night (You rock sister!), figuring out how to use your hands, and so many other things. It is such a privilege to watch you grow. I feel like I am in a constant struggle between being so excited about seeing you grow into the person you will become and wanting you to stay my baby forever. You have my heart little one and you always will.
Always remember that I love you more than all the stars in the sky, the trees in the forest and the sand on the beaches!
Thank you for coming baby girl!
Love,
Mommy
Sarah Jo's Birth Story
It all started on April 14th. It was a Thursday afternoon. I was leaving work for the day at 5:00 and I just had a feeling that was going to be my last day. I stopped on my way to the car and turned back and looked at my office door. I kind of soaked it in for a minute and then went on my way.
When I got home from work Micheal and I decided to go for a walk. I was so ready to have this baby and I knew walking was good so off we went. We walked down to see my mom at the chiropractor's office. I was scheduled to get an adjustment the following week but Kimberly said she could go ahead and see me that day. She adjusted me and we all jokingly agreed that I would have the baby over the weekend. I was all for that! :-)
Micheal and I went home and made Little Ceasar's Pizzas from the kit we bought from the local cheerleaders. I rearranged closets and washed and hung clothes for Sarah. Micheal helped me and we got a lot done. I was nesting for sure!
We ate our pizza and I sat in my chair and Micheal sat on the couch and we talked for a long time. Mostly about the baby and how ready we were (although Micheal was still banking on the fact that he had another nine days before her due date!). I just remember it being such a nice conversation and we just had a fun evening together.
About 10:00 that night I started feeling some pains, I didn't say anything to Micheal because they kind of felt like gas pains and so I wasn't convinced it was labor. But they lasted all through the night and they were rhythmic. I got very little sleep that night. The next morning I got up and started getting ready to go to work. After I took a shower I decided that I was going to call in to work because at this point I was pretty convinced that I was in labor. I texted my boss and let her know that I would not be in. I tried to get someone to fill in for me but nobody was available. Luckily I had a very understanding boss so it was no big deal. When Micheal got up I let him know that I was pretty sure I was in labor but that it was very early. I told him to go ahead and go to work.
After he left I texted my mom and asked her to come help me finish putting Sarah's laundry up because it wasn't finished and I didn't want to have her with her nursery a mess. She was so excited and came right over. I tried to help her but I was pretty uncomfortable so she had me just sit down while she finished hanging her clothes. She also put the final items in our overnight bag for the hospital. My dad came over and cooked me breakfast. I ate it in bed. I texted Micheal and told him to cancel our plans with our friends that night. We were supposed to go to Lubbock with Heath, Courtney, Adam, Ches, Kamille and Colton. The guys were going to go go-karting and we were going to get pedicures. My plan was to have pretty toes for the delivery and for the foot massage to put me in labor lol. Turns out Sarah had other plans.
Micheal had lunch plans with his brother but at about 11:30 I texted him and told him I thought he should come home because we were going to have to go to the hospital soon. In the mean time I was texting my Doula and timing my contractions. They were pretty sporadic but no more than 4 minutes apart for the most part. I was so ready to go to the hospital but did not want to get sent home. I didn't want to have to be roaming around Lubbock while in labor. If I couldn't be at the hospital I wanted to be home.
A little before 12 Micheal got home for lunch and I told him to go ahead and eat but that we should head to Lubbock after he finished. (Mom and Dad offered to get us a hotel room if the hospital sent us away so that made me feel better) Around 1:30 we got in the car. Micheal and I took our car and Mom and Dad were going to meet us over there. It was a nice ride to the hospital. Micheal said a prayer while we were on the road and we just talked and timed my contractions. I was just so afraid they were going to send me home when we got there. I knew that if you could talk during/in between the contractions and were still in a good mood that it was most likely early labor. I also knew that if I was only at a 1 or 2 when we got there I was definitely getting an epidural. LOL. My plan was to go natural for as long as I could and take pain meds as needed. I didn't know if I could do it but I had always wanted to try.
We finally made it to the hospital. I remember when we got out of the car Micheal saw a diaper on the ground and he said "Look! Its a sign!" I sure hoped he was right! We got inside and the sweet volunteer ladies at the front asked me if I was in labor (I certainly did not look like I was). We told them I was and they got me a wheel chair. On the way up to L&D I tried to look like I was in more pain that I was because I didn't want them to send me away. LOL. We made it to labor and delivery and they had Micheal fill out some form and then took me to be checked. I changed into my gown and went into the exam room. The nurse's name was Marla and she was so sweet. I told her I had never been checked before as she was hooking me up to the monitor. I had a contraction and asked her "Is that a contraction?" She said it was and at that moment I breathed a sigh of relief! It wasn't just gas! Yay! Ha Ha! She checked me and told me that I must be superwoman because I was at an 8! At that moment I burst into tears. Micheal looked at me and asked if it was time to let people know and I said Yes! :-) He had called his mom on the way to the hospital but we hadn't told anyone else until we knew what we were dealing with.
They quickly began moving me to a room. I told Marla that I had been praying for every nurse involved in Sarah's delivery and she was truly an answer to prayer! On the way to our room I heard the Marla say into her little speaker that she had a woman in labor dilated to an 8 with a bulging bag. I remember thinking what the heck is a bulging bag!? Micheal texted Devan, our doula and let her know it was time! I had a list of people to text on my phone and Micheal was busy supporting me and texting away for the next little bit. My parents got there and brought us drinks. Which I thought was so funny because it was such a normal thing in the midst of such an incredible moment! My dad was all teary eyed and just standing in the corner and I told him that he was going to have to leave if he was going to do that. I said it through my own tears half jokingly half not. He wanted an excuse to leave lol. He later told me that he was glad I said that. :-)
I talked to Meg on the phone and cried. She was so sweet and was crying too. I don't even remember what all we said. Other than Meg I didn't talk to anyone else on the phone but I had Micheal in charge of texting everyone! I had a list on my phone of people to contact. Nanny and Pappy got there and came in and hugged me and we talked for a few minutes before they went back to the waiting room. We all kind of hung out for a little bit and I continued to labor. Devan (our doula) was such a blessing. She guided Micheal and I and helped me try some different positions to make me comfortable and continue to progress.
Dr. Perales came in around 3. She was so sweet as always. She asked me if I wanted her to break my water. I really wanted as few medical interventions as possible so I told her no. She said that was fine and said she would come back to check on my in a couple of hours. In my head I was like a couple of hours!? The way everyone was acting this baby was coming like now! And now I have to wait a few hours for her to come back! After she left my doula explained that it could take that long for my water to break, but if I let her break my water I would probably be pushing within the hour. I immediately said "Go get Dr. Perales." I decided if I was going to do this... lets do it now.
Dr. Perales came back in a broke my water. After that everything kind of gets fuzzy and I wish I would have wrote all of this down sooner, so I am just going to do my best. I labored in the bed for the rest of the time. They helped me get comfortable and eventually I ended up using the banana... that sounds so weird but its basically a birthing ball in the shape of a banana. I laid on my side and continued to labor. At this point things got pretty intense. I was no longer talking or in between contractions. I was at a 9 and starting to get the urge to push. My doula told me that if I had the urge I could push but not too hard. It was so crazy because I had heard that when your body is ready to push you have very little ability to stop it... and they were right. I just worked with my body and pushed with every contraction. Finally, Marla came back in to check me and she told me that I was still at a 9 but if I felt ready to push I could and once Sarah dropped lower I would be at a 10. At this point my Mom left the room and it was just Micheal, Devan and Marla with me. They were all so awesome. I continued to push and I kept asking if anything was happening. I just wanted to know all of this hard work was doing something. LOL. They continued to coach me and we got closer and closer. At one point I asked them if I was having a contraction and they both looked at each other and kind of laughed. They were in shock that I just wasn't in pain. I didn't get it either but I sure was grateful.
Finally, Dr. Perales came in the room and I knew something was finally happening! Sarah Jo was coming! I was having a baby! All of these thoughts were running through my mind. I told her I am so glad you are here! I pushed some more and it felt like forever. They asked me if I wanted a mirror so I could see. And I said no, I just want her to be here. They started talking about her hair and what color I thought it would be. They asked me to guess but I was in no mood for guessing games lol. RIght as she was crowning they told me that my water had meconium in it so NICU would be in here to check her as soon as she was born. I said ok. I was only focused on having my baby.
I pushed one more time and she was finally here. I don't remember her crying... but Micheal does (and my mom who was standing outside the door). I just remember her being so calm. They cleaned her up, checked her and laid her on my chest. Dr. Perales was working on me and I just remember being so uncomfortable in the stir ups. I kept asking when can I put me legs down!? The injections, the stitches, none of that hurt, my legs were just very uncomfortable. They were too short to fit in the stirrups properly so the nurses were having to hold them and it sucked. LOL. She stitched me for a while and I kept telling Sarah, "I'm sorry Sarah, I will be with you in a minute." I kept trying to look down at her but I couldn't see her super well because of how I was laying. I was so happy that she was here and just amazed at how calm and alert she was. She just laid there so patiently while they worked on me.
If I could go back in time and do it again I would have had someone in the room to video the event. I so want to go back to that moment. It was so powerful...meeting my child for the first time. But I felt like I didn't really comprehend everything because I was all over the place emotionally, and I was tired. I don't think I cried. I just was so relieved that she was here and that the labor part was over.
At that time the nurse came in and told me that everyone was waiting outside. I was so excited as everyone walked in. It was the moment I had dreamt of for so long. Introducing my family to my daughter. Nanny, Pappy, Mom, Dad, Adam and Ches all came in. It was such a special time.
We spent some time with them and then the nurse said it was time for us to get moved into a new room. Everyone left to go eat and said they would be back after they went to eat. The nurse told Micheal to put Sarah's shirt and hat on her and wrap her up while she helped get me situated for the move. Micheal later told me he freaked out when she told him that. He was like oh my goodness... I have to do this by myself!? I remember looking over and he had the little shirt almost on her... and then the next time I looked it was off again and he asked the nurse "Does she have to wear this shirt?". The nurse said no so he just wrapped her up. It was so funny! Micheal and I had a lot of laughs while he dressed her for those first few weeks. She was quite the wiggle worm and did NOT enjoy the process. LOL! He worked up a sweat every time I think. :-)
We finally got moved into our room around 10:00pm. The post partum nurse came in and helped us get settled. She was AWESOME! We loved her so much. She checked my uterus and made sure it was shrinking like it was supposed to. Praise the Lord everything was working like it was supposed to. I thanked her for being much more gentle than the nurses in the delivery room. LOL. She laughed and said they get that a lot in post partum. My parents came back in with Adam and Ches and brought us dinner. I had wanted a cold sandwich for my entire pregnancy! I couldn't eat them while pregnant unless the meat was heated. So that's what they brought me. We visited with them and they hugged on Sarah. I told my mom that we didn't need her to stay and she said to call if we changed our minds. And just like that it was just Micheal and I with our girl. We looked at each other and were like... "What just happened!?" Just a few hours ago we weren't even sure we were in labor and now we have a baby!
It was a beautiful experience. A life changing experience. A sacred experience. Writing this has been so difficult for me because I want to go back to that moment so bad and just relive it... her birth. It was incredible. I was so proud that I did not have to have pain meds and know without a doubt that my entire labor and delivery was anointed by God. That is the only way I know how to explain it. I didn't ever feel any pain... it was intense pressure and discomfort but no pain. We were prayed over by Pastor Larry a few months earlier and while he was praying he spoke natural child birth over me. It was out of no where and Micheal and I both attribute my amazing delivery to that moment of prayer. It was absolutely amazing. I couldn't have asked or imagined a better experience. Just like Ephesians 3:20 says. Our God is such a good, good Father!
When I got home from work Micheal and I decided to go for a walk. I was so ready to have this baby and I knew walking was good so off we went. We walked down to see my mom at the chiropractor's office. I was scheduled to get an adjustment the following week but Kimberly said she could go ahead and see me that day. She adjusted me and we all jokingly agreed that I would have the baby over the weekend. I was all for that! :-)
Micheal and I went home and made Little Ceasar's Pizzas from the kit we bought from the local cheerleaders. I rearranged closets and washed and hung clothes for Sarah. Micheal helped me and we got a lot done. I was nesting for sure!
We ate our pizza and I sat in my chair and Micheal sat on the couch and we talked for a long time. Mostly about the baby and how ready we were (although Micheal was still banking on the fact that he had another nine days before her due date!). I just remember it being such a nice conversation and we just had a fun evening together.
About 10:00 that night I started feeling some pains, I didn't say anything to Micheal because they kind of felt like gas pains and so I wasn't convinced it was labor. But they lasted all through the night and they were rhythmic. I got very little sleep that night. The next morning I got up and started getting ready to go to work. After I took a shower I decided that I was going to call in to work because at this point I was pretty convinced that I was in labor. I texted my boss and let her know that I would not be in. I tried to get someone to fill in for me but nobody was available. Luckily I had a very understanding boss so it was no big deal. When Micheal got up I let him know that I was pretty sure I was in labor but that it was very early. I told him to go ahead and go to work.
After he left I texted my mom and asked her to come help me finish putting Sarah's laundry up because it wasn't finished and I didn't want to have her with her nursery a mess. She was so excited and came right over. I tried to help her but I was pretty uncomfortable so she had me just sit down while she finished hanging her clothes. She also put the final items in our overnight bag for the hospital. My dad came over and cooked me breakfast. I ate it in bed. I texted Micheal and told him to cancel our plans with our friends that night. We were supposed to go to Lubbock with Heath, Courtney, Adam, Ches, Kamille and Colton. The guys were going to go go-karting and we were going to get pedicures. My plan was to have pretty toes for the delivery and for the foot massage to put me in labor lol. Turns out Sarah had other plans.
Micheal had lunch plans with his brother but at about 11:30 I texted him and told him I thought he should come home because we were going to have to go to the hospital soon. In the mean time I was texting my Doula and timing my contractions. They were pretty sporadic but no more than 4 minutes apart for the most part. I was so ready to go to the hospital but did not want to get sent home. I didn't want to have to be roaming around Lubbock while in labor. If I couldn't be at the hospital I wanted to be home.
A little before 12 Micheal got home for lunch and I told him to go ahead and eat but that we should head to Lubbock after he finished. (Mom and Dad offered to get us a hotel room if the hospital sent us away so that made me feel better) Around 1:30 we got in the car. Micheal and I took our car and Mom and Dad were going to meet us over there. It was a nice ride to the hospital. Micheal said a prayer while we were on the road and we just talked and timed my contractions. I was just so afraid they were going to send me home when we got there. I knew that if you could talk during/in between the contractions and were still in a good mood that it was most likely early labor. I also knew that if I was only at a 1 or 2 when we got there I was definitely getting an epidural. LOL. My plan was to go natural for as long as I could and take pain meds as needed. I didn't know if I could do it but I had always wanted to try.
We finally made it to the hospital. I remember when we got out of the car Micheal saw a diaper on the ground and he said "Look! Its a sign!" I sure hoped he was right! We got inside and the sweet volunteer ladies at the front asked me if I was in labor (I certainly did not look like I was). We told them I was and they got me a wheel chair. On the way up to L&D I tried to look like I was in more pain that I was because I didn't want them to send me away. LOL. We made it to labor and delivery and they had Micheal fill out some form and then took me to be checked. I changed into my gown and went into the exam room. The nurse's name was Marla and she was so sweet. I told her I had never been checked before as she was hooking me up to the monitor. I had a contraction and asked her "Is that a contraction?" She said it was and at that moment I breathed a sigh of relief! It wasn't just gas! Yay! Ha Ha! She checked me and told me that I must be superwoman because I was at an 8! At that moment I burst into tears. Micheal looked at me and asked if it was time to let people know and I said Yes! :-) He had called his mom on the way to the hospital but we hadn't told anyone else until we knew what we were dealing with.
They quickly began moving me to a room. I told Marla that I had been praying for every nurse involved in Sarah's delivery and she was truly an answer to prayer! On the way to our room I heard the Marla say into her little speaker that she had a woman in labor dilated to an 8 with a bulging bag. I remember thinking what the heck is a bulging bag!? Micheal texted Devan, our doula and let her know it was time! I had a list of people to text on my phone and Micheal was busy supporting me and texting away for the next little bit. My parents got there and brought us drinks. Which I thought was so funny because it was such a normal thing in the midst of such an incredible moment! My dad was all teary eyed and just standing in the corner and I told him that he was going to have to leave if he was going to do that. I said it through my own tears half jokingly half not. He wanted an excuse to leave lol. He later told me that he was glad I said that. :-)
I talked to Meg on the phone and cried. She was so sweet and was crying too. I don't even remember what all we said. Other than Meg I didn't talk to anyone else on the phone but I had Micheal in charge of texting everyone! I had a list on my phone of people to contact. Nanny and Pappy got there and came in and hugged me and we talked for a few minutes before they went back to the waiting room. We all kind of hung out for a little bit and I continued to labor. Devan (our doula) was such a blessing. She guided Micheal and I and helped me try some different positions to make me comfortable and continue to progress.
Dr. Perales came in around 3. She was so sweet as always. She asked me if I wanted her to break my water. I really wanted as few medical interventions as possible so I told her no. She said that was fine and said she would come back to check on my in a couple of hours. In my head I was like a couple of hours!? The way everyone was acting this baby was coming like now! And now I have to wait a few hours for her to come back! After she left my doula explained that it could take that long for my water to break, but if I let her break my water I would probably be pushing within the hour. I immediately said "Go get Dr. Perales." I decided if I was going to do this... lets do it now.
Dr. Perales came back in a broke my water. After that everything kind of gets fuzzy and I wish I would have wrote all of this down sooner, so I am just going to do my best. I labored in the bed for the rest of the time. They helped me get comfortable and eventually I ended up using the banana... that sounds so weird but its basically a birthing ball in the shape of a banana. I laid on my side and continued to labor. At this point things got pretty intense. I was no longer talking or in between contractions. I was at a 9 and starting to get the urge to push. My doula told me that if I had the urge I could push but not too hard. It was so crazy because I had heard that when your body is ready to push you have very little ability to stop it... and they were right. I just worked with my body and pushed with every contraction. Finally, Marla came back in to check me and she told me that I was still at a 9 but if I felt ready to push I could and once Sarah dropped lower I would be at a 10. At this point my Mom left the room and it was just Micheal, Devan and Marla with me. They were all so awesome. I continued to push and I kept asking if anything was happening. I just wanted to know all of this hard work was doing something. LOL. They continued to coach me and we got closer and closer. At one point I asked them if I was having a contraction and they both looked at each other and kind of laughed. They were in shock that I just wasn't in pain. I didn't get it either but I sure was grateful.
Finally, Dr. Perales came in the room and I knew something was finally happening! Sarah Jo was coming! I was having a baby! All of these thoughts were running through my mind. I told her I am so glad you are here! I pushed some more and it felt like forever. They asked me if I wanted a mirror so I could see. And I said no, I just want her to be here. They started talking about her hair and what color I thought it would be. They asked me to guess but I was in no mood for guessing games lol. RIght as she was crowning they told me that my water had meconium in it so NICU would be in here to check her as soon as she was born. I said ok. I was only focused on having my baby.
I pushed one more time and she was finally here. I don't remember her crying... but Micheal does (and my mom who was standing outside the door). I just remember her being so calm. They cleaned her up, checked her and laid her on my chest. Dr. Perales was working on me and I just remember being so uncomfortable in the stir ups. I kept asking when can I put me legs down!? The injections, the stitches, none of that hurt, my legs were just very uncomfortable. They were too short to fit in the stirrups properly so the nurses were having to hold them and it sucked. LOL. She stitched me for a while and I kept telling Sarah, "I'm sorry Sarah, I will be with you in a minute." I kept trying to look down at her but I couldn't see her super well because of how I was laying. I was so happy that she was here and just amazed at how calm and alert she was. She just laid there so patiently while they worked on me.
If I could go back in time and do it again I would have had someone in the room to video the event. I so want to go back to that moment. It was so powerful...meeting my child for the first time. But I felt like I didn't really comprehend everything because I was all over the place emotionally, and I was tired. I don't think I cried. I just was so relieved that she was here and that the labor part was over.
At that time the nurse came in and told me that everyone was waiting outside. I was so excited as everyone walked in. It was the moment I had dreamt of for so long. Introducing my family to my daughter. Nanny, Pappy, Mom, Dad, Adam and Ches all came in. It was such a special time.
We spent some time with them and then the nurse said it was time for us to get moved into a new room. Everyone left to go eat and said they would be back after they went to eat. The nurse told Micheal to put Sarah's shirt and hat on her and wrap her up while she helped get me situated for the move. Micheal later told me he freaked out when she told him that. He was like oh my goodness... I have to do this by myself!? I remember looking over and he had the little shirt almost on her... and then the next time I looked it was off again and he asked the nurse "Does she have to wear this shirt?". The nurse said no so he just wrapped her up. It was so funny! Micheal and I had a lot of laughs while he dressed her for those first few weeks. She was quite the wiggle worm and did NOT enjoy the process. LOL! He worked up a sweat every time I think. :-)
We finally got moved into our room around 10:00pm. The post partum nurse came in and helped us get settled. She was AWESOME! We loved her so much. She checked my uterus and made sure it was shrinking like it was supposed to. Praise the Lord everything was working like it was supposed to. I thanked her for being much more gentle than the nurses in the delivery room. LOL. She laughed and said they get that a lot in post partum. My parents came back in with Adam and Ches and brought us dinner. I had wanted a cold sandwich for my entire pregnancy! I couldn't eat them while pregnant unless the meat was heated. So that's what they brought me. We visited with them and they hugged on Sarah. I told my mom that we didn't need her to stay and she said to call if we changed our minds. And just like that it was just Micheal and I with our girl. We looked at each other and were like... "What just happened!?" Just a few hours ago we weren't even sure we were in labor and now we have a baby!
It was a beautiful experience. A life changing experience. A sacred experience. Writing this has been so difficult for me because I want to go back to that moment so bad and just relive it... her birth. It was incredible. I was so proud that I did not have to have pain meds and know without a doubt that my entire labor and delivery was anointed by God. That is the only way I know how to explain it. I didn't ever feel any pain... it was intense pressure and discomfort but no pain. We were prayed over by Pastor Larry a few months earlier and while he was praying he spoke natural child birth over me. It was out of no where and Micheal and I both attribute my amazing delivery to that moment of prayer. It was absolutely amazing. I couldn't have asked or imagined a better experience. Just like Ephesians 3:20 says. Our God is such a good, good Father!
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Photos and Friends
Today was a fun day for Miss Sarah and I. :-)
LeeLee came into town a few days ago to stay with Kamille and help out with sweet Karder. Yesterday Kamille texted me and asked if Sarah and I wanted to come to her house and take pictures with them! I was so excited! :-) LeeLee is a great photographer and its always an adventure taking pictures with babies!
After Sarah's afternoon nap we headed over there. And oh my goodness...Sarah did sooo good! I was so proud of her. She smiled and cooed the whole time! And the pictures turned out so great! I can't wait to get them printed and framed. We were even able to get one of Karder and Sarah. And it is so sweet. I know we will treasure it always!
After our picture session I went to the chiropractor to get adjusted (for the second time this week). I am trying to get my back on the mend before our trip.
Then it was time to head home and give Sarah a bottle and take a much needed nap. Poor thing was exhausted.
Then it was time to start getting dinner ready since Heath and Courtney were coming over. We had a few hiccups in the evening... Heath ended up having to spend all day at Lowes picking up lumber and it took way longer than he planned so they were running late. And then the timer went off signaling that my meatloaf was done and when I went to take it out the oven was off. LOL. So needless to say it was a pretty late dinner but we had a nice evening with them. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends. They are just great!
This is a side note but yesterday was Sarah's 4 month well check. I just want to document this so I will remember. :-)
She weighs 14lb 9oz and is 24.5in long
We are still dealing with excessive spit up from her reflux but Dr. Dalton said since she is a happy spitter she does not feel like we need to put her on medicine. She also said reflux usually resolves around the 5 month mark so fingers crossed we won't have to deal with it much longer.
Dr. Dalton said her head is nice and round so I don't have to feel pressured to force tummy time. Sarah HATES it and I have been making myself paranoid that she is going to have a flat head. LOL. It's nice to get mommy fears resolved.
Finally, she said we can start solids whenever we feel like we are ready. :-) I am leaning towards closer to 6 months or waiting until she stops spitting up so much. But I am super excited about it so I may end up jumping the gun and just going for it. I want to do baby led weaning so I am looking into doing that instead of the purees. But again, we will see.
She had to get another set of shots and she cried. :-( But as soon as I picked her up she stopped. The nurse gave her a rattle for being such a good girl. :-)
I think that is all for now!
Have a blessed night everyone!
LeeLee came into town a few days ago to stay with Kamille and help out with sweet Karder. Yesterday Kamille texted me and asked if Sarah and I wanted to come to her house and take pictures with them! I was so excited! :-) LeeLee is a great photographer and its always an adventure taking pictures with babies!
After Sarah's afternoon nap we headed over there. And oh my goodness...Sarah did sooo good! I was so proud of her. She smiled and cooed the whole time! And the pictures turned out so great! I can't wait to get them printed and framed. We were even able to get one of Karder and Sarah. And it is so sweet. I know we will treasure it always!
After our picture session I went to the chiropractor to get adjusted (for the second time this week). I am trying to get my back on the mend before our trip.
Then it was time to head home and give Sarah a bottle and take a much needed nap. Poor thing was exhausted.
Then it was time to start getting dinner ready since Heath and Courtney were coming over. We had a few hiccups in the evening... Heath ended up having to spend all day at Lowes picking up lumber and it took way longer than he planned so they were running late. And then the timer went off signaling that my meatloaf was done and when I went to take it out the oven was off. LOL. So needless to say it was a pretty late dinner but we had a nice evening with them. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends. They are just great!
This is a side note but yesterday was Sarah's 4 month well check. I just want to document this so I will remember. :-)
She weighs 14lb 9oz and is 24.5in long
We are still dealing with excessive spit up from her reflux but Dr. Dalton said since she is a happy spitter she does not feel like we need to put her on medicine. She also said reflux usually resolves around the 5 month mark so fingers crossed we won't have to deal with it much longer.
Dr. Dalton said her head is nice and round so I don't have to feel pressured to force tummy time. Sarah HATES it and I have been making myself paranoid that she is going to have a flat head. LOL. It's nice to get mommy fears resolved.
Finally, she said we can start solids whenever we feel like we are ready. :-) I am leaning towards closer to 6 months or waiting until she stops spitting up so much. But I am super excited about it so I may end up jumping the gun and just going for it. I want to do baby led weaning so I am looking into doing that instead of the purees. But again, we will see.
She had to get another set of shots and she cried. :-( But as soon as I picked her up she stopped. The nurse gave her a rattle for being such a good girl. :-)
I think that is all for now!
Have a blessed night everyone!
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Weekend in Abilene
This weekend we went to Abilene for Addison's fifth birthday party! We left Friday after Micheal got off work. It was a nice get away and we enjoyed seeing Matt, Miranda and the kids. Addison was so excited to love on baby Sarah and Braxton is crawling all over the place!
We got to their house a little after 9 on Friday night. Addison met us at the car. :-) She is so sweet, she asked us if she could carry anything in for us. Such a great hostess! Sarah was in the absolute BEST mood the whole time we were there. Talking and smiling the whole time. It was great. Since she was so happy and laid back Addison got to hold her and play with her quite a bit! The first time she held her she said, "She is so beautiful". It was adorable! She and Uncle Micheal played paper, rock, scissors and thumb war while I fed Sarah and then it was time for bed. I was nervous about how Sarah would sleep since we were off schedule and away from home, but she did awesome. It took a while for me to get her to sleep simply because she was so wound up. She was ready to party. LOL. But once she dozed off she was out until morning. :-)
We woke up the next morning and had breakfast and just hung out and enjoyed one another. Around 2:30 we left for the birthday party. It was at the gymnastics center in Abilene. It was a really neat place. The kids ran around and played hard! They had tons of trampolines, a harness, a foam pit and bars for the kids to swing on. I would have loved to have my birthday party there when I was her age! Micheal, Sarah and I just hung out and watched. I tweaked my back somehow last week so I was trying to rest it so it doesn't get worse before our Ruidoso trip. Otherwise I would have had to go check out the fun for myself!
After cake and presents we hit the road back home.
We stopped to feed Sarah and ourselves at Whataburger in Sweetwater and made it home a little after 8.
I am so proud of how great our girl did on this trip. She just was so happy the whole time! Gives me hope for our Ruidoso trip! :-) We leave on Friday and I am so excited! Yay!
This morning I decided to keep Sarah home instead of going to church. It was a hard decision because I love going to church. But I was tired and Sarah loves being at home. Since we have a busy week ahead I thought I would give us both a little break and stay home. :-)
Tomorrow is Sarah's 4 month check up and then just a few more days and we will be off on our vacation!
Happy Sunday!
We got to their house a little after 9 on Friday night. Addison met us at the car. :-) She is so sweet, she asked us if she could carry anything in for us. Such a great hostess! Sarah was in the absolute BEST mood the whole time we were there. Talking and smiling the whole time. It was great. Since she was so happy and laid back Addison got to hold her and play with her quite a bit! The first time she held her she said, "She is so beautiful". It was adorable! She and Uncle Micheal played paper, rock, scissors and thumb war while I fed Sarah and then it was time for bed. I was nervous about how Sarah would sleep since we were off schedule and away from home, but she did awesome. It took a while for me to get her to sleep simply because she was so wound up. She was ready to party. LOL. But once she dozed off she was out until morning. :-)
We woke up the next morning and had breakfast and just hung out and enjoyed one another. Around 2:30 we left for the birthday party. It was at the gymnastics center in Abilene. It was a really neat place. The kids ran around and played hard! They had tons of trampolines, a harness, a foam pit and bars for the kids to swing on. I would have loved to have my birthday party there when I was her age! Micheal, Sarah and I just hung out and watched. I tweaked my back somehow last week so I was trying to rest it so it doesn't get worse before our Ruidoso trip. Otherwise I would have had to go check out the fun for myself!
After cake and presents we hit the road back home.
We stopped to feed Sarah and ourselves at Whataburger in Sweetwater and made it home a little after 8.
I am so proud of how great our girl did on this trip. She just was so happy the whole time! Gives me hope for our Ruidoso trip! :-) We leave on Friday and I am so excited! Yay!
This morning I decided to keep Sarah home instead of going to church. It was a hard decision because I love going to church. But I was tired and Sarah loves being at home. Since we have a busy week ahead I thought I would give us both a little break and stay home. :-)
Tomorrow is Sarah's 4 month check up and then just a few more days and we will be off on our vacation!
Happy Sunday!
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Living the Dream
Yesterday I was cleaning up around the house while Sarah took a nap. And all of a sudden I had a memory.
I remembered when I lived at my apartment before Micheal and I got engaged. Man, I was so proud of my little home. I have always, always wanted to be a home maker. That was my dream forever. And I finally had a home to make! LOL. One afternoon I was cleaning and cleaning. I scrubbed and straightened and cleaned everything I could. When I finished I went and made a cup of cappuccino and just looked around my little nest with such pride. I literally had nothing else to do... the laundry was done, the kitchen was clean, the floors were scrubbed, everything was dusted... literally everything. In that moment standing there I told myself that there would be a time in my life when I would remember this moment. This moment where I lived alone and everything was perfect. Because someday I would live with my husband and children and everywhere I looked I would see something that needed to be done. And I smiled... because in that moment I wished that I could be the future me. The one with a husband and a family and a mess to clean up. :-)
And now... here I am. And I wouldn't want it any other way.
Dreams do come true! :-)
I remembered when I lived at my apartment before Micheal and I got engaged. Man, I was so proud of my little home. I have always, always wanted to be a home maker. That was my dream forever. And I finally had a home to make! LOL. One afternoon I was cleaning and cleaning. I scrubbed and straightened and cleaned everything I could. When I finished I went and made a cup of cappuccino and just looked around my little nest with such pride. I literally had nothing else to do... the laundry was done, the kitchen was clean, the floors were scrubbed, everything was dusted... literally everything. In that moment standing there I told myself that there would be a time in my life when I would remember this moment. This moment where I lived alone and everything was perfect. Because someday I would live with my husband and children and everywhere I looked I would see something that needed to be done. And I smiled... because in that moment I wished that I could be the future me. The one with a husband and a family and a mess to clean up. :-)
And now... here I am. And I wouldn't want it any other way.
Dreams do come true! :-)
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