Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Our 1st Christmas



Our 1st Christmas as a married couple, and our first Christmas as a family. I woke up Christmas morning overjoyed. I looked over at my daughter and my husband, and cried. I woke Wade up and thanked him for being just the best husband, and the best father. Together we cried, and thanked God for how He has blessed us. Things have been hard for us this year, but they have also been so great. We have so much wealth in the things that are eternal, the things that give TRUE joy. I was so thankful all day, and feeling really emotional ( hello hormones!), and I just took every moment in. We had our own special time as our little family Christmas morning, and then we headed over to my sisters house. My dad had made pancakes, the boys were playing with all he presents Santa brought them and we were all enjoying the time. The night before we had so much fun opening presents. Financial strain has hit my whole family right now, and so our presents were small. You would think this would make things a little depressing, but it didn't. We were all so grateful for what we had, and happy to have each other.

Even if this year had been a year of great financial wealth, I don't think anything would have compared to the gift of baby Jesus to the world, and the gift of baby Capri this year.

This is one Christmas our little new family will remember forever.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Reflections

My computer charger has died, and so I haven't been able to post anything.  I apologize for the lack of updates.  It seems funny that I can post during labor and not afterwards.  Well I am writing this from a borrowed computer (thanks mom!), and a new charger is on its way.  

This week has been wonderful.  I feel like my adjustment and transition to these things has gone well.  I think I expected it to be much harder these first days then it has.  However, I did have a twinge of fear as my mom (who is staying with us) went out shopping tonight and left me alone with Capri for the first time.  Wade got home a few hours later, and I was totally fine, but I was a little panicked for a moment.  

Capri is the just the most precious thing I've ever seen.  It's really easy to know when she is hungry because she does this really funny thing that Wade calls "snarling" and if I can get a picture of it, I will totally post it!  She turns her head one way or another and gives a "snarl" I guess looking for the boob, but its really cute.  
She is always sleeping with her eyes open and giving big smiles (while asleep!).  Last night I rolled over in bed (she sleeps with us, its the best thing ever) and it was really dark, but I could see her with her eyes open smiling at me and she was totally asleep, it made me laugh. 

She loves her daddy's voice, and he is the only one that can calm her down sometimes.  She is a great little nurser and I think its because she has a big mouth like her mommy.  She hasn't quite figured out what to do with herself when she is awake and she seems to get anxious and upset, and so we have discovered a swing (thanks Arianne!) and that seems to keep her occupied and happy. I can't wait until I am feeling better and able to get stuff done around the house, because then I can put her in the sling, and I am sure she will love it! 
She went on her first outing on Tuesday, all the way down the street to my sister's house for small group!  She did great and it was really great to get out of the house.  We will venture out again for church, and maybe tomorrow for some shopping.  
I am also experiencing all of the hormonal changes, and some nights I am just a little sad and I can't figure out why.  My in-laws sent Christmas presents to us, and in one of those hormonal moments, I decided that it would make me feel a lot better to open up some presents.  To all the family in AZ reading this- Sorry!  Sorry we didn't wait until Christmas.  I was feeling bad about it later, but it really did make me happy in that moment!  I thought "hey, I deserve this!", so we had a little Christmas morning.  My favorite gift?  A rockin' new coat from my sister in law and her family.  I'm really excited to get out of the house to wear it!  

Well, I hope to get some more pictures up soon, it might wait until I can get on my computer, but we will see.  

Merry Christmas!
 

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Love


I just can't believe she's mine. Just falling more in love every day....

Friday, December 14, 2007

Birth Story

What does it feel like to experience a miracle? Amazing.

I think that so many people are quick to talk about all the things that went wrong in their labor/deliveries, and not quick enough to talk about all the miracles and wonderful things that happened. I've only been a mother for a short time now, but let me tell you...its really cool.

I'll start from where I left off in my last post. I continued to have mild contractions throughout the day until around 10 PM. Wade and I had taken two long walks around the neighborhood to get things going, and oh boy, did they! My midwife soon arrived and I went straight for the labor tub. Laura (my midwife) recommended not checking my progress since my water had broken so soon, so that we wouldn't take the chance of infection.

For the next 6-7 hours my contractions progressed and things got really intense. I can actually say that I understand those women that say that their labor and birth was an enjoyable experience. It was definitely the hardest and most painful thing I've ever done. However, it was amazing. I was at home with Wade, my mom, my sister, my Doula and my midwife. The lights were dim, I had relaxation music on and candles lit. Every contraction I had Wade in the tub with me pushing my hips together (because of the back labor). I leaned over the side, my mom held my hands, my sister coached me, and my Doula helped me focus my energy and breathing. Let me tell you... I was in a zone! I've never experienced that level of surrender. It was a beautiful experience to see what my body could do, and what my mind could do.

My contractions had progressed to the point where we thought I was in transition about ready to push. My contractions were 2 minutes long and about a minute apart and REALLY intense. Laura decided to check my status and we figured out that Capri had turned face up and I was only dilated 2 centimeters! I was having the type of contractions that you have when you are ready to push the baby out, but I had barely even dilated! After that, I got out of the tub, Laura gave me a shot to help me sleep (everyone took a break). However, I couldn't get a break or sleep because of the intensity of the contractions. I labored all morning until around 10AM I started to talk with Laura about what my options were because I knew I didn't have anything left. With the support of Wade and all the ladies we decided it was best to go to the hospital. Laura said, "You either need to be resting or progressing", and since I wasn't doing either we decided to go in for the help that I couldn't get at home (AKA the drugs!).

At this point, I was really upset. I felt like I was going to be giving up everything I wanted, and I was going to have to defend everything I didn't want, and I was going to have to fight them on everything. I was SO afraid of the hospital and what that might mean for Capri and I. We ended up going to Porter county hospital, found an awesome Nurse-Midwife and had such a great experience. The hardest part of my labor was the time I left my home until I got the epidural. I had to be in the car, get to the hospital (and to labor/delivery) and fill out paperwork, sign wavers and get changed, all while having the worst pain of my life! I had no coping skills since all my labor had been all set up, focused and in water. The Midwife at the hospital told me that the epidural might not reach the back labor pain I was having (comforting right?) However, God is awesome, and the drug was awesome, and I finally got some relief. We had a little scare soon after I received the epidural because my blood pressure crashed, I threw up and felt like I was going to pass out (even though I was laying down). They gave me some blood pressure medicine and I was okay. I was praising God that Wade had stepped out of the room for some food when it all happened because he would of been so worried. It got a little scary for a moment there with nurses running around, and machine alarms going off, but it was soon over, and I was feeling much better.

I was able to sleep and get a ton of rest. I was able to enjoy some time with Wade and my girls and talk about how amazing the labor had been at home, and they all shared what an experience it was for them. We had some great moments as the petocin kept me progressing and the epidural kept me pain free. We had some Christmas carolers come by. I asked them to sing "a child is born today" even though I didn't even know if that was a song! They sang away in a manger as Steph and Arianne made fun of them (discreetly, of course). We played Capri's song called "Capri" by Colbie Colaitt and all of us sat in silence and just took in the "moment". Then we all laughed as Arianne came out of the bathroom AFTER the song had ended, and really sad that she had missed the "moment".

Things soon progressed and I started pushing. It was really hard at first because I really couldn't feel anything. I was trying to feel when a contraction was happening (so I could push with it), but I was also trying to actually push with muscles I couldn't feel! I got the hang of it, and it was so incredible. As I was pushing her out she started turning to "take the path of least resistance" and everyone could see her little head turning like a corkscrew as she was slowly pushed out.

The moment when a baby arrives is like no other. The emotion and energy in the room is high that everyone is crying and you really do feel like you are witnessing a miracle. I had the privilege of being at my nephews birth and it is so beautiful. Wade caught her and they pulled her up on my chest. She was so upset and beautiful, and we had such a sweet moment. We were three...we were a family...oh my gosh!

We left the hospital the next afternoon and welcomed her into her home! Wade and I have loved every minute with her so far, and can't wait to get to know her.

Thank you for all your love, support and prayers. They were felt all week long. Praise Jesus for the absolute miracle He created. I will do my best to keep taking pictures and posting them.

Well, Merry Christmas everyone! We got the best present ever this year!

XOXO

INTRODUCING...



\
Born December 13, 2007
12:16 AM
8 lbs 5oz
21.5 inches long

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Reporting live from the battlefield!

You know how their are those political bloggers that give live posts from "inside enemy lines" or at a live event. Well, this is my version of that, and its my own labor! I find it really funny to be doing this, and so that is why I am. I don't know how long this will continue, but at least you guys will get some updates.

After a nice relaxing morning, I went to see my midwife this afternoon. It was about an hour drive, and on the way over I started having really mild contractions. After I arrived, she hooked me up to a fetal monitor and took a bunch of time listening to Capri. The baby is doing really well and her heart rate and everything is great. She didn't check my cervix since my water broke (I am high risk for infection since my water broke), so she was trying to warn me to get some rest, eat some food because the baby might come tonight, or it might come in a few days. On the way home my contractions started to slow down a bit (they were irregular and anywhere from 3-7 minutes apart), and they slowed down to about 8 or 9 minutes and got a little more intense. We made it home safely, and I am doing some natural remedies to get labor moving, and I hope to see some action tonight.

Please pray for our little family, link my blog so others can pray, and ask friends and family too! I really appreciate it, and I love you all.

Oh, and if I can... you will see more updates!

Love you all

My Water Just Broke

Ok, so you know last night when I said "maybe this is the calm before the storm?" Well, I guess so. I felt great last night but when I went to sleep I tossed and turned all night, and I couldn't sleep. I stayed in bed but didn't get much sleep. I woke up at 7 this morning and shortly after that, I was in my bathroom washing my hands and I felt some liquid. I thought "did I just pee and didn't know it?" Then I turn towards the potty and more comes out, and I have been leaking ever since! Now, I am so confused. I thought that your water broke when you were further along in labor, and I haven't had any contractions since I woke up and I actually feel better now (like last night) then I have in days!

So, I could go into labor today, or I could give birth in the next few days according to my midwife
Well, I am excited and looking forward to seeing my daughter! Today is my grandma's birthday, happy birthday Grandma!

I am off to go back to bed and try to get plenty of rest before stuff starts to happen.
Please pray for safe labor and delivery as well as safe weather so that all of those that are traveling (midwife, assistant, doula) can arrive safely.

Love you lots!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Home Sweet Home



Friends and family have been asking me to post some pictures of our new place. My super husband did a great job of cleaning up last night and so I thought this was a good time to take those pictures.

I am so joyful tonight. It's the first night in about a week that I haven't
felt completely awful (notice my LACK of blogging?) I was feeling like this baby HAD to come any night with how awful I felt. Tonight might be the calm before the storm, but I am enjoying it. My sister told me today to enjoy these last whatever and be at peace with the fact that I don't have any responsibilities, no one grabbing for my boobs (well), and I can leave the house whenever I want. So, I am taking her advice and blogging, enjoying my new home, enjoying my lack of labor signs and taking it all in. It really is a TRULY odd time waiting to give birth. My life is about to change in the biggest way ever, bigger then getting married, bigger then moving, bigger then anything I've ever done. I'm just waiting for this change to happen. What other thing in life is like that? You KNOW there is going to be a big change, and yet you have no idea and no control over WHEN. Well, I am grateful and joyful tonight and I hope you all can find some joy in the little things too.

Oh, ya know what else was super cool tonight? My mom bought us stockings. Why are stockings so special? I don't know but when I got them I felt like "oh my gosh, we are a REAL family!" We are official now! It is really adorable to see them hanging there, and it just made me so happy to be where I am at (NWI, and our new home), so happy to be married to the best man ever, and so happy to be seeing my daughter any time now!?

I will post the rest of the house pictures on a slide show for you all to check out, enjoy!
Oh, and there are no pictures of Capri's room because there is a big birth tub and birth supplies everywhere, so I will post pictures of that room after she is born!

Happy Holidays!

Saturday, December 1, 2007

1st of December


Today was a beautiful, relaxing day.
It started snowing and I thought that it would be like it has been (snowing but not sticking), and so I admired the beauty of the snowfall but went on with what I was doing. THEN about 15 minutes later I look outside and there is a BLANKET of snow all over! I was shocked! I felt as if I had never seen snow in my life. I was so excited. I snapped these two photos-one of our porch, and one out the window of our street, not such great ones but you can get the idea! It continued to snow more all afternoon leaving a beautiful white coat. Wade and I learned we don't have a scraper and we weren't prepared at all to get our car our of the snow. We will keep learning! I'm sure this is not THAT big of a deal to all the NWI peeps, but all my peeps on the West side-this is cool, right? It was beautiful, and I was praising God for His beauty and wonder.
Oh, and I have a great Veggie Towel story! The girls and I went to a women's day at church and we


all bought these veggie towels some lady made. They were really cute, and we decided to take some photos with them. We laughed way too hard trying to be silly. In this one we tried to act "surprised" like someone just called our name and we were turning around to say "what?". Except Jen took "surprise" to mean "scared!"
Oh, and watch out for Arianne because she will cut you like butta! :)

It was great fun!
Here is a closeup of my eggplant Veggie towel! SO CUTE!