Noah is 1 month!

Noah turned 1 month on March 1st!! It's so hard to believe a month has already gone by!! I feel like I had Noah just last week! I am so in love with this little boy and never thought I would be so attached to someone the way I am with him. It's been so neat to watch his development as these weeks have gone by. He is such a strong boy! He is holding his head up very well when on his tummy and he pushes himself up very well with his arms too! He is starting to make great eye contact and recognizes my voice immediately. He has definitely become a momma's boy and I absolutely love that!! His favorite place to be these days is in the Moby Wrap attached to me :). His daddy has the special touch too and always makes him happy when he starts fussing.

Overall, Noah only fusses and cries when he is hungry or has painful gas but he is pretty content the rest of the time. He is such a good baby and we feel so blessed to have such a love bug who likes to snuggle all the time :). We aren't on an exact schedule yet but I think we are working towards one. During the day he eats every 2-2 1/2 hours and at night he goes about every 4 hours so I can't complain :). At first he was eating like every hour to hour and a half. That lasted about a week and I wasn't sure if I had the endurance to do that but it's gotten better.

Being that it is winter time we haven't really gotten out of the house except to go to the dr. or to the grandparent's houses. We have just been snuggling alot at home and I have been soaking up every minute with him. My mother in law did come over one night and watch him so I could run to Target for 30 minutes and in that short amount of time gone I missed him so much! haha I'm in trouble huh? I just don't like being away from him...you can go ahead and be praying for me for when I have to go back to work!!

We go for his 1 month check up on Wednesday so I can't wait to see how much he has grown! I will definitely update on that later!!

He isn't so sure what to think about this photo session :)

That's better :)

Bath time has become more enjoyable for him each time we do it! The first time he screamed bloody murder but now I think he likes it!

His favorite part about bath time is being snuggled up in a towel and a warm blanket with mommy!

I could eat him up! His little face is so precious!!!

He already has such cute little personality :)

Noah's Birth Story!

Well its been 13 days since my sweet angel has been born but there has been absolutely no time to blog since having him home. I have been soaking up every moment with him and just embracing the time I get to be home. He is sound asleep right now so I thought I would update. This may be a long post but its mainly for me to remember each moment of the special day he came in to the world. I hope you enjoy his birth story as much as I enjoy telling it!

Sweet Noah was due on January 26th but my Dr. would not let me go past 41 weeks. Since he decided he wanted to stay in my belly as long as possible I ended up being induced on February 1st. It couldn't have been more perfect though because I really wanted Dr. Dutton to be the one who delivered Noah and by being induced that Friday I was guaranteed to have her. It's so awesome how everything played out because I was very anxious about who would be delivering Noah and the whole process behind it but going in to the day I had such a peace and everything worked out perfectly. So here is the story...

On February 1st Aaron and I woke up and got ready for the day. It was so weird waking up and getting ready knowing I was going to have our baby today. When you think about labor you think it would be a moment like "oh my gosh my water broke we have to get to the hospital as soon as possible" or having lots of crazy contractions and stuff like that. My morning was different. I was able to take a shower, put on makeup, take some pictures and enjoy a moment with my husband just the two of us before we left the house as a family of two about to become three. Not your typical going in to labor story but I loved it! I called the hospital at 10:00 am to see if they had a bed available and they did so we immediately got in the car! We were so excited!! My Dr. had me come in late morning because she wasn't on call until 4:00 pm so she wanted to guarantee that she would be there when I delivered.

When we arrived at the hospital it felt so funny getting checked in because I wasn't in labor. It was the strangest feeling! It was also fun for me too because I work at Baptist East so I know some of the employees up in Labor and Delivery. They were all really excited I was there which made it so much fun! That morning they had quite a few patients come through but for the majority of the time I was there it was just me and one other girl on the floor so we got lots of care from many different nurses which was nice! I think some were trying to pass the time until more patients came in but we appreciated all the attention.

After answering the thousand questions they ask you when they admit you they started my Pitocin at around 11:30. It turns out I was already 4 cm dilated  and 90% effaced when I came in so almost half the work was already done which was nice! At around 2:30 I was 5 cm. When they saw I was 5 cm and 90% effaced they called the dr. to let her know and she decided that when she came in at 4:00 she was going to break my water. I have learned from other friends that its always good to get your epidural BEFORE they break your water. My contractions were not unbearable at all but I knew that once my water was broken they would intensify so around 3:30 I went ahead and got my epidural so that I would have that working before she broke my water. I never really experienced hard labor contractions so I can't really relate to that when people say you "know" you are in labor when your contractions get worse. I was really excited to see my dr. when she came in too because it made it seem so much more real that this was all actually happening.

After Dr. Dutton broke my water my contractions got closer together and more intense but it really wasn't that bad! When my water was broken it turns out that there was some meconium meaning Noah had a bowel movement in my stomach. For that reason they had to have a neonatologist come in when he was born just to make sure it didn't get into his lungs. After my water broke I went from 5 cm to 8 cm in one hour so I was SUPER excited about that! At this point Aaron and I were just relaxing enjoying the time together! Both sets of our parents were in and out visiting which was nice. It was a very low key day and very peaceful. When 8:00 pm rolled around I was 10 cm 100% effaced!! You can imagine how excited I was when I heard that!! Well...it turns out Noah was at a -1 station so the dr. wanted him to labor down for a bit on his own. You technically can't start pushing until you are at a -2 station. Well our parents and ourselves got all excited thinking this baby would be here in the next hour but that didn't happen haha!

It turns out Noah was positioned sideways so they ended up flipping me over on each side every thirty minutes to try and get him to turn. He wasn't budging! Around 9:00 pm I finally got the go ahead that I could start pushing!!! I did most of my pushing at the beginning with my nurse but since Dr. Dutton only had one other patient on the floor at that time she came in early and I got to push for about 45 minutes with her which was nice because usually the dr. doesn't come in until the very end. About an hour in to pushing Noah's heart rate dropped so they gave me oxygen and it came right back up. That unnerved me a little but Dr. Dutton handled it perfectly and he was fine :). Total, I was in labor for about 11 hours and I pushed for an hour and twenty minutes! Talk about EXHAUSTING!!! It was so worth every minute though and I would do it all over again! When Noah came out he wasn't crying so I freaked out for a moment but they cleared out his mouth and nose and he starting shrieking! It was the best sound I have ever heard!! I of course started bawling! I had been waiting to hear that sound for so long that it overwhelmed me with so much joy to know my baby was here and safe!

Since there was meconium I didn't get him right away because the neonatologist had to check him first. He had meconium in his mouth and nose (gross!) but none of it got in to his lungs! Praise the Lord! The dr. said his lungs sounded awesome and he got an APGAR score of 8 & 9 which is GREAT!  He weighed exactly 8 lbs and was 21 1/2 inches long! As I was laying there waiting to hold my baby in my arms I just thanked God for that healthy scream coming out of him and for a positive report from the neonatologist. Aaron got to hold him first and seeing him in Aaron's arms just melted my heart completely and I couldn't stop crying!

My time came when they placed him in my arms and I couldn't believe that time had FINALLY come! I can't even begin to describe or explain the emotions I was feeling at that moment. It was so special! One of my lifelong dreams had come true! I was a mommy! I know before Noah was even born that I was already a mommy X2 but to have that physical evidence in your arms is an indescribable feeling! Aaron and I were so overcome with joy we both couldn't  stop crying! This was by far one of the best days of our lives!! I seriously couldn't have asked for a greater labor experience and we give God all the glory for this sweet and most precious blessing!!

My last picture at home pregnant with Noah!

Aaron was so amazing the entire day and was such a great support!

Hanging out in the rocking chair before getting my epideral since I would be in the bed for the rest of the time.

Got my epideral and ready to get this show on the road!

The grandparents waiting patiently!

He doesn't quite know what to think of this world

Best sound ever!

Love at first sight!

Holding my boy for the first time!

My heart is full!

Dr. Dutton is AMAZING :) So blessed to have her as my dr!

Our first family photo!

HIS timing is perfect!

Today I am 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant with little Noah. I have to say I have learned a lot this week about patience and grace as the long awaited due date has passed. As I go to work each day and hear over and over and over again "you're still here?" and "when are you going to have that baby?" I can't help but get frustrated thinking "if I knew I would tell you!!!" Then I stop and think to myself how many women would want to be in my shoes? How many women wish that someone would ask them those questions? I realized that although I am getting impatient with people and anxious about him arriving I have no reason to be. What a blessing that people can ask me when I am finally going to have this baby and the fact that I am still at work only means he is getting stronger and stronger in my belly each day. This time is a blessing and I need to appreciate the swollen ankles, the achy legs, and the back pain because it is a part of something so much greater and it is the result of something precious!

Experience the loss of a child and the full development of a child really puts things in to a different perspective for me. As I reach each milestone with Noah I think about how my first baby didn't get that chance. As I endure the common aches and pains of pregnancy I realize those are all blessings and not hardships because the fact that I get to experience them is a blessing in itself. The fact that Noah is cooking a little longer is also a blessing because its an opportunity for him to get a little bit stronger before he comes out! Yes I want to go back to the thoughts of "I wish he was just here already!" and "How much longer is this going to take?" but that's not what is important. What is important is that the Lord is showing me His love and grace by causing me to place this pregnancy in His hands and to trust that the Lord knows the timing of when Noah will come and I need to stop worrying about it. He has really taught me a lot about myself through this pregnancy too that I worry and don't trust that God is in control. This past week I have really been able to submit all that to the Lord which has been such a stress relief for me and has made the waiting more enjoyable and peaceful. Yes I am still anxious for him to be here but it's only because I am just so excited to have him in my arms whereas before I was anxious for him to be here because I was afraid if he was in my belly any longer something bad would happen. This all goes back to my first loss which I have had to completely surrender to the Lord because a lot of fear and worry trickled in to this pregnancy from that one. I have learned very quickly as well that this is the first of many moments that I am going to have to surrender in regards to my child.

As I think about what is to come with my precious baby boy and having him in my arms I can't help but stop and think about all my friends and loved ones who long for that moment and are struggling with the heartache of loss or infertility. My heart aches for them and I hope they are encouraged that the Lord hears the desires of their heart and HIS timing is in fact perfect. I know when you want something so bad such as a child and you see everyone around you getting that blessing it seems like there is no hope for you because I have been there and I know that pain. Psalm 10:17 says "You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry." I hope that comes as some encouragement that the Lord does hear your desires and He does listen. His timing is perfect even though it may not always match up with our timing. I never want to take anything for granted because I know there are so many who would love this opportunity with the pregnancy aches and pains and all and I pray that they will one day experience it to the fullest!!

40 Week Appointment!

Well I will be 40 weeks this coming Saturday WOO HOO and my little muffin just wants to keep on baking! I went to the Dr. today for my 40 week appointment and she said his heart rate sounds AWESOME and taking a guess he is close to 8 POUNDS!! I am 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced so he could come any moment at any time. I think he is pretty cozy right now in my belly though because he knows how crazy cold it is outside! If I make it to next week I will go in on Tuesday for another ultrasound to check fluid levels and everything just to make sure things are on target. My Dr. said that if he does not make his arrival by next Friday then she is going to induce me because the practice I go to doesn't let you go past 41 weeks! So who knows, I could possibly have a February baby...I am praying for January though :) but God knows when my little man will come!

I have been having contractions off and on for about a week and a half now. Talk about a tease! They were 15 minutes apart up until last night when they were consistently 10 minutes apart from about 8:30 pm to 3:30 am! That's right...I was up the entire time because I was so distracted I couldn't fall asleep. So I went to work today on about 2 1/2 hours of sleep :) I am sure everyone thought I was a walking zombie! I plan to work up until I deliver. I mean I work at the hospital where I will be delivering so why not? Everyone jokes about who will be the one to wheel me up to labor and delivery. I think the famous line at the hospital EVERY day that people say to me is "you're still here!" I'm ready to not hear that anymore hehe ;)

For the past 3 weeks I have been sleeping in a recliner. Since New Years weekend I have had this horrible cough so sleeping in a recliner is the only way I can sleep. I'm surprised my coughing hasn't sent me in to labor already!! My sweet husband could sleep in our bed but he has chosen to sleep on the couch every night so that I wouldn't be alone! I just had to brag on him for that because I think that's super sweet :)

Aaron and I are just waiting, waiting, waiting for this little man to arrive and we are SO EXCITED to be parents and don't take this blessing for granted!!! Below is a couple of pics of the nursery too :)

Here is my 39 week pic! Don't have a 40 week pic yet so can't post that one!

I am sure this will be my common place of sleep for the first couple of months!

I love his little play area! The bear on the top shelf was Aaron's bear when he was a baby :)

This is a growth chart my wonderful friend Franny Binkowski made Noah! I love it!!

My sister had one of her co-workers at Pottery Barn Kids make this painting for me and it is one of my favorite parts of his room!

Can't wait to put pictures in those frames!! I love all the cute little clothes that fill those drawers too!



37 Week Appointment!

Well I had my 37 week appointment yesterday but technically I am 37 weeks and 3 days :). I think I am the only one though who keeps track of EVERY SINGLE DAY haha! I met with Dr. Grider today and I absolutely LOVE her!! She was the Dr. who did my surgery when I had my miscarriage and she always has a way of easing my mind when I have concerns and she has the biggest heart of gold. I had some questions at my last visit but didn't get the chance to ask because the Dr. in that visit pretty much rushed me out the door (There is one in every bunch I guess that you just aren't too sure about) but Dr. Grider of course took the time to sit down and talk with me about my questions so I feel much better! I am going through the rotation right now but next week I will be back with my OBGYN Dr. Dutton who is THE BEST :) I love a lot of the Dr.'s in the practice but she is just AMAZING!!

Anyway...BABY UPDATE! I am 2.5 cm dilated and 50% effaced! Noah is head down still and ready :) I can't believe how real this is starting to feel!!! She didn't say he would come early or anything but the Dr. did say that I am progressing rather quickly for where I am at in my pregnancy so basically my waiting game has begun because he could come any day now! I still need to get a sheet for his bassinet, hang his curtains in his room, pack my hospital bag, clean my house, etc. etc. etc. but it's ok! Those things will come I am just so excited for him to get here!

They did an ultrasound to check his growth and my fluid levels to make sure everything was still going okay and he is measuring 3 days ahead of schedule and is said to be 7 pounds!! He is so healthy and I feel overwhelmingly blessed! The ultrasound tech tried to get a 3-D picture of his face for me but he had it smooshed up against my uterus so much we couldn't see him haha. I think he just wants me to be so surprised by his cuteness in person ;). I can't wait to have him in my arms and to introduce him to everyone!!

I wanted to upload some pics but the blog website is acting up and won't let me :( Maybe it will let me later...

27 Is Going To Be A GREAT Year!

Well I think 27 is going to be a good year :) We celebrated my birthday this past Friday and I must say I was spoiled! My wonderful husband sent me my favorite flowers Gerber Daisies to work which made my day! Work had a little birthday party for me in our kitchen here at the office too. We had apple pie and vanilla icecream! It was delicious! And of course my sweet dad stopped by my office to see me because he usually stops by on my birthday to bring me a little treat. He brought me a beautiful red poinsettia for my desk and one to take home as well! Later that night we had dinner at my parents house and opened gifts and had oreo icecream pie from the Pie Kitchen. It was a great day and I felt incredibly blessed!!

To top off my birthday Aaron gave me a prenatal massage so I booked an appointment for the next day and let me say that was the BEST THING EVER!!! I didn't want it to end. My back had been hurting me really bad so sweet Aaron made sure that it got taken care of :). I recommend a prenatal massage to ALL pregnant women!!

Saturday night Aaron and I went to Lexington to celebrate a wedding of one of his close friends from college. It was such a beautiful wedding and was so much fun catching up with people we hadn't seen in a while. When we arrived back home we were surprised to see that my dad had gone in to our house and set up our Christmas tree for us! With Aaron's work schedule and me being 8 months pregnant we really didn't know when or how we were going to be able to put it up in time for Christmas so my sweet dad surprised us and set it up for us! Aaron and I decorated it on Sunday and I am so happy we have a tree up now!! It was a busy and fun filled weekend!!

Tuesday I had my 34 week Dr. appointment and everything is looking good! Noah's heart beat was really strong and he is head down ready to come in to the world :) I am 1.5 cm dilated so my Dr. has advised me to take it easy the next couple weeks as she doesn't want me to progress too soon so I have been doing my best to not be going going going like I usually am. She doesn't want me walking around a lot or lifting anything over 10 pounds. Its been a test of patience and humility for me as I have had to rely on others to do some things for me which if you know me I am usually miss independent and like to take care of things myself. She said once I reach 38 weeks though that those restrictions will be gone because that is when I will be considered full term so he can come whenever he wants to by then :)! I can't believe how close we are getting!! So excited!!!

 Aaron is having surgery tomorrow so this weekend will be watching movies and eating lots of milk shakes and smoothies. He is having a Septoplasty on his nose because his septum collapsed from a previous soccer injury where his nose was shattered and is also having his tonsils and adenoids removed. If you would say a little prayer for him we would appreciate it!!

My beautiful birthday flowers from Aaron!

My beautiful birthday Poinsettia from my dad!

34 Weeks!! Getting ready to go to a wedding!

Noah's first Christmas ornament thanks to my friend Anna!

 Our beautiful Christmas Tree!! My favorite time of the year!



Catching up on November!

So I have been a major blogging slacker this month!! I will catch you up on what has been going on these past two weeks...my mind has become so mushy lately that it may be hard for me to recall all details haha but I will do my best!

My little man is VERY active and just kicking away! I think I actually might have seen his foot the other day poking out my side. As he gets bigger his cute little pokes are becoming more like hard shoves into my rib cage but I don't mind ;). He is already positioned head down and is comfy as can be so the Dr. doesn't foresee him doing any little flips in the future which means he is ready to come out! In 8 weeks that is! His heart rate was 138 at my last visit and he doesn't like to be messed with haha! Every time the doctor would push on my stomach he would give her a nice hard kick in the hand. It was so funny!! I have the typical back pain, not being able to sleep well, and achenes but other than that I am feeling pretty good. I am starting to feel more tired toward the end of the day but I always seem to have enough energy to get things done when I get home from work so that is good! The nursery is still a work in progress but I have lots of time to get that done.

I am SUPER excited I passed my glucose test!! Since then though I haven't been watching my sugar intake very well which may account for the couple of pounds I have gained :(. With the holidays and all those delicious desserts its just so hard to resist sometimes! ;)

My office threw me a work shower last Tuesday before Thanksgiving and it was so much fun! I am so blessed to work with such amazing people who genuinely care about me and were so willing to love on my little guy before he is even here! Aaron and I feel very blessed by all of them. Sadly I forgot my camera so I didn't get any pictures except the ones on my bosses cell phone but they were to dark to upload :( Oh well the memory is engraved in my mind! It was nice to be able to have such a joyous occasion with my co-workers and their spouses. There was delicious food and everyone seemed to have a great time! Noah was definitely spoiled!

Thanksgiving was quiet and relaxing. Aaron went quail hunting in the morning with his dad and then we spent the rest of the day and night with his family. We switch off each year between families so that we don't have to be two places at once. It makes it more enjoyable that way we don't have to worry about having to run out the door. Donna, my mother-in-law made the most AMAZING Thanksgiving meal! Noah LOVED it! :) It was nice to just relax and enjoy family!

Aaron has been working A LOT lately but this past weekend he didn't have to work at all so we took advantage of that time we could spend together and did lots of fun things! We went to the movies and saw Lincoln which Aaron loved but I had a hard time following. I am not a history buff like he is though! Overall I thought the movie was okay...Then we had dinner at our favorite restaurant Papalino's and after that went to Quills Coffee and got some yummy hot chocolate! Then we drove around and looked at Christmas lights! It was such a fun night for us. Sunday we spent the day with my family because my adorable little nephew Jaxson got dedicated at church. It was so fun to be with everyone this weekend.

I know those were brief and quick updates but lately I having been going a mile a minute to get things done it seems like. I didn't want to get too behind on my blogging :). I have one more shower this weekend which I am REALLY excited about so I will update you on that later!