It's hard to believe a year went by so fast. Looking back to last year the weekend of Mother's Day my heart reflects on what I was feeling and thinking that day. I look back on my post Mother's Day Thoughts... and I clearly remember it was a day filled with lots of mixed emotions and a church service I will never forget as Pastor Chad reflected on Mary mother of Jesus and what she must have gone through when losing her son. I sit here now holding my son and can only thank God for His Grace, love, and provision of allowing me to be Noah's mother. Noah is a gift to me and a testimony of God's grace in my life. I can't help but feel burdened and heavy hearted for those women who are experiencing the same pain I felt last year after losing my first baby just 2 months prior to Mother's Day. Although I have my son now I was a mother before Noah came in to my life but never got to experience the earthly relationship with that precious little one. As I fully embrace what I have been given now with so much gratitude and joy, I will always look forward to the day when I will meet that little one in heaven :). My cup is overflowing this year and I am forever thankful.
Mother's Day is a day to celebrate Moms for their sacrificial love, guidance, teaching, etc. they give to their children each day, but it should also be a day to love and encourage those women who have lost, are struggling with infertility, trying to adopt but are having problems, etc. I know last year my dear friend Katie Rulketter did just that for me and it was one of the most touching things anyone has ever done for me. Yes, be joyous and celebrate your motherhood on this day as you fully deserve it for all you do for your children but remember and pray for those who may not get to do the same and love and encourage those you know who have lost those they love or are deeply longing for a little one to call them mom.
Thank you Katie R. for reminding me last year and today of what the beautiful gospel looks like! :) I love you sweet friend and praise God for your precious little one who was so graciously given to you in your times of trial. Your compassionate heart serves as a gracious reminder for everyone else to always put others needs and emotions first and I am grateful for that! Happy Mother's Day!
Hebrews 11:1- "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
Noah's 3 Month Update!
Time is just FLYING by!! I rarely have time to get on my computer so I am writing this at 3:30 in the morning as I feed him haha! Multi-tasking has become an art of mine! Noah is 3 months old as of May 1st and has really become quite the little ham! :) He is constantly giggling and trust me I will make a fool of myself to hear that precious sound come out of him because it just makes my day! He weighed 12 pounds 14 ounces at his appointment but I am sure he is 13 pounds now :). He is 24 1/2 inches long! I think he is going to be tall like his daddy.
His little personality has just blossomed and there is rarely a time when he isn't smiling. He loves to play peek-a-boo and be sung to and thinks that whistling is the funniest thing ever. Any time you sing to him he smiles from ear to ear. He is such a happy baby and so so good! He has gotten to the point now where he always likes to be sitting up so he can see all the action around him. He is always so curious and doesn't want to miss anything! He will talk your ear off if you get him going which is so cute! I love his little cooing voice he has and he will sometimes scream with joy if he gets really excited! Mornings are the best because when I go in to wake him up he is smiling from ear to ear! It's a great way to start my work day :)!
A new game we have started playing is having him lay on my legs and then I say "are you ready" and he lifts his head up and pushes himself up on his feet while I hold his hands. It amazes me how strong he is for a 3 month old and how great his neck control is whenever he is sitting or standing up! I don't even have to support his head anymore because he holds it as stiff as a board! The dr. said he has motor skills of a 4 month old :) so I was a pretty proud momma! :) He also likes having something in his mouth ALL the time so I gave him Sophie the giraffe last week and he LOVED it! Mainly he has his hands in his mouth 24/7 and is trying to master his entire fist fitting in there! He has been working on that for days ;). He just discovered his feet but has yet to try and fit those in his mouth.
His sleeping patterns have been so back and forth lately. There is absolutely no consistency right now but its okay. He used to cry in the middle of the night when he was hungry but now when he wakes up he just lays there and talks to himself for 10 minutes or so. I have tried letting him go back to sleep on his own but after 10 minutes of talking and then realizing I am not coming he starts to cry. It's pretty cute though to hear him talking on the monitor :). Usually he only wakes up once in the middle of the night but right now I think he may be going through a growth spurt. I have tried the paci, letting him lay there for a while, rocking him back to sleep, etc. etc. etc. but I truly think he just wants to eat because these past couple of days it has been every 2-3 hours throughout the night which isn't normal! After feeding him though he goes right back to bed so its never an issue of being up for hours trying to get him back to sleep. I know everyone has their method and who knows if I am doing any of the right things haha but he is growing and is healthy so thats all I care about! He is so good about going to bed though! I usually lay him down awake every night around 8:15 and he just puts himself to sleep. I couldn't ask for a better baby and I am truly blessed by how good he is :)! I absolutely love being his mommy so lack of sleep doesn't bother me because its just precious moments I get with him at night :). We have also stopped swaddling him completely because those little legs of his get going and he busts out of it every time! I thought the transition may be a little difficult for him to go from being completely swaddled to nothing at all but he hasn't seemed to mind it one bit!
Noah has settled in well to the routine of going to my sister's house every day and to the babysitter's house on Friday. His little cousins just LOVE him to no end and on Fridays they just don't really understand or get why Noah isn't at their house. It's so cute! I am truly blessed by my childcare situation and couldn't have asked for anything better! Everyone tells me being a full time working mom will get easier each day...still waiting for that to be true but I am blessed to have a great job and wonderful family so I can't complain. I absolutely embrace every moment of my weekends and time at night with Noah and it has made the time I do have with him so much more special! I try not to have an envious heart towards stay at home moms and try to focus on the positive. I am happy for mommy's that get to stay home with their little ones and hope one day that will be a reality for me but right now it isn't and thats okay because the Lord knows what I need :)!
His little personality has just blossomed and there is rarely a time when he isn't smiling. He loves to play peek-a-boo and be sung to and thinks that whistling is the funniest thing ever. Any time you sing to him he smiles from ear to ear. He is such a happy baby and so so good! He has gotten to the point now where he always likes to be sitting up so he can see all the action around him. He is always so curious and doesn't want to miss anything! He will talk your ear off if you get him going which is so cute! I love his little cooing voice he has and he will sometimes scream with joy if he gets really excited! Mornings are the best because when I go in to wake him up he is smiling from ear to ear! It's a great way to start my work day :)!
A new game we have started playing is having him lay on my legs and then I say "are you ready" and he lifts his head up and pushes himself up on his feet while I hold his hands. It amazes me how strong he is for a 3 month old and how great his neck control is whenever he is sitting or standing up! I don't even have to support his head anymore because he holds it as stiff as a board! The dr. said he has motor skills of a 4 month old :) so I was a pretty proud momma! :) He also likes having something in his mouth ALL the time so I gave him Sophie the giraffe last week and he LOVED it! Mainly he has his hands in his mouth 24/7 and is trying to master his entire fist fitting in there! He has been working on that for days ;). He just discovered his feet but has yet to try and fit those in his mouth.
His sleeping patterns have been so back and forth lately. There is absolutely no consistency right now but its okay. He used to cry in the middle of the night when he was hungry but now when he wakes up he just lays there and talks to himself for 10 minutes or so. I have tried letting him go back to sleep on his own but after 10 minutes of talking and then realizing I am not coming he starts to cry. It's pretty cute though to hear him talking on the monitor :). Usually he only wakes up once in the middle of the night but right now I think he may be going through a growth spurt. I have tried the paci, letting him lay there for a while, rocking him back to sleep, etc. etc. etc. but I truly think he just wants to eat because these past couple of days it has been every 2-3 hours throughout the night which isn't normal! After feeding him though he goes right back to bed so its never an issue of being up for hours trying to get him back to sleep. I know everyone has their method and who knows if I am doing any of the right things haha but he is growing and is healthy so thats all I care about! He is so good about going to bed though! I usually lay him down awake every night around 8:15 and he just puts himself to sleep. I couldn't ask for a better baby and I am truly blessed by how good he is :)! I absolutely love being his mommy so lack of sleep doesn't bother me because its just precious moments I get with him at night :). We have also stopped swaddling him completely because those little legs of his get going and he busts out of it every time! I thought the transition may be a little difficult for him to go from being completely swaddled to nothing at all but he hasn't seemed to mind it one bit!
Noah has settled in well to the routine of going to my sister's house every day and to the babysitter's house on Friday. His little cousins just LOVE him to no end and on Fridays they just don't really understand or get why Noah isn't at their house. It's so cute! I am truly blessed by my childcare situation and couldn't have asked for anything better! Everyone tells me being a full time working mom will get easier each day...still waiting for that to be true but I am blessed to have a great job and wonderful family so I can't complain. I absolutely embrace every moment of my weekends and time at night with Noah and it has made the time I do have with him so much more special! I try not to have an envious heart towards stay at home moms and try to focus on the positive. I am happy for mommy's that get to stay home with their little ones and hope one day that will be a reality for me but right now it isn't and thats okay because the Lord knows what I need :)!
I used to put the number on his shirt but he wanted to eat it so for now on it will go on the pillow :) sorry these pics are so blurry!
Love that little smirk!
Total Aaron face!!
First time in the Bumbo seat! He absolutely LOVES it!
Leslie getting some snuggles :) I can't WAIT to snuggle her little Hadley due in August!!
His first outing to the zoo with Laura...he slept the entire time!
He loves his Sophie :)
He has really big hands! Ha!
Couldn't make it through dinner...sleepy boy!
Friday, April 12, 2013
Noah's 2 Month Update!
I know I know I am almost two weeks late on this post! I was getting ready to go back to work last week so I wanted to spend as little time as possible on other things and just focus on my time with Noah, hence the late update! It's so hard to believe 2 months has already gone by as of April 1st!! I fall more and more in love with this little boy every day and can't believe The Lord blessed me with something so beautiful! Aaron and I could just sit there and stare at him for hours :)!!
Noah has really started developing such a cute personality. He loves to lay on the floor and have conversations with us and is really becoming more aware of his surroundings. When I sing songs to him he laughs so much! Him and Aaron have really bonded which is so special to watch. Noah is all smiles all the time and is even starting to do a little giggle which melts my heart every time!! Whenever I leave the room he looks for me and when I come back in he gets the biggest smile on his face :) Being back at work I worry that he will be looking for me when I am not around and think I left for good but I know that's my vain imagination and he is perfectly fine.
His sleeping schedule is "slowly" improving. He is getting closer to going every three hours during the day and average of every four to five hours during the night. A lot of my friends have babies already sleeping through the night but what can I say my boy loves to eat! I am thinking that he will begin to space his feedings out more now though since I am not with him during the day and he is getting a bottle. We will see!
At his two month appointment he weighed 11 pounds 5 ounces and was 23 1/2 inches long! I am going to have a tall boy! He definitely takes after his daddy in that area.
I am back at work now and miss him like CRAZY!!! I know that I don't have to worry about him at all though because he is in the BEST hands and I couldn't be more grateful!! My sister Lauren is watching him Monday-Thursday and our family friend Laura Sears who actually babysat me growing up is watching him on Fridays. They are both Super Mom literally and my situation couldn't be any better since I have to work and can't stay home with my little man. As much as I want to be home with him 24/7 I am grateful for the situation I have and will cherish the nights and weekends I get with my little man so much more! My heart goes out to all working mommas because its so hard to not be with your babies. Praise God I have a wonderful job though with wonderful people who make it a lot easier :).
Noah has really started developing such a cute personality. He loves to lay on the floor and have conversations with us and is really becoming more aware of his surroundings. When I sing songs to him he laughs so much! Him and Aaron have really bonded which is so special to watch. Noah is all smiles all the time and is even starting to do a little giggle which melts my heart every time!! Whenever I leave the room he looks for me and when I come back in he gets the biggest smile on his face :) Being back at work I worry that he will be looking for me when I am not around and think I left for good but I know that's my vain imagination and he is perfectly fine.
His sleeping schedule is "slowly" improving. He is getting closer to going every three hours during the day and average of every four to five hours during the night. A lot of my friends have babies already sleeping through the night but what can I say my boy loves to eat! I am thinking that he will begin to space his feedings out more now though since I am not with him during the day and he is getting a bottle. We will see!
At his two month appointment he weighed 11 pounds 5 ounces and was 23 1/2 inches long! I am going to have a tall boy! He definitely takes after his daddy in that area.
I am back at work now and miss him like CRAZY!!! I know that I don't have to worry about him at all though because he is in the BEST hands and I couldn't be more grateful!! My sister Lauren is watching him Monday-Thursday and our family friend Laura Sears who actually babysat me growing up is watching him on Fridays. They are both Super Mom literally and my situation couldn't be any better since I have to work and can't stay home with my little man. As much as I want to be home with him 24/7 I am grateful for the situation I have and will cherish the nights and weekends I get with my little man so much more! My heart goes out to all working mommas because its so hard to not be with your babies. Praise God I have a wonderful job though with wonderful people who make it a lot easier :).
I opened his window blinds so he was starring hard at something haha!
"Stop taking pics of me mom!"
Such a happy boy all the time!
Easter!
Saturday, March 2, 2013
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 already has such cute little personality :)
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 :)
Thursday, February 14, 2013
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!!
The grandparents waiting patiently!
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!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
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!!
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!!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
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 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!
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