Grace's birth announcement.

I finally got around to making and sending out her announcements! I really enjoyed making our Christmas card....so I decided in December that I would make her announcement, too! I just had to find the time! ;)

On newborns: You forget....

Since the birth of Grace....I find myself saying in my head a lot of the time "You forget...." followed by something that I 'forgot' about since having Parker as a newborn.

• You forget about the sleepless nights...
• You forget about just how many diapers you go through in a day (seriously....you really do forget this!! ;) ....
• You forget about how your laundry seems to double....
• You forget about how long it takes for the surgical tape residue to come off of your skin (12 days and counting...)....
• You forget how easy it is to fall asleep sitting up (I've even found myself dosing while just blinking my eyes!!)....
• You forget that, although these days are rough, they are numbered....so you remind yourself of this so that you can enjoy this short time with them so little....
• You forget how helpless they are and how they depend on you for every little thing....
• You forget how irregular their breathing pattern is....
• You forget the funny noises they make while they are sleeping....
• You forget how wobbly they are....
• You forget how soft their skin is....
• You forget how good they smell...
• You forget how little they are....
• You forget just how sweet they really are....
• You forget what life was like before them....
  

And oddly enough....you are reminded, yet again, how amazing the miracle of life is.

one week old...

It was one week ago today that our little Grace joined our family. Things are going pretty well around here. Then again...it's been so nice having Geoff home with us 24/7. I'll be missing him and his help next week when he returns to work.

We went to the pediatrician's yesterday so I could visit with the lactation consultant....and Grace weighed in at 8 lbs, 4 and a half ounces.....only 2 and a half ounces from her birth weight! We go back next week for her 2 week check-up where we'll be able to get her weight and length...and they'll take blood for her newborn screen.

So...to catalogue the things she's doing at 1 week....it will come as no surprise to all of you that she eats, sleeps, and you know....

During the day she is pretty good about taking her naps laying in her crib or the pack-and-play....but then...starting around 8pm or so....she suddenly 'needs' us to hold her to sleep. I'm not complaining though.....seriously....I was just telling Geoff today "we have a kid that is sleeping in the night....so who cares if we have to hold her....she could be up all night crying." (I'll let you know if tonight is different. Things tend to change after I write them down or tell someone, you know?)

We are trying to savor these moments as much as we can because we know all too well how fast the hand of time moves.

So here is our Grace at 1 week old.... (Geoff took these pictures today while she had her eyes open for a bit. Unfortunately, we didn't get around to attempt newborn pictures today....but I am really hoping we will be able to tomorrow....seeing as she will be 8 days old and she is already getting so big!!)

A few more photos...

One of my favorite photos.....our first picture of our family of 4. Parker isn't smiling, as you can see.....but this is par for a 2 year old! Haha!

I made these cookies the night before to hand out to our visitors....


Parker and her scrubs! I think they are so cute!! I got them at this online boutique called Avannabel Baby Boutique. I found this shop right before Parker's 1st birthday and ordered her cupcake dress from there. They also have some other really cute stuff....like tutus, holiday dresses and shirts, birthday shirts, personalized switchplates, etc. And one of the perks is the great customer service I receive from the owner every time I place an order...she is always quick to answer my questions and happy to help in any way she can....including..... getting my orders to me on time when I order at the last minute!! :)

And here is our newest addition...loving on her wrinkles and 'fat' rolls!

Happy Birth-day, Grace Jean!

She's here! Born at 1:19pm, January 19, 2010. A happy and a healthy 8 pounds, 7 ounces!! She's beautiful, and amazing, and I'm absolutely in love...again! She's in the nursery right now getting her first bath and being measured. We're both doing well. I'm posting a few pictures now...and will do more later along with her 'birth story'....but this is all the energy I have for now!

Thank you to everyone for all of your well wishes and prayers....they were felt and so much appreciated. Words are cheap today....but truly...we are so blessed.

Our last picture together as a family of 3....





That bottom pouty lip sticking out.....looks exactly like her big sister! :)




Parker acted so proud. Anyone who walked into the room after her...she would tell them...."That's my baby sister, Grace!" Another answer to prayer!

We're having a baby today!!!

Today is the long awaited day!! We will no longer be a family of three....but a family of FOUR!!

I plan to do some updating via Twitter....you can see those updates in the upper left hand corner of the blog. They probably won't be as exciting as if I were actually in labor....but they'll be updates nonetheless!

And then I do plan to post some pictures of our new baby girl sometime today!

Here are my final belly photos at 39 weeks. Uuhhhhh! :)



And I know it's last minute....but I'm a slacker. So....if you have a guess of baby Grace's weight and length...please leave it in the comments. I dropped the ball with this one, so your input is much appreciated! Just for funsies.... :)

the second time around.

So I've basically been writing this post in my head for the past 9 months. At random times I'd look back at my pregnancy with Parker and compare.....how things were the same.....how they were different.

It's really been hitting me harder over the past week. Things have started to somewhat slow down around here.....meaning....I've been limiting the number of items I am adding to my "lists' of things to do....getting over the things that I know that I won't be able to do....and shoving a whole bunch of stuff into my office closet that I will go through "someday." :)

As we finished up the nursery this week...I couldn't help but think about what I was doing the week before I had Parker. And although I do not know specifics....it certainly wasn't finishing up her nursery!! :) Her nursery was finished 2 months before her birth!! And not that those things matter....but just funny how different it is....how priorities change....how life changes.

And as I went through Parker's old 0-3 month clothes, it took me back to when she was little enough to wear them.....and how I can barely even remember....or how....it was this little girl that is here with me now that I barely knew then that I know so well now.....that wore these clothes. Surreal.

While pregnant with Parker....I would imagine/dream of what she would look like. And for some reason...I imagined her to look like Geoff....like him when he was little...with dark brown hair and dark eyes. She came out looking a lot like her daddy! (and now you can maybe see a little more of me).

But with Grace.....I imagine/dream of her to look something completely the opposite of Parker. No rhyme or reason....just simply because I have absolutely no clue what to expect. And not that it really even matters....because I really just want her to be healthy. Honestly.

Anyway....

It's been since this past Wednesday that has really got me thinking. We moved the furniture into the nursery on Wednesday...and ever since then...Parker has.....changed. Is that the right word? I don't know. But what I do know is that she knows that something is going on. She can tell me that there is a baby sister in my belly and that her name is Grace and that she loves her, but to what extent she understands all that she is saying...I have no clue. I do think she knows there is a baby coming....but maybe doesn't know what it all means? This afternoon while eating lunch, I told her that tomorrow I was going to go to the doctor and they were going to take the baby out of my belly. You could tell she was perplexed...and honestly....after saying it...and especially after writing it out...I'm not sure I should have said that. But I felt that I needed to address the issue by saying something....just not sure what the right thing is.....and really.....I don't think there is a right thing because every child and situation are different.

But anyway....her response was..."We have to go night-night first......it'll be dark."
I said, "Yes....we will go night-night first."
And she said with a smile on her face, "Which one?"
And I said, "Which one, what?"
And she said, "Daddy put me night-night and sit down on the floor....not Mommy."

And that was that.

But how has she changed??

Well.....she is no longer into potty training. One week ago I would have told you that she is completely potty trained while at home (going into public...a completely different story)...but we could put her in her panties.....and she would use her potty without us even prompting. Since Wednesday....she throws a fit....does not want to wear her panties at all....and now...even if we get her panties on.......she takes them off claiming she wants a diaper. She even refuses the pull-up now....crying and kicking and throwing a fit. I thought she would possibly regress....just didn't think it would be a week before the new baby came! But I think we're taking it in stride....putting it on hold....trying not to think that we've 'lost' what we worked so hard at....but trying to remind myself that now we just have a really good foundation for when we try to pick it back up in a couple of weeks. It's kind of hard for me to do this because I feel like we are merely 'giving up' or 'giving in' and letting her have her way, but at the same time....it's hard for me to make this experience for her a bad one....forcing her to wear her underwear....and forcing her to sit on the potty....all the while she is crying and saying "no." And not to say that it won't come to this (afterall....she does need to be potty trained at some point :) ).....but for now....this is what we're doing....

Whew....guilty much?

She has also become very clingy to me over the past few weeks....with a definite increase since the furniture was moved into the nursery. She wants me to hold her more....rock her....she sits in my lap more (which I happen to really enjoy).....and she is much more whiny...especially when saying my name!

The battle of putting to to bed at night in her big girl bed (which we started 5 weeks ago)....had finally gotten to a point where it wasn't such a hastle (meaning...the process of putting her to bed no longer took 1 and a half to 2 hours).....but that, too, has become more difficult in the past week.

So back to my point (do I really even have one???)......the biggest difference between my first pregnancy and the 2nd time around.....is that this time....I don't just have this precious baby in my belly to worry about.....but my other precious baby that is currently sleeping in the room down the hall is heavy on my mind as well.

And I know that she's going to be ok. We're going to be ok. We'll adjust. By golly...we're certainly not the first....and won't be the last. And more importantly...look at what she is gaining....a sister. And us....a daughter. But this is the first time I've experienced these emotions and so I wanted to write them down. I want to remember. Because I want to look back and see how we've grown. Because I see how much we've grown since the first time.

It's funny because I find myself thinking that we somewhat know what to expect with a newborn....afterall...we've had a newborn before. But at the same time....we've never had this newborn before. And we've never done it with a 2 year old before. So in essence....we have no idea about what we do already have an idea about. Got that?

So people have asked me if I'm excited and if I'm ready....and I always find myself answering in awkward ways like..."Ummm...yes....I mean...no....I mean...yes we're ready and excited, but we have no clue?" I mean....can you ever really be ready?

But honestly....

I'm nervous. I'm a ticking time-bomb of emotion that feels a good ole cry coming on...even though that cry is for no particular reason at all. I'm dreading surgery, but looking forward to the repercussions of that surgery....my daughter. I'm overjoyed to meet her....to see the face and the limbs that have been kicking me. I'm anxious about Parker meeting her sister....how she'll be....will she be sweet and happy....or sort of timid....and possibly cry? Will Parker want to sit with me on the bed....or will she be scared and stay with her daddy or grandparents?

So yes....I'm excited and I'm ready.....and a million other words that I can't even begin to articulate to describe my true feelings.

Another thing that has been so different is having this date in my head...by January 19th at the latest....that we would have a baby! The first time around I had a due date...and sure....you wait for that day to come....and it sometimes comes and goes before you have your baby (like it did with Parker). But there was never a specific day that I 'knew' we'd have her. And so in knowing....it has kind of made it more anxiety provoking (at least for me) because I knew my deadline. I know...I'm weird....just the feeling I have, though.

But without a doubt....I can definitely say that there have been thoughts and feelings that have been the same. Like how blessed I feel. How utterly amazing it is to have a child grow inside of you. And what an honor it is to be chosen to be these little girls' mother. It is an awesome responsibility that I strive to be the best that I can possibly be on a daily basis. And I know there are times that I fall short (many times)....but I know that life happens and so sometimes we just have to roll with the punches.

So thank you for listening to my 'ramblings of a pregnant women....about 24 hours from her delivery time.'

38 weeks: that means just 1 more week!!!

Unless the good Lord has a different plan for me.....one week from today I will be checking into the hospital for my scheduled c-section! Our family of three will become a family of 4. Our lives will be forever changed. And I can't really describe the emotions I'm feeling. They range between a calm, can't-wait-to-meet-my-new-daughter.... to an anxious, oh-my-goodness-I-am-about-to-be-responsible-for-another-helpless-human-being!!!

I think that's all normal. :)

So here are my 38 week belly photos. Hopefully I will remember to take my final belly pictures next week. With Parker...my last belly shot was at 39 weeks....we left for the hospital in such a rush (even though we had so. much. time.) that we did not take a picture from the day of her birth at 40 weeks and 3 days pregnant...which is fine except that I think my belly had grown quite a bit that last week!

(Please excuse these pictures...)

The Stripes are Finished: Decorating the nursery.

Geoff finished up the stripes yesterday!!! He did such a great job...seriously! I knew he had worked hard, but it wasn't until last night when we were ripping off the painter's tape that I realized just how much work he had to put into this! Thank you so much, Geoff....for listening to my ideas and then carrying them through to fruition!

As of now...I love the room. I was a little worried that it would not turn out like I had imagined in my head....not because Geoff couldn't do it....but more that I just might not like the color or the stripes. This is all so new to me....we've had beige walls for the past 4 years! And really....all of my life! I can't wait to get a 'vision' for Parker's room so we can start working on that. It will all come in due time, I suppose.

The coloring in the pictures is still off depending on where you're standing....so I posted the 'best' ones. I'm thinking I'll do a virtual tour with my Flip video camera when it's complete (or at least...almost complete!) so that maybe it will give a better idea of what it really looks like.

We are planning to start moving furniture in this evening!! I'll update soon!

Her name.

When we first found out we were pregnant with Parker (and really...even before we were pregnant)...we would sit around sometimes...mostly in car rides and things like that...and talk about what we might want to name our kids one day.

We quickly discovered that this was not a 'fun' thing, per se, for us because with almost every name he would come up with...I would almost immediately veto because I either a.) did not like it, or b.) knew someone with that name and would think of them every time I said my kid's name. The same was true for Geoff with each name that I came up with.

So then when it came time to actually pick a name...Geoff finally agreed on Parker....and then her middle name is Ann...which is my mother's middle name, as well as, my great grandmother's (and a few other people on that side of the family).

Moving forward almost 2 years....we found out we were expecting #2. I was not necessarily looking forward to the whole "picking out a name" game because as I already said...it wasn't that fun.

But one night....when I was about 6 weeks pregnant....we were laying in bed. The TV wasn't on....we were about to go to sleep. And we started randomly throwing names out. Every one he would suggest I would say , "No!"....and he the same. I rolled over....closed my eyes...and there was this flash of a little girl...a baby...she was sitting in her high chair and smiling and giggling. (I didn't see the full outline of her face....much like you do not see all the details when you are remembering your dreams.) Her name was Grace.

I immediately said to Geoff, "What about Grace if it's a girl?"

And he replied almost immediately, "Yeh....I like that. I like Grace."

And so from then on out...I would maybe throw out a different name from time to time, but Geoff would always go back to Grace. He'd claim that I got to name Parker and so he was going to name this one! And he liked Grace.

Then we went through all of that stuff back in July with the prenatal testing....and it became even more evident to me then...that yes....this baby's name is, in fact, Grace.

According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary...grace means:

a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion b : a fortunate circumstance

And that she is....a blessing.

Her full name will be Grace Jean.

Jean was Geoff's mother's middle name and we had agreed long before we ever knew we were expecting that if we ever had another girl we would like to honor her in that way.

So there you have it! Her name.

It's progress: Decorating the nursery.

Well.....it's green.


Geoff was able to start painting the nursery this morning. I We decided to go with this color of green.

And depending on which angle you are looking...and the lighting....and the camera lens you use...depends on the color you see in these pictures!!

This is the lime-iest picture....and I think the camera made it look this color....because it never looked this way to me.

It doesn't really look like this color either....

This one may be the closest to looking like what it really looks like in person....



And here are 2 more close-up pictures of the quilt I made....this is where we got the inspiration for the color...



And now...probably on Wednesday....we are going to tape off the walls to make 12 inch vertical stripes with a shade of green darker than what is already on the walls.


And this guy.....this guy is my painter....and he did not wish to be photographed. :)

36 week belly.....and update!!

I had my 36 week check-up this morning. They did the 'fun' group B strep test. I thought she was going to check to see if I was dilated any, but she didn't. I know it doesn't matter....me being a repeat c-section and all....but I was still curious! She said that she doesn't do it because sometimes it can trigger contractions...so I said ok....it's not a big deal.

She felt around on my belly.....the baby is head down. Which the doctor said is still a good thing eventhough I am having a c-section because she said it is just easier on the uterus? Ok...sounds good to me!

And that this baby is already a "good 7 pounds!" She said, "Ya'll just make big babies!" Parker was born at 40 weeks and 3 days at 8lbs, 4oz....and the doctor said that this baby will probably be right around that same weight...even though they are taking her at 39 weeks and 1 day (which will mean that I will carry this baby for 9 days less than I carried Parker....yet could be bigger than Parker!).

I go back next week.....then the next week.....and then the next week is d-day {delivery day!}. So...in at least 3 weeks from today we will no longer be parents to one, but to 2!

And in keeping with tradition.....my huge belly for all to see.....


Click here for all of my past belly photo posts.


I think it's pretty hilarious how I thought I was big here at 27 weeks....Haha!!!

It looks so little to me now! Haha!

33 weeks

Well..I've made it to the 33 week mark. Nothing much to report. I did go to the doctor last week for my 32 week check-up-- my blood pressure good, baby heart rate good....belly still measuring about 2 weeks ahead....which is about how Parker measured, too.

Also- the other thing that has changed since my last baby update is that my c-section is not going to be on the 18th afterall.....I guess in all of their scheduling they discovered that they were already booked. So we are now scheduled for Tuesday, January 19th at 1pm. It upset me at first...don't really know why...I guess because we had a plan and then it was changed....and I think I had it in my mind that I wanted it to take place earlier in the day.....but I have come to terms with it (gee- am I dramatic or what).....this just must be the day that was meant to be (unless, of course, she comes before then, and then that would be the day that was meant to be).

Weight. We don't really need to get into that. Except that.... I will share that last week 3 people said to me in the same day, "So....you're due any day now, huh?" To which I chuckled (kind of) and told them that no, in fact, I had 8 weeks left until my due date. And then.....one dear, sweet person asked, "Is there one or two in there?"

Ahem.

Do you have any "fun" stories about what people said to you when you were pregnant?

I am not alone

Today, as I was sitting at my computer desk finishing a presentation for Tuesday, I stopped for a moment as the baby started moving.

It got me to thinking (really anything to keep me from finishing up my work...haha!).....

The deal is...I walk around all the time with this baby in my belly....and I feel it's movements....I gently rub my belly....and I love that feeling.

But sometimes, I take a moment to think more deeply about it....and I try to imagine the actual little baby that is all balled up in my belly. This little baby with a face...and hands...and legs....and her own little personality that will one day be a part of our lives. And something that makes it even more exciting and amazing is that I was in this position once before (with Parker) and I have seen its blessings. And so with that....it is easier to imagine another little person running around here....while at the same time....still really having no clue.

Truly amazing. Can't really wrap my head around it....still.

But sitting here this afternoon reminded me of this poem that I had found when I was scrapbooking my pregnancy with Parker and I thought I'd share...

I am not alone

Running errands and talking on the phone,

I am pleasantly reminded that I am not alone.

Little tiny hands a precious rounded knee

pushing and twisting that no one can see.

Oh sweet child kicking up your heels,

it is our little secret that only I can feel.

I look forward to your birth,

when I can kiss your skin,

but for now I will just smile,

As I feel you play within.

-Author Unknown

One month from today....

....I have my pinning ceremony. For nursing...we get this special ceremony in which we have this nice dinner...then we are able to be 'pinned' (if you choose to get a pin... and I did) by whoever we want (I chose Geoff....:). It's supposed to be really nice and our parents are going to attend. My actual graduation is the next day, but I decided that I was not going to walk this time. Even though this degree means so much more to me than my first....I just decided not to.

Anyway....point is.....it's only ONE month away! Can't hardly even believe it. I don't even want to think about all that I've done...all that we've been through since starting this journey back in 2006 when I quit my teaching job!!

___________________________

And in just two months from today......

Guess what I'll be doing??

I went to the doctor today for my 30 week check-up and because I am a repeat c-section, I had to go ahead and schedule baby #2's birth date. And that date just so happens to be 2 months from today...January 18, 2010!

As I was sitting there talking with the doctor about how this whole scheduled c-section would be...I really had no preference for a date...other than...the later the better. I want her to stay in as long as she can! But I guess because they aren't really wanting me to go into labor, they generally schedule one week ahead of your due date. My due date is January 25th....so exactly one week prior is that Monday, January 18. He asked, "Is Monday good for you?" I said, "Sure!"

It actually works out kind of neat because Parker's birthday is the 18th of September. Geoff's excited about this because it will be easier for him to only have to remember the "18." Haha.

So anyway- I know these plans are all tentative as we really have no clue as to what the future holds, but these are the dates for now. I'm feeling kind of weird about it all. As much as I like to plan things....I wasn't really too excited about "planning" her birth. It's something that I think is kind of fun waiting for....like..."when will she decide to come??" Doing it this way takes some of that guesswork out. But it is what it is and I know it will all work out.

Thanks for listening.

29 weeks and update!

I had planned on posting last week...at 28 weeks....the beginning of the third trimester....and give a little baby update since I went for my 28 week check-up....but I obviously never made it around to doing that.


But I will today.

Nothing too exciting to report....

• As of last week, I was measuring 2 weeks ahead. The doctor looked back at how I measured with Parker at 28 weeks...and as it turns out...I was measuring 2 weeks ahead with her, too!
• Her heartbeat was beating regularly at about 130 beats per minute....which is good/normal.
• My blood pressure is good....but been kind of low. It has concerned me some because I get light-headed fairly easy. But when I talked to the doctor...he was not really concerned...just said I'm not drinking enough fluids....which I kind of already thought, but just wanted to make sure. And he also told me to be sure to sit down before I actually passed out. Umm...I think I got it! :)
• I had my glucose screening....I haven't heard anything back so far....so that's good!
  
• And the most fun part about it all.....I had gained TEN pounds since my last appointment 4 weeks previously!! I was in shock. Disbelief! I made the nurse weigh me again. And it was true. The doctor asked me if I had been doing anything different over the past 4 weeks.....I said, "No." I wanted to say, "No....I haven't done a thing different. I eat anything and everything I want and I don't exercise one bit." But I refrained. He told me I should walk with this nice weather. I told him I was in nursing school. I didn't make excuses, nor promises to start walking. I think we understood each other. :) {Don't get me wrong...I do want to be healthy for this baby....but seriously- we do the best we can. Can I do better? Sure. Am I? A little.}
• So I have gained a whopping 26 pounds thus far.....and at this point for Parker I had only gained 16 pounds! But....this time I started out 10 pounds lighter than I did with Parker...so basically....I weigh the exact same amount now as I did when I was pregnant with Parker at 28 weeks. Did you get all of that?? Good. I've been needing to get that off of my chest!
  

So basically- we are just be-bopping along. Counting down the days (literally) until I am done with this nursing school thing so I can focus on my family again!

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Just for fun....

Here are a few belly photos I put together to see how we've progressed....

{you can click on the picture to make it bigger....it's just a poor quality photo, though}