She must have been having a good dream…
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
My Birth Story
We ended up getting to the ER at about 6:30 and went up to a room. As soon as the Dr. got there he came in and checked me. I was only at 2 cm. dilated, almost 3. So, he wanted to monitor me for awhile. I started having small contractions about 2-3 minutes apart. They were very inconsistent in strength though. Some just little cramps and some stronger. So, at about 10 the nurse checked me again and said I hadn't changed. The contractions weren't putting me into labor. She was almost sure the Dr. would send me home so my husband started getting our stuff together to go. She came back in and said the Dr. wanted to break my water because he's not comfortable sending me home at this point. We were pretty surprised.
The Dr. came in at about 12:45 and talked to us about what was going to happen. He broke my water and said if labor doesn't start on it's own they would have to give me something to get labor started. We weren't thrilled about that because I was envisioning a LONG labor. Well, labor started immediately and came on strong. The nurse offered for me to labor in the jacuzzi or shower and I decided to try the jacuzzi. After about 20 minutes she took me to the jacuzzi down the hall and I got in and felt immediate relief. (Except for the contractions that were getting really intense.) I almost fell asleep between contractions I was so relaxed. It was getting bad so I told my husband that I needed some kind of pain medicine (that wasn’t in the plans…I intended on having a natural labor). He called for the nurse and when she came I was feeling like I had to push. She looked down and said "oh, we can't have this baby in the tub!" She called about 3 other nurses along with my husband to get me out and ran back to my room. I felt so out of it, I could have been running down the hall naked and wouldn't have cared. Haha! I got into bed and they got everything ready as I'm sitting there pushing because I couldn't help it. Needless to say, it was too late for any pain medicine. They of course wouldn't deliver her without the Dr. so they just let me push for about 10 minutes until the Dr. got there. He sat down and Eliana Kathryn was born within a minute, first push. 2:41 p.m. 8 lbs. 21" long. And she looked just like her daddy! Especially his baby pictures.
I have to say, it was a very fast labor. I'd like to say it was easy because it was so fast, but it was pretty intense. Would I have another natural labor? I say yes now because I think it’s easy to forget about the pain, but I don’t know how I’ll feel next time. I wasn’t to the point of wanting an epidural, but I sure wanted some kind of relief. Hopefully next time is just as fast. That way I won’t have a choice again. I am happy that I got to do it naturally. I felt so good immediately after she was born. I don’t think things could have gone any better. We fell in love so quickly with this sweet little girl! She definitely stole our hearts…
Friday, April 15, 2011
Sleepy Girl
{Taggie Blanket from Alexandra Rose}
My little lady doesn’t like to sleep without being held. Even though I would love to sit and hold her while she’s napping (because she’s so cute and cuddly!) I know I can’t get into that habit. She sleeps for 20 minutes at a time when I’m not holding her. It’s like she’s her own little alarm clock…. 20 minutes hits and she’s up!
Does anyone else have babies that sleep like that? Or any tips on how to get baby to sleep longer? I think I’ve set a record for the amount of stuff I can get done in 20 minutes…
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Life Lessons
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's okay to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's okay to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over-prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
My Happy Girl
Eliana is 6 weeks old already. She is starting to smile a lot. It has been so much fun spending all day with my baby. I’m so thankful that I can work at home. I love to see these baby smiles!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Little Eliana
Almost 4 weeks have gone by since our sweet Eliana was born. It has been a joyful 4 weeks and we feel extremely blessed by this little girl that has stolen our hearts.
We’re still adjusting to Daddy being at work all day. It's difficult to get things done because I have a snuggly girl. She only sleeps without anyone holding her for about 20 minutes at a time. She will sleep on your chest for 2 hours though! So, my baby wrap has been a lifesaver.
Eliana is already a Daddy’s girl. He reads to her and she listens so intently. She sure is an alert and curious baby.
She hates bath time!
We think she is the most darling baby. She sleeps for about 5 hours at a time through the night and is a happy baby. Really only cries when she’s hungry or tired. From day one she has had such a strong neck and she is really starting to learn to use her legs. She kicks and kicks when she’s upset.
Motherhood is the best. Life certainly has changed but only for the better. We thank God every day for this sweet little miracle.