Birthday Countdown (Part 3)

The final part of the story...(a day late! We were a little busy with the birthday girl yesterday) You may may want to read at least part 2 and maybe part 1 before you read this one!

I am guessing the time was a little after midnight, June 5!! The labor pain had definitely intensified and I was apparently having contractions about every minute. I wasn't having a break in between and the spiking pain was getting worse. The nurse came back in and my water had broken...it was at this time that I knew I was in labor. I feel really dumb now that I didn't realize it until this point...but in my defense I'd never been in labor before, and I kept being told no its not labor its just cramping. Well once my water broke I realized why I was in such horrible pain...I was 7cm dilated when she checked and then 8cm in the middle of her checking me!  This part was a little foggy to me.  I began to freak out, and I believe Josh did too!  He told her to do anything she could to get the epidural.  One second she’s telling me it’s going to take 45 minutes and they are going to rush as fast as they can to get the anesthesiologist to come.  The next second they tell me it is too late and they are putting up the stirrups and telling me I’m about to push! It didn't take very long or very many pushes...I didn't actually count, but very soon I heard that sweet, wonderful cry and I knew my baby was here!  No words can actually describe that feeling I felt as soon as I heard her and they put her on my chest. We stared into each other's eyes, and I was absolutely in love. 

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my beautiful baby girl!! I didn't think it was possible, but I love you even more than that day I first met you. You are such a wonderful gift and such a blessing from God. I love getting to be your mommy and am truly blessed to have you as a daughter!

Birthday Countdown (part 2)

This time last year I was in active labor and didn't realize it...who knew?!? I can't believe my baby is a year old tomorrow!!! My mom used to always tell me on my birthday "this time ?? years ago I was..." So, since I didn't have a blog then...this time 1 year ago...

(WARNING...birth story!! I'll keep it pretty clean, but just a head up!)

Josh and I had everything packed up. I'd been making a list for weeks and I had crossed off everything that needed to be packed and done before we left. I checked the mail one last time and made sure all of the bills were paid. I'd been cleaning everything for weeks to prepare, but I had to do a little extra sanitizing because Josh had been sick with a stomach virus...terrible timing!! Thankfully he was feeling a little better the actual day we were supposed to go to the hospital. We packed up the car and made sure the car seat was in there and headed to Auburn. We ate dinner at Jersey Mike's. I didn't eat very much because I was so nervous. I was honestly nervous about the IV...I know that is stupid, but it had hurt the last time and I had a huge bruise from where the lady hadn't done a great job so I was not looking forward to that happening again...HA! That should have been the least of my worries:) We checked into the hospital at 6, which was such a surreal thing to do...walking into the hospital in regular clothing and not in any pain saying "I'm here to have my baby now!". This time I was put into an actual labor and delivery room. That was when I remember everything hitting me and thinking holy cow, I'll be leaving here with my baby! I had an amazing nurse who was so sweet through the whole process!! Once we'd met the nurse and I was hooked up to a fetal monitor my doctor came in to give me the Cervadil that was supposed to help me dilate so I would be ready to start the Pitosin the next morning.  I was give that around 7 and then had to lay down for two hours to let it work.  While we were waiting Matt and Rebecca came to hang out with us for a little to help pass the time. While they were there I had Rebecca watch the monitor that showed if I was having contractions because I'd started to feel a little pain.  It would spike a little bit and then go down for a while. I was told I could have a little bit of cramping from the medicine, but it would most like be a very uneventful night so I didn't think anything of it. Once they left about 9 I was able to get up, but it was a little difficult because I'd been hooked up to all kinds of things through my IV, so every time I'd get up, I had to drag a machine along with me.  I got up twice between 9 and having Aubrey. Each time I noticed an intensity of pain just growing. The nurse would ask my pain level and I would tell her a low number because I was told so many time this wasn't labor. I remember just thinking to myself, if this wasn't labor then I am dreading tomorrow to find out what it really is like!! It was such intense pain that I was texting and had to stop because I couldn't do anything but lay there. I was clinging to the railing and yet was still thinking, these are the worst cramps I've ever had, how am I going to handle this the rest of the night, let alone real labor all day tomorrow!! My nurse kept coming in and asking if I wanted anything for the pain and I kept telling her no I was fine. However, after I started shaking uncontrollably, felt like I was going to pass out and throw up, Josh stepped in and told her I needed something for the pain. These crazy "non-contractions" I was having kept coming very close together, and even with the pain medication she gave me through an IV, I was still feeling the sharp pains, just not the dull pain in between that I had been feeling. Eventually that wore off (very quickly I might add!) and I was back to the dull pain, sharp stabbing pain pattern. At this point the nurse decided to check to see if I was making any progress and I had only dilated 1cm at this point.

Now, I'm a little foggy on the time that everything happened, however, I'm getting toward the end of the story so it must be midnight by then which means...the best part of the whole story. New post tomorrow on the WONDERFUL happy ending:) Plus I want to post this on the actual day, June 4th. Here's a few pictures...

On the way into the hospital! The last baby bump picture.

When I realized this is for real!!

Before things got "real, real"

Good thing we didn't actually have to sleep in Labor and Delivery:)

The Birthday Countdown (part 1)

Oh my goodness!!! I just realized that my baby will be ONE in a week!!! I can't even believe how quickly this year has flown by. I'm getting all nostalgic thinking about it and planning her little party. So, I get to pull my mommy card and get all sappy as I reminisce this week:)

This time last year I was 39 weeks...only one week until my due date! I'd spend the week getting the house super cleaned up and finishing some last minute paintings and nursery decorations. I was actually going to the hospital that morning with bags pack and having a little trial run! I had to check into the hospital at 7am. I was having blood work done to make sure my liver and kidneys were functioning properly since my blood pressure had been steadily on the rise. If I had dilated at all or anything with the blood work turned out not great, they would start the induction that morning. However, I wasn't dilated at all and thankfully my liver and kidneys were functioning fine! So we were put on hold one more week. I did experience my first IV, which I didn't care for. However, I was hooked up to a fetal monitor and got to listen to her sweet heartbeat:) I loved being able to hear that fast little heart beat and seeing and feeling her roll around it my belly. I can't believe she's now crawling around everywhere, pulling up on everything, jabbering at everyone...I love her so much :) 

 

What a difference a year makes:)

All About Aubrey: 11 Months!

One more month until the big day!! I can't believe this time last year I had a big belly and no baby! It doesn't seem like you are almost a year...it has gone by too fast. Babies shouldn't be allowed to grow up and change so quickly. That being said...I LOVE the stage you are in right now.  You are so fun to watch and interact with. You are learning new things and playing new games every day. We love you so SO much!!!

Firsts: word (I think??), bath in the big girl tub, snow cone, spaghetti o’s, pop tart, bagel, trip to the original Dwarf House, time playing in a little pool…you didn’t like it

News Headlines: Boston Marathon Bombing

Mommy’s Favorite: When I’m putting you to bed at night and you will look at me and point to my eyes, nose, mouth and then smile at me.  Then you’ll rest your head on my shoulder…I love our sweet snuggles and time together (even if it sometimes occurs at 3am)

Daddy’s Favorites: When he walks into a room and you look at him and crawl away and smile and laugh. You look back to make sure he’s coming after you.

Milestones: your vocabulary and communication

Measurements: You are still about 27lbs and around 28inches (based on our at home measurements). You’re in mostly 6-9 and 6-12 months clothes (although the 6-12 are a little big), but you still fit into a few dresses that are 3-6 because they ran a little big. Size 3 diapers.

Like Mommy: your eyes

Like Daddy: your forehead (I’ve had 2 people mention it lately)

Funniest Moment: We went to visit GG and Big D and when we first got there I guess you were excited to see GG and glad to be out of the car, but you were going nuts! You were cracking your self up over a golf ball.  This was mostly funny for you, but adorable for the rest of us. We LOVE your giggle!!

Memorable moment: Saying goodbye to the trees at Toomer’s Corner. You never got to roll the trees, but we will tell you all about that tradition when you get older!

Challenges: Naps…you were doing so well for a while, but you’re so inconsistent! Its frustrating because some days you’ll take 2 great naps in a day, but other days it’s a 30 minute morning nap, and then you’ll play and fuss for so long and refuse the second nap.

How we spend the day: You wake up around 8/8:30 and I nurse you. We play and then eat breakfast.  Lately you’ve had yogurt and we share a waffle! You go down for a nap around 10ish.  We eat lunch around 12 and you nurse sometime after that. We play some more or run errands until around 2 or 3 (depending on how long you napped earlier in the day).  I nurse you when you get up and we have a snack and then we play until its time to cook dinner. You play with Daddy or help me in the kitchen by pulling things out of the Tupperware cabinet while I cook. We start your bedtime routine around 7:45/8. Sometimes you wake up at night and sometimes around 5:30 or 6. If it is still early I will go in and feed you and put you back to sleep. So far you have done well going back to sleep as long as its before 7.

Feedings/Eating: I’ve mostly cut out night time feedings except on a rare occasion, so you’re down to 4 nursing sessions a day: when you wake up, lunchtime, late afternoon, and bedtime. I’m going to be cutting another feeding out soon, either around lunch or the late afternoon. You are eating many more solid foods these days. You’re still eating purees, as well as some kind of food that we are eating at every meal. You’re doing really well at feeding yourself, you just get really excited and forget to swallow and end up with a lot in your mouth if we aren’t careful. You are getting better about this.

Sleeping: Napping is different every day, but you normally take 2 naps around 10 and 2 for about 45minutes-just over an hour. Towards the end of this month your nighttime sleep has gotten consistently better. You’re down to at least one wake up if at all…YAY! You were mostly waking up once at random times and would occasionally sleep all the way through. However, we got a video monitor and I’ve felt more confident letting you cry for a few minutes if you wake up at night because I can see if you’re ok and if you are laying down or standing up. The first two nights we had it you woke up but fell back asleep in only about 20 or 30 minutes. The next few nights you didn’t wake up until the morning! We’ll see if this continues!

Personality: You have a great personality! You are so friendly to almost everyone you come across. You are generally in a good mood unless you are really hungry or really tired. You love to laugh and to smile and are content to play, climb, and explore. You are very inquisitive and will constantly point at things especially on our walks and we tell you what each thing is. You are normally busy and on the go, but there is always time for an occasional snuggle!

Likes: being outside, going for walks, swinging, eating snacks, juice boxes, most food, chewing on straws (and everything else actually), spaghetti o’s, being outside, the dishwasher

Dislikes: naps, oatmeal, getting your face wiped after a meal

Mobility: You’re crawling, standing unassisted, cruising along furniture, but not walking yet.

Favorite toy: Anything that you can climb and pull up on. So I’d say your “Aubrey Chair” in your room. It’s soft, just your size, and perfect for climbing on and off of.

Upcoming Events: Your first birthday!!!

New Explorations: You’ve been climbing on everything you can! You come running every time you hear the dishwasher open so that you can play in it and climb onto the door. You’ve started exploring the bathrooms, so we’ve had to watch you or make sure the door is closed. Basically you’re into everything:) Also since Easter you've loved playing with Easter eggs. You have learned to pop them apart and shoot one half across the room. You smile and bring us the two pieces and have us put them together...over and over again!!

Sounds, words, and communication: You are really communicating these days in all kinds of ways. You point to things you want and make little noises. If we give you the wrong thing you will wave your hand away. Its making meal time interesting as you point to what you want a bite of. You say all kinds of sounds these days b, d, m, n, y, and several vowels. I love that you are saying mama now, but I can’t tell if you know exactly what you’re saying yet. So, I THINK you are saying some words now…I feel like I should actually KNOW...oh well. I’m pretty sure you know who your Dada is. Also, when you throw something you say boom, and when you clap your hands you say yay! You’ve started waving when someone is leaving and you’ll say di-di. Not exactly, but you’re pretty consistent.

Teeth: I’m pretty sure you have 7 now, 4 on top, 2 on the bottom all the way through, and one that may have just broken through on the bottom…but it’s hard to tell because you poke your tongue out whenever we try to look!

Big girl tubby!

Bye Toomer's trees:(

She loved some spaghetti o's!

Chick-fil-a Original Dwarf House in Atlanta.

She was not impressed with the baby pool...

The new way we play with our barn...standing on it and gnawing on the roof!

Her new thing...blowing spit bubbles as she says "mwaa mwaa mwaa"

Happy 11 months sweet, Aubrey!!!

Aubrey's 10th Month

A little late (ok a lot late), but better late than never, right?!? I'll post the 11 month one soon, too:)

Firsts: Easter, Easter egg hunt drinking out of a big girl cup, food: chicken, watermelon, cantaloupe, ice cream

News Headlines: The Catholics get a new pope…Pope Francis

Mommy’s favorite: when I say, “give me kisses” and you suck your lips in and make a kissy noise

Daddy’s Favorites: watching you stand like a big girl

Milestones: You are standing unassisted for several seconds (I think you could stand a little longer than you do, but you think its funny to sit down or lunge at me)

Measurements: About 17lbs. and about 27.5 inches I’d guess. You are in such an awkward size right now.  Your Easter dress was a size 3-6 months, but most of your other 3-6 months’ are getting too small. The problem is you are long and narrow, so you are in the next size up (either 6-9 or 6-12 months) for length, but still in a 3-6 for weight in some clothes.  You wear size 3 diapers.

Like Mommy: You love juice boxes!! You look so cute when you are concentrating so hard to suck out of the little straw.

Like Daddy: You love spending time outside and are always greeting people you see.

Funniest Moment: You do little things every day that make us laugh. One example from this past month would have to be you swiping the goldfish. You’ve recently found a love for snacks and Mommy was eating gold fish. You reached for one so I would bite them in half and give you a tiny piece.  Apparently that wasn’t good enough because I looked and found you reaching your hand in the bag and eating the whole fish crackers very quickly.

Memorable moment: We gave you a chunk of cantaloupe and you loved it. You kept eating little bits, but you forgot to swallow. You ended up with a mouth full! I took the chunk from you so that you would stop eating it and you had a throw down tantrum. We had to scoop it out of your mouth because you were getting so mad and were crying so hard that we were scared you would choke.

Challenges: Working on eating non-pureed food.  You don’t love it always and we’re always afraid of you choking.

How we spend the day: You wake up around 7:30 or 8:30 and go down for about 2 hours later. Normally you will eat breakfast and play for a while in between that time.  We eat lunch around 12 and then you’ll take an afternoon nap. Now that its nice outside we’ve been going for an afternoon walk or going to swing at the park. We’ll play until about 5 or 6 and then you play with Daddy or in the kitchen with Mommy while she makes dinner. We eat dinner together and then its normally bath time.  You get your bath around 7:45, Daddy reads you and story, and Mommy nurses you and puts you in bed.

Feedings/Eating: You are nursing about 5 times in a 24-hour period. When you wake up, lunchtime, in the afternoon around 3 or 4, when we put you to bed, and then when you wake up at night. You are eating with us for three meals a day now and you also have snacks. Breakfast-waffles, yogurt, cheerios, or fruit; Lunch/dinner-a fruit or veggie and a little bit of whatever we are having; snacks-puffs, crackers, graham crackers, juice

Sleeping: You’re taking mostly 2 naps and thankfully they are getting a little longer. They normally total about 1.5-2 hours in any combination…good not great! You’re sleeping better at night and are mostly only waking about once.  There is, however, no rhyme or reason as to when you will wake up.

Personality: You’re very opinionated and continue to show us what you like and what you don’t. You will be laughing and smiling one minute, and then next second throwing a tantrum. You are so much fun to watch and to play with. You are getting to be so animated.

Likes: Swinging…you LOVE swinging and you laugh and smile the whole time, ice cream, puffs and yogurt bites, graham crackers (one of your current favorites), dancing, pulling up on things,

Dislikes: having your diaper change (Mommy’s dislike for the month too!!), not getting what you want,

Mobility: You crawl everywhere super quickly and are constantly crawling around and pulling up on anything you can get your hands on. You can easily cruise along the furniture and can even stand for a few seconds unassisted. I’m guessing that means walking isn’t far away! GASP!

Favorite toy: You really liked playing with the plastic easter eggs, but you mostly just like things you can pull up on. You also like to hold our phones and we will turn on the music and you sit and dance.

Upcoming Events: Daddy is going out of town, so we are going to spend a few days in Auburn with Aunt Caitlin and Rebecca.

New Explorations: You are into EVERYTHING! We really have to keep a close eye on you these days because you are constantly exploring you surroundings and putting things in your mouth. You are also pulling up on everything, so now things aren’t safe on lower surfaces like the coffee table and TV stand.

Sounds and words: You’ve been saying “dadin” a lot lately.  We have no clue what that is, but you say it enough that it is worth mentioning!  I think you can just say /d/ and /n/ really well so you’ve combined them.  You’ve been saying the /b/ sounds more, /y/ all kinds of vowel sounds, and I’ve finally heard the /m/ sounds!  That means you are getting closer to saying mama! J

Teeth: Still just the 6 teeth. I think you’ve been trying to get those 2 bottom ones all month, but no such luck so far!

You love goldfish!

First time drinking out of a big girl cup at Cracker Barrel. 

Yum!! Ice cream:)

GG's future student!

"My first Easter"

She was actually cracking up here because I kept putting the egg on my head.

Aubrey's 1st Easter basket.

Standing like a big girl!

Happy 10 Months Aubrey!!!

She's Engaged!

She’s engaged!!!

I am SO excited!!! A few weeks ago we found out about Kyle's plan of a surprise engagement party and, of course, that he was going to propose to Caitlin!  We went up a little early to enjoy a little lunch in Auburn...

It's so crazy to me that Josh and I went to Momma G's on our first "unofficial" date about 9 and a half years ago and now we are bringing our baby here! 

We met up with my parents and Madeline after lunch and then headed to Kyle's house.  His family was there and many of their friends...and some pretty tasty food! We hung out for a while and finally they came in...

They were just a little happy;)

We all had a lot of celebrating this special day together and can't wait to start getting everything ready for the big day...here's a few more pictures...

For more and some super fun pictures check out Caitlin's facebook page...I apparently don't have too many....but those were some highlights!!

CONGRATULATIONS CAITLIN AND KYLE!!!!!

All About Aubrey: 9 Months Old

I just realized I hadn't posted anything since last month's All About Aubrey...we've been a little busy and I took a photography class that took up a lot of my free time at night.  I'll do better this month and already have a few posts in mind:) 

For now...holy cow!! It doesn't seem like it has been a whole month since I wrote Aubrey's last post. This month has flown by!  I told my mom that these past 9 months have gone by much fast than the 9 before:)  If I had to choose a month where she's changed the most I think this past month would be it.  She's learned so many new things and seems to have become closer to a toddler and farther away from a little baby.  Some days I miss that little baby, or maybe I'd like to freeze time right now because you're at such a fun age! We love you so, SO much sweet girl!!  Happy 9 months, Aubs!!!

Firsts: cold :(, pulling up on the side of your crib (we had to drop your crib down towards the beginning of the month), crawling, eating pancakes, engagement party (it was funny because you knew it wasn’t about you and you kept blowing off Caitlin the whole night even though you normally really like her), waving bye-bye, trip to the park, swinging in a swing and sliding down a slide.

News Headlines: I’ve been pretty busy lately so I haven’t watch the news…don’t judge.  But big news in our lives…Caitlin got engaged to her boyfriend Kyle!!  We are all so excited for her.  We went to Auburn to surprise her for an engagement party.

Mommy’s favorite: I love that you dance to music…it makes me laugh everytime. I also LOVE when I build towers with your stacking cups.  You love to knock them down and you crack up every time!!

Daddy’s Favorites: When he pretends to chase you and you smile and try to crawl away.

Milestones: You have started doing so many new things this month.  I think within the past 2 weeks you’ve really taken off. You are now able to easily pull up, crawl like a little speed demon.  You have become so mobile the past month…we first found you sitting up in your crib at the beginning and now you can sit up, lay down, stand up, and crawl away. My little baby is growing up so quickly! You also started waving bye-bye today!!

*Measurements: You’re wearing all size 3 diapers.  Your clothes are such a mish-mosh of sizes. You can still wear some 3-6 months, but some are too small.  Plus the next size up is weird…we have the option of 6-9, 6-12, 9 months, and 12 months.  You can fit into some of all of these sizes, but some of the exact same sizes in the same brands are huge on you. So we just keep trying on things every day which you love…HA!  You have your check-up tomorrow so we will see your weight and length.

Like Mommy and Daddy: you love to eat snacks

Funniest Moment:  We were at a restaurant and whenever we are out and there are other kids around you try to squeal and talk to them really loudly.  Well a little boy started pitching a fit and screaming super loud. He was about 2 or so and Aubrey was just staring at him and squealing and yelling at him in her loudest voice.  It was hilarious and the table behind us was laughing at this crazy scene.

Memorable moment: You exploded your diaper of course when we were 30 minutes away from home about to eat lunch.  We had you in the trunk of the car and you had poop running down your leg…it was everywhere!!  We finally got you all cleaned up and put your clothes in a doggie bag from the trashcan outside of Petsmart and put your diaper in the doggie “oopsie” trashcan.

Challenges: Your stuffy nose was difficult for a few days…you were so pitiful! Your constipation problem took a 180 turn due to teething. Also diaper changing has become a daily challenge…you refuse to stay on your back for longer than about 3 seconds.  This makes for some interesting moments.

Feedings/Eating: You nurse about every 4 hours.  You eat breakfast sometimes, lunch, and dinner. If you eat breakfast it is normally yogurt and some cheerios with juice. For lunch and dinner you eat some kind of fruit and a veggie.  You are doing really well at eating things like cheerios, puffs, Mum mums or crackers or other dry bready items.  You gag or refuse to eat anything slimy like peaches, noodles, avocado, etc.

Sleeping: This changes about every other day…we just can’t get you on a schedule!!  Even if we put you down about 8 every night, you wake up at different times throughout the night and in the morning.  You were doing well and only waking up once and still sleeping in until about 8:30, but recently you’ve been waking up twice again.  Napping…sigh… You were sleeping about an hour or hour and a half at least once and then a 30 or 45-minute nap.  When you were sick you slept for about 2 hours and then another one-hour nap.  Now, its anyone’s guess how long and how many naps, and anywhere from 1-3 naps a day, and anywhere from 30 minutes to and hour and 30 minutes.  Also, I should add this to challenges, but you’ve been harder to get down for a nap ever since you learned to pull up on your crib.

Personality: I think you get a stronger personality every month.  You know what you want and you really let us know if you love something or hate it.  You have become so fun recently! You make yourself laugh sometimes and will look at us with a big smile on your face like you are just trying to get us to make you laugh. You can be so silly sometime, but you can also pitch a major fit if you don’t like something.

Likes: going outside, crawling around and pulling up on all furniture, dancing to music, eating snack food like puffs, mum mums, cheerios, graham crackers, etc., mommy and daddy, GG and Big D (you reached for GG even when you were with mommy the whole time we saw her and Big D peeked in on you in the nursery and you cried when he walked away…he liked it a little bit!), eating shoes

Dislikes: Saline drops, getting your nose sucked, eating mango and noodles, getting your diaper changed, taking naps, when mommy or daddy walk away, wearing shoes

Mobility: You have absolutely taken off in this area this past month.  You can now crawl very quickly and get where you want to go.  You are also starting to cruise on furniture once you pull up. This is pretty new though so you are still pretty slow.

Favorite toy: We have these stacking cups that are different colors that you love to un-stack. They were in a drawer and you crawled over, opened them, and pulled them out to play with. These are the cups you love to knock down!

Upcoming Events: Your 9 month check up. Going to Atlanta for a girls weekend and Aunt Madeline’s prom with Rebecca and Aunt Caitlin.

New Explorations: You are exploring the house all on your own now that you can crawl!  I’ve had to make sure all of the outlets are covered and the cords and such are up.

Sounds and words: You babble all of the time.  Still your go to /d/ and /n/ sounds.  You may have added the /b/ sound the other day.  But you mix them with all the different vowel sounds instead of just da da and na na.

Teeth: You now have 6 teeth!! Holy moly they came in fast! Both top teeth have come through now, and just the other day I was tickling her and saw she had gotten both of her next top teeth (not sure what they are called). I’m not sure when they came in exactly! I kept thinking you were teething, but never saw the bottom ones, which I thought were supposed to come in first. So…they were a surprise!

Yummy pancakes!

Finger painting with homemade finger paint.

Aubrey's first Valentine's Day

Poor little sick baby:(

Swinging for the first time...she loved it!

At the park with Mommy and Daddy

Greeting us by standing up in her crib.

Congratulations!!!

A real glimpse at a 9 month old taking pictures.

Happy 9 Months Aubrey:)