meet mr. noah ((his birth story))

I have a little someone I'd like you to meet. :)

Say hello to Mister Noah Hayden!

He was born July 7th at 6:35 pm. He was 8 lbs 13 oz and 20 in. long.

Side note? Why do we always feel the need to share the birth stats? Pretty sure the only people that care about them are the parents and nanas. So--that's for you nana and mom! :)

On the day Noah was born I woke up in a great mood--which was a pleasant surprise to my husband because prior to this day I'd say I woke up in a  foul and sour mood 75% of the time. I  consistently "don't do mornings" and REALLY don't do mornings when pregnant.  I had a fun ME morning planned --target, iced coffee, and hair salon. SLAM DUNK, right?  This morning was my gift to myself--Noah was scheduled to appear in 4 days via c-section and I wanted to soak up some last minute  of SELF INDULGENCE.

After a GLORIOUS morning with frequent minor blips of contractions I headed home to family. I'm sure you'll be sarcastically surprised to hear how HOT it was outside but I vividly remember looking at my car thermometer and it reading 106 degrees and thinking GOOD LORD I CANNOT DO ONE MORE BLIPPIN DAY OF THIS MADNESS.

I pulled in the driveway, walked in the house and my water broke.

THE LORD HEARS THE CRIES OF YOUR HEART PEOPLE!!

Having my water break on my own answered several prayers for me. One of my biggest disappointments with lilly's birth was that I never got to experience any of the natural childbirth symptoms. When my dr. ordered a repeat section for Noah I was once again just a little bummed about the thought of birthing two babies and not really feeling the "pains of childbirth".  So when my water broke on my own I was freaking out and praising God. It was kinda fun to  say the "Honey.....it's tiiiiimmmmeeeee".  I'm so grateful for that moment and I thank the Lord for that.

I immediately went into  Bad Mambajamba Go Mode while Scott frantically BEGAN to pack.  I remember kneeling down to tell Lilly that  her that her baby brother was coming--she looked up at me and with big eyes said "We better get READY!!" and she proceeded to pretend to paint my toenails with a q-tip while I finished up packing. I'm so happy she has her priorities straight.

We arrived at the hospital around 1:00 and waited for my doctor to drive home from chicago. I cannot speak enough praises about my OB. SHE DROVE HOME FROM CHICAGO------to deliver my child. I would have her baby if I could.

I've always been a creature of control. I like to know what's going on, how I'll feel, what comes next, what happens later, and  so on. I thought for sure this second section would be a breeze. I KNEW what to expect and there weren't any foreseen surprises. Maybe it was the thoughts of my life changing drastically, or the unexpected feelings of "WHAT HAVE WE DONE" to our family, or even the fact that the anesthesiologist was just a liiiittttlleee creepy looking--but when I walked into the OR I kinda freaked. And  let me elaborate by saying  kinda---i mean I started crying uncontrollably.  I was so embarrassed. I'd DONE this before.  But for whatever reason I had a little freak out sesh right there on the OR table. I'm a fool to think I'm the only one that's been a little anxiety ridden before having a baby---but I expected myself to be stronger. Once Scott was able to enter the room again and hold my hand I was immediately calm again.  I needed my baby daddy. ;)

Noah was born squawking and screaming just like his big sister at 6:35.  At birth he looked remarkably like his sister only a full POUND AND A HALF HEAVIER. He lovingly earned the nickname tank from the nursing staff and we have kissed those chubby cheeks ad-nauseum since meeting him.

Lilly was so excited to meet her little brother. However did not want to leave the waiting room to meet him because SOMEONE brought her the mother of all sticker books.  And honestly neither would I---700 Melissa and Doug stickers---seriously, Aunt Angie?!?! :)

Once the tears stopped--she was happy to hold her baby and snuggle in with her new family member. The first thing she said to him was "awe he so chute" and she says that same phrase repeatedly 20 times a day. A cute reminder of the day three became four.

 

We are home and completely smitten by our little man. We are also reallllllllllly tired.

little babe ((37 weeks))

Well---fast forward TEN weeks and here I am!! FULL TERM!!   I've wrestled for a while about posting pictures of my verrrrry pregnant self on my blog. It's a self confidence thing.  I'm very hard on myself and I'd be lying if I told you I was happy with my appearance these days.   I recently started the #shereadstruth bible study I've seen on instagram and twitter. I'm way behind the rest of the gals, but this week focused on toxic thoughts and combating them with TRUTH. Isn't it crazy how if the Lord is trying to teach you a lesson he figures out a way to put it RIGHT IN YO FACE?! ;)

My own toxic thoughts of embarrassment over my changing body were preventing me from celebrating the LIFE blooming inside me. So by posting these pictures I'm trying to  show  that these thoughts CANNOT and WILL NOT keep me captive.  The TRUTH is that I should wage war on these thoughts and fight them with  continuous prayer.

"Pray in the Spirit on ALL OCCASIONS with all kinds of prayers and requests."  Ephesians 6:8

  I have a dozen pregnancy pictures of myself with Lilly and THREE for him.  This little baby that is about to enter this world deserves a confident and radiant mother who lives in the TRUTH.

((week 37 highs. lows. and woahs))

HIGH!! I'm done with school now and am thoroughly enjoying my moments and days with Lilly. She is such a LIGHT to me. We've slowly begun to get down all the baby essentials from the attic and she is SO EXCITED for her baby brudder that's coming soon. Every night she sings her favorite song (Zaccheus Was a Wee Little Man) to him and kisses my belly.  She has her toys in his bassinet so he has something to play with. Her stuffed Lion currently resides in his swing.  I cannot wait for her to meet him.


LOW: The self images issues discussed above. ;)  and my chicken nugget toes.  I never knew toes could swell!! A July baby will do that do ya...


WOAH: Last Thursday evening I had crazy contractions. Lilly was breech and I never felt a single contraction with her. (crazy, right?) I told several of my friends that I really hoped to have contractions with this little man--they all gave me the one eye look over--and now I know why. HOLY CRAP. Timing my contractions all I could think about was the things we DIDN'T have ready. I was yelling from my bed orders to my husband like a crazy woman. "Get the car seat out of the attic!! Throw his newborn clothes in the wash! Do you have time to run to the store and get dreft? Do I have time to shave??!?!?!?!" Yea--I was nuts.  The contractions lasted several hours and slowed down so I calmed down  * a little*.  Up until Thursday, I thought we had a least a few more weeks before Baby Watch 2K12 needed to begin. Guess I was wrong---let the excitement begin. WOOOAAAAH.

little babe ((26 weeks))

HIGH: My little mister has a name. Scott chose the first name, I chose the middle--it's a happy compromise and I'm excited to share it soon.  I'm not quite ready to write it on the wall just yet---but getting close. Lilly was always Lilly from day one---so it's really nice to be able to call my gentleman by a name and not just  dude, boyfriend, or Ryder ( lilly has a thing for Tangled). 

I really thought that we were having another girl. I was quite shocked to hear "boy" at the 20 week ultrasound. I had my girl name all set to go, and in a weird pregnancy hormone infused way I kinda had to mourn my girl name. *Someday* **maybe** ***if having two doesn't kill me***

LOW: As with most women it is really hard to gain weight and see your body changing in ways that give you a little twinge. I've decided that people in general do not know how to talk to a pregnant woman. Or maybe---a pregnant woman doesn't know how to NOT take pregnancy comments personally. Regardless, the
"Oh you're about to pop!"  ((nope, have three more months!))
"You sure there aren't twins in there, dang!" (( nope, just one))
"That's going to be a BIG BOY"  ((pretty sure he's average))
"You seem bigger this time around"  (( yup, thanks for pointing that out))
" You look tired"  (( thanks, butt head))

I *know* the comments are not MEANT to offend. But garsh darn it---no one wants to hear comments about their size regardless if they are carrying a human or not. Just lie to me and tell me I look great and that I'm all belly. I'll love you and my double chin all the more.



WOAH: The nesting. Good LORD the nesting. I'm obsessed with redecorating. Not necessarily organizing like perhaps I should considering our house limitations, but  spray painting things.  If you're  black, or ugly, or looking at me a weird way you're going to get a glossy coat of white paint. Nothing is safe---even my pasta sauce jar from last night's spaghetti. 

little babe ((20 weeks))

oh hai. :)

So it's been a bit  and I thought I'd pop in for a little update! Things are chug-a-lugging along here in my corner of the world.  This month has been a wonderful month and here are some quick highlights.

1.  Baby is growing healthy and loves camping out on my sciatic nerve or SI joint which means time usually spent blogging is now a date with my heating pad. ;)

2. We started Financial Peace University and it's really changing my life. in a good way!

3. I've been doing lots of lillypie dreaming. There are some big changes coming this spring that I'm excited about.

HIGH: Purchasing new maternity clothes! Any reason to shop at all is fun for me, but after reading Little Twig's No Brainer Wardrobe, I've really enjoyed adding to my maternity collection.  I've had few instances of a closet explosion and cursings of "I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAAAAAAARRRRRRR WAHHHHHHH"" this pregnancy. I'm really trying to be cost, season, and style effective with my purchases.

LOW: Baby is quite literally getting on my nerves. Lots of back pain and unfortunately lots of complaining....which had led to lots of ice cream.

WOAH: I'm half way done and that in and of itself is CRAZY to me.  Perhaps it's the two year old running circles around me, or my busy work day , or the lack of 2nd trimester energy, or the fact that I'm much happier this go around but goodness gracious this little one will be here soon. Woah.

little babe ((16weeks))

So I don't know if you remember, but I'm pregnant with numero two.  EEEEEE!!!!

This pregnancy has been so ridiculously different from my first. The months of November and December are hazy and full of memories of being surrounded by delicious food that I wanted NOTHING to do with. I think it's safe to say I'm the only one who lost weight over the holidays. It really was tragic. Food everywhere. Wanting to vomit. Nothing tasting good. It was something of a terrible nightmare.

The fog has lifted and I'm happily trotting through the second tri ((for the most part)). I'm showing a lot earlier than I did with Lilly. I'm okay with it and am enjoying the look of pregnancy more this time around.

High: I looove knowing that I'm supporting LIFE. I feel like I am fulling a PURPOSE sustaining this little baby right now. It's a feeling of accomplishment and love. I've been feeling the little nudges from  this little guy for two weeks now.  The flutters of a little one flipping around are so special. Happy to have them back!


Low: The sickness. THE SICKNESS. I believe I'm just over the hump now. May I never stare down my toilet ever. again. Caffiene every three days is suck town too. I HATE cutting back.

WOAH: We live in a pretty little ranch house-with two bedrooms. TWO bedrooms for a soon to be family of FOUR. We had originally planned on putting our house on the market and moving on up to a larger home when baby two came along. However after much number crunching and praying we've decided to stay. We're not quite sure how it will all work just yet, but we both feel like staying is where we need to be. We're really trusting that everything will work out just fine. Small houses build tight families will be my mantra.