Letters to Emersyn - 5 Months Old

Dear Emersyn! 

You’ve started to laugh and it lights up the whole room when you do! Your generous smile (you always have one for Mommy!) is what keeps me going, even when you wake me in the middle of night, which is a rare occasion. And it's usually only bc you lost your pacifier. 

Your a happy baby. You smile all the time, and giggle too. This month I've seen you fall so in love with your sister. She's your favorite person. She does a little dance, and you crack up. You watch her every move all over the house. 

You get so excited about life sometimes that you squeal at the top of your little lungs! You’ve also just started to blow raspberries and spit bubbles. You’re fascinated by the world around you and you like to learn about thing by putting them in your mouth to feel what there all about. Your drooling puddles but I haven't seen any teeth break through. 

You love being on your changing table, and your tiny toes always seem to make their way to your mouth when you’re on it. I think they taste best at a higher altitude.

You don’t like tummy time so much, but who needs it anyway! You can hold up your sweet little auburn head just fine. Your rolling around like crazy! Your even scooting around some, which I'm not quite ready for that one! Your never in the same spot I leave you at.

You haven’t started solids yet, but you will in a month or so…no rush, right sweet girl? We have tried a little bit of oatmeal in your milk, but I'm not seeing it keep you any more fuller. Your still eating 6 oz. about every 4 hours. Sometimes longer sometimes shorter. 

You really like to be held. People say that I’m going to spoil you, but they don’t know that you just need a little extra comfort sometimes. This world may be exciting, but it can be big and scary for little babies too. Mommy knows. Big sister knows too, bc she's always trying to comfort you when you cry. Even if you don't want your pacifier she is sure to make sure you have it. 

We saw the pediatrician this month. You were 12lbs 7oz. Don't get me started on your height. You are 25inches long. That's the 67th percentile. Where are you getting your height? Defiantly not for me! I'm forever short! You just might be taller then your sister. 

You’re growing and changing, Emersyn. It’s what you’re supposed to do, but Mommy just wants to bottle your 5 month-old sweetness for now. Please don’t grow up too fast!

I am forever yours, sweet girl.

Love, Mommy

Letters to Charleston - 3 months old

Dear Charleston,

How are you already 3 months old?  What happened to my tiny 6 pound baby?  You're doing exactly what you're supposed to do, sweet girl... growing, learning, and thriving.

This past month was full of new little milestones, changes, and lots of smiles. But I must confess,  I have yet to start your baby book. Between sleepless nights for mommy, snoring noises by daddy, and everything else in between - I hope these letters help freeze time just a little bit by giving you a snap shot of what you were like at only 90 days old. We feel like you've been with our family forever while at the same time it feels like you were just born yesterday. 

Your smiles make my heart beat fast and my insides melt. You have been using those sweet smiles to communicate with us. I love making eye contact with you and seeing you smile at me. It's during these moments that I realize you have fulfilled something deep within me, you make me so happy to be a mom.

Your learning to take naps in your crib during the day, but your still sleeping in your pack n play at night. You still preferred to be held and snuggled, but we love to snuggle with you! You are still sleeping through the night, and I love waking up to your giggles in the morning. 

You love holding on to shirts when your eating or snuggling. Its so freaking cute. You have tiny feet, your newborn sized shoes still don't fit. You can still fit into some of your newborn clothes but your wearing 0-3 months for the most part. Some are still a little big. You are in size 1 diapers, but not sure if you will be in them much longer. 

We have not weighed you since your 2 month appointment, but I'm guessing your roughly 11 pounds now. Growing girl! You're also getting very strong, getting close to being able to hold your head completely on your own (even with those cheeks), and we are always shocked by your strong little legs.

You are often a little fussy in the evening, but nothing that can't be fixed by mommy snuggles. I always tell daddy - mommy snuggles are better because I can pick you up and with in minutes your fast asleep. Daddy try's so hard, but you just prefer mommy snuggles! You like to talk and coo. Your not much of a screamer, but we're not going to complain about that. You like driving in the car, but have had your moments where you want to be out of your seat. We recently took a road trip to Charlotte and you did so well. You go everywhere with me and do very well being out and about.

You LOVE to sit up and see whats happening around you. I'm not sure how far you can see and how clear it is but you like watching the tv with us. I think you just like the moving bright colors. 

You are so much more alert, smiley, happy, and occasionally a little "demanding".  You have acquired some new nicknames from us:  Sweet Pea, Chunky Monkey, and of course, my baby girl. 

You bring endless happiness to our life, even in the moments you are sad or grumpy. There is so much excitement, even in the little things, and it really puts life into perspective. We still spend a lot of time just staring at you. You are so special and I am reminding myself to cherish every day with you, because these days with my little Charli are numbered. You are growing so fast! 

Mommy loves you so much!

Second Pregnancy - Third Trimester Reflections

As we get down to the "business" end of this pregnancy,
I figured I would take a step back and reflect
on the third trimester.

(p.s. this was written over a few weeks time)

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We knew from day 1 we would be inducing this pregnancy for health reasons. Dr. Fisher wanted to schedule the induction before we got to the 37 weeks and 6 day mark, which Richard and I agreed with 100%.  So that put us in the week of August 8th-15th. July has been a waiting game to get the hospital schedule of when we could narrow a date down, and on July 14th - we got that date! August 10th at 7 am. Now that we have a count down clock to watch, things have gotten more real, including my emotions.

We.. OK.. maybe me.. wanted kids back to back. I mean im not getting any younger. So even with everything that happened with Payton, we still wanted to jump on the bandwagon again. After our 6 week appointment we started trying again. It took me about 2 cycles - which felt like a life time. But when I finally saw those two lines, I felt immense relief. But that was soon replaced with the realization that I would spend the next nine months holding my breath. One of the greatest comforts to me over the last months was learning how many other women felt the same fear that I do and yet survived subsequent pregnancies. 

As the date gets closer to August 10th, it also means Paytons first birthday is approaching. My emotions are all over the place.We are about to bring our second daughter into the world and I don't know how to be excited. Friends and family keep asking me, are you excited, are you ready... I am, don't get me wrong I'm ecstatic, but I can't help feeling devastated and sad at the same time. I still remember looking at the glowing screen trying to make sense of the sonogram... there was no movement or heartbeat. I couldn't cry... I just sat in silence. As much I try not to think back on that day, its hard not too.

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In some ways, this pregnancy has flown by. In other ways - I feel as if we have been on this pregnancy roller coaster for way too long. If I'm to be honest, this pregnancy was not as easy as the first one. Physically, it was harder, which meant mentally it felt worse. My first trimester was the long waiting in between doctors appointments, then patiently waiting to hear her heart beat.  The second trimester was getting through the dizzy/nauseated spells. But this third trimester the stress has built up and made it self known through more complications and less sleep.

At 27 weeks and 6 days we went into the doctors office because her movements had slowed down tremendously. Normally I don't feel her in the mornings till about 10-11ish because she's so active through the night, but she was not the night before. When we got in the doctors office they put me on the NST monitors.

(The Fetal Non-Stress test is a simple, non-invasive test performed in pregnancies over 28 weeks gestation. The test is names "non-stress" because no stress is placed on the fetus during the test. The non-stress test is a simple, noninvasive way of checking on your baby's health. The test records your baby's movement, heartbeat, and contractions. It notes changes in heart rhythm when your baby goes from resting to moving, or during contractions if you're in labor.)

I sat on the monitors for about 30 minuets while they checked over all the recordings. She stayed pretty active during the test and everything was reading on track. Which was a relief!

With in 4 days we were in the hospital because I was having a sharp pain on my left side. Dr. Dillon - the high risk doctor was on call so she helped us out and took good care of me. We got checked into the hospital about 6:30 pm and she put us on the NST monitors. She stated the sharp pain is very common in pregnancies and gets worse with each one. Its called a round ligament pain. Not something thats very comfortable I might add. But she knew everything that happened with Payton and wanted to keep me on the monitors for a little while. During this time she discovered I was having contractions. I was like really? I just thought it was pressure and the difference in the way I was carrying her compared to Payton. Or maybe braxton hicks. But that wasn't the case. With in an hour she decided we were gonna stay over night - because the contractions were not stopping and were pretty steady. She ran a bunch of test and even gave me some medicine to relax me to see if that would stop the contractions. About 2am she could not determine what was causing the contractions, but was able to determine I was not in preterm labor. Since there was nothing else she could do, she sent us home about 3am and told me to take things easy and look out for labor symptoms.

At 30 weeks we spent a week in Florida - we took my 1 year old and my 6 year old nephews to Disney World! Everyone had fun which was great, but the heat was ridiculous. I know Richard got his exercise for the week... he pushed me in a wheel chair through out the parks. I got up and walked around some, but it made the contractions more frequent. I made it back to Charleston - with no signs of early labor! woohoo!! lol.

Contractions never stopped. Around 33 weeks they got longer and more intense. At times, I was not sure she's was going stay put till we induced. She is def a wiggler and a shaker. I got more nauseated as well. Sometimes it was hard to determine which was making the other one worse - being nauseated or the contractions.

I don't believe I was blessed with the pregnancy glow this time around.. its more like a "I'm so tired and hungry" shimmer....

Similar to my last pregnancy - things in the "bump" department seem to have slowed down in the third trimester. Charleston is still growing beautifully, however we are predicting her to be similar size to Payton. She is a little bigger, but not by much. My weight gain was more this pregnancy, but shes had a bigger appetite then Payton did. Payton liked fruit, veggies and sugar! Charleston likes her hamburgers and sugar. I am sad she does not like seafood. Its the one thing I craved with Payton, and it still seems to be the one thing I crave with Charleston, I just cant handle the taste! 

As my third trimester is ending - contractions have gotten stronger. Some days they are close enough to track them, but not enough to rush to the hospital. My driving days ended about 34 weeks - I couldn't count on not having an intense contractions, so I decided I probably shouldn't be driving....

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At 33 weeks and 6 days we did our Maternity photos with the Fabulous Kaity! Since we did maternity photos at the beach for Payton - we want to do a park or something this time around. Since we decided on the name Charleston, we decided on downtown Charleston! :) Here are a few of my favorites......

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At my 36 week appointment I was 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced! Baby Charleston can come at anytime! Dr. Fisher said look out for my water breaking or contractions being 5 mins apart for an hour or so. The days following my appointment, my contractions def got closer and stronger really fast! During our ultra sound Miss Charleston was super active, but we got a few good pictures of her! I mean look at those CHEEKS!!! I'm pretty sure she gets those from me! They estimated her to be about 6 lbs and 1 oz. So she's def bigger then Payton! Lets hope she doesn't get much bigger then that by next week! lol. 

--------------------------------------------

So today is my last day of being pregnant! I'm not sure what my emotions are because I'm to exhausted to even think about them! Surprisingly im not really nervous or scared about tomorrow. I know my feelings about the delivery day have been a little different through out my pregnancy - but now that its here, I think im ok! I mean i'm nervous - but who wouldn't be pushing a baby out! lol. 

Richard and I have decided to keep things as simple as possible tomorrow! We have to be at the hospital at 6:45 am. We have told family not to be at the hospital no earlier then 9 am. We have also told all our family and friends that we only want intermediate family at the hospital tomorrow, but everyone else is welcome to come see us on Tuesday. We just want tomorrow to be as simple as we can make it, and no stress for anyone. We will see how that goes! I at least will have my sister their to put anyone in their place if need be! lol. She gets me like that! :) 

So ready to meet this bundle of joy we have been so patiently waiting for! 

Baby C needs a name....

Its been revealed.. baby c #2 is a GIRL!!!!

From the moment I got pregnant, especially if it was another girl....I wanted the same initials as Payton. So of course I threw the name Paisley back in the name bag. Richard shot that down the first go around - lets see how it goes this time! I also chose Parker. I know its a common boy name, but I absolutely love it as a girl's name! Its different. I've also looked outside of the "P" names, bc lets face it - their is not a huge selection. For a while now I have liked the name "Charleston." I must of had a dream about it - bc I woke up one more and was like.. OMG! I LOVE IT! lol. And of course we can always call her "Charley" for short. Its not only different in unique, its where we live. We were started this family. Where Payton is.  

Since we are having trouble deciding on which name, I put a poll together for everyone to vote on their favorite name. The middle name will be Bjana, no matter which name we chose. Just follow the link below! 

Vote on Baby C's Name...

BOY OR GIRL? THE GENDER IS REVEALED …

Ready to watch me act like a lunatic? I don’t think I have been this excited in long time....

Richard and I weren't really expecting to find out the gender until April 16th, but were super stoked our nurse Tammy was able to sneak us in for a quick ultra sound while waiting for Dr. Fisher. I'm nervous going to the Doctor as it, and during our ultra sound it truly was quick. She literally turned it on - and like 2 mins later it was off. Im not sure how she saw anything. We had her write it down on a piece of paper so we could find out with everyone else. Richard was not very happy about it! :P

Of course we were all SUPER excited! I promise Richard was for the most part! I think he was a little disappointed at first.. Now we just have to decide on a name...

Baby C #2 on the way...

Richard & I are truly excited to announce our second pregnancy. 

In December we went to Disney, and before I went I took several different pregnancy test but they all said no - but I was for sure I was pregnant! I could feel it. We spent the week in Florida with my family as planned. I wanted to take a test when got back, but it was late in the afternoon and I really wanted to do it first thing. Richard had to work the next day so it was perfect. The next morning I woke up and took my test. As I walked back into the bathroom to check on it, my best friend Dixie called. I answered it as I looked at the test and screamed! "OMG IM PREGNANT!"  She was like wait, what? She was the only person I told. I wanted to surprise Richard like I did the first time around so I surprised him Christmas Eve, bc thats when we do "our Christmas." 

  

I decided to make Richard a little onesie for the baby to open during presents. But I needed something else - then I came across this poem, that hinted but did not blow it at first. 

"I do not have a face to see,

Or put inside a frame.

I do not have soft cheeks to kiss, 

I do not yet have a name. 

You can't yet hold my tiny hands,

Nor whisper in my ear. 

It's still too soon to sing a song,

Or cuddle me so near.

But all will change come August 2015;

When my mommy says I'm due. 

I am your new son or daughter,

and I can't wait to meet you!

All I ask between now and then

is your patience while I grow.

I promise I'll be worth the wait,

Because of all the love we'll know!

So what I give you now,

is a wish to you from me.

I cannot wait to be a part

of this Wonderful Family!"

Richard was super excited because all he could say was "really?" really?" "are you sure?" "really?" I told Richard Richard if you want to tell our parents for Christmas too - they each have the same present under the tree - the poem is just slightly changed! 

I was super excited to tell all of our family for Christmas, because no one knew! The only person who knew was Dixie. I even kept it from my sister! 

Let the pregnancy adventures begin..