Haily and Gunnar {Birth Stories} Part 1

Let's start off 12 yrs ago...

I was expecting a precious baby right after Christmas 1998. We celebrated Christmas and then New Years- I was overdue!!! On January 5th, I waddled into the doctors office and they sent me to the hospital to be induced. I was relieved, scared, and excited to meet my baby finally. The medicine they gave me to soften my cervix put me into labor. My back hurt so bad and the nurses referred to it as back labor. I am not sure why but the Dr. had ordered that I stay in bed.They wouldn't let me get up even to go to the bathroom. When they started the pitocin to get things moving faster, the contractions really kicked in. The pain was so bad that I asked for something to help. Again, I was disappointed as the Dr. said and epidural or nothing. No walking around, changing positions, etc. After receiving it, I couldn't feel anything, couldn't turn over without help - this was not going as planned.


At 6:45am on January 6th I was only 4cm but when they checked me at 7:45am I had progressed to 10cm! It was time to do the hard work. The nurses hurried around the room to get everything ready, called the Dr. and told my Mom it was almost time. As the Dr. checked me one last time things took a turn. His words were shattering to me - this baby isn't gong to fit - the baby is just too big - You need a c-section.  I was devastated, scared and worried but Dr. knows best so I listened. My mother assured me it would be ok as two of her deliveries (mine included) were c-sections. I was never allowed to even try to deliver vaginally - not one push to just to see how I would do. By 8:03am my baby was born - I heard the first cries - they announced it was a girl and we named her Haily Marie! Then I got sick, started shaking badly, and watched as they wheeled my new daughter out of the room. I wouldn't see her again until that evening. My recovery from surgery was terrible and I don't remember much at all the day she was born. I couldn't hold her because I was too weak. I planned on nursing so she was very hungry when they finally brought her to me. I was still in shock of how things happened so quickly and I really didn't understand why they had to be that way.

We went home after a long week in the hospital. My mother had taken off so that she could be home to help me recover. I will treasure those times. This was her first grandchild and the only one she would ever meet. 

Lot's has happened since then: my mother passed away, we moved to NY, my father passed away, I learned about God and what Jesus did for all of mankind, I met my wonderful husband, and that brings you up to speed :)


To be continued...

Welcome {Gunnar}

This sweet little boy arrived on March 8th weighing in at 9lbs 2oz and 22in long.

{How I became a SAHM}

I have been a mother and keeper of my home for 12 years. Of those 12 years, I have worked a full time job and when needed a side job or two. Tasks that needed to get done around the home were squeezed into being a wife, mothering my daughter, helping with homework, making dinner, etc. I knew that when I walked through my back door that I had X amount of time to get everything done. Most of the time I got my list crossed off. 


I noticed that while I was able to get things done, my family and my mental health suffered. I was constantly thinking about what needed to get done next. When life threw a curve ball, I blew up!!! I didn't go outside and scream into the sky, I didn't take a walk to blow off steam, unfortunately my husband and daughter {the very people that God gave me as a gift} received the brunt of it. After a melt down from yours truly, I would have to go apologize and ask for their forgiveness. 


Over 2 years ago I started praying that I could get things under control. I feel that God put a desire in my heart to stay at home. I never wanted this before and  it didn't seem possible then but I kept praying, then my husband joined in.

We knew that when we added another child to the family it would be hard to carry on as it had always been. For several years we worked to pay any debt off and fix things around the house. As I type, the last project that "needed to be done" is being completed. We had a goal and as of January 28th the goal has been met. I resigned from a job that I LOVED so that I could be all that God intended for me to be. It wasn't and won't be easy but with God-all things are possible. In the next month we will welcome our son into our family and I pray that he will not have to see where I was several years ago!!!

Where are you???

It seems I have lost my ankles somewhere in the past week. Something tells me I won't be finding them until after Gunnar makes his appearance. Don't mind the chipped polish-my sweet daughter has been away from home for the last 3 nights. Hopefully she will make 'em all purdy this weekend for me ;) Oh the joys of having a 12 year old little girl! Love her ♥

Baby picture update

Just thought I would share these photos we got last week. Not the best views since he is ALWAYS moving {which is a good thing}! He flipped face down so we were able to get one of his whole body but from the back. Love how you can see the ears, arms, spine, legs, & feet. So neat to see him grow.

{October}

Having some fun with the family!

 Kristi carved A + K and Haily's said BEAST. I guess beast is the new awesome, cool, rad, etc. Don't feel bad, I don't get it either.

She made some cute cupcakes for our treat. {They were delicious}

And she picked up a pair for fairy wings for Haily and herself!!! We thought Guy would like to try them on.That's him wearing the pink leopard print wings.

Too bad his dad said he couldn't wear them. I think he looks adorable ;)

We are heading down there after church for {trick or treating} which reminds me...I'd better get the chili going or we won't be eating. 

~Have a safe and happy HALLOWEEN~

This moment in time...

...Or the last 3 months

I've been 

tired, 

cranky, 

moody, 

lot's of headaches 

&

this is why.

I am about 3 months along 

and 

our little family is very excited! 

More coming soon but for now I must sleep.

Wordless Wednesday

 

(not the best picture - it was taken with my phone)

Babies

I can't wait for this movie to come out - not sure if I will make it to the theater to watch it or just wait for it to come out on DVD. Seeing how other cultures raise their babies might be an eye opener to how we approach parenthood. All those "things" that we think we "need" might just get tossed out to the goats :) Watch  the trailer and let me know what you think??

{Bye, Bye, Baby} Part II

You know that your little girl isn't little anymore when she comes out of you closest saying "Mom, can I wear this" or she walks down stairs to show you that she can in fact fit {and walk} in your stilettos high heels. At least she thinks my clothes are "cool" enough to wear {I promise it wasn't 1980's week at school}. Just for the record my answer was yes to the clothes and TAKE THOSE OFF NOW BEFORE YOU BREAK YOUR ANKLE!!! 

When did you realize your little girl was no longer your "little girl"?

{Bye, Bye, Baby}

One of the greatest joys that God has given me is watching my little girl grow up. Everyday I see his imprint a little more on her ♥. Thank you Lord for this gift!

Gone are the days of my little baby girl sitting at my feet in the kitchen or curled up in my lap as we read a bedtime story. Now she stands beside me kneading bread or stirring the pot. She doesn't dig in the garden dirt while I tend to it, she is planting and harvesting with me. It seemed appropriate that as we marked this milestone that we give her a "big girl" room...

She will always be my little girl

        {I Love You to the Moon and Back}

Little Hands don't stay little forever

Mom stopped by to help :)

    After paint but before her new bed and shelves...

I'll post the complete project when it gets finished.

Blankets and toys and books OH MY!

I was visiting Our Family Highlights and loved the poem she shared. I thought it would encourage us moms with young children so I am sharing it with you. 

"The Toy-Strewn Home" by Edgar Guest

Give me the house where the toys are strewn,
Where the dolls are asleep in the chairs,
Where the building blocks and the toy balloon
And the soldiers guard the stairs.
Let me step in a house where the tiny cart
With the horses rules the floor,
And rest comes into my weary heart,
For I am at home once more.
Give me the house with the toys about,
With the battered old train of cars,
The box of paints and the books left out,
And the ship with her broken spars.
Let me step in a house at the close of day
That is littered with children’s toys,
And dwell once more in the haunts of play,
With the echoes of by-gone noise.
Give me the house where the toys are seen,
The house where the children romp,
And I’ll happier be than man has been
‘Neath the gilded dome of pomp.
Let me see the litter of bright-eyed play
Strewn over the parlor floor,
And the joys I knew in a far-off day
Will gladden my heart once more.
Whoever has lived in a toy-strewn home.
Though feeble he be and gray,
Will yearn, no matter how far he roam,
For the glorious disarray
Of the little home with its littered floor
That was his in the by-gone days ;
And his heart will throb as it throbbed before,
When he rests where a baby plays.

Yup, She's a giver and a keeper!!!

My daughter has a heart of gold. She is a caring, compassionate little girl who wants to put a smile on every face she comes in contact with. These YUMMY, OH SO YUMMY cookies are just what she ordered up for some people in our church. Bill, who is going through treatment for cancer (throat) and Debbie, who has Lou Gehrig’s frequent our hearts and lips. We are praying for their strength and their families as they face the unknown. God is their guiding light, which no matter what the outcome may be, will be eternally with them. Haily was set on making these cookies for them so they know that she was thinking and praying for them. How sweet is that (you can get a Kleenex now). {She’s a giver and I think I’ll keep her}

It is pure joy that God has given me this child to raise up. I need to constantly be reminded that she is only mine for a while and I need to use that time to train her in the ways of the Lord.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.