Celia's Birth Story

We had our little girl 9/22/09 at 4:34 AM.  She was 6lbs, 14oz.  19.25" long. 

I went for our 41 week appt 9/21 at 4:15 pm.  They did an US and my amniotic fluid was really low so they sent me straight to the hospital to induce.  I called my doula on the way to the hospital.  She didn't answer or call back for hours.  When she finally did, she was sick and couldn't come.  Oh well.  At that point I didn't think I would have her for a while so I wasn't too concerned.

They placed the foley catheter at 8pm and were going to start pitocin at 6am the next morning.  My water broke on it's own at 11pm and by that point I was 5cm.  I asked for my epidural at that point.  It did not take so they spent the next three and a half hours trying to make sure it was in the right place.  All of this time my contractions were really strong and 1-2.5 minutes apart.  Finally at 3am they decided to do a 2nd epidural.  It took a while and only my legs were numb.  My husband and I tried to take a nap at that point since I had been up for over 24 hours (I woke up at 2:30 the morning before).  Five minutes after cutting the lights out I felt a REALLY strong urge to push.  The nurse checked and I was 10cm and ready to push. 

45 minutes later she was born.  She had aspirated a lot of meconium so I didn't get to hold her right away, but we were lucky that she didn't go to the NICU.  I got to hold her 5-10 minutes after she was born.  We stayed at the hospital until Thursday because we had some nursing issues, but came home healthy.

Our first family pic.  Celia is the only one looking presentable.  But after being awake for 48 hours at that time and pushing this being out of me, I guess I don't look that bad. 

Snow Days.....

We have had a ton more snow than usual for NC this year.  Here are some pics from the numerous snow days.

dreaming of vacation

I really want a vacation.  The last time we went anywhere was in Oct 2010 with John's family.  We rented a cabin in Seven Devils, NC.  It was amazing, but short.  Prior to that was the spring before when we went to the beach while pregnant w/ Celia.  I can't figure out where I want to go, but here are some pics from both trips.  I can at least dream of getting away sometime soon.

Myrtle Beach, April 2009

See the chipmunk.  There were quite a few there.

Photos by DH, (isn't he quite the nature photographer)

16 Months

We took Cecelia for her 15 month visit a little late since she had 2 sick visits last month. 
She was 31" long and weighs 18lbs 11.5oz.  Yay!!!!  She is finally back on the growth chart for her weight.  She dropped off completely a while back.  She is still below 5%, but she is back on and we are thrilled.  She says mommy, dada, cat, kitty, doggie, bottle, eat and quite a few other words.  A few weeks ago I asked her if she wanted to me do something for her and she replied, "no Mom".  Really???  Already.  She knows where her belly, head, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, legs, belly button, hands, fingers, feet and toes are.  Ask her and she will show you.  She runs at break-neck speed constantly so we are always on our toes.  I haven't uploaded pics recently, but here is one of the most recent I could find.

Babywearing

I had never even heard the term babywearing until I was pregnant w/ my DD. Somehow or another I started reading Drea's blog while I was pregnant. I saw her post in 09 about baby carriers. By the time Celia was born I had two carriers, The Sleepywrap and a RS by Kimz Creations (who is no longer in business).

The sleepy wrap was my fav when Celia was a newborn. Within a few months I bought a Babyhawk, (which I ended up trading w/ Drea). I now have needless to say quite a few more. Who knew that baby carriers could be so addicting. Here are a few of my pics.  And the link to one that is OTW right now.

Pic by Drea Wood

No longer mine

No longer mine either

Here is the link to a WC OTW to me right now.  Can't wait.  Thanks Johna of Boutique Bella Bambini's.  She is fabulous to work with.  I can't wait to post action shots.  Coming as soon as it gets here.

Wordless Wednesday

 Not the most recent pics, but some of my faves. 

I'm still here

Sorry!  I have been so busy this past week.  Busy enough that my Christmas tree is still up.  Oh well.  I LOVE Christmas and have enjoyed it so it doesn't bother me too much.  We just celebrated Christmas w/ my Papa and his family yesterday.  Papa has Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia so I cherish the moments that we get to spend w/ him when he is lucid.  He remembers who we are, he just can't always put everything together.  Here's one of the last pic that I have of him.  I think Celia was 2 weeks old here.  We were on our way home from getting her newborn pics done.

It really puts things into perspective.  When Cecelia was born in 9/09 she had 5 living Great-Grandparents.  She only has 3 now.  It makes me so sad, but still blessed to know that even though she won't have the memories of them, she has their pics.  Here are a few more of John's paternal grandfather and maternal grandmother who have passed away since her birth.

Granddaddy died when Cecelia was 10 weeks old.  He lived until the three Great-Grandchildren he knew were on the way were here.  He got to spend 8 weeks cherishing them and we got to spend that time cherishing the time watching them bond.

Grandma lived until December 2010.  Her health had been declining for a while, but she came out of her room and came alive when the great-grandbabies came over.  It was fun watching her make the effort to play and sing to Cecelia.  Celia loves to play Granny's piano when she goes over.  I know grandma is smiling down from heaven.

Every day

We have a Sesame Street lover in our household or should I say three.  I don't know who sings more songs.  We at least currently have a four disc rotation now.  Every single day we watch at least one.  I have been hearing a Cookie Monster song in my head for a week now.  Too funny.  You know you have a kid when......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLHXwC7lkas

Check the song out!!!  I'm telling you, it will be in your head.

Hello again

We took Cecelia to the dr last Friday.  She is doing much better.  We all had a nasty stomach virus and it just took a little longer for her to get over it.  We were worried because we have had trouble keeping weight on her.  And of course, she lost some.  Hopefully it will come back on pretty quickly.  It was so nice to see her smiling and playing yesterday.  She went back to the new babysitter yesterday and had a great time.  I wish I could stay at home with her, but since I can't I really need to trust who we leave her with.  Luckily, I do.  Who couldn't love this face though???

Sickness Abounds......

Oh well, so much for avoiding the stomach virus.  John and I came down with it within an hour of each other Sunday night.  Cecelia started throwing up very shortly thereafter.  It took us a few days to get our energy back, but Cecelia is still sick.  She would be really sick for a day, then be fine.  But she's had diarrhea and thrown up yesterday and today, so it's off to the dr we go tomorrow.  I hope they can give her something for the nausea and possibly fluids.  I think she is really hydrated.  Please pray for us......   Will post an update tomorrow.

My New Year's Resolutions

I always use the same New Year's resolution every year.  I am going to be hot by summer.  LOL!!!  That way, whether I lose weight or not, I win.  

In all seriousness, I want to lose weight and get in much better shape.  I want to spend as much quality time w/ my family and play more w/ Cecelia. 

I want to have a much closer relationship w/ God.  I feel that I have not taken enough time in the past year or so devoting myself to Him.  When I was sick a few years ago, I really prayed and when I say pray I mean all of the time.  I knew that without Him, I would not have come through that time.  I want that feeling back.  Not the sickness, but the absolute assuring feeling.

 How can you not feel that when you look at this gorgeous view from my kitchen.  Yep, we live across the street at our church.  Can you not feel God when looking at this??

Hope everyone else is doing great and has a great new year.

We're off to finally celebrate Christmas w/ my in-laws

Last week my DH's entire family ended up w/ a nasty stomach virus.  We had gone over to his parent's house in Saturday to celebrate Christmas.  We knew his brother and sis-in-law were sick.  John's parents had Luke, one of our twin nephews.  He started throwing up within 30 minutes of us being there, so we packed our bags and left.  Thank God that none of us got it.  It is strange that we haven't finished celebrating Christmas yet, but awesome to still be praising God into the new year.  Happy New Year everyone!!!

Cecelia was a little sleepy and tired.  I wanted to photo shop my extra chin out, but I love this pic of us.