One Year

Noah,

Words can not describe how much you have grown already! It seems like yesterday they placed you in my arms for the first time, you were so tiny! Now you are attempting to do more and more things on your own. You are very determined (and stubborn!) just like your dad. When you really want something you will let the world know! You get frustrated when you can't do something on your own. You still love to be held (I don't see that lasting much longer though!) and you love people. You are very social and adore the ladies. We think you may fall in love easily the way you fawn over nearly every young girl/woman we walk by! You love green beans and almost everything we eat. You have not liked "baby" food since about ten months, you will even refuse to eat anything mushy that comes close to resembling baby food like mashed potatoes. You still don't have any teeth! You still aren't walking but it won't be much longer. You pull yourself up and stand on you own often. You crawl so fast and love being chased! You like the comfort of your mama but love playing rough with your dada! No one makes you laugh like him, except for maybe your Uncle Chase who you just adore. You have a little temper already but still such a sweet disposition. You love our pug Izzy but like to crawl into her cage which drives Mommy nuts! You know what the word "no" means but you love testing boundaries. You can be so loud and like drawing attention to yourself, I think you may have some of Daddy's "class clown" tendencies in you (uh oh!). You get so excited over the little things (ceiling fans, lights, wind chimes). I am looking forward to seeing you grow and learn more. Our sweet almost toddler!!

My Birth Story

Wow am I late on writing about this! What can I say, I had my beautiful boy and have fallen so madly in love, the rest of the world does not exist to me at times. My family is my world and that is that. Now I can totally see why friends have babies and don't call back! Anyway, I figure recalling the birth of my son and writing it down while it is still fresh in my memory would be a good idea so here we go...

On Wednesday, 3/7/12, I started having some contractions. They weren't super painful but they were definitely stronger than any Braxton Hicks contractions I had before so I waited until Chris got off of work, made sure we had all of our hospital bags ready, called my mom and off we went to the hospital around 1 am. In the back of my mind I was already feeling bad that this might not be it. I wasn't screaming or clutching my belly but my contractions were just a few minutes apart so I didn't want to take any chances. When I got to the hospital I was asked my pain level, "I don't know, seven? Eight maybe?" I was all hooked up and checked, only 3 cm dilated. The lady told me he wasn't ready yet, just go home. My face fell, I felt so bad to get everyone so excited just to be sent home. We didn't get home until around 6 am, poor Chris was exhausted but I was on a mission to get this baby out of me! I didn't want to have to be induced and we were quickly reaching our due date (3/10/12). From then on it was walking, spicy food, foot massages, yoga ball bouncing nonstop. Fast forward to 3/9/12.

It was a day like any other, I was bouncing on my yoga ball polishing off the bag of sweet chili Doritos when I started getting contractions and they were stronger this time. Much stronger. Still, I wasn't taking any chances this time. I kept bouncing trying to ignore them. I started pacing the room, walking up the step and back. Did some squats, did some detailed cleaning (did not know there was that much wall dust!). Then Amy came over to make sure the carseat was properly installed and I started losing my breath from the contractions which were at this point, about a minute and a half apart. Amy decided that I needed to go to the hospital immediately. I wasn't so sure but relented and off we went! I called Chris' work and at this point they were hurting, like belly-clutching hurting! We got to the hospital, I was asked my pain level "TEN! OWW! TEN!!" I was rushed through immediately this time. Checked and "Oh yes, you are about seven or eight cm dilated. You are ready!" That's when I asked for an epidural by just about anyone who walked by me and it was finally given to me in time.

My epidural went great! It was administered by a student and I was a bit cranky about that but when she finally finished, I didn't feel a thing. I was completely numb from the waist down, couldn't even move my legs. I allowed friends and family to come in and visit, we laughed and talked. Would he be born on the 10th or the 9th? It was around 11 pm at this point so I figured it would be the 10th, like his great grandpa. The nurse said we would try some "practice pushes" soon and around 11:30 she checked me and said "Oh, you are ready to push!" In came the doctor and more nurses and I started pushing. They kept saying he is almost there PUSH! I pushed and before catching a breath was told to push again. The doctor asked if I would like him to use the vacuum. "Huh? Will it hurt him?" He assured me it would not, that it would help get him out. He seemed to be in a hurry and help sounded good so I agreed. He suctioned him some and I pushed some more. Chris said "Honey, there is hair!" Another push and he was out and immediately placed in my arms. I sobbed like a baby. I felt overwhelmed, exhausted, scared, excited, "This is my baby." They took him for examining, measuring, weighing and that's when he started wailing. My mom was already enamored "Look at his, skin! Have you ever seen a newborn with such beautiful skin already?" He looked so much like his daddy I thought. I couldn't have asked for a better labor really. I started having contractions in the afternoon, went to the hospital in the evening around 7 pm, started pushing around 11:45 and he was out in less than ten minutes! Noah Michael, born 11:52 pm on
11/09/12 (he wanted his own birthday), 20.5 inches, seven lbs even and he was beautiful. 

Valentines Day

This is the first Valentines Day that I'm madly in love with two men! Well, one is my little man that I have yet to meet but already love dearly and the other is my forever love, Chris who I can't imagine life without.I was surprised with beautiful pink tulips, a sweet card, and gorgeous, sparkling diamond stud earrings! He sure does spoil me. I was proud of his new Xbox game and "manly" diaper bag but he outdid me for sure! Of course, he was pretty thrilled with his new video game. Unfortunately he had to work but we celebrated on another night. We actually ended up going to Steak and Shake Valentines night only because of our milkshake cravings and laughedwhen we realized it was technically Valentines Day. We should have won an award for classiest couple! It honestly didn't matter what day it was, we love each other regardless. Plus my shake rocked! It was a perfect Valentines.

Pics:

Baby Shower!

Last Saturday (2/4/12), Chris and I had our baby shower for Noah. We invited all of our family and friends and were pleased with the turnout. Noah is spoiled already, now I am even more excited for his arrival. We are still working on his nursery but it's in the process and I am still hoping this "nesting" frenzy will hit me but I am pretty uncomfortable moving around these days. They say the last four weeks are hard and I would have to agree! I know it will all be worth it once he's finally here.

Pictures from the baby shower:

I was like baby, baby, baby ohhhh!

Almost 31 weeks in these pictures! Little Noah is not so little anymore! He has really made my belly pop! It has been awkward and each step feels like I am the abominable snow man, no seriously, the ground should literally be shaking from all the weight I have put on. When I was told, the pregnancy would go by fast, I didn't really take it seriously. Nine months is a long time! That will give me plenty of time to do prenatal yoga/pilates, take weekly belly photos, cook delicious and healthy meals and document everything in a detailed scrapbook. Yeah. Not sure what I was thinking there. Thanks to work, exhaustion and general laziness, this pregnancy has gone by in a blur. I think I have done yoga/pilates maybe three or four times so far, I will get a belly photo by next month maybe, cooking still is something that needs to be worked on and scrap booking? Does this blog count?

Don't even get me started on the nursery, baby-proofing and cleaning the house. That is far from done. There is popcorn ceiling all over his floor, walls need to be painted, carpet needs changing, it is pretty much a construction zone for the time being. I am trying to remain calm about all of this. It is not good for baby when I stress out but I feel kind of helpless not being able to paint or lift things in order to help move things along. I have faith it will all come together... eventually.

Christmas time!

It was our last Christmas before we become parents!

I was about 28 and a half weeks here. We aren't ones to get really into the Christmas spirit. As much as I would like to decorate the whole house and bake cookies, I never felt like I had the time or energy. This will all change next year when we have a nine month old to impress!

Update

Now when you kick me, you make Momma's belly move! I love it. You are getting stronger I can tell, and your kicks are becoming more frequent. I can't get enough pickles and oranges and the other night I had a craving for a Root Beer float so your Daddy and I went and got some right away (non-caffeine of course). I'm pretty sure you are a fan.

On another note, I started my new job and am much happier where I'm at. I'm looking forward to a better paycheck and easier work nights. We go on our "Babymoon" the day after tomorrow! I'm really excited because it will be our first vacation together. I can't wait to spend all that quality time with the love of my life!