photo about-44.png photo behind-1.png photo recipe-1.png photo hope-1.png photo contact-27.png photo subscribe-10.png

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

A Baby Story: Holland Joy

We welcomed a special little gift on September 9.

We are overwhelmed at the miracle her life represents.

photo 4

And that God chose us to be her parents.

And will continue to bless us and stretch us as she grows.

She sleeps quite often.

Except for last night when she decided to be nocturnal.

And eats quite often.

She's already almost up a full pound from when we left the hospital.

She is mellow.

And sweet.

And quiet.

Her flaky newborn skin is becoming less flaky and more perfect.

Her umbilical cord fell off yesterday morning.

Her smell is my favorite smell in all the universe.

She has long eyelashes and her daddy's almond shaped eyes.

She has my lips.

She looks like Kayla.

But has Ashlyn's chin.

She was the smallest of the three girls.

The true baby of our family.

And this is the story of the day she was born.

HollandJoyTEXT

I was a week overdue.

And had been having contractions for a few days.

So strong, in fact, that we went to hospital on Sunday morning, the 8th.

The nurse checked us in and I was only 2 cm dilated.

The contractions stopped and we walked the halls a bit.

My doctor was not on call that day so they sent us home.

Not before scheduling an induction for 7:30 am the next morning.

This made going home a little easier.

As soon as we walked in our door, contractions started again.

I timed them with an iPhone app.

They were mild and far apart.

We watched the Niner season opener.

My crazy friend Julie drove up from Orange County.

And we waited.

And tracked.

And I stayed up all night.

They got less mild and less far apart.

And by 2 AM, I wanted to throw my phone and that app out the window.

I became worried that I wouldn't make it until morning.

But I was hoping to avoid the induction.

So I made it a goal to wait until 7:30 and prayed for progress.

I made it.

And have never been so happy to see the sun rise.

Our friend Margaret came over.

She and Julie stayed with the girls and got them off to school and we headed to the hospital.

photo 5

I had the same nurse as the day before.

Her name was Angie and I loved her.

She rolled out the induction kit as I was having a contraction.

photo 2

She decided to check and I was 5-6 cm dilated.

The homework paid off.

She yelled at me for not coming in sooner.

We happily said goodbye to the induction kit and hello to my best friend, the anesthesiologist.

I got an epidural right away and then we waited.

photo 5

Family and friends came in and out.

We chatted and passed the time quite peacefully.

They all went to lunch while I rested.

She arrived fast.

photo 1

Which I was thankful for.

Dr. Diaz barely made it in time.

At 2:10 pm I started pushing.

photo 2

And at 2:54 pm we welcomed her into our world.

A world that will never be the same.

photo 4

Family and friends came in to meet her.

They were as overwhelmed as we were.

photo 3

Checking her fingers and toes.

And her sweet squishy face.

photo 3

Rejoicing that she arrived safely.

And was healthy.

photo 4 copy

A little bit later, Margaret and Kim brought the big sisters in to see her for the first time.

They brought her tulips.

"Because of her name, mama."

photo 1

Ashlyn asked if she was a doll.

Kayla wanted to know when the umbilical cord would fall off.

photo 2

photo 4

They are smitten and sweetly obsessed.

We all are.

photo 1

We love you, Holland Joy.

You have been prayed for by so many.

photo 3 copy 2

You are a gift from God.

We are so grateful for your life.

photo 3 copy

And we can't wait to see you grow.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Pintertest Kitchen 24: Pina Colada Bars

I read last week that pineapple starts labor.

And I need help, people.

So I decided to sift through my pinned pineapple desserts.

And I found one.

I present to you Pina Colada Bars.

They are quite delicious.

And easy to make.

Even when you're crazy pregnant.

photo 2

I made them on Tuesday.

And had some for breakfast on Wednesday.

And lunch.

And dinner.

And will probably do the same thing tomorrow.

You know.

To get this party started.

photo 1

My pictures are not the best.

Because nothing I do at 40 weeks, 2 days pregnant is the best.

You should see our laundry.

photo 3

Original recipe here.

What have you been up to this month?

Grab a button in the sidebar and link up below!

Screen Shot 2013-04-03 at 9.24.26 PM



Monday, September 2, 2013

Not So Labor Day

Due date is here.

photo 4

And she seems very cozy.

And not very concerned that I'm not.

So I'm assuming it will come and go.

photo 2

The girls started school and have settled into a nice routine.

They love their teachers and we're looking forward to a smooth, fun year.

Ashlyn is adjusting to her mainstream first grade class effortlessly.

She loves having her own big desk and dry erase board.

She also ordered hot lunch for the whole year by mistake.

kim

Kim hosted her 3rd Annual Mug Swap and it was quite the hit.

Over 800 ladies exchanged fun little surprise packages.

Natalie sent me this.

photo 1

I sent Jaime this.

And ran into Kim at the post office while doing so.

So that was fun.

mugswap

And now have two new blog friends.

And a cute purple mug.

And cute straws.

And a pennant stamp.

And a cute hankie.

I love blog friends.

And purple mugs.

And fun extras.

Thank you, Natalie.

Screen Shot 2013-04-03 at 9.24.26 PM

Also.

Baby or no baby.

Pintertest Kitchen is THIS Thursday.

I made a no-bake pineapple dessert.

photo 5

Because it's 5000 degrees and I read yesterday that pineapple promotes labor.

So I've been eating it like crazy.

But I don't think it's working.

Zero contractions and my tongue has acid burn.

So, anyway.

Consider this your friendly reminder to come back on Thursday and link up.

And Holland, consider this your friendly reminder to SHOW UP.  Period.

My tongue hurts.

Thank you.

Goodbye.