Small Town Football

I was reminded Saturday night just why I love living in a small town. 

The game was scheduled to start at 7:00 and the gates were opening at 6:00. Maddie and I were going with my mom and meeting the rest of the family and my friends there. I figured if we got there about 6:15 we would be sure to find a good seat......

At 6:00 I drove up the hill to my old Alma Matter and was shocked to see cars were already lining the road on the way to the football field. When I say the place was packed I'm not exaggerating! 

By the time I found a parking spot and pack muled all the necessary stuff in and found a seat the stands were full. I couldn't believe at the great turnout! 

Did I mention this Alumni game was also a fundraiser? I'm not sure how the money is split between the company that puts on the games and the part that is donated to the schools but I do know that the school gets a larger portion of pre-sale tickets versus tickets purchased at the game. Our side had sold 1700 pre-sale tickets and the other team 1300. For two small towns that is quite a bit. Just shows that in the south we love our football!

The game was great! It was fun watching and cheering for Marine and watching our little munchkin cheer for Da-da! Vixen had been sweet enough to make Maddie her own spirit shaker. And boy did it get used!! 

The game was exciting and much better then I expected to be for a bunch of old guys playing. ;) Our team may have been playing it's biggest rival but it was also great to see all the good sportsmanship what was displayed. After each play members from each team would help the others up. All these men were just so happy to be playing a game they loved once again. It was great for the younger generations to see the good sportsmanship, I think though.

Marine played awesome! Up until the end of the second quarter when he blocked a guy three times his size and pulled his hamstring. The second half of the game he ran a few plays but mainly stayed on the sidelines. I hated that he got hurt but was relieved it wasn't worse then was. 

Of course he said, "Practice for 8 weeks and only got to play to quarters...." so he was a little disappointed but overall he had such a wonderful time. Him and the others are already talking about next year! Just goes to show you never really grow up. 

Also note in the picture Marine has on white cleats..... cleats he has had since high school. They have seen better days and need to be retired. But ah Marine is such a cheap skate! Lol I even went and bought him a new pair of cleats for Valentines day and he took them back saying it was crazy to spend that much money on a pair of shoes he would only wear for one game. I thought he was crazy but come game time was thankful he is such a cheapo! Why? Because everyone else had on black shoes and him in the white ones was so easy to spot!! lol

The game was so close. At half time we were ahead 14 to 13. In the second half the other team made a comeback though and scored another touchdown to win the game. Even though we lost it was a wonderful night! I enjoyed sitting with Nurse Betty and Conscious and running into old friends I hadn't seen since high school.

Sometimes living in a small town can get a little old. But times like these remind me why I love it so. Seeing the support of the community behind this event was wonderful!! In the end our team ended up raising $16,000 for the High School Sports programs.  

And in case you were wondering Marine's butt did look good in those tight pants! ;)

The Boys of Fall

Before Marine was Maddie's Dad....

Before he was my husband....

Before he was my lover ;) ....... (lover just rolls off the tongue so smooth I had to say it).

Before he was a Marine.

Way back when he was your typical American teenage boy. Back then he was one of those "boys of fall" Kenny Chesney sang about.

Marine lived and breathed football. And from what I have been told he was pretty good at it. 
When I started dating Marine, Babbles called me and the conversation went something like this:

Babbles: "So you realize Marine is kinda of a big deal right?" Me: "Uh.... ok." Babbles: "I mean you do know he was like one of the star football players in high school?!" Me: "Ummmm....." Babbles, "He still holds 2, TWO, school records." Me: "Wow.... ok." Babbles: "Scouts used to come to our po-dunk town to watch him." Me: "Wow....." Silence Babbles: "I really can't believe you sometimes."

Maybe I should point out again that Marine is several years younger then me. And Babbles has always been big on our towns High School sports, holding a school record herself and now being a teacher and track coach. So she can quote you about any stat. I on the other hand am clueless.
So perhaps Marine was a big deal during his day. 
Come tomorrow night I will get to see if he still has it. 
In January someone contacted Marine about playing in an Alumni football game against our school's biggest rival. 
Ever since he has been like a kid in a candy store. So excited as he heads off to practice after work and on Sunday afternoons. 
Another shot to relive the glory days. 
Our entire small town is abuzz with excitement over the game. Vixen has even dusted off the old pom-poms and organized an alumni cheerleading squad. 
I admit with all the excitement I feel like a kid in high school again. Looking forward to the big game and going and hanging out with all my friends. In high school we used to watch the game and vote on which guy had the best butt.... Oh admit it you know you did the same. I mean those tight pants? How could you not!
I for one admit I am excited to see Marine in those pants. *wink, wink*
The game is for a good cause to, with the majority of the money being donated to the two schools athletic programs. 
So tomorrow night I will don my school colors and wear Marine's high school Letterman jacket as I go to fully support my sweetheart. In high school I never really dated a jock, tomorrow night will be reliving not only those days for Marine but my chance to relive what it's like to date a hot, football player. 
Awe the boys of fall....

When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass

I'm back in my helmet, cleats and shoulder pads

Standing in the huddle listening to the call

Fans going crazy for the boys of fall

They didn't let just anybody in that club

Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood

To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall

Kings of the school man, we're the boys of fall

~ Kenny Chesney ~

Remodeling... So many choices!

With the new house there are so many decisions to make and things to choose.

The remodel is underway and going faster then I thought it would to be honest!

It's now time to choose colors. And when it comes to the kitchen colors I'm stuck....

My current kitchen is barn red... and I love it! It's very country kitchen.

But for the new house do I want to paint the kitchen red and the cabinets an antique white?

      

Or .... do I want to paint the walls the antique white and the cabinets a blueish color?

What are your thoughts? Help me out!!

Rule Number 1 - My Baby Must Have List

(For all my non-pregnant, non-parent readers I promise I will have a no kids allowed post coming up soon! But for today one last all about baby post....)

For all my pregnant friends I have decided to compile a list of the top 10 things/tips I could not have made it without.... or that just helped make things easier, to say the least.

I still make no claims to be a "baby expert" but I am a little wiser then I was this time last year and I really wish that with all the useless things people tell you that someone would have told me just how invaluable the items on this list would be. (I will try to include links when possible.)

So without further ado. 

1. Bassinet

If you listen to nothing else I say listen to this. Invest in a bassinet! Do not let baby sleep with you and your spouse. I REPEAT do not let baby sleep with you and your spouse. 

Once baby becomes accustomed to sleeping with you they will want to sleep with you from now on. Which may be sweet when they are little but not so much when they are 5 and you and the hubs haven't had a night in bed alone in 5 years. I say this because I have two sets of friends who have made the mistake and warned me. 

Now I know bassinets aren't cheap but I'll give some tips on that shortly. I was lucky enough to have a good friend who had one she wanted out of her house that I was able to purchase pretty cheap. Maddie slept in this next to mine and Marine's bed till she was almost 6 months. It was nice cause she was right there next to the bed and we could keep an eye on her yet we still had our own space. 

2.  Sound Machine and Heating Pad (work hand in hand)

The first few weeks in my house there was very little sleep going on at night. When it got to the point that Marine and I were like Zombies I started asking friends for any tips or advice on how to help Maddie sleep. 

My mom said when I was a baby she would place a heating pad under the sheet in my bassinet with a blanket then over it and turn it on low for about 10 minutes before she would put me in it. Babies like warmth, they are used to being warm next mom or dad. The heating pad will warm the bassinet up so that you aren't laying baby down in a cold bed. 

This tip seemed to help. **Safety note - never put baby in there while heating pad is on. Always turn off pad and remove it before placing baby in bassinet.**

A friend suggested something that played "the heartbeat noise." The what? I had no clue what she was talking about at first! But then she explained and it made sense. For 9 months baby has been used to your warmth and hearing your heart beat. Hearing your heart beat makes baby relax and know she is safe. Luckily my Fairy Godmother had given us the Homedics Sound Spa as a shower gift... and guess what it played the heartbeat noise. 

Combine this little jewel and the heating pad and you my friend have just found yourself a few hours of peaceful sleep. 

Maddie is now almost a year old and we still use this machine daily. Not only does it play other music but it also has a projector. And my favorite part is that it has a timer! So during those growth spurts when Maddie would wake up for a nighttime feeding I could put her back in bed, turn it on, hit the timer and go back to bed myself knowing that in 30 minutes I would no longer hear the music coming from the monitor.

3. Diaper Champ

When registering at Babies R Us the helpful associate told me a piece of advice that would save Marine and I quite a bit of money over time. The associate advised to go with the Diaper Champ over the highly popular Diaper Gene. Why? Because with the Diaper Gene you have to buy special bag refil kits which range between $15 and $20. But with the Diaper Champ there are no refills to buy. Just use normal trash bags. 

Needless to say this is one thing you will use multiple times a day and it does help reduce the smell. And it's nice to not have to buy any special refills for it!

4. Join a Whole Sale Club (BJ's, Sam's, Costco, ect.)

Bite the bullet and pay the cost to join a whole sale membership. I personally use BJ's and they have saved us quite a bit when it comes to diapers. Cause let me tell you diapering a small baby can cost a fortune. BJ's is great though cause you buy in bulk and they also accept coupons. Plus they send out a coupon book each month that normally has coupons in it for diapers. This month for example there is a coupon for $5 off Pampers. Maddie is in size 4 diapers now which I think the last I bought was $41.99 for a box of 160... so $5 off is a big help! I also buy Similac Formula from BJ's and it is much cheaper then any of my local stores such as Walmart, CVS, or Ingles. 

Another great thing to buy here is the special baby washing detergent you are supposed to use. I paid about $30 last year for a large jug of it. I wash approximatly 1 large load a week of Maddie's clothes - sometimes more - and this one jug has lasted a year and is still going. (Side Note I still wash my and Marine's clothes in our nomal detergent and just use this for Maddie's things).

5. Pampers Swaddlers or Huggies Snugglers

Before having Maddie I knew nothing about diapers. I was naive to think that all diapers are created equal. Thank god for nurses (in more ways then one) and especially thank goodness for maternity ward nurses who give you knowledge on how to care for that little bundle of joy. My lovely nurses introduced me to Pampers Swaddlers the ultimiate for the baby dummy. These diapers are wonderful for any first time parent in that they have a nice yellow line that turns blue when the diaper is wet. 

Worry about how to tell when baby has a wet diaper? Check that worry off the list! Invest in these diapers and will always let you know. These are also convenient when out about and you need to do a quick check to see if baby is wet. Good news they do offer these up to size 3 at BJ's.

6. Sophie The Giraffe

When the teething stage hits you will do anything to help baby! Is teething really that bad you ask? For me.... I consider it one of the rings of h-e-double hockey sticks. Everyone gave me suggestions. I tried it all; frozen teething rings, damp washcloths, teething toys, and even (as one friend suggested) frozen waffles. Nothing seemed to ease Maddie. So I went to my good 'ol pal Google. *Sigh* he never steers me wrong!

This is how I came to find Sophie. Sophie is the number one rated teething toy and though she ranges from $18.00 to $25.00 (cheapest is Amazon included link above), she is worth every penny!! When I added her to my shopping cart I couldn't believe I was about to spend this high amount on a teething toy. I mean seriously? But I couldn't take it any longer I was willing to try anything!!

Don't ask me what the secret is, cause I have no clue. But Sophie is a God a Send. Best $18.00 I may have ever spent!!

Side Note: I never told Marine how much Sophie cost or he may would have killed me considering he calls this a dog toy since it is plastic and squeaks. So if you don't want to spend the high price try a plastic squeaky toy at your own risk.

9. Vtech Piano

Vtech makes wonderful toys for children! Maddie particularly liked the VTech Sing & Discover Story Piano, just to give you an idea she started playing with this around month 4  I believe (if I recall correctly) and she is now almost 12 months and still plays with it.

Most played with toy I have bought thus far.

Thank you Vtech this is a must for a work at mom who needs a minute to check email from time to time!

10. Swing

Another teething savior! During those restless nights when baby can't sleep place her in this and it will lul her to sleep in no time! The Fisher Price Swing is wonderful!

11. Dr. Brown's Bottles

Remember when Giggles, Vixen, and I went to register for my baby shower and had no clue about bottles? Yeah turns out there is a difference!

I breastfeed but also supplemented with formula at times and when using a bottle Maddie would always spit up bad. Someone recommend I try Dr. Browns.

Viola problem spit up problem solved!

12. Baby BJorn

Baby Carriers are wonderful for taking little one out and about. And let's face it sometimes you just need use of both hands!! 

Example I still had horses to help feed. Originally I purchased a cheap basic carrier at Wal-Mart, being naive and not know there was a difference. Needless to say I put the carrier together and then could never put Maddie in it because it was so complicated for one, and for two it just did not look comfortable. To many pieces that would pinch those sweet, little, chunky, legs I so loved. 

Enter Baby Bjorn, this is the best carrier!!  Marine and I both enjoyed carrying Maddie around in this. It also worked great when we took her on her first mini-vacation!

13. Don't buy Retail

Ok let me take a moment to chancel my inner Duck Dynasty and Si, "Rule Number 1" Never Buy Retail!

Do you know how fast a baby will grow??!! Super fast!! All the stuff I listed above is not cheap my friends! If you look back through my list there are only 2 things I purchased new: Dr. Brown's Bottles, and Sophie. Minus the sound machine cause I received it as a gift. 

Everything else on this list I bought through area consignment sales or from friends who already had kids and wanted to clean some baby stuff out of storage. I went to a consignment sale last night in fact to purchase what will be Maddie's summer wardrobe. There is to many tips I can offer here in saving money so those will come in another post but just to give you an idea the $149 swing up above..... yeah I paid $15.00 for it. And that $50ish Baby Bjorn... I paid $8.00. Both items looked brand new and served their purposes for me 100%!

"You never go in the woods without a pistol okay that's rule number 1."

~ Si, Duck Dynasty ~

Don't Blink

Call me a little nostalgic... ok perhaps I am a lot nostalgic! Or maybe I'm getting a late case of those postpartum blues I kept hearing about.... Nah I'm way to up beat for anything that has the word "blues" in it. I guess that just leaves me with the final conclusion that you really don't know how fast time flies till you become an adult and watch your own child grow.

Maddie's first birthday is approaching quickly. Which means I have been gathering ideas from Pinterest and channeling my inner Martha Stewart.

Exhibit A: The cute invitations I made. (Minus location... and the fact the pink is purple on here and all the colors are distorted... hmmm whats up with that blogger?)

Also the other night while watching The Walking Dead ( LOVE that show), I was getting pictures together from the past year of Maddie. Looking through them and seeing how fast she has grown still amazes me. Seems like just the other day I was wondering how in the world I would know what to do with a baby. 

Another thing to think about as the 12 month mark approaches is the fact that I need to start trying to wean her from a bottle and gear her more toward getting her fill from table meals. Notice I used the word 'think'. It may sound silly but I'm just not ready for her to stop taking a bottle yet. That's the last little piece of baby that remains in my 1 going on 13 little Maddie. I was talking about this last night with Marine while trying to not sound like a crazy person. I even admitted that I can kinda see why some people breast feed so long...... ok I thought that for about a split second and then changed my mind. It still creeps me out at the thought of breastfeeding a 3 year old. Now breastfeeding advocates don't get up in arms on me at that comment. I believe in breastfeeding and all the positive things that go along with it. I did it for as long as my body would allow, needless to say if I were a milk cow I would have been sent to slaughter after about the first 6 months. 

Wow I'm really all over the place here. 

Tonight as I get Maddie for bed we go through her normal bedtime routine. Then I fix her nighttime bottle. We settle down and I pull the blanket around us and begin to feed her the bottle. She drinks for a minute then pushes it away. I offer it to her again when she adamantly pushes it away again. I wait a minute thinking she will reach for it when she's ready. But she never reaches for it. Instead she starts stretching and squirming the way she does when she wants you to put her in her crib. 

But she hasn't had her bottle. Surely she doesn't want to go to bed without eating her bottle? I offer it to her one more time. She pushes it away slightly harder this time. 

I relent and say her bedtime prayer as I kiss her forehead and lay her down in her crib. She immediately rolls on her stomach and curls up in a ball as I place the blanket over her and she snugly pulls it around her. I hit the button on her music machine, turn off the light and exit her bedroom.

I admit I hovered at the door a minute waiting to see if she would change her mind. 

She didn't. 

Wow. When did our rolls reverse? When did she become the one weaning me? When did that sweet little baby turn into a little girl? 

"Don't Blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don't blink" ~ Kenny Chesney ~

In My Little Corner Of the World

How is it already February?

Maddie has started walking a few weeks ago, 10 months and walking. We are definitely in trouble!

I guess I haven't updated much on what is going on in life in general lately. So let's see if I can play some catch up.

After Maddie was born I went back to work full time.

I hated it.

When I would leave in the morning she would still be asleep. Marine would take her to the sitter, from which I would pick her up around 6:30. By the time we would get home it would be 7 and I would bath her and feed her and it was time for bed. I would try hard to keep her up to play but by 8 / 8:30pm she just couldn't take it.

I did this for a couple of months and then realized it just wasn't worth it. I had gotten a promotion at work and actually liked my job - and was making dang good money. But it wasn't worth it to me. I was missing out on to much.

And Marine, well I was driving him crazy as well as myself.

So we sat down and started crunching numbers and the "what if's" and came to the decision that we could afford for me to stay home with Maddie.

At that decision I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

I know how this might sound to some. And I truly empathize with the single working mom's out there. I don't see how they do it. And if I had no other choice I could have kept doing it. Sucked it up and been thankful for the one hour a day I actually got to see her awake.

At that point some drama was going down at work and I knew it wasn't the right time to turn in my notice. I have never left a job on bad terms and they were good to me while I was on maternity leave so I owed them the respect of being fair to them as well. So I waited a week for things to settle down and then sat down to have the conversation with my boss.

It did not go how I had planned.

I really like my boss but.... it's safe to say she is different then anybody else I have ever worked for. She is just a few years older then myself and she lives and breathes work. She has a family also but work is what comes first to her. Also even though her and I had always gotten along, at times she can be a real witch.

I had a feeling when I told her she would be mad and not even let me work the two week notice I was planning to give.

Instead she broke down and started crying on me.

Not what I expected at all!

She offered me more money.

I thanked her but held my stance and declined. She asked if I would consider working part time.

This was not what I was expecting.

Marine's mom had already said she would still like to keep Maddie one day a week. Marine and I had already discussed that on that day I would work at the restaurant. (I did mention Marine opened a restaurant, right?).

I tell my boss about the one day. To my shock she says that if I would want to work part time I still can.

The end result I go into the office one day a week and then work part time from home the rest of the week.

So while Maddie naps I work or after she goes to bed at night. Which doesn't leave much free time for "me stuff" such as blogging or reading. But I am very thankful. It's nice to still have a little of my own money and to still have my foot in the door.

I enjoy spending the days with Maddie. Teaching her things and letting her teach me things as well.

Marine is still going to school using his GI Bill... and working at the restaurant.... and shoeing horses..... cutting lumber (we know own a small sawmill as well) and about a million other things. The man does not know how to slow down and just relax. If you count it that is 3 jobs he works and goes to school. Yet somehow still finds the time to be a wonderful dad and husband. Not sure how he does it all but I love and appreciate him for it!

In other exciting news.... we also just bought our first house! Everything Marine does happens fast it seems. All major life changing decisions anyway. Examples:
   - One day we talked about getting married and the future. A week later he has proposed and we have      
      eloped and gotten married.
   - He decides he wants to go in with his Step-Dad and open a restaurant  Within 3 weeks they had a      
      restaurant up and going.
   - He comes home one day and says he and his Uncle are going to go in together and buy a sawmill. I just
      say, "Okayyyyy......" A few days later he says they are going to look at a sawmill..... and you guessed it.
      We now have a sawmill.

Marine and I weren't really looking for a house. We have kept our eye on the market and since his mom is an agent we sometimes go look at stuff that seems to be a good deal. Three weeks ago Marine calls and says lets go look at a house. I agree and go to town to meet him and his mom.

Needless to say we walked through the house and Marine says, "I think we should make an offer."

Its an older home and needs some work but all work that Marine can do himself. Plus it is perfect for us in every way.

It's close to my mom - since my dad passed away I admit I don't want to live to far from her. She needs help with the horses and farm and Marine and I want to be close by to help.

It has 6 acres, and a pasture already fenced in. A perfect clearing to build a barn and a big open back yard for Maddie to have a swing set. Plus there is a peaceful little stream flowing through.

It seemed to good to be true.

Within an hour we had put in an offer.

The next day we heard a response that the offer had been accepted.

We close on the house tomorrow.

I'm so excited! It's going to take some work and we don't plan on moving into it for probably another 6 months. But it will be fun painting and working on it together.

I'll be honest it's all happened so fast I haven't even told any of my friends about it, other then Vixen and Giggles. I've almost been afraid to say anything for fear the deal will then fall through.

I'll post pics soon. I definitely want to track the before and afters!

Ross: We think Chandler might be having an affair.

Monica: What?

Rachel: Phoebe and I saw Chandler with a blonde woman today outside on the street and then we followed them to a house in Westchester.

Phoebe: They went in together. So sorry.

Monica: Oh, my God! Oh, my God that's awful! What did you think of the house?

Phoebe: What?

Joey: Monica, you understand what we are saying, right?

Monica: Yeah, sure... Hum, I'm devastated, obviously... (Turning to Phoebe and Rachel) Did you think the neighborhood was homey?

~ Friends ~

2012

Dear 2012,

Wow. I'm not sure where to start.

So much has taken place this year and my only regret is that I haven't had the time to write it all down.

In a few hours it will be time to tell you goodbye, but before I do I would like to take a moment to reflect on our time together. During our time together I have learned so much!

I have learned that nothing can prepare you for that moment when you first hear your baby cry out.

I have learned all those stupid stories about "oh labor really isn't that bad" really are true. After time you forget the pain and any and everything associated with it. Because it was all worth it. I admit I never thought I would actually say that.

I have learned that sleep is a friend I may never have a close relationship with again. Oh Mr. Sandman please visit my house one night soon. All three of us.... especially the little one..... and if you can sprinkle a little extra over my bladder area that would be much appreciated also. Yes, friends, pregnancy may end but you will never stop having to pee 24/7.

I have learned that sometimes one small child can bring an adult to near tears. Teething has to be one of the 7 layers of hell.

I have learned that even though life may change there are some things in life that never do and that is my group of girls. No matter what happens I know we will all still gather every couple of months for dinner, drinks and great conversation.... oh and of course Christmas parties with tacky shirts!

I have learned - well perhaps not learned but reaffirmed - that Marine is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Not only is he a wonderful husband but an even more wonderful Dad. Anyone can be labeled a father but only a truly special men can labeled a Dad. Seeing Marine crawl around on the floor with our little girl and making her laugh and coo and ahh is one of the greatest things to see.

I have learned that a baby will teach you new things almost on a daily basis. I have enjoyed watching Maddie grow daily and growing with her in my learning and understanding.

I am so thankful for my many blessings that you 2012 have brought me. It has not been all fun and games but looking back its always easier to remember the good moments. But honestly 2012 I can't really remember any really bad moments. Yes, the roller coaster of life hit a few bumps but nothing we weren't able to get thru as a family. I am so thankful for Marine and how hard he works so that I can raise our daughter. I am thankful for the roof over our heads and the dog curled up on her bed at my feet. I am thankful for my wonderful mother who I seem to grow closer to each year. I am thankful for wonderful in-laws. I am thankful for wonderful friends. I am thankful for my ever patient Horse. I am thankful for so many other things...... 2012 I am thankful for you and all the precious memories you are leaving me with.

2012, I have had a wonderful time with you and to be honest I will almost be sad to tell you goodbye. You have given me so many things to be thankful for. As the years pass I know that some will blur together, hard to distinguish from the others. But that will never happen with you my dear 2012 because you gave Marine and I the best gift we could ever have asked for.

Yes, this letter is a lot more sappy then I intended..... But hey I guess that's what happens when Aunt Flow decides to visit on New Year's Eve ;) Cheers to you 2012!! Thanks for a year I'll never forget!

Love,
E.

Past Letters: 2010, 2009 and 2008

Merry Christmas To All!

Christmas morning I awoke bright and early so excited I had hardly slept a wink.

I couldn't wait to see Maddie's reaction when she saw the presents under the tree. The house was quite. I was the only one awake. The sun was just coming up. 'Of course the one morning she decides to sleep', I think.

Marine and I get out of bed and I go in the living room to get the camera and everything set up. At 8 o'clock I couldn't take it anymore. It was time to wake the beast.

"Maddie.... time to get up and see what Santa I brought..." I said in a sing song voice peering into her crib. She peaks an eye open and grins before sitting up.

Needless to say I change her diaper quickly and hurry into the leaving room. She crawls in probably not sure why the paparazzi are ready to snap her picture.

I mean doesn't this face just scream, "Mom are serious?"

Needless to say when she realized she could rip into the pretty packages under the tree that she had been told for weeks to "Look not touch" - she was thrilled!

You mean I get to rip this stuff to shreds?

Challenge accepted.

Then it was time for her to open her main present. Her new walk behind activity center ma-bob (technical term).  She figured out quickly how to use it! And she loved it. 

Now it may look like we went overboard. But I promise I didn't. It being her first Christmas I knew this would be the easy year in which she would be more enthralled with the wrapping paper and the boxes then the toys themselves and I used this much to my advantage. 

Christmas morning was so much watching the surprise and joy in her eyes. When opening presents she would rip a piece of wrapping paper, hand it to Marine, rip another piece off, hand it to Marine and so on and thus forth.

After our house we had to go to my mom's and then to Marine's parents. Needless to say by the end of the day she was a pro at unwrapping gifts!

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Wordless Wednesday - Baby Smiles

A New Chapter

On March 14th, 2012 I entered into yet another new chapter of life.

Motherhood.

For those of you that don't have kids. Throw out anything anyone has ever told you. Cause nothing can prepare you for seeing that little bundle for the first time.

Yes, you have 9 months to prepare but I promise those 9 months go by rather quickly!

I have never considered myself a "baby" person. I mean some people have it, some people don't. I always blamed it on me being the youngest person in my family. Who knows. Either way I was always a baby dummy, that awkward friend that visits you at the hospital, holds the baby, but it's obvious they don't know what they are doing.

I was also the person who thought all babies look alike.

When they placed that tiny baby in my arms though all those thoughts disappeared. This baby looked like none I had ever seen.

She did have a worried expression those first few days at the hospital.

Marine said she was worried cause she knew we didn't know what we were doing...

If that were the case she was right!!

Everyone had said it would come naturally.... and they were right. I myself was shocked. But at 2 am when there is no one else around you just kind of figure it out.

I'm skipping around a lot, I apologize.

Let me start at the beginning.... on March 11th Marine and I arrived at the hospital with bags in tow. My original due date had been March 6th and I was now almost a week late. Due to swelling my doctor had advised they would only let me go a week late then they would want to induce.

I myself wanted to wait as long as it took! As a baby dummy I was nowhere near ready!! And I admit I was a teensy tiny bit afraid of the whole labor thing.

But doctors orders.

There was no water breaking. No frantic rush to get the bags in the car. No pandemonium as you try to make sure you have everything, including the camera, for this huge milestone. No worrying about getting a speeding ticket on the way to the hospital.

Nope not us.

Apparently, much to my disappointment, that only happens in the movies. I admit I really wanted my water to break and freak Marine out. In the final week up to D-Day when I was experiencing a Braxton Hicks Contraction Marine said, "If you think your waters going to break go stand in the bath tub."

Sigh, what a romantic! lol

But nope none of that for us. Instead we drove the hour drive to the hospital. Stopping on the way to eat diner with our Mom's for their birthdays. My mom's birthday is March 10th and his is March 14th. Then we calmly parked at the hospital and headed inside.... Now there may or may not have been a fuss from Marine on how much stuff I had packed as he tried to lug it all in the hospital...

Why yes... I just realized that is my bra
thrown on top of the bag...
* blushing*

Everything was so calm.

We were checked in and then taken to the maternity floor where we were shown to our room and introduced to our night nurse.

It all seemed to easy!

The room was very nice!

The doctor came in and started the first step in the induction process and tells me to get a good nights sleep that they will start me on the IV in the morning.

The room resembles more of a hotel room then a hospital room in that it is cozy not just white and plain. I settle in for the night and Marine makes his couch into a bed.

'This is it,' I think, 'Tomorrow we will be parents.'

The next morning I am brought breakfast and advised I have time to eat a little before they start the next phase of induction.

See calm!!

Around 9:00 a.m. the doctor comes in and they hook me up to an IV.

All I have to do now is relax and wait for things to start happening.

Sounds easy, right?

A nurse comes in and checks on me every hour.

Sometime after lunch we hear some commotion in the hall. The machine monitoring my contractions is split screen and the person in the room next to me her contractions are showing on the top portion. I don't remember the exact reason for this but know it was along the lines so the nurse could monitor us from both rooms. I need to add that the lady in the next room had also been induced that same morning about 20 minutes before me. Anyway, after the noise in the hall I look at the monitor and see that where my contractions are rolling hills, hers are scaling sharp, high mountain peaks.

Shortly after the nurse comes in to tell me the other person has had their baby.

And me? I don't remember the exact dilatation but it wasn't much.... Just contractions that are not near close enough together.

"This was her second child. Sometimes with the second child the labor is a lot quicker," The nurse informs me.

Yeah, Yeah.

I can't remember the exact time but later that afternoon I'm pretty much told that we haven't made much progress. That happens sometimes. It's been a long day. Eat some dinner. Take a shower. Get some rest. We'll try again tomorrow.

My Mom and Marines Mom have been there most of the day. After much assurance from myself and the nurse that doesn't look like baby will arrive over night, they decide to head home. But not without making Marine promise he will call if even the slightest thing happens.

Marine goes out and gets us some dinner because the hospital food just doesn't look that appealing. And also because I treat each meal as if it may be my last meal. I mean do you know how much time there is between breakfast and diner? I needed Chick-fil-a!

After a night of not much sleep.... I mean how can you sleep when a nurse is checking your vitals every hour? The next morning is much the same. Eat breakfast, get hooked to IV.

Whew. Today is the day. But deep down I know it's not. Crazy I know.

Do you know what is on daytime TV? Nothing. The room has a DVD player in so Marine runs out and comes back with several Redbox rentals to choose from.

Yes, I'm sitting in the hospital trying to give birth and watching movies.

Day 3 is contractions and discomfort. But nothing to unbearable.

At this point two other women have come in and had babies. Me? Oh were still just hanging out.....

At the end of Day 3 it is much the same. The doctor comes in and says that I have two options.

1. I am dilated enough they can break my water tonight and I can have the baby. 
2. I can eat diner, take a shower, get a goods night rest and they can break my water in the morning.

I'm exhausted from the contractions all day and I'm starving. I choose option 2.

Once again Marine goes and gets us diner and he curls up beside me on the hospital bed and we watch a movie. 

Wednesday - Day 4 - March 14. Today is Marine's mom's birthday. I am officially 8 days late.

Again I'm started on an IV. Today though is going to be the magic day. Where the dilatation had been at a standstill today I quickly accelerate to a 6.

The contractions aren't to bad, but I'm no dummy. I want the drugs before they get bad. I'm told I can get an epidural now if I want.

One of my friends who is a mother of two had advised, "when they offer you the drugs, take them!!! You may not be hurting but if you wait your screwed."

A lady comes in with the nurse wheeling a cart. This was my second day having nurse Holly and she was wonderful!! The anesthesiologist tells Marine he can watch if he wants to. Of course he says he does. He stands in front of me and I grip his hands leaning forward.

OUCH! my mind screams.... only to hear, "I'm so sorry I'm going to have to do it again....." No I'm not kidding.

Apparently 3rd time was the charm. On the third time, I'm advised it's in.

From here things get a little blurry. The contractions speed up. The doctor breaks my water. Things are moving quickly, a nurse checks me and quickly leaves the room coming back in with a table and other nurses saying I'm at an 8 and it will be any time now.

But the baby has turned slightly and is not in the exact correct position. We have to try and get her to turn back. I'm help to lay over on my side with one foot crocked up funny into one of the stirrups. The bed is lowered from my waist down. I'm sure this isn't really comfortable but I'm so drugged up I can't feel a thing. My mom keeps pacing the room looking worried and saying that can't be comfortable and am I sure I'm ok.

Every so often the nurse will come in and flip me to the other side. This goes on for some time.

Then the epidural starts to wear off. I can't feel every contraction. Another nurse hooks up a new bag to the IV running to the epidural. Next thing I know I hear the monitor beeping. And the nurse is telling everyone but Marine to get out of the room. Other nurses rush in my numbness state I can feel the urgency as the nurse says I have to roll over and get on my hands and knees.

Is she crazy? The drugs have just kicked in and I can't feel a thing! Not to mention the fuzziness going through my head.

They grab my arm and help me get turned over. While Marine helps me hold my upper body up one of the nurses is moving the monitors on my belly. One monitors the baby's heartbeat and the other the contractions.

Apparently the second round had made the baby's heart rate slow as my blood pressure dropped (I think that was why.... it was all fuzzy to me).

After a bit I'm flipped back over.

I feel awful. I'm hungry and I feel upset to my stomach. The nurse says I can eat a few crackers to settle my stomach and have just a tiny bit of water.

Things are calm for awhile. I'm still having to rotate sides and still nothing is happening.

Marine and I walk laps up down the halls.

Nothing happens.

Nurse Holly comes in, "I'm not a doctor but I just want you to be prepared. I think your going to have to have a c-section...." She proceeds to tell me that where the baby has been pressing it is agitated my cervix and it was swollen and she wouldn't be able to fit.

Bless Nurse Holly. Even delivering bad news she was great!

The doctor comes in and says along the same lines as everything Nurse Holly has said. But the bad news is there are two emergency C-Sections they must do before me. It will be awhile.

I don't remember how I got one but I guess it must have been ok.... I made Marine run to the gas station and come back with a Icee. Which I ended up throwing up. In a bad. Sexy I know.

By this time the Nurse Holly's shift was over and I had a new Nurse. I tell her my epidural is wearing off. She doesn't pay much mind but says she will get someone to come up.

By now its around 8:00pm-ish. I have been having STRONG contractions all day.

They come and add to my epidural. I give it awhile to take affect but the pain relief never comes. I tell the nurse I'm in pain.

Nurse Witch seems not to believe me.

My back is to the monitor. Marine is in a chair next to the bed holding my hand. My mom is seated on chair diagonal to me. And Marine Mom and Sis sit on the couch. I can see the worry in my mom's eyes.

I tell them I'm hurting and can feel the contractions. I ask Marine to press the button for the nurse. I tell her again I'm in extreme pain. On her little scale of 1 to 10 I'm quickly escalating to an 11. I feel the contractions in my back and pelvis area as well as pressure in pelvis area.

She again seems uncovinced until I winch. Back to the monitor I say, "If you look at the monitor I'm having a contraction... it's getting worse.... worse.... worse..... WORSE..... easing off. easing down..... whew contraction over."

She is looking over my shoulder at the monitor the entire time. "You can feel that?!' She asks.

WELL DUH!! What do you think I've been trying to tell you? However I just simply answer, "Yes."

She gives me something else though the IV in my arm telling me it should help. Slowly it dulls the pain. The pain doesn't disappear but its no longer as intense.

Twenty minutes later the pain is back.

This time the head anesthesiologist comes in. It is not the woman from this morning but a man in his mid 30's.

"I hear you are in some pain." He states.

"Yes, Yes I am."

---------> Interruption: Sorry I have been trying to write this post since May. It's now November. So I'm going to sum up the rest. <------ p="p">
Nice man gives me pain meds. The good stuff. Obviously they had been holding out on me before.

They will me down for my C-Section. On the way Marine's Grandma is in the hall snapping pictures. The nurse jokes I have my own paparazzi. In my mind I'm thinking "this is so not a moment I want to remember."

Despite my dread the C-Section wasn't that bad. And when I heard that initial cry my heart leaped. Before I had even seen her I looked at Marine and said "How about Maddie?"  

Have I mentioned that even after 9 months we did not have a name for our baby girl?

And then a beautiful baby girl is in Marine's arms.

She does not look happy to be here. Period.

I tell the anesthesiologist I can feel pressure. He hits the magic button and according to Marine I was snoring in seconds.

She was perfect.

That was Wednesday night. We weren't finally discharged till Saturday. Even though it was a long week I was so thankful for such a nice hospital staff. The nurses (minus the one) were wonderful!

More to come.... If I can find time to write. I miss blogging!