A week in October

Nine months came and went.  I now proudly sport the title of mother(and sometimes mama bear).  Pregnancy was exciting and draining and magical and humiliating and everything I'd hoped for.  If I had to choose one word that to summarize my pregnancy it would be walk.  I became a bit of a walkaholic because it eased the pain, gave me energy, and kept me preoccupied.  I walked to the store, I walked the stairs at work, I walked the trail near our home, I walked across Mexico and Hawaii, and I walked that baby right out of me.

Here it is.  The last picture the bump appeared in.  I was 37 weeks and the Dr. was certain this babe would be coming soon because I was almost halfway through labor already.  Being in pre-term labor for so long was rough on the body and mind, especially while working, but



I was lucky enough to have my mama stay with us the few days before and after delivery.  Having her there was priceless. The night before I went into labor we were all starting to think the Doc was a quack and that the baby was staying put for the next two weeks. Contractions and Braxton Hicks were actually slower and less intense than they had been the few days before.  We went to bed and I was out like a rock....until 4 am.  I woke up because of a cramp and then a little gush.  I stood up and made my way to the bathroom and the little gush turned into Niagra Falls because my water broke and this baby was coming!!! I started shouting to Michael from the bathroom that it's officially baby time.  Finally, he heard me and sprang up with an excited panic and his hair sticking straight up.  While I got myself dressed, he went and woke up my mom and the mad scramble to grab everything and get out the door began.  Right before we were out the door I felt my first real contraction.  Wow. Those things are no joke and I morphed into the crazy woman in labor asking my husband to drive faster and questioning why he chose what seemed liked the slowest route possible to get to the hospital.  After what seemed like an eternity to check-in, we made it to the labor room and the only word out of my mouth was epidural.

This picture is anything but flattering, but this is real life labor my friends.  I was dilated to a 6 at check-in and was not emotionally prepared to have this baby without my beloved epidural.  In the above picture Michael and I are actually arm wrestling.  It was the closest I've ever come to winning.

As soon as I got the epidural it was nothing but rainbows and butterflies.  

This is a happy mama who is dilated to a 10, well medicated, and ready to push.  Only problem with that awesome epidural is that it might have been a little too awesome.  I could not feel a thing. Nothing.  Michael teased me about the fact that I was smiling as I was pushing.  I had to have a lot of coaching on pushing since I was so numb, and I'm grateful I had my husband there by my side to tell me I was doing good.  After half an hour of pushing and a little help from the baby vaccum, Victoria Dawn was out.

She was born at 7:29 am weighing 6 pounds 12 oz and 20 1/2 inches long.

I wish I could accurately describe the emotions of holding your child for the first time, but gosh darn it, it's just not possible.  The words enchanting, overwhelming, and beautiful are just going to have to suffice. 

Nothing has ever filled me with more joy than seeing my sweetheart and eternal mate become a father.  Goodness, fatherhood looks good on him. 

We were greeted home with so much kindness from dear friends, family, and neighbors.  Having a child is so very humbling. 

This picture will forever make me laugh.  This was the morning after our first night home.  She kept us up all night. I was so tired.  She was so awake.  But I was too happy to care.

Our first Chargers game as a family.  Definitely must be documented for posterity's sake.

It was so hard to keep her under the bili lights because all we wanted to do was snuggle her scrumptious self up. 

 

 



 And so concluded our first week as parents and the beginning of our sweet daughter's journey on this earth.  The love of a parent is a burning in your chest- all-consuming powerful kind of love.  I know I felt my Heavenly Father's love for me and my family during this experience, and for that I'm grateful.

 

Now, where's the book of instructions that tells me what to do from here?

 

 



Expecting the Unexpected

 

A steady, but hasty Boom Boom Boom Boom has  become the most welcomed and precious sound imaginable for us.  It's the sound that confirmed that becoming parents isn't just a  hopeful dream to be chased, but a very real living, breathing, pooping reality for us in just 6 months.  Someone, pinch me!!!

 

The journey to this point is of course very personal to us, but I would like to mention my gratitude for a caring Heavenly Father who loves me and knows exactly what I need much better than I do, and a wonderful Dr who is an angel in my eyes.  Oh, and thanks Kelly Clarkeson for the billion times my husband has told me, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."

 

 

 

Michael and I tend to be pretty big on financial planning.  We had the billiant idea at the beginning of the year to buy a nice, family-friendly car to get paid off by the time any little squirts arrive.  Three days after we purchased our Buick Enclave, a big plus sign appeared on the magic pregnancy test stick.  We still have full intentions to pay her off by the time Cran Baby arrives. Wish us luck!

 

 

 

 The first appointment was better than Christmas.  During the ultrasound it kept squirming and curling up into a ball.  I think it's a cuddle bug like me :)  Having some fears reassured at this 8-week appt also meant it was time to tell family. It was so liberating to be able to FINALLY spill the beans to those we love, but I really was grateful for the time when it was just mine and Michael's precious little secret. 

 

I promise he was happy this day.  I just have to throw out a cheese-tastic shout-out to a best friend who makes me so happy and proud. I think our kids are gonna high-five me someday for picking out such a studly mate.

 

Then came the pregnancy symptoms.  Constant  reminders that Cran Baby is still there and not wanting to be forgotton.  Hospitals are smelly.  REALLY smelly when you're pregnant.  I admit to smearing the inside of surgical masks with toothpaste/essential oil to tolerate most patient's aroma. 

The arrival of my beautiful niece, Hallie has only amplified my excitement.  She's perfect, and has my brother's nose.  I think she's going to be one heck of a partner in crime for our babe.  There's also two other cousins on Michael's side that are due around the same time as me. Yay for built-in buddies!



 

Sharing the news with our friends has been on a as-we-see-you-we-blurt-out-we're-pregnant kinda basis.  Before meeting up with friends, we would decide who would be the one to divulge, and the other would just sit back and wait to see what they came up with.  For my long-distance best friend I sent her this little gem in honor of a true pregnancy classic.  

 

And the facebook announcement...

Now comes the waiting and growing.  My short person torso is kind of a lousy hiding place.  I tried on a maternity shirt and am convinced all t-shirts should have built in side rouching.      

We're so happy and blessed to have the love and support from some pretty incredible family and friends. I'm now 13 weeks, with a babe the size of a peach. ( Maybe a lemon? these pregnancy apps need to all jump on the same produce bandwagon and get their stories straight.)  Due date is the day after my birthday on October 17th. 

YEAAHHH BABBBYY!!!





It's the insomnia talking

It is currently 4am.
I've had 2 cups of cocoa and 3 cutie mandarin oranges.  Must keep patients breathing for two and a half more hours.  Thought I'd spit out some random updates.

-We have a real Chirstmas tree named Holly.  She's really pretty and curvy, but maybe just a little tipsy turvey. 
-Michael attempted "Teaching Natalie how to snowboard: take 2."  It is still TBD whether or not there will be a take 3.
- Had a grand realization that I must be part Hobbit.  The curly hair, round face, short stature, stubby toes; these are my people
-Got my sweet father-in-law to hang my curtains.  Everyone should have a retired military man hang their curtains.  Sturdy as a rock and straight as an arrow they are.  They might even be bullet-proof, but I didn't ask.
-I finally stopped the vicious Kohl's cash cycle.  You know what I'm talking about: you get the Kohl's cash, then have to spend it, then get more Kohl's cash, then have to go spend that too.....
-Michael never has to take another general education credit class again. Boo yah!
-I'm officially and RRT (registered respiratory therapist) and can now put letters behind my name and let my brain turn to mush.

 curtains+tree+yellow+piano+goofy chair chaise thingy adds up to one heck of a room if I do say so myself.



 

The tree hunt began at the conclusion of a very long no-shave November.  Glad my Paul Bunyan approved of our tree though.

 And we attended an ugly sweater party.  The magazines were part of a game that we had just dominated. 



I should probably go save a life, or at least go restock the the equipment room.
Later Alligator!

Much much more than a snack cake

 

A hot topic on the news and social media today is the closing of Hostess brands.  This topic is much dearer to my heart than the loss of delicious snack cakes.  For 31 years my father was a dedicated employee for Hostess brands.   About a year ago,  he found it necessary to leave the company for a rival one to ensure job security.  Despite his change of companies, the Hostess brands company will always  be special to me.  It is what paid for the food on my table, clothes on my back, shelter over my head, and so much more for many many years.

Some thoughts I have as I look back include:

 

 

• The mascott is named Twinkie the Kid
• During high school my best friend and I got paid to pass out bread samles at grocery stores. Best job EVER!
• During the premiere of Shrek, they dyed the inside of Twinkies green. Those were my favorite
• Wonder bread was the first company to sell sliced bread
• My dad always had a trunk full of snack cakes ready to hand out to any neighbors that crossed his path. 
• Mini muffins tast so much better when they're microwaved
• Michael and I used to live right by the Hostess bakery in Ogden and could smell baking deliciousness early in the mornings from our apartment
• Bread men are some of the kindest, hard working people you will ever meet.

 

 



My dad used to say that he wanted us to get an education so we wouldn't be dumb bread men, but never once was I ashamed of where my dad worked.  I am a proud Wonder child, and grateful for his employment all those years.  Farewell Twinkie the Kid. I owe you.

 

 

 

 





An Argument for October

 

 

I have a firmly rooted belief that October is the most superior month of them all.  Year after year it manages to capture my heart all over again.  Besides the obvious fact that it's my birhtday month and Halloween, there's also the fact that it's the month in which I fell in love with my man.  And the fact that sports get good again(Hello San Diego Chargers Football and Utah Jazz Basketball).  It could have something to do with the way pumpkin bread smells, or how cardigans feel, or perhaps the way haunted houses make me giddy as a vampire in a blood bank.  Whatever the precise reason, October rules!!

 

 

October 2012 had a beautiful start with a shopping trip with my precious Bos and Daph, oh and thier moms too!

 October 2012 also involved a lot of pumpkin guts.  Sharing the slime with friends, family, and the youth of our Ward was well worth it.

A beautiful fall wedding at the temple helped us remember what's most important in this life.

 

And the ever popular 4th Annual Halloween Costume Party was spooktacular!!

 

 

A trip to St.George/Las Vegas with some dear friends helped us unwind after putting in a lot of hard hours at work.

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Finishing off the month with some fantastic little trick or treaters was the cherry on top, or shall I say candycorn? 

 

Sorry other months, it's nothing personal.



The Lucky Lady in a Limo

 

I said it once, and I'll say it again; my man knows how a birthday girl ought to be treated.

I worked for ten hours during the day.  And it sucked.  Literally.  I probably sucked a liter of snot out of babies. TMI? Anywho, it was a busy busy day to say the least.  I am grateful for the dear souls at the hospital who made my day special, as well as the sweet family and friends who called/text/facebooked/sent good vibes my way.  It truly made a difference. Thank you. 

 

 

Michael used to have to commute an hour to Salt Lake every day for work. It was a little rough on him to say the least.  He vowed to never drive to Salt Lake again, and I guess he meant it because this sparkling luxerious limousine was our method of transportaition.  So glamorous!

 Twenty-two is fun to do!

 I was having a Justin Bieber moment.

 

 The sunset was to diiiie for!!

 The limo brought us to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building for dinner for two at The Roof.  It was magic.  I could not wipe the smile off my face.  My husband's face, the temple view, my massive flower bouqet, the red velvet cake, and the mind reading piano lady all brought me so much joy.

 

 I kinda cried when the flowers arrived.Everythind was too perfect.  My blessing are many. 

 Yes. Please.

 

 

I love you, Michael.  You make each year sweeter! Viva la Birthdays!