The birth of Maleah Alyssa

I enjoy hearing/reading others birth stories so I am sharing mine. We went to the dr. on the 9th to see that we were 3cm and 50%. IT worked well for the dr. and for us to do an elective induction that next morning. I was DONE at that point. Hind sight, I could have waited to go into labor but it was so nice to know, tomorrow morning we are going to have a baby so that we could prepare Reese and plan with Gramie and Gramps for her care. Reese was so excited she woke up at 5:30 that next morning. Good thing Gramps is a morning guy!

At the hospital it was empty. They gave me the biggest room! I loved my nurse! She started my induction about 7am. I wanted the epidural along with the pitocin but I had to make some progress before that was possible. I warned my nurse that I am a little over dramatic when I deal with pain. She told Matt that was so helpful to know. Good to be honest about yourself!

I reached 4cm and the epidural was ordered. By then my contractions were on top of each other. Sitting still was a chore and with out my wonderful nurse Judy and friend Heidi I don't think I would have made it through that process. I say process because it took 2 hours to get the epidural in. During that time I progressed from 4cm to 8cm all while trying to hold perfectly still, being dramatic about my pain. :)

Once the epidural was in I was so relaxed. It took another two hours to become complete and then I got to start pushing. The epidural had worn off just enough for me to know when the contractions were coming and feel when to push. I soo enjoyed this part!! I am not kidding! IT was wonderful working together with my body, feeling just enough but not too much. My dr. who happens to be a friend of ours was gently coaxing Maleah out until....

I had to throw up! I could do nothing to stop it! This made me push a lot with out knowing it. So instead of easing my baby girl out, she shot out! I got to see her just as the dr. caught her.

And then the most wonderful part. I got to hold my baby girl!! For as long as I wanted. Maleah seemed so big to me! She was 7lbs 4oz and 19 1/2 inches long. I just fell in love with her instantly.

This time around I loved giving birth! I long to do that part again! I "enjoyed" getting to labor so much, made me feel like I had accomplished something. I loved working hard to push her out and was over joyed to hold her right away, keep her with me.

We had a friend and talented photographer take pictures that day. I was a little nervous about this, not knowing how the birth would go, but I am so glad we had her there! She was able to capture the whole process. Through the pictures you can feel the emotions of the birth. I am so grateful for her talent!

When Reese was born I was so scared, so many unknowns. I got to hold Reese wrapped in many blankets for about 30 seconds and then she was taken from me. Matt went with her and really was the one to care for her that first week of her life. He felt so bonded to her. IT took me a while to bond with Reese as I saw her as this thing to keep alive.

With Maleah, I am totally in love. Matt does not feel bonded with her yet. We have switched roles this time around. I am grateful for both of us to see birth and bonding for each side.

So that is our story. Maleah is a peaceful girl so far and I think a good sleeper. Reese loves her very much and is learning how to share mommy and daddy, a process that will continue for a while.

39.....

And still going strong! I have not made any progress towards labor this week and I was not prepared for how sad that would make me. I mean I fully expect, now, for Maleah to be born on 11-11, but that being said I was soooo disappointed that I had not gotten any closer to going into labor. Like somehow last week was a waste. But I know, Maleah was growing and getting stronger....but making progress towards labor is some how proof that things are going well. 11 happens to be my favorite number and I have felt from the start of this pregnancy that having 11-11 as a due date was God's way of telling me, reminding me, that He is in control, has a plan, a plan with my BEST interest in mind. And yet I let my fear cloud over that promise. After many tears at the dr this morning and then a great date night with Matt, I am able to see the bigger picture now and stop trying to control what is not mine to control. By the way, Maleah does not need to be born on 11-11 for me to feel that God fulled His promise to me. Just having that be the due date is comfort enough. Anyways, I am rambling. This week I am looking forward to my sisters coming up to visit and spending time with my niece Kylee. And yes, some day soon, meeting Maleah!

What a treat!

We had a wonderful Halloween afternoon. We woke Reese up from her nap, took her downtown to treat at the shops. After not getting any m&ms (the one candy she was hoping for) we left and went to uptown center and the first place we stopped gave her M&Ms. Misson accomplished. Then mommy was craving sweet potato fries so we ate dinner at Blazing Onion. Once back in our neighborhood Reese went treating with our neighbor girls and that was the highlight for her....can you tell from the picture?! So our day was filled with treats! I loved how excited Reese got every time she was given a Reese's candy... "Look! It says R-e-e-s-e! That spells me!"

38 weeks!

So I never thought I was going to need a costume for this year, but it turns out Maleah is nice and cozy and not coming out anytime soon. At the doctor this week, we found that my BP is actually getting lower! Pretty ironic! So we are working on endurance now. Reese keeps giving me the same lecture that I have been giving her... "We have to be patient mommy! Maleah has to grow bigger and then she can come out. Only God knows when she is going to come, that way it is a surprise! You can see Dr. Moritz and he will say...not yet! Hey am I the mommy and now you are the big sister?" I guess so if you are giving me my own advice!

Thank Heaven for 37!

I am term now!! Wow, so I spent this whole pregnancey feeling like I was a sick person and it turns out I am actually a healthy one! Now we get to play the waiting game. Our bags are packed, frozen meals are made, "plans" of who will be where with Reese and myself are determined....now we just need Maleah! These are our last couple weeks of time just with Reese, as a family of three. Makes me kinda sad to give up this time. Reese asked us last night "Do we get to keep Maleah?" Ummmm...how was that not understood before? "Yes! We get to keep her!" "Oh good! I will share her with you guys because she is MY little sister!" So protective already!

36 weeks and still cookin'!

Reese took this picture for me! She is tired of being in the pictures kissing my belly and decided she wants a little more control. So surprising for a three year old. I am amazed I am still pregnant! Now I need a mental shift for endurance...since 36 weeks feels like 40 to me. So glad Maleah is healthy and that I am healthy too. I am looking forward to being able to run again....but that time will come soon enough I am sure.

I was able to get a hair cut today (Thanks mom!) and feel a little more like myself. Now if only their was a treatment to make my face look less round. I don't understand those preggers people who have thin faces....not a gift I was granted.

Oh and here is the traditional picture....we were able to talk her into it.

YIKES! 35 weeks!

Can't believe I posted this picture! But yes we are 35 weeks along and still doing great! My OB is on vaca for 2 weeks so we are hoping this healthy trend continues. I get the biggest smile on my face when I think about being able to deliever a healthy baby girl and take her home with us! It is weird to think about her size now. I feel her move inside me and remember, sort of, holding Reese in my arms at this size.

We are now learning new things, like what braxton hicks feel like (I'm having them often but they are not doing anything), how do you know when you are in labor and what you do then. All things I am thankful to be learning this time around! Can't wait to meet Maleah and see what she looks like!

Almost 33 weeks

So thankful to be healthy! Hoping to go 7 more weeks!

Yea! 30 weeks!!

We are 30 weeks along today! I have been so concerned about how big I have been getting and now that has changed. At my last appointment, I had some slight signs of preeclampsia again....nothing to worry about or be concerned about yet. In fact in a normal pregnancy it probably won't have even been brought up. But it made me realize that I would rather be huge and deliver a baby girl that can come home with us than skip gaining a few pounds and deliver early. Duh right?! But it took thinking about being sick again to snap me out of my pity party. Kinda sad but I am grateful for it. So we are hoping for another healthy 10 weeks!

Getting excited.....

I am getting so excited to meet this new baby girl. How do I show this? By getting everything ready now! I have clean out and organized every closet in the house and the entire garage! Reese is displaying her Halloween costume in August and I have washed all the preemie clothes and some newborn in dreft (LOVE the smell of that stuff!!). Last time with Reese I was caught by surprise and was not at all ready and didn't have time to get to that "I'm excited to meet my baby" phase. So I started that phase early this time so I could really enjoy it!

Here is Reese being the character from one of her favorite books...the Grouchy Lady Bug! (I love her personality and can't wait to see what Maleah's personality will be like!)

What can you get for a quarter these days....

A little bit of pre-school heaven! I got that whole box of playdough toys for a quarter today at a yard sale! Reese loved it! But I have to admit my sister Kami beat me....she got a DVD player for the car, that works, for free! Now that is pretty darn good.

I am getting BIG!

28 weeks down, 12 to go! And I am the same size I was at 34 weeks with Reese! Yikes! I guess this is what happens when you actually eat while pregnant....last time I said no to the anti nausea meds and threw up most of the time. This time around I went in to the Dr at week 7 begging for meds! Things sure do change. While it is hard watching my body get bigger and bigger, I do know it is for a wonderful purpose. I was reflecting in church...thinking about what happened to Christ's body for all of us and realizing that I need to whine a lot less about this short time of giving up my body for one new life. Here is to 12 weeks of no whining!! :)

Running with Daddy

I enjoyed MANY runs with my dad growing up. Sometimes I would talk his ear off and he would just listen. Other times we would run in silence, in the zone, just enjoying time together. I really appreciate the times we spent running together, some of my favorite memories of time with my dad as a kid,teen, and young adult. That is why I was thrilled to pieces watching this:

I am so glad they will enjoy building a running relationship together just like I have with my dad!

Swimming

Reese has been swimming in our living room lately so I am taking this as a hint and signing her up for swim lessons at the Y again now that I am feeling better. The girl sure isn't suttle!

Cuddle Time

Reese is still waking up earlier than she used too. I am very lucky in that Matt gets up with her each day, feeds her breakfast and lets me sleep until 8ish! But some mornings Matt has to get to work earlier or has morning men's group. So on these mornings we cuddle and watch Caillou because mommy likes to sleep! (Well I am growing a human being!)

Uptown Car Show

This was the 2ND Annual Uptown car show. Last year Reese loved it! This year she was grumpy. The only thing that made her some what smile was this pink car....can you guess what her favorite color is? Yep and purple too! We cruised the show with our friends and their son Marc who had a blast. He loved seeing all the engines! And we learned once again that boys and girls are different. Side note...Friday we go in for our gender ultra sound! Hopefully the little one cooperates!

Ready to be a big sister....

Here we are at 15ish weeks and I am surprise how excited Reese is that I have a baby in my belly! The morning after I took the test to find out Reese looked at my belly and said "You have a baby in there?" Somehow she already knew! And when you ask her it she is ready to b a big sister she says "I already am a big sister! See the baby is in mom's belly!" And she has had to step already with how sick I have been. Reese is such a sweet girl that she will rub my back as I am throwing up. She will be a great big sister. Reese really wants a baby sister and we go in to find out on June 18th!

Daddy Daughter Date Night

I went out with some friends to dinner and a movie (sat and ate slowly at dinner for almost 3 hours...heaven!) and Reese and Matt had a date night too! They went to the new park and then Matt asked Reese where she wanted to go to dinner... "My favorite place!" The only mexican food place in town worth eating at! :) After dinner they walked the dock and Reese was invited onto one of the boats! I love that they have so much fun together! It helps me enjoy my fun with friends even more!

A new place to play....

This new park opened about a month ago and we are so glad! It is a wonderful new place to play! We plan on spending some time there this summer....well, when we are not at the beach... :)

Beach Day

We had one warm enough weekend in May and so we spent as much time as we could at the beach. Reese just LOVES the beach and all she needs is the water and the sand. She has been wanting to wear her swim suit to the beach since last summer so she was beside herself when we finally let her!

What to do with leftover fabric....

I actually use these to practice my sewing....that is why it is good I have so many...I need the practice! :)

March for Babies

This was our third year doing the March for Babies. We had Erin, Ashley and Nancy join us this year. We did the short walk this year due to my lack of energy but we still had a good time! They gave out pin wheels at the end that we place in a "garden" to honor or remember part of the premature process. Watching my healthy two year old honor the NICU nurse staff made me so grateful!


After the walk we spent a little time at the park in Point Defiance. This was the coolest playground toy I had seen in a while!

Family day at the zoo

After having our 12 week ultrasound, 4 weeks ago, (baby was a squirmy wormy!) we headed to the zoo for a family day! I was most impressed with our lunch time entertainment:


Reese found her favorite animal:


And Daddy enjoyed teaching Reese new skills at the playground:


It made for a great family day!

Bible Study Fellowship

This year Reese and I went to BSF on Wednesdays at our church. I started doing it because it was one of the few activites offered for two year olds. (Now they take babies as young as 6 weeks!) I amazed at how much she learned. And I enjoyed myself as well. Reese loved working on "bible study" together with me during the week. This often lead to sweet times of Reese telling me what she was learning. It started with "We don't eat playdough!" and ended with "I love God and Jesus and they are with me in my heart because I love them!" I am very grateful for all that both of us learned this year. Next year we will be studying the book of Isaiah on Wednesdays from 9:40 to 11:40 at Believers Fellowship. Come join us! :)

Celebrating Ms. DePree

One of Reese's favorite people is Heather. Reese jumps for joy when she gets to see her! This year Heather wanted to go to the zoo for her birthday. Reese got to ride the merry-go-round with Ms. Depree on her birthday. I'm not sure it gets any better than that!

Happy Memorial Day!

We have plans to join the community this morning at the pancake breakfast in the city park. I really want Reese to understand how to honor those who serve our country and hopefully she will start to get sense of that this morning. There are usually a few older veterans and some widowers there to be honored. We have made some thank you cards to give to them as a token of our appreication. How do you celebrate Memorial Day? Last year, we celebrated with Matt's Dad in Kauai....now that was a way to start the summer season! :)

Easter

Easter arrived right after we returned home from our trip. I was feeling soooo sick and ended up in bed for 3 days straight! Matt took Reese to a community Easter egg hunt and I managed to sit through Easter Sunday at church, but just barely! Reese did not get an Easter basket this year...I was too sick to get that together...sad. But she did not seem to mind at all! She got a present from Aunt Kami, a book about a bunny who becomes a big sister, and she loved it! Matt had to read it to her over and over!


Cute girl!


I was not feeling well here!


Matt said she loved getting to meet the bunny!


Eggs are fun to find! Can't you tell by her "smile"?

Places to see...

When we were in Santa Barbara we rented a two bed room house. It was cheaper than a hotel, Reese had her own room, we had a kitchen, living room, back deck for our door dinning and a garage full of chairs and things for the beach! We found this deal on craigslist and I think it is the way to go!


Reese loves dolphins and we have future plans now to go swimming with the dolphins someday!


I used to run along the breakwater wall and never worried about getting wet but when we walked it as a family I was terrified! And of course ended up getting soaked. But Reese loved it!


The Merry Go Round in the park along the water was a highlight for Reese. She wanted to ride it each day with her baby.


We have a picture of this fountain up in our house and so it was important that we visited it while we were there.

Santa Barbara Family

We were able to have dinner with Travis, Russell and Allison two nights while we were in Santa Barbara. Reese loved playing with Russell and visiting the park with Allison. We enjoying just being with the Smelleys.

Butterfly beach

During our trip we enjoyed spending the afternoons at the beach. Reese LOVED the beach. She stayed in the water the whole time we were there each day, which was about 2 or 3 hours. She would jump the waves and play her own games with her baby. Even when she would get knocked over by a wave, as daddy would help her up she would say "That was fun!" Now she asks from time to time....can we go to Santa Barbara again? If you are visiting the Santa Barbara beaches, my favorite one for kids is "Butterfly beach" just in front of the Biltmore hotel.