Tuesday, May 18, 2010

A week to change everything


Day 318 - 7 May, 2010

The Due Date

I knew that this day would come, and go without incident. For whatever reason, so many thought I wouldn't even make it to my due date. I had a normal workday, though still exhausted, and think I have decided not to come back this school year.
Afterward, I got my son, and we played and played. I really have tried to get as much fun in with Malcolm as I can this week, before he doesn't have my attention undivided anymore.
My mother arrived at 8:30, and now we're just waiting for the fun to begin.
My photo of the day is our front step, and it's fun circular pattern. I've been watching my step a lot more carefully lately, and so I thought I'd get my shot of it in here. There are so many things that need to be done to this house, that they all add up. After I have the baby, I will at least be able to do the lawn maintainance, and keep the weeds out of the concrete cracks.

Day 319 - 8 May, 2010

T Ball

We watched cousin Michael's T Ball game today, oh what fun! Mac loves anything to do with the cousins, and now he talks about baseball all the time. He is definitely a very physical kid, and enjoys sports of any kind. Really actually anything with a ball, or in the water. Here are some more highlights...



Day 320 - 9 May, 2010

Play time

My mom is a good sport. She's been feeling miserable, but she was still up for some mother's day fun. We relaxed, and played a little bit with the kids amidst barbecue fun. Delicious steaks! This is my dear mother in the photo of the day. Love Her!

Day 321 - 10 May, 2010

Zoo














We did lots of errands today, and ran to the zoo really quickly before they closed. It was the neatest thing to see this peacock running about out in the open in the petting zoo. He was obviously very happy, and this was the closest any of us had been to such a proud peacock. He was even doing the mating shake, and we got to hear that rattle sound of the layers of his feathers. Too bad we didn't see the full dance, but there was no female around to impress.

Day 322 - 11 May, 2010

New Arrival

I had been feeling things happen on and off since Friday, but I started to feel fairly regular littl contractions beginning yesterday evening. I woke up at one in the morning feeling really uncomfortable, and bummed because it reminded me of how early laor was with Malcolm. So, I dozed in a warm bath for a couple hours. Got a heating pad to offer relief while I laid in bed, Took some extra strngth Tylenol and tried to rest.
I think I started puking at 4:30 in the morning. Great.
By the time everyone was waking up at 6 we were making phone calls, and by 7 I knew we needed to get to the hospital. We were out the door right as Tim's mom arrived to get Malcolm.
The photo of the day is my belly wrapped up in monitors.
We arrived at the hospital at 7:30, and I was pushing by 8:30, and she was here around 9:26.
This was an amazing experience. I cannot believe how wonderful natural childbirth is. Painful at points, but really not that big of a deal if your relax. IT's actually very empowering. I could not believe that I had done it when it was all over. She just came right out! I can tell, looking back now, that things had not been right with my son's birth, and the miracle of modern medicine saved us, multiple times. This experience has also opened my eyes to the mercy of the Lord, and the joy in how some moments in life truly draw us toward His grand plan, in different ways. Here are somemore of the day's highlights.




Day 323 - 12 May, 2010

Visitors Great And Small

Malcolm was very concerned about my well-being after he last saw me I was in active labor. He was excited to see his baby sister had decided to come out to play, and he had really enjoyed the time he got to spend with the cousins. Though, I understand that he missed us in the middle of the night. I LOVE this photo.


Day 324 - 13 May, 2010

Homeward Bound

Here's the mandatory car seat photo.

Though when I left for the hospital, we had a string of 90 degree days, when we left it was right brisk.

So glad I brought the fuzzy blanket!

Thank you grandma.

Day 325 - 14 May, 2010

"Get my gun!" - Tim Banks

Really?

for a snake?

Everyone knows you use a shovel...

and this one wasn't even threatening. He is one protective papa. Just because we spotted this beauty near when our two-year-old son was playing, he got right anxious. Needless to say, this was the highlight of our day.

Pretty black snake, huh?


Day 326 - 15 May, 2010

Greek Festival and the Zoo

Am I overdoing it? Yes.

But, I am so excited that I feel so great right after giving birth! The difference between this, and how I felt after Malcolm is indescribable. It really makes me appreciate how close I was to (not to be overly dramatic), well, death. I am loving each moment I have to appreciate the first newborn days, to experience the things going on around me, and all of that.

Greek food is good. I love a good loukoumade.

Here are some more of the day's highlights, from the zoo, to baby's first bath...






Day 327 - 16 May, 2010

Happy Sabbath!

My mom's last day, and my little girl's first Sunday, I had fun playing dress up.

and playing with bubbles with my son.

the joy of parenthood.



1 comment:

Cherylyn said...

Red, I just read your comment on an old blog post of mine, where you mentioned you had 23 weeks to decide what you would do for your birth. On a whim I thought I'd check your blog and see how things are going. Wow, I'm so happy for you! I didn't know what you were planning, but I think it's awesome that you had a beautiful natural birth, and your little girl is here! Congratulations, and good job!