Banner Boutique

I know everyone loves darling head bands for their baby girls so I'm going to post a link of where to find them. Also make sure you enter for their free giveaway. You never know, me or you could win!

Here is their blogspot link: http://www.bannerboutique.blogspot.com/

And their cute Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BannerBoutiqueOnEtsy

A Beauty is Born

I woke up on a beautiful Sunday morning and was having very consistent contractions that followed from the night before. I got out of bed and started my normal morning routine of breakfast and facebook. I started writing my contractions down and they were coming about every five minutes and kept getting stronger. I made my round of phone calls to my Mom, Mother in Law, and Step Mom trying to figure out if I should go to the hospital. Joe had gone to work and I was trying to hold out as long as possible so he wouldn't have to leave. Well Joe, who was very impatient and eager to see his baby girl, called me around 9:00 am asking what was going on. I told him about my contractions and he insisted on leaving work. Once he got home I figured I'd take a shower and see how my contractions were after that. Joe was running into the bathroom and asking me if I had a contraction and would write it down, he was so anxious running around the house like a chicken with it's head cut off. My contractions seemed to be getting stronger so Joe decided it was time to go to the hospital. I got ready while dealing with contractions and multiple phone calls from family wondering what was going on. I finally had to put Joe on phone duty because it got too difficult to get ready and also talk through contractions.

We got to the hospital around 11 am, checked in, and they put us in delivery room number 11. Anyone that knows me knows that 11 is my lucky number, so when they told me the room number I remember thinking "this is it!". They got me all set up and I put on my beautiful gown and we patiently waited to see what I had dilated to. The nurse came in and told me I was only 1 1/2 and they would give me an hour to see if I progressed and if not they would send me home. After an hour I was still only 1 1/2 and the nurse told me they were sending me home but she still wanted to run it by the doctor. I remember being so bummed out because the situation couldn't have been more perfect, the view from my room was beautiful and I was in lucky room 11. The nurse came back in and informed me that the doctor wanted to keep me for one more hour because my contractions were so strong and see if I dilate more. So during that one more hour I decided to walk the halls to see if it would get me moving along more. While I was walking I would have horrible contractions and Joe would have to rub my back because the pain was so intense. As we were headed back to my room a lady walked up beside me and said "looks like your in a lot of pain" and I just looked at her and said "yup" and she replied, "how about we just break your water and get you going?". I had no idea she was the doctor. She was dressed in normal clothes and just looked like a lady cruising through the halls. We got back to my room and by now I was dilated to a 3 and she broke my water. That was a strange feeling.

After breaking my water the contractions went from about 5 minutes apart to 2 minutes and it was very painful. I had also went from somewhat uncomfortable to raging uncomfortable and found that the breathing techniques I learned in birthing class didn't help that much. My sweet husband kept asking me what I needed, and at times I loved for him to rub my back but at other times I wanted him to stay away from me. I believe around 5 or 6 cm dilated I decided I REALLY wanted the epidural. It took the anesthesiologist a while to get there because he was with another patient so they gave me some other medication to take the edge off the contractions. It helped a tiny bit but not enough. After what seemed like hours of waiting, the anesthesiologist arrived. I had always feared the epidural until this very moment, I was so excited for it. It felt rather good having a different pain to concentrate on when the needle went into my back. After a little while I started feeling great, only because I couldn't feel a thing. Epidurals are truly the only way to go.

My nurse was very nice and kept informing me of how most first time deliveries go, "most are about 12 hours long and almost all women tear with their first baby". I understood as I had read this all in my What To Expect When Expecting and felt pretty prepared, but I knew one thing for sure.... it wasn't going to take me no 12 hours! Especially because I had gone from 1 1/2 to 5 in a few hours, and once they gave me the epidural I just kept going even faster. During this time I experienced something very scary though. My daughters heart rate kept dropping. The nurse kept running in and would turn me on my left side, then on my right, and then after turning didn't help she decided to do a procedure in which they insert a tube up into the amniotic sac to put more fluid in with the baby to hopefully take pressure off the umbilical chord. She improved significantly.

While waiting I visited with my Grandparents and Mother. Only a short time after I received the epidural I felt pressure in my bottom and I calmly told Joe to tell the nurse. She came in and checked me and I was "totally a 10!" in her words. She frantically started getting everything ready and called the doctor, who was at home. I pushed through 2 sets of contractions and on my 3rd I was told to stop or the baby would come out and we had to wait for the doctor. So I just sat there, legs suspended in the air, and waited. The nurse kept asking all the other nurses where the doctor was because this baby was coming out any minute. Pretty soon Joe looked down, then looked at me, then told the nurse "Uh she's coming out" and the nurse got down there just in time to catch my baby girl.

Lolah Lou was born at 6:08 pm on September 20th, 2009. The nurse placed her on my chest and I started crying with joy. I had waited so long to see this little girl and she was finally here. She weighed 5 lbs 6 oz and 18" long. Her head covered in dark brown soft hair. She was everything I had dreamt of. The nurse in shock began to tell me that everything she had told me when I was in labor about 12 or more hours and tearing, I did the complete opposite. I didn't tear and I accomplished having my little girl in 7 hours from the time I got to the hospital. Which after waiting 9 months, 7 hours goes by in a blink of the eye. It was an amazing experience. Holding her now in my arms amazes me that this little one was inside me for 9 months. It also amazes me how much she can do already. Right when the nurses handed her to me she was already looking for food, which to me is absolutely astonishing. The gift of life is so precious. Having a child depend on you is a great feeling. Knowing that you are the one that can comfort this child and make them feel better is such a wonderful gift. Me and Joe are so proud of our baby girl and I just wanted to share the experience with you and one day Lolah.

Ever-changing

I was pondering today and realized, wow I only have 10 more weeks left of pregnancy and I will be holding my baby girl in my arms. The feelings that come over me when I realize how my life is changing are unconditional. I'm sure every mom experiences these feelings of fear, excitement, nervousness, fondness, and uncertainty but maybe it's these feelings that help prepare us for the responsibility that awaits. It can be overwhelming at times realizing that I am carrying a human being, mine and Joe's daughter, a baby girl that one day will be experiencing the same emotions as me. Every morning I wake up and it seems her and my belly have grown more and seeing the change has made this experience even more amazing. I can feel her moving inside me and really there is no way to explain the way it feels or how cool it is, other than the gift of bearing a life is a miracle. I'm a little worrisome that she may be a night owl like me because she wakes up around 10:30 PM at night and tumbles away. I've become nervous of the labor and delivery but am assuming that is normal. I'm scared she will decide to come when I least expect it and I won't be ready at all.

Me and my husband have settled on a name for her, Lolah Lou, and I am absolutely happy with this name. My Grandma helped me come up with the name Lolah because one day I was visiting with her and asked her to name off a few old fashioned names. She named a few but when she spoke the name Lolah I fell in love. It is a universal name and also stands for "strong woman" which I love. Her middle name Lou stands for my Grandma Mary Lou that has passed. I feel I have never truly let go of the fact that I didn't get to know her more and that I was unable to be there for her in her sickest days, so I feel naming my daughter after her will help me heal in some way. Me and my husband also had a horrible time when it came to a name for her and when I mentioned the name Lolah to him he loved it and therefore we knew it was the name we would give our daughter.

So much has changed in our lives... again. I lost my job, which I felt was unfair, but I am past that because better things are happening. Joe has been accepted into USU and is starting college there this Fall and going to study Natural Resources. We are moving to Logan next week to start our new lives. I'm sure it won't be easy finding a job and being pregnant but I think it is most important to stay positive at this point. I'm so proud of Joe for starting his college education, but know it will not be easy and all I can do is pray that everything will work out. It is going to be hard moving away somewhere that I am not familiar with and family isn't around but I know I am a tough person and will make do. I also shouldn't say that there isn't any family because Joe's brother and his wife currently live in Logan and are going to College and I know they will be a ton of help. I am just use to living down the street from Gramp and Gram and 15 minutes away from Dad. My mother has also been living in Utah for a couple months while her husband is in training, and it has been an absolute blessing having her here, which is another reason it is hard to move.

Nonetheless, I know God has a plan and I know that this is all for the better and one day I will look back on this and be happy we decided to make this change in our lives. It feels like we are finally taking charge of our lives and making the most of our future. Lolah is going to be the largest change in our lives but I know she is going to be such a joy to us. I want the best life we can give to her and I know one day she will be grateful for these changes we are making.

I better get back to packing. Wish us luck!

I left with a new view...

I just went to Subway and stood in line for 30 minutes (when your pregnant and craving something you have to have it), but amazingly this didn't upset me, but another situation there did.

While standing in line at Subway a man about 5 people ahead of me ordered a combo. Well this man had a speech impediment even though he was completely coherent, he must have had a stroke. He was trying to tell the cashier at the counter that she had forgot to give him his drink. After attempting to tell her a couple times the cashier looked him right in the face and yelled "WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY!!" he then proceeded to point to the cups and finally a light bulb clicked in her head this man couldn't speak well and she was just a total wench to him. This broke my heart as the man walked away embarrassed and ashamed with his head hung to the ground. This cashier completely made a fool of him and I had to keep myself from throwing my body across the counter and teaching her a lesson.

This situation touched me and made me realize that in everything we do we should never speak to a stranger this way (let alone anyone) and always respect those around us. Give yourself a chance to understand, slow down, and don't ever forget that we aren't all the same. I left there with a new view and although I felt saddened, I also learned a valuable lesson.

I Am Grateful

Well I haven't posted in a very long time and got quite sick of my mother nagging me to fix my blogspot everyday (love you mom), and also being there have been a large amount of changes in my life since the last time I posted I figured it's time to share.

Where to start.... I guess here....
As some of you may already know I worked with my father's company helping design kitchens for over 3 years. Last October my father's business had to let me go due to very slow business. Yes, my own father had to let me go. It was hard but I understood completely and want nothing more than his business to succeed as it has the last 11 years. I looked at the bright side and thought "ok this won't be too hard to find a job. I'm pretty smart, I'm quite good looking, I can find a job no problem". Well with all my confidence I still didn't find a job for almost 3 months. This really took a tole on me and it was also difficult on my relationship. After miscarrying in October, losing my job and finding no job for three months I felt like a failure and almost went into depression. Some how I managed to keep my head up though, as I knew that nothing would come about if I wasn't trying and allowed myself to be sad. After emailing about 300 resumes and submitting as many applications as possible I finally was contacted for two interviews. I felt so confident about both interviews but somehow still didn't get either job. At this time I started thinking "ok, what am I doing wrong? Am I saying the wrong things? Am I dressed the wrong way?" because I knew I was well qualified for both jobs. After failing two interviews I kept trying even though I felt all hope was lost. It wasn't until the end of January I was contacted by a business I had emailed a resume. The reply email simply asked if I could come in for an interview because they were interested in meeting with me. I emailed back and told them of course I was available for an interview and would love to come in, and asked for contact info. I went in for two interviews at this business and was told I'd be contacted on Monday if I was chosen for the job. Around two in the afternoon I got anxious so I decided to call them myself. I GOT THE JOB! I was asked to come in the next day to get started. I felt like a bird that had just learned it had wings. It was almost emotional after trying so many times and finally succeeding. This entire experience has really made me grateful, especially in this economic crisis. I absolutely love my job and feel so lucky it is all working out. For a long time I felt like everything was just falling apart, but I'm so grateful I pulled through. I am working as a receptionist/customer service for an online clothing, accessories, etc. company called www.myfashioncorner.com . It's also a blast because I get to see all the really fun stuff we carry and basically have a shopping center where I work. Shopping is getting a little difficult though, wondering why? Well read on....


Another change in my life has happened. This one is a change that will affect me for the rest of my entire life! <---------and I say that with excitement. In January I found out that I'm not alone. I'm expecting a baby!! I am so excited for this journey. I was really scared at first and quite paranoid because of my first experience with pregnancy. Every little pain I had was another worry stone in my path. I worried that if it happened again, I would possibly decide to never have children because of the heart break it caused the first time. Something about this pregnancy has been quite different from the start though. You may think I'm quite strange but I'm going to tell you about a first time experience and a second time experience.

My first pregnancy I had a dream. This dream wasn't really a good dream, it was quite sad. I dreamt that I was in the birthing room giving birth to my child. When my child was born it was no larger than the palm of my hand and was quite distorted. I only saw this baby for a split second because the doctors took it away as soon as it was born. It then came to the time for me and my husband to leave the hospital with our baby. We went to the nursery to get our baby and they gave us this perfectly healthy baby. As me and my husband proceeded to leave the hospital we both said to each other "this isn't our child, where is our child". We went back to the hospital and insisted on them giving us our child and they told us that our child was too weak and sick and we could not have it. I remember waking up hearing myself whimpering, apparently I was bawling in my dream because I had waken myself up. I was distraught for the entire day and even told my husband and several family members about this dream. For some reason I feel that this was possibly a sign that things were not going to turn out ok.

This pregnancy started with a dream that was quite rewarding and happy. It wasn't a long dream just short, cute, and simple. In this dream me and my husband had a baby boy. He was new born just brought home from the hospital. He was wearing green little pants with white stripes and a white onesie. He had tons of dark hair and was so tiny. Me and my husband were playing with him on our bed. We both would ponder at him with such joy in our eyes. We thought it was funny in this dream because every time we would move him he would whimper a little bit, like he didn't want to be bothered. We thought it was so cute. This was basically my entire dream but somehow I'm thinking it is foreshadowing a healthy pregnancy.

This was the start to what I felt has been a different, more positive pregnancy.

So far I am 13 weeks as of yesterday. I had my 1st ultrasound at 11 weeks 5 days and everything looked great. I have to say that ultrasound was amazing. Seeing my baby and it's little heartbeat pumping away was life changing. Knowing that this little person is growing inside my body and knowing that you can make a human being in 9 months amazes me. It seems like I waited so long to see that ultrasound and am at so much more peace now that I know everything is going ok. I'm taking prenatal yoga to help relax and keep me in shape, but also too connect me closer to my child for that hour and a half. I feel great after yoga, I love it. I'm so happy that me and Joe are getting to experience this together and I can't wait to be a mother. As some may know I've been a mommy to all my dollies since I was a year old and a great mommy at that, but I am so happy that I am experiencing it for real and forever. This is something I will never forget. This experience is helping me grow into a woman and I hope I can succeed and be as great of a mother as my mom has been to me. I'm nervous what the future has to offer but in this moment I am grateful.

Below are pictures of our little muffin ♥