Happy Birthday Parker Brian!

My nurse came in around 8:30 and started me on the Pitocin to get my contractions started. She hooked me up to the IV and we were off. I hung out all morning having some pretty uncomfortable contractions. Around 11:30 I was squeezing Brian's hand pretty hard and was starting to be in a good amount of pain. My midwife came to check on me and found I was dilated to 4 centimeters, so she went ahead and ordered my epidural. Thankfully, the anesthesiologist showed up pretty quickly. Now don't get me wrong, getting an epidural is no fun, but the relief after you are done - shew... Well worth it! Brian stayed with me and I think this time I just about squeezed his hand right off his arm!

I hung out for the rest of the afternoon, numb as can be - it was absolutely lovely. Around 3:45 I started feeling contractions again really low and some pressure, so the nurse called my midwife in to check on me. I was so surprised when she said I was 9 1/2 centimeters! It was showtime baby!

Now you need to understand that my labor and delivery with Peyton was a nightmare - complete with 27 hours of labor, 4 solid hours of pushing and a post-partum hemorrhage. I was also stuck at 4 centimeters dilated for about 8-10 hours before I started to progress again with him. This could not have been more different!

My midwife came in and told me we were going to shoot for 20 minutes of pushing max, and that we were not going to have any of this four-hour stuff, which was fine by me. Well... it took two pushes and we were done - he was here! Now that's the way a delivery should be! He was beautiful, just perfect, and looks just like his Daddy! I couldn't believe how much hair he has - brown with what looks like blonde highlights all through it, just the way his Dad's hair looks at the end of summer. The shape of his hairline is the same as his Dad's as well - complete with the same cowlicks. Genetics are so fascinating.

Parker was born at 4:15 p.m., weighed in at a whopping 6 lbs, 11 ozs., and was 18 1/2inches long. I was so surprised he was that small given the misery he had caused me the past couple of months, and I expected him to be much longer given the fact that his Dad is so tall.

In a matter of minutes everyone was in the room, and Parker got to meet his Big Brother, Uncle, Aunt and Grammy. I couldn't have asked for a better labor and delivery. We are so blessed and so happy he's finally here!

Ready or Not...

Yesterday morning when I took my blood pressure, wait...back up... Last Wednesday at my regular check-up, my midwife was a bit concerned about the sudden increase in my blood pressure. Now you should know that my blood presure normally runs around 100-105/60-65. Last Wednesday it was 120/80. She told me to continue to monitor it over the next several days and come back in on Monday.

I took it at work Thursday and Friday and at home through the weekend on our small battery-operated machine, and it kept going up, even though I did absolutely nothing over the weekend but sit in the recliner with my feet up. On yesterday morning, it was 131/96 - quite high for me, so I decided to call my doctor's office. They had me come into the hospital for labwork and monitoring, and decided to keep me and induce me this morning. I was surprised but very excited, I am so ready to meet my new little man!

They started me on a medication called Cervadil last night to help the induction process get started, then this morning they will start me on Pitocin to get my contractions started - oh, yea. I'm already in pain and have had about an hours worth of sleep all night. When they start the Pitocin there had better be an anesthesiologist close behind... Maybe then I can get some sleep. Why is it that you never sleep in the hospital and they have the most uncomfortable beds ever???

So... sometime today we should get to meet our new little boy! I'm excited, but also pretty nervous. Will post more later!

Peyton's First Tee-Ball Game

Today was Peyton's first tee-ball game. He looked so cute in his uniform, and he did so well. He managed to even make contact with a pitched ball! He scored twice, but his team lost 10-9.

Baby Face

Yesterday we went to have a 4D Ultrasound so we could get a better look at our little Valentine. I may be a bit biased, but I think he's quite adorable. We are doing very well, with only 8 more (or a little less, God please make it a little less) to go!

Wedding Photos

After going through over 1,000 photos, I've finally gotten our wedding photos in a manageable format. Enjoy!

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Oh, BOY!

Yep, that's right - another boy! We found out yesterday that we will be having another little boy joining our family. We are all very happy and excited, and I get to gloat a bit because I was right! All of my friends, co-workers, even Brian and Peyton thought we were having a girl. I kept telling them it was a boy! Only my Mom, one of my friends and I were right. Now, on to the search for a great boy name for this little guy. Peyton is partial to "Juan Carlos", who is a friend in his class. Brian and I cracked up at that suggestion, so now I'm referring to the baby as "Juan" or "JC".

Everything looked great on the ultrasound - development on target to the day, strong 4-chambered heart, normal measurements for all extremeties, just perfect. I feel really well too, so life is good!

I have so many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. My wonderful hubby and my little boys, great friends and family. I couldn't ask for more.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow, We Really Did It!

Got married, that is. It's official! We were married on Sunday, October 5th at 12:00 noon. I'm so very happy and excited. I'll be even more so next week when we are officially on our Honeymoon cruise to Key West, Cozumel, and Belize. The RR did so well during the ceremony. He was quite the little man, walking me down the aisle, and standing so still and tall during the ceremony. He was so handsome in his little suit!

Everything about the day was great-the weather, the friends and family, the food, and especially the cake! We had a great time at the Chateau and got to spend some real quality time with BG's grandparents, aunt and uncle. I don't have a lot of photos yet, but here's a sneak peek!