Our Angel is Here

Our little angel, Peyton, arrived on Friday afternoon at 4:50 pm. The day started out at 8:00 am when they started me. Around noon, I couldn't handle the contractions any longer so I asked for the epidural. (A heavenly invention!) After that, we waited another 3 hours to fully dilate. From there, I pushed for about an hour and a half with no progress. She was close, but just not moving any more. Peyton started to scare us because every time I would have a contraction, her heart rate would slow WAY down. I hated hearing her heart monitor drop so fast. It was the most horrifying sound each time it happened. It REALLY made me nervous.
Finally about 4:30 the doctor showed up. I had been pushing for an hour and half straight and was really starting to lose my energy. He said that these days they hardly ever use forceps or vacuum sucking. He tried to help turn Peyton (her head was facing sideways a little--thus the hard labor). After that didn't work, he asked the nurse to get the vacuum sucker. We used that and I pushed more. I tore inside and the doctor asked, "Do you want to keep tearing, or would you like me to cut?" My mom was in the room and she basically yelled, "cut!" I would have said that, but I love that she did. I needed a split moment of comedy. :) He cut, I pushed, and all of a sudden she was here! The doctor placed her on my belly right away and my emotions were running wild. It was SO special. So tender. I just wanted to cry and never stop holding her.
Dave got to cut the umbilical cord. It's funny-- I thought he would be grossed out and not want to see much or even want to leave (he teased me that he would NOT be in the room when she was born), but then the day came and he was so intrigued with questions and so great to help me... even when I basically nailed and scratched his hand off while they gave me the epidural. :] I promise that the only tears he shed were not from me hurting him. He is such a great husband and will be an amazing daddy for this little angel of ours.
Peyton arrived as a healthy 8lb. 2oz. beautiful baby girl. She is 18.5 inches long and full of thick dark hair. So far she likes to sleep a lot. She is a very good baby, not too fussy. (The first night was a little rough--sort of a wake-up call to parenthood; but since then, she's been a little angel.) She loves to be snuggled-- so precious. She brings such a new and greater sense of love to our home. We both just love her so much that it's seriously miraculous to be able to love so more than you thought you possibly could.

Babies are like sky-diving...

Okay, so the latest news is that PEYTON WILL BE HERE FRIDAY!!! Yesterday (Monday), they stripped my membranes to hurry her up. My body is ready for her to come, she is just not in any hurry herself! So if she does not arrive by Friday, they will induce me at about 7:00 am.

When I came home and realized how close that is, I started to second guess myself like, "are you sure you want to do this now?" Last week Dave seemed to have gone through these feelings when I was just excited, but now the tables have somehow shifted. Having her became so scary all of a sudden! I laugh because I've wanted her to come and have been so excited for so long, but now it is like I am standing in the doorway of the plane and hearing myself ask, "wait-- what? Now?!" It's SCARY!!! I think being a first-time mom is one of THE scariest things in the world. Your body goes through so many changes and I am continually asking myself, "Is this normal? Is she okay? What is going on? What does that mean?" I feel some hard contractions and I start asking, "Oh, is this it?!?" or-- when I have to go to the bathroom suddenly I'm like, "Ah! is my water about to break?... ope, nope, I just have to pee." What a crazy thing this whole pregnancy thing is. If I make it till Friday without going crazy, I will be SO relieved!

Okay, well I am off to make something chocolate. Prayers for Friday are all welcomed please!!!

Big Belly-Bump news!

Okay, I thought I had better post the final belly-bump pics right now because it might not be here in another week or so. :)! That is the big news! I went to the doctor yesterday for a check-up and found out that I am already dialated to a 3 and 80% effaced (my cervix has softened 80%... I didn't know that that meant till about a week ago :) ). So really... any day now!!! Since I found out, I have been out walking more, driving on bumpy roads, and staying as active as I can. I just want her here already!!!

It's funny, last week my mom and my mother-in-law both called on the same day to ask me what I want for my birthday (this Thursday). I totally forgot about my birthday this year because I have been so focused on baby. So I just answered them that I want a baby for my birthday, and now... it looks like I might have jinxed myself and will really have her on my birthday possibly! Either way, it should be this week or next. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

37 Weeks

35 Weeks

30 Weeks

26 Weeks

23 Weeks

20 Weeks
13 Weeks
(I took this because I felt like my bump was so big already... little did I know how big it would really get! I wish I would have taken one earlier to see if the difference really was noticeable. ha ha!)

All that's missing is baby...

Well, we are only 2 weeks away from our due date!!! I have been slowly working on Peyton's room for a while now. I finally finished it and am now bored but with so much anticipation that it's hard to sleep at night (3 pee-breaks and heartburn may be keeping me up as well-- and Peyton kicking me for 15 minutes each time I move!). It is SO time for her to come meet us on the outside. We are really excited. I've washed all her clothes and blankets, set everything up, and organized diapers into little rows even! So all we are missing is baby. :)

Updates--good and bad

I know I don't update this thing near enough, but here is short run down of what has happened, good new and bad news.

We'll start with the good news: We moved to a new apartment which was such a hassel considering that I can't lift any heavy boxes. I ended up packing them and Dave and his friends moved them. The new apartment has two rooms, so that makes it nice. It has lots of big windows too--which I love.

BYU-Idaho started up on September 10th. Dave and I are both trying to be really focused this semester before the baby arrives so we don't get behind. I only have one hour a day, so I have it pretty easy (for now). In my hardest class though, my teacher said we couldn't miss October 16th, 30th, or November 4th. Great-- I am supposed to have a baby in the middle of those dates. Oh well, it will work out. The Lord said have a baby, so we are; I guess He will work out the details for us. Dave's chemistry teacher is the bishop that he serves with as first counselor. When someone wasn't there the first day, he looked to Dave and asked, "Why isn't her here? Where is he?" Dave was like, "uh..." He's not sure if he is supposed to be the first counselor in class too or what. :)

Well, one thing that never changes is that TIME FLIES! I just had my five-year reunion. It turned out pretty good. About half my class showed up, many of them with their spouses and kids. It was so fun to see where everyone is now and how life has changed. I actually had to plan it (why on earth did I run for senior class president?!), which wasn't too fun since I am 8 months pregnant, but whatever. It went pretty well thanks to a few good friends (Tash and Dustin) who saved us at the last minute with their BBQ. Thanks guys! I still owe you.

I took my camera with the intention to take a big group picture, but I forgot till nearly everyone was gone. I was just going to blow it off, but Tasha insisted that we at least take one with who was left. I wasn't going to, but she persisted and I am glad now. I just wish I hand't forgotten earlier. Oh well! It was still a good time. :)

Now for the bad news: For all of you who really know me, you know that I have a dog named Millie that I absolutely adore. She is a farm dog, so my dad keeps her at the farm since we can't have a dog here in Rexburg. Well, I was playing a joke on my family that I got another pup, and my dad was like "dang, that would have eased the pain of what I have to tell you." when he found out that I didn't. He went on to tell me that my beloved dog, Millie, got ran over last week. He didn't have the heart to tell me till now. If any of you know Millie, you know how much I adore that silly pup. I've had her since my junior year of high school and even took her to college with me at SUU. I didn't believe my dad for a while, but then when I hung up, I just had a good cry. I loved that dog. :(

Then, just today, he called me again... barely being able to speak (which doesn't happen too often). He told me that a dog attacked our pet deer Buck. It broke his ribs and punctured his lungs so they had to put him down. That little guy was such a fun pet. People from all over our community came to see him and take pictures. We only had him 4 months, but he was so much fun, and instantly became part of the family. We'll miss that little freckled guy. :(