Everything has changed

Punkie,

   We just finished with the Thanksgiving holiday and the whole month of November simply reminds you of things to constantly be thankful for.  I am so thankful for you so I decided to write you this letter to tell you about the things I love most in your whole 2 months of life. 

   I love how you have changed our lives in ways that we never thought possible.  We never knew we could love something so much so instantly.  When I first saw your sweet face I couldn't control the tears and I knew my life would never be same.  I love how you have made us love our Lord more for trusting us to be your parents.  I love how you are so innocent and sweet and I want to protect more than anything in this entire world. 
 
   I love how you LOVE bath time.  You kick your feet and play and never, ever cry.  I have a feeling you will love the pool just as much.  Who knows, maybe you will be the next Michael Phelps (minus the whole getting famous and getting caught smoking pot- in which case I will spank your little bottom quicker than you can blink).  I love how when you are ready to eat, you are ready right then and there and when we try to burp you, you scream like the world has just ran out of milk and you don't know what you are going to do.  I love how happy you are after you eat.  I love your sweet smile, and although you don't smile much but are starting to more now, it completely and totally melts my heart when you do. I love how a ceiling fan catches your eye and you are fascinated.  I love how when I change you on your changing table, it never fails that you coo and caa to the big "E" that hangs above you.  I'm convinced you believe you two are friends. 

   I hate how far we live away from your Gammie, Pappie, Uncle Daniel, and Aunt Jess but how your face completely lights up when you see them on facetime or skype. I know you know exactly who they are and that makes me happy.  I love how you made it through 30 minutes of your first church service before going completely nuts and as soon as I took you out you calmed right down.  I love how fun it was to dress you in turkey clothes for your first Thanksgiving and how good you did that day being passed around.  Thank you for letting the people who love you love on you.  And that was a whole bunch of new people.

   I love how you have several aunts in Birmingham who you have never met but have meant the world to me since you've been born.  They've given me advice all day or night whenever I've needed it and have been there more than I could have even ask for.  I love Kelly, Brenna, Lindsey, Kat, Mrs. Lauren, and Brenna for that.  I love my friend Kori for answering my endless mommy questions and being so sweet and wonderful and always having the answers.  You and her baby Tucker will be best friends.  He is cute like you and I love her sweet little family more than a good diet coke. 

   I love how I was able to take you to Tennessee to meet my family and your great-grandparents and how good you were.  I hate how Alzheimer's has taken your great-grandmother's mind but how she looked at you and said she couldn't remember exactly who you were but that she sure did love you so much.  You are so lucky to have her in your life, Punkie.  She's an incredible human being and we are so lucky to call her ours.  I love how your great-grandfather was talking about of his head and as soon as he held you in his arms, he became completely lucid and made all of us speechless.  He loved you so very much and you equally loved being in his arms. 

  I love how your Gammie stayed with us for 2 weeks when you were born.  I hope one day I can be half the mother to you that she is to me.  She rocks baby boy and we need to count our blessings over and over again to have my parents in our life.  We are also blessed to have your Aunt Jessie and Aunt Mal Mal who have kept you and came and stayed to help me get back on my feet after I had you.  Your Aunt Allie and Aunt Messa could eat you with a spoon and adore you so much.  I love how when you haven't seen your daddy all day, you can't keep your eyes off him when he comes home.  There's a lot of love in this house.

  I love how you sigh SO big when we finally figure out what you are wanting if you've been fussy.  I hate how you fight sleep like you are going to miss the best thing ever but I love how sweet your face is when you finally give in.  I love how I've learned my body can function on as little sleep as you let me have some nights.  I hate that I my body will never be the same after you grew in it, but I love how those ugly stretch marks are a daily reminder to me that I was able to assist God in the miracle of making you.  No one else on this planet can say that!  I love how you love your car seat and don't mind riding.  Buckle up baby because there is a whole world to explore and we plan on showing it to you. 

  I love how my heart will never be the same now that you are here.  I look at everyone and everything differently.  I promise you that I will protect you the best I can from this big mean world.  You can ask my family baby boy, no one messes with them and doesn't get a piece of me to deal with.  But don't worry Punkie, there are great and wonderful and caring people still out there.  And lucky for you....most of them are in your life.  I promise to always lean over your crib and greet you with a smile on my face, even at 3 AM because you can't help it you are hungry or have a tummy ache. It's not your fault and I want you to know I am here to make it all better.  I love how we have survived the first 2 months of your life.  I love how you are healthy and thriving and the best is yet to come angel!  Thank you for making me realize what matters most in this life.  It's not about our clothes or house or how much money we make or the cars we drive.  It's about the wonderful fact that we are a family now.  I love your daddy and since you arrived I love him more than I thought was possible.  He tells me every single day what a wonderful mother I am to you.  It's not empty words and I know he always means it and it makes my day.  He is the most wonderful father to you and I tell you everyday even though he doesn't know I tell you that like a broken record.  He's working so hard to build us a pretty house and making sure you never run out of milk.  I realize at this stage in your life the milk part is more important.  You love your milk and anyone who has ever fed you knows not to get in the way of you and your bottle. 

  It's the Christmas season, Lovie, and I already have your stocking hanging up.  Even though I know you won't remember it I plan on making it the most special first Christmas you can imagine.  Just prepare yourself and get rested up.  There won't be a lot of presents, but a bunch of love and happiness because that's what you are.  Prepare you have your cheeks kissed off, not that it doesn't happen on a daily basis.  Thank you sweet baby of mine for being in my life and my making heart bust at the seams.  Of all the things I love, I love you and your daddy the most and I plan on making sure you both know that everyday of my life.  Thank you Jesus for my precious family.

"your eyes look like coming home
all i know is a simple name
everything has changed"

XO,

Momma 

 

 

Motherhood as I know it

Well, my sweet punkie is here!!!!

 

This is the first picture that we have of our baby boy outside of delivery and it also happens to be the first time his daddy was able to hold him.  Insert heart melting here.

 

Ethan's birth story

 

I was admitted the night before Ethan was born and started on a drip to induce labor.  I was a little early, but we had our reasons to induce and prayed a lot about it and felt that was what was best for Ethan and myself.  And the Lord delivered. 

Tuesday morning my drip was cranked on up and I began having contractions every 3 minutes.  They were intense, but I thought, I can do this.  Well, that thought lasted until my water broke.  Then HOLY. COW.  I did my best to breathe through them until I had dilated more.  But in the midst of a contraction I grabbed the phone thingy to the nurses station and yelled I was ready for my epidural.  I was worried that it would prolong my labor, but Ethan's head was so low I was having the urge to push with every contraction.  Epidural came and let me say God Bless the inventor of it.  I wasn't quite a fan of how it made me feel, but it did make the contractions bearable so thanks be to it.  Just a few hours later, my nurse checked me and I was at 10 cm and ready to go!!  Another HOLY. COW. moment.  We really thought it would be a long time.  We were wrong. I am so very grateful to my sister-in-law, Mallory, for being able to be in the delivery room and helping deliver Ethan.  We were originally going to have just Nicholas and I but my gut told me if Nicholas got too nervous or sick I would need a backup and someone I could trust.  She was so incredible and I can honestly say I'm not sure I could have gotten through pushing him out without her.  Nicholas and I love her more for it.  

I'm also grateful to my other family who stayed the whole day. My momma, Nicholas, and Jessie never left my side the entire day.  My mom and Ethan's Aunt Jessie were there from sun up to almost midnight to get us whatever we needed.  I don't know how my brother got so lucky by marrying such a wonderful girl, but I thank God he did and that she was there for us and Ethan.  We love her so much. 

 

I ended up pushing about 3 hours because punkie's head was stuck but he finally made his arrival at 5:36 pm on September 25th, 2012.  He weighed 7 lbs 14 oz and was 18.5 inches long.  Love at first sight doesn't even begin to explain the way I feel for our little miracle.  God is SO amazing and I will praise his name until the end of my days for blessing me with such an amazing gift.  I can't believe I'm lucky enough to be his mommy. 

 

He had some respiratory issues when he first arrived and we weren't able to hold him for about 5 hours.  The longest 5 hours of my life.  I am SO thankful for the nurses that we had at Western Baptist.  They are my angels and, in my opinion, the best nurses we could have ever ask for. Ever.  My labor and delivery nurse, Jessica, was so wonderful the whole day I was in labor and kept me going when I was pushing.  Literally, love her now.  She was exactly what I needed in a nurse.  She even came the next morning to check on Ethan.  More than just a nurse.  Kim, Ethan's first nursery nurse, will always have a special place in my heart, too.  She worked with me for at least 2 hours on breastfeeding even in the wee hours of the night.  It wouldn't have worked if it wasn't for her patience and sweet spirit.  She took such good care of my punkie.  My postpartum nurse, Gloria, well, when we told her goodbye I cried like I would never see her again and told her I seriously would consider naming my daughter after her.

 

Yep, hot hormonal casserole.

 

Enjoy the slide show of pictures. 

 

 

Not my first time holding him, but our first picture together.

 

My momma, Jessie, and us.  Please ignore how swollen I am.  I was pumped full of about 8 liters of fluid in 24 hours.  I was unrecognizable.

 

Aunt Mal Mal getting to hold him for the first time!

He loves his daddy.

 

Thanks for my outfit Auntie A!

 

Leaving the hospital! Once again ignore the swelling.  Plus I had been crying for like 2 hours before this picture was taken.  But he was worth every tear.

Punkie keeps his feet crossed allllll the time.  Just like his daddy.

 



 

Wide awake!

 

Snoozing in the car.

 

 

Auntie A's first time snuggling me!

 

My first bath. Ha.

 

Well, prepare yourselves for lots and lots of pictures of my sweet baby! We love him more than words and can't wait to show the world just how proud we are!

 

XO,

Britt and baby E

 

Ethan's Nursery

Since I found out I was having a little boy, I started dreaming about what I wanted his nursery to be like.  I wanted it to be all about him, and not something he (or we) would grow tired of in a few months.  So....

 

Rule #1: NO THEME.  That's just my own personal preference and Nicholas's by default.  I really wanted to do colors and that's it.

 

I decided on navy and lime green and really knew that was it after I saw my friend Kori's nursery.  I you are feeling frisky, you can check out her blog here:  http://aviewfromtheedge-dandk.blogspot.com/ It's funny and sassy and you will oooohhh and awwww at her newest addition, Tucker.  So, while at her baby shower, I proceeded to steal plenty of nursery ideas from her as she did the exact thing I wanted to do.  Look at how precious that baby is of hers.  Allie and I fought over who could hold him more.

 

 

Then a dilemma hit.  We are building a house and Nicholas tells me he will have me in it by Christmas.  Ethan's expected the first week of October.  I thought to myself, "Why plan and do a nursery when he probably won't be in it but a couple weeks?"  I decided to not do a nursery, I told myself.  I'll just keep him in the bassinet in our bedroom and set the pack and play up in the den and then there is the swing and what not.  Well, that lasted all about a week when I woke up one Friday morning in complete panic.  I walked by the room that I had planned on being his room and realized he needed a nursery. STAT.  I got on the internet, ordered a crib and mattress,  some more baby things, and then cleaned like a crazy lady.  Apparently this is 'nesting' and it hasn't quite stopped.  So without further ado, I present you Ethan's nursery! Well....the rental house nursery:

 

Craft time!!

 

The letters are from Hobby Lobby.  I bought mod podge and pretty scrap book paper and went to town.  Attach some ribbon on the back and you will see the final result below.

 

 

 

The dresser was mine from when I was a tot.  It was oak and has been good to me through pharmacy school and our marriage. It also made the perfect dresser for the nursery.  I read on pinterest the best way to paint wood.  So off I went to the Home Depot, bought some spray paint, sand paper, a good MASK, and some new hardware, and transformed that puppy!  I felt like Martha Stewart and was on cloud nine, then Nicholas flipped.  He thought I was staining it to match the crib.  Um, no. Boring.   He's not a fan of the navy.  Good thing I didn't ask what he thought about my idea before it was already painted!  He likes the total package now though.

 

 

Bumpers....apparently we all had them as children but now if you have them you are evil.  Whatever.  I read the warnings and decided I still wanted them.  These are thin, super soft, and I love them.  I don't want him sticking his little arms and legs through the crib.  I ordered the bumper from amazon, went and bought some ribbon, and had a party with hot glue and fabric glue.  I ordered the crib skirt as well and plan on doing some crafting on it, too.

 

 

My living room looking like a total disaster while Nicholas and Aunt Jessie assemble the crib.  I ate a snack and watched.  Good work you two.

 

 

Staying up late to put it all together!

 

 

My precious momma

 

Annnnd the final product!!!!

 

 

The crib is from Target.  Monkey came from Pier1. 

 

 

Hope those letters look straight.  Totally winged that.  I also chose to have a bed in his room.  That was rule #2.  I wanted my family and friends to stay with us when they came to visit. 

 

 

I replaced pictures I had in there with his ultrasounds and navy and lime green backgrounds.

 

 

The big E came from my shower in Tn that I spray painted to match the dresser.  The ribbon came from my B'ham shower that I hot glued on to match (thanks hostesses!).  The lamp shade was a gift from his Auntie Allison and it is sitting on the perfect lime green base from Target.  Another find by Allison.  When I came home from work when my mom was here, she surprised me with the changing pad, cover, and the basket beside of it that holds....stuff?  Thanks, Gammie!

 

 

Overall, I'm pleased.  We didn't paint the walls because we aren't going to be here too much longer.  But I like it and I hope he does, too!!

 

The only other problem was closet space.  Nicholas and I are maxed out and I didn't know where I was going to put everything.  My mother-in-law suggested that I take everything out of this random closet we have in our living room, that pretty much had decorations and junk we didn't put anywhere else, and make it his closet.  So yesterday, I did just that!  He now has a closet with awesome, contemporary wood paneling!

 

 

 

In other notes....

 

I think the good Lord is letting Ethan's first holiday be Halloween instead of Christmas so that he can ease into the craziness that is my house during the holidays.  I had to get him some outfits to celebrate!  I can't wait to spend the holidays with him.  It's gonna be fun!!  I usually start decorating for Christmas in October but plan on scaling wayyyy back this year.  Like only one tree. That my friends is called restraint but I also realize I will be very sleep deprived.

 

 

So that's about it for right now.  I haven't posted a belly pic in a while so I'll post my 33 week below.  I even coordinated with the nursery colors.  Totally planned that.  We had a great check up at the doctor yesterday.  He weighs 5 pounds 12 ounces.  I won't tell you what the first estimate was, but me and the ultrasound tech both panicked so I made her remeasure him.  I only slightly hyperventilated thinking about how big he is going to get and that somehow he has to come out.  So sweet Ethan, if you want to stop being such an over-achiever in the weight category until you are OUTSIDE my belly, I will feed you ice cream when you get here.  I love you.

 

 

If you have any tips for our nursery or what was a life-saver in yours I would LOVE to hear it!  Post a comment below or you can always facebook me.

Have a great week and since the Hunger Games released on DVD this week, may the odds be ever in your favor :) (I know, nerd comment)

 

XO,

Britt



 

Grab Your Umbrella!

It's only been about 7 weeks since my last blog, so why don't we have an update?

It's shower time!!!

Not to say I have an excuse for not blogging but a lot has happened in our lives lately.  I'm becoming more pregnant everyday.  Strutting is no longer in style, waddling is.  Pregnancy is going wonderfully and I have zero complaints. 

I've been working 2 jobs (both part time) for the last 2 1/2 years now.  It was not a big deal until the last few months when working 50-60 hours a week was really starting to wear me out.  After a lot of praying and thinking, it was time to give one up and on July 31st I had my last day at Walgreen's Infusion Pharmacy.  I will really miss some of my coworkers there but the on-call nights were making me a crazy lady and they all understood and sent me out with a bang- a surprise baby shower!  I have no pictures from that day- but a big thank you to all of them for everything I learned there and my friendships that I made.  I'm very thankful for my job at Duncan's.  It just feels like home and I'm even more thankful to only be employed at ONE place :)

The next weekend I was off to my beautiful home sweet home in East Tennessee. Shout out to Allison for driving me there and back.  I could not have made that 6 hour trip alone plus it gave us good bestie time.   I know she did a lot of planning in Nashville which is not easy and I'm so grateful Ethan has her as an aunt and I have her as my best friend.  That car was loaded down with so much stuff I could barely get my belly in. She could seriously be a party planner to the stars. 

Ten hostesses made that day so incredibly special for me.  I will never forget it.  I will let you enjoy the pictures, but there was a prayer card table for baby Ethan (by the way, that's his name!), incredible food, awesome gifts, and a house full of what turned out to be around 55 people!!  Talk about making a girl feel special!  It really is true when people say there is no place like home!

The hostesses

Friends from high school

The food:

The decor

My daddy came at the end to help pack us up. And to eat some snacks. At this point I was wearing the super cute hospital gown Allie got me.  I loved it so much I pranced around in that thing forever...until I dropped food on it and Allie took it off ASAP.  Not my fault, my belly has turned into a catch all.

The gifts!

Thank you again to all of my family and friends for making that day SO special.

We also made a quick stop in Cookeville coming home to visit our sweet friend, Kori, and her precious little nugget, Baby Tucker!  She looked great for just having a baby and I sat there and cried as I held him (shock).  Congrats to her and Drew on their new sweet family.  I love all three of you!

I was lucky enough to have my mom and sister-in-law come back to Kentucky with me to help organize and get the nursery started.  I was beginning to panic...like whoa.  Nicholas is currently playing super husband trying to get our new house built, therefore he has not been at my disposal to help get the nursery ready.  We got in from Tennessee late Sunday night, I worked Monday and when I came home that evening they had cleaned my house from top to bottom, done all of Ethan's laundry, assembled the bassinet, and had all the furniture moved and ready to go. OH and had a home cooked meal on the table.  The tears started when I walked in the door and haven't quite stopped. I'll post pictures and more on the nursery in the next blog.  But thank you Mom and Jess-Bird for everything you did those 2 days you were here.  I'm crying as I type this.  I'm so lucky to have you both in my life and I wish there wasn't 350 miles between us.  I count my blessing to be so close to my Mom and sister.

Fast forward to Friday and it was off to Birmingham for a double shower weekend (told you I don't slow down). Mom and Jessie even drove down and met us and Nicholas was able to come, too!  Brenna and I announced our pregnancies the same day, why not celebrate our showers the same weekend?  I haven't lived there in 3 years so I was very grateful our friends still wanted to celebrate baby Ethan.  They threw a beautiful shower complete with a bar (all virgin drinks, of course!) and a brunch to die for.  Thank you girls for all you did.  I know it was crazy planning 2 showers in 2 days, but it touched my heart.  Probably why I cried the first 2 hours after we left.  Poor, poor Nicholas.

I have been officially put on travel restrictions so my tail will be staying in Paducah until sweet Ethan decides to make his arrival.  He's a rather "large bambino" (my OB's words, not mine), so Tuesday we get another ultrasound to check his growth and weight.  I'm about 90% he is snuggling transverse in my belly.  He still has a few weeks to get ready so whatever he wants to do is fine with me.  Yes, I'm hot , swollen, usually pretty cranky and hungry, but my Aunt Karen told me this is the only time that I will have to help assist God in making a miracle.  So I'll prop my feet, eat a snack, take a nap, and rub my belly and tell him I'm the luckiest girl in the entire world to be his mommy and I love every minute I get to carry him with me.  I love that baby so much and I can't wait to have him my arms and kiss him non-stop.

I hope you have a wonderful week this week and can cherish all the miracles God is doing for you!

XO,

Britt