It's Been a Week

OK, so I should have had this post done yesterday, but what can I say? I'm now a mom of 2 children, trying to function with little sleep and well, it just didn't get done yesterday! So, you'll have to forgive me...in any case, Ben is one week old! WOW! It's been a good week. We have dealt with the usual newborn things--multiple feedings during the day and night, only sleeping in 2-3 hour stretches at night, pure and utter exhaustion...you know, the usual! But, it's been a great week.

Ben and I have had some difficulties with breast feeding. I've been at my wits' end because he was doing great at the hospital and then when we got home it all went out the window. So, we've been doing mostly formula, and I've been pumping to keep my milk supply from going away. Yesterday I made my way south to a breastfeeding center and got some great help. Wouldn't you know the little stinker latched on right away and acted as though we've been doing great all week? In any case, it's been much better at home, and I'm hoping to build up my milk supply.

Cora is doing great with brother. She LOVES to hug and kiss him and tickle his toes. She gets a big kick out of bringing me stuff (diapers, blankets, etc) and is such a great big sister. She's acting out a bit more with David and I--being a bit defiant, and melting down a bit more often--but it's nothing too outrageous, and we expected it to happen. We are doing our best to pay her special attention, let her know how much we love her and what a great big sister she is. I'm sure she'll get over it all soon, and we'll be back to normal.

I'm doing pretty well. I'm exhausted, of course, but feel pretty good. It's such a difference from Cora's birth. I was in so much pain recovery-wise after she was born that it took me a good month to feel as good as I do now. David and I are amazed at how well I'm doing. However, this is kind of a double-edged sword because I have overdone it a couple times and have to remind myself to take it easy. It's so much different when you have another child. I can't take naps as often as I'd like! David is a huge help and doing great with reminding me to rest and taking on the kids so I can do so. I've also had a lot of help from my mom and mom-in-law. I'm so thankful to be closer to family this time around. David has started back to work so I'll have to jump in to our new norm on Wednesday when my MIL goes back home.

Benjamin's Story

Ben's story begins on Sunday, June 19. I was SO uncomfortable. I could hardly sit, I didn't sleep well, I just felt terrible. David and I both felt that the time was drawing near, if not that night, or the next day. But, because I had thought it was time before I didn't do anything special, we just went about our day. At 2:30 Monday morning I got up to go the bathroom (standard) and as I was walking back to bed WHOOSH! my water broke. I walked back to the bathroom, so as not to get anything on the carpet, I tell David very matter-of-factly, "Welp, my water just broke." I called the midwife and was told to go back to bed and as contractions came to keep track. I was also supposed to eat and drink all to prepare my body for the labor/delivery process. Call it nerves, but probably more the contractions I wasn't able to sleep. My contractions came quickly, quite steadily every 8-10 min and then increased to 5. I was still able to walk/talk through them but since it was already 4 am I thought I better call my mom to get ready and come to the house in case I needed to get to the hospital ASAP. Well, Mom was on her way, my contraction pain was increasing and I didn't feel comfortable to wait so we called a pastor friend and he walked (he's just around the corner) to the house to stay with Cora until my mom came.

We arrived at the hospital at 6:15 am. We walked up to the L/D floor, got checked in, talked to the midwife, found I was 4 cm and then...my contractions stopped! WHAT??????? Well, we all know that when ones water breaks the chances for infection to the baby increases so they were anxious to get my contractions going again. It was suggested I start petocin. Um. I was TERRIFIED!!!!!!!!!! Remembering my HORRENDOUS time with Cora's birth petocin was the LAST thing I wanted. They told me to rest, walk and take a hot shower to see if we couldn't get labor going again and if I hadn't progressed to 5 cm by noon I would need to get started on petocin. I was so scared. David and I prayed and prayed. I cried and prayed. I just prayed. We walked the halls, I took a warm shower and then I laid down to try to nap. Needless to say, God answered my prayers with a yes, and I was unable to rest. My contractions started coming. They got harder with each one and soon I was not having any fun at all! We called the midwife to see if I had progressed, and I was definitely at 5 cm and it wasn't even 12 noon yet!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!

I soon realized that I was going to have severe back labor. The pain was excruciating and I was unable to relax. This time I did not endure for 15 hours but quickly said, how long until I can get an epidural? Now to hurdle fear #2--getting another epidural. Again, my time with Cora's birth was horrific and so I was scared to death again but knew I wouldn't be able to handle the pain. My midwife and nurse conferred with each other, already knowing my previous experience and my midwife told the nurse to be sure and call "Dr. Green." Apparently, she's high up in the department or something. My midwife said, "Call Dr. Green. I want to be sure this happens with no problems." Dr. Green was there quickly, a nice woman who was very confident in her skills. She very quickly got the epidural in, and I think was in and out of the room in 10 min or less. HEAVENLY BLISS almost immediately. Ah, the feeling of a warm blanket going up my legs. With each contraction the pain became less and less. I was able to rest and they started the petocin because my progress had slowed down again, but I didn't care because I couldn't feel anything!

Around 3 ish in the afternoon the epidural was not working on my right side (happened with Cora too, so maybe just something weird about my body???). They suggested me getting a little boost in the meds but wanted to check my progress first. I was 8 cm!!!! David reminded me that this had happened with Cora and that I had gone from 8 to pushing quickly. I was still given a boost but was pushing by 3:45. I pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed. I didn't think he was EVER going to come out! Close to 5 pm I was at a breaking point and prayed silently to the Lord, "I can't go anymore Lord. Please bring him out with the next contraction." And, he did! Benjamin was born right at 5:00 pm and I got to hold him immediately. He was so goopy and beautiful all at the same time. David watched the whole thing and cut the cord, which I was shocked as he doesn't do body stuff well! :)

I only tore a little bit (at the site of the episiotomy I had received during Cora's birth) and have only 3 stitches. We recovered for 2 hours in our delivery room and then were moved to the postpartum room, where we have a private room. Ben has been nursing very well. I'm quite excited about that!!! I am so praying that this time nursing is more successful. Thank you all for your love, prayers and support. It was felt and appreciated. Thank you! I know we have some rough days ahead of us, but I'm so excited to get home and learn what it is to be a family of four.

Enjoy these photos!

Ben was born weighing 1 lb more and was 1 in. longer than his sister! 

Our wonderful midwife, Linda. Incidentally, the midwife group I went to has 9 midwives. I only ever met 2 of them, Linda and another one. I met Linda at my first visit and prayed during that appointment that she would be the one to deliver Ben! 

My husband, love of my life and AMAZING helper during the whole process! 

The newest love of my life!

Look at those rolls!

My two men! I love them so much!

Cora and her new brother, "Baby Ben." They're gonna be great friends!

Our new family! 

Introducing...

Benjamin Monroe Hardin has joined our family and we couldn't be happier! He was born Monday, June 20, 2011 at precisely 5:00 pm. He weighed 8 lbs., 12 oz. and was 20 inches long. He has a few blonde wispy hairs and is just perfect! :) He is so precious and we couldn't be happier.

Cora met her brother "Baby Ben" as she came in to my room saying--thanks to her grandmothers--and she seems to have warmed up to him so far! She held him a few times while visiting us last night with the help of grandparents. It was more than this momma could handle. So much joy and pride welling up in me seeing my TWO children together. So, so, so precious.

So far Ben is doing great with nursing. I'm really hoping this time around works better than with Cora. I think I'll have a much better support system here and more resources to aid me. We are, of course EXHAUSTED but doing just fine. I'll share his story tomorrow if I'm able to get it written.

Pondering...

I've been keeping up some with a blog that is being written by the brother of one of my friends from high school. He and his wife lost their unborn triplet boys not too long ago and obviously the blog has taken a different turn from it's initial intent. In one of the recent posts her brother was taking about the things people say during times of death or hardship. And of course the most favorite being the "reminder" that God won't give us more than we can handle. I was reminded how much this sentiment bothers me and how inaccurate it really is!

Let's look at the scripture found in I Corinthians 10:13 that is so widely misused--"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." Folks, it does NOT say God won't give you more than you can handle, it says you won't be tempted with more than you can bear. And when you ARE tempted he gives you a way out. Now, you can call me wrong if you want, but temptations and hardships aren't the same thing. I suppose when we're going through trials we can be tempted to become bitter, angry, etc., but I really don't think this is what this passage is saying. I think it's simply talking about temptations--drugs, alcohol, sex, gossip, overeating, smoking, etc.--and when we're tempted God provides us a way out. 


I know this is going to upset some of you, but the next time you come in contact with someone who is going through something hard, don't tell them God won't give them more than they can bear, because this is not accurate to this passage. Tell them, rather, that God loves them, or tell them you'll be praying for them, or just don't say anything. Often not saying something is more powerful then spewing forth empty words. 


And yes, this has been sort of a rant, but I think an important one, that we must be reminded of. If we're going to quote/use Scripture to encourage others we need to be careful to do so accurately.  

Strawberry Shortcake

Cora was the happy and excited recipient of a new hat that she received in the mail the other day! I think she makes an awfully cute Strawberry Shortcake! :)

38 Weeks and Still Counting

I'm 38 weeks today! I keep telling myself that with each day and week I'm just that much closer to the day! :) Since last week I've had some pretty hard, on the verge of painful (because I've been through labor I know these aren't TRULLY painful yet!) contractions. Some have been waking me up at night. Alas, no baby yet! The crib is put together, all baby things have been washed, we have acquired a bouncy seat to borrow, the hospital bag is packed with most stuff. I'm keeping up on the laundry and grocery shopping as much as possible. My mom continues to come up and help me keep the house clean. We're ready, man! C'mon baby!!

I am trying really hard to just live life to the best of my ability. I've been spending a lot of time in prayer, reading Scripture, just resting in the Lord. I have my moments of nerves and "panic," which I hope are normal. I'm trying really, really hard not to let those moments become controlling or take over. I've been pretty successful. I keep telling myself that birth is happening whether I'm ready or not. This baby has to come out at some point whether all of my mental ducks are in a row. And, I keep telling myself how much nicer it would be if I wasn't in a state of panic when it happened! So, I continually give my fears over to the Lord and ask for his help and just go about my day as well as possible. I mean, isn't that what we're supposed to do anyway?

And so, we begin week 38 with hopes that this baby boy will make his appearance this week, but also knowing if he doesn't the Good Lord has his reasons!

Please Let them Live!

There is a very sweet couple in our church, Mr. and Mrs. S. who are from West Virginia, near where my in laws grew up. They instantly connected with my husband (seeing as how he's from WV) and are such a dear, sweet couple. We didn't get to know them too well when we first arrived because they spend their winters in Florida, but they're back now and we're getting to know them now. My husband loves to garden, and we both love to eat the fresh veggies, and I like to also freeze what we can't eat fresh. Saves on the food bill! Well, Mr. S. made sure to grow some plants just for David over the winter while in FL. How nice was that??? He has been wanting to help out with planting our garden, and Saturday he and David were finally able to connect.

He came over late morning and before they got started on the garden he showed me the flowers he had brought for the flower beds (which are currently weed beds!!).  I was very touched! However, I'm not very good at keeping things alive. I seem to have inherited my mother's black thumb when it comes to vegetation. I mean, I plant stuff, do my best, but I will never be featured in a gardening magazine for my gorgeous flowers! I have extra pressure this time around. Not only did this dear man bring these plants for me the one plant he brought has a special story...

Mr. S. told us that during a vacation he and his new bride were on they were driving through the hills of WV and came across these beautiful, wild plants. He had not seen them before and didn't know what they were called, but really wanted to have some for his garden. So, they pulled over and went to the house where they saw these plants growing to ask the owners what they were called. The owner of the home had no idea but said this particular plant had been in his family for generations, and they just kept planting them and letting them seed. This man told Mr. S. to leave his name and address and when the plants went to seed he would send him some. Six years later Mr. S. gets a small package in the mail with a note. It was from the man he had met 6 years prior. The man apologized for not sending the seeds sooner. See, his wife had passed away not too long after Mr. and Mrs. S had met him and it wasn't until recently when he was sorting through papers on the desk that he saw their address. Mr. S. was delighted to get the seeds, planting them and even carried the plants to OH, where they live now!

So, I feel extra pressure now to keep this plant alive! I mean, it comes with such a sweet story, the plant is from WV, a part of home for my husband and AAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!! I just want them to live!!!! :)

Preparation

There has, of course, been much preparation going on in this household! And, as we all know, it's for the arrival of one little boy!!! I tend to write my blogs in chunks, so it's actually Tues. when I'm writing this, and I'm scheduling it to appear on Friday. I guess at this point that can be tricky! :) Who knows? This entry my be preempted by a birth announcement--wouldn't that be nice? :)

It's been interesting to see how I've done things differently this time around. With Cora we were living in a very small, run-down (I mean, really, it should be bull-dozed) house that was to be temporary (2 years later we moved out!!). I didn't do much nesting because I didn't want to get everything out only to have to repack it. In hindsight I should have just gone ahead and got everything out...It saddened me greatly with Cora that I couldn't have a cute little room all fixed up for her. We crammed the pack-n-play in our room, and had to put her dresser and changing table in the dining room. It was not ideal, but we made it work. The little house soon filled with other necessities--like the swing and bouncy seat. We got the car seat in the van, the diaper bag packed, the hospital bag ready, etc. We were READY! Every night we had our phones and the computer charging just in case. I felt very prepared. I wasn't too mentally prepared. I mean, I had no idea what to expect and then when it was decided to induce me I really didn't know what to think. But, I prayed a lot, asked my sister a LOT of questions and did my best to be mentally prepared.

With a second child on the way things are different, yet the same. I feel more relaxed, you know, if everything doesn't get done it's not a huge deal. I mean, the insatiable need to nest is very much there. We have a spot for the baby and so it's easy to set up the crib and the dresser (which is in the room, not the dining room!) and there is plenty of space in our home for all the baby stuff. I've enjoyed Cora's "help" as we get out everything, unwrap gifts, put stuff away. It's been good for her, I think, to be involved. I'm not sure she really gets what's going on, but at least it won't be a total shock for her, right?  We've still had to wash all the wee baby clothes and put them away. I'm over 37 weeks and the crib still needs to be set up, the car seat still needs to be put in the car and as of Tuesday our hospital bag was not packed. I have a feeling that will get done once I know for sure I'm in labor. Mentally, I'm preparing differently. This time I know the pain will be intense. I know there will be times during labor that I'll want to give up. But, I also know that it'll be worth all the hard work and there will be a baby at the end! This time I'm refusing induction (unless medically necessary) and so I've been having to refocus my mental preparation. I know that this time the pain will be natural and not medically induced. I also know that the pain will actually be doing something other than making me miserable (read Cora's birth story). I've also been struggling with some different fears, but am doing my best to give those to the Lord. I don't know if you ever really feel prepared for childbirth be it your 1st or 20th child, but at least I know kinda what to expect!

The Strangest Interview EVER

My husband was without work for 2 years. It was a long 2 years full of downs and some ups. It was a 2-year testing of our faith with a lot of questioning. Because my husband is a pastor he went to a lot of interviews with churches--for anything from youth pastor jobs to senior pastor jobs. He also did countless interviews with secular jobs from Stanley Steemer (which we found out is 100% commission, who knew???) to working for phone companies. At the end of his job search process he was called to go to 2 interviews. One was for a youth pastor job in the town he had grown up in and the other was for the job he has now. The interviews were on the same weekend and we knew it was going to be nuts, but were also so excited about the possibilities!

He goes to the first interview on Friday night at the church in his hometown. (To protect the "innocent" I won't tell you what church or denomination it was, because let's face it, we hope this interview is not typical!) He arrives to the interview and sits down with the search committee--did I mention this is for a youth pastor position? He introduces himself and no one else introduces themselves. WHAT???? Straaaaaaaannnnnnnnge!!! He has no idea who the members of the committee are, their positions in the church, let alone their names! He is asked a list of questions, none of which has ANYTHING to do with his spiritual life, his stance on theology, or even if he IS a Christian. They were very surface questions. He asked them a few theological questions, but could tell they thought this odd. There was a youth member on the committee and her burning question was to know my husband's view of people having tattoos. Really??? This is what you're most concerned with? It was a really short interview, needless to say! He drives the 30 minute drive back to his dad's house and we wait.

I was on the computer and noticed that about 5 minutes (NOT kidding!) after David gets home we get a new email. It was from the church he had just had the interview with and they were offering him the job. WHAT???? Never mind this was the first encounter he'd had with the church--typically you meet with a church 2-3 times before a decision is made. He didn't get any opportunity to talk to the head pastor (whom he'd be working closely with), nor did he know where the church stood on different issues, what they were even looking for in a youth minister. The church had not even bothered to check his references!!!!! WHAT???? So much head-scratching ensued on our part! There are so many red flags here it's hard to list them all. The least of which being why on earth a church wouldn't check the references of a person about to be with the youth--not a good idea!

We tried hard not to panic. David would be getting paid hardly anything, with no benefits, which meant I would certainly HAVE to work outside the home. We had so many misgivings about this. Thankfully, I have a wise husband and he kindly replied to the pastor that we would have to talk and pray and we would let him know the following week. We went to bed almost begging the Lord that after 2 years of no job this was NOT the one, but also knowing we had to trust.

Thankfully, the interview the next day went MUCH better, no red flags and a HUGE green light from the Lord telling us this was the direction he had for us. But, the interview the evening prior will always be one that makes us chuckle...

What strange interviews have you had?

To My Little Girl

Your life, as you know it, is about to change.

You're about to become a BIG SISTER to a baby BROTHER!

You'll do GREAT! I have no doubt!

You'll show your baby brother everything there is to learn about this crazy world and teach him everything you know.

And you'll make Mommy and Daddy so proud! I can't wait to see you be a BIG SISTER!

Let the Waiting Begin

Today I am full term!!!! I'm 37 weeks now and that is what "they" consider full term, meaning it's perfectly OK and safe for the baby to come now! After all the scare of delivery too early I'm much relieved that this day has come. I keep telling myself that now that this time has come Baby Sprout will take his jolly time! :) At my appointment today it was found that I'm 1 1/2 cm dilated, 80% effaced, and the baby is at -1 with his head very securely down on the cervix! Things are happening!!!!

I have felt the insatiable need to "nest." What a strange instinct, huh? I mean really. I'm large, can hardly move around, can't really bend over and yet all I want to do is make the house spic-n-span and make sure everything is in it's place and that we're all set and ready to go. I mean, you'd think the baby would show up NOW at the rate I'm going. Maybe nesting is God's way of helping us fill our days of waiting. My guess is he knows how uncomfortable we are (I mean, he did design us to do this) and so he gives us the need to stay busy. It must look funny for a ginormous waddling woman as she scurries about the house doing this, that and the other. But, I don't care!!! I'm ready for this baby to come and the more active I am the more chance of starting labor and the sooner I get to meet this wee babe!

I'm cleaning, sorting, nagging my husband to get ridiculous chores done (it seems we can't get enough "trash" out of the house!) and all the while I just don't think anything is done! HA! HA! HA! After the baby comes I suppose I'll be too tired to do anything so maybe part of the nesting is a good thing so the house has a head start. My husband will be sure to let me know LATER (after the hormones calm down) how silly I was. I don't really care--this house needs help!!!!!

To Give Thanks

Sometimes it's hard to give thanks, and yet we're commanded to do so! Sometimes it's easier to stay in self pity and waller in the bad that's happening that you would just rather not give thanks. Sometimes you think God has given you all those lemons just to get in your paper cuts and the thought of using the lemons to make lemonade is ridiculous. I have to say that throughout this pregnancy I have succumbed to all of this--the bad, not the giving of thanks. However, I have been convicted as of late (and let's be honest the Holy Spirit has been pricking my conscious the whole time) that I just need to give thanks. I need to accept the lemons and make some lemonade out of them. I need to stop wallowing in self-pity and give thanks. And so, I want to give thanks in this blog entry. I have written a list of things that have come to mind for me to give thanks about. It's not exhaustive, but it's certainly what came immediately to mind.

1. Cora has been healthy most of this pregnancy, especially as of late with the onset of warmer weather.
2. Cora has been sleeping well at night and taking her naps which has allowed me full nights of sleep and rest in the afternoons.
3. I have had several friends helping me by taking Cora for several hours in the morning and feeding her lunch so that she's ready for her nap when she comes home, which allows more rest for me.
4. My husband. Oh my husband. I don't have enough words to say how thankful I am for him. I know he's busy with his own work and yet, without complaining, he has taken on extra chores--cooking, cleaning, taking care of Cora, Molly, the yard work, etc. He is carrying far more than his fair share right now, and I'm so thankful for him. And, he's doing all of this without getting good sleep due to all the pillows in the bed keeping me comfortable. He is a gem and I am truly, truly blessed that he's my husband.
5. My mom and mother-in-law have done more than they need to in helping us. My mom has been coming up 1 day a week for several weeks now helping me with whatever. My MIL has been coming up when she can, also doing whatever I need help with. This includes laundry, dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, grocery shopping, oh and entertaining Cora too!!! I am blessed to not only have a mom who loves me but also a MIL.
6. My dear sister has also been coming up when she can (she is busy getting her house ready to sell, has 3 kids of her own, trying to finish up home schooling for the year) and has been a ginormous help too. And, she's always a phone call away, reminding me that pregnancy doesn't last forever, this too shall pass and other such wonderful encouragements. I love my sister so very much and am so thankful for her and her encouragement.
7. My father has been spending his weekends between our house and my sister and BIL's house helping us all with projects. This means he is busy, busy, busy. And, he does it cheerfully, never complaining. I know my dad is exhausted and yet he willingly takes on these projects/challenges to help us out. We are greatly indebted to him.
8. Our church family has been so loving, caring, concerned, compassionate--quite frankly, it's overwhelming. My church attendance has not been too regular and they never make me feel guilty for it. They just want this baby to come so that I feel better. They have not once made me feel like a failure as a pastor's wife because I'm not dragging myself to church every Sunday--in fact there have been Sundays when I've been "scolded" for being there and told I should have stayed home. They are so excited when I'm there and are so very helpful to me with Cora while David is working. We are so blessed to be in this church, and I don't ever want to forget their love and concern for us during this time.
9. I am thankful to all those who have been praying for me during this difficult time. I learn all the time of more and more people who've been praying for me, and I had no idea. I feel so unworthy and yet am so thankful because without those prayers I would not be getting through this.
10. I'm so grateful for the excellent medical care I'm receiving during this pregnancy. It's been worlds better than last time, and I am just praising the Lord for bringing us to this point. I look forward to having a much better labor/delivery experience.
11. And, I'll end with saying how thankful I am to the Lord. For without his help, love, grace and mercy I could not do this. I'm so thankful for his faithfulness to me even on my worse days when I was angry at him for allowing me to feel so terrible. I'm glad our God has a thick skin!!

What are you thankful for today?

Let the Battle...End!

So, last year at this time we were trying to get Cora to love, like, tolerate, just simply look at grass without crying. It took most of the summer, but we were successful!!! I wasn't sure how she would be this summer. We've had a minor set back as so far she seems to only want to be in the grass if she has shoes on. Oh. Well. At least she's playing in it! Last summer she loved her pool and though she was barely 1 she loved to sit in the water and splash around! I was hopeful that this summer we wouldn't have any issues with the pool. Our neighbors have their kiddie pool out and have invited Cora over to play in it with their girls. The first day she was a bit timid when it was just Mommy and Daddy out there with her, but as soon as the other girls came out she was splishing and splashing and going down the wee slide in the pool! I was shocked, but so glad we overcame that little obstacle quick enough.

So, what do we seem to have to overcome this summer? It's almost as evil as the grass was last summer. This summer, it would seem Cora will ONLY wear shoes if she can also wear socks! This is causing me great frustration. I know it shouldn't, but it is--probably the pregnancy hormones! In any case, at the start of warmer weather I bought her 2 pairs of sandals at Target--one for daily wear and one for Sundays. She REFUSES, and I mean REFUSES to wear them unless she can also have socks on. It's as though I'm asking her to strap broken glass to her feet and walk 5 miles. Sigh...She is also very insistent that she wear her tennis shoes a lot, although she doesn't feel the need to always have socks on with those!

I am learning, with this child, to eat the words/thoughts/preconceived ideas I had pre-children. I no longer look at a toddler wearing a strange outfit, crazy hair or socks with sandals and think the mother is a nut job or that she just must not care. No, no, I'm sure she DOES care, and I'm sure there was some kind of battle at home before going out in public and the fairy dress, striped socks and tennis shoe outfit was decided not that big an issue. I'm learning that though I would LOVE for my daughter to have a cute hair-do to match her cute outfit and have her wearing the right sandals (without socks) before we leave the house, it's just not worth the battle and meltdown. I mean really, in the whole scheme of things is it really that big of a deal? At least I can be thankful I got clothes on her!

And so, this summer, let the sock battle commence, or end because really, I'm just too tired. We'll see how it ends. And, if you should see my daughter, or some other child, in 100 degree weather with socks and sandals on, don't judge the mother--there was already a battle fought and it's obvious who won!

Her Story

I've realized I never put to words the birth story of Cora on my blog. I had written it as a note on Facebook, but had never put it here. I wanted to put it in my blog because I feel it's important. I love my baby girl (who isn't at all a baby anymore) and I want to be able to remember that time. I have been thinking a lot about her birth as I prepare for her brother's birth. My biggest thought is, "Lord, let it be so much better please!" Anyway, here is the story of Cora as she entered the world 2 years ago!

*** 

The story of Cora Ann Hardin began Wednesday, March 25, 2009 when I went to the hospital to be induced at 6:00 p.m. David and I hunkered down for the evening hoping things would go quickly. Wow. It's a good thing we can't see the future because I think there is much we wouldn't do if we could.

My water broke at 3:30 a.m. on TH and the contractions pretty much started then. I called my sister to join us around 5 in the morning and well, it was rough going from there on out. As the day progressed so did my contractions. My doctor highly encouraged me to start taking pitocin so that my labor would progress better. I agreed and the drug was started--just a small dose. I did the hot tub, walking, the exercise ball--nothing seemed help, I remained 2 cm for HOURS. I was getting exhausted, I was weary, my spirits were very low. I had the wonderful help of my sister and husband, who stayed beside me the entire time. They encouraged me and helped me in ways I didn't know I would need.

At around 4 or 5 p.m. on TH I was done. I could not go on. We decided I should get an epidural. They called the person who was on call and she came up to give me the epidural. Talk about a horrifying experience. This woman didn't seem to know what she was doing. She stuck me over and over, time and again, used up 3 kits and only accomplished shooting electrical shocks down one of my legs and horrible back pain. My husband was at his wits' end, I was getting more and more discouraged and my sister wasn't sure what to do. I wanted to cry. How was I going to continue on? I had been in labor for 12 hours now and was still on y 2-3 cm dilated. I still had so far to go but my body was giving out. I talked to the Dr and literally asked him to just do a c-section--something I was trying to avoid like the plague, which he knew. C-section was not necessary he said. I was devastated. I had no idea how to continue. Shortly after this conversation my nurse came in the room saying they had called the head of the anestesisologist department to come in to give me an epidural. I was elated!!!!! What I didn't find out until later was he was coming from HOME. He wasn't on call, he wasn't scheduled to work, but he was coming anyway to do this for me. I did know what to do other than praise the Lord. The man came and I told him he had 1 shot. He was in and out in 10 min, I hardly felt a thing! I couldn't believe it. Oh the bliss, the heavenly bliss. It took about 10 min for the drug to get through my system and every contraction got less and less. I was able to rest, to fall asleep and my body started to do it's thing.

I went from 2 cm to 7 cm in a matter of hours and from 8 cm to pushing in about an hour. It was time to finally finish the process. I was scared, not knowing what the pushing was going to be like, but knew I had no choice so just went headlong into it. I pushed for about 45 min and after using the vacuum, receiving an episiotomy and using the forceps Cora was born. I can't describe to you the physical feeling of pushing a head, then shoulders and then the body out of yourself but it was the strangest and most wonderful feeling all at the same time. I don't remember this, but apparently as soon as she came out I said with great force, "I want to see her!" :) I had to see for myself that I had delivered this precious baby. And then, just as my sister told me, I was full of energy.

David and I finally got to sleep at about 4 a.m. today (Friday, March 27) and are exhausted. Apart from soreness from stitches and just simply pushing a baby out, I'm fine. David has taken over his role as daddy naturally--I never had a doubt. Cora is fine, she has passed all her vital tests, etc. She is nursing well and seems, so far, to be just a really complacent baby. Time will tell as far as that's concerned! :)

We get to go home tomorrow. We're so excited to take our baby girl home. She gets to meet her big "sister", Molly, the wonder dog! :) thank you for your prayers as we struggled through 21 hours of work, pain and elation. Be watching my profile for updated photos! :)

Some Photos

I just simply love my daughter.

Isn't she beautiful? She was actually saying, "No Momma!" to taking her photo. I think it was worth it though!

Always loving to play ball...

For some reason I love how her hair is flying in the wind while she's running. So care free! 

Is she trying to figure out how to escape? 

This one makes me laugh! I love the outfit and the sunglasses add so much!