A lot has changed...

So, I have been SO bad about updating but life has been crazy busy, and I just haven't had much time to get my thoughts together enough to update the blog! But I've gotten a number of emails and comments asking how things are going, so I knew it was time to come back!

As my title suggests, a lot has changed since my last post, so this post will be full of bullets:

- We sold our house in Athens to the company that Grant and I both work for, because no one had bought it before our 60 day offer came to a close, and we closed on a new house in Brunswick in August. We sold our house on August 8th and closed on our new house on August 10th...

- Weston and I moved in with my parents, so I could continue seeing my doctor, stay at work in my office and Weston could keep his sitter in late July.

- We set-up the house in Brunswick, but we have yet to decorate and get everything like I want it; however, we were able to set-up both boy's rooms before I was unable to travel and William arrived.

- William arrived on Tuesday, September 27th at 6:41 PM...birth story to follow. :)

- The boys and I packed up our things from my parents house and moved down to Brunswick on Friday, October 7th.

- We've gotten settled and transitioned to life with two boys in a new town. We've found a new church that we really enjoy where there are a lot of young couples with children. They've invited us to attend gatherings with them, and we are really enjoying spending time and meeting new people in our area.

- We enjoyed a fun Halloween where Weston dressed up as a fisherman and William didn't dress up, because I didn't want to spend money on a Halloween costume for a one month old. We got bit up my sand gnats and mosquitoes.

- Grant got awarded the Distinguished Young Alumnus award for the UGA Warnell School of Forestry this past weekend, and we were invited to a celebration dinner, brunch the following day, two tickets to the Sky Box for the UGA vs. New Mexico State Homecoming game and a two night stay at Hotel Indigo in Athens, GA. William was able to attend with us, and it was a great honor for Grant to receive the award.

Anyways, I've got lots more to update on, and over the next few days, I'll do posts about the following: Williams Birthday, Weston's Allergies, Asthma and Eczema, Halloween and the Boy's Rooms at our new house.

For the moment...I'll just share a photo of our new little guy and his proud big brother, Weston.

Weston's Birth Story

Here it is...I could go on and on about Weston's birth and how wonderful it was, and I can't wait to share my birth story with people who are preparing to have little ones, because I truly had the best experience that I could have asked for, and I'm so grateful for how everything went. For anyone who is in the Athens area, St. Mary's hospital and the nurses were amazing, and they were so helpful. We've had a great experience. Our pediatrician has been great, as well, and he has come by the past two mornings to check on him and to just talk to us, and I'm so grateful for that. He makes us feel so comfortable and answers all of our questions!

Right after he arrived with his full head of hair! :)

Anyways, on to the birth story...
Grant and I arrived at the hospital at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, January 19th, and we had to check in through the Emergency Room. The ER was completely full, so we had to wait in line behind four other people before we were able to check in. Thankfully I wasn't in labor, because I don't know that I would've been able to wait. We finally got checked in and upstairs around 6:30 PM, and they didn't have a room for us, because ALL the rooms were full. We had to wait in a holding room until they had discharged someone, so they got things started in that room. They got me hooked up to all the monitors, and they gave me the Cervidil. Around 11:30 PM, we were able to move into our new room. We stayed there overnight, and I didn't get much sleep. I was so ready to meet my son.

Our room at the hospital

Around 8:30 AM, my nurse came in and took out the cervidil and checked my cervix. At that point, I was 4 cm dilated, so they had my doctor come and break my water. I started contracting on my own, so they let me do that for about an hour. At about 9:30, they started the pitocin to speed things up. I got the pitocin, and I started feeling terrible contractions. Once your water breaks, you feel EVERYTHING, so the contractions were awful. I had tears in my eyes, and I couldn't talk, so I immediately asked for the epidural. The anesthesiologist came around 10:30 AM, and he gave me the most amazing epidural. I didn't feel a thing!! It was awesome, so I relaxed and hung out with our families while we waited for it to be time. At 2:00 PM, they came in and checked me and I had jumped up to 9 cm dilated, so they called the doctor, and they told her to head our way, because it wouldn't be long.

Grant & I waiting for the arrival of Weston

At 3:00 PM, they asked everyone to leave the room, and the doctor still hadn't arrived yet, but they got my room ready for me to push, and they got me ready. At 3:17 PM, I started pushing, and they were telling me that I was doing so great. I reached down and could feel his head. At that point, they told me to wait again, because the doctor wasn't in the room, and I was making such good progress. Around 3:35 PM, the doctor arrived, and I pushed two more times before Weston made his debut at 3:42 PM. He came out with a head full of beautiful blonde hair, and he was just beautiful.

My sister waiting with us for Weston

I was so lucky that I didn't have any tears, so no stitches, and they were able to get everything back together in the room quickly. I wasn't able to get out of bed until 11:00 PM, because the epidural was so awesome that I really couldn't feel my legs until then. But that's okay, because my family brought us food and gifts for Weston, I was able to breastfeed and everyone was able to hold him. He is doing great now! He is latching on and feeding like a champ...he is such a natural. We had to stay in the hospital overnight tonight, because he hasn't gotten circumcised yet. They are planning to do that this morning, and we'll get to go home this afternoon. We can't wait and are looking forward to reuniting with our puppy, Banks, and for him to meet Wes! :)

Right after his arrival...I'm looking rough, but so elated! He's beautiful!

I've got lots more photos from the past couple of days to share, but I don't want to overload and post all the pictures at once, so I'll post more over the weekend or early next week! Thanks everyone for your well wishes and congratulations!

He's Here!!

I'll post more photos, as well as, a the birth story once I get a chance. The birth was awesome, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Grant and I are both so proud, and we are SO in love with our little angel! :)

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

...to the hospital, that is! I'm so ready that I can hardly stand it, and I can't wait until I see my son for the first time without the help of an ultrasound. I want to see him and hold him in my arms. It's hard to believe that it's been 38 weeks, and the time is so near. It's going to be an exciting year for us, and I'm really looking forward to all that God has in store for us. I'm really hoping that Weston decides to come on his own before next Tuesday, but if not, Grant and I will be headed to the hospital next Tuesday evening, and I'll be induced on Wednesday morning. We are so excited and anxious. I've decided to take next Tuesday off work, so I'll be able to relax, straighten up the house and do any last minute things, take a nice bath and take Banks to the kennel. I'm looking forward to relaxing before arriving at the hospital.

I've packed my bags, and they are in the car ready to go when it's time...here is a list of the items that I've packed. Is there anything else that anyone can think of that I'm forgetting?

For Me:
- Insurance Information (Grant is keeping this information, so he can provide when necessary at the hospital)
- Comfortable PJ's & Lounge Clothes
- Outfit to wear Home from Hospital
- Socks
- Bathrobe
- Pillow
- Camera
- Pen & Notebook
- Plastic Wal-Mart Bag for any Dirty Clothes
- Cell Phone & Wall Charger
- Chapstick
- Magazine
- Photo of Banks, so he can be there with us...I know, I'm a total nerd, but what can I say, I love my dog!
- Hair Ties / Headbands
- Breast Pads...since I'm already having to wear these on a daily basis since I'm leaking so bad! Ugh!
- Sanitary Pads - I know the hospital will provide me some, and I'll probably use those, but I packed a few of my own, just in case.
- Toiletries
- DVD for Tuesday night while we are waiting
- Hand Sanitizer
- Baby Book
- Nursing Bra & Lanolin
- Slippers for Hospital
- Flip Flops & Shoes for going Home

For Grant
- Cash for Parking / Change for Vending Machine
- Change of Clothes
- Toiletries
- Snacks

For Baby
- Car Seat - Already installed in Car!!
- Going Home Outfit
- Receiving Blanket
- Extra outfit for Baby, just in case. :)
- Boppy Pillow - In car, in case I want to use it while I'm in the hospital
- Diaper Bag - Packed and in the car, in case we need it at some point during the stay or anything

Last Minute Items to Grab before Leaving
- Hair Straightener
- Make-Up
- Laptop

So, what am I missing anything else anyone can think of?

It's been one of those weeks...

...and I really have nothing new or anything exciting to post about!!

We had our first Childbirth Class last night, and we have the next one next Thursday. It was interesting, and I definitely learned some things that I didn't know and hadn't even considered regarding labor. We got to see the Birth Center at the hospital where we are delivering, and it is amazing!! The rooms are huge, and they have pull out beds and recliners, and it's just really nice! I'm excited about delivering at St. Mary's.

Waiting / Check-In Area for Visitors

It makes it all seem so real, and it'll be time for Weston to be here before I know it! I really can't wait! I have another doctor's appointment next Wednesday, as well as, more classes at the hospital. I know Grant will be ready for them to be over, because he has other things that he would rather be doing in the evenings, like hunting. :) I'll be ready too, because it makes for a long night when you have class from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

I didn't end up getting into bed last night until about 11:30 PM...I took my prenatal vitamin on an empty stomach, and I got REALLY nauseous. Grant had to go and get me some crackers and water, and I ate them in bed. Then, I finally was able to fall asleep shortly after midnight. I woke up a couple of times throughout the night, and I COULD NOT get out of bed this morning when the alarm went off. It was terrible!

I'm at work, but I'm so ready for the day to be over! I'm ready for the weekend! We are headed to another Hunt Test with Banks this weekend...keep your fingers crossed that he is able to get two qualifying scores at the test! Keep us in your T&P as we compete, because I really want to have this done before Weston gets here! :)