meet Mila

Meet my baby girl Mila, born February 11, 2013 at 10:42am. 7 pounds 14 ounces, 21 inches long. The anticipation of this day was starting to weigh on me, I did about everything to 'naturally induce labor', I curb walked, ate eggplant, ate pineapple, ate a lot of spicy food, pressure points, yoga poses, warm baths, pelvic tilts, yada, yada, yada.. all I wanted to do was hold my baby girl and I was willing to try almost anything, I beginning to think I would go past my due date, February 14. Sunday the 10th I was having contractions all day long, pretty consistent, but about 20 mins apart. That night I cleaned up the house, got the boys to bed, set out their clothes for next day, finished packing my hospital bag. I knew it was the beginning! But I was too scared to say it out loud! I finally relaxed on the couch and timed my contractions, 10 mins apart, 9 mins, 8 mins. They started to get more and more painful but not closer together. The pain started about 10pm. I tried to go to bed and I could not sleep through the pain, I walked around the house, hoping the contractions would get closer together so that I could go to the hospital, still 8 mins apart, ugh!  Finally after a LONG night of pain I told Lane that I wanted to go to the hospital, I could not stand the pain anymore. I called my sister Sarah and mom to come over to take care of the boys when they woke up. We got to the hospital around 5:30am and a nurse checked me and I was dialated to a 6 plus!! I was shocked! I got settled into a room, got an epidural, and finally pushed out my baby girl in 2 contractions, easiest delivery yet! It was the most amazing experience, seeing her for the first time, her first cry, her full head of back hair, her long nails. She was beautiful, more than I could have imagined. She gets more beautiful every day. She is just the best, from day 1 has slept through the night, she'll just wiggle around to let me know I need to nurse her and back to sleep she goes. I am amazed how much her big brothers love her, always wanting to hold her and kiss her! I am just over the moon for this little one, and I am so happy for our family of 5!

g&g

If any of you know me, you would know that my grandparents mean the world to me. My dads parents both died while I was very young so I do not remember them. My grandpa and grandma Oakes have just always been there, for every occasion, every party, everything!! They are the world's best role models, the world's best woman alive and the world's best man alive, no biased here, it is the plain simple truth. They are both 90 years old, grandma is turning 91 February 13. She is amazing, so young at heart, cooks, cleans, shops, goes and gets her hair done, goes to lunch, works at a Elementary school and helps with a reading recovery program, she cracks me up talking about my grandpa, how he got stuck on the 'throne' and needed her help. My grandpa has always been strong, determined, loves to work, loves to drive, loves Mountain Dew and caramel popcorn. But this last year has been hard on him. He told me he feels he has aged 10 years in the last year. He had an episode last night that just about had me scared out of my mind that I would lose him, he had a high fever that just took it out of him. We drugged him up pretty good to bring down his fever and by the end of the night he was asking 'how is the future mother of America?' He calls me often to check on me and always asks me that question. I love it! He has always called me Merry Whether as long as I can remember too. He is clever with his words and always adds a comedic flare to his conversations. I pray so bad that he will last much longer on this earth, as selfish as that sounds. I have never lost anyone close to me, and I am scared to death of it. I really thought it was going to happen the other night, and I will be grateful for every single day he is alive and well, along with my grandma. My boys just know them as another grandma and grandpa and I am also grateful they are able to know them and love them. I pray baby girl can have the same experience. 

waiting for baby

I am pretty horrible at blogging, but if I can get one post in a month I will be ok with that. So I saw my doctor yesterday and this baby girl is about 7 pounds 14 ounces, and she still has 3 weeks to cook in this oven of mine! She is going to be one chunky monkey! We are crossing our fingers she makes her way into this world in the next week or so, I am ready for her to be here... I think! Ian keeps asking me how many more days until she gets here, the boys must be anxious for her to come too. I am most excited to see their reaction and how they are around a little baby sister, ok a chunky baby sister. I know Ian will be great and very gentle, Ashton may take it hard and he'll have to learn to be gentle. He won't be the baby anymore.. sad mom.

But beyond all my fears of bringing a new baby in the house, I am the most excited I have ever been! I think she is the formula that will complete our family and make it whole.

some week by week photos, i've missed quite a few

thoughts on the New Year

It seems like everyone has a theme for the New Year, and though I have made no New Years resolutions I decided my theme for this year is success. 2012 was not the worst year ever but I am glad for a fresh start. Besides buying a beautiful home and getting pregnant with my little girl, last year was a flop. I hope this year brings many success, in whichever way a person may want it. I want to be successful in my parenting skills, and in my marriage. I always wish I had more patience, especially with my boys, 'slow to react' I constantly have to remind myself.. 'no yelling'.. it is hard. But this year I will be successful in doing so!! I also want to set aside more alone time for me and my husband, have more date nights. I know with a brand new baby on the way it will be hard but I  truly believe a marriage needs that time. There are many, many things I can work on, but those are the things most important to me. 2013 will be a great year! For everyone! 

Here are my 2 sweet boys!

here I go again...

This is, well my zillionth time attempting a blog. I pray it goes as planned. I want a place to write down my thoughts, a place I can document a piece of my life. Especially the part involving my 2 insanely handsome sons and soon to be beautiful girl that should arrive in the next month or so, this mama is about to pop! So bear with me, I am no writer or comedian, I have no amazing talents, I just need this little space to let my thoughts flow.

My first thought is how excited I am to meet my daughter!!! She is due on February 14, so sweet right?! She already looks like a chunkamunk so we'll see how much longer I last. I have 2 amazing boys, Ian (5) and Ashton (2). They are both the most handsome things to walk the earth, seriously. I also have this amazing husband I procreate with, Lane, we are going to celebrate our 10 year anniversary this May!! I feel like we just got married! He has put up with a lot this pregnancy, I don't tell him often enough how much I appreciate all he does for our family and for me, he surely is our rock and I don't know what I would do without him. So Lane, if you ever read this, I love you!! More than you know!!