The Fun Has Arrived...

...And her name is Sophia Rose. She was born on December 13 at 7:41pm. She weighed in at 6 pounds 5 ounces and 19 inches long. She has lots of dark hair and her Daddy's olive complexion. (YAY!) She has her Mommy's lips and feisty personality. I also think she has Daddy's eyes but it is a bit too early to tell just yet.

It all started at 3:30am on December 13. I woke up to go to the bathroom and thought it sure was taking a while to finish. The thought crossed my mind, "Is this my water breaking? Nah!" So, back to bed I went. At 4:30am I was awakened with the need to pee yet again. I went in to the bathroom and sat down. That is when I noticed something peculiar...my water had indeed broken. I was in shock! We were not due for two more weeks! I sat there for 20 minutes trying to convince myself that my water hadn't really broken. Finally, reality set in and I got up and got in the shower. I knew I needed a good one since it might be a while and I wanted to be minty fresh for the day's adventure. After showering, I went in and told Michael that I was "pretty sure my water just broke". He didn't believe me at first until he realized that I was already showered. He got up and did the same while I finished the last minute packing of the hospital bag. (It was one of the few things I hadn't finished on my "To Do" list. I had planned to finish all of this when we got home from church later that very day.) So, in between contractions, I gathered up what I still needed and then we headed to the hospital. By the time we got there and in the room it was almost 7:00am. This is where the fun really began!

After getting me all checked in and checked out, they confirmed my water had indeed broken and I was dilated to a one. I thought, "A one? Crap! This is already more fun than I had anticipated." I told the nurse, "Any time they were ready, I was ready for my big fat epidural." She laughed and sent for the anesthesiologist. It took him about 45 minutes to get there and another 15 or so to get set up. By this point I had begun using the lovely breathing exercises we learned in our 6 weeks of prenatal classes. Also, my contractions weren't coming at regular intervals nor intensity so they put me on some petocin. This is where Nancy's dream delivery looked like it was going down the crapper.

The epidural didn't take.

"WHAT?!! I should have felt it working by now? Well, I don't. Argg!" So, the very sweet and capable man tried again. This time, he got blood. Not good. He tried again. And again. Yep. 4 times with no success. By this time, now dilated to a 4, it was around 1:00pm and Nancy is no longer trying to be the brave little soldier she thought she should be. I told the nurse through tear streamed eyes that "I needed something to take the edge off or to help me deal with this lovely childbirth experience...even if that meant she would have to club me over the head with a mallet." They gave me some sort of narcotic which helped for about 45 minutes. Then the fun came back...this time bringing friends. The "man with the drugs I really wanted" came back in and said he could only try one more time. If it didn't take, the epidural wasn't going to happen.

Let me just say that in all of the reading, preparation and planning for this event, I had prepared myself. I knew it was important to keep an open mind because things might be different than expected. I wanted a "down town" birth but if I had to have a C-section for whatever reason, I would accept it. Same with an episiotomy and whatever other surprises came my way. But the epidural was NOT one of those things in which I was willing to negotiate. It was a sure thing in my head. So, needless to say, I was one freaked out puppy. I said a huge prayer...pleading with the Lord to let it work. Around this time Michael found someone who could help him give me a priesthood blessing. The "man with the good drugs I wanted" came back in with an idea. He maneuvered me into a new "Indian Style crossed legged while leaning over my legs and grabbing my cankles" position to see if that would help him hit the correct spot. It was then that he found the problem. Due to a previous car accident, my back had some issues and he had been going in the wrong place this whole time. Nice! So, we all crossed our fingers and toes whilst he tried one last time ...and it FINALLY WORKED! I started not feeling the party going on. I went from ARRGGG to AHHHH within about 15 minutes. Nancy liked the drugs very much. (Side note: I admire all those who want to do it Au natural. If that is how you want to do it, more power to you. I am just not that girl. Please don't judge.)

After my brief bout of euphoria as well as tears shed due to the overwhelming feeling of gratitude for prayers being answered, they did an ultrasound to find out what position the baby was in. She was head down, as she should be. But they couldn't tell which direction she was facing nor could they tell from the "down town" exam. So they kept on keeping on with how things were. I went from being dilated at 4 to a 10 in about an hour and a half. Sure was glad the epidural finally took!! So, it was time to push. And push I did....for another hour and a half. That's when my fantabulous doctor came to the rescue. He was not on call that day but came in any way to do my delivery. Have I mentioned how much I heart my doctor? Well, I do. Anyhoo. After being there a total of 10 seconds he realized our little gal was in the posterior (face up) position. This is a more difficult position to deliver and she wasn't going to move much more. So, he had to turn her whilst in utero. At this point I was shouting for joy that the epidural had finally worked. I can't even imagine what that would have felt like without the "good drugs". Once he got her turned around, it felt like I sneezed and she came out. (Okay. A bit of an exaggeration. But close enough.)

Then she was here!!! The first thing I saw was hair. Black hair and lots of it. YAY! I was secretly hoping she'd have her Daddy's hair color. She was, of course, covered in all the fun that comes with childbirth but all I saw was her. She was here. Michael cut the cord and then she was placed on my tummy and we said hi for the first time. She was beautiful!! My little monkey. She was crying and I tried to comfort her. It worked. YAY! Score one for Mommy! Then the nurses took her to weigh her and do their examinations. I couldn't take my eyes off her. It was a strange feeling...like I was a mother bear watching/guarding my cub from danger. I watched every move they made. She started crying again and didn't really stop until she was in Daddy's arms. One look into her eyes and he was a gone-ner! It was one of the sweetest moments I will ever experience...watching them meet for the first time.

She loves her Daddy and Daddy is a smitten kitten! Then Daddy gave her back to me and I didn't want to let her go! She cozied into my chest and there she stayed.

Our little family together at last.

It was the nearest thing to heaven I've felt on Earth. She is here and I am in love with my little girl!!! Gratitude washed over me like a warm blanket. How did I get so blessed to have such a sweet little girl for my daughter?! It's hard to believe that the little girl on my chest and in my arms is all mine.

Twelve Days of Thanksgiving-Day Ten

On the Tenth Day of Thanksgiving I am thankful for:

My babalicious body. Not only am I a sexy beast, I have a body that works and is generally healthy. Not everyone is so lucky. My friend Tara posted on her blog about body image and self acceptance. She challenged everyone to name five things about our body that we liked. In response I posted that I like my hair, my eyes, my "ladies", my hands and my legs. Afterward I realized there were even more things than I listed that I liked about my physical appearance. It surprised me. I find it funny (and a bit sad) that we sometimes don't see ourselves accurately and how, in general, men can find the good in themselves easier than women.

It's also funny how when we focus on the negative, that is all we see and when we compare ourselves to others, it will inevitably make us unhappy. Case in point, I was flipping through the channels the other night and Jimmy Kimmel had Heidi Klum on his show. She just had a baby 6 weeks ago and was already modeling underwear for a Victoria's Secret runway show. I thought to myself, "I wish that would happen to me but I know it won't." (She had the body before the pregnancy, too. That probably helps.) ;] But then I thought about it later and decided that it was okay that it wouldn't happen. I am happy to be me. Whenever I have moments like that, a line from Stuart Smalley from SNL comes into my head. "You're good enough. You're smart enough. And doggone it, people like me." It not only makes me chuckle but it makes me happy remembering that I am okay to be me.

Thanks for the reminder, Tara. Anyone who reads this may feel free to accept the challenge. Just don't hate me because I'm beautiful! ;]

Twelve Days of Thanksgiving-Day Nine

On the Ninth Day of Thanksgiving I am thankful for:

The ability to make dreams come true through setting goals, hard work and determination. We have so many opportunities in this country to dream, to set goals and to achieve success in those goals. We also have many people who use their "power" of influence for good and not evil. We all have the ability to influence those around us in helping them succeed or by working against them. I'm thankful for the people in my life who believe in me and want to see me succeed.

15 Movies

Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen movies you've seen that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes. (Don't necessarily have to be favorites or even deep and meaningful. Just ones that impacted your life and/or you'll never forget.) Tag friends if you'd like people to play along.

1) Sound of Music
2) Mary Poppins
3) Fiddler on the Roof
4) The Mummy/Mummy Returns
5) Life is Beautiful
6) Pride and Prejudice
7) White Christmas
8) Pollyanna
9) Summer Magic
10) Zorro the Gay Blade
11) Robin Hood (cartoon)
12) Anne of Green Gables/Avonlea
13) Margie
14) Sixteen Candles
15) The Scarlett Pimpernel

I tag anyone who wants to play along. I'm interested in seeing what movies you choose.Leave me a message on my blog if you do so I can come check out your answers!

Fun Ads, Good Message

I love these ads. They are so creative and make me laugh. I can totally see Michael being this kind of Dad. It will be fun to see him playing and having fun with our little one! :]

Twelve Days of Thanksgiving-Day Eight

On the Eighth Day of Thanksgiving I am thankful for:

Sleep. Not getting much lately which makes me appreciate it all that much more. For some reason my body thinks four hours of sleep is enough. Then I wake up wide awake! I wish I could say I am getting more done because of it. But, alas, that isn't the case. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder and I can say that it is true. Once I get to sleep, I am a happy girl. Which also makes me thankful for my sleeping mask. It is a glorious thing to be able to block out the world, even for a few short hours. If you haven't tried one, do it! They are like a little piece of heaven on your face! :] Happy sleeping!

Twelve Days of Thanksgiving-Day Seven

On the Seventh Day of Thanksgiving I am thankful for:

Modern day medicine. As I went to get my shunt changed today for IV therapy, I watched the nurse in awe as she went to work. It never ceases to amaze me what they can do and how it has helped me get through my pregnancy. What's the big deal about it? For starters, at the top of my weight loss, I had lost 50 pounds due to not being able to keep food down. Hyperemesis gravidarum is the technical name for what has ailed me. Also, my situation has been especially challenging because my veins are so deep that they have to find them with an ultrasound machine. This has been going on since I was 8 weeks pregnant. I am now at 34 weeks. People think I am weird but I find it fascinating to watch the ultrasound image while the needle is finding the vein and being threaded. You can actually see it! The nurses laugh because, while searching for the vein, I now know what to look for and sometimes find a good one before they do. I know all of the supplies they use and, if needed, I could set things up for them. They tease saying I could probably do it myself. I probably could but I don't think I would want to. It's been a good education but I am ready for it to be done. We are hoping that will be this week. :]

I am also thankful for another type of ultrasound...the one where I can see the baby! I have (probably) my last ultrasound scheduled for Tuesday. I can't tell you how comforting and amazing it has been to be able to see our daughter in utero as much as we have. This will be my 7th ultrasound. It is really amazing to look at pictures from the beginning and see how she has developed and to hear and see her little heart beating each time we have seen her. Also, with my previous miscarriage problems, it has been so comforting to see her and and know she is okay. I know this has been a huge blessing from my Heavenly Father!! With as sick as I have been, He knew I needed it. I am so thankful!!

Lastly, I am thankful for drugs...the epidural type. :] We watched another birthing video at our last prenatal class and the girl was in a ton of pain and didn't use any medicine. Good for her but that will so NOT be me! When asked if I wanted an epidural, there was no hesitation in my response. "YES!!!!" I was born in this day in age for a reason. Gimme gimme! (I admire women who want to go without but I don't want to be one of those women.) I'm thankful I have the option.

It has been amazing to learn about fetal development and how the body adapts and changes during pregnancy. The more I have learned, the stronger my belief in God. It is hard for me to imagine how someone could learn all that happens and not believe in Him.

Even with all my struggles, I have loved being pregnant. And, if I had to go through it all over again, I would still choose to do so. It is amazing to feel her growing and moving inside of me. As I type, she is kicking and letting me know she is okay. I love it and I love her more than I can express! I can't wait to see her and hold her in my arms!! :] Without modern day medicine, I don't think that would have been possible.

Twelve Days of Thanksgiving-Day Six

On the Sixth Day of Thanksgiving I am thankful for:

The ability to love and to be loved. When I say love, I don't necessarily mean romantic love. Just love in the pure sense of the word. To better define what I mean, I went to this site which gives the following explanation within the definition of love:

"Love, affection, devotion all mean a deep and enduring emotional regard, usually for another person. Love may apply to various kinds of regard: the charity of the Creator, reverent adoration toward God or toward a person, the relation of parent and child, the regard of friends for each other, romantic feelings for another person, etc. Affection is a fondness for others that is enduring and tender, but calm. Devotion is an intense love and steadfast, enduring loyalty to a person; it may also imply consecration to a cause."

I have known people who simply cannot feel nor allow love in their hearts. Whether it was due to an abusive situation, a tragedy or bad experiences with love, they simply can not love anyone nor allow others to love them. I think this is a true tragedy. There are many people in this world I can say that I truly love and mean it with all of my heart. There are also people that I know love me and I feel a safety in that love. How sad that must be to not know love for others, of their love for you, or even love of self.

I'm thankful I was brought up in a home where love was expressed often and freely. We were encouraged to express it and shown it by example. I saw love every day of my life when watching my parents. I saw possibly the most intimate, pure expression of love I will ever see when I watched my Dad on his death bed give my Mom a priesthood blessing, told her he loved her, and then kissed her tenderly. That was a moment I will never forget because it showed me what true love really means.

I am thankful for a husband who tells me and shows me he loves me every day. I've never been left to wonder how he felt about me since the day we met. I'm also thankful I can freely show my love to him without fear of teasing or a feeling of insecurity. I love that he also shows expressions of love to our unborn daughter. It melts my heart to see how much he already loves her.

I am thankful for family and friends whom I love dearly and know love me. Whether near or far, it doesn't matter. We remain close and constant in the loyalty of that friendship. I feel truly blessed.

Lastly, I am thankful for the love of my Savior and my Heavenly Father. They love us all and have shown us perfect examples of how we should love each other. There is a scripture that is my absolute favorite that so perfectly defines love, why we should do it, how it should be expressed and how it can bless our lives. It is 1 John 4:7-19, which reads:

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

"No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

"Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

"And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

"We love him, because he first loved us."

I am so thankful to them and to all of you. I love you all!

Amusing Apparel

I was online the other day shopping for Baby and came across a site* that was selling some awesome Baby Mama t-shirts. I saw these shirts and laughed my pregnant bootie off! I would love to own a few of these awesome tees. Here are some of my favs:

For every day Baby Mama wear:

For those moments all pregnant women have, you can wear this shirt as a warning:

For the Sci-Fi fan:

Having a boy? This one is for you:

My personal favorite:

And, we can't forget the Baby Daddy! For the man in your life:

What pregnant woman wouldn't want one or two of these? They are good times in a t-shirt!

*Can't link for some reason. Will try later.

Twelve Days of Thanksgiving-Day Five

On the Fifth Day of Thanksgiving I am thankful for:

Friends. Over the years I have developed some great friendships with some amazing people. (By people, I don't mean just women. Some of my best and closest peeps are guys. So don't feel slighted by the picture.) It is amazing how the Lord puts people in your life at the exact moment that you can best benefit from the amazing-ocity of that person. I have been blessed with many wonderful friends who have encouraged me to grow, to think, to believe, to trust, to love, to play, to not take life so seriously, to go for my goals and dream big, and many many more ways. I am so thankful for each of you. My life is better because of you. Thanks! I heart you all!

Twelve Days of Thanksgiving-Day Four

On the Fourth Day of Thanksgiving I am thankful for:

People with a sense of humor and a positive outlook on life. It is a difficult world in which we live. There are lots of pressures and stresses that put a strain on each of us. But does that mean we have to let it get us down in the dumps? No! Life is difficult. We are here on this Earth to learn and grow. It's not supposed to be easy. But that doesn't mean we can't laugh and enjoy the ride. I am thankful that I have many people in my life that are positive and can laugh at life with me. (Or laugh at me and my life.) ;] Life is too short to not find the joy in the journey, the comedy in the crap, and the sarcasm in the sucky times. Thanks to all of you who make life laughable!

Firelight...the New Twilight

I saw this and laughed my bootie off. Now, before I get any Twilight lovers out there upset with me, I read all the books and loved them. But I still can laugh at things that are funny! Like this:

So, unless you've been hiding under a sound proof rock, you are aware the next movie in the Twilight series comes out this weekend. Am I excited? Yes, I am. Although New Moon was my least favorite of the four books, I have hopes the movie will be better. Why was it my least favorite? All of Bella's whining and depression. I kept thinking, "Okay. We get it. You're depressed. Move on!" Not that I'm trying to criticize the writer. It had to be done to keep Bella's character consistent in her love/borderline obsession with Edward. But, at times, it made for frustrating reading. The end of the book made up for it though. Hence why I kept reading.

The mania behind these books/movies is quite interesting. People either seem to love them or hate them. I haven't seen much in between, except maybe my husband. After I had read them, we read them together. He likes them but isn't obsessed with all things Twilight like I was when I first read them. I didn't start reading them until December of last year, after the fourth book had been released. I read them in rapid succession. My poor hubby. Many a night he would wake to me reading in bed or on the couch, unable to put the books down. He was a Twilight widower for a month until I finished reading all four. Poor guy! Lucky for me, he still loves me. :]

Now for the answer to the big question....Do we have tickets on opening day? Yes, we do. Jealous? If not now, you will be! :]