Surgery update!

Bennett's surgery was on Friday and he is doing great!  He had to stay the night and we all got to leave early Saturday morning because he was doing so well!  I'm so proud of him!  He's laying beside me as I type this sleeping so soundly.  God is so good, thanks for the prayers!

My big boy.

I still can't believe my baby is 5!!  He had his 5 year check-up the other day, so I took advantage and planned a day for just the two of us!  My friend watched Bennett and Caden thought it was so fun to have me all alone for a couple of hours!  My little man weighs 44lbs and is 45 inches tall!  He got to tinkle in a cup, that is so cool for a 5 year old!  He also had his blood pressure checked and his vision checked!  He lucked out and didn't have to get any shots this year!  After his doctors appointment, we grabbed some chick-fil-a and then went to the mall and got a cookie!  He specifically requested we do all those things!  I sure do enjoy hanging out with him. He can always put a smile on my face. 

Some things I want to remember about him:
*He's into superheros!  Currently loves green lantern, thor, spiderman, batman.
*Starts kindergarten next month
*Can ride his bike without the training wheels, just learned that the other day!
*Loves to help me cook and bake
*Loves playing his DS
*favorite cartoon at the moment....scooby doo and phineas and ferb
*Loves to go fishing with his daddy
*Asks about a million questions a day...very curious to how things are made, work, etc.
*Can read some words...can recognize letters and then will sound them out.  I bought him his first easy book to read and he actually did great reading it the first time!
*favorite food of choice is currently honey nut cheerios and lunchables! haha...this changes weekly
*He will still come sneak in our room at night and sleep with us(I secretly love this) if he's had a bad dream or just needs some extra TLC

Newborn session.

Oh how I love the newborn stage!  I had his pictures taken when he was 8 days old.  Enjoy!
Pictures were taken by the talented Christine from Simply Bloom photography!! 

Pray for Bennett

Bennett was born with a hydrocele (fluid in his testicle).  His pediatrician wasn't worried about it because they are fairly common in little boys.  At his 2 week check-up, he told me some things to watch out for which could be complications of the hydrocele.  One being a testicular tortion, this would require emergency surgery or two, a hernia, which would also require surgery(not emergent).  A couple of fridays ago, everytime I changed his diaper I noticed his testicle kept changing in size and had a bluish color to it.  I waited until Brandon got home from work to make sure he saw what I saw before I called his pediatrician.  I called that afternoon and they had us go to the ER immediately.  After an ultrasound, the physician determined he had a hernia.  We were referred to the pediatric surgeon.  We had our first appointment yesterday and found out surgery was needed to repair the hernia.  His surgery will be Friday, July 15th.

I'm pretty upset but I realize he needs this to further prevent any other complications!  His surgeon is the best and they have a great pediatric team that will be with him!  I was told he wouldn't even feel the IV being put in, they will sedate him before it.  Its supposed to be a quick 30 minute surgery and they said at the most we wouldn't see him for about an hour. I think i'm most anxious about him being under general anethesia at only 7 weeks old:(  Please pray for steady hands of the surgeon and for a quick and painless recovery for my sweet baby!!  Also, please pray that the night before the surgery we all get some rest!  He can't eat after midnight....that should be fun with a 7 week old!  We will be getting very creative that night to try to distract  and comfort him!  And lastly, pray for me!  Pray for peace!  Thanks in advance for your prayers!

Happy birthday Caden!

Today my sweet first born turned 5!!  I still can't believe he's 5, it seems like yesterday I was heading to the hospital to have him!  He has brought nothing but pure joy and happiness into our lives!  He is the sweetest, most caring, tender-hearted, handsome, and intelligent little boy!  Mommy, Daddy, and Bennett love you so much Caden!  Here some pictures from years past:

birth

1st birthday

2nd birthday

3rd birthday

4th birthday

5th birthday

Bennett's birth

I am way behind on blogging and especially about Bennett!  Life is just so busy with 2 kiddos...but its that good kind of busy!!  I'll see if I can recap the day before and the day he was born!!

Sunday, May 22nd:
Went to church, came home and cleaned the house from top to bottom, and I took a nap!  We finished packing...I had to pack for Caden also, he stayed with my parents for 3 days!  We dropped Caden off with Brandon's mom for the night and then we headed to Bridgestreet for a yummy dinner at Cantina Laredo and some last minute shopping!  I spent the rest of the evening munching on twizzlers and packing!  I finally drifted off to sleep around 1 a.m.! 

Monday, May 23rd:
4 am:  Wake up, take a long shower, get ready (yes, I put on make-up).
5 am:  Leave the house and head to the hospital!!! 
6 am:  Got signed in and waited in the lobby for what seemed like forever!  It kind of felt like we were checking into a hotel...I wasn't in labor, so there was no rushing to get to a room!  Definetely not how its pictured in the movies!
6:45:  Finally escorted to my room...#11, the room where I was going to meet my sweet Bennett!  I had so many emotions as I walked down the hallway.  It was weird to know that it would never be the 3 of us ever again!  Once in the room, I got my lovely gown on and climbed into bed!
7:15:  Got my IV....and that sucker hurt...took 3 tries before they got it! 
7:30:  Started the bad boy drug pitocin to get things going...I was dilated 2 cm and 50% effaced at this point!
8:30:  Doctor came and broke my water:) 
9:00:  My mom arrives and i'm starting to feel uncomfortable, but nothing i couldn't handle!  Get checked again and I'm 4 cm!
10:30:  By this point i'm in some pain!!!  Brandon's mom had also arrived....I got my epidural around this time also!  Call me a weenie, but the epidural was the worst part!  It hurt...I felt everything! 
11:00:  Feeling much better and a little woozie!  I started itching really bad from the medicine they use in the epidural, so my fantastic nurse gave me some narcan to ease the itching!  From this point on, times are a litte fuzzy so I will do my best!  It seemed like time stood still that day!
1:00ish:  Dilated 5 cm....
3:00ish:  Dilated 6 cm....and my sweet Caden arrived!!!  He was so excited.
3:30:  My nurse, Stephanie, decided to put me in the "wedge"!  I wasn't progressing like I should, so it was either the wedge or c-section, and i'm anti-csection!!  I remember sitting in that crazy position talking to Stephanie while she was charting beside me and I kept saying "I feel more pressure...is this supposed to happen?"
4:00:  I got really nauseated and had some major pressure in my nether regions!!  Steph checked me and I was ready to push!!!  I was so thrilled, but so nervous!  I remember just balling my eyes out as they got me into position to push!   I don't really remember much but I slightly remember the doctor coming in and talking to me!  Everyone was amazed I had gone from 6 cm to pushing in like 20 min! 
4:26:  After pushing about 4 times, little Bennett was here!!!!!!!  It was the best moment!  It was as if, no one else was there, just Bennett and I!  Our eyes met and locked and it was love at first sight!  I did not want to hand him to the nurses to get cleaned off!  He was perfect...everything and more that I had dreamed of.  He was wisked away to be checked out and cleaned off.  Since he came down my pelvis so fast...his little face was very bruised! 

I don't remember times after he was born so I can't really document much anymore.  But....my great friend and photographer captured the whole day for me.  Its so wonderful that I have this to remember this special day!  I will let the slideshow tell the story for me!!!  Enjoy!

slideshow

2 weeks

Little love turned 2 weeks yesterday!  His doctor appointment went great;)  Here are his stats:

• weight: 8 lbs 9 oz
• length: 21 1/2 inches
• he is in the 50% percentile for weight and height!
• breastfeeding every 2-3 hrs
• can raise his head for a few minutes and loves to look around!
• sleeping 3-4 hrs at a time at night...i'm happy about this one!
• loves to be held very tightly on mine or brandon's chest

Reality.

I haven't blogged about Bennett's birth...I will soon!  I still cry everytime I think about it...not because I'm sad, but because it was beautiful and I'm just so in love with this little guy!  To be quite honest, I've had the baby blues.  Everyday is getting better.  I think from day 4 to day 7, I cried almost every day!  I'm not really sure why...I just had feelings of sadness, I missed my belly, and I felt overwhelmed!  Bennett was jaundice, so he had to lay under the billi lights for 3 days, that didn't help either!  I couldn't just sit and hold my sweet baby!  He could only get out to eat and have his diaper changed!  Brandon went back to work and I did great with both kids by myself!  My mom came over and helped me last week, which was great!  I ended up getting mastitis, which made me feel like I had the flu.  After some antibiotics, I'm feeling much better. Things are getting easier, I'm not crying anymore ha ha, and little bit is sleeping good at night!  I guess I just had to give myself some time....it hasn't even been 2 weeks!  And my hormones needed to get back to normal!  Stay tuned for his birth story.....

June 3rd, 2007....

...was the greatest day!  I married my best friend and soulmate!  I can't believe its been 4 years already!  Wow, time really flies!

Picture is small and blurry, but its still one of my favorites!

Friday was mine and Brandon's 4 year wedding anniversary!!  This year was extra special to us!  We had the greatest gift given to us...little Bennett!  Words can't express how happy I am and how in love I am with Brandon!  The past 4 years have been amazing and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us!  We didn't do anything special this year...spent the evening at the ballfields for Caden's doubleheader!  We figured we'd head to bridgestreet this afternoon for some fun and to celebrate our anniversary with the whole family!!  I love you Brandon!!!!

Bennett's here!!

Sweet Bennett arrived Monday, May 23rd at 4:26 p.m.!  He weighed 8 lbs 8 ounces and is 20 1/2 inches long!  Bennett and I are both doing great!  We are so in love and so happy!  Stay tuned for more posts.....

Melt my heart.

I love this little guy!  He makes my heart swoon with joy!  This tender- hearted, smart, funny, loving little boy has brought more happiness to Brandon and I more than anything!  Caden, you are truly a gift from God!  I love you.

Anticipation.

Today I had my last OB appointment!  I didn't know at the time it was going to be my last!  And I cried.  Not because I'm sad, but because I get to meet my sweet Bennett in 6 days!!!!!!  I can't believe its time....this is what i've longed for, for 9 whole months!  I have mixed emotions.  I'm nervous, anxious, excited, and a little scared! Truthfully, I will miss being pregnant, but holding my sweet baby is going to be 10 times better than carrying him in my tummy!  My doctor has decided to induce me.  My body has already slowly started the labor process.  I am dilated 2 cm and almost 90% effaced.  He thinks there is no reason to wait till my due date.  And I think I'm huge, really hoping he's not going to be to big to push out!  Dr. Wheeler assured me he wasn't too big!  I am trusting him!  And I'm praying that by the time monday rolls around, I'll be 4-5 cm!   Hoping to have an easy delivery.  I had a pretty good one with Caden so maybe this one will be even better!  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers Monday!  I'll try to keep the blog updated...most likely facebook will be updated first, since its easier to access on my phone!

38 weeks and 5 days!

I'm sure you can tell by the picture that I am huge!!!!  So I'm ready to have this baby in my arms!!!!

Another chapter closed...

  Last Friday marked the end of a long journey for me!  I graduated nursing school.  I've worked so hard for that day to come.  I've been in school since January of 2008, so Friday was very exciting for me!  Nursing school was by far one of the hardest things I've done!  It made my classes I took at Auburn look easy....or maybe this time around I actually studied!  No, but really it was NOT an easy journey!  I couldn't have done it without the help of my friends and family!  And I'll brag a little...I graduated magna cum laude!  I worked my butt off and it sure feels good to be done!  I will be working in the pediatric ER here in Huntsville....I officially go back to work Aug. 9th!  I will not miss school, but I will miss the friends I made, they were like a second family!  I can't wait to love on people and make them feel better, that's what being a nurse is all about!

Me and my Caden...

Best buddies!

Special candlelighting ceremony

My boys!

My supportive parents!

Mother's Day

I must say, my boys spoil me rotten!  We kind of celebrated all weekend.  We went and saw Thor 3D and ate at Red Robin friday night, went to eat at my favorite mexican joint saturday night, and sunday I woke up to breakfast in bed!  They got me a giftcard to my favorite little boutique on the square too!  We went over to my mom's for lunch and grilled out!  I was glad we were able to spend some time with my mom, she's the greatest mother/rolemodel/friend I could ever ask for! I spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping, literally!  I've been so worn out, so it was nice to catch up on sleep!  I absolutely LOVE being a mother.  It has brought some much joy into my life.  Caden is the best thing and I feel so blessed and honored to be his mother.  I can't think of a better job!  And in just a few short weeks, I'll have another little blessing to mother!  Can life get much better?!


Caden and I on Mother's Day



37 weeks

Today I am 37 +6 weeks...little late posting this!  I went to the doctor yesterday and my body is not progressing at all towards going into labor anytime soon!  I'm not dilated yet, but he did say my cervix was nice and soft!  He is head down, PTL, but I don't feel like i've "dropped" yet!  I think Bennett is perfectly content and comfortable!  I actually lost 2 lbs, woo hoo!  I think my total weight gain is now 18lbs!  Now it is just a waiting game.  I go back Tuesday and he said we will discuss induction.  I'm a huge fan of induction, I know some ppl are opposed, but I love the idea of knowing the exact day!  It will be nice to be able to plan someone to watch Caden etc.  I was induced with Caden and had no problems, had a great labor and delivery.  So if I haven't gone into labor by myself, I'm thinking Bennett will be here the week of the 23rd!  I'm feeling great, sleeping good once I fall asleep, and am loving the end of my pregnancy!   I had a rough beginning so its nice to have a good ending!  I can't wait to hold little bit in my arms!  For now, I will leave you with this picture of my HUGE belly!  Any estimates on weight, as in baby, not me!???? (haha)

I have my last baby shower tomorrow....sweet friends at work are throwing Bennett and I a shower!  Looking forward to seeing all of my co-workers, especially since I'm not working anymore! 

Easter 2011

We had a wonderful Easter!  Went to early service at church and then had a yummy lunch at Outback!  After lunch, we headed over to some friends house for a massive easter egg hunt!  We had a blast, I'm hoping to make this a tradition!  I get the mom of the year award...I forgot to take pictures of Caden finding what the Easter bunny brought and forgot my camera at the egg hunt:(  OH well, there's always next year!  I hope everyone had a great Easter.....as Caden would say...Jesus is Alive!!!!!!

the infamous "cheese" face!

Caden got some 3D sidewalk chalk from the Easter bunny!



My roses, I'm very proud they are doing so well!



Surreality.

I'm not even sure thats a word (surreality), but oh well!  That is how I felt the past week and a half!  Life is slowly getting back to normal.  Caden went back to school Thursday and Brandon will go back Monday...he's been off for 7 days now!  There is still no power down the street from us where it got hit the hardest.  We found out that they upgraded the tornado to an EF-5...still makes me cringe when I think about that day.  The national guard has left as well as homeland security.  We still have a curfew and there is still so much cleaning up to do.  The outpouring of love and support from everyone has been amazing!  I've been volunteering passing out food and water and Brandon's been busy with the chainsaw.  Even Caden has been able to help!  The other night he wanted to empty his piggy bank and give his money to some kids in his class that lost all their toys!  Talk about making this mommy's heart smile!  We've donated clothes, prom dresses, toys, cleaning supplies, canned goods, etc.  It has been good for Caden to see us doing these things!

 On a happier note....I have finally hit the 37 week mark!  Bennett is full-term!  We are now just patiently waiting for his arrival.  I went to the dr. last tuesday and I wasn't dilated, but I was about 50% effaced!  I go again this tuesday, so we'll see if I've made any progress!  Please keep us in your prayers for a safe and healthy delivery!  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother's Day!

Tornado April 27, 2011

An EF-4 tornado ripped through my little community of East Limestone, Alabama on Wednesday.  I will honestly never forget that day.  Terrifying experience to say the least.  Here's my story:

We woke up around 4:30 a.m. wednesday morning to sirens and terrible weather.  I made Brandon go check the internet and make sure a tornado wasn't headed our way and he told me it had already passed!  We slept right through some pretty bad weather that morning!!  I don't think a real tornado came through that morning, just some strong winds.  Brandon headed to work and Caden's school was delayed till 9 so we took our puppy to the vet.  (Harley fell the night before and wasn't walking so he needed to go to the dr!)  While at the vet, sirens started going off and we were under a tornado warning.  We hurried home...as soon as I closed the garage it started hailing!  I kept my eye on the news and it didn't look like we were supposed to get anything to terribly bad until later.  I sat down to try to study for finals and I noticed it was getting really dark and kind or eerie outside.  This was about 11 a.m....the vet called around 11:15 to tell me Harley was ok and that they were going to close due to the weather and I could pick him up tomorrow.  It really hadn't registered for me to check the news, I was so focused on studying.  About the time I tried to turn on the t.v., the satellite dish went out...I looked online at one of the news stations and all I heard was "tornado spotted in Athens....seek shelter if you live in East Limestone"!!  Everything inside of me wanted to panic and scream, but I had to be strong for Caden.  I told him to go hide in the closet and I quickly grabbed some pillows, a blanket, and the flashlight.  About the time I jumped in the closet with him, my internet quit working.  My cell phone also was not working.  I sat with my back against a wall and put Caden between my legs with the blankets and pillows on top of us.  I was terrified!  I can't explain how scary it was sitting there with my house shaking and the most awful sounds coming from outside.  I prayed and prayed and prayed for protection.  I just wanted to protect Caden and my belly, so I was literally almost on top of them!  We sat in there for about 20 minutes because I had no way of knowing it was safe to come out.  I peeked out the door and the sky was clear...it was so weird!  I still had no cell phone, internet , or tv!  My house was spared!  I finally got some cell service and called my mom and decided to go to her house because more bad weather was on its way and I did NOT want to be alone with Caden again!  My parents live about 15-20 minutes away from us and it took me a good hour and half to get to their house.  I could not believe how close the tornado came to my house..all around houses were messed up, trees down, powerlines down, etc.  We got to my parents and I still hadn't talked to Brandon at this point.  I was getting worried because the tornado had pretty much gone through Huntsville also, and this is where he works!  He finally called to tell me he was o.k. and that he would meet me and my parents shortly.

Round 2:
Around 4 p.m., another round of bad weather was headed towards us.  We were still at my parents and I honestly felt a little safer with my husband there too!  They still had t.v. so we were monitoring the weather pretty closely.  The weather man was talking about this horrible tornado that had touched down just west in a town called Phil Campbell.  Little did we know, this tornado was the same one that was about to destroy my community.  Thank God we were at my parents!  The path of this tornado came through my community around 4:30 and barely missed my house!  The tornado was due to hit madison, which is where my parents live, about 5ish.  I grabbed Caden and we got in my parents closet under the stairs.  No one else wanted to get in.  They all stood on the back porch watching the weather.  All the sudden, my dad screamed for everyone to get in the closet.  The tornado went through my parents back yard and around the house.  It only lasted for seconds!  I couldn't believe how close it came!  At this point I was sick of all this bad weather. My stomach and nerves were torn up!  About 6:00 there was a break in the weather so we decided to head back to our house...BIG MISTAKE.  We got about half-way there and got turned around...I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  Neighborhoods all around were leveled.  People were walking up and down the street in the rain carrying pets.  Power lines were down everywhere.  Huge oak trees laying across the road.  We had to find another route back to our house.  We turned down capshaw rd. and about the time we did I kept hearing on the radio "another tornado spotted in limestone county"!  And that is right where we were!  Brandon was in front of me and he pulled over and told me to hurry and go back to my parents.   He was going to try to find a way home...at this point I was really freaking out!!!  I could see the wall clouds behind me in my rearview mirrow.  I was literally trying to beat the storm!  Caden was in the back seat in his carseat with a towel over his head praying!  Storm was headed straight to madison and so was I.  I just kept thinking if I had to pull over, where would we go!  All the businesses had closed and there weren't any good ditches to go lay in!  I finally decided to just drive as fast as I could and not look back!  We finally made it to my parents after what seemed like the longest drive!  I was crying and shaking!  I didn't know if Brandon had made it safely home and he had no idea if I had made it back to my parents.  No cell phones were working.  Back to the closet we went!  About 8ish, I finally talked to Brandon and he was safe at his Nanny's.  All the bad weather had seemed to pass so he told me it was probably safe to drive back home.  At this point, we didn't know if we still even had a home!  He met me so I could follow him.  It took 2 hours to get home.  Roads were flooded and power lines were down so it was like a maze getting home!  Our house had NO damage!  We are so blessed and thankful to be safe and unharmed!  My heart goes out to all who lost homes and loved ones!  Wednesday, April 27, 2011 will be a day I will always remember!  Everytime I see the destruction, my heart just breaks.  These are my neighbors who have lost everything!  The whole community has been affected, but everyone has joined together and are helping everyone out.  It is so humbling to see people driving around delivering meals and water and offering to help!  God really protected us that day and I'm so thankful!

Some of the pictures I've taken....

Go Rebels!!

Caden really wanted to play ball this year, but I was a little reluctant to let him play at first!  He's only 4 and I wasn't sure if he'd like it.  But he begged, so I signed him up.  I am so glad I did!  He loves it and is doing great!  He plays on a 6 and under team and he is the youngest.  They do not use a tee, it is coach pitch and they play just like the big boys do (3 strikes...keep score, etc)!  I was worried he wasn't going to catch on or be able to hit the ball, and boy I was wrong!  He is the hitting the ball like a champ!  He got a single and a double today!  Our little team is 4-0 now!  I love watching him play!  We are so proud of how well he is doing!  I think he found his passion!

Spring has sprung!

This is my favorite time of the year!  I'm so glad that it has finally warmed up, this past winter was very long!  My heart is so happy and full right now=)  Life is great!  We get to meet Bennett in 5 weeks or less, i'm thinking less since i've already had some preterm labor issues! Caden is playing T-ball, i'm no longer working which means I get to spend the weekends with my boys, and i'm so close to being done with nursing school!!!!!  
 I'm 35 weeks +1 day preggers today!  About 4 weeks ago I was out and about shopping and I realized I hadn't felt Bennett move all day.  I got really scared so I called my doc.  I went in immediately and they did a nonstress test.  Baby looked great, but I was having some big contractions!  My doc asked me if I could feel them and duh I just thought they were braxton-hicks!  Not the case!  I wasn' t dilated or effaced, so I just sent to L&D for some brethine to stop the contractions!  That was the worse medicine ever.  It makes your heart race and you feel so nervous and anxious!  Thankfully, my contractions stopped and I got to go home!  No more working for me though!  I am secretly excited I don't have to work anymore....it was getting unbearable being on my feet for 12 hour shifts!  Having said all that, Bennett could really come sooner than we expect!  I'm just praying for a healthy baby!  We are ready to meet him!  His room is ready, with the exception of hanging some pictures, and i've washed all the clothes, bottles, bibs, burp clothes, etc!  Caden is ready too....he is constantly talking to my belly and kissing it!  I can't wait to see him interact with his baby brother.