Aiden Michael :: Hello World!

When Eli and Maddie were born, I knew that my ideas of what I wanted our birth to look like would have to be held loosely. There are just so many factors with twins, and my body often decides to do its own thing...so we had to pray for the things we wanted, but ultimately trust the Lord with how things would happen. And the Lord was incredibly gracious to allow some of my "wants" to still happen {no C-section, no NICU time, etc}. We had some complications, but the Lord was good to keep us all safe through it all.

So when we learned that we were having a singleton, I started to think about what I wanted this birth to look like. I knew that it would probably be safer for me to still do a hospital birth. My body just can't be trusted, and being near medical intervention is important. And I love that the hospital where we deliver is baby friendly, because a lot of my "wants" are automatic; I don't have to fight for them. The one thing I wanted to avoid was an induction. I had one with Eli and Maddie, and Pitocin is no joke. Plus, I wanted to let baby boy come on his own time, and have the opportunity to experience actually going into labor.

I felt like a first time mom again, because I just didn't know what to expect! I had had Braxton Hicks off and on for weeks, and even had a day of full blown contractions that eventually slowed and went away for an entire week {with zero progress}. So we weren't quite sure when Aiden would decide to make his debut. But as always, the Lord's timing is perfect, and we are so excited to have our sweet boy with us, safe and sound. Here is his birth story!

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August 26th

12:30am Contractions started up again, and man, oh man, did they get intense pretty fast. I spent most of the morning curled up on the couch, reassuring Eli and Maddie that mama was ok...sweet babies.

11:30am Contractions eventually hit every 5 minutes for an hour, so we called and headed to labor and delivery. My aunt was our emergency call for Eli and Maddie {until my parents could make the trek from San Antonio}, so we met her in the parking lot to make the hand off and headed in...but not before a few contractions in the parking lot {thanks Babe for the photo evidence}.

12:30pm When we got checked in, I was dilated to 4cm {finally, progress!} so they admitted me and we settled in for labor. This was such a different experience from my first delivery. With Eli and Maddie, I had to have constant monitoring and was in bed the whole time. This time around, I was able to be up, walk around, sit on the birthing ball, etc. And they pretty much left me alone to do my thing. It felt so strange! I kept thinking, "shouldn't someone be telling me what to do??" Haha. But it was nice to be able to be up and moving around. So Mike walked with me, and we walked the halls to get popsicles {because I definitely did not eat before I got checked in...oops}.

2:00pm I was dilated to 5cm and 90% effaced. The doctor on call suggested a low dose of Pitocin and I politely declined. That's the one thing I wanted to avoid! But Aiden was still pretty high up and not moving down, despite all my efforts. So we made the compromise to see where I was in 2 hours and then make decisions. So we walked some more, got some more popsicles, and I sat on the birthing ball. 

4:00pm I was still at 5cm, and Aiden hadn't moved, despite contractions picking up in intensity. By this time, I was pretty tired, and pretty ready for the epidural. I also decided to go ahead and do a low dose of Pitocin. The nurse and anesthesiologist were very sweet and encouraging about how I had been laboring {calmly breathing through each contraction...mostly because they hurt so bad I could hardly breathe}, saying that they thought I could do well without the epidural...as I silently screamed on the inside, "NOPE. Give me the drugs!" Haha. I appreciated the vote of confidence but was ready for some relief.

5:30pm I had dilated to 7cm, and the nurse was convinced that my water was going to break at any minute {which it didn't until the end}.

6:15pm They brought out the peanut ball, in an attempt to move him further down, with no luck.

7:00pm The epidural started wearing off in one specific place, and OH MY GOODNESS. Talk about pain like no other! I tried to work through it, but eventually had to get another dose.

9:30pm I was dilated to 9cm, and he was finally coming down. There was just a small lip of cervix left, so we were hoping we were close.

10:00pm I had to get another epidural dose. Because of where the intensity of the pain was breaking through, I was having a hard time getting into an effective position to push. We think the pain was so intense because of where he was positioned.

10:45pm I was dilated to 10cm! I started pushing, trying to get him to move further down. The doctor wasn't there yet, so I was just being coached by the nurses.

11:20pm Dr. Dani came in {not my regular OB, but an OB in her practice who was on call}. By this time, I only had to push a few more times. It was SO strange because I couldn't feel a thing. With Eli and Maddie, I could at least feel pressure. With Aiden, I had no idea where or how I was pushing. Everyone kept telling me I was doing a great job and pushing just right...and I just had to trust what they were saying, because as far as I knew, I wasn't pushing at all haha.

11:40pm Aiden is born!! 8.0 pounds, 20 inches long, and absolutely perfect :)

We got to have immediate skin-to-skin, and he nursed right away...sweet gifts that I was able to enjoy because I didn't crash immediately after delivery, like I did with Eli and Maddie. We still had some complications afterward {that I will blog about later}, but they didn't cause me to miss out on those first few hours with my boy. And I am so, so thankful.

Baby Bump :: Week by Week // Month by Month

Today I would have been 40 weeks...and I am just so glad that I am not still pregnant :)

Aiden Michael made his debut this past Sunday at 39 weeks + 3 days, and we could not be more over the moon to have him here with us! I promise to blog about all the things, just as soon as I can. Until then, here's a look back on the past 9 months as Aiden grew in my belly :)

1st Trimester :: Month 1 :: Week 3 // Week 4

1st Trimester :: Month 2 :: Week 5 // Week 6 // Week 7 // Week 8

1st Trimester :: Month 3 :: Week 9 // Week 10 // Week 11 // Week 12 // Week 13

2nd Trimester :: Month 4 :: Week 14 // Week 15 // Week 16 // Week 17

2nd Trimester :: Month 5 :: Week 18 // Week 19 // Week 20 // Week 21

2nd Trimester :: Month 6 :: Week 22 // Week 23 // Week 24 // Week 25 // Week 26

3rd Trimester :: Month 7 :: Week 27 // Week 28 // Week 29 // Week 30

3rd Trimester :: Month 8 :: Week 31 // Week 32 // Week 33 // Week 34 // Week 35 

3rd Trimester :: Month 9 :: Week 36 // Week 37 // Week 38 // Week 39

Baby Countdown :: Zero Progress

I saw my OB again today. I have had zero contractions {and not even any Braxton Hicks} since Friday, so I was curious to see if I had made any progress at all...

...and there has been none. Zilch. Zero progress. I am basically in the same place I was before all the crazy contractions. What?? Haha. My type-A, planner brain is exploding over here. The unknown and imminence is driving me crazy! There is nothing about this that can be predicted or pinpointed, so it is really requiring a lot of patience and trust and surrender of control...some of my personal strong suits {not at all}.  :)

This silly boy is perfectly comfortable where he is, and he is still pretty high {station -2}. My OB has even commented several times about how he is curled up in his favorite position. Thankfully, he is head down, and I have made some progress {3cm dilated, 50% effaced}. So it could definitely be worse {good reminder from a sweet friend}. He just needs to turn a little bit and settle further down...and decide to join us on the outside!

In other fun news...when I went to start Mike's car to head to my OB appointment today, it wouldn't start. Turns out, he had a dead battery! So we were able to get that replaced, and we are thankful that's all it was. Definitely glad that happened now, and not when we needed to head to the hospital! So even in the little things, the Lord is orchestrating the perfect timing for Aiden's arrival. I just need to remember that as we continue to wait on this sweet boy...

T-minus 16 days...give or take about 16 days {I won't be updating every couple of days, just wanted to record my appointment for today}  :)

Baby Countdown :: Come on, {Real} Labor!

I have officially made it longer than I did with Eli and Maddie! With them, I made it all the way to 38 weeks + 2 days {a HUGE praise for twins!}. Today, I am 38 weeks + 3 days with Aiden. 

After I posted on Friday, my contractions started to pick up. I started timing them, and I even made it to every 5 minutes for an hour {the official "call the doctor" time}. But I wondered if it was possible for them to stop. So I decided to take a warm shower and then call. The contractions slowed to every 7 minutes, and stayed that way for about 3 hours. Then moved to every 10-15 minutes. Then completely disappeared by the morning. 

And there has been nothing since. Zero. Not even Braxton Hicks. Sigh.

I'm glad I didn't call and then have to be sent back home...but it's slightly disappointing that I had contractions for 20+ hours, and then they just stopped. I mean, come on! Haha. I go back to the doctor on Tuesday, so I am hoping that I at least made some more progress with all those contractions??? Come on, you silly boy! Haha- we're ready to meet you!! :)

T-minus 18 days...give or take about 18 days :)

Baby Countdown :: The Waiting Game

When I went in for my 36 week appointment, I was already dilated 2cm, and my OB told me to make sure my bag was packed, because she didn't think I'd make it to my due date. I had a bit of a panic moment, thinking Aiden could arrive at any moment, so we rushed around to finish our baby to-do list {what have I been doing all summer??}. I had lots of contractions, and really felt like we would meet him early...

Fast forward to my 37 week appointment: I was still only dilated 2cm, and my OB asked if I would want to schedule an induction at 39 weeks. To be fair, it's a routine question for her patients, but the vibe was that maybe we didn't need to worry so much about him coming early after all. I barely had any contractions this week, and it seems like he is perfectly content where he is. 

I started having legit contractions around midnight. They're still not close or regular enough, but it's something. I have also felt super nauseated, and have had some intense lower back pain. At my 38 week appointment today, I had progressed to being 3cm dilated, 50% effaced, and he's in station -2. I was hoping I would be further and she would send me to labor and delivery, but I guess some progress is better than none! I'd be more than ok if things sped up and he came this weekend :)

But for now, we're playing the waiting game.

The good news is that we have everything checked off our baby to-do list. We are actually ready for him, and I won't have to worry about finishing anything up after he arrives! Our bags are packed, the nursery is set up, and the freezer is stocked. We're at the point where I want him to come soon, so I don't have to re-set and re-stock what we have already prepared for the last minute rush out the door haha!

I definitely don't feel as uncomfortable as I did with my twin pregnancy, but I'm also not feeling my best. I am so thankful I didn't have to do bed rest this time, but I'm moving slower and feeling pretty tired and achy by the end of the day. Chasing 2 toddlers under 2 with a gigantic belly makes for some interesting challenges! I have enjoyed this pregnancy, but I think I am ready to have my body back and relieve some of the typical pregnancy aches/pains :)

It's a little strange this time around because I feel like I'm still clueless about this whole going-into-labor thing. I was able to avoid a C-section with Eli and Maddie, but I was induced. So waiting around for labor to start just feels different this time around. I'm not trying to keep him in as long as possible; instead, he is ready anytime, and we are ready for him to come out! Is that a contraction? {probably} How far apart should they be when I call again? {every 5 minutes for 1 hour} What if I miss it? {you won't...at least that's what people say} Will my water break? {maybe, maybe not} Will there be enough time to get Eli and Maddie settled before we have to go to the hospital? {hopefully, but we'll figure it out}. Haha- I know we'll be fine, I just feel like a first time mama again!

My OB won't let me go a week past my due date {due date is August 30}, and I'd really like to avoid another induction, if possible {pitocin is NO JOKE}. So Mr. Aiden has 20 days to come on his own! Plenty of time for him to figure it out, right? :)

So for now, we wait. We do a lot of walking/squatting/moving to encourage him to come on his own. We have that last minute play date or lunch {if I can muster the energy}. We soak up our last remaining days as a family of 4. Because all too soon we'll be in the bleary-eyed newborn stage, trying to figure out life as a family of 5 {five!}

T-minus 20 days...give or take about 20 days :)

Aiden's Woodland Nursery

When we first found out that we were pregnant, we were still living in the Sherrye house, and hadn't really {seriously} discussed buying a house, so I really had no plans to put together a nursery. We would have eventually moved Aiden into our guest room, but we also knew we probably wouldn't stay in that house long term, so I just decided a nursery wasn't necessary until we found a more permanent space.

Well...then we bought a house and had the extra space, so I just couldn't help myself! A fully decorated nursery still wasn't necessary, but the more I started to dream and plan, the more I decided to just go for it. In my brain, I justified the fully decorated space by picking a theme that could carry over as the official "boys' room" for when Eli and Aiden eventually share a space. So we will be able to keep and use most of what I have in there now, so it's a win/win! At least, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it :)

This space was so fun to put together! With Eli and Maddie's nursery, I wanted everything to be gender neutral, since they would share the space. So I chose less of a theme and just more specific colors. With Aiden's nursery, I picked an outdoor/woodland/adventure theme, and I love how it turned out!

We are re-using the chair that was Eli and Maddie's room, but we did have to get another crib and dresser. So yes...we have 3 {count them three} cribs in our house haha. I was able to use our old coffee bar shelf in the nursery, and I found the dresser on Wayfair. That thing was a beast to put together, but I think it works well in the space.

I found the decor pieces at Hobby Lobby, Home Goods, Target, and Amazon. I used some gift cards, watched for sales, and used coupons. I'm all about finding good, practical deals!


Wall Decor
I bought a few of the wall decor items at Hobby Lobby, but was still able to work on a few DIY projects to personalize the space. I actually ended up making more than I thought I would have time for, and I am really glad I was able to add these individual pieces!

Materials: 8x8 wood artist boards, acrylic paint, vinyl
Tools: paint brush, painter's tape, silhouette cameo
Total Project Cost: $13 {thanks to a 50% off sale!}

Materials: felt, string, wood panel board, vinyl
Tools: fabric glue, painter's tape, silhouette cameo
Total Project Cost: $15 {thanks to a 50% off sale!}

{The arrows are from Hobby Lobby}

Materials: 8x10 wood artist boards, acrylic paint, vinyl, large wooden letter
Tools: paint brush, painter's tape, silhouette cameo
Total Project Cost: $15 {thanks to a 50% off sale!}

{The wood frame and deer metal decor are from Hobby Lobby}

Materials: 8x8 and 8x10 wood artist boards, acrylic paint, vinyl
Tools: paint brush, painter's tape, silhouette cameo
Total Project Cost: $7 {thanks to a 50% off sale!}

Quilt + Crib Skirt

These are 2 items I would still like to make. The quilt is ready to sew together, and if I have enough material, then I will make a crib skirt. If Aiden holds off until closer to his due date, then I should be able to get those things done before then. But if it doesn't get done until later, that's ok. I had kind of resigned myself to that happening anyway :)

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This space feels so sweet and cozy to me, and I am looking forward to spending time in here with our sweet boy!

A Mama Getaway

Today I got another "Mama Day Off." My husband is so good to make sure I get one every so often, and I am so thankful that I can have this time to myself. He knows my introvert heart, my need for time away to decompress. It's such a blessing to know that I can leave for an entire day and not have to worry at all about my babies. Mike is such a good daddy, and I know that Eli and Maddie had the best day with him :)

I didn't actually sleep in this morning, but I was able get ready all by myself. I was able to enjoy some worship music, actually straighten my hair, and didn't have to keep little hands out of cabinets and drawers. A luxury, for sure! :)

eight.

My main to-do list for the day was to run errands for Aiden's nursery! I have been pulling my list together, and just needed the opportunity to actually go see what would work. So my first stop was Target {with a Starbucks treat in tow}. I was able to snag a couple of practical things for the nursery {sheets, lamp}, as well as a birthday present for our niece! 

nine.

My next stop was Home Goods. I didn't find as much as I had hoped, but I did snag a $15 rug for the nursery {score!} and left with a whole lot of fun ideas for our new house :)

ten.

I stopped at the Plano library to pickup a book I had on hold. I still have my Plano library card and find that they still have more of the books I am looking for than McKinney does. Thankfully, they let you keep the card if you live in the same county. 

eleven.

I had to make an impromptu stop to get a new pair of shoes because the ones I had been wearing broke! Such a bummer, but thankful for an inexpensive deal at Payless.

twelve.

My last errand stop was Hobby Lobby. I have definitely missed working on creative projects, and browsing through the craft aisles just highlighted that fact. I have a couple of projects I want to work on for Aiden's nursery, so hopefully that will help fill that creative void for awhile. #sneakpeak

one.

Lunch! Not super fancy, but I really love the veggie sandwich from Jimmy John's...so it hit the spot for me :)

two.

I was able to attend a baby shower for an old friend! I met Kelsey in the young adults group at Woodcreek, and I have kept in contact with her over the years, as I know she and her husband have prayed for a baby for a long time. It was so sweet to celebrate her sweet miracle, and I am so excited for her!

three.

When your sister-in-law is the baker for the baby shower, knows your dietary restrictions, and sends a special cupcake just for you... she's pretty awesome :) 

four.

I picked up dinner to drop off to my dear friend Amy! Sweet Samuel was born a few weeks ago, and I was so excited to meet him! I know that meals were such a HUGE help for us when Eli and Maddie were born, so I hope I was able to help relieve a little bit of stress, at least for tonight. And I'm praying for some sleep for the new parents :)

five.

So not only did I get a full day off...but I ALSO got a night away in a hotel! My husband booked me a hotel so that I could have a full night to myself, sleep in, and just have some more time alone. It may sound strange to some {especially since it was an anniversary gift haha}, but this is one of THE BEST gifts my husband could give to me. And I am thoroughly enjoying every minute of it!

six.

Of course, I wasn't really alone the whole day...this little guy was with me the whole time. But he's pretty cooperative, so I didn't mind so much. I thought I should snap a photo of me actually being dressed/ready before I changed into my pajamas haha.

seven.

I had picked up dinner at one of my favorites {Salata!} and was able to enjoy my salad in my pajamas :)

eight.

Winding down from a busy/full and all-around awesome day with a little blogging and HGTV. Not a bad day at all  :)

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Today was such a great day! I got SO much checked off my to-do list, was able to see some sweet friends, and enjoyed some good solo time. I miss my babies and my hubby, for sure. And it feels a little weird to be away from them, by myself. But I am so thankful for this little getaway, and a husband who made it happen. I haven't even had a full night's sleep yet, and I already feel so much more refreshed. 

Now I'm off to enjoy the rest of my evening and my morning to sleep in! :)

{iPhone Rewind} :: May

Maddie with her cousin Elizabeth! She just plopped down in her lap...NOT a typical Maddie thing to do, so Elizabeth must be super special! :)

Granny gave us a train table, and we are loving it!

Like father, like son :)

Eli seemed intrigued by a classic haha

And Maddie was intrigued by her foot :)

Haha #outtakes

Poor puppy. She puts up with SO much...  {I made sure to get him right off. Poor puppy endures a lot but she's old and doesn't need toddlers sitting on her}

About how Maddie was feeling about her day...

I got a day "off" and took advantage of the time to grab a pedicure and read my current book!

I was so excited to celebrate with this sweet friend at her baby shower! And I love that we have a photo of our baby bumps together! Can't wait to meet her sweet boy :)

Sweet girl. She loves all things animals :)

I had a sore throat so I thought I would record the book that Eli and Maddie kept bringing to me to read over and over...and then they brought me SEVERAL. So much for my plan. Well played, babies.

This little dude learned how to move the chair and climb up to get to the things we put up high on the counter...

This is why it takes me an hour to put laundry away...

They love watching Daddy work!

I love that they love books :)

Daddy's helper. Seriously- he wants to see how everything works :)

Bad table manners, but he's just so darn cute :)

She's full of personality, this one.

Cutie #1

Cutie #2

Waiting patiently for Daddy to assemble the new slide!

Yep. He held out his hand to give me something...and I definitely screamed and jumped when the beetle started moving. And Eli thought it was the funniest thing.

My cold/cough wasn't getting better, so I finally went to see a doctor and had to take these 2 crazies with me. It was terrible. But we survived :)

I pulled out the Mega Bloks again, and Eli is LOVING them. He is starting to build things and will spend long stretches of time working on his little creations :)

Because why wouldn't you wear your sun hat to the grocery store? :)

Reading to ALL my babies :)