Reed's birth story

I know I said I wanted to be better at blogging, and I haven't been, but it's a new year so let's try this again.  Reed's due date was January 5th and he was born December 30th.  Just barely a week early.  I really did not want to be induced this time around, even though my experience was not bad with Stella.  I just wanted to let things take their natural course.  Towards the end however, the anticipation was starting to give me anxiety.  Dalton and I discussed it, and we both agreed that we never had that feeling with Stella.  With Reed I had consistently measured big, sometimes up to 4 weeks ahead and both my Dr and I were pretty sure I would go early.  The week of my company's Christmas party (a week before Christmas) I had my Dr's appt early in the week.  My Dr said she was pretty sure this was MY week! I hoped so too, especially because she would be on vacation the following week and I really wanted her to deliver me.  She was pretty sure that my labor would go fast since I think at that point I was already dilated to 3-4cms.  Really? That is almost half way there! At that point I really had no idea that women could walk around being that dilated and NOT be in labor! Little did I know that you could walk around much more dilated than that and not be in labor, as I would soon find out. My Dr was so confident I would have the baby that week that she ALMOST didn't have me make an appt.  Now I know better than to listen to Dr's predictions, but I feel like I am pretty in tune with my body, and I FELT like it was almost time.  Anyways... I made it through the week.  Bummer!  The following week was Christmas, and since my Dr was out I had to see another Dr in the practice.  She checked me and I was 4-5 cm's dilated 80% effaced.  At this point I am thinking.. maybe this WILL be a Christmas baby.  Christmas Eve I kept waking up with contractions, but nothing consistent enough to be concerned.  Christmas came and went and NOTHING! This baby was perfectly content staying right where he was but I was ready to evict him!
 That brings us to December 30th.  I had asked Dalton to come with me to my appt, just in case they did send me to the hospital, which at that point I doubted.  As a matter of fact I had a little bit of a nervous breakdown driving to the hospital and I cried telling Dalton that I was just ready to NOT be pregnant anymore.  That really is unlike me because I really don't mind being pregnant, and I have to say that I am blessed to have fairly easy pregnancies, but the anticipation was killing me.  The fact that we kept thinking he was coming and he wasn't PLUS that I was beginning to get pretty uncomfortable was making me really dislike pregnancy.  My Dr's appt was that morning.. somewhere around 9:30-10ish.  When my Dr walked in the room I told her, "Look who is STILL pregnant!" We both laughed about it, she checked me and I was still 4-5 but she decided to send me over to the hospital and put me on a low dose of pitocin to see if we could get things kicked started.  Remember how I was telling you that I really wanted my Dr to deliver me? Well now comes the fun part.  The Dr tells me, I have two surgeries today, one at 1 and another at 3.  If you have the baby while I am in surgery someone else will deliver you.  OMG, now I have a window? WTH? Ok, fine.  About 10:30ish I am all checked into the hospital.  I feel good, contractions are small, still nothing I can't handle.  At about noon  my Dr comes to check on me before her first surgery.  As she is checking me, my water breaks, I am 5-6 cm's. It is now about 12:30, and this, for me, is when my labor really started.  Fast forward 2 hours.. I am now in some serious pain.  They won't let me get in the bathtub (possibly because my water was already broken?), they don't have a birthing ball.  Sitting hurts, standing hurts, pretty much anything I do hurts.  I am looking at the clock because I know that my Dr will be out of surgery in an hour and a half.  I didn't want to get an epidural too soon because I knew that with Stella I went from 3cm's to 8-9 cm's in an hour after getting the epidural. By 3pm I tell them I need an epidural, at this point breathing is not helping, I can't get into any comfortable positions, plus I am hooked to the IV for the antibiotics for the GBS so I have to drag that thing around everywhere!   You know that moment, when you are in labor and you FINALLY decide to get an epidural when you are in excruciating pain and you have to WAIT for the anesthesiologist to come? Ya I am there.  The anesthesiologist gets there probably about 3:20 or so and I get my epidural.  After he leaves they check me, I am 7-8cms.  No wonder I was in so much pain! It is now about 3:40.  Just after 4pm my Dr comes by.  She is now out of BOTH surgeries and I am officially in the clear to deliver LOL.  She checks me and says, I think we can start getting ready to push! Holy cow! I can't believe it is time.  The nurses start getting everything ready, and before you know it, it is time to push.  If you've given birth before you know that they have you push with each contraction, counting to 10, taking a breath and then pushing again.  Basically that means you push for 10 seconds, take a breath, push for another 10 seconds, etc.  After just 3 pushes (aka 30 seconds) Reed Michael was born.

I hear the Dr and nurses say, he is a big baby! I remember looking at him and thinking (out loud), well how big is he? I hear a nurse say 10.9.  I don't think I can believe my ears.  I say, did she just say 10.9?  Holy cow!  Just two weeks prior the Dr told me she didn't think he would be more than 8 1/2lbs.. I was thinking more like 9 1/2lbs, but 10.9!? Looking at him I couldn't believe that I had been carrying something that big in my stomach!  He was perfect of course.  Dark hair and eyes, ten fingers, and ten toes.  It wasn't until we got moved to our room that they got a chance to measure him.  He was 22 1/2 inches long!

 Now THAT is a big baby! I honestly couldn't have asked for an easier labor, or a better Dr.  The recovery after giving birth was MUCH easier than with Stella. My Dr came by to check on me the following morning and told me that since we were both doing so well, she would allow us to go home IF we wanted to.  UM YES PLEASE! LOL It is New Years Eve and I just want to be home with my babies.  I missed Stella so much being in the hospital just a day.  Later that afternoon my mom brought Stella by to meet her baby brother.  I think she cared more about investigating the room, but my heart overflowed with love holding these two in my arms.  

Just a few hours later we were able to pack up and go home.  My little bear in his going home outfit. 

A YEAR OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Knucklebutt, a year ago today you came into our lives and made them better.  It sounds so cliché to say that, but it is so true.  The moment I met you my heart expanded in ways I didn't even know were possible, and not just in love for you, but in love for your father.  There is something about creating a life together from the love you have for each other and seeing that love look back into your eyes that cannot be explained in words.  In this year, things have changed so much, yet I honestly could not imagine going back to a life without you.  Every day I see you become smarter and stronger.  You are independent, like me, and you have a good sense of humor like your daddy.  You are beautiful from the top of your head to the tips of your toes and everywhere in between.  I hope you never doubt the love we have for you and I hope you will be proud to call us your parents, like we are proud to call you our daughter.  The words from My Wish by Rascal Flats sum it up in a nutshell:

 " My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too"

I know there will be times that my patience is tested, and I know there will be times that will be tough, but I hope you will always know that no matter what, you are loved to the ends of the Earth and beyond.  We will always be here for you, supporting you and loving you.  We are, and will always be, your biggest fans.  Sometimes I wonder if there will ever come a time in my life that I have forgotten what you were like as a baby, and then I remind myself, that it will always seem like I just brought you home yesterday.   As I write this, I cannot help but feel a little sad.  This year has whizzed by quicker than I wanted it to, and even though it has been amazing to watch you grow and learn new things, I want to keep you this small forever.  I know there will come a time when you won't want to hang out with us, or cuddle with us, that you might even be embarrassed by us, so I know that I have to savor all of these little moments now.  I am excited to see you grow into a young woman, to see you realize all your dreams, and to eventually start your own family.  Your daddy and I love you to pieces little girl.  You are my dream come true, and if I never accomplish anything else in my life other than giving birth to such a beautiful and amazing life, my life would still be complete.  

With all our love, 

Mommy and Daddy

  

Baby # 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is April 29th, my little knucklebutt turned 10 months old today and yesterday we found out she was going to be a big sister.  I don't plan on posting this till after her bday, but I wanted to write down all the things going through my heart and my mind right now.  First of all let me precede this with saying that I know that babies are blessings, I just wasn't expecting to be blessed so soon! I love my knucklebutt SOOOOOO much!!!! She truly lights up my day and makes going home that much sweeter!!!! If any of you TRULY know me, then you will know I am a planner.  Dalton had wanted to get pregnant right away, while I had wanted to wait till she was at least a year and a half old, which would put us "trying" in January.  Now, we will be having a baby in January! I won't get into all the details of how and why we weren't expecting this to happen.
My handy dandy period tracker told me I was supposed to start on Wednesday, a couple days later nothing!  Before having Stella my cycles ran like clockwork, but since having her they have been all out of whack, which I read can happen with the constant fluctuations of hormones.  By Sunday, I just knew I needed to take a test if I was going to ease my mind at all.  I had Dalton go get me a HPT, told him a two pack would be good and it didn't have to be anything expensive. When I found out I was pregnant with Stella I took a test while he was at league.... and it INSTANTLY read positive.  I am telling you, this Period Tracker is NO JOKE! I took the test, set it on the counter while Dalton was holding Stella and we both just sat there and watched, and right away I knew. Dalton of course was like are you sure?

So yes, I am pregnant again, and I have a 10 month old. I have officially joined "THAT" group.  LOL I am terrified, and I have been crying off and on all day.  I honestly wanted to have Stella all to myself, and for her to have me all to herself for a couple years.  I don't want her to ever feel that she never got enough attention or love from us.  I know that with time I will get more excited, and I know as they grow and always have each other to play with my heart will be filled with love. But, for now, I am terrified! I always tell my friends with two young kids, better you than me! Now I am that you! Dalton is very excited, and he is obviously pulling for a boy, ironically, another girl would suit me just fine.  But, as long as God makes it happy and healthy then I will be happy with whatever he chooses to give us.  I have even more of a reason to write in this blog more now! Holy cow... mother of two! 

Bluebonnets !!!!!!!

Anyone that lives in Texas knows that the true symbol of spring coming is wildflowers sprouting up along the interstate.  Last year, I wanted to take the dogs out and get a picture of them in the bluebonnets but we got so busy it never happened.  I should have really made a better effort to do it cause I think I could have gotten some super cute pregnancy pictures in them.   Oh well... maybe next time. :)  Anywho, with the state tournament coming up I knew we would be limited on time to take the pictures and now that we have Stella I definitely wanted to make the effort to go out.  Especially since they don't last all that long.  We got some definite wall hangers and I can't wait to go out again next year! Here are just a few.

9 months old

HOLY COW! Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday we were bringing Stella home from the hospital.  I know I have been MIA and haven't been keeping up on my blog like I said I would, bad me! I had planned on writing an entry for Thanksgiving and our trip to Hot Springs and Illinois and still plan on it.  I have so many pictures and videos. I also have been working on a home movie using all of our pictures and videos..it has just taken time (that I don't have) and I haven't gotten around to posting anything about it.  We had a blast and it was much needed family time! Now, onto our knucklebutt.

Stella turned 9 months old March 29th.  It is hard to believe that in 3 short months it will already be a year since she was born.  It is such a bittersweet moment to know that she will never be this little again and we will never have these moments again.  I try so hard to remember all the little things she does on a daily basis because " I don't want to miss a thing" insert cheesy Aerosmith song here.  Stella started crawling the week after she turned 8 months old and she has been on the go ever since! She now pulls up on EVERYTHING! She thinks she can let go and stand by herself but she hasn't quite mastered that.  She stands whenever she gets the chance.  Even if she is playing with something on the ground she will stand, while still touching whatever it is.  Yes, picture this, hands on the ground, butt in the air.  It's so funny but she is building those little leg muscles.  You can tell when she has been standing a little too long cause her little legs start to quiver and finally give out.  She is now standing in her crib too.  She is so funny to watch on the monitor.  She sure is a restless sleeper.  I swear she covers every sq inch of that crib every night.  Other than that she smiles when she sees you, especially her daddy, laughs at the dogs, they must look really funny, and reaches for you when someone else is holding her.  That is probably the sweetest thing ever.  Just the other day Dalton was holding her and she reached her arms out for me.  It just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.  We still have NO teeth! Not that I am complaining and I want her to be cranky, but if she had some teeth we could open up our food options a little bit. We had our 9 month check up this past Thursday and she is growing just fine.  Dr said she is perfectly proportioned.  She is almost 20lbs and 28inches tall.  I love this little girl to pieces!

Baptism

We finally baptized Stella on March 09th!  I say finally because it was a long drawn out ordeal, but I won't go into any of those details on here because they just aren't necessary.  My brother was the godfather, or nono, like we say in Greek.  It was a very small affair, just immediate family.  My parents, Dalton and I, my Aunt Phyllis, cousin Tori, baby #2 in her belly, and her little girl Gabby, Dalton's dad, my brother, my niece Jaeden, and my brothers girlfriend Carrie. Things all really came together when I found out that Father Stelios, who we have known for a very long time, was the new priest at the Greek church in Galveston.  He had actually baptized my niece years ago and we had driven all the way to Corpus Christi to have him do it. As much as I had wanted to do it in the church where we were married, things just weren't working out that way, and I wanted to have her baptized before our Lent started because otherwise we would have to wait till after our Easter on May 5th to get it done.  The older the child, the more difficult imo. 

I won't bore you with the details, but a Greek baptism is steeped in traditions, and it isn't as easy as just picking someone to be your child's Godparent.  There are a lot of responsibilities a Godparent has to tend to both before, during and after a baptism.  I am very thankful that my brother was able to do it otherwise this post might not have been happening right now.  I am also very thankful that I found out that Father Stelios had moved closer to us.  I really wish they would move him back to Houston.  One of the most important things in a priest in my opinion is being down to Earth.  If people don't feel like they can talk to you, they will shy away from the Church and its teachings.  The whole point is not to feel like you are being judged, but accepted and that the Church is your home.  After all, aren't we taught that only one person can truly judge you?  Rant over.  Anyways, the service was very nice, intimate, and afterwards we went over to my cousin Nicky's restaurant The Original Mexican Cafe. I am so grateful to everyone that was able to join us in witnessing such a wonderful thing.  Photo dump below.  :) 

I was honestly surprised she cried.. she really loves her baths.  

First communion.

Yes the picture is blurry, and so is our photographers eye sight. 

the girls

The grandpa's 

Classic Redumis family Shenanigans. 

Jaeden and Stella

Thanksgiving Road Trip!!!!!

Dalton and I are going to visit his family this year in Illinois for Thanksgiving.  While it is not our first trip up there, it is our first one with Stella.  From here to Springfield its about a 15 hour drive.  That's more than half a day and that is not taking into account the many stops I am sure we will have to make along the way.  I am super excited though! We found a really nice B&B in Hot Springs to stop as our halfway point going there and we are going to spend a couple days (well really just a day and a half) exploring the town and nearby state park.  Then we will drive on to Illinois to spend a couple days with his family, and then make the drive back the day after Thanksgiving. Maybe some where in there we can sneak in a visit to some a cave or two. We are going to stop right outside of Little Rock on the way back.  Hopefully this will be as great of a trip as we think it's going to be.  Praying for great weather and safe travels!