Tuesday, August 27, 2013

My Little Chica Lica

Introducing the newest Marler model. All 9 pounds and 22 inches of Miss Adelae Emma was born on Sunday, August 25 at 8:18 am.

Zachary was born with nary a contraction and only after a few hours in the hospital. Miss Adelae started her journey around midnight on Saturday morning and after the contractions regularized (is that a word) to 7 minutes apart, I called my doctor and she gave me the go ahead to head on over to the hospital with the caveat that they might not let me stay. And so of course, as soon as I arrived, my contractions moved from 7 minutes apart to 10-15 minutes apart. Sad. We kicked ourselves out, picked up Zachary from our friend's house and made our way back home to labor labor labor. My mother arrived later that day, and once contractions moved closer together, including much stronger, holy Hannah, we headed back to the hospital (about 10 pm). By the time we got there, I was dying for drugs. I had wondered if I could go without them, but after almost 24 hours of pain, I was ready for relief and sleep. So mercifully, they called the anesthesiologist as soon as I came. Epidurals are great and because of them I slept for the next several hours while my body finished progressing towards delivery. By 6 am I was ready to go, but after 2 hours of pushing and absolutely NOTHING to show for it, I asked for help in the form of forceps. 10 minutes later we had our baby girl!!! Sweet relief.


After a day in the hospital I was ready to go home and see my other baby. Look how cute my sweet little ones are.
 
Since being home, Miss Chica Lica, or as I like to call her, Cheeks, has both mesmerized and frustrated her brother. He definitely likes to look at her, give her "gifts" and poke her in the eyes, but he doesn't love all the time I give her. Surprise. I'm not sure he is unique in that regard, but as a result I get more cuddles from him and I am definitely not opposed to that.
 
For some reason, having two children, makes our little family feel more complete. Busy and Exhausting but more complete. I love it. And I am so excited to see how Cheeks wiggles her way into our family dynamic.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Anniversary, 38.5 Weeks Pregnant, and Gratitude

Today is indeed my anniversary. I have been married to the man of MY dreams for seven years which seems so long in some ways and so short when compared to so many friends and family members. But seven it is. We haven't been in the newlywed stage for quite some time but I am so happy and grateful for where we are. I am overjoyed to see the direction our marriage has taken since having children and thrilled that our family is a happy and thriving one. What would I do without this man or his children?

As such I am so excited to be expanding our little family soon. Here I am with just a week and a half to go. We celebrated last night and so since I was dressed up, I took the opportunity to snap a pic.
This past week, Matthew politely asked that I not deliver since his work schedule (and honestly, mine as well) was so hectic. He just needed to get some projects completed and then Bitty Girl would be more than welcome. Baby girl has honored his request, and now I hope she will honor mine. All my friends who have agreed to take in the Wee Boy while I am in hospital are all going out of town next week with the last one leaving on Saturday. So, I am politely putting my request out there that she arrive sometime next week and she doesn't force my hand to have her manually evicted the following week.
 
Lastly, I am so grateful for my life right now.
  • I live in a BEAUTIFUL part of the country.
  • This summer has been fairly mild with lots of moisture which means our lawn has stayed lush and pretty despite the fact that it is mostly weeds.
  • Bitty Girl has done such a great job of staying out of my ribs and being nice to her mother.
  • My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ continues to grow despite my thinking that I surely have it all down by now.
  • Matthew is home by 5:15 pm or earlier most days.
  • Zachary is such a happy, funny little boy and is, in my mind at least, becoming so smart. He HATES to have his diaper changed, but I suppose, everyone is entitled to one pet peeve. I just hope this doesn't bode ill come potty training time.
  • We are not rich, but we have more than enough for our needs, and since I get to keep the money I earn, I get to buy a few toys of my own.
  • I have just about made it through a summer being full pregnant and hopefully in the next week or so we will have a bouncing baby girl to call our own!!
Life is good and happy and I really don't want to be pregnant any more.

Monday, August 5, 2013

The Many Faces of Cheese

 


  
Oh my child. What can I say other than this boy definitely knows what a camera is, what it does, and that smiling for it is the thing to do. It's been housed on the sofa of late and so every time he sees it he wants me to turn it on and take a picture of him so he can, in turn, see himself. Have I mentioned he harbors his mother's narcissistic tendencies? It's just such a cheesy smile. These are all pictures taken over the last week or so. Notice the clothes change the smile does not. But despite it all, I can't help but want to eat him up all the same. Heaven help us.