{shop update}

Between feedings & diapers, I have found a bit of time to update the shop & Nolan has become an adorable, little model for me!

Check out the new collections-

Shades for the Summer

Hippo Baby

Farmyard

Still working on more stuff so stayed tuned for more updates soon!

{birth story}

My baby is one month old today so I figured today would be a good day for me to finally share with you all my birth story.

It all started the Tuesday before he arrived...I was 38 weeks & heading in for my weekly checkup. At this point I was only about 1 centimeter dialated which was better then the no progrrss report I had got the week before. Even though I was completely terrified to give birth, I was so uncomfortable that I just needed to get him out but at only 1 centimeter, I knew I would be waiting it out a bit more.

However, over the last 2 weeks, I had started to develope protein in my urine causing my doctor to make collect a 24 hr culture on that Thrusday to test for preclampsia. I was scheduled to go back in to my doctor the next day to discuss a plan depending on my test results. Well, I ended up waking up on Friday morning with blood & wet undies which was a bit unnerving. Of course we set about calling the doctor since these were signs we were told to call in about. It was before office hours so we had to wait around for them to call us back so I tried to keep my mind off of it by starting to pack up my hospital bag a bit.

Obviously I had never giving birth before so I definitely felt stupid when the clinic called back & I was asked questions & really didn't know the answers to like if my water had broken...I didn't know what broken water felt like but I did wake up wet. Since I was heading into the clinic anyway that day, my doctor began to check if my water had broken & to see what was going on down there. My water had not broken but I was now 2 centimeters! She then hooked me up to the monitor to check my baby's heart rate & for contractions & I was stunned to see how many contractions I was actually having without even knowing it & how close they were together! Just minutes apart & I didn't feel a thing.

After being monitored for a bit, my doctor was noticing something a bit off with the heart rate so she wanted us to head over to the hospital for further monitoring...I was thinking we would be there just like we had in the clinic, in a little room, in a chair, just for like an hour or so then we would head back home, my husband would go back to work & I would labor at home for hours just like they had said in our birth classes. Boy, was I wrong! We ended up being admitted into the hospital, wheelchair & hospital gown & all. After then being monitored for 3 hours, my doctor come in & told us that my test results showed more protein & decided that we would be staying overnight & induced in the morning to prevent further progress of preclampsia. 

Since we were not at all expecting to end up in the hospital when we went into the clinic at 9am that morning, we didn't have any of our belongings, so my hubby headed back home to finish packing up while I ordered up some dinner since I hadn't eaten all day & hopped into the shower in preparation for a good nights sleep. Wrong again! About an hour after my relaxing shower, just as I was about to fall asleep for the night, gush went my water! It really does gush! It made me feel a bit stupid about wondering if my water really had broken that morning. Now I know how it feels...

From the moment my water broke, I finally started to feel my contractions & they grew fast! They were so close together & so strong, I could not get any rest in between to gather any strength for the next. After a few hours of labor & breathing my contractions out, I just had to get something to help me out. I really wanted to be able to do my labor & delivery as natural as I could but I really couldn't not go on without something. An hour after getting some meds in my IV, my nurse came back in & we began to discuss further pain management options. The only thing I could get was an epidural & I really didn't want it which was a good thing I went without it because I finally had the urge to start pushing & I would not have been able to push with the numbing epidural.

It's strange how when I was taking my birthing classes & they were talking about ways to breath to prevent pushing because the urge was so great, I remember thinking to myself, how in the world am I going to know if I need to push? Well, trust me, you know!! And unfortunately I was not ready to push so I had to try my hardest to not push & actually ended up using those breathing techniques. This was honestly the hardest part of my labor. Luckily I didn't have to wait to long before the doctor gave me the ok to start pushing.

Well, pushing ended up being a whole new learning experience for me. I completely worn out & unable to keep my eyes open & it took me a good 20 minutes to figure out how to get a good push in. At first I was only getting in 2 pushes with my contractions but once I figured out how to push, I was able to get in 3-4 good pushes & I began making good progress.

After just about an hour of pushing, everyone in the room began getting everything set up for delivery. 

I remember the doctor telling me that I have to push to get the head out & it's going to be painful but I have to keep on pushing to keep the rest of my baby out. This was the part I had been dreading & losing sleep over for weeks now & the moment was finally here. Unfortunately the doctor was right & let's just say that the pain was so overwhelming, my husband told me later that he couldn't look at me because I was screaming & looked in so much pain & he couldn't do anything for me. And now as I watch 16 & Pregnant, these girls simply push out these babies without a single sound & I was hollering my head off. Weeks before, I remember thinking how much I didn't want to make a fool of myself in the delivery room but when the time come, I could have cared less how stupid I looked & who was watching, I just needed to get this baby out!

I pretty much blacked out during delivery & the next thing I knew, I was being stitched up & looking over & seeing my husband overlooking our baby. He began talking pictures & bringing the camera over to me to look at him. It was a good distraction because being stitched up & all that comes with it was so painful, I really didn't think I was ever going to walk again! 

But after 45 mins or so at around 2 am, I was finally fixed up & ready to hold my baby!

After 9 months of dreaming of who he will look most like, the day finally came & after 5 hours of a whirlwind labor & painful delivery, my sweet baby boy was here! 6 lbs 12 oz & I feel in love with every bit of him in an instead!

It feels like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital but he is already one month old & changing/growing every day! 

{sweet moments}

This morning I'm spending some snuggle time with the little man...

Hopefully later on I'll be able to spend some time crafting!

{fill in the blank friday}

Friday! Yay! That means my hubby will be home to help out with the little guy for the weekend!

1.   The last thing I ate was       a yummy steak & baked potato   .

2.  The next thing I'd like to eat is    some fajitas  .

3.  The best things     are tiny babies  .

4.  Something that makes me supremely and utterly happy is   a full night of sleep .

5.  Sports are     always on the TV at our place & is something we love to play. I was still shooting hoops at 38 weeks pregnant!   

6.  I miss       my mom. I wish we lived in the same town still  .

7.  Right now I am       feeding the little guy   . 

{newborn pics}

I finally have loaded & edited Nolan's newborn pictures that I took last week.

Here is a sneak peek of a few of my faves-

{how to:father's day shirt card}

Today, I finally found some time to whip up a card for my hubby on his first Father's Day so I thought I would share this super easy & super cute shirt card!

Since I really have limited time for crafting between feedings & diaper changes, I just grabbed whatever paper I could find but I would suggest using a piece of paper that is about 8 1/2 by 14 inches for a better looking, better shaped shirt.

First, take your paper & flip it over so the patterned side is face down. Then fold the paper in half, unfold & take each side of the paper & fold them in to the side touch the middle fold of the paper.

Then take each top corner of the paper & fold them in so they touch the outside folds of the paper. Then, putting your finger in the center of the triangle, pinch the outside points of the triangles together. Then, while still pinching the triangles, fold the top of the paper down.

Flip the over & turn in upside down, folding the top edge of the paper down just a little bit. Then flip it back over & fold the top corners in so they touch the middle fold line. Then fold up the bottom part & tuck it into the collar of the shirt.

To make a tie, simply cut a piece of paper that fits inside the collar, snip out the bottom of the tie & add on a the knot of the tie by adding an extra piece of the paper to the top of the tie.

See, so easy & so fun!

Have a happy Father's Day weekend!

{featured}

My sweet little guy has been featured in this super fun treasury...

Makes me want to go outside & enjoy this lovely weather!

{fill in the blank friday}

It's Friday & today we head out on our first road trip with the little guy!

1.   The last movie I saw was       Baby Boom   .

2.  I want to    Mexican food  .

3.  Surprises are     great if they are good surprises  .

4.  The best accessory is   a great pair of heels.

5.  My favorite warm drink is     white chocolate mocha from Starbucks  .

6.  My favorite cold drink is       wild cherry pepsi   .

7.  Currently loving       my mid-morning nap with my baby   . 

{mommy wardrobe}

The last 9 months my closet has gone through some major changes going from my size 2 clothing to roomier clothing to fit my ever-growing belly. Now it needs to change to fit my new ever-nursing mommy body.

I need something roomy on top & easy to nurse in & even though Alloy is not a store tailored toward the nursing mothers but I love the young, bright styles & I think I could work with these-

Off to do a bit of online shopping!

{finished}

I finished up my project just in time for the little guys arrival...

It's still a bit big for him & please excuse the huge, self-inflicted scratch on his cheek but I still think it turned out pretty good & it's so easy anyone could do it! It would make a great baby shower gift!

{celebrations}

I can't believe my baby has been here with us for 2 weeks already! 

These last 2 weeks have been so crazy & have flown by! My first week home from the hospital my mom came to stay with us & this past week my hubby was home & I can't believe his week home is coming to an end already! It seems like my mom was just arriving  yesterday! 

As fast as these weeks have gone, we had jammed in some special celebrations among the many diaper changes, loads of laundry & nursing marathons. First, obviously the birth of our son. Then introducing him to his grandparents, uncles & aunts & cousins. He was also baptized into God's Kingdom, a wonderful occasion. And finally, my hubby & I celebrated our 3 years of happy marriage.

This year we have been blessed with the gift of celebrating our anniversary as a threesome & I am relishing the transition from a twosome to a little family & how are relationship has changed from husband & wife to parents. It is amazing how much a little peanut can bring two people even closer together & I am loving seeing my hubby in a whole new light as he  talks baby talk & fawns over our little man.

Even though the past 2 weeks have been crazy & full of feedings &
 sleepless nights, I couldn't have ask for a more joy filled time in my life. 

Next week it's just me & Nolan at home. I sure hope it goes as smoothly as it has the last couple of weeks!

{fail}

Today, the little man & I tried to get in a newborn photo shoot...

He wasn't in the mood...

Guess we will have to try again tomorrow!

{adore:felt clock}

I could really use a clock in the nursery & isn't this felt clock just adorable!?

{winners}

I know it's a bit late to be announcing winners but things get done a bit slower around here between feedings, dirty diapers and cat naps.

The winner of Permanent Baggage giveaway is Felicia!

And the winner of my bow & gift bag is Raven's Rascals!

Congrats ladies!