All of Your Perfect Little Parts

I can't forget your little tiny parts.  You are perfect in every way.

On the Day You Were Born

You are here!  You are finally here!  I keep pinching myself to make me believe you are truly mine.  (I also keep pinching myself to keep me awake, but that's for another day).  My sweet girl.  Today is your Daddy's birthday.  Yesterday your Lally was telling us all about the day he was born.  You are 7 weeks new tomorrow and I'm so afraid of forgetting any piece of the day you were born.  It was long.  It was tough.  But it was the most beautiful day(s) of my life- right up there next to the rainy day I married your amazing Daddy.

The night before you were to be evicted from my tummy, your Nettie, Papa, She She, Bry Bry, Lula, Lukey, Daddy, and I went to dinner.  It was great to be together.

Nettie and Papa spent the night at our house so that they could wake up with us in the morning.  I didn't sleep a wink.  I was so excited and nervous about becoming your mama.

In the morning, Nettie and Papa walked us out to Daddy's truck and gave us big hugs.  Now, they REALLY wanted to be getting in the truck with us at that moment, but Daddy and I had decided we needed some time to settle in to the hospital just the two of us.

My sweet girl, tears rolled down my cheeks in the dark for the entire drive to the hospital.  I thought all the way back to the first time I ever saw your Daddy, then through the years of our lives together, and how all those years brought us to this exact moment.  It was one of the craziest feelings I've ever had.  I can't explain the intense emotions that were drumming through my body.  Your Daddy took my hand and told me everything was going to be okay.  And like most times, he was right.  (But don't tell him I said that.)

When we got to the 3rd floor, I remember a nurse named Kim showed us to our room.  Two other nurses came to help settle us in.  I made sure to tell all of the nurses "Happy Nurses Week."  I wanted them to know I appreciated everything they were doing to take care of us.  I don't know if it was my acknowledgement of Nurses Week or what, but they were all incredible.  Seriously.  They are some of the most amazing humans to ever walk this earth.  Every single one was so kind and did anything and everything to make us comfortable.  I couldn't stomach half of their job requirements.  I have the biggest respect for nurses.  But let me stay on course.  This is all about you, my girl.

Those nurses left us at the end of their shift and then we met Barbara, or Babs.  She was a friend of some of your cousins, so I felt comfortable knowing that we had an "in".  Babs was our nurse for the day, and she was as awesome.  She even stayed on past her shift to be with us.  Dr. White came in to check on us and we started the pitosin to help get you moving.  Soon after, Babs made sure I had an epidural to help with the pain from contractions.  I was terrified about this, but it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Again, your Daddy held my hand and told me everything was going to be okay.

Our family members started pouring in around 8:30, beginning with your Lally.  Around lunch time, she began taking bets on what time you would arrive, how big you would be, and what color your hair and eyes would be. 

I bet 1:30 p.m. because it was in a half hour and I was ready.  Of course, I lost.  Good news...we still won all of the money though.  Your college fund is already started with $12!

The day ticked by.  Your Nettie helped me breathe through the nauseousness with each contraction.  Your Papa quietly stood by watching my monitors while I slept.  Your Daddy sneezed into his shirt and practically bathed in hand sanitizer.  He had come down with a cold that morning.  Everyone kept coming back to check on me and to see if you were ready.  Your entire family was there waiting for you. They waited.  And they waited.  And they waited a whole lot more.  They were really patient.

At 7:00 p.m. when the nurses changed shifts Babs left us and in came Kim.  My oh my, the I love I have for Kim.  Kim gave me peppermint oil to help with the nausea and then dosed me with some Zofran.  She joked with our family and placed her bet on your arrival time and size.  She would gently wake me between contractions to change my position to help you move along.  Kim was an angel and she will forever hold a place so dear in my heart.  If you had an unmarried uncle, I would have married him off on the spot.

At 1:20 a.m. she woke me up to tell me it was time.  Dr. White, who also stayed on past her shift for you, came in the room, and in that moment I remember thinking how everything was so calm and peaceful.  Dr. White is also very special to our family.  She delivered your cousins years before you.  I began pushing at 1:25.  Your Daddy was on my right side and Kim was on my left both coaching me along.  Once more, your Daddy held on to me and told me everything was going to be okay.  At 1:36, I closed my eyes and pushed with all my might until I heard Kim tell me to open my eyes... And there you were... Your teeny little hiney staring back at me.  Dr. White's hands wrapping around your small chest.  And suddenly I felt as if my heart was now outside of my body; and I knew that my life -our lives- would never be the same again.  When they placed you on my chest, I held you close and told you everything was going to be okay- just like your Daddy said it would.  You are an amazing little miracle and you have stolen each of our hearts.  Welcome to our lives, Sweet Girl.  You have made my heart so full and our world so much more joyful.  We love you always.

  

ELE 

18 1/2 inches  5 pounds and 5 ounces 

May 7th, 2014

My Love

It is only appropriate that it is raining today.  Five years ago today it poured and it was the most beautiful day of my life. I am so lucky to have married the most amazing man on this earth who makes me a better woman every day.  I love you, my sweet love.

 

 

Maryland Girl

Yesterday you received a very special treat in the mail from your Aunt Shenanigans. 

I know what you are thinking- "Ewww Mom, really? I don't like Maryland."  Don't worry.  You get that yucky feeling honestly.  But hang with me- there's a lesson here, little girl.  I, too, once believed that the yankees from Maryland were horrible creatures.  When moving to Charleston for college, I felt like I was in a Marylander apocalypse as it seemed that everyone I met was from Maryland, and they weren't the friendliest of creatures.  In particular, it drove me crazy that none of the Maryland male species held the door for you when your arms were overflowing with who knows what, as you try to make it into your dorm.  In my defense, I had imagined that moving to Charleston would entail having southern gentlemen with delicious southern accents at my beck and call.  My dear, always set your standards high, but don't expect Rhett Butler.
Anywho, I found friendly creatures here in Charleston.  They were right under my nose and these ladies became my best friends.  One afternoon during our Freshman year we were driving out to Sullivan's Island and I was ranting about my distaste for the yankees from Maryland and their rude ways.  I said some really horrible things about the entire state- claiming that my Mason-Dixon line cut them out of the south because of their lack of manners; and I am pretty sure I even said, "I just hate all people from Maryland." 
My new friend, Shannon, sat quietly in the back seat.  I really liked Shannon.  We had just recently met, but we had the same circle of friends and we were both in the same sorority.  She seemed to never meet a stranger.  I turned around in the car and asked Shannon where she grew up.  "Baltimore," she said.  I felt the pit of my stomach fall and it wasn't because of your Aunt B's driving this time.  "Oh yeah," I said, "Like in Maryland?"  With a big smile on her face Shannon responded with a simple, "Yep."  I wanted to melt into the seat and disappear.  I had spent all that time riding down Coleman Boulevard complaining about the terrible manners of Marylanders; and low and behold, I was the one with the bad manners.
I'm here to tell you, I was wrong about Maryland.  They aren't all bad.  Your Aunt Shenanigans is one of the greatest friends I made in Charleston.  She is one of those people who are truly beautiful- inside and out.  Together we have shared some real sadness, some extraordinary happiness, and plenty of explosive laughter.  I am so lucky that she didn't hold my ignorance against me that day.  Instead she proved to me that I should never judge someone before knowing them.  A valuable lesson that I believe helped me find my way and appreciate each of my quirky, kind, and perfectly genuine friends.
So, baby girl, don't ever judge a book by its cover.  You could really be missing out on some amazing experiences and lasting friendships- especially those that come out of Maryland.

Cheers to 2013! Welcome 2014!

Wow, another year is about to pass.  Tomorrow we will make our annual pilgrimage to whatever city those boys from Athens are playing in to ring in this new year.  The other day I was told by The Husband that this would be our last year traveling to celebrate New Years with 3 sets of boogie-woogie music.  Needless-to-say, I was disappointed in his attitude.  We will revisit this debate in 365 days.

WHAT A YEAR!  I got suckered in to one of those Flipagram apps that puts music to your pictures and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  It may be the hormones, but the video gets me every time.  I can't believe that all of these wonderful things happened to me  in 2013.  From new babies to beautiful sunsets in beautiful places, I am thankful for every part of 2013.  If 2013 was this good, I can only imagine how fabulous my 2014 Flipagram will be. Cheers to you, 2013!  Thanks for all your good times!

I Am Thankful

Right now I am thankful for...
1. My family's laughter and constant love
2. Milk Duds
3. Belly Bands and Elastic
4. Being allowed 1 coke a day
5. My students' smiles
6. Thank you letters from my old students
7. The giggles of my nieces and nephews
8. My snuggling Cricket
9. My sweet old man Bailey
10. My silly wild man Jack
11. My husband's endless hugs
12. Our growing Peanut
13. My girlfriends who are more like sisters
14. Raspberry Sorbet
15. Sunrises when I'm late for work
16. Our freedom
17. Thanksgiving break...Oh, how I am so very thankful for you!

Baby E

I have thought about you for most of my life.  I’ve wondered what you would look like, what talents you would have, and what great things you would accomplish.  I’ve also wondered what type of mother I would be.  Of course, I still don’t know the answers to these.  What I do know, though, is that you are being born to two of the most devoted people who love each other immeasurably; and we already love you more than you will ever know.  We call you “Our Little Peanut” and we can’t stop thinking or talking about you.  We get emotional every time we see your little heart beat flutter or your hand open and close on an ultrasound.  We know what a miracle you are to us, and we are already so very thankful for you.

As if our love isn’t enough, you have the most caring and adoring grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who can’t wait to get their hands on you.  Your cousins are already lining up to hold you when you arrive in May.  They have given you nicknames (Cinco and Cheffie) and have even made suggestions for names (ahem...Teapot).   They anxiously await news after every doctor’s appointment and are already discussing who you favor.  They are all loud and crazy at times; but one thing I know for sure is that you will never be shorted on love or affection.  You certainly are a lucky little peanut, and you are already bringing so much happiness to this family.