Wordless Wednesday

Time Flies…

Man it’s hard keeping up with this blogging thing with 2 kids! I barely have a free second to sit down! At the moment, I currently have one child up from her nap WAY TOO EARLY but still in her crib playing quietly and another child asleep (finally) on the couch. I do love that you can lay a sleeping newborn down anywhere (as long as her older sister isn’t around to try and pick her up!).

Finley is now 1 wk and 3 days old. Hard to believe! But, we haven’t seemed to slow down a bit. Here are some things we’ve been up to…

Our first Sunday at church! Finley was born on a Friday. We came home Saturday. And, headed out to church on Sunday. Everyone thought I was crazy. Maybe I am! :) But, I actually thought it would be easier to head off to church where Cori could play with her friends in the nursery while Dave, Finley, and I enjoyed some time hearing from the Lord. It turned out to be a great day!

 

The next day, Monday, was the 4th! We headed out to a friends house for some 4th festivities – down home southern cooking, lawn chairs, kiddie pools, and a 50 ft. slip and slide. It doesn’t get much better than that! Cori had a great time playing with all the kids and she had a BLAST running and sliding down the slip and slide (with help from her daddy of course!). Finley enjoyed the shade while everyone took turns holding her. Pure sweetness!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOVE this picture!!

Tuesday, we headed in for Finley’s first doctors appointment. She was up to 7lbs 12oz (almost back to birth weight) and measuring 20 inches. She checked out to be a very healthy baby and we couldn’t have been more pleased! Big sister Cori got to come along and was very concerned when her little sister got her heal pricked. Anytime Finley cries, Cori tears up a little too. What a tender heart she has!

 

Wednesday was a lazy day around the house. Finley took lots of naps and Cori had fun wearing mommy and daddy’s shoes around the house while we did some house cleaning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, I ventured out to Mom’s Group with both kids ALONE (in their first set of matching outfits – I WISH I had taken a picture!!)! It wasn’t too bad and Cori was such a big girl walking into church by herself. She even marched right into her class, sat down at the snack table, and waved bye to me!! She usually cries a little when I leave her, but not anymore! They grow up fast! … Dave’s mom also came to visit Thursday afternoon and took Finley and I to the mall! Cori got to have some daddy time while Finley and I had some girl time.

 

Friday, my college roommate, who is an incredible photographer, came to take newborn pictures of Finley as well as some family photos of us. It was a LONG day as none of our children wanted to cooperate!! Stephanie was at our house from 11-3 and it wasn’t until the last hour that we finally got some good pictures – I mean REAL good pictures!!! I can’t wait to see them! :)  … We also headed to Chick fil a for dinner dressed as cows for Cow Appreciation Day. I you wore cow attire, you ate for FREE!! It was a blast!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, we headed off to a pool party for Dave’s resident class. Finley slept in the K’tan the entire time and Cori had a ball in the pool! Swim lessons have made her fearless in the water and she LOVES the pool! At one point she found someone’s ring floatie, got in it, and began kicking out to where she couldn’t reach the bottom!! She didn’t even seem to care, she just kicked along like such a big girl!

 

Well, and here we are … Monday again. Today has been a pretty good day – swim lessons for Cori, a trip to Lowes, a trip to Publix, lunch and naps. Dave had to head into work for a few hours so I’m learning what life will be like when he’s back at work full time and I’m at home with TWO kids!! My child who was playing quietly is now screaming for mommy and my other sweet angel is still asleep, but will need to nurse again in the next few minutes. There isn’t much down time here in our home at the moment, but I am grateful for my two healthy children and my amazing husband. I think going from one to two kids is much harder than going from zero to one. Seriously, two kids makes having one a walk in the park!! All you mammas out there with one baby – enjoy it!! :)

Well, I’m off to play with my kiddos! I’ll try to post again soon – and I’ll try to take more pictures! That’s one thing I’ve been slacking on – picture taking!! Love to you all!

Finley Grace

Last night was amazing! Sweet Finley only woke to nurse last night at 10pm, 2am, and 6am. Since I’m a bit of a schedule oriented person, that’s always my goal. I remember when Cori was 5 days old, she was already on this schedule. Now Finley, 6 days old, is following in her sisters footsteps. Praise the Lord because the night before last was not so good!

I can’t believe it’s been 6 days since delivery. This delivery was a bit different than CB’s – mainly because Finley was right on time and Cori was 5 days late! The Tuesday before we had Finley, my doctor had said that I was 4 cm and 80% effaced and that if I didn’t go into active labor on my own that he would schedule for me to come in on Friday (7-1-11)morning at 6am to be induced. So, that’s what we did.

One last belly shot!

We arrived at the hospital right on time and checked in to the OB floor. My room was ready and it was room 11. Not that I’m into lucky numbers or anything, but I have always liked the number 11 – mainly because I was born 11 minutes to 11 on August 11th. So, I’m a bit partial I guess and it’s always been my number in sports. Anyway, I’m going off topic here! :) … So, we checked in at 6 and got settled into our room. The nurse came in at 6:30 to put the IV in. Let me just tell you, that was one of the worst things about this delivery!! And, that’s pretty sad when your IV hurts worse than delivery!! She wiggled and wiggled that needle in my hand. It seriously took her 15 minutes to get it in. I was literally in agony! Then, once she got it in, she couldn’t get any blood out of it. So, she had to then stick me in my arm to draw blood. She was a sweet nurse, don’t get me wrong, but she needs some practice on placing an IV. The nurses had shift changes at 7 and we got this amazing nurse named Gwen who was with us the rest of the day. I LOVE her! She was amazing!!

At 7:15 our sweet doctor showed up. He is such an amazing doctor and I feel so blessed to have him as our OB. At 7:30 he broke my water. This was different than with Cori as well. When they broke my water with Cori, nothing came out because her head was so low. This time, even though Finley was low as well, the water came out. It felt like a slow leek, but I finally know what that warm rushing feeling feels like. At the time he broke my water I was somewhere between 4-5 cm and 90% effaced. Making progress.

At 8:20 the Epidural was placed .. and I only had to get it once! HA! I actually had TWO epidurals with Cori. I was so thankful the first one worked this time. I was in NO pain when I got the epidural and it pretty much stayed that way the whole way through! Gotta love those epidurals!! I know I do! The only problem this time was that it made me SO itchy! From head to toe, I was ITCHY!!! Dave tried his best to scratch every place I asked him too, but finally, I had to ask for some Benadryl. It didn’t take ALL the itch away, but it certainly helped. So, with Pitocin in at 9 and Benadryl, I actually took a nap! It was glorious – especially because I didn’t sleep at all the night before!!

At 11:15 Dr. Duff came back to check on me and I was 8 cm and fully effaced. I had actually napped through part of transition! Duff went to check on another patient and came back to see me at 11:30. In all of 15 minutes, I was completely dilated and fully effaced! So, he rushed to change his clothes into scrubs, get everything set up for delivery, and at 11:45 am I started pushing. Even with the epidural, I had complete feeling in my legs (could hold them on my own), and I could tell when each contraction was coming. They didn’t hurt AT ALL, but I knew they were coming by the pressure I felt. I actually told our doctor when it was time to push rather than the other way around – and he was the one looking at the monitor telling him when a contraction began. … After 16 minutes of pushing, Finley Grace was born at 12:01 pm. They placed her on my chest right away and in that instant I was a mother of TWO. It was such a surreal feeling to hold another newborn baby on my chest for the second time. I loved every minute of it!!

She was 7lbs 14oz (just like Cori) and 20 inches long. We debated back and forth about whether or not she looks just like Cori. It still changes day by day, but she definitely resembles her sister. Here is a picture of each one of them on their first day of life – even though one has her eyes closed and one has eyes open. They are both so sweet.

Finley

Cori

A few hours after delivery we were able to move across the street to the nice mother/baby floor. It really is super nice over there! Lance and Lauren showed up with Cori and a few treats for us just as we were leaving our delivery room and heading across the street. Once we got settled over there it was time for Cori to meet her new sister. She looked a little confused and went from being interested in the baby to being disinterested within seconds. This process repeated itself pretty much the whole time they were visiting. She did hold Finley a few times and kiss her head, which was such a precious sight to see.

our first family picture – I just wish I had changed out of that hospital gown!!

We were released from the hospital Saturday at noon and made it home for lunch. Both of our parents were here to welcome us with Publix subs to eat. They were delicious!

 

So far so good at managing two kids. I’m SO thankful that my AMAZING husband is home with me for a few weeks. He has been such a big help and I appreciate him more than words can even express!! I LOVE my sweet family of 4!!

Until next time…

40 Weeks–almost!

I was given 3 different due dates for this pregnancy – June 30th, July 2nd, and July 5th. Absolute craziness, I know!! So, tomorrow marks 40 weeks according to the first due date given. I can’t believe it’s been that long!

I went to the OB yesterday for a regular check-up. We listened to Finley’s heartbeat, he measured the outside of my belly, and then checked my cervix. After a quick check, with a smile on his face, he said, “Well, would you like to have a baby on Friday?” Of course I want to have a baby!! And, the sooner, the better! :) I am 80% effaced and 4 cm dilated at the moment. So, if I don’t go into active labor on my own before Friday, we will be checking in to the hospital at 6 am to start Pitocin and get things rolling! My doctor assured me that she would be here by the early afternoon on Friday if that was the case. We couldn’t be more thrilled to meet our sweet new baby and are praying that all goes smoothly!!

We took our last belly shot last night and that sucker is HUGE!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 40 Weeks – tomorrow!!

Size of baby: She should be a little over 7lbs at the moment – but let’s hope not too much bigger!!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 28.5 lbs – man, that feels like a lot! But, it’s actually 1.5 lbs less than I gained with Cori.

Maternity Clothes: Still wearing maternity tanks from Target DAILY :) and maternity shorts. Gotta keep it comfortable in this HOT weather!

Gender: It's a girl!!! Finley Grace Smith

Movement: Little clusters of BIG movement – may have something to do with those contractions I’m having!

Sleep: HA! What sleep?!

What I miss: Being comfortable – plain and simple.

Cravings: It’s varied all throughout pregnancy. I did buy a new tub of ice cream yesterday. Cookies and Cream, here I come!

Symptoms: CRAZY heartburn!! I don’t remember it being this bad with Cori.

Best Moment this week: Hearing that we will definitely have a baby here by Friday. It’s nice to know a little bit of information rather than just having to wait it out!!

 

My belly looks like a bullet! But I do actually look more comfortable this time around – not sure if I feel more comfortable though!! One other funny side note – CB was born in December (notice the paleness of my skin), and Fin will be here in the middle of summer (loving the tan!!) It makes all that extra weight look a lot nicer. HA!

Please be in prayer for us as we have our second sweet girl – pray for a quick and easy delivery! And, for both mom and baby to come through healthy!! You can also pray for Cori as she becomes a big sis. I know she is going to be a GREAT one!

Beach Week 2011!

Every year the Smith clan travels over to Crescent Beach for a week. Every year more and more people come and this year it was literally a Smith Family reunion with about 30 people! The picture above is just of David’s immediate family. We took a picture of everyone, but not on our camera – hopefully we will get it soon though! It was so much fun – especially to see all the kids! Last year it was just Cori and her 2nd cousins, Elle & Taylee, who are just 1 day younger than her. But this year we had Cedar (5 yrs), Reed (2 yrs), Cori (18 mo), Elle & Taylee (18 mo), Taylor (6 mo), and Jona (2 wks). I wish I had taken a picture of all the kids together. They were a blast!!

This picture is one of my favorites from the week. We took it for Father’s day. All the son’s with their kids… and Joe with Jamie. I wish I had one with out CB’s finger up her nose, but every time we got the camera out that’s where her finger went! Go figure!!

Little Miss certainly LOVED the ocean!! You should have seen her! She was hysterical running into the waves and loved getting out there to swim! Those few days of swim lessons prior to our trip definitely paid off. We had a little fish out there! I can’t believe just how old she is getting. 18 months TODAY! Wow!! She is the oldest grandkid out of Dave’s immediate family and looking at her next to Taylor and Jona made me realize just how big she is. Little Miss Independent too! Here she is on the first day out in the water with her daddy. Just look at those BIG smiles!!

 

She even liked the sand – on most days anyway! :) Some days she wasn’t really into getting dirty and would have rather sat in a beach chair to relax, but there were a few days she was ALL about digging and getting dirty!

In this particular picture, CB and her daddy had just filled this bucket with sand. Cori decided she wanted to move it. She first attempted to pick it up by the handle, but it was too heavy. SO, she bent down and picked it up like this and carried it across the sand. So strong!!

Remember how I said she liked to lounge in the beach chairs on occasion. Here is my favorite beach chair picture! She was particularly fond of this green chair and would walk over to whoever was sitting in it and say, “Mo!” while waving her hand back and forth. That was her way of saying “no – get out of that chair! I want to sit in it!”

 

It’s tradition every year that we have a shrimp boil on the beach one of the nights we are there. This year was no different. I look forward to this evening of festivities from the first night we arrive. We cook up a bunch of shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes in a BIG pot on the beach and then it gets poured out onto a table where everyone fills their plate. It’s definitely a free for all and so much fun!!

Reed, Cedar, & Cori

Here are some more pictures of the kids together throughout the week. They were all so cute together!! Cori especially LOVED Cedar. She loves playing with older girls and really looks up to them in true amazement!

This is hysterical – Cedar was teaching all the girls how to apply lipstick! HA! :)

I found a picture of all the kids after all! :) Here they all are with their GREAT Grandparents!!

Here are a few more favorites from the week…

Lance and Lauren came to visit – we ALWAYS love visits from them!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the picture on the right of my sweet CB!! Those eyes are just gorgeous!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the week we finally got some family pictures taken. Finley is looking ready to pop!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cori Belle, Mommy, Daddy

We had such a great time being on vacation! Finley did her part and stayed in the womb for a bit longer so we could have some time to relax. Now, we are ready for her arrival! :) Can’t wait for next year when we will have TWO little girls running around at the beach!! Oh, what fun it will be!!

This little girl wore herself out!!

Until next time…