Love is patient, love is kind. - 1 Corinthians

Monday, December 28, 2009

Kissing Cousins...update

So, I posted this pic earlier in my pregnancy saying that my cousin and I were pregnant together and that our babies were kissing... :)

Well, here are the two little guys. Lyric was born on November 20th and Emerson on December 5th... I think they will be buds!

Santa Emerson

David made sure to buy this outfit for Emerson so that he could wear it on Christmas. I personally think he's the cutest little Santa, ever!

In Grandpa Lloyds' arms

Without the binki

With the binki :)
Thank goodness for those things!!

Emerson's Birth Story

This is my entry about my birthing experience... no need to read if you are bored by that stuff... it's just for my journaling fun. :)

So, I went into work after a crappy night of sleeping on Friday, the 4th of December. I wore my slippers and a big sweater of David's because I just didn't feel like doing anything else special. I knew my due date was just two days away but I thought I was going to be pregnant forever. I had a meltdown at work and decided at 10am to just take the rest of the day off. I had already gotten a my membranes stripped and a pedicure earlier in the week and was now going to get a massage, anything to further the progress of this delivery. So, home I went... napped for a bit and then headed to my massage. It was WONDERFUL! But, still no contractions. David got off of work a little bit early and we walked around some stores, then headed to Salsa Ledos for a spicy Mexican burrito... another trick to get labor started. Then we walked around Winco as well. I was feeling the baby's weight down on my pelvis, but still no contractions. I got on the computer when I got home and wrote an email to someone at my church asking them to pray for patience for me as I was just sure this baby was never going to come. To my room I went and changed into my pj's... this was now 9:30pm. As soon as I laid down I felt some tightening in my stomach... what was that!? then a few mins later I felt it again... We immediately got out the stopwatch on David's phone and started to time them. 10 mins, 8 mins, 15 mins... nothing consistent. I fell asleep around midnight and woke up about 45mins later... no more contractions. So, I walked up and down the stairs a few times trying to get them started again... that worked. They started to get pretty consistent aroun 2am and by 2:30am we were in the car with our stuff and headed to the hospital. I was having them every 4 mins by then...this could be it!
There they checked me and I was still at a 2 and only 80% effaced, exactly what I was on that Monday at my Dr appt. So, they monitored me for an hour to see if anything would change. The contractions had now moved to my back and caused me so much pain I wasn't able to see straight during them. They said this was probably because the baby's head was up and not down. After an hour I prayed that they wouldn't send me home because I couldn't take too many more of those contractions. The Dr on call decided I should be admitted because i was making some small progress... and up to our room we were taken. I opted for an epidural almost immediately and felt so much better once that finally kicked in. SUPER STRANGE feeling to have your legs numb and not be able to move them no matter how you tried. But, I was no longer in so much pain. A few more hours of monitoring and I wasn't making huge progress. So, in went the Pitocin. We were expecting it to take hours for me to get to a 10 but it ended up being MUCH faster than that! I went from a 4 to a 9 in about 45 mins and was at a 10 not much longer after that. The nurse had checked and the baby was now head down and ready to come out!!
I started to push after about 30 mins at a 10 and they called the Dr to come after only 4 pushes, he was already crowning. Well... the Dr. was in an Emergency with someone else and couldn't come right away. No problem, I've got the Epidural, right?? Well that doesn't stop the feeling of pressure from his head on my pelvis. I was like that for an hour and the nurse finally paged the dr saying that if he didn't get there soon she was going to deliver the baby herself.
In the meantime, we knew that Emerson had had a BM in the womb and would need the care of the NICU right after delivery because they wanted to make sure none of that had gone into his lungs after his first breath. So, David knew he wouldn't be able to cut the umbilical cord for the sake of speed, from Dr to nurse. The NICU people were setting up their station and the Dr. station had already been set and each time the door opened I just prayed it was actually the Dr that would walk in. FINALLY, he showed up and got right to work. Thankfully my own Dr was on call for the weekend and was able to be there for us...even if he was a little bit behind.
I start to push a few times and in less than 30mins out came our perfectly beautiful little man! He breathed and started screaming right away, before getting to the NICU nurses. David went over and watched as they got him cleaned up and checked out. I was crying from relief, joy, fatigue, excitement... you name it! He was perfectly healthy, nothing wrong with his lungs, no need for further NICU support. He started to eat right away once they laid him on me and our lives as we knew it had changed forever.
David was so wonderful throughout the entire experience. He held my leg while I pushed (even while I wasn't cause he'd forget to put it down :) ) and got me whatever I needed/wanted. He stayed on that uncomfortable and cold bed each night as well. The next few days went by so fast and I remember people coming in out and checking me and Emerson all the time, but I hope I never forget the first time he looked up at me with those dark blue eyes... I cried because i was completely in love!!
One part of the process that I didn't care for at all was his circumcision. It was only the next morning and the pediatrician was there to check on him... she was available to do it right then and so off he and David went... I cried the entire time they were gone. Even had to call my mom to come and sit with me while we waited. I just didn't like giving my new little man away to go and have surgery. David said he did just fine and when they came back he wasn't crying at all, and hasn't been since the numbing shot went in. I do think we made a good decision to get it done, but to have it done so fast was very unnerving to this new mom!!
On our way home that Monday we stopped at the Pharmacy to fill my prescriptions. Turns out that my name wasn't written on my pain med one though... and the hospital couldn't have it filled over the phone. My Dr. office was closed for another for lunch and even then they could only call in the generic/less effective stuff. David was frantic to get it filled, while I was just frantic to get our son home finally. He did all the calling the talking with everyone to get me what I needed and finally I was out of pain later that afternoon. :)

The entire process of pregnancy and birth was amazing! I loved being pregnant and feeling his body move inside of me... even on that last day it was wonderful to still feel him. I was never too stick to work or do most things, I rested when I needed to and put on a healthy number of pounds, even though I would sometimes eat everything in sight! :) It was a beautiful experience being the pregnant woman, one I hope to repeat one day.
It's been three weeks now since Emerson David Lloyd has been in our lives/house and things are slowly coming together. I know he is healthy and happy and I'm getting more adjusted to my new sleep schedule. As Emerson eats every 2 hours there isn't a lot of down time. David has offered to give me whatever rest I need from breastfeeding on the weekends and weeknights before midnight, with formula. This has helped me get a few extra hours of rest in and it is a blessing. I love my husband so very much and he truly is a natural father! We've been learning that parenthood is hard and that we have to make sacrifices, but we both understand how much it is truly worth it! I'm amazed that I'm actually a mom sometimes, but am so happy that I am, I can't even explain it!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Family Christmas Photos

Our happy little family

I love those lips and sweet little nose!

My sisters and I

Ian, the Big Cousin...holding him for the first time.

We had family photos taken a couple nights ago for Christmas cards. These are a few of them. I'll post one of the whole family and soon as it is sent to me. I think little Emerson did a pretty good job for only being 10 days old and the constant flash of the camera in his face. He must have gotten used to it while being in the hospital as cameras/flashes were going off all the time :)

Saturday, December 12, 2009

HE IS HERE!


Emerson David Lloyd
Born December 5, 2009 at 1:16pm
7lb 15.5 oz (Hospital rounded it up to 8lbs though)
22 inches long
Dark hair, and a lot of it!

He is doing great and I can't believe it's been a week already. I was right on my belly guess, as I went into labor on the 4th around 9:30pm. We were at the hospital by 3am and pushing by noon. He came out pretty easily and without too many complications... yay! NICU was there to suck out his throat and stuff since had a bm in the womb. Cord was around his neck, but all said and done he was perfectly healthy!! He eats about every 2 hours so there isn't much rest, but he is totally worth it and we are having so much fun being new parents to this little angel.
I'll post some pics soon. He has David's nose and hair line for sure. A lot of people think he looks like me too though. We just think he's the CUTEST LITTLE BOY EVER!

Taken today, as he was napping. He loves to have his fingers next to his face.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Belly Pictures

Since baby Emerson is almost due I thought I'd share the pics that we took of my belly a couple of weeks ago... As you can see from our guesses David didn't win. I hope that I do though! :)











Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Update on Life

So, I haven't written on here for a while so I thought I'd give you all an update. I'm currently at 38 weeks and everything is looking pretty good. Dr. thinks I'll deliver a bit before my due date, so I'm hopeful of that. I have energy throughout the day but crash at night, I think that is normal. I haven't "dropped" a lot though so I think it will be at least a week before he makes his arrival.
We have had some AMAZING baby showers and feel so spoiled and blessed with all the gifts and love that we have received. Below are some pictures of the gatherings.
Also, the nursery has finally been completed. I worked on Emerson's name blocks this weekend with my friend Heather. It turned out AWESOME! She and her mom did a lot of the prep work and I just had to put them all together. I can't thank them enough for helping me create something cute! I'll post some pics of that as soon as it's on the wall... this weekend.
Thanksgiving is coming up and we plan to spend it with our families. I can't wait to eat the yummy food and then flip through the ads for Friday. I doubt I will be headed out for shopping early that morning, even though I'm sure a bathroom run will wake me up early enough. :) It's just fun to browse and dream about getting new things. Really though, all I want for Christmas this year though is my little man to be healthy and happy... and in my arms.
David has been so great and can't wait to be a dad either! We started on packing my hospital bag last night and he made sure to Lysol the bag so that it was clean enough for Emerson's stuff as well. He does all the heavy work, cooks most nights and treats me like a princess...what more could I want? I really couldn't ask for a sweeter husband or father for my child.


More Shower pictures, as promised.

First set is from the Lloyd family...



Sara and my Mother-In-Law, Rosemary.

My Church threw this shower for me...
"Tower of Sin" as it was dubbed... VERY yummy treats!

Our work threw this shower for my Cousin Brooklynn and I... our boys will be twinners :)


And finally, this is the diaper cake that David's co-worker made for us. They did throw us a shower, but I didn't have a camera there :(

Monday, November 9, 2009

Finished Tree Mural

So, we finally have the finished tree mural up in the nursery! Our friend, Chad, did an amazing job! We can't wait to get the rest of the items into their places and then bring our baby home.

This is Chad...our muralist
Chad and his wife Joslyn on week two
Final mural!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Kissing Cousins

This is my cousin Brooklynn who is actually due on the same exact day as me... December 6th. Since this is her second baby though she will probably go before me. We thought it would be fun to have a pic that compared our expanding bellies and since they touched our babies are "kissing", hehe! It's going to be so fun to have to have TWO newborn boys in the family!

First Baby Shower

A few weeks ago I had my first baby shower with my girlfriends. It was a lot of fun! Kristina threw it for me and made very yummy pork sandwiches. I got some great things as well... diapers, clothes, burp clothes, toys, etc. Thanks to all of those that could make it and for the fun presents!




Monday, October 26, 2009

Nursery Update


Ok, with only 6 weeks left in this pregnancy (give or take) I'm getting really anxious. So, to see this mural get started this weekend was such a happy day for me! Our super talented friend, Chad, is doing all the work and we just sit back and smile with enjoyment. There will be monkeys and leaves all around the tree by next week, so it will look even more amazing. The crib will be going right in the middle of the wall, so the tree is just off to the left of it.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Worried, Excited, Worried, Excited...

That's pretty much how my days go now... it's a a circle of emotions between being worried and being excited. With just 7 and half weeks left it's becoming all the more real that we will bring home our little guy and forever our lives will be changed... hence the excitement. But then I look at what that will really mean and I get totally freaked out sometimes...bring on being worried!
We are starting a 6 week long birthing class tonight and I hope that prepares us more for the upcoming events... as I've never done this giving birth thing before. :) I'm really excited that we will be taking the classes with two of our friends who are due just a few days after us. It should be interesting and hopefully fun for us all.
I'm worried that I will be off work for 8 weeks and what that will mean for my team and the transition of everything before I go and after I come back. I'm even more worried because we don't have child care set up for after I do return to work. (If you know of anyone in the West Jordan area that would be a good care provider, please send me their contact info.)
I'm excited to have our nursery finished. We have a friend coming over to paint a large tree and some monkeys on one of the walls and I can't wait! It's going to look so cute in his monkey-themed room.
I'm worried about how that 8 weeks will go and if I'll be a good mom or not. I worry about making all the decisions for someone that is so tiny and will totally depend on David and I to care for him.
I'm worried about the H1N1 flu and whether I should get vaccinated or not. I keep going from saying yes, to saying I'll wait a bit. But I'm not completely sure of what is right and that kind of freaks me out.
I'm super excited for all the baby showers to start and the fun gifts that we will receive. I have my first one on Saturday and can't wait to see old friends and catch up on our lives. Thank you Kris for throwing the shower for me!

So, that's my life right now... I don't think I'm super worried about too many things, just the logistics of everything and I'm sure most new moms are like that, right?!?
I am bursting with excitement to actually hold him in my arms and look into his face though, and that's what gets me through all the rougher times.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

New Belly Pics

Ok, here are some updated belly pics that were taken yesterday... I'm 31 weeks and 4 days along and that means only 8 and a half more to go!! I am starting to get kind of nervous, but still really excited. My belly is getting tighter and tighter but that just means he is growing. Our doctor appointment this week went really well... just a normal-nothing-too-exciting-here pregnancy. But that's exactly the kind me, David and our Dr. wanted us to have. We're praying that things continue on that track.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Ian

This is my sweet little nephew that is 5 and this is his preschool picture. Isn't he cute?! I couldn't NOT share... :)

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Getting Rounder

So I'm feeling quite round these days. My belly is beautiful and I love that my child continues to grow, as I do. He's letting me know he's there all the time with his butt, head, foot and whatever else he decides to use. His favorite is jamming what I believe to be his foot right into my rib cage. That feels great while I'm sitting down! :) With only 9 more weeks left though I'm sure the jabs and body rolls will only get more prominent.
We are still working on the nursery and hope to have it completed pretty soon. Monkey theme will soon take over in that space and I can't wait! But, I'm even more excited about our little guys arrival... it's coming up so fast now I hope we can get everything we need ready. Baby showers are starting to be planned, so that is exciting as well. We've registered and looked at every baby item and tried making the best decisions but WOW, there is a lot of stuff out there!
It's nice to know that the truly most important items needed are love, warm hugs and kisses for our son... these of which, we have an abundance of and can't wait to share them with him!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Nursery Update

So, we have been working on the nursery lately and it's coming along quite well! Today was painting day since we worked for the past two weeks cleaning it out and getting it ready. It was a lot of work, but now here I am at 10pm writing about and ready for sleep at the same time. I'll just post some pics to tell the story of the prep/painting...

David working really hard on installing a new ceiling fan...

It worked!!
New ceiling paint... up next was to get rid of the butterscotch color
And we did it... two walls are the color on the left and the other two walls are the darker color.