On Tuesday, May 24th, after a long day before of your birthday you big sister finally came to meet you.
Her initial reaction was exactly what daddy and I could ever have hoped for. She squealed with joy and excitement saying, "Baby!" And she wanted to hold you right away, she reached out her sweet, two-year-old arms for her baby sister. We all gathered on the hospital bed, where Halen could hold you and she was so happy. Later she held you again on the couch and wanted to see your "toesies" and when you started to cry she said, "What happened baby?" Halen is so nurturing and so excited to have you as part of our family.
She wore her pink Big Sister scrubs to come meet you, they were darling. She even got upset with me when I had to hold her and feed you. Halen would lift her shirt and say, "My milk." So so sweet.
You two will be the best of friends and I am absolutely honored to facilitate and help nurture that precious relationship.
We love you Henley!
Friday, May 27, 2016
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Your birth story
My beauty, Henley...this is your birth story. I woke up on Monday, May 23rd and knew we were closer to meeting you, but I wasn't sure how close. This was a pretty big indicator to me that your arrival was imminent. I started paying closer attention to my body, a few hours later I felt contractions starting. We started timing them on your daddy's phone. Daddy went to work to tie up a few loose ends, and was back quickly. We showed our house to a potential renter. Then decided to go ahead and drive to Castle Rock to spend the day, just so we were close to the hospital. Daddy stopped to get me an egg sandwich and some yummy blueberry bread from Kneaders, then we went to the hospital. We just hung out in the lobby and I walked around. I knew that since contractions started, if I wanted things to progress I needed to keep moving. We were in contact with Aunt Sharon, our cousin, to watch Halen so we could focus.
Around 11 we went to the doctor's office next to the hospital to get checked, I was 4 cm and 80% effaced, because I was Group Beta Strep+ they wanted me to stay close to the hospital. So we went and had lunch altogether, and then Halen fell asleep on daddy. I kept walking around, I found a loop in the hospital and kept walking it. Finally close to 2 p.m. Aunt Sharon came to pick up Halen, we gave your big sister lots of love and kisses, knowing the next time we'd see her, she'd be a big sister.
Then it was time to focus. We put some of our bags behind the hospital check in desk and walked the hospital loop. We ended up walking 6 miles altogether. Daddy would time the contractions and for most of them I'd have to stop and hold on to daddy, breathe and focus. Finally, close to 4 p.m. my contractions were about 4 minutes apart for 45 seconds-1 minute long. So we called our midwife and they said to go ahead and get checked in to labor and delivery. We finally got wheeled up to our room, and a really nice nurse checked me, I was about 4-5 cm. Then she decided to see if my water had broken at all. So she did this test where it a swab gathers liquid to see if it's amniotic fluid. The test came back positive, so there was a small tear in your amniotic sack. So we were there to stay. Since I was GBS+ they needed to administer antibiotics at least four
hours before you were born, so they got those started around 5. I experienced intense contractions in the bed, and daddy ran down to get the rest of our bags out of the car before things got too hectic. I really had to focus. Then once the antibiotics were done, I got unhooked and decided to bounce on the birthing ball. Daddy took a picture of my belly in my robe with the wireless monitors for your heartbeat and my contractions. Then we removed those and tried to relax. We turned on Big Bang Theory to help ease the tension. I really liked the birth ball. Every time I'd have an intense contraction I would lock eyes with your daddy and he'd tell me to relax, to breathe and I could do this. Daddy carried me through your birth. I knew I could do this, I wanted to do this, but it is so incredibly hard when you're actually going through it. Having your daddy as a solid, confident, unwavering birth partner was a huge part of my success.
Our midwife arrived right before 7 p.m. and we talked about what I was feeling, I told her it felt as if my contractions were really close together. And I am a numbers person, I am very goal-oriented, so I decided to get checked so I knew where my body was. As soon as our midwife checked my cervix, which was at 8 cm at this point, the rest of my water broke and just rushed out. It was wild. From there contractions really increased in intensity and became even closer together. I told your daddy I would have you that night and the midwife guessed I'd have you in about 30 minutes, which is exactly what I needed to hear to motivate me. I hung on to your daddy for some contractions and I started to feel pressure. The nurse brought in the birthing stool, and finally I sat down on that. Your daddy sat down in front of me and held my hands and locked eyes with me through each contraction. Every single contraction there was a second or two where I didn't think I could do it, but every time your daddy would tell me how strong I was and how great I was doing. Breathing and focusing and not letting negativity creep in is the only way I made it without medication.
At one point I felt the urge to push, so I started pushing, it started to really hurt. I felt the ring of fire, and the midwife, on her hands and knees on the ground, kept reassuring me that you were coming down the birth canal, and then the next push she could see a small crown of your head, and then the next push I pushed too hard and she told me to do half a push and your head came out and then the next push was the rest of your precious body. I reached down and grabbed you and pulled you out of me, onto my chest at 7:21 p.m. I was so elated that you were finally here and overwhelmed at what I just accomplished. As soon as you were out, I wanted to be in the bed.
So we moved there and I just rubbed your back and kissed you all over. You were covered in fabulous vernix caseoa, it was so thick and I left it be, wanting it to soak into your darling skin. You had dark, wavy
hair and I even checked to make sure you were a girl. Our Henley Charlevoix had finally arrived! Daddy and I were beside ourselves. At one point, I handed you to daddy so he could hold you skin to skin and I delivered the placenta and got stitched up. You were weighed at 8 lbs 9 ounces and measured 20 1/4 inches long. Your head was perfectly round, small and perfect. Daddy handed you back to me and we started to finally slow down.
I birthed you exactly how I envisioned, the nursing staff and midwives were fluent on our natural birth plan and completely supportive. It was an incredible, raw, real journey. I felt all the feels. I am so happy. We are both healthy and now we get to start a new version of life together. I love you more than every star in the Rocky Mountain sky and more than every grain of sand on the Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan.
Welcome Henley Charlevoix, we're honored to have you.
Love,
Mommy
Around 11 we went to the doctor's office next to the hospital to get checked, I was 4 cm and 80% effaced, because I was Group Beta Strep+ they wanted me to stay close to the hospital. So we went and had lunch altogether, and then Halen fell asleep on daddy. I kept walking around, I found a loop in the hospital and kept walking it. Finally close to 2 p.m. Aunt Sharon came to pick up Halen, we gave your big sister lots of love and kisses, knowing the next time we'd see her, she'd be a big sister.
Then it was time to focus. We put some of our bags behind the hospital check in desk and walked the hospital loop. We ended up walking 6 miles altogether. Daddy would time the contractions and for most of them I'd have to stop and hold on to daddy, breathe and focus. Finally, close to 4 p.m. my contractions were about 4 minutes apart for 45 seconds-1 minute long. So we called our midwife and they said to go ahead and get checked in to labor and delivery. We finally got wheeled up to our room, and a really nice nurse checked me, I was about 4-5 cm. Then she decided to see if my water had broken at all. So she did this test where it a swab gathers liquid to see if it's amniotic fluid. The test came back positive, so there was a small tear in your amniotic sack. So we were there to stay. Since I was GBS+ they needed to administer antibiotics at least four
hours before you were born, so they got those started around 5. I experienced intense contractions in the bed, and daddy ran down to get the rest of our bags out of the car before things got too hectic. I really had to focus. Then once the antibiotics were done, I got unhooked and decided to bounce on the birthing ball. Daddy took a picture of my belly in my robe with the wireless monitors for your heartbeat and my contractions. Then we removed those and tried to relax. We turned on Big Bang Theory to help ease the tension. I really liked the birth ball. Every time I'd have an intense contraction I would lock eyes with your daddy and he'd tell me to relax, to breathe and I could do this. Daddy carried me through your birth. I knew I could do this, I wanted to do this, but it is so incredibly hard when you're actually going through it. Having your daddy as a solid, confident, unwavering birth partner was a huge part of my success. Our midwife arrived right before 7 p.m. and we talked about what I was feeling, I told her it felt as if my contractions were really close together. And I am a numbers person, I am very goal-oriented, so I decided to get checked so I knew where my body was. As soon as our midwife checked my cervix, which was at 8 cm at this point, the rest of my water broke and just rushed out. It was wild. From there contractions really increased in intensity and became even closer together. I told your daddy I would have you that night and the midwife guessed I'd have you in about 30 minutes, which is exactly what I needed to hear to motivate me. I hung on to your daddy for some contractions and I started to feel pressure. The nurse brought in the birthing stool, and finally I sat down on that. Your daddy sat down in front of me and held my hands and locked eyes with me through each contraction. Every single contraction there was a second or two where I didn't think I could do it, but every time your daddy would tell me how strong I was and how great I was doing. Breathing and focusing and not letting negativity creep in is the only way I made it without medication.
At one point I felt the urge to push, so I started pushing, it started to really hurt. I felt the ring of fire, and the midwife, on her hands and knees on the ground, kept reassuring me that you were coming down the birth canal, and then the next push she could see a small crown of your head, and then the next push I pushed too hard and she told me to do half a push and your head came out and then the next push was the rest of your precious body. I reached down and grabbed you and pulled you out of me, onto my chest at 7:21 p.m. I was so elated that you were finally here and overwhelmed at what I just accomplished. As soon as you were out, I wanted to be in the bed.
So we moved there and I just rubbed your back and kissed you all over. You were covered in fabulous vernix caseoa, it was so thick and I left it be, wanting it to soak into your darling skin. You had dark, wavy
I birthed you exactly how I envisioned, the nursing staff and midwives were fluent on our natural birth plan and completely supportive. It was an incredible, raw, real journey. I felt all the feels. I am so happy. We are both healthy and now we get to start a new version of life together. I love you more than every star in the Rocky Mountain sky and more than every grain of sand on the Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan.
Welcome Henley Charlevoix, we're honored to have you.
Love,
Mommy
Saturday, May 14, 2016
“When you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change.” ~Marie Mongan
My beauty Henley,
I am 37 weeks 2 days pregnant with you and this is about the time when everything becomes very real. At any moment you could decide that you are ready to enter our world. And I have to tell you, I am really excited.
I am looking forward to the whole process. I loved your older sister's birth and know I'll love yours as well. I know I am different than the rest when I say I look forward to a natural, unmedicated birth...but in all honesty I do. I fully embrace the entire journey beginning to birth. Something about bringing a baby, my baby into the world gives me so much joy that I don't want to miss anything. I like to feel, I want to feel the process. I like to know that my body was made to not only build your precious body, but made to birth it as well. I don't want to be numb or altered when you arrive.
Our plan is to deliver you at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, about 22 minutes from our house. I have your hospital bag packed and Halen's big sister bag packed. Aunt Sharon and Uncle Kurt will watch Halen while we go to the hospital to deliver you. Your YaYa arrives May 28th for a week. Daddy thinks you'll arrive May 25th, my guess was June 1st. But I am ready for you to come earlier.
Now that I've been through your sister's birth, I know what my body can handle and I'm so ready for your birthday. I have made my essential oil roll-ons to help with labor, pain, delivery, for your anointing, and postpartum. I told the midwife I want to pull you out, and have daddy help catch you. I remember being able to feel your sister's hair as she was emerging and I loved it.
I know I'll go into my zone and breathe, change positions, your daddy is awesome at helping during birth. And I really hope YaYa can be there. She held my leg when your sister was born and it was such a special experience for both her and I.
I'm ready for it all Henley. I'm ready for the pain to know that you're on your way, I'm ready to focus, I'm ready to push, I'm ready to feel your body on my chest, to kiss you and finally see your face. And I am [cannot find words] ready for you to meet your big sister. When I get to finally hold my two girls at once, will be one of the greatest days of my life.
It's almost time precious one. Praying for healthy, safe, awesome delivery.
I love you so.
Love,
Mommy
I am 37 weeks 2 days pregnant with you and this is about the time when everything becomes very real. At any moment you could decide that you are ready to enter our world. And I have to tell you, I am really excited.
I am looking forward to the whole process. I loved your older sister's birth and know I'll love yours as well. I know I am different than the rest when I say I look forward to a natural, unmedicated birth...but in all honesty I do. I fully embrace the entire journey beginning to birth. Something about bringing a baby, my baby into the world gives me so much joy that I don't want to miss anything. I like to feel, I want to feel the process. I like to know that my body was made to not only build your precious body, but made to birth it as well. I don't want to be numb or altered when you arrive.
Our plan is to deliver you at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital, about 22 minutes from our house. I have your hospital bag packed and Halen's big sister bag packed. Aunt Sharon and Uncle Kurt will watch Halen while we go to the hospital to deliver you. Your YaYa arrives May 28th for a week. Daddy thinks you'll arrive May 25th, my guess was June 1st. But I am ready for you to come earlier.
Now that I've been through your sister's birth, I know what my body can handle and I'm so ready for your birthday. I have made my essential oil roll-ons to help with labor, pain, delivery, for your anointing, and postpartum. I told the midwife I want to pull you out, and have daddy help catch you. I remember being able to feel your sister's hair as she was emerging and I loved it.
I know I'll go into my zone and breathe, change positions, your daddy is awesome at helping during birth. And I really hope YaYa can be there. She held my leg when your sister was born and it was such a special experience for both her and I.
I'm ready for it all Henley. I'm ready for the pain to know that you're on your way, I'm ready to focus, I'm ready to push, I'm ready to feel your body on my chest, to kiss you and finally see your face. And I am [cannot find words] ready for you to meet your big sister. When I get to finally hold my two girls at once, will be one of the greatest days of my life.
It's almost time precious one. Praying for healthy, safe, awesome delivery.
I love you so.
Love,
Mommy
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Baby Sprinkle
Hello my beauty! We celebrated your upcoming arrival on April 23rd at Lauren Reese's house for a baby sprinkle! It was so much fun! It was based around brunch, and so many came including: Kiki, Lariel, Aunt Sharon, Kenzie, Aunt Marilyn, Keziah, Theresa, Ashley Chambless (from mommy's bible study) and many more.
We are delicious food of French toast, a casserole, yummy fruit and dip plus mimosas! Everyone guessed when you'd be born and how much you'd weigh. We opened presents, you got some adorable clothes, a summer carrier so mommy can take you in the pool with your active sister. You got a frame to commemorate each month of your first year of life, diapers (hurray!), a cross for your room, your scripture, a beautiful sign with your name on it, precious headbands, sheets for your crib, a Koala bear hooded towel, and sweet bibs.
It was so nice to take time and celebrate you. The cake was so beautiful! Pink hombre with lemon and raspberry. Very sweet of Lauren.
Then the next week my women's bible study through a small baby sprinkle to celebrate you! Everyone brought some appetizers or dessert. Then we played some fun games like tasting baby food and drinking water fast out of a bottle. Haha! You received more cute clothes, diapers, and toys. We all prayed over you. It was so special.
I am 36 weeks tomorrow! Daddy thinks you'll come May 25th, I guess June 1st. I just want you to fine while YaYa is here! She comes May 28-June 4th to help. Your heart rate is 135 and you're head down. Ready to go! Halen loves helping at all your appointments, she holds the tape measurer and the heart beat monitor in my belly (and hers). She makes the appointments eventful!
We're so excited to meet you Henley Charlevoix!!! We pray for your growth, health and a safe delivery.
Love,
Mommy
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