The days after

Its funny how life changes with two kids.  When Ava was born we adjusted our lives around her.  I noticed with Liam we just kind of threw him in the mix of things and didn't adjust much.  For example with Ava I am pretty sure she didn't go out of the house for days (other than doctors appointments).  Poor Liam got ran around everywhere.  Ava started her 4 year Preschool in August.  I had to get him out daily to take her and pick her up.  We got in a schedule and it just worked.

Ava loves her baby brother.  She wants to feed him (or as she calls it drink him).  She doesn't want to change diapers but she gets a chair and watches me do it.  The first few months she wouldn't leave the house or my side.  She was afraid I think she would miss something.  We made her feel very involved.  There were days she didn't even want to go to Nanas and play or go have fun.  I have to watch her though.  She can't keep her hands off of him.

Liam is a good baby.  He sleeps good and when he does cry his cry is so soft.  He started off eating every 3-4 hours.

Her first day of 4 Year old Preschool

Ava loves school this year.  She doesn't dread it or cry anymore.  Its amazing!!  She begs to go and really does enjoy it.  Its wonderful knowing she loves it.

Liam went to his first Church Service in August.

He is One Month

He is 2 Months

He had his 2 month check up in September.  Of course he had to get shots. :(

He weighed 11 lbs and was doing great.

Liam Jude Estes

Liam Jude Estes was born on July 27, 2013 at 1:57 PM.  He weighed 7 lbs and was 19 inches long.

So Liam's birth story:     Beware its long. 

I went to my doctors appointment on Thursday July 25th (his due date).  Ava was born at 39 weeks and a few days, so I was expecting to go into labor with him earlier too.  NO.  Every checkup there was no real progress but no problems either.  That I am thankful for.

Here is a pic of me before my last doctors appointment.  July 25th.  (40 weeks)

At that doctors appointment there was again no change. I was really disappointed because at that point you are just ready to have the kid already!!!!!  I was secretly hoping in a way the doctor would send me on to the hospital.  Now I really didn't want to be induced. I wanted my body to start doing its thing on its own.  BUT I was just SO ready to have him.  OH well after that doctor's appointment me and Adam went to Olive Garden and I pigged out.  I was depressed, huge, and miserable.  So I found comfort in one of my favorite restaurants.  

Did I forget to mention I had been walking too?  I am a firm believer in walking to start labor naturally.  So I was taking walks pretty much every night I could feel like it.  Even in the dead heat of summer :(  So through the night Friday I started having some contractions.  I even woke up and started timing them at one point.  They weren't consistent.  I called into work Friday morning. I didn't get much sleep and my contractions were starting up again.  I walked and walked and walked Friday.  I mean outside, laps around the living room, etc.    At one point Ava looked at me and was like "Why are you walking laps?"  Good question honey.  I am going crazy trying to get this baby to be ready to come out.  The whole day passed and no baby. :(  I was like great.   At this point I was ready...meaning everyone bags were packed and ready to go. I was trying to constantly keep all laundry done, and the house clean so we could rush out the door.  Hopefully returning with a baby.  We had a good dinner that night (Captain D's if I remember right).  Ok, its not Olive Garden but our town doesn't have much to offer.  I got a good shower and washed my hair and all that good business.  Yes women I know you understand the importance of having yourself all "ready".  So I settle in for a uneventful night.  I started having contractions at 9pm (why do they always start at night).  I start timing them and they are every 5-8 minutes.  I walk.....again.  I continued having steady stronger contractions for 2 solid hours.  At that point other things were starting and I decided to just go on to the hospital.   So mom came to the house and we left.  It was a hot humid summer night.  I remember being so nervous on the ride down with Ava.  I wasn't so much this time.  We got there and checked in around 12.  They got me hooked up and checked.  I was dilated to 2-3.   REALLY?  I thought I was at least a 4.  I labored for a few more hours more before I asked for my epidural.  I really asked for it to rest.  My pain wasn't that bad.  Plus I knew by the time I asked for it, it would take another 45 minutes to an hour to get it all done.  The nurse that done my IV was not good.  I told her I am a passer outer :)  She gave me a cold wash cloth and I needed it.  She didn't get my vein right and took it out then back in.  Adam says there was a lot of blood.  I didn't look.  I almost passed out then...She had to change my sheets and stuff she got so much blood on everything.  So onto the epidural.  The guy came in and got me all ready for it.  Well my body was shaking a lot. I do that in labor so I was trying to settle it down and stop.  He got the epidural in and it wasn't painful at all.  She laid me flat for the epidural to move to my legs.  I felt very weird and sick so I spoke up.  My blood pressure had bottomed out.  I was trying to just pray and concentrate.  By the time she did whatever she was suppose to I was already feeling better.  Thank you God!!  Adam said it dropped pretty low.  Adam loved to watch the monitor.  He would say, "Are you having a contraction?  Wow, that's a pretty bad one!"  Ok, Adam I don't need a play by play.  I feel it.  But then the epidural set in and everything was right in the world!  I think I got the epidural around 4am.  The night shift nurse left and another one came in I guess at 7.  I LOVED her.  She was great!!!!  Of course my doctor wasn't on call so I saw one of the doctors I had never even met.  He was great though and I was pleased.  The doctor came in and thought I would have him before lunch.  So that made me feel excited and hopeful.  This is where I always get in labor.  My body starts on its own and gets going then either just stops progressing or is super slow.  I did that with Ava too.  So time rocked on and slow progress.  He came back in and broke my water later in the day.  I didn't want to be put on pitocin, but the nurse ended up giving it to me in a low dose.  I was only on it a little while.  My progress still wasn't the best so the nurses came in to put me in the "Pregnancy Wedge".   I did this with Ava and dilated VERY quick.  I am not really sure the logic behind it but it works people.  Its almost like a twisting of your body and laying on your side with pillows wedged.  I am a FIRM believer in it.  So within about 15-20 minutes I told Adam to page the nurse.  I knew I was ready and I WAS!!!  Whooaaa.  So the doctor came in and everybody got set up.  I was prepared to labor a while because it took an hour and half with Ava.  We got started pushing and after a few minutes my heart rate and his went up.  They put me on some oxygen and I was VERY confused what was going on.  Really I think they just were being cautious.  Mom was worried I couldn't push because I was so tired and hungry.  Everyone that knows me knows I have low blood sugar and I eat every few hours.  I had ate supper at 7pm or so Friday night and it was almost 2pm on Saturday.  I had really had no sleep too!  BUT this labor was so different than with Ava. The doctor also told me the hair was dark :)  Of course the big joke is "Is it red?"  I pushed maybe 20 minutes and he was born.  I was overjoyed and so relieved.  He was finally here and healthy!!  Thank you Lord!!  They let me hold him and I couldn't believe I had another baby :)  They let Ava do his bath.  It was so sweet.  She wasn't sure about him at first.  I am sure she felt she was going to hurt him.  I mean, they are so tiny you just think they will break.   They let me nurse him while we waited to get all ready to be moved.  The doctor and nurses got me all cleaned and ready to be moved to the room.

My dad with Liam

Ava (Big Sis) with Liam

My mom and Aunt with Ava and Liam

Me and my first baby

My two blessings

She is checking him out

Our New family

A proud and overjoyed daddy

Ava giving Liam his first bath

Dressed up :)

Going Home

Going home outfit

Liam's Baby Shower and Belly shots

My sweet friends gave us a baby shower for Liam.   I got a lot.  You can never get enough diapers, wipes and sleepers.

And here are some belly shots.

32 weeks

34 weeks

36 weeks I think

37 weeks

39 weeks

July 22....3 days before Due date

Our New Family

We have a new family since I last posted back in April.   Things have been busy and chaotic and sadly I let this blog fall to the wayside.  I vow to do better because I want to document all these wonderful times and memories.

So lets go back in time......

May..Ava finished her 3 year preschool year.  The weekend after school was out we took a beach trip.  It was the last trip we were a family of 3.  We had a good time.  Ava again didn't care for the beach and ocean.  She loved the pool.  She swam the entire length of the pool with floaties....that's a big accomplishment for her.   I wore out quickly walking in that sand and the heat.  It was nice the time I got to rest though.

Just a few belly shots :)

"Graduation night"

Last day of school

Beach fun.

Catch up

I know I am sooo behind.....

So here is a brief catch up.  Ava had her 4th birthday in March.  She is growing and changing so much.  I love her little spunky personality even though daily I am praying for the Lord to help me deal with her.  She is so full of energy and spunk.  I love it though.  Everyone has reminded me how much she was like me as a child.

Her birthday was at Chuck E Cheese (thanks to my parents who planted that thought in her head).  

For her actual birthday we went to Chattanooga and she had her first manicure :)

At school she did a Trike-a-thon for St. Jude.  It was very cold that day.

Easter rolled around early this year........

They had an Egg hunt at school too.

She found the prize egg.....$5

Daddy had to work :(

She had her 4 year checkup.  I have to just brag right here.  I was expecting full on melt down.  She didn't cry one tear and she had 4 shots.  I was in shock.  I almost got emotional thinking how much she was growing up.  Yeah, PG hormones I am sure.  She did great though!!!!!  She is right on track with weight and height and doing great.

So she got to go in Build a Bear and the cookie store.  Yes I give gifts after the doctor.  I feel guilty for putting her through it even though I know its necessary.

So proud of my little 4 year old!!