Sweetness

Today was murder. I am exhausted despite a helpful visit from my good friend Ruth and Dan's parents. Dan just left for work but I managed to get both girls asleep by 7:30...all by myself! I guess the saying is true: All's well that ends well! These sweet pictures remind me why it's all worth it! I think I need to peek at them again at 2 a.m. when both girls are AWAKE and want mommy! UGH!

Just a Stepping Stone

Today, I turn 30 years old. I have a million different feelings about this day, time, hour, moment in my life and although I am usually fairly good at putting my thoughts into words, I can't help but think of the lyrics from Alan Jackson's "Remember When" song. He seemed to say it much better: Remember when, thirty seemed so old. Now looking back, It's just a stepping stone To where we are, where we've been. Said we'd do it all again, Remember when. OK, so maybe 30 does still seem a little old to me but the stepping stone idea is true enough. I am thirty years old. I have a husband, two BEAUTIFUL and healthy daughters, a dog, a home, and a supportive and healthy community of family, church, and friends. Wow. I am so lucky. I mean, really. Really lucky. I couldn't ask for more. And I know this really is a stepping stone. God willing, I am only at the start of the path I look forward to: watching the girls grow up...Kate's first smile, "mama," footstep...Ellie's first goal in soccer, tying her shoes, reading a book...Dan and I continuing to plan and save for our goals and share them with our daughters....the girls trying out life as teenagers, learning "heartbreak" isn't forever, forming an inseparable friendship with each other... and so it goes. I am not going to feel too bad about being older today. Thank God for the opportunity! And I am especially grateful because I can still see all the wonderful places to come and do not regret any of the places I've been. Again, I am so blessed.

Some of Our Favorite Moments

love this shot

Ellie's first soccer practice

Visit from Uncle Jimbob

Ivy meets Kate

Visit with cousins Josh, Tracy and Baillie

Ellie's special ice cream date with Mommy and Daddy

Ellie helping Daddy clean the "vehicles"

Our beautiful Kate Elizabeth

My favorite photo of our daughters

Ready for ballet Mommy!

Home Sweet Home

Kate's Fan Club

Kate is Born!

Kate Elizabeth was born April 10, 2010! We are FINALLY home and I am going to do my best to share the highlights of our very intense but wonderful birth story. I woke up Saturday night at 1:37am because my water broke. Dan and I immediately called the hospital and got ready to go. I wasn't having contractions yet so we were fairly calm and didn't actually leave the house until 2:20. Once we got to the hospital, the contractions were strong but nothing I couldn't handle. By the time I was in a hospital gown and in the delivery room, the contractions were ridiculously tough and I started BEGGING for an epidural. In the next second, I had the worst contraction of my life, knew I had to push and could actually feel the head already crowning. I can't even relate the pain or fear I felt as I realized it was too late for any kind of pain relief. Apparently, I screamed some pretty fierce screams! I pushed Kate halfway out before the nurses even realized what was happening! They delivered her the rest of the way and I went into shock. THEN the doctor showed up! She was at the front desk, heard my screams, came in to help, and still was too late. That fast! So Kate was actually delivered by the nurses and fortunately there were no complications in the whole ordeal. Praise God! Kate was born 8 pounds, 1 ounce; 20 and 1/4 inches long at 3:37am. And all the while, Ellie was asleep so we didn't have to disrupt her routine at all. I have to say I LOVED how fast labor went and that I was so lucid (as was Kate) quickly after but I NEVER could have imagined that amount of pain. It was/is inexplicable. I cannot complain though! Dan and my sister Lisa were the most AMAZING labor coaches ever. I think if they had not been there, I can honestly say I might not have lived through the experience! Kate is perfect. She is so healthy...passed all tests with highest scores, has beautiful coloring, and eats, sleeps, and poops like a champ. :) So far, the verdict is that Kate has my eyes, furrowed brow, and hair (I had the same full head of dark hair when I was born) and round face, Dan's mouth and Ellie's nose. She is simply gorgeous....just like her big sister! A big thank you to everyone who came to visit or sent well wishes! Kate is really loved! I will share MANY more pics in days to come but for now, here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy!