Saturday, May 23, 2009

Video of Alex's very first moments...



Video compliments of Aaron... :) (Seconds after his birth)

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Baby Day update 3

SOOO sorry for the lack of updates. We had him at 12:35 PM. VERY quick & very easy. God is so good. I was 4-5 centimeters sometime between 11:00-11:30 AM. That gives you an idea of how quickly things went. They gave me Phenegren for nausea around 11:30...that knocked me out until about 1/2 hour ago. Anyways...Alex is perfect. 8lbs 5oz. 21 inches long. Pictures to come later. I'm so blessed!!!

Baby Day Update 2

Baby Day Update 2: The epidural is in place. When I get uncomfortable, they just have to turn it on. My water has been broken, and the contractions have started. We're having an entire Ashlock family party up here. :) I've even gotten some snuggling time in with Emily. By the way...I'm feeling so much more calm at peace. God is soooo good! Thanks for the prayers. (Pictures at the end of the day...)

Baby Day Update...1

We're here at the hospital. After 3 vein attempts, the IV and Pitocin are finally started. God bless the 2nd nurse who got it almost painlessly. :) Other than Aaron dumping my ice chips in my lap, things are going well. :) Please pray....I"m nervous. :)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Tomorrow's the Day! :)

Tomorrow's the day!!!! This time tomorrow night I'll be loving on my sweet baby boy. We're excited...and nervous. The house is clean. The laundry is done. The groceries are bought. The legs are shaved. The toenails are painted. Emily's in great hands, and I enjoyed a wonderful date with my hubby tonight. I think we are as ready as we possibly can be.

We have to be at the hospital at 5:30 AM. We're pretty sure they have wi-fi. It is my *intent* to update my blog and facebook through out the day. We'll give it our best shot. Probably depends on how good the epidural is... :)

Thanks in advance for all your prayers. I appreciate them more than you could ever know. If you could especially pray for peace and calm despite the pain, that would be helpful. Aaron thinks I'm already in early labor...I personally just think it's nerves. :)

I'm off to make an attempt at sleeping. If I can't sleep, I'll just enjoy the final moments of my wiggly baby squirming in my tummy. I'm going to miss that feeling...

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Marcy

I have a friend named Marcy. This girl is one of the best friends God could have ever given me. Despite living several states away for several years, we still have a very special relationship that I'm SOOOO thankful for.

I'm told Marcy checks this blog...quite often. Her husband apparently "catches" her from time to time.

Marcy, this post is just for you. The next time Richard "catches" you...show him this. :)

"25 Reasons Why I'm Thankful For A Friend Like You"

1. You understand the importance of "Old El Paso" taco seasoning...at midnight.
2. You know too well that camping and trains do NOT mix well.
3. "Father of the Bride 2"
4. I don't think there is anyone else I can go shopping with that I'll end up just sitting in the car talking with for an hour...or more.
5. You know the priceless value of browsing through funny cards in a store.
6.I can call you at a moments notice just to say "I'm having a melt down" ... and you do the same with me.
7. Chocolate chip pancakes
8. You understand that "jogging is bad for our health"...
9. You don't find it unreasonable when I say "I'm homesick for the beach!".
10. We were so excited and amazed that God worked it out for us to travel MANY miles to be at the birth of each other's first born.
11. You find and send the best cards.
12. "Eddie in a bathrobe" has special meaning for you.
13. You're the one person who doesn't mind when I listen to the same song over and over and over and over again.
14. You love your pets...
15. You cleaned my house after Emily was born.
16. "Bertha" has a fond place in your heart.
17. You appreciate a good Disney classic.
18. Sometimes...words just aren't required.
19. A phone call makes Kansas seem not quite as far.
20. Laughter over nothing is the best kind.
21. I can be real with you...and you don't mind what/who that is.
22. You probably have a Wesco hot chocolate mug somewhere in your house.
23. Even if you don't have a Wesco hot chocolate mug, I KNOW you have the movie "Chances Are".
24. You have an incredibly cute little boy...that my little girl STILL talks about.
25. I know you'll cry when you read this. :)

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Baby Update

God is so good! Yesterday, at my appointment, Alex was in a heads down position! :) I'm so thankful the doctor didn't have to turn him. What a relief! (Not to mention I'm soooo much more comfortable than when he was side-to-side. That was pretty painful!)

I am scheduled to be induced next Thursday, May 21st...if he doesn't arrive before then.

We are ready, excited, at peace and just savoring every minute of this adventure. Can't wait to see how it all unfolds. It's neat to know that know matter what, I'll be a mommy again within 10 days.

Love it!

Thursday, May 07, 2009

My Silly 4 Year Old...

Alex started moving while Emily and I were snuggling in a chair tonight. I asked her if she wanted to talk to him. To which she responded by saying...

"Hey Alex...How's the business going?"


Where does she get this from??? She's "4"!!!

Needless to say she had Mommy laughing, and we called Daddy right away to share the silly story.

I sure do love that girl! :)

Monday, May 04, 2009

37 week update...please pray :)

I had my 37 week doctor appointment today. I learned that my son has an ornery streak...just like his daddy. :)

At past appointments, Alex has been in the appropriate "head down position". Today, however, the doctor informed me that he has turned and is now in a "transverse" (side to side position.) His head is on the right side of my tummy and his bottom is on the left.

The doctor is hopeful that Alex will turn again before my 38th week appointment next Monday. However, if he doesn't, we'll have to take some active measures. If the doctor finds that Alex is still in a transverse position next Monday, then he will put me in the hospital next Tuesday or Thursday. At the hospital, my doctor will try to manipulate Alex into a heads down position manually. This means he will goop up my tummy with gel and push...really hard. (ow!) If this procedure is successful, the doctor will then go ahead and induce labor in order to prevent Alex from turning again. If it's not successful, we will be looking at a c-section. (Though, I'm not sure if it would happen that day or later down the road.)

I know that the reality of all of this is not that bad. After all, we live in a day and age where Alex and I should be perfectly fine through all of this...regardless of how he is delivered and what position he is in. For that, I am VERY thankful.

However, my 37 week, hormonal self is rather nervous and teary.

I've really been praying that God would allow me to go into labor on my own, have a natural birth without a c-section & that Aaron would be with me when I go into labor. So, this appointment completely went against my "plans". (Hate it when that happens!) Having a healthy baby boy is obviously my priority, and I'll just have to accept however God sees fit to make that happen.

In addition to the appointment today effecting my emotions, I'm actually in quite a bit of pain when I try to walk or use my left leg for anything. I think Alex is hitting a nerve because of the position that he is in. You should see me trying to hobble around...it's probably quite comical. It really hurts, though, and it's very difficult to move or get in a comfortable position.

The other thing is that I'm REALLY missing my parents right now. My dad will come down the day I go into labor...or however this all unfolds. However, my heart really hurts for mom to be with him...and for them to come and stay awhile. I'm so thankful for Aaron and his family. There support is incredible and is such a gift. Telling you I miss my family is just my heart being honest,though. It hurts...much more than the pain in my leg.

Here are some things I'm praying about...I'd be most grateful if you would pray with me as we come to your mind:

1. Praying that Alex will turn on his own.

2. Praying that God will give me a peace of heart and mind like only He can do for my 37 week hormonal self. :)

3. Praying that Alex will be safe and healthy.

4. Praying that the labor will go well if I have to be induced. As of right now, my cervix is no where near ready...which can make an induction even more intense.

5. Praying that God will help me to be the mother and wife that I need to be as we transition to a family of four. I'm finding myself wanting to savor every possible moment with Emily just as we are. I'm praying she transitions well, and that I'm sensitive to her needs.


I do want to say that I'm thankful that God is in charge here...and that I know I can trust Him. This is only a small moment in the grand scheme of our lives. I know we will be fine...and I'm thankful for His goodness and grace.