Tag: family

Ellis Ann’s Birth Story

April 19, 2022

Last family photo of just us three!

Jo Jo came to stay with Graham

Welcome to the world Ellis Ann!

I should start by saying I started having contractions around April 3. They would get stronger to the point I thought maybe that was it, and then they would go away for several hours or even a whole day. However on Saturday April 9, something told me they were a bit different this time. We got up and took Graham to swimming lessons, and then I met a friend for a pedicure. She jokingly said the pedicure would send me into labor (but I had a feeling it was already coming).

I was having contractions on and off throughout the morning. They were really not painful and I was able to keep doing what I had planned. Once I was at home, Sean wanted me to rest, hoping that the contractions would go away. I think he secretly wanted a few more days to prepare! As the day went on it just started to seem more and more like it was time! Late that afternoon I called Aunt Jody and told her to come over to our house to stay with Graham so we would be able to leave for the hospital when the time came. We called Dadima and Pop Pop and told them to head to our house the next morning because we thought it was close to time. We had dinner and Graham went to bed. We thought we would go to bed and try to get some rest before the time came. We were in bed no more than 15 minutes before I said “it’s time.”

Around 10:00 that night the contractions were starting to be very painful and getting closer together. Sean had already loaded everything in the car that afternoon, in anticipation of needing to leave quickly. Luckily it is a short drive from our house to the hospital. When entering the hospital I had been asked if I had any Covid-19 symptoms and I said no (but I wasn’t being totally honest, I had a terrible cough that I had for at least a week, but had tested negative at home several times). We were taken in and given a triage room right away and I thought things would move quickly. They checked me out and decided that I was in labor and it was time to be admitted. But then we had the two SLOWEST nurses come in and it took FOREVER to get triaged. Time passes much slower too when you’re waiting anxiously for an epidural! The nurses were moving so slow that it gave everyone on the floor enough time to notice my cough, so I had to be tested for covid and the flu, luckily both were negative.

Two hours later we were finally moved to a labor and delivery room. We had the sweetest nurse, who I think had just finished nursing school. She was just the nicest, but had no confidence and had to call the charge nurse to come check behind her over and over. I guess that’s better than her making a mistake though.

She called for the epidural and the anesthesia resident came right away. I had such a great experience with my epidural with Graham that I was expecting the same thing. And I did not get that. It took him several tries to get it placed and it was really not the most comfortable experience. Thankfully, it started to work quickly, but then out of nowhere I got so sick!

There was a nurse in the room setting up the warmer and we were just chatting away and suddenly I was like I AM SO HOT I AM GOING TO BE SICK! She jumped into action and took care of the situation. The sickness passed quickly and finally I was able to rest a little. It’s tough to rest though because people keep coming in and out of the room and checking different things. It felt like I had finally fallen asleep for a few minutes when I was awoken by my water breaking!

After my water broke things went QUICKLY and I sort of lost track of time. The nurse called for my doctor and he came right away. From the pictures it looks like he was gowning up around 4:50 am. I pushed for about 10 minutes and that was it! Our Ellis Ann was born at 5:06 am, weighing 6lb 9.5 oz., and 19.75 inches long! The tiniest little thing. She didn’t cry much at first and it was scary for a few seconds, but the nurse rubbed her and got her crying and said she was just fine!

We didn’t realize it at first, but when I asked if Sean was going to cut the cord, the doctor said he had to do it already. The cord was wrapped around her neck twice when she was delivered so he had to quickly get it off, but it did not cause her any issues.

Right from the start Ellis Ann has been the cuddliest little thing. We spent most of the rest of the day in the labor and delivery room because there was no mother/baby rooms available. Sean was hesitant to leave for food because we kept thinking I would be getting moved and he would need to help out. Finally after a few hours I was STARVING and so he had no choice but to go out and get lunch! I ate my sandwich snuggling the sweetest girl. We were still in the labor and delivery room another few hours before they found a room for us, but it wasn’t so bad because the L&D rooms are so much bigger and nicer.

Once we finally got moved we ordered our celebratory meal from the hospital (we knew better than to order the “steak” this time around). We spent the rest of the day snuggling our girl! She slept well the first night as long as she was being held. Ellis Ann had her bath and all of her required testing very early the next morning. She passed with flying colors so we were cleared to go home.

Once we were home she was able to meet Dadima and Pop Pop before we went to daycare to pick up Graham so he could meet his sister. Graham was happy to see us after being with Aunt Jody and Dadima and Pop Pop for a couple of days. When we got home to meet Ellis Ann it was very uneventful, Graham noticed that she had a paci and he wanted it for himself, but other than that he went on his way, which was funny enough in its own way. It was so nice outside that we loaded her up in the stroller and went for a walk to enjoy some fresh air.

We are feeling so lucky to have this healthy happy little girl!

Family Beach Weekend

April 7, 2022

We spent a long weekend at the beach soaking up our last trip as a family of three. I was 34 weeks pregnant with sister and it was our last chance to get out of town! We had perfect weather all weekend! Graham is at an age now where it is so fun to see him explore and try new things. We had breakfast at our new favorite spot! We walked around town and checked out the shops. We had lunch on the water. We played and played at the park. We watched the airplanes. Aunt Jody and Penny joined us too! We got to go out for a date night, which was so fun but the new restaurant we tried was not so good!

The absolute best part of the weekend was watching Graham run straight for the ocean on the beach. The water was cold, but it was warm enough to play in the waves and the sand. Graham absolutely LOVED it! It was such a joy to see him splashing in the waves and digging in the sand. We spent most of the afternoon on the beach and it has me looking forward to summer!

We completed the weekend with Graham’s first happy meal and a McDonald’s parking lot picnic!

Graham is Fifteen Months Old!

March 31, 2022

Thirteen months was probably your biggest month yet! You hit so many milestones and it was such a joy to see you learn so much so quickly. You started walking on your own. One day you were holding on to the couch cruising and the next day your were off. We had your first big snow, it was mostly ice but still. You really started talking this month, saying more, bye, hat, hot, nose (you also know where your nose is), night night, and ball (ball was your first word). You will also growl when we say lion now which is just the best. You had your first trip to the dentist, you got so many new teeth this month that I honestly lost count. We finally went back to swim lessons this month and you love it as much as ever! You’ve been making the most hilarious disapproving look at the dinner table, where you look down under your hair at us and we all crack up! Poppa Bob was with us most of the month; daycare closed twice for covid exposures so you were home with him so mom and dad could go to work. There were lots of afternoon couch naps with mommy this month, since you were home from school and I just love them! The silver lining for you being out of school so much this month was that we all got to spend extra time with you and see you bloom this month!

Fourteen months! You’ve continued to grow and learn so quickly. It took us a bit to settle back in to a routine after you were out of school so much, but you finally found your groove at school with your teachers and friends this month! We celebrated Valentine’s Day this month, the balloons were your favorite. Swimming is going great! You’re going under now, although you are a bit distracted by what all the other kids are doing so you’re not closing your mouth sometimes. Our afternoon naps have suddenly become a thing of the past, you’re far too busy! They sure were sweet while they lasted and I will miss them! We’ve had some nice days for playing outside and are loving our backyard! Hats are still your favorite! Mom and dad went away for a weekend at The Greenbrier this month and you stayed with Dadima and Poppa Bob at their house, your first time in a different place without us. We took our last trip just the three of us to the beach this month! It was a blast to see you on the beach, playing in the waves and the sand!

Now at fifteen, almost sixteen months old it’s hard to believe you will be a big brother in just a couple weeks. You are laughing and running and playing nonstop now. It seems like everyday brings a new word or a new skill. You have so many words now that I’ve lost count and you know quite a few of your body parts. You had your first haircut this month! We’re loving the warmer weather and being able to play outside. You’re developing your own opinions about things now. You’re in a phase where you only want to eat fruit and are throwing all your other food in the floor. You have brought so much joy to us over the past year! Your smile lights up the room and hearing you giggle makes our hearts sing!! Growing up as an only child I always dreamed of having a sibling. I hope that you and your sister will be a gift to each other. Being so close in age, I hope you’ll develop a lifelong friendship and many wonderful shared memories together. We look forward to seeing you grow into your new role as big brother. We love you so big little boy!

Family Holidays 2021

February 10, 2022

Graham’s First Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! We started the day with a FREEZING cold Turkey Strut. It was good to get out of the house and get in some exercise. We ordered most of our meal from Salem Kitchen so all we had to do was heat it up. I made a green bean casserole and homemade dressing, but otherwise we kept it low key. Aunt Jody came in the afternoon to have Thanksgiving with us and brought 2 pies and some deviled eggs. Graham tried and liked all of the food we had for our meal, he even had a bite of pumpkin pie! It was a great first Thanksgiving for G!

Christmas in Old Salem. We spent the morning walking around, listening to the carolers, and eating fresh Moravian Sugar Cake. I love the bridge in Old Salem at Christmas.

Christmas at Graylyn. We had a nice lunch at Graylyn before going to meet Santa. This was Graham’s first time seeing Santa. As you can see he was intrigued at first but then like most kids he was not a fan of sitting in his lap. Sorry, but I love the picture of him in Santa’s lap. It is a classic.

Christmas visit from Grandpa Jack.

Christmas at Reynolda House on a warm December day. Playing in the water fountain and the fields.

School Christmas Party! I love this background the teachers set up for the photoshoot, the kids did a gift exchange and everything!

We spent several days in West Virginia at Sean’s parents house this year celebrating Christmas. It was so much fun to see Graham start to be interested in Christmas. He liked the lights and all the shiny things best of all. Sean’s brother and his wife were in town for the holiday’s as well, so it was fun for Graham to be able to spend more time with his aunt and uncle. It was unusually warm so we spent a lot of time outside on walks and on the porch which was nice.

Champagne wasn’t the only thing popping this New Year’s Eve. My belly officially popped. We had a nice dinner out with friends while Aunt Jody baby sat G, and that wrapped up our holiday season this year!

Graham’s One Year Photoshoot

January 25, 2022

We had family photos taken a few days before Graham’s birthday. We used Amber again and I am so happy with how they turned out. She is so wonderful to work with and so good with Graham. The location she picked and the time of day is just perfect!! Sean’s parents were in town for Graham’s first birthday party already so we asked them to join in on the photos as well. How cute is Graham in his bowtie and suspenders!?! I just love these photos so much!

Graham is Eleven Months Old!

November 10, 2021

43 weeks – playing in your ball pit with Daddy

43 weeks – playing with Mommy

44 weeks – Ms. Tamara caught you standing at school for the first time

45 weeks – ON THE MOVE! Playing with your reflection in the faucet!

45 weeks – playing at home

45 weeks – swinging at the park

46 weeks – the weather turned cold and you (and Mommy) were not a fan!

46 weeks – you are the sweetest little boy

47 weeks- your first Halloween

47 weeks – you can do your bottle all on your own, but only when you want to!

You and Bertie have become best friends at the table this month! You love to let her have a bite of your food!

47 Weeks – Diwali lighting the diyas

47 weeks – Saturday couch naps with Mommy are the best!

11 months old – heading up the stairs on your own!

Eleven months with you! It is so hard to believe that in a few short weeks we will be celebrating your first birthday! This has been a huge month of milestones for you! You already seem like such a big boy compared to only a short time ago. You started pulling up to stand on everything this month. You first started around 44 weeks and as soon as you did that it was off the the races, you can pull up and walk along the couch now, the wall, the kitchen cabinets, and the bath tub. Anywhere really. Your crawling is getting faster and faster too! I know its only a matter of time before you can walk on your own! At the prodding of your teacher we finally expanded your diet this month. You’re eating meat, beans, noodles, and pretty much all the fruits and veggies now. Within a few days of starting to eat more food, you decided you were done with breastfeeding. At 45 weeks you nursed on Wednesday morning before school, and then on Thursday you were all done, wouldn’t hear of it. I was glad to be done if I’m being honest (you have eight teeth!), but I was more happy that it was your decision and it really wasn’t an issue at all! Your eating SO much food now! It is shocking to your Dad and I how much you can eat at a meal. You’re taking less and less milk from a bottle and have even dropped a bottle fed this month. We celebrated your first Halloween. You were the cutest avocado if I do say so! Dadima bought your costume since it’s still your favorite food it just seemed perfect to her. Mom and Dad went away on long weekend vacation to the mountains and you stayed home for a few nights with Dadima and Poppa Bob. We are so thankful that they have been so helpful and love being with you! You had a little sleep set back at the beginning of the month, but the last few weeks you have been doing great, sleeping until 7:30 or 8:00 in the morning. We are still working on naps, you’ve been taking a long nap at school, but so far won’t do that at home. You are talking more and more now and are a waving man! You wave at everyone we come across. On your 11 month birthday you surprised us by taking off up the stairs, you made it all the way up on your first try without any help! You are turning into a little boy right before our eyes and it is such a joy to watch! You are the sweetest boy and we love you so! We love you big little one!

A Fall Day at the Pumpkin Patch!

October 22, 2021

If you go to the pumpkin patch and don’t take a million pictures for the ‘gram did you even go to the pumpkin patch!?! We had a fun morning picking out a few pumpkins for our front porch and posing for all the cheesy photo ops! We went early and had the place to ourselves. We found out after we got there they had a funnel cake stand, and were bummed to find that it didn’t open until later in the day. We missed the fair this year too so this could have been our chance! Bummer! Either way it was a fun morning and we got some good pictures!

Graham is Ten Months Old!

October 21, 2021

39 weeks – avocado is your favorite!

39 weeks- Mommy loves these sweet Sunday naps!

39 weeks – neighborhood adventures

40 weeks- you discovered the pantry

40 weeks – trying tomato soup

40 weeks – Bertie is the best playmate

40 weeks – 9 month check up

40 weeks – ready for game day

40 weeks – this game is a real hat biter

41

41 weeks – Dash game!

41 weeks – Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad – you should really hang this on the wall!

41 weeks- Our family on our second anniversary! Crazy how quickly things can change!

41 weeks – fall is here! The cutest little boy in the cutest little cardigan!

41 weeks – Game day ready again!

42 weeks – cooking with Dadima

42 weeks – almost able to pull yourself up on your own

42 weeks – reading a new book

42 weeks – playing in your ball pit

42 weeks- trying out Sesame Street for the first time

42 weeks – Happy Fall Y’all! Carolina beat Dook!

43 weeks – standing on your own – still need a little help to get up

43 weeks – Cheerios!

Ten whole months with you! Only one more monthly update and you will be one!! You are such a joy! We had your nine month check up and you are still growing like crazy. This month you got so much faster and are on the move EVERYWHERE! We can hardly keep up with you. You found Bertie’s food and water and we have to be quick to keep you out of her bowls. You discovered playing in the pantry with all the condiments. We’ve been working on slowly adding in more and more food to your diet, but avocado is still your FAVORITE! We went to a Dash game with Papa Sam that you really enjoyed. Aunt Amy gave you a ball pit that has been a big hit, you love playing under or inside things. Under the furniture especially. You’re showing more interest in books now, you play with them on your own and turn the pages. Mom and Dad celebrated their second anniversary, the last two years have flown by! Keeping up with the past months, you got sick from daycare again… this month was hand, foot, and mouth. We were so lucky that it never bothered you. You had a rash all over your body that you never even noticed. We’ve been spending most of our weekends on the back porch watching football and you just play and play in the floor. You’re still not the best sleeper, naps are not your jam and you’ve been going through phases of sleeping well at night and then getting up several times at night. You have eight teeth now and your little grin is just the cutest! We love you big little one!!

Graham is Nine Months Old!

September 15, 2021

35 weeks spending time with Grandma and Grandpa while Mom and Dad are away

First time trying blueberries – 36 weeks

Sick boy napping with Mommy and Sister – 36 weeks

36 weeks reading books

Mommy’s Birthday – 37 Weeks and Mommy’s 37th Birthday

37 weeks practicing standing on your own

38 weeks – the pools were all sold out and it was HOT

38 weeks – reading books to Mommy

38 weeks – the Amazon man came through with a real pool!

38 weeks – football Saturday’s are here

39 weeks in – 39 weeks out

39 weeks- playing ball with Bertie

Another fun month has gone by with you, our little joy boy! Time just seems to be speeding by! This month Mom and Dad went away on our first real vacation in a long time. We were away for four nights. Because of Covid, the last plane I was on was in February 2020, and Dad last went on a plane in November 2019. Our last big trip together was our honeymoon to Paris in November 2019. It was wonderful to be able to travel again and to see friends that we hadn’t seen in a few years. You stayed home with Dadima and Papa Bob, and they had the best time with you! This month you started banging your toys together when you play around 35 or 36 weeks, waving at 37 weeks, and at 38 weeks you began trying to stand on your own. Now if you hold on to our hands you can go from sitting to standing with no problem. You can also go from sitting to crawling, and you are everywhere QUICKLY now. You love playing under things, your jumper, the dining room table, the chairs. You discovered how to play ball with Bertie this month, she has been SO patient and will wait for you to throw it or roll it and will even give it back to you when you come after it. It is the CUTEST. You’re feeding yourself like a champ and the foods that you eat continues to increase. You still LOVE avocado. Midway through the month you and your friends at school passed around a GI bug that was absolutely no fun for anyone. We also have been going through quite the sleep regression. Mom and Dad have be le tired this month since you have been waking at night quite a bit. You started to cry a little at school when we leave and and night when you’re waking you just want to see that we are still there, so I think you’ve developed a bit of separation anxiety this month. I cannot believe how much hair you have now, it is so thick and you are just the most handsome boy! We love you SO big little one!