Birth Story

Love this adorable hat. 

2 weeks ago I was 6 days over-due and 1 day away from being induced.  

Tuesday morning, (the 13th), I woke up at 430am on the dot with a really strong, really painful contraction.  I knew it was real, and what made it even more real was that the contractions were coming 7 minutes apart right off the bat.  Ahh!  Finally, around 5am, I woke Noel up, called my mom, and hopped in the shower (pre-delivery ritual that I felt like I had to continue).  

I called the doctor, and after reminding him that labor with Walker was really fast, and that I was 4 cm dilated the week before, AND that I was 6 days over due, I was told to come on in.

I went into the boys' room, and mid-contraction, told them that the baby was coming today and that mommy needed to go to the hospital.  They were SO excited.  Charlie said, "Our baby is coming today!", and they both jumped out of bed.

My contractions slowed down to about 10 minutes apart on the way to the hospital, which I was so grateful for.  We dropped the boys off to Nana and Pops' house (Noel's parents house) around 6am, where Pops was already making pancakes for them.  Lucky boys! And lucky us that Noel's parents live right on the way to the hospital.

When we got to the hospital, I was taken back immediately to a delivery room.  I noticed that the hospital was pretty quiet, but was told later that right after I was admitted, tons of women came into the hospital to deliver.  North Carolina had "bad" winter weather the next day, and the nurses said they always see a huge baby boom right before bad weather.

By the time I got settled into the room, the shifts were about to change (around 7am), and the labor and delivery nurse that was assigned to me for the day shift was an answer to all my prayers.  She was kind and loving, and also very assertive when it came to getting me the things I needed (and wanted).  

When I was first admitted, I was already at 8cm...but I pretty much begged for an epidural. That was my number one goal this go around...get an epidural in time to work!!!  The anesthesiologist came in (and looked exactly like a blonde Idina Menzel), and became the #1 love of my life when I felt the contractions (and extreme back labor) go from "I will die...I know I will die" to "Ok, I've got this!"  

My mom came in shortly after, which, after the feeling of an epidural kick in, is the 2nd best feeling. My mother in law got there a few minutes after her, and then it was time to push! Everything happened so fast, and was so surreal, and I was so hormonal, I'm pretty sure I started crying because I was overwhelmed with it being time.  I had waited for so long and then all of a sudden it was go-time.

I don't know if it's just the way my body responds to epidurals, or if it's because I had just barely had it, but the epidural does not help my pushing pain.  I told the doctor this, and he said that he actually preferred it that way so that I could recognize the need to push.  Thank you...man....who has never felt that pain before.  I do actually really like the doctor who delivered Crew.  He's fantastic, and did such a great job.  

Baby was born at 906am, (8 pounds 15 ounces and 21 inches long), and oh my goodness, there is nothing like seeing a person you've loved for 9 months, (but have never seen), for the first time.  It was also such a wonderful moment, while holding baby Crew,  to look at Noel and just have this great feeling of our family is now complete!  How grateful we are to have these 3 amazing boys, and we feel so honored and blessed to have been chosen as their parents.

The big boys came to visit around lunch, and you know those moments that you have planned in your head for...forever?!  This was one of those moments that I've always looked forward to...the big brothers meeting the little one...and it was honestly even better than I ever imagined it to be.  They were in love from the first second they saw him.  Walker was definitely more reserved with his affection, which I expected, but Charlie acted as if Crew was a special present just for him.  It was so awesome.  They both loved on baby and wanted to see his tiny fingers and toes...and then opened their presents that baby Crew bought for them. :)  (Star Wars Legos, of course.)

Crew Davis Anderson.  THE sweetest baby of all time.  

Sneak peek that Sara, from Sara Logan Photography, sent over from baby's newborn photo session!  I'm so excited to see the rest.

My 30th Birthday!

Birthday card from Noel

Today is my 30th birthday, and I can't help but be emotional about it.  Not in a bad way, either, which is surprising, because I thought I would be about turning 30.  Emotional in that I can't believe how many amazing people I have in my life that are constantly supporting me in everything I do.  I think about my amazing mother who, 30 years ago, had her first little baby...and how I never really appreciated her as much as I should have until I had my own little babies. 

It's been a great 30 years, and I couldn't be happier.

This morning, I woke up to Noel and my big boys serving me breakfast in bed.  French toast, orange juice, and a gigantic bowl of fruit.  It was amazing.

Then, Noel brought the computer upstairs and played a video he made for me.  30 of my family members and friends sent Noel a video sharing memories and sweet birthday wishes for me...and how dare they!!!!  It was way too much for these hormones to handle!  I laughed and cried, and it was THE most perfect birthday present of all time.  I will probably watch it every day :), but if not, definitely every year on my birthday.  I can't get over how thoughtful and kind everyone was to send me those videos.  Thank you.

This year is going to be a great one.  I can feel it.  With that kind of beginning, followed closely by a snuggle snooze with my baby, how could it not?

A big CHEERS to you all....wishing you a happy, happy week!

Tales of a 41-week pregnant lady

^these boys were over-due and I love them more than life...so there's that. :)

My friend recently posted an article about what happens to a woman's brain when she becomes a mother.  It was a great read, and it made me start thinking about what happens to a woman's brain when she reaches her due date.

I'm not sure if this is how it is with every over-due pregnant lady, but something in my brain just SNAPPED and switched to wonky mode when I hit my due date.  

A few examples:

*I've been on a kick the past week or so about painting my nails and having them perfect for the baby.  It's irrational and weird...but it is what it is.  The other night, I took off my slightly chipped polish, and painted and repainted....and repainted 2 nails different colors until I got the color exactly right.  As I'm typing this, I feel like I need to go freshen the color up...just in case. Because the baby cares so much about what my nails look like.

*My OB recently partnered with another OB practice to help with the deliveries.  Last night, I had a freak out moment, and realized that I might get one of the doctors from the other practice.  I frantically....frantically searched for their website and looked through all their bios...and tried to find out everything about them.  Then I had Noel look at all of them with me, and while doing this realized that I would be in so much pain, it doesn't matter one second who will actually deliver this child.  The anxiety left, and I fell asleep (for about 3 hours and then got up for a middle-of-the-night snack.)

There are a hundred other examples I could give...but I'll just leave it at that.

The thing is...I am so grateful for this pregnancy and for this soon to be baby.  I have felt great up until a few days ago (and I still feel "good"...just gigantic and swollen and heavy).  I've had so many people and experiences that have helped make these past 9 months really wonderful.

Thank you again for all your well wishes, calls, and visits.  They mean so much to me.  

I'm ready for my sweet baby boy to be here!!

Boys' Bedroom

Of course I decided to take these pictures at night with my phone.  I do love the boys' shared room, though.  They got to pick out their own sheets from Pottery Barn for their new big boy bunk beds.  

The alphabet wall used to be in Walker's nursery, but the baby's nursery now is gray (can't wait to share those pictures!), so I decided to move it in here.  (Also pictured...a Ninja Turtle coloring page...Charlie likes to tape his art work up around the house, and the boys' humidifier.)

Walker's Sheet Set/Charlie's Sheet Set

My friend, Jessica, has a monogram business, and put the boys' initials on their shams!

^So, so true about my boys.

I hope y'all have a great weekend!  (Hopefully there will be another baby boy joining our family soon.) :)

Dressing the bump: 2nd trimester

I can't believe today is my due date.  

I was looking through my pictures of sweet baby boy as he's grown, and love how big I thought I was in the beginning of the pregnancy. 

Here's a look through my outfits during the second trimester with baby boy...(and a few basics I would highly recommend at the end.)

Link to the original post with outfit details under each picture.

1/2/3

1/2/3

1/2

Full post

So...a few items that I would highly recommend when buying or adding on to a maternity wardrobe.

*Black Jeans

*Regular "skinny" jeans

*A V-neck tshirt in multiple colors.

*Neutral Dress (like the grey one in the 21 week picture.)

      -I've worn this from the beginning to the end and have styled it in so many ways.  Such a great addition to my wardrobe this go around.

*Neutral top with pattern (a "nicer" one, and then a more casual one.)

      -like the black and white striped one I wore a billion times.  It grows with you, and can be styled with all colors, patterns, and bottoms.  Another great addition with baby #3.

I'll post the 3rd trimester outfits next week!  Any guesses on when baby will actually come?!  (hopefully soon!) :)

Linking up with Shanna and The Pleated Poppy

3rd

^We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

I just finished such a great book.  Too bad it was the third book in a TRILOGY.  (And it was the 1st book I actually read in the series.)  Ahhhhh!!!!  I knew it was a trilogy when I requested all 3 books from the library, but when it finally came in (months later) this was the first book in, and I totally forgot about the others. I will be reading the other two!

Anyway...I love Jenny Han.  Her writing is fantastic (and yes, I'm a YA book junkie.)  This book is about 2 brothers who love the same girl...not just like her, but full on love her.  

My boys were reading and playing on the bed beside me, and with all these 40 week pregnancy emotions going on, I couldn't help but feel a little tug at my heart when I thought about them and their future relationships.....(and how any lady who ends up with them will be the luckiest ladies of all time.)

Here's to hoping baby boy #3 joins us soon!  I hope y'all are having a GREAT start to your new year.

A Survey

Happy New Year!!!  This picture ^ was taken a few weeks ago at my church's Nativity celebration.  Last night, the four of us rang in the new year around 730 with pizza, sparkling cider, and a countdown.  The boys were in bed around 745, and Noel and I followed close behind around 10. :)

I love sharing my thoughts, ideas, and inspirations on this blog.  Thank you for supporting me and being part of it.

I do this every year, and would love for you to take this short survey for me.  I find it so helpful and insightful! It's 10 questions, and should take you no longer than 3 minutes to complete. Thank you, thank you in advance for taking it!!

I hope you all enjoy your day.  I was thinking I would have a January 1 baby...but he is just as cozy as can be in here. :)