Day 4, a picture of your favorite night

Here is one of my favorite nights.

The night our daughter Stella was born

10:05 pm on September 10th

Great day

Well today Luke took off from work. It was a gorgeous day out weather wise and we had a great day shopping, going for a walk and spending time with Ashley and Phil.
Starting off the day we all woke up and had breakfast and then we all got ready to head to Keene. While getting ready though Stella had an accident. Which end in her taking a bath in the "big girl tub". She didn't like it to much. I think it's because the tub was a lot bigger the sink it just freaked her out. Anyways, after that we headed out and went to Dunkin to get breakfast. (yummy big and toasty) After that we went to Walmart, Target and Bed Bath and Beyond. We got Stella a few things and got things that I needed for the house, ect. After that we went for a walk on Main Street with Ashley and Phil. We also got some yummy fries at fritz. I hadn't gone there in a long time. Then we went Market Basket and picked up dinner, came home and unpacked the car. Ashley and Phil came over for some dinner and to hang out. I made us some yummy chicken and brownie sundaes. Yummo! They left about 10ish. After they left we just relaxed. I didn't have the heart to wake up Stella so I let her sleep. She had such a long day and was so tired. So we will wait until either later in the night before waking her to go upstairs or we will wait for her to wake up.
All in all it was a great day! And a great night. It was nice to have people over and to have a yummy dinner.

Day 3 of the challenge, a cast picture of your favorite show

Here it is my favorite show.

(Well I have many but as of now this is my favorite show)

Day 2 A picture of you and the person you are closest with the longest

The person that I have been closest with the longest is my mom.

I can tell her anything, she always there for me whenever I need her.

Without her I don't know what I would do.

30 Day challenge, Day 1 a picture of you with 10 facts

10 Facts about me:

1. I love my family with all my heart and I would do anything for them.

2. I love to shop for my baby girl. Even if I am shopping for someone else or even if I plan on not getting her anything. Some how she gets a few "somethings" thrown into my cart.

3. I am a picky eater.

4. I enjoy spending time with my sister. Whether it's shopping, talking, eating or laughing at other peoples expense.

5. Cooking I like to do and I am good at it. Baking is another story.

6. There are 2 people in my life who I always go to right off when I am worried, scared, sad, happy or if I just want to vent. My mom and my husband.

7. I have a ton of jeans but only wear a select few.

8. I enjoy going for nice walks on a beautiful day.

9. I hate hate hate scary movies. I don't like to be scared.

10. Last one (even though there's many facts about me) I am the happiest I have ever been. Where I am in life now is perfect. 

30 day challenge

1. This is the 30 day challenge that people are doing on their Facebook. I have decided to do it too, just on my blog.

1. A picture of yourself with 10 facts
2. A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
3. A picture of the cast from your favorite show
4. A picture of your favorite night
5. A picture of your favorite memory
6. A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day
7. A picture of your most treasured item
8. A picture that makes you laugh
9. A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
10. A picture of the person you do the most ****** up things with
11. A picture of something you hate
12. A picture of something you love
13. A picture of your favorite band or artist
14. A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
15. A picture of something you want to do before you die
16. A picture of someone who inspires you
17. A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
18. A picture of your biggest insecurity
19. A picture and a letter
20. A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
21. A picture of something you wish you could forget
22. A picture of something you wish you were better at
23. A picture of your favorite book
24. A picture of something you wish you could change
25. A picture of your favorite day
26. A picture of something that means a lot to you
27. A picture of yourself and a family member
28. A picture of something you're afraid of
29. A picture that can always make you smile
30. A picture of someone you miss

Happy 1/2 Birthday Bean

March 10th, Stella's 1/2 birthday. It's amazing 6 months ago Stella was born. She was so little and she couldn't do a thing. And now 6 months later she is a lot bigger and she does a ton. She's rolling, babbling, saying mama, trying to crawl, she grabs for anything and everything, she is getting back on track with sleeping longer and she has master the art of sitting up on her own. She is enjoying eating her veggies, grains and fruits. She has recently decided that she hates bottles and prefers to drink from a tupperware cup or a tumbler cup without a lid. Yes, it's messy but it's the only way she gets fluids. Aside from breastfeeding of course. 

To think that in 6 more months we will be celebrating her 1st birthday. It's already bringing tears to my eyes.

Thursday, Friday and the weekend

Thursday wasn't as busy or hectic like the past few days. Stella and I stayed home most of the day. Well that was until Luke texted me asking me to meet him at work to drop something off. So after getting us all packed up we headed out to meet Luke. I am glad that he needed me to drop something off because we were able to see him before he went on his work dinner. I knew he was going to be home late and that Stella was going to be in bed by the time he got home so it worked out good that we had to see him. After seeing Luke I had to run a few errands. I ended up running into my uncle and his boys and they were able to see Stella and we chatted for a few minutes. I don't even remember the last time they saw her. I am thinking Christmas?! That doesn't sound right to me, but I believe that it is right. Man, oh man!
After that we headed to mom and dad's. It was the third night that we were going to be there. But of course they didn't mind because they all got to see Stella again. All was great up until dinner was over that was when Stella started to get fussy. Unfortunately it was from teething. She had been drooling a lot more then normal and her fingers were in her mouth more so I knew that's what it was from. She ended up getting really upset and I didn't want to make her suffer so I got us bundled up and headed home. Once we got home I gave her some orajel and a teething ring. About 10 she finally let herself fall asleep and I put her down to bed. Luke got home about 11, we talked for a little and then I ended up passing out.

Friday we finally got our new wall in oven and stove top installed. It's so nice to finally be able to cook on updated appliances. Our oven ended up dying over a week ago and the stove top only had a few one coil that fully worked the other 2 only worked a little and the 3rd one didn't work at all. So like I said it was nice to finally be able to cook with new appliances that worked.

The weekend was pretty laid back. We went out shopping Saturday and ended up going back to mom and dad's for game night. Then Sunday we just hung out at home. Stella and Luke spent a lot of time together as they always do on the weekends. I am glad to because with Luke working all week Stella doesn't see much of him. They spend a little time together before he goes to work and before bed, but I know that he would like to spend a lot more time with her and the weekend is when he does. Stella loves when daddy stays home. Every time he is home and Stella sees him she just lightens up. Like, "You're staying home today?! Yay!" It's so cute.

Happy Birthday Mom/Grammie

Today March 9th is my mom's birthday and Luke stayed home from work. He woke up sick, I am thinking it was because he was messing with the pellet stove the past 2 nights. I think that him inhaling the dust and ash from it had him sick. So I ended up playing nurse to him and of course being mommy to Stella. While doing all that my sister and I were texting. I asked her if she was doing anything special for mom and she told me that she was planning to make a birthday dinner for her. She wanted to know if I could keep mom busy so she wouldn't go back to the house until my sister was ready. Of course I had no problem with that so Stella and I met up with mom and took her to Panera for lunch.
When mom finally got word that she was "allowed" back home we went back to her house and enjoyed some yummy food. Ashley (with help from Phil and dad) made orange chicken, noodles and black forest cake. It sure was yummy :)
After dinner Stella started to get fussy so I got us ready to head back home. When I got home Stella was crashed hard in her car seat so I put her in her room and let her sleep until I was finished cleaning up from the day. Finally after cleaning and getting ready for bed I went and woke up Stella to change her and head upstairs. After nursing her and putting her down in her pack n play I was finally able to lay down in bed. Another busy day was done.

Power is out..

Well what I thought was going to be a good day wasn't. Stella had slept the whole night (by my definition 6 hours) and I woke up feeling well rested and ready to take on the day. The whole night the weather was bad. The wind was whipping and it was freezing rain. About 9:30 am the power flickered off and then flipped back on. At that point I was holding my breath because I didn't want to loose power. Sure enough though after the power flicking on and off about 5 more times it was gone. Ugh. At that point I called Luke and he called PSNH. He told me that they said a few hours or more until the power was back on. I was trying to stay calm and I was doing okay but then Stella started freaking out. I tried feeding her breakfast but she didn't want anything to do with it. I think she knew that something was wrong. After changing her and putting her in her swing I sat down and figured out what I had to do. I called Luke and he came home to get us. I packed us up and tried to figure out what to do with my 100s of bags of breast milk in the freezer. I ended up making a little fridge out of a tote and some ice packs. It was about a little after 10:30 when Luke got home. By that time it was freezing rain, snowing and very windy. I was glad we were getting out when we were not only because of the weather but because our heat wasn't on and it was getting cold in the house.
We got to my parents and about 2 hours later Luke called and told me the power was back on because he got a call.  Thank goodness.
We got home about 10 pm I got Stella to bed and Luke started to get out house heated up. I was so tired and I could tell that Luke was too. About 12 I got Stella and we went upstairs to bed. I was so tired that I feel right asleep.
Ugh, what a day that was in hopes that Tuesday would be better.

4 months

By 4 months Stella had amazed me. She was doing so much and learning something new all the time.
She had a great Christmas and welcomed in the new year with all her family around her.
On January 26th I took time and sat down with Stella and told her that a year ago I just found out I was going to be a mommy. I couldn't believe that all that time had already passed.
January 31st Stella had her 4 months well baby check. She weighed 15 lbs and 4 oz and she was 26 inches long. Her Dr. asked us a few questions about her development and I told him that she knows how to roll both ways, that she has found her feet, that she tires to sit, that she babbles and that she is trying to crawl. His comment was is she a 6 month old?! He told me that she had traits of a 6 month old. He said that some babies weren't even rolling yet or they were just learning how to roll. It was great to hear that she is learning and that she was ahead but it was also sad because that meant that she was growing up to fast.

2 months ago

2 months ago our daughter Stella was born. The time just flew right by.
At this point Stella has enjoyed her first Halloween. And now she was getting ready for her first Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The first month was a little rough. Not because she was a hard baby to care for but because I was still healing from having the c-section. By the second month though I was better and I was able to spend time with her without feeling like I was in a ton of pain. I could already see at this point that Stella was starting to come into her own.
At the end of November Stella had her 2 month well baby check. She was doing great she was ahead with milestones and she was growing fast. She weighed 12 lbs 1 oz and she was 26 inches long.

Welcome Stella Elizabeth

After having contractions for over 17 hours and being in the hospital for 14 of them. Another Dr. came in and told me I had to make a decision and quick. At this point I wasn't progressing and Stella was in some type of distress. She wasn't coming down for some reason and was starting to (in my words) have an anxiety attack. After talking to my OB, my nurse, Luke and my mom I finally made the decision that it was best for me and the baby to have the c-section. My birth plan had completely gone from being drug free and natural to medicated and unnatural. I had to do what I had to do though. After making the decision and signing off on all the paper work I don't remember to much. I was so tired at that point and I was very scared. I remember walking over to the room and getting my spinal after that I don't remember anything until I heard the Dr. say get them in here quick and in walked my mom and Luke. Soon after they walked in I heard the best noise ever. I heard my daughter crying! I instantly felt tears rolling down my face. I remember hearing the Dr. say she has a ton of hair and she's a big girl. Then Luke brought her over and I tried to look up at her. I couldn't really see her though but I saw enough to know that she was healthy and beautiful. Luke left with her and the nurse and my mom stayed with me. After they left I don't remember much.
After another 30 or so minutes I was brought back into recovery and I was finally able to join my baby and my husband. I was told that she was 9 lbs and 1 oz and 20 inches long. She was put on my chest and I instantly fell in love.

Stella Elizabeth born September 10th 2010 at 10:05 pm. 9 lbs and 1 oz and 20 inches long. The love of our life.

And they start

39 weeks....She's had enough, she wants out...

All day on the September 9th I was feeling contractions. I was unsure at first so I called the OB and I was told to wait them out. And to call again if anything had changed. Well I went through the day feeling contractions here and there but nothing that really bothered me. I went to my sister's soccer game and came home feeling like my contractions were getting stronger and more frequent. About 10pm Luke and I decided to go off to bed because we were both wiped out. As soon as I laid down though I was in a ton of pain. I told Luke and he told me to try and get some sleep. So I tried but nothing. I ended up staying up all night watching tv or on the internet. Around 3 am I got out of bed and my water broke. (Or what I thought broke.) Because I wasn't sure I just brushed it off and tried to sleep again. Big fail. Finally it was about 6 in the morning and I couldn't take it anymore I got up and started walking around. My back was killing me at this point and I had been timing my contractions from 3-6 am. I looked them over and they were getting close but weren't close enough. About 7 I woke up Luke and told him I was calling the OB. I called and the midwife told me to wait longer. After talking to her for a little while longer she told me to come in. So about 8 am we grabbed a few things and off we went to L&D. I was hooked up and they tested me to check about my water. Sure enough it broke and I was admitted and hooked up to an IV. I called my mom and everyone was notified. After my mom arrived Luke left because he had to get my stuff because we didn't grab my bags thinking that we would be coming home and not having baby girl yet. 

Second and Third

March 23rd 2010. The start of my second trimester. Things had gotten better by this point. There was no more morning sickness and I was feeling less tired. I was finally able to stay up longer during the night and nap less during the day. (lol) In this trimester I got my ultrasound done at the clinic. I got it done on April 20th. Everything was great, baby was growing well and we found out my true due date. Which wasn't September 1st but the 14th. And we also found out the baby bean was a girl! :)

June 6th 2010. The start of my third and final trimester. At this point I wasn't sure where all the time had gone. Everything was going great and baby girl was healthy and had flipped and dropped. On July 20th 2010 I got my 3D ultrasound done. It was a really cool thing to see. We saw her hair, watched her yawn and saw her chubby cheeks. She was so cute and I couldn't get over her.

Life changing

January 2010. I remember that month clearly. After another December full of birthdays, Christmas and our wedding anniversary I thought that January would be a month to catch up and relax with my husband. That isn't what happened though. January turned out to be the month that would change our lives.

The first two weeks into January I was feeling off. I was feeling sick and I was tired all the time. I kept telling Luke that something just didn't seem right to me. But I would always brush it off and make up an excuse to why I was feeling that way. Well after days and days of me telling Luke how sick and such I was he said to me, "Why don't you take a pregnancy test?" I told him no that I just had the flu or something and from that day on he kept telling me to take a test because he knew I was pregnant.

Finally after running out of excuses to why I was feeling this way I got up one morning and took the test. After what felt like a life time, a minute had passed so I went to check the test. Sure enough I was pregnant. All I remember is standing there looking at this test and wondering if it was right. Was I really pregnant? Finally after all this time of wanting to be pregnant was it finally true? I looked down at the test one more time and this time I screamed, I jumped up and down and I raced to find my cell phone. After finally being able to calm myself down enough to dial his number I called him and told him the great news. He was ecstatic. He couldn't have been happier and then of course I got the, "I told you, I knew you were pregnant." Comment. 

My first trimester went smoothly and it went by fast. I did have morning sickness and I was always tired but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. All I kept focusing on was my little baby and that in months I would be able to hold her.