Being a Mom...

Being a mom entails more than I would have ever thought. The sacrifices, the patients, the commitments....oh the list goes on and on but I am loving every minute of it. There are things that have definitely been a challenge but with the love and support of family and friends, I am going to get through it. I think Parker has his nights and days mixed up right now so I worked all day to keep him awake so he would sleep tonight. All these things make it well worth being a mom though.

It makes me a proud mama to look at this little guy every day and know "We did that". He has so many special things about him...One of my favorites is the way he smiles and cuddles when he sleeps. It makes my heart melt every time. He is one very special person. I am making it a point to embrace every minute right now because I know that he will grow up so fast and I will never get this time back. "Live for the moment, not the future"

"The Thinker"

Todd and I have given Parker a nickname already..."The Thinker". When he is awake, we will catch him with a look of deep thought on his face. It is so cute though. I have yet to catch a picture of it though. He is a week old and doing good. Things were a little rough at the beginning but he has made progress everyday! When he was born he weighed 6 lbs 7 oz and at his first Dr appt this past Thursday, he only weighed 5 lbs 8 oz. He goes back Monday for a weight check so we are crossing our fingers that he has put on some weight! At his Dr appt we also found out that he is only 19 in long. The nurse said the hospital is in a rush and aren't always accurate. He's just so cute! I love every minute of being a mom despite the lack of sleep. It is such an eye opening experience that takes a special person! Here are a few pictures since Parker's arrival home...

Parker Wayne's Arrival

This past Saturday was me and Todd's last night together before the arrival of the baby. We chose to watch a movie and have a glass of wine. This is something we don't don't get to do very often but love to do together. We knew we wouldn't get much sleep that night and we didn't. Too much excitement in us!

Sunday, February 28th, I was to check into the hospital at 8am but arrived at 7:45am so we got a head start on the BIG event! We got taken to our room where we signed lots of papers and got all situated. At 8:20, my nurse Lisa started my IV of Pitocin. The process was very slow from there and at noon I was very anxious to have my water broken. Finally at about 12:30, Dr. Dickey came in and broke my water and the contractions began to intensify shortly after. By this time, my mom and dad, Todd's parents, Megan, Madeleine, and Meadow were at the hospital waiting patiently. At about 4pm, the pain was intensifying but I didn't want an epidural quite yet. The nurse gave me a mixture of 3 meds with one of them being a pain med. It made me feel very "LOOPY". By this time, Todd's brother Craig, Sister Denise My brother Ryan, his wife Jennifer and Autumn, and my friend Lauren had also made it to the hospital. I took a nice little nap with the pain meds!! At 6pm my contractions were at about a minute apart and were very strong. I finally gave in and got the epidural. It wasn't as bad as I thought. I was more scared than anything. It definitely numbed everything from the waist down...Thank goodness because the pain was unbearable. The epidural sped up the process and at 11:20pm I was finally at a 10!!!!!! The nurses wanted me to do some practice pushes but realized that it was too late for that and told the Dr to get in there immediately. I only pushed about 3 or 4 times (2 min) and the baby was here!! It was a very exciting and emotional moment for me, my mom and Todd. They didn't tell us right off the bat that it was a boy...they had to ask. I was just overwhelmed that the baby was here and even more overwhelmed that it was a BOY!!! It was an amazing feeling to know that that baby was mine. You never know what your emotions are going to be until you are in the midst of the event. The only people left at the hospital were my parents, Todd's parents and my sister. They were all very excited and anxious to see the little man and he was excited to see them!

He has been a great baby (so far)..The first night he slept very well because he was exhausted from all the laboring, pushing and delivering!! He doesn't cry much, loves to be held and loved on and sleeps very well. We had several visitors yesterday at the hospital and Parker got lots of gifts! Mommy and daddy made it through the day thanks to the adrenaline rush from everything. Although when everyone left, we crashed and so did Parker. Today we finally got to leave the hospital. It was great to get home and not have someone checking your vitals every 5 min (at least that is what it seemed like). Parker has had several visitors today and got more gifts! He is already getting spoiled. My mom has come to stay and help out with the little man. I am so thankful for this. Hopefully recovery will go fast. I am trying to take it as easy as possible. He has been asleep on my mom for 2 hrs now. Hopefully he sleeps tonight!!

Parenting is a whole new experience but a WONDERFUL one! I love the way he snuggles and is so sweet. I love that he relies solely on me and Todd for everything. He is a true blessing to us.

Here are the facts from when he was born:

Weight: 6 lbs 7oz

Length: 19.25 in long

Time of delivery: 11:37 pm

Birth Date: February 28, 2010

Enjoy these pictures of the BIG day:

My last picture of the belly before going to the hospital.

Waiting patiently...haha!!

I'm here...YEAH!

Look at the Proud Mommy.

Proud Daddy!We are finally going HOME :o)

The end is so so close...

Oh how the end is so close...Only 8 days till my due date but I am not even going to make it that far. I went to the Dr this morning and if the baby doesn't come this week then I will be induced February 28th. I worked my last day at the office today and will continue the rest of the week at home. I would hate for my water to break there....embarrassing! It was really weird to leave the office and know that I won't be back there for a long while. It is like my second home!

I installed the car seat yesterday and made it through keeping my nieces this past weekend so the baby can come now!! Todd is very anxious and bugs me daily to go into labor. It will be here quick and this time next week we will be holding a baby in our arms...It's all so weird to think about. To not have a baby in my tummy is a crazy thought!

I will be posting pictures as soon as I can after Baby Dehls is born and sending out texts to let you know if it's a boy or a girl!!!!!! Please pray for a safe arrival of Baby Dehls and that we both will be ok.

The Final Touches!

This past weekend Todd, my mom and I went to Babies R Us and Target and got some more stuff for the baby! Todd and I then spent our Saturday night putting more baby stuff together, washing clothes and organizing. The weekend was all about the baby! I started packing my bag for the hospital Sunday and finished tonight. Now it needs to find its way to my car. I also got the car seat installed into Todd's truck. It is getting more real everyday!

I went to the Dr this morning and I am dilated between a 1 and a 2. Right now we are just playing it by ear because he says it could be tomorrow or 2 weeks from now!! It is getting so close so fast.

Here are more pictures of the baby's room since we got the bedding except the bumper on the bed, the changing table organized and the clothes washed and hung in the closet... I look forward to sharing pictures of Parker or Rylee when he/she arrives.

Almost There!!!

I returned from a four day trip to Houston today without going into labor! Only 2 1/2 more weeks till Baby Dehls arrives although the Dr said the baby may arrive early, we will have to wait and see. I did so much walking in the past 4 days, I am surprised I didn't walk the baby out! I promised belly pictures a week ago and I am slacking. I posted one below this time! I have so much to do and so little time!

Here are some pictures from the shower given by GREAT family and friends...

Me, my mom, Darla and Nicole...some great long time friends!!!

Janna and Baby Chloe...a great friend!

My Wonderful family...Kay and Stefanie! Stefanie is due 4 days after me!!!

Oh my, I have gotten so so BIG...My sister wore this same dress at one of her baby showers. Kind of a tradition now :)

Here is a preview of the pictures Todd and I had taken...

Who will Baby Dehls look like??? I am on the left (dark skin and dark hair) and Todd is on the right (fair skin and blond hair)...Baby Dehls is in the middle!!!

I finally feel like things are coming together and I am ready for the baby...I know I am as prepared as I can be for labor and delivery. I just pray that Baby Dehls and I are both OK and there are no complications. Women give birth everyday so there is no reason for me to be nervous. I have gained a new perspective of the whole thing after talking to friends this past week who have recently had babies. Stay positive and focus on the job at hand...

I made progress in the baby's room this past week. Things got a little more organized and the baby already has several loads of laundry. My mom got the bedding in the mail this week also so we can get it ready for the baby too! My number one worry was the baby's infant car seat but my good friend Kris saved the day and found it on EBay! I am very thankful for her getting it for us along with all the other baby stuff she has passed my way. Everything will be so helpful! It is so wonderful to be blessed with such wonderful family and friends!

I go back to the Dr Monday and will have another update as to how far along I am!!! Hopefully the baby won't come too early...I am keeping my nieces next weekend and my niece Meadow's Birthday party is the following weekend!! Baby Dehls can arrive after February 27th (that's the planner in me)!!!

Work Shower

This past Monday, I was given a Wonderful shower at work. Baby Dehls received a ton of nice gifts a long with the baby furniture!! I was very surprised by this gift from Eagle and the Butcher's. It is Beautiful furniture. It only took Todd 5 hours to put it together!! Here are a couple pictures of it after assembly...

The walls will be painted after the baby arrives...sorry they are so white! Here are a few pics from the shower also...

I also had a shower yesterday given by my family and friends! Once I get the pictures from my brother and his wife, I will post them! There is a belly shot in that group of pictures I will post too!!