Three Months Old {Peyton Elise}

Three months...wow! At the beginning of her 3rd month (5/4/12) she slept in her room for the very first time!  It was a hard transition for me...We tried a few weeks prior,  but I couldn't do it.  Looking back on it now, I would still love to have her in our room.  But Brett's alarm always woke her up (that sucker is LOUD!) and she squirmed quite a bit.  I do put her in our bed after Brett leaves now and then!  Funny how you look back on choices you made and already know what you want to do for the next one!

Also at the beginning of her 3rd month (5/5/12) was her 1st Kentucky Derby!  She slept through the race, but we had a good time at home as a family...and we won some money! Yay!

On May 6, we had family dedication at our church. What a special day!

Family Dedication

At the end of her 3rd month she was sleeping 9 hours, but she either hit a growth spurt or teething started.  So now it is a surprise each night how long she will sleep!

She loves to sit up!  It's quite funny when she is sitting back but wants to be up straight...she looks like she is struggling to do crunches!

Peyton loves chewing & sucking on almost anything, especially Sophie the Giraffe!

She is wearing 3-6 month clothes and is on the smallest snap setting of her diapers (and size 1 in disposable).

First trip to the zoo on May 11th

Mother's Day at my parents house, May 13th

1st time swimming!  May 28th

3 months!!!  June 3rd

Elephant ears, yum!

You caught me!

Oh my....love this face!

She has the sweetest profile!

Two Months Old {Peyton Elise}

Well, I am way behind, but I have been thoroughly enjoying every minute with my sweet girl!  Not to mention doing loads of laundry, dishes, and other "chores" to keep this little household running!  Oh and a few crafts/sewing projects here and there.  I will be sharing those soon...I promise. :)

On May 3rd (yes, I know it is July!!!), Peyton turned two months old.  My how time flies!  Every day with her gets more and more fun!  Here's some of what I wrote in her baby book.

-She started cooing/talking at the beginning of your 2nd month...so sweet!
-At 6 weeks she was holding her head up like a champ!
-She slept anywhere from 6-8 hours at night.
-At the end of 2 months she started batting at toys on her bouncer.
-Love bath time and sweet snuggles with mommy & daddy...hope that never changes!

My little family back in March during March Madness!

Peyton's 1st Easter on April 8th

Family Easter Picture

Pictures I took of Peyton

Pictures a Photographer friend took!

Peyton's Birth Announcement

Plum Floral Girl Baby Announcements

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View the entire collection of cards.

One Month Old {Peyton Elise}

Sweet Peyton,

This week daddy had to go out of town for work (to Cincinnati, OH).  He hated to leave you, but he had to go.  You and mommy went to Grammy & Grandpa's to stay so they could help mommy out.  It was a great stay!  They loved spending so much time with you, and Grandpa took care of you at night so mommy could get more sleep!  You also got a visit from Aunt Amanda, Uncle Will and your cousins Ethan & Elijah.  Ethan loved holding you! 


At your one month check up you weighed 10 lbs 10.9 oz.  You were 22 inches long and your head measured at 15.25 in.  For all measurements you were in the 75th percentile.  Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you sweet girl!  You're doing such a great job at growing!

You are starting to "sleep through the night" (which is considered 5 hours of sleep)!!!!  Mommy and Daddy are so thankful!  Most nights its around 5 hours, some times its closer to 4 or 6.  Mommy is thankful to not have to see 3 am anymore!  Daddy has to work really early right now so mommy takes care of the night feedings during the week. You are so awake and alert during the day which is probably why you sleep so good at night! 

Firsts:
-Your first holiday was St Patricks day you wore lots of green that day!
-On 4-1-12 (the day after you turned 4 weeks) you went to church for the first time!  We were a little late, but mommy and daddy were happy to finally get to go.  You did really well after you got out of your car seat and mommy held you.  Afterwards you also went to your first restaurant!  Mommy & Daddy had lunch at McAlister's and you slept right through it.  :)  You had lunch while mommy & daddy were in bible study.  Your friend McKemie was there too!

 
Loves:
-You really like your vibrating bouncer (as well as mommy's arms) for daytime naps. 
-When you are in your car seat you love to look at the birdies hanging from the handle! 
-You also really like your activity mat for play time and tummy time.  We love watching you enjoy play time!
-You still looove bath time, especially getting your hair washed!

Dislikes:
-Clothes going over your head.  Boy do you scream every time!
-Getting hungry!

It is hard to believe you are already a month old!  It has gone by so fast, but we are loving every minute of it.  You have brought so much joy into our lives and we wouldn't have it any other way!  We are excited to see God has in store for you in the future!  We love you Sweet P!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Our Cloth Diapering Journey So Far

I don't remember how the topic of cloth diapers first came up, but as I researched them I discovered they would be a great option for us.  With our move to Alabama and back to Kentucky it was not likely I was going to be working when our little one arrived and a while before that as well.  So the savings of cloth compared to disposable was what originally drew me to use cloth. Once I started looking more into cloth I realized it was better for the baby (little to no rashes, little to no blowouts and softer on their skin) and cloth diapers were just cute!

Here is a quick overview of modern cloth diaper lingo (with links!):
Pocket - popular diaper style made with an moisture-wicking stay-dry lining and a waterproof outer layer. Requires an insert.
Prefold - A thick, absorbent rectangle of fabric that can be folded in a variety of ways to fit the baby. Requires a cloth diaper cover.
Snappi - A T-shaped stretchy fastener used to hold prefold or fitted diapers in place. 
AIO - An all-in-one cloth diaper has an absorbent inner and a waterproof outer. The diaper is "all-in-one" with the diaper and cover created as one diaper
AI2 - An AI2 (all in two) is usually made with a waterproof outer cover with an absorbent diaper or soaker attached in some way.
Cover - A cloth diaper is made from a waterproof or water-resistant fabric. A cloth diaper cover can be used over a fitted, prefold, or flat diaper to protect baby's clothes and other items from wetness.
Fitted - A fitted diaper is an absorbent diaper with elastic at the legs that fastens with snaps or hook and loop (a.k.a. velcro) 
Insert - An absorbent soaker that can be added to a Pocket diaper for absorbency.

One Size  - these diapers are made to fit from birth to potty training.  Most have various snaps to adjust the sizing.

Here is what our diaper stash consisted of when Peyton arrived:
2 Grovia AIO Newborn sized
3 Bumgenius AIO Newborn sized
8 XS Fuzzibunz pockets
8 Newborn & 8 Infant Diaper Rite prefolds
2 Rumparooz Newborn Diaper Covers (1 snap, 1 Aplix)
1 XS Thirsties Aplix cover
1 Kissaluvs fitted diaper, Size 0
4 Thirsties Duo Covers, Size 1
8 Bumgenius Pockets, one size
6 Fuzzibunz Pockets, one size
2 Ones & Twos AIO/AI2 diapers
2 Econobum covers, one size
1 Flip cover, one size
6 Econobum prefolds, one size
2 Thirsties hemp prefolds, one size
4 Thirsties hemp inserts, 2 small & 2 large
2 stay dry insert socks
30 cloth wipes
2 snappis
1 Kawaii one size minky pocket (freebie)
1 Diaper Rite one size pocket (freebie)
3 medium sized wet bags
2 diaper pail liners
Rockin Green detergent
Diaper Rite wipe solution
Diaper sprayer

When we first started using our cloth diapers (after she was about 10 days old & her cord stump was off) Peyton didn't fit into the one size diapers (even though she met the weight requirements).  Without the one size diapers our stash wasn't very large so we still used disposable at night.  Once she fit into the one size diapers we stopped using disposable at night and added those into the rotation.  Here's a summary of what I found:

• The XS Fuzzibunz were bought used and they ended up leaking every time.  I believe it was because the elastic around her legs was so worn it just wouldn't hold anything in.  So those were taken out of the rotation.
• The NB Grovia leaked almost every time due to the way the leg holes are made so I am selling those.
• I really liked the NB Bumgenius.  They are starting to get too small & sometimes they leak when she pees too much for them (but that's not the fault of the diaper).
• Prefolds aren't my favorite but they have worked great.  I don't usually use the snappis, just fold the prefold into the cover.  I may not use these as she get bigger (and squirmier).  The Thirsties covers fit to 18 lbs so I don't think I will be getting Size 2.
• I love the rumparooz newborn covers!  I only had one at first but bought another.  They fit great and are trim.  No leaks, even messy poo.
• The Thirsties covers are great as well.  The size 1 Duo covers are less trim, but fit right away.  No leaks here either.
• The Econbum and Flip covers didn't fit at the beginning and I haven't tried them again as the others still fit her great.  Not sure if I am going to keep these.
• The Kawaii and Diaper Rite pockets didn't fit when the FB or BG did, but they did around 10 lbs.  They are a great affordable option (around $10 a diaper) vs the FB or BG (around $20 a diaper) and I will probably get a couple more of each.
• I stuff the stay dry socks with BG one size inserts and/or Thirsties hemp prefolds and put them in Thirsties covers. It is like a stay dry pocket diaper, but in the Thirsties cover.  You can also put prefolds in the covers. I will probably get more of these socks.  They aren't necessary but it keeps the prefold contained, especially when you add more inserts and it's softer on the skin.
• I loved the Kissaluvs fitted diaper!  Easier than prefolds and very absorbent.  They still fit her (up to 15 lbs) so I would like to get more.  They will probably be the majority of our newborn stash for our next baby.
• I like the Ones and Twos diapers, but we are currently having major leak issues with one of them (it's leaking through the waterproof outer...?) Not sure if it is me or a flaw in the diaper, so jury is still out on that one. But they are good nighttime diapers for older babies since they have an extra bamboo insert (as long as the leak issue is resolved).
• My favorite diapers are Bumgenius.  We haven't had an issue with them at all.  The Aplix versions are easier to put on than the snaps, but snaps generally last longer.  We have mostly snaps so I will get a few more Aplix (when they run a Buy 5 Get One Free sale again).
• The Fuzzibunz fit sooner than Bumgenius but they are trickier to find the right fit (since you adjust the elastic for fit, not by adjusting the snaps). I'm not going to add any of these just yet, I want to figure out the fit first.
• I love the cloth wipes!  They do a much better job than disposable.  We are currently using them "dry" (spray the solution on them right before using) but I want to try them "wet" (storing them in solution).

Daily Routine:
I put the dirty diapers in a trash can lined with a diaper pail liner.  For pockets I shake out the insert into the pail.  For poo diapers we usually use the sprayer that is attached to the toilet, especially if we aren't washing that day.  It isn't necessary at this point, but it helps with stain and stink issues.  We also spray poo diapers with Bac Out.  This also helps with stains and makes the diaper pail smell better (the diapers are not soaked in water in the pail, they are dry).  When we are out I put the dirty diapers in a wet bag and then add that (wet bag included, turned inside out) into the wash.

I wash when the pail gets full (which is also when our pockets stash runs low) and is about 3 times a week.  (The pail goes into the wash too so you don't have to touch the diapers!)  Since we have an HE washer (that uses less water) I spray cold water into the full pail and add a wet beach towel to "trick" the washer into adding more water.  Then we do a cold rinse (no detergent), hot wash (with Rockin Green detergent) and extra rinse.  I air dry the covers (including pockets) and dry the inserts and prefolds in the dryer.  If we have any stains I put the diapers in the sun and viola!, stains are gone.

I am really glad we are using cloth diapers.  They are really not too much extra work, and I really don't mind washing them or getting them ready since I know I am saving money and they are better for Peyton.  If you have any questions about cloth diapers please do not hesitate to ask!  I am not an expert by any means, but I would be glad to share what I have learned so far and offer any advice I may have.

Here is Peyton in some of her diapers!

1 week old in a Newborn Bumgenius (about 9 lbs)

12 days old in a prefold and Newborn Rumparooz cover (about 9.5 lbs)

About 11 lbs in a prefold and Size 1 Thirsties Duo cover

About 11 lbs in a One Size Bumgenius Pocket Diaper

3 Weeks Old {Peyton Elise}

3 weeks old on 3/24/12

Peyton,

This week Daddy had to go back to work so it was just you and Mommy!  It went pretty well.  Two days you and Mommy ran errands, which included a doctor's visit.  You finally surpassed your birth weight and weighed 9 lbs 15 oz (at 18 days old)!  This made mommy and daddy very proud and happy!  You did really well both days out with mommy.  You went on your first trip to Target...mommy's favorite store! You also got a visit from Grammy and GiGi (mommy's grandma).  It was a good visit.  GiGi loved getting to meet her 5th great-grandchild! 

You also got to go to a party!  It was a celebration for your friend Kemie (because her mommy and daddy can start finalizing her adoption!).  You also watched two UofL basketball games with mommy and daddy.  You weren't entirely impressed by the game as you slept through both.  But they won and are in the final 4 next week!

You are wearing newborn clothes and occasionally 3 month, but they are still a little baggy.  They work well when you are wearing your cloth diapers, which we are still just using during the day.  You now fit into your one size cloth diapers.  Mommy is really starting to like using them!  You are smiling a lot now...which melts mommy and daddy's hearts!  We just love you so much sweet girl!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

2 Weeks Old {Peyton Elise}

Sweet Peyton,

You are 2 weeks old already! Where has the time gone!? Each day has gotten better and better for us. You are starting to sleep great at night and mommy and daddy are starting to figure things out. You are eating great (both from mommy and the bottle) and starting to gain weight. You aren't back up to your birth weight which they (the doctors) want, but they are happy with your progress. And luckily you had a little extra meat when you were born!

You are still wearing newborn size clothes but that won't last much longer. You are getting a little too long for them. :)  We have started cloth diapers during the day and still use disposable at night (since we are still short on sleep and you need to eat in the middle of the night). Mommy enjoys using cloth diapers, but just like everything else we are learning as we go!

Your grandparents have been a great help in letting mommy and daddy squeeze a nap in. They also watched you while mommy and daddy went on their first date since you arrived! We just went to dinner at Olive Garden and a quick stop to Target. It's amazing how much better you function when you have sleep. I hope that one day you are blessed enough to be a mommy yourself and get to experience everything we are! (But that is many years away, thankfully!)

We are finding that we love you more and more each day! You have filled our hearts so full with joy and love for you.  You are such a sweet blessing to us!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

1 Week Old {Peyton Elise}

Peyton,
It's hard to believe you are 1 week old already! Daddy and I were so anxious for you to arrive! And you made us wait even longer as you came 8 days after your "due date" and mommy had to endure a 50 hour labor. But it was 50 hard hours that were so worth it!

You were so good while we were in the hospital, but mommy and daddy didn't get very much sleep with all the visitors that came to see you! We were very ready to go home and get you settled in! And not to mention sleep in our own bed. :)

The first few days at home were so rough, especially for mommy. None of us were getting very much sleep. Thankfully once we took you to the doctor when you were 4 days old we found that mommy wasn't making enough milk for you.  So once we started giving you formula you were so much happier and slept much better! mommy had a hard time with the fact that she couldn't make enough for you. Once you started sleeping more and gaining weight mommy was very happy and thankful for the time that we got together while you eat. We still do not know how long mommy will feed you, but we will try as long as possible so you get all the great benefits of breastfeeding.

Mommy and daddy love holding you and snuggling! You are the sweetest thing and we love getting to know you better each day. We are so blessed and thankful to have you here with us! It is tough adjusting to being a parent at first, but you are so worth it! We love you more than words can say and treasure each moment with you.

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Introducing Peyton Elise! {Birth Story}

So here is my very detailed birth story!  Sorry it is so so long, but I wanted to document it for us as a family.

My contractions started late Wednesday (2/29/12 - very glad I did not have a leap year baby!) evening around 10/11 pm.  Brett had already gone to bed and I was just watching TV.  They were very similar to the braxton hicks that I had been having for a while, but they were 15-20 minutes apart.  They weren't that painful so I was able to sleep.

Thursday they continued about 10-15 minutes apart but they would stop for a while, especially if I was moving around.  I began to wonder if labor really was beginning!  I didn't tell Brett that I was having contractions since I didn't know if they would continue.  Late Thursday afternoon they began to increase in pain and were anywhere between 5 and 10 minutes apart.  My friend Lindsey invited me to Bunco at her house, but I declined because of the contractions, not sure if they would get even closer together or not.

Once Brett got home I told him about the contractions.  They continued to increase in pain and were about 4-8 minutes apart.  With every few hours they would get closer together.  After about 10 pm they picked up immensely.  I began to have to focus during them as they were a bit painful.  At this point the pain was only in my back.  Before bed Brett packed his bag (mine was already packed) and we got everything together if we had to head to the hospital in the middle of the night.  I was unable to sleep through the contractions so for several hours I moved around the house trying to find a comfortable position, but not really being successful.

Around 4 am I woke Brett up as the pain was quite strong and my contractions were about 2-4 minutes apart, lasting from 45-60 seconds and had been that way for about 90 minutes.  Our Bradley classes taught us that when contractions were 3 minutes apart lasting about a minute long and had been that way for an hour to go to the hospital.  So we did!  We got our stuff loaded in the car and headed out.  Before we left I asked Brett to change his pants...he was wearing "swishy" pants and I knew they would get on my nerves!  Thankfully he was happy to make his in-labor wife happy. :)  He also made me a smoothie.  I knew I needed something in my stomach but nothing solid sounded good.

We got to the hospital and Brett dropped me off at the front.  I tried to check in, but registration was 30 minutes away from opening (at 5:30am).  So we had to make our way to the ER to register there.  They got me checked in and then a L&D nurse came down to get me.  They got me into a room in triage and went through the questions and paperwork they needed to.  They did an exam to determine my progress.  I was 3 cm dilated.  I was hoping for more!  They decided to call the midwife on call (Damara) and see what she wanted to do.  Damara advised them to have me walk for an hour to see if it helped my labor along.  So we walked the L&D unit as my contractions continued in the same pattern & intensity.  After an hour I was still 3 cm so they sent us home.  I was a bit disappointed.

We headed home, got something to eat and put a movie (Harry Potter) in. I was pretty exhausted since I hadn't slept all night.  I was able to get some rest during the movie, but I was still woken up by contractions about every 10-20 minutes.  Around 11 we headed to the doctor for my previously scheduled appointment.  We had an ultrasound done to check the amniotic fluid (since I had measured at 44 at my last appointment) and have a non stress test.  Everything checked out okay, and I was still 3 cm.  :(  We decided to have Damara strip my membranes to see if things moved along.  WOW, that was painful!  We made another appointment for the following Tuesday, but I really doubted that I would make it.  At least I hoped not!  I knew I was in labor and couldn't fathom it lasting that long!  I asked Damara when we should head back to the hospital and her suggestion was when I couldn't handle the contractions anymore.

We went back home and I continued to labor.  The contractions were quite strong in the afternoon.  Also, there were tornado warnings for our area, but I could have cared less as the contractions required everything I had to get through them.  Brett was great about helping me through them and helping me switch positions (from the rocking chair to the exercise ball mostly).  When he would fall asleep I typically let him sleep until I began to really need his help.  Around 2 am (on Saturday 3/3/12) I couldn't take it anymore.  The contractions were so intense and they were starting to bring tears to my eyes.  I woke Brett up and told him it was time to go back to the hospital.    I wasn't surprised that we headed to the hospital in the middle of the night (both times) as for the previous few weeks the braxton hicks usually came in the evenings,.

We went to the ER entrance and got checked in.  Getting checked in was torturous. The woman doing it was so slow and asking a lot of questions (when I should have already been in the system) and I had to have Brett answer some of them because the contractions were so painful. Finally I got taken up to triage in L&D. They checked me and I was 4, maybe 5 cm.  I was not happy!  All that labor and only 1 more cm!?  They called the midwife on call (Alison) and she decided that I should stay.  Which was good because I had no plans in leaving! I hated being in the bed during contractions. Laying on your back in bed is the worst thing for back labor! But the nurse (Kelly) and Brett were great at helping me through the contractions. I couldn't have done it by myself!

After waiting a little I got moved into a (huge) labor & delivery room that had a tub for laboring in. As I was getting settled in my contractions continued. They drew blood for labs and got an IV started.  I was positive for Group B Strep so I had to have an initial round of antibiotics and then again every 4 hours until she was born. During my first dose they had me hooked up to the monitors for Peyton's heart rate and the contractions. After about 30 minutes I was free to move around.  But every hour for 15 minutes I was monitored again.  But thankfully the nurse did it where ever I was in the room.

I labored for several hours (maybe 5ish?  I didn't have a clock in sight so it was hard for me to tell what happened when.  After she was born I had to ask what time it was, I had no idea!!) trying whatever felt somewhat comfortable.  I tried the tub, but it was hard to get in a position that was helpful for my back labor.  Then it got hot in the bathroom so I had to get out.  I mostly labored on the ball or in the rocking chair.  The rocking chair squeaked SO loudly, but it was a comfortable position so I just had to power through the annoyance!  After a while my contractions were pretty terrible.  So terrible that at every one I would start crying and shaking uncontrollably.  I would just look at Brett and cry cry cry.  I then started telling him I couldn't do it anymore.  I was so exhausted.  Contractions were about 2-3 minutes apart and I was so tired that in the 60-90 second break I had I would fall asleep and be woken up by a contraction, not even realizing I fell asleep.  I just felt terrible and didn't know how I would continue on with how painful contractions were and how spent I was. 

Brett & I finally decided (it felt like I had to convince him though!) to see where I was and then go from there on making a decision for pain relief.  They came and checked me and I was 6 cm.  SIX.  I was so bummed.  But I knew that I had to get pain relief.  If I made it to 10 without it, I didn't see how I would have the strength to push.  So we weighed our options and decided an epidural was best for both Peyton and I.  Once I decided on that I had to stay in bed.  Thankfully it wasn't too long before the anesthesiologist was in there and getting to work.  Brett had to leave for the epidural, but thankfully my contractions toned down and I was able to make it through that process.  The numbing shot was a bit painful and it was an odd feeling as the catheter went in, but oh what sweet relief it gave me!  My back felt so much better and I was finally able to rest!  I think I got a couple hours of sleep, but off an on as nurses came in and that dang blood pressure cuff went off every 15 minutes.  But I was mostly able to sleep through it as I hadn't slept for days! 

After a few hours they checked me again and I was 7 cm.  Well, that's progress but geez, it was taking forever!!  Alison gave me a couple options of what we could do to help speed it up (break water, pitocin, etc) and I decided to have her break my water.  I wanted to try non-medication methods first.  Well, after a while that didn't help much (I can't remember how much progress).  So Alison suggested we do Pitocin.  After contemplating, I decided to have them start Pitocin, but on the lowest dose possible (it was my choice, but that was what Alison was recommending).  I really dislike Pitocin so I did not want very much at all!

After a while (sorry, I have no idea what time this was!), I was 9 cm.  Whoo hoo!  Almost there!  At this point I think they upped the Pitocin a little.  I then got to 9.5.  The nurse (Ashley) suggested I try pushing a couple times to see if the lip of cervix would go away or not.  I then asked her to stop the Pitocin as the epidural had pretty much worn off (those lovely contractions were coming back full force!) so she did.  I FINALLY got to 10 cm, BUT the epidural had worn off completely (I could have walked) and the contractions were worse than before (thank you Pitocin!).  It was so hard to get through these contractions now, especially since they made me turn on the side that they hurt the worst (Peyton didn't like me being on my other side).  I was pleading for it to be over with!  But of course no one could help.  And the epidural was still dripping, but for some reason it just wasn't working.  :( And the nurse had told me several times she was going to call Alison, but after what seemed like forever she still wasn't there!  I kept asking Brett "Where is she!?"  She finally arrived and I was so happy to see her!  Oddly enough once they put my legs up in the leg holder thingamajigs the contractions were much less painful.  That would have been nice to know earlier! 

I don't know how long I pushed, but it was less than an hour.  I started pushing shortly after shift change (@ 7pm) and she arrived at 8:04 pm.  It was hard work and I felt like I was getting nowhere since I couldn't tell how much progress I was making (maybe I should have had them put a mirror up when they asked?) despite Brett & Alison telling me I was a good pusher.  I remember asking several times if we were close.  Alison told me that once she put on her scrub coverings we were close.  When she finally put them on and they put the baby blanket on my chest I got nervous!  My baby girl was almost here!  At one point Alison told me to reach down and feel my baby's head (and all of her hair).  I was hesitant (don't know why now) but I did.  Oh my, one of the best things ever!  Her lil head was so soft, and that hair!  I wanted to see her so bad!  After some more pushing, Peyton was born at 8:04 pm.  It was instant love for us all!  I was so relieved that it was over (and that the intense contractions were gone!!) and excited that we finally got to meet our sweet girl!

She was perfect!  I remember noticing her fingernails were already needing to be cut (8 days overdue will do that I guess!) and thinking to ask if she was indeed a girl (but we figured that out soon enough).  After Peyton got cleaned up (still on my chest) we started our Kangaroo Care/skin to skin.  One of the best hours of my life!  Once the placenta was delivered the pain really was gone (praise God!) and Alison started stitching me up (I had a small tear).  Alison didn't realize at first that I was no longer numb, but the pain from the stitches was nothing compared to what I felt earlier, and I was holding my sweet Peyton, so I could have cared less!  The nurses kept commenting on how big Peyton was, but none of us had any idea how big until they weighed her...9 lbs 10.8 oz.  Holy moly!  My only thought was did I seriously give birth to that! haha  From what I heard her birth weight was the talk of the nursery! 

Daddy giving Peyton her first bath

My two loves!

First picture as a family of 3!

Me and my sweet baby girl!

Peyton Elise
Born 3.3.12 @ 8:04 pm
9 lbs 10.8 oz, 22 in

My labor and delivery didn't go as I had hoped, but I went into it knowing that I needed to be flexible and to make the best decision for Peyton and I with the circumstances we were in.  I feel that we accomplished that.  I labored unmedicated for about 40 hours.  Had I been able to get some rest in there I might have been able to do it, but we got the result we wanted...a healthy baby girl!  We love you so much Peyton!!

The End of My Pregnancy {32 weeks and on}

The end of my pregnancy was pretty tiring.  I was huge (now I know why...almost 10 lb baby in there!), uncomfortable and getting impatient, especially once my due date passed!  Sleep was not very restful (but was more so than it is now, ha!) as I had back/hip pain and constantly had to pee.  But, all in all it was fine as Peyton and I were both healthy!  Here are some pictures from the end of pregnancy.

31 Weeks 2 Days - On Christmas Day

32 weeks (Actually 33 w 2 d)

At my family baby shower with my mom, grandma and my sister - 37 weeks 1 day

37 weeks 1 day

38 weeks 2 days

39 weeks 2 days

40 weeks 3 days!

Catch Up

So...a lot has happened since my last post...almost 3 months ago!  The main thing is the arrival of our sweet girl Peyton!  Over the next few days I will be catching up on posts to get up to date.  Peyton's nursery still isn't complete but I have some projects to share (and a few I haven't done yet).  I hope to get better about posting, but taking care of a newborn is unpredictable!  Some days she wants to be constantly held, and this momma is happy to oblige.  I love me some baby snuggles!  I wish there was a (good) iPad app for Blogger...it would make posting so much easier for me! 

Right Now...

I'm back!  Moving and the holidays were quite time consuming for us!  But we are (mostly) settled in our new home so I don't really have any more excuses!  Also, I have lots of projects in my head to complete in the next few weeks so I can't wait to share them!  But before I get to the projects, I saw this on another blog and thought I would participate.

Right now I am...

watching: Nate Berkus on my DVR.  I love his show and I am sad it is ending in May!  Even worse people such as Rosie, Queen Latifah & the host of Survivor are getting daytime talk shows!

eating: actually nothing!  surprising for a pregnant chick, right?!  But I'm about to eat some leftovers from our date night last night.

drinking: I just finished a glass of milk...trying to be a good mama and get enough calcium!

wearing: yoga pants, maternity tshirt, & my UofL snuggie.  Yes, I have (and love) a snuggie!:)

avoiding: Decluttering & organizing...it's amazing how fast paper accumulates in my home!  I plan to get to it tonight though since it has gotten out of hand.  And since it's Sunday I have today's paper/coupons to go through.  And the kitchen and hall bath still need some organizing after our move.

feeling: lots of jabs, rolls, kicks, etc. from Peyton!  The past week or so she has had VERY active stretches of about 20 minutes once or twice a day.  It's kind of comical how much she moves around at once.  It makes me think that she will not be a baby that is content to just sit/lay by herself.  I can't wait to find out! :)

missing: my husband.  He just left for his last few days of work in Alabama.  :(  When we found out we were moving back to KY we decided I wouldn't return to AL after Christmas, which meant he would have to spend 10-14 days by himself in AL.  A 5 hour drive at 35 weeks pregnant just didn't sound that great!

thankful: for so many things!  Mainly my wonderful family and friends.  They have been so helpful with the move back to KY.  I feel bad since I can't do as much these days (even though I try and my body protests!) but we have gotten so much help that I am beyond thankful for!  It has helped me be less stressed and overwhelmed.  I am also thankful for a healthy baby & pregnancy and my wonderful husband!  We cannot wait to meet our sweet girl!

weather: it's getting cooler, but it was a beautiful sunny day!

praying: for family and friends with health issues.

needing: being pregnant has shown me that my needs are so minimal!  But besides time, I need to get prepared for Peyton's arrival!  Her room is devoid of furniture...I do have some cloth diapers and a few clothes for her, but I definitely don't feel prepared! 

thinking: I need to get off the couch, eat, organize and tackle my sewing/crafting to do list!

loving: my comfy bed (it has helped this pregnant girl sleep!), friends that love, encourage and support me, family that loves us and is helping our little family get off to a great start, sweets (just about any kind!), finding good deals on baby stuff, and getting to work on organizing and decorating Peyton's room!

What are you all up to?