sneak peak

Rhett and I had a fun morning playing and taking pictures one day when my mom took Callin out. 

Baby announcement hopefully will be coming soon!

i am woman, hear me roar

I've gotten a lot of requests for the "birth story."  I am absolutely in awe of the miracle of birth and could sit down and chat about birth to anyone at almost any time.  But I have to say, I am way more into the actual baby birth brought me than the birth itself...so here is the quick version.

I love midwifes.  If you have not discovered them by now, go and find them on your next baby.  (Yes, many deliver in hospitals and will still give you whatever type of birth you wish.)  I was lucky enough to have 2 wonderful and experienced midwives assist me, including my beautiful mom. 

I woke up around 4:00am for a potty run only to realize that my body was having regular contractions. I tried to take a bath to slow them down so I could go back to sleep for a couple of hours but w/o any luck. We woke my mom around 5 am and by 6 am we were checking into the hospital with me dilated to a 7.  And then the day slowed down...I had a very calm morning with lots of rest in between contractions. (Doug likes to tell me that during my 'naps' everyone would look at each other and their watches, wondering when something was going to happen.)  I thought it was wonderful- I got massage after massage, lots of baths, lots of crunchy ice and cran-apple juice, while getting lots of rest.  Finally, with a little help and positioning, my midwife duo was able to turn the baby's head into the correct position and my labor picked up really quickly.  It only took Doug about 1 contraction while I was pushing to realize that his job was not to be a medical student and "observe" what was happening, but to be with me, in my face, breathing every breath with me.  We laughed as we watched the video and could see Doug's breath blowing my hair.  He took his job seriously and was a wonderful coach!  At 2:28 we became a family of four. 

My mom has spent the past week cooking, doing laundry, cleaning, sewing, waking up with Callin, forcing me to nap, dazzling Callin from morning to night with park adventures, outings around the town, jumping on the trampiline, making cookies and play dough with him, and the list goes on and on and on.  Thanks for everything!  We miss you already!  

  

Introducing

Rhett Packard Lewis

7 lbs 10 oz

20 inches

January 16, 2010 2:28pm

We are overjoyed and deeply in love!

p.s. we think these two look like brothers. what about you?

we are ready.

Cal & I have spent the weekend playing house and finishing up the last minute preparations for the baby. Opening the newborn diaper pack was more exciting than Christmas- for both of us I might add. We've tucked the diapers in tiny little clothes, wrapped them up in blankets, and pretended the day away that we actually have a baby. (Including things like- stay in your pajamas until way after lunch, take naps, etc.) We set up the bassinet and practiced with Tigger, Madeline, and Elmo, how baby brother will sleep inside and we will refrain from crawling in as well and settle with watching from the outside.

I am excited about my freezer full of meals that Paola convinced me to do! I have to say, it was way easier, thanks to great friends, but maybe a little more messier than I thought it was going to be.

(And a big congratulations to Tricia, below, who no longer shares a due date with me and left me in the dust on Sunday delivering a darling baby girl!) 

I am looking forward to taking the ball out from under my shirt... but a tiny bit nervous about delivering in a hospital... any last minute hospital packing advice? (Another plus for home birth is you have everything you need at hand!) Here is me in all of my glory at 39 weeks!

The Chief Midwife (aka, Mom) is flying into town on Wednesday!  The Douger has informed me that Friday works best for his schedule...I'll try and be accommodating and see what I can do. 

Just a few of the reasons why I loved Christmas break

(click on pictures to enlarge)

 Lots of cute boys !

 Traditions: My family has been making gingerbread houses for as long I can remember.  Doug's family has been parading through neighbors houses with pots and pans on New Years for as long as he can remember.  And of course the traditional stair case line up that we both grew up with. 

 More wonderful cousin memories were made:  Some of the highlights include a Polar Express ride to the 'North Pole' and a trip to the snow. 

Some serious love was in the air:  It was so fun to participate in the wedding celebrations!  

  The highs and lows of fashion

We celebrated our 5th anniversary! (We were more than happy to share it with these guys!)

Even nearly 9 month pregger ladies were allowed out on the dance floor. 

 So many laughs!

...and oh so many many more reasons that my 400+ pictures tried to capture.