Christmas as a family of FOUR!

Welp, she's here safe and sound…best present ever!  We weren't sure how long little miss was going to make us wait, so we were so glad to see she came a week before Christmas!

Here are some family out takes…

Newborn Pics

Sweet newborn pics from our friend Carie.  Haven definitely made her work for these pics!  But they turned out great!  Enjoy!

She's (Finally) Here

It's was Tuesday night, December 16th, around 9:00 pm.  Travis and I had just got into bed.  With Haven's arrival approaching, we were trying to make sure and get to bed early.  We laid down, but as all 10 month preggos no, there reality is the act of going to bed is almost impossible.  By 9:30 I started having contractions.  At 10:30 I sent a text to my midwife just to give her a heads up that I was having contractions every 4-5 minutes lasting about an hour for the last hour.  I KNEW what she would say,"Drink water and try to get some rest. And stop timing them.  If it's time it's time."  With Annabelle that annoyed the crap out of me.  I wanted her out!  Was ok with resting as long as possible with this one.  ;-) 

By 11:45 I text her once again.  Could definitely not sleep through the contractions.  They were really intense, and every 3 minutes.  I knew they were strong, but I also remembered this part lasted for HOURS with AB, so I was very torn on what to think and do.  I finally woke up Travis and told him we probably needed to get stuff ready to go.  Called Mom and Joe to get them ready.  So Travis got up and started packing things up.  We deliver at a birthing center, so we can bring really whatever we want.  Last time with AB we were there for hours, so we decided to bring some food this time. 

This is when it gets a bit intense.  At 1:33 am I text her and told her I "might" need to come in.  She was texting questions back. I could hardly text her back.   Three minutes after I sent her that text the contractions were on top of each other.  It was crazy.  I was for sure in full out game time mode.  Midwife asked us to give her a 10 minute heads up, but that was not happening.  Called my mom.  Said GET. HERE. NOW.  

So we left for the birthing center at 2:05 am.  Haven was born at 2:30.  Y'all.  We live 20 minutes from the birthing center.  Travis was flying down the highway, running red lights, you name it.  I then had to walk up the stairs to the birthing room.  I barely make it up the stairs, sit down, and my midwife casually says,"So, I guess you want me to check you."  I couldn't even get out the words, "I really don't think we have that kind of time."  All I could say is someone get my pants off!  This baby is ready!  Sure enough, I was at a 10.  She couldn't believe it!  They didn't even have the bathtub full of water yet.  I told her it was time.  I had to push.  So, 2 pushes later…there she was!  Haven Leigh was here.  What basically saved me from literally having her in the car was that her right arm was up.  But, thankfully because her big sister was ginormous she came out easily, arm and all.  Sister was 9.5 lbs, Haven 8lbs 5oz.  

Everyone was healthy and happy, so we were home a few hours later.  Just enough time for us to get in a little nap before big sister woke up.  SO glad she's finally here, safe and sound!!

AB's first look at little sister.

Grammy and Papa were just a big help!!!

40 Weeks

How far along: 40 weeks.  We are now counting days. How long is this baby going to make us wait?!?!

Gender: Girl 

Weight gain: I think I might have gained a pound or two, but have pretty much stopped keeping up. It's better for everyone to just stop counting at this point.  

Maternity clothes: Yes, and barely able to do that at this point! 

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: Flat as a board.  

Sleep: Yeah, I guess.  Trying to be optimistic over here 

Best moment this week: She has really dropped in the last 2 weeks, which in turn has helped tremendously with my lower back/SI pain!  So thankful for that.  Also, just getting in some last minute outings as a family of 3.  So crazy to think there will soon be 4 of us!   

Worst moment this week: I went from lots of contractions to nothing!  Nothing at all has been happening in the last 2 weeks.  Very frustrating. 

Miss anything:  Just the usual; sleep and being able to see my feet.      

Movement: Yep!  Still getting the hiccups fairly often.  

Cravings: Still craving those Rice Krispie Treats! 

Queasy or sick: A little bit of both 

Looking forward to: Not having this big ol belly anymore! 

The day a tiger almost ate my husband

So, this happened.

Needless to say Travis was sweating profusely, and almost had to change his pants afterwards.  HILARIOUS!

Santa Time

We wanted to make sure and get the annual Santa pics in before the little one arrived.  To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to it being 40 weeks pregnant, but the pressure of missing a year with Santa won over. SO, we did it.  Apparently the Santa we usually see decided to get fancy (and super expensive).  Was definitely more then a 2 year old could appreciate.  AB kinda knew what was going on this year, and knew who Santa was, so it was really fun to see her so excited to go.  Although, when it came to game time, and she was with Santa we got a little apprehensive.  So funny.  Here are some fun pics from the outing, as well as pics of mommy's huge belly!  And I had to start with this pic (paci and all) because it is the ONLY time she has allowed me to put a bow in her hair since she was at least a few months old.  This girl HATES bows!

Baby H's Room

Have had so much fun preparing for Sweet Haven's arrival! I usually have a picture in my had of what I'm wanting to do in a room, but putting it all together is another story.  With the help from some family and sweet friends I was able to get it all done.  We decided we were going to take the jump and move AB into a big girl bed, so Haven could use the crib.  Big sigh of relief AB made the switch relatively easy and without major setbacks.  I really wasn't interested in paying for all new bedding, so thankfully I was able to reuse the same bedding and bedskirt.  Wasn't quite sure it would work, but oh so glad it did!  Who wants to pay all that money when you don't have to!!   I did invest in a new rocker.  I loved the one I got for AB, but it was not very comfy.  But as all you mommies out there know, it is super important to have a comfy spot to hold those sweet babies during those long, sleepless nights!

The pallet wall is my fav!  We were going to do the whole wall, but I changed my mind last minute. That and the wood/stick curtain rod I love! My mom was amazing and painted her dresser for me.  By the time we found a dresser that would work I was waaaaay too pregnant to (comfortably) get that job done.  The room isn't very large, so we needed a dresser that could double as a changing table.  Had to search high and low for some cute (and affordable) gold knobs.  Hobby Lobby delivered once again!  With a few decor additions here and there, it is finished!   So cute, and so excited to bring our sweet little one home!