Introducing...

Camille Grace

March 14, 2010

7 pounds, 3 ounces

19 inches

Camille's Birth Story

This is the story of your birth day and the events leading up to it.  On Saturday, Daddy's birthday, we rode the train into Uptown Charlotte to visit the Children's Library and do a little sight-seeing while Grandma was visiting. That evening, we settled in for a movie at home.  Around 4:30pm I felt restless and the contractions were more frequent. I folded laundry, tidied up and packed our hospital bag.  Around 7:00pm, I asked daddy to write the time with each contraction, by now they were between 6-10 minutes apart, but not too uncomfortable.  Around 11 pm,  my contractions were more regular at 4 minutes apart so we headed to the hospital.  It was so good to know that your big brother and sister were safe with Grandma and sleeping soundly.  When we arrived, contractions were 1-2 minutes apart, so we registered quickly and settled into our room.  The epidural worked great, but slowed my labor, so the nurse administered Pitocin just before 3am.  At 6am the doctor broke my water, but I was still pain free!  Daddy and I enjoyed being ableto rest a bit and conversate.  This was a first!  Just a few pushes and you were born at 11:56 am on Sunday, March 14, 2010.  You had a soft cry and a head full of light brown hair.  You were our smallest baby, born about 3 weeks early, weighing 7 pounds, 18 ounces and 19 inches long.  I remember the adorable way your brow woudl furrow when you'd squint your eyes open.  I nursed you right away and then the nurse gave you  a good bath.  We had a wonderful birth experience and care at Presbyterian Hospital (uptown), but daddy and I were so grateful to be released only 24 hours after delivery.  You didn't make a peep during the 30 minute drive home!  You are a precious gift from the Lord, Camille Grace!

Love,

Momma 

Remembering...

Thinking a lot about the birth of my sweet son and daughter.  Each experience unique and wonderful, each in their own way...

Daniel Graham

Hannah Reece

Wondering and dreaming about Camille Grace....who will she look like?  Will she like to rock or walk, be a sleepy girl or alert?   I just can't wait to meet her and cradle her in my arms.  Looking forward to seeing her Daddy, brother and sister shower her with love and affection, the way they've been hoping to for the last nine months.  Thank you, Lord for this precious gift of life.

Heartburn, Hair, and a Wheelchair

Well, I finally polished off the bottle last night!  The interesting part is that it was the first night in a VERY long time that I wasn't contracting or aching anywhere, until about 1:30am I woke up with the most awful case of heartburn!   I'm absolutely *sure* it had nothing to do with the bean burrito I had for dinner, or the rasberry truffle ice cream I had for dessert. ;)

If the old-wives tale is true about all of this heartburn, then it looks like maybe Miss Camille will have a head-full of hair!??  We're getting so close...

Speaking of hair...got my 'do done today.  Something about sittin' in that chair getting fussed over is just so theraputic!   Now,  if I could just reeeeaaaach my toes to paint those puppies a cute shade of pink.  "Oh, honey!!"  :)

I scrubbed the toilets on my hands and knees yesterday and had my first set of timeable contractions later in the afternoon- every 15 minutes for about an hour and a half. 

We're super excited for the beginning of our company...Grandma (Dan's mom) arrives on Wednesday for a week, and then Nana for the two weeks after that.   It will be such a relief to see them and know that they're here at the ready when labor truly begins.

This weekend, we made a trip to this store.  It's very close to our house, and when we move back to Florida we won't be making a quick trip to paruse and eat lunch...I'm pretty sure the closest one is several hours away.  The place is so huge, that Dan plopped my hiney in a wheelchair...and that was just fine with me.  :)   We love the lunches- $6 for hotdogs, drinks and chips for a family of 4, just can't be beat!   Oh, please don't judge me for photographing my children as they climb on the displays-I told y'all these prego hormones are makin' me do crazy things!   ;)

This, my friends...

is a striped plate holder, child-head-bumper, incubator, feet hider, doggie happy place, sleep impeding, baby growing bump!

We're "officially" at 36 weeks.  Dr. says I'm 1-2 cm. dilated, 80% effaced...and in his words on Tuesday "I'll give you another week, and beyond that-it's anyone's guess!"  But we momma's know it really is anyone's guess...only the good Lord really knows....although a woman at W*l-M*rt decided to share her unsolicited opinion as well,  "you look like you gonna POP!"  Nice.  Thanks.  :)

We've been working on a little necessary cleaning and nesting around here...today has been laundry catch-up.  My mind is determined to see that mountain reduced to nothing.  My body is determined to take a long nap.  ;)

It is such a GORGEOUS day here today...high of about 49 and SO SUNNY!  We took Reecie to the playground for the first time in a very long time this afternoon.  Still a little chilly, but the sun felt so great.

Dan is so, so helpful.  He really does "carry the team" these days.  Last night he made the most delicious shepherd's pie with chunks of steak inside (have I mentioned how much I crave beef in the last few weeks?) and today he even cleaned out the drip pans on the stove because they were just nasty, and on my list of to-do's. 

Well that's enough randomness for right now, time to go fold another load!  :)

Ready

I promise, this blog is not taking a turn for the inappropriate!  I just have to say that this invention has saved my life (and my round ligaments) for my first, second and now third pregnancy.  I found out about it when I was teaching 2nd grade while pregnant with our 1st born, Graham....hours on the feet lead to supremely achy belly. 

My belly gets positively heeeuuuugggeee in the third trimester, and I like to refer to this contraption as my "over-the-shoulder-baby-holder"....ha!  ;)

Lately, I'm craving all kinds of tasty treats:  their burgers and hand-cut fries, donuts, orange juice, marshmellows covered in Nutella, and big, leafy, fruity-nutty-cheesy salads.

I'm snappy with those I love most (I even shouted at the dog this morning for getting in my way!), I'd really would like to nap all day (except I can't get comfortable, or have to get up and go potty every hour), and can barely sit here at the computer for more than 10 minutes before I get all achy.....waaaaaaahhhhh! 

I'm moving along VERY slowly (and awkwardly), and even everyday tasks like laundry and making beds seems like such an ordeal.  In my most frustrated moments comes that familiar, small voice....Sarah, surrender.   

I've scrawled this verse on our little chalkboard...mostly to remedy these fears and feelings of inadequacy creep in as I anticipate delivery and being momma to three precious children...God's word soothes my heart even better than indulging in to one of those fat-laden cravings! ;)

"My grace is enough; it is all you need.  My strength comes into its own in your weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

Oh, I dream about the moment we meet this sweet baby face-to-face.  This season of huge-ness...though uncomfortable,  is necessary, vital and even benefecial as Camille continues to grow and develop.  I'm tellin' y'all,  when that first series of contractions come...I'll be skipping into the hospital-ready to get down to business!  :)  Ok, maybe not skipping... 

I can choose frustration (as I have in the previous paragraphs ;)  or joy, realizing that this time is ordained by Holy God, and that I need to choose rest, surrendered to this process of bringing a precious life into the world.  Thank you, Lord.  I pray that the Lord would encourage us in our weakness-physical, mental, emotional- today....his strength is perfect....it is sufficient. 

Growing

Here we are at 32 weeks!

 

Rx: EAT!

Results of bloodwork came back, no anemia....guess what I'm PREGNANT!!   Just kidding.  :)   Dr.'s orders...add a few extra meals, get a few more calories and add some protein.  Ummm....okay! 

Only in the 3rd pregnancy y'all, because trust me-I did NOT miss a meal while I was prego with Graham and Hannah Reece.  You moms know how it goes...busy. busy. busy.  I feel like I'm in the kitchen all day, so that means I've eaten, right?  Not so much.  A little nibble here and there does not constitute a "meal" at this stage of the game.  Spent yesterday doing a little meal planning, making sure to add some large healthy snack option to our meals.  Here's to eating for two!   :)

A Cool Tool and Family Update

Up until the last few days I've been feverishly working on scrapbook catch-up for Hannah Reece's baby album.  I'm motivated by the thought that the details of her baby-hood are only going to grow foggier with the birth of a new baby. 

I must say, this blog has been a very useful tool in my endeavor to "catch up", I've been able to copy some of the journaling right into her book from here!  My two favorite things about blogging are:

1. sharing of  ideas: a few of my own and many from others that inspire and encourage
2. remembering/memory-keeping:  I have a feeling in the next few months it's gonna become heavy in the memory-keeping department around here, so bear with me!  ;)

Speaking of catching up...this year I've decided to participate in Project Life, or what some call Project 365 (P365)  If you g**gle it, you'll see some ideas of what I'm referring to.  Basically, it's taking a photo-a-day and using this to tell you/your family's story for the year. 

There are so many aspects of this project that excite me.  In a few words:

• Simple
• Concise
• Easy-to-Maintain
• Authentic story-telling

I will use this method to tell my family's story, it will become our 2010 family album.  I've chosen this tool (thanks mom and dad, for the b-day gift!) created by this uber-creative lady to tell our story this year.  Can you tell (photo below) that I'm just a little excited about it?!  I even used this for my P.O.T.D. that day! Hannah Reece has her own little art area next to me and I love to watch her punch and sticker and write and cut.  :)  I'll be posting our P.O.T.D. (photo of the day) every now and then, and maybe even a page here and there to show you how the album's coming along.  My goal is to print and work on this album once a month.  I just finished setting up the album, and completed the first two-weeks and y'all-it only took 2 HOURS!  Now that the album's all set up, I feel confident that I could easily complete a months worth of photos (1 per day) in 2 hours (or less).  That's do-able for me in this season.  Also, very excited that with the contents of the kit, all I need is a pen for journaling, my photos, and maybe some adhesive and a trimmer. Love that.

A little update:

30 weeks along now...nesting and exhausted...simultaneously.

Went to the doctor today because my heart is just pounding and I've been feeling very light-headed for several days now...had a little blood work-up, but he's pretty sure it's only anemia....relieved.

This part of pregnancy is exciting...

The four of us talk about Camille throughout the day. Both kiddos have many questions about all things baby, including our big winner for this week courtesy of Graham (at the dinner table): "Mom, I need to know how Camille's coming out of your belly, right now."

Hannah Reece loves to look at our growing stash of baby girl clothes and carries around the little sample diapers and wipes with such love and care. It just warms my heart! I'm so excited to see her in the role of "big sister"...she told me tonight "I want to hold Camille right now, can we have her now, Momma?"

This part of pregnancy is challenging...

Physical limitations, low-energy and waiting...these are not fun for anyone. For me these are character-building times because I am typically a busy-body and impatient! A word that God keeps bringing to mind in prayer is SURRENDER. Surrender to the process of pregnancy, delivery and after. Surrender to the fact that there will be projects left undone, maybe even goals unmet...and that's okay.  Surrender to the idea that we will need to ask for help, especially difficult being away from family and familiar, faithful friends. Surrender to God, that He alone knows ALL of our needs and our future, that he is willing and able to meet every. single. one. It's all very humbling, really. Knowing that I'm in control of so little in the grand scheme of things. Nothing in life has lead me to trust Him more fully than being entrusted with these little ones that ultimately belong to the Lord.

Dan's classes officially begin next week, for the new semester. But he's been a busy bee studying for his Ordination exams. These exams are comprised of 5 individual examinations required by the denomination that we belong to. He's already passed one of them last year, church "Polity". Today, he took the "Worship" and "Theology" portions and that leaves "Exegesis" (translating passages of scripture from the original language, Greek and Hebrew) and "Bible Content" examinations. These exams are only offered twice-a-year and are in addition to his Masters of Divinity program requirements at Gordon-Conwell.

Dan is one of the most self-disciplined individuals I've ever known. I can tend to be lazy at follow-through with things that I say are important to me. His character in this area is an example and inspiration to me on a daily basis...not to mention that he "carries the team" in just about every other area of life these days...and I'm one very grateful woman.  :)

19 weeks

Here we are at 19 weeks...almost halfway there! This pregnancy is FLYING by...and I'm thankful to say that I'm feeling really good...this is the stage where it's fun being pregnant. Baby's moving around a lot, but still small enough that I can be active and comfortable, most of the time. :)
Hannah Reece is happy about her baby sister and wanted to pose with her. ;) She give her lots of kisses and talks baby talk through my belly. It's so special to share this pregnancy with my daughter, I'm often surprised at how in tune she is with this process.And a few more pics with my sweet girl...not very often that I'm the one in front of the camera! Even though it was a bad hair day, I'm glad that Dan captured one of our favorite activities...rocking out together to some good music. This little chickadee is so much fun. :)

She recently chose a book about ballet at the library and I taught her the ballet "positions"...can't believe I still remember those! :) I'm thinking that dance lessons might not be too far away!

Here are a few of Hannah Reece's favorites on our playlist:

• Black Eyed Peas (I Got a Feeling)
• Chris Tomlin (Holy is the Lord)
• Jack Johnson (Upside Down)
• Lady Antebellum (I Run to You)
• Natasha Bedingfield (Pocketful of Sunshine)
• ANYTHING by Taylor Swift
• High School Musical Soundtrack

Our third child is...

...a baby...

****** GIRL ******

This little one sucked her thumb for just about the whole 20 minute ultrasound. So precious.

Hannah Reece has insisted all along that this baby was a girl, referring to the baby as "her" and "my girl"...she's so happy (and frankly, I'm relieved that we didn't have to tell her otherwise!)
Graham is still not home from school yet, I can't WAIT to share the news with him. He's such a wonderful big brother. And Dan...is reeling...with thoughts of braces for two thumb-sucking girls, two weddings (much less giving away two brides!) and how he's going to protect his daughters from the boys. ;) So very thankful.

I hardly slept a wink last night...so excited about seeing this beautiful little one today. I think I'll make good use of this rainy fall weather and go take a nap....I'll be dreaming in pink!

Cravings

In the 1st trimester it was anything very salty/sour...potato chips (salt & vinegar), ritz crackers with peanut butter, grapefruit with salt, apples, popsicles, tuna fish with pickle relish and any time of the day or night poptarts?! But please oh, please...NO chicken or broth...that would just send me right over the edge. These foods were my staples, as I was so sick that mostly nothing sounded just fine to me.

Second trimester rolled around...feeling SOOOO much better now...my "sensitive dog smeller" (as Dan calls it ;) is starting to wear off and I can eat mostly anything...been making up for that lack of food in the first few months!

So last night, at 2 am I woke up with my first middle-of-the-night craving...and of all things, something I think I've only eaten a handful of times in my whole life:I'm tellin' ya, those puppies jumped right into my cart at the grocery today. Honest to goodness, they tasted SO good before bed tonight! ;) Hopefully, the excessive sugar and artificial flavors and colors won't damage this poor child!

If these look appetizing...

then you might be pregnant, too! ;) These funny goodies are given at MOPS meetings to congratulate expectant mothers.

Here's the first glimpse of our third child at 14 weeks and 6 days:

Well, actually it's not our first glimpse, here's our baby at only 4 weeks gestation. Do you see that itty, bitty, teeny tiny black dot?? Look REALLY closely...yup, there he/she is:

Isn't it miraculous?? In just 10 weeks, from what looks like a tiny speck of pepper to a person with arms, legs, a heart, a brain and the beginnings of every little part. We are thankful.

Here's what I wrote at the bottom of the page:

Dear precious tiny one,
After a 6 hour flight from Seattle, Washington to Fort Myers, Florida I decided to take a home pregnancy test…one that Daddy and Grandpa bought at the grocery store along with a lemon cake that sounded DELICIOUS! Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa all anxiously awaited the results…YES! We’re having a baby! We praised God for your life! We learned about you on Saturday, July 25, 2009, on Papa and Kailey’s birthday.

After a visit to the doctor and an ultrasound, we learned that you’ve been growing for four weeks. You are so tiny, we call you our little pepper! What a joy to see you at the very beginning of your precious life. Daddy is THRILLED (and that’s putting it mildly!) and I’m so excited too, of course wondering what life will be like as a family of FIVE….blessed, that’s for sure. It really is amazing to think that all the days of your life have been planned and ordained by God himself, even though the thought of you is still so new to us.

Your big brother, Graham, and big sister, Hannah Reece are over the moon excited about you! They think about you several times a day and have big plans for you little one. It is a privilege to carry you for the next 9 months… I love you.