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!  :)

Today...

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.