Introducing Savannah Grace

She's here and here I am BLOGGING in my hospital bed just hours after her arrival. I guess I've truly lost it.

Savannah Grace, born 12:53pm, 7 pounds 7 ounces, 19 inches. It was a very quick delivery - she was ready to join us and no complaints here on that! Had about an hour where I got to get a light taste of what it would be like to not have had an epidural and I must say those of you who go completely natural are either insane or superhuman. I'm going to say you're superhuman because I know a lot of you well and I know you're not really insane! I admire your tolerance for pain.

Here's some quick pics:

Just My Luck....

Tomorrow Benjamin is supposed to be at his Mother's Day Out program (he only goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays). Which would've worked out great - I was going to use that day to get some things done while he's at school before the baby is born on Monday. It's now 7pm and he's had a fever of almost 102 all day. Meaning he can't go to school tomorrow because of the "no fever within 24 hours" rule. Which I totally understand but it's just a bummer that we'll be cooped up inside again tomorrow. Poor little guy. He hasn't let me leave his side all day - he'll even repeat over and over again "Mama, where are you?" while I'm sitting right beside him.

We're on the countdown now to Monday - and I'm eating anything and everything I can get my hands on. I must say, if I'm not eating, then I'm thinking about food. This too shall pass....

What Happened?

We've never had a problem getting Benjamin to go to sleep, even since he was just a few weeks old. He's even been known to take us by the hand and lead us to his crib so we'll put him in his crib. We've been so blessed in the "sleep" area with him. However, I'm not sure what's going on but as of the last week nap time and night time have been dreadful. He'll cry and scream at the top of his lungs for what seems like an eternity. It's completely heart breaking, especially when he calls specifically for one us. After a little while if he's still screaming either David or I will try to comfort him. He'll even fall asleep on us and as soon as we put him back in the crib he'll start screaming again. It's kind of a "scared" scream so we starting using a night light in his room hoping that would help. Didn't work at all. There's a part of me that thinks he might be sensing the changes that are about to happen next week..............possibly?

Baby Girl McKinney Birth

We've scheduled March 30th to be the big day! When I was at my appointment yesterday my doctor told me that my actual due date is not April 9th, but April 3rd. I've thought that all along because when I counted out 40 weeks, April 3rd would be the date. But I never said anything and just went along with what her office said. So being that the due date had changed that meant the induction would be moved up. It was either that date or wait another 2 weeks before my doctor would be available again - meaning she would probably be born well before my doctor was available and that terrified me.

I've had several people ask me "why schedule an induction"? Several reasons. First, I don't want any doctor on call to deliver her. I know my doctor will put the best interest of the baby above everything else. Not that any other doctor wouldn't do the same, but also she's who I'm comfortable with and I want her to deliver the baby. I also love her demeanor. She knows how to keep me calm. Some of the other doctors I met last time when I was pregnant completely stressed me out. When you're in that state, you need a doctor who's calm and not easily excitable. She's also not so quick to rush in to a C-section like a lot of doctors are and that's really important to me. Having a c-section means a much longer recovery time and I need to be back on my feet ASAP considering I already have a toddler. Things are already going to be hard, so I'm trying to make things as easy I can considering the circumstances.

Second, it's important to me to have arrangements already made for Benjamin while we're in the hospital. I want to keep him on his schedule as much as I possibly can during this time. Once I get home from the hospital I'm going to have my hands full. And having Benjamin completely thrown off will just make things harder.

Finally, I'm a planner - big time. If I don't have a "plan" then I'll be completely stressed out and not be able to focus on what's important.

Here's a shot with David and Benjamin having a tickle fight. He loves to be tickled and will request to be tickled quite frequently! He doesn't get that from me - I hate being tickled.

Drama Filled Day for the Drama Queen

God was telling me I shouldn't have left the house yesterday....

1. Getting run off the road at 70 miles per hour by a semi into a construction zone with my kid in the car...check.

2. Leaving my car partially running in the store parking lot while I do some shopping (not realizing I left it on of course) and coming back to find my car battery is dead....check. (We'll blame that one on "pregnancy absentmindedness").

3. Driving all the way to McKinney to find that the store I was looking for was no longer there and then getting stuck in horrible traffic on the way back....with a toddler who doesn't understand the concept of patience yet.......icing on the cake.

Thanks Mom and Dad for your help yesterday. Being the drama queen I am, I promise to always keep you on your toes.

Oops.....

This is what happens when you leave a toddler alone in a room with a box full of baby wipes.......


















Having fun outside today!

Happy Birthday Abraham!

Today we celebrated Uncle Abraham's birthday. We started off with Indian food for lunch then headed back to our house for cookie cake (deliciously made by Aunt Laura) and presents. The kids had a GREAT time laughing and playing together. Warms my heart hearing their laughter (and even screams).













A funny note from today - while we were in the little girl's room showing off the newly painted walls we had to ask cousin Andrew to keep his voice down (the little girl's room is right next to Benjamin's room and he was napping at that time). Andrew couldn't understand why we had to talk softly. He asked "has the baby been born yet?" And of course the answer was no. He then asked "then why do we have to be quiet?" Makes me smile.













We also welcomed Grandma Nancy and Granddaddy back from their trip to Moscow and Kazakstan. They brought Benjamin back some funky boots from Kazakstan - WE LOVE THEM! Check them out.......

Pump-it-Up

Yesterday we met our Gymboree group at Pump-it-Up. It was such a great time. We played for an hour and then had pizza for lunch which is Benjamin's favorite food right now. When we first walked in the room the thing he was most interested in was a little red car. Out of all the fun stuff to do he picks the least interesting of all! Once I finally got him over his fear of the big slide he couldn't get enough of it...and yes, pregnant and all, I had to go down with him each time. Whew!

Irish Festival and Grandmother

We started Saturday off at the Irish Festival at Fair Park. Benjamin wasn't too thrilled about it all so we weren't able to stay long. Plus, being 8 months pregnant it was hard for me to walk around for long - I noticed when we got home my feet were swollen. Ugh. This too shall pass. Anyway, next we were off to Babies R Us to finally get the mattress for the crib. Finally, Grandmother stopped by to drop some things off and ended up staying for dinner. Benjamin was the sweetest ever with her tonight. He's usually pretty standoffish when it comes to the girls. Initially he'll usually give Grandpa and Granddaddy hugs, but with Grandmother and Grandma Nancy it usually takes him a while to warm up. He actually crawled into her lap this evening and stole a hug and a kiss with no prompting.

Getting ready for the Irish Festival


















Irish Festival













David and Benjamin at the Irish Festival












Hey Kid! Pull your pants up!


















Benjamin telling Grandmother to FEED ME!

Baby's Nursery

The muralist came on Wednesday to paint the walls of the nursery. It's wild and bright but I absolutely love it! The furniture looks a little cramped right now because the bed is pulled out from the wall (we're replacing the window on that wall). But at least this gives an idea of what the room is going to look like.

ALARM, Inc.

We had a great meeting on Thursday with ALARM, Inc. (the African ministry organization we're interested in). Looks like we'll be able to help them with some of their web development to raise awareness. We certainly are looking forward with more involvement with them. Just to point out - the President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, was issued a warrant for his arrest by the ICC (International Criminal Court) this week over war crimes and crimes against humanity.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/44200.html

Let's see how this one plays out! Thanks Celestin, Kathleen, and Nancy for your time on Thursday.

Baby Shower

Last weekend my friends Leslyn and Sherry threw me a baby "diaper" shower. I got loaded up on diapers and shouldn't have to buy any for a long time! Such a nice feeling. It was truly a perfect shower and it was so good to see so many of my good friends and family.

A picture of the group - minus my friend Nancy who was taking the picture.

So Disappointed.....Wish it Could be Sooner!

I had another doctor's appointment today and asked her how soon can I schedule the delivery. She said they'll go as early as 10 days before the due date - that would put me at March 31st...I'm really wanting to go for it. David says to wait - easy for him to say! He's not the one carrying a baby in his belly and can't get comfortable! The doctor also said she's measuring small - she was concerned a couple of weeks ago because she thought she was measuring big but the sonogram today revealed she's only 5 pounds. I'm taking votes....who says I should wait until my due date April 9th and who says I should go March 31st?

The picture was taken last Friday night. Dave Harris brought Blaine and his sister Haley over for a playdate. Benjamin had so much fun!

The Children's Museum

The Children's Museum was giving free admission this morning to celebrate their birthday. Benjamin and I decided to check it out with some of his Gymboree friends. One word - CHAOS. I think every mother who had a child under the age of 5 was there. Benjamin threw 3 temper tantrums - the kind that make a room go silent with stares. After we had been there over an hour and a half I had had my fill of it and was so ready to go - he wasn't and made sure everyone there knew it - embarrassment #1, 2, 3.

His favorite room? The room with the most puzzles...and what room is that? The room with the live display of tarantulas. I wasn't aware what was in this room until I looked up and saw one about 2 feet from my face. Anyone who knows me well knows I'm arachnophopic - textbook definition of it. I get physical reactions when I see those things (as one might say - anxiety attacks). So I screamed - embarrassment #4. My hands were shaking so hard I thought I was going to drop the camera. I stuck it out though for Benjamin. Tried to think happy thoughts and lots of deep breathing. So, so, so, glad to be home.