Happy Cry

I started crying last night as I was reading Reese her bedtime story "Guess How Much I Love You". Maybe it was my overwhelming gratitude and emotion for being blessed with two beautiful amazing girls, a wonderful husband and pretty much everything I've ever dreamed of, or maybe it was just my joy to be home from the hospital and reading bedtime stories to my little Reesy again. Most likely it was postpartum hormones mixed with exhaustion, but either way it was a happy cry.

Reese noticed and looked up at me, "mommy cry? mommy sad?". I explained to her that I wasn't sad, I was happy. I told her that sometimes when you're so happy, you cry. She looked at me puzzled so I went on to tell her how happy I was to be home with her, to have baby Anniston and daddy and to have such a happy family. I said, "I'm just so happy it made me cry a happy cry."

That's when she started to fake cry, "Wa wa wa wa, Reesy happy cry too." Then she gave me a big hug and kiss, which really just made me want to cry a little more.

Anniston

Anniston Sophia Thiebaud
Born Monday, March 21,2011 at 12:26 p.m.
7 lbs. 2 oz.
19.5 inches

It's official...we are in love!



On Monday morning, the 21st of March, I woke up about 7 a.m. with stabbing pain to my left side. It literally felt like someone was stabbing me over and over again. I stood up and almost passed out. I was dripping sweat and could hardly breathe. It was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. Arnold woke up seeing I was in pain and I could hardly speak to explain to him what was going on. After about 10 minutes the stabbing turned into a throbbing pain that was much more bearable but still left me unable to move. I thought it was over, but after a few minutes the stabbing pain returned. We decided to call my doctor to see what this could be. I was certain it wasn't contractions, as the pain was on my side. However, Dr. Gourley wanted me to go to Labor and Delivery as soon as I could. We called our friends to find someone who could take Reese for us and prepared to leave for the hospital.

When we arrived at Labor and Delivery they hooked me up to the monitors and discovered that I was having contractions that correlated with the pain. They determined that something else was probably causing the pain, but when I had a contraction it was intensifying the pain. Dr. Gourley thought it could have been my kidney, my old cesarean scar tearing, an ovarian cist, or the baby putting pressure on any number of internal organs. No matter the cause, he suggested we go ahead and perform a cesarean and take the baby out. This would put her 3 weeks early, but he was more concerned about my health than the small risk of a pre-term baby. Arnold and I agreed, so we got ready to welcome our little Anniston a lot earlier than we had expected.

We called my family to let them all know what was going on and then called our friends to make sure they could keep Reese for the rest of the day. This time around was going to be very different from when we welcomed Reese. I was excited that I would be fully awake to see Anniston the moment she came into the world. I was unfortunately under anesthesia with Reese and didn't get to see her for hours after she was born. However, as they prepped me for the cesarean I became very nervous. I didn't like being strapped down and started to panic. Arnold was there to calm me down and hold my hand, and before I even realized what was happening I heard Anniston start to cry. The nurses and doctors where laughing because she started crying before she had even been taken out of me, and she had a very loud cry. As soon as she came out they lifted her over the shield and let me see her. She was so beautiful. She had a lot more hair than Reese and it appeared curly. She was screaming like crazy and everyone kept commenting that she had a good set of lungs. As soon as they got her cleaned up a little, they let Arnold hold her and put her right by my head. I got to spend a few minutes with her, give her a kiss and then she and Arnold headed to the nursery to finish cleaning her up and check to make sure she was good and healthy. It was an amazing experience to welcome my baby girl into the world.

As soon as they got me stitched up, I headed to recovery for about an hour and then they let me head to my room in Mother/Baby where I was very quickly reunited with little Anniston. She was absolutely beautiful; so tiny and sweet, and most important she was completely healthy. At 7 lbs. 2 oz. you would never know she was 3 weeks early.

Arnold and I felt so blessed. We couldn’t ask for more than a beautiful healthy little girl.

They also gave me a clean bill of health. They never could determine what was causing the pain, but it hasn’t returned since Anniston was born so the doctor thinks it must have been the baby putting pressure on one of my internal organs.

Words

I have little talks with Reese, almost daily, about "using her words" to express emotion, instead of crying or throwing a fit. It must be sinking in...

After I told Reese she couldn't have any candy until she ate her lunch.

Reese: I not happy mommy.

Me: Why are you not happy Reese?

Reese: Reesy mad!!

Me: Why are you mad? Can you tell me why?

Reese: Mad at mommy!!

Me: I'm so sorry you're mad. But I still love you.

Reese: Not happy! Just mad at mommy!!

I never could get her to tell me it was about the candy. I just knew. But I'm glad she's using her words.

Bed Rest...

It's no secret this pregnancy has been a rough one. From the start I've been sick, deathly tired, labeled "high risk", baned from exercise, told to stay off my feet as much as possible, and suffered just about every pregnancy symptom from the stereotypical to the obscure. I guess it's only fitting that I would once again be put on bed rest for the final 2 weeks. Like the cherry on top of all suffering, I feel tortured. I'm in full nesting mode; anxious to get my house cleaned, organized and everything just perfect before the baby comes. But instead my legs are banned to horizontal positions while I suffer constant discomfort and pain.

The words of one of my favorite poems keeps circling my mind...

"The easy gift, is easy to forget.

But what is bought with coin of pain...

Is dearly kept!"

"Coin of pain"....my account is in the red.

That being said, I remind myself that I asked for this. I wanted this. I prayed for this...even begged for this, and I wouldn't take it back for anything.

There was a time in my life that I wondered if the role of motherhood would ever be mine. I had submitted myself to the Lord and knew what ever path my life followed would be what he wanted for me. My happiness has never comes from a title, but from inner peace of the spirit; knowing my life is in sink with the Lords will.

So here I sit...or lay...miserable but happy. With each kick to my internal organs I'm amazed and grateful for the life that grows inside me. She will be dearly kept!

Pregnancy and Potty Training...don't mix

Reese is slowly but surely making progress in the potty training department, no thanks to me :)

After a couple failed attempts on my part (one in November and one in January), I gave up. I never thought I'd be "that" mom; the one that just gives up on potty training. I'm pretty sure if I weren't "pregnantly" exhausted, I wouldn't have been...but it is what it is. Not to mention that was the advice I got from her pediatrician (and a few smart mom's in my neighborhood). He's one smart man, because everything he said... is indeed happening.

He predicted that with Reese's stubborn attitude and strong will, there's was no way I would be able to force this step on her. Since she was also showing all signs of "readiness" for potty training and a clear understanding of the process, he suspected that if I backed off and let her run the show she would probably potty train herself when she was good and ready.

Well, we're about half way there. Reese still wears a diaper, but about 75% of the time she goes into the bathroom all by herself, takes off her diaper and goes on the potty. She even knows how to clean up after herself. Sometimes she tells me so I can supervise, and sometimes she just does it all alone. She also wakes up dry every day.

So you may be wondering, why I don't just put underwear on her and finish the deal....well....that's one area she is still protesting. I casually ask her all the time if she wants to wear her fun Minni Mouse and Princess panties, to which she calmly replies, "no thanks...diaper".

The next step is just getting rid of the diapers and not even having that as an option, and quite frankly if I weren't mere weeks from giving birth, having contractions on and off, in constant pain and misery, and suffering from a coma like tiredness, I would move forward with that step.

Timing...it's a funny little thing.

I'm now subscribing to the philosophy that she'll learn eventually, so don't stress about it. I mean really...she's not even 2 1/2 yet. I guess I was just hoping I wouldn't have to pay for diapers for two kids. Although Reese's diaper usage has gone down considerably. I guess I should be grateful for the small things.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Reese in the shower yesterday...at the top of her lungs...

"HAPPY BIRFDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRFDAY DADDY! HAPPY BIRFDAY DADDY! HAPPY BIRFDAY TO YOU!"

Over and over and over again. It was really more screaming than singing. She must really like the acoustics of the shower.

Snowman...daddy style!

Arnold's been waiting all winter to play in the snow with Reese. It seems all our good "snow playing" snow storms come during the week. And after playing outside in the warm...well warmer weather...everyday for the last couple weeks, we weren't expecting there would be another opportunity for snow play.

So when we woke up to snow on Saturday, Arnold jumped at the opportunity to not only take Reese outside...but to show her how to make a "real" snowman, not the miniature size that mommy makes.

Meet daddy's snowman. I named him Sloth. You gotta admit there's a "snowman like" resemblance.

Reese also enjoyed eating as much snow as she could...

...even though I'm not sure she liked the way it tasted.

After building a snowman, Reese got her first taste of sledding...

...which she clearly loved!

We do live in Utah, so there still may be a few more snow days here and there before spring is here to stay. We're just glad that Reese got some good daddy daughter snow time in before that happens.

She's pretty sweet...

I feel like Reese is changing so much lately, I can hardly keep up. Every day I find myself saying, "where in the world did you come up with that phrase", or "who taught you to do that, or say that?"

A couple funny new sayings...

"So Sweet"

When she sees something she thinks is cute..."Sweet mommy, so sweet." Like the little baby in front of us in line at Walmart, or the picture of the puppy on the wall at the Doctors office. She says this with a little head tilt and softened eye's. I think it's pretty "sweet".

"Sure did"

This is in response to a question. Most the time it makes sense, like "Reese did you put you're toy's away?"...."Sure did", or "Reese, did you just toot?"..."Sure did". (That's my favorite.)

But sometimes it's a little off, like tonight when I asked her if she wanted a cookie. Her response, "Sure did mommy". Either way, it's pretty cute.

Counting

Reese loves to play with either Arnold's or my phone. This morning she was playing with the phone when it started to ring. I told her to give me the phone so I could answer it but she refused....

Mom: Reese, you have until the count of 5 to give mommy the phone or I will take it away and you will go to time out...one...two....three...

Up until this point she had been ignoring me, but with great disgust she slammed the phone into my hand and yelled...

Reese: FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, TEN!!!!!

She then stomped off to play in her room.

At least she knows how to count.

Annual Tanglewood Valentine's Party!

I was probably crazy at 8 months pregnant, hosting the Annual Tanglewood Valentine's Party. But it didn't turn out too bad. Believe it or not 25 kids somehow managed NOT to destroy my house, and Reese had such a great time!

Have I mentioned how much we love love love our neighborhood! Reese is so lucky to have so many friends...and I'm pretty lucky too.

I wish I had taken more pictures, but it was a little crazy!

I racked my brain for over week trying to think of the perfect "non-messy" treat for 25 kids, and I was pretty proud of myself for thinking of jello jigglers. Not only were they non-messy, the kids loved to eat them...and play with them!

The day before the party Reese and I had a fun craft day, making her Valentine box. Reese helped me pick out the paper and glue everything on. She was so proud of her box, and it turned out pretty cute.

Chocoholic!

Yep...just like her daddy, Reese loves chocolate! She certainly didn't get it from me. But who can resist a chocolate face?

This day Reese and I made heart shaped Chocolate drizzled Strawberry Rice Crispy Treats! They were a big hit!

Shoes...

Reese love them...and she doesn't discriminate. From my old stilettos to my running shoes, she loves them all! She looks pretty cute in them too.

Conversations with Reese...

Mom: Reesy my baby, come give your mommy a hug.

Reese: No baby Reesy...baby in tummy. I just Reesy now; big girl Reesy.

Mom: Will big girl Reesy give her mommy a hug.

Reese: Ummm ya!

....................................................................

Mom: Reese, Lucy's mommy just called and invited us over to have a dace party with all your friends. Do you want to go?

Reese: Ya ya! Play with friends.

Mom: Ok, then we need to clean up your room before we go. Can you help mommy clean up all the toys?

Reese: Ummm mommy do it.

Mom: No, Reesy has to help mommy.

Reese: (this is where she scrunches her lip and puts a finger to the corner of her mouth, while tilting her head to the side...we call it her thinking face) Ummmm Reesy can't do it. Reesy sick.

Mom: Oh no, if Reesy is sick then we can't go to Lucy's house. We have to stay home and until you feel better.

Reese: (thinking face again) Ummmm Reesy tired.

Mom: Well if Reesy is tired then we better stay home and take a nap.

Reese: (thinking face, for a minute, then eye's wide in excitement) Ummmm Reesy help clean up!

Mom: That's what I thought.

Stuck with me...

This quote really stuck with me from church on Sunday. I really like it!

"God does not begin by asking us our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, he will increase our capability."

Neal A. Maxwell

Sometimes I wonder...

why I bother making my bed everyday. Usually within minutes of completing the task a huge lump appears....

A lump with a face...

but it's a cute face...

that loves to play in mommy and daddy's bed.

I have to admit...it's a tempting bed. Snuggled down in the pillows and covers, this little face loves to watch cartoons.

Another fun new hair do! She looks like such a little girl with her hair up in piggy's!

What I've been up to....

It seems like a minute after the new year, I was hit with the nesting bug. What ever energy I have these days is spent sorting and organizing baby clothes, putting the final touches on the nursery, deep cleaning the house and throwing a lot of things away....and of course finishing all my sewing projects for the baby.

I've made diaper and wipe holders, a ton of receiving and swaddle blankets, new curtains for the baby's room, a nursing cover, and these fun car seat covers. (one is for my sister-in-law, who's baby should be here any day now.)

It's times like this that I'm so grateful my mom convinced me to take sewing classes in high school...and then gave me a sewing machine for graduation. It's become an invaluable skill that continues to save me money!!

I would like to introduce....

our new housekeeper. She's a little short, but she gets the job done!

Princess Hair

Reese's hair is finally getting long enough to curl and do some fun things. She especially loves it when I curl it. We call it her princess hair. She looks in the mirror and says, "Princess hair mommy...sooo pretty!"

Daddy Daughter Sledding...

Arnold has been disappointed that all our snow storms seem to come during the week. By the weekend all the snow is either gone or turned to solid ice. He was dying for some good daddy daughter snow time. So one night he decided to go ahead and take Reese out for some fun in the dark. We had gotten some fresh fluffy snow and it was perfect.

Reese was so excited and had the best time riding in the sled with daddy!

Finally...Christmas!

My delay in blogging lately can be blamed on Photobucket. I was having problems uploading photo's, but I think we finally got the problem fixed. Unfortunately that means I'm way way behind. So here we go....

CHRISTMAS!! We had a great Christmas. It was so relaxing and fun. Santa did not disappoint, and neither did Reese. She had so much fun opening all her presents. It took her almost 2 hours. She had to take time to play with each toy after opening it.

She especially loved her new kitchen. In the weeks since Christmas this has proven to be a very good investment. Santa is one smart cookie!

Reese had particular fun with her stocking. So many little fun things.

Reese loves her new computer from Grandma & Grandpa Nordfelt, snuggled in her new blanked from Grandma & Grandpa Thiebaud.

This is pretty much how we spent the rest of the day...doing nothing but relaxing and eating. It was heaven!!