The Birth Story Part 1, Getting to the Hospital

Okay, so I definitely promised to update by the end of last weekend, but I obviously missed that deadline. But I am super tired so have a little grace;) Although sometimes talking about birth can be graphic and personal...I am going to go ahead and share because it really was all God and His grace that made this a "special" time:)

So, I had been asking everyone to pray that Zipporah would come early so that I could see her and kiss her pumpkin face and so that I would have a better chance at a natural delivery. God heard his people:) 2 days before my due date I woke up at around 6:15am or so with this cramp of a feeling and I thought "Maybe that's a real contraction." But then I thought that I was overreacting because I was so ready to have her. But I noted the time and when that feeling returned 10 minutes later and then 12 minutes later I decided (even if I was wrong) to go ahead and label this "early labor." (If you've been pregnant you can understand that I wasn't necessarily overreacting since Braxton Hicks contractions don't hurt and this was the first really different feeling that I had felt in awhile.) Adam had been at Downline that morning, so when he got home I told him that I thought I was having early labor and well, he started asking why I hadn't finished packing and started putting underwear and socks into a backpack. So I told him that he was stressing me out and really needed to calm down and carry on with his day as usual.

By noon, the timing of my contractions were all over the place, 25 minutes apart then 7 then 15, but luckily I had a little book that made me aware of each phase of labor and it gave me great security that I was indeed going to have a baby soon. I didn't want to get too excited. I had told only a friend or 2 that I thought I was in labor and really just wanted to lay in bed until the action began. Well, all at once 3 friends decided to stop by. I have to admit that I wasn't feeling that idea initially but they came and brought me lunch and although the contractions were getting stronger and closer together; their company turned out to be a good distraction. But then, Darragh and Shannon and Adam FORCED me to go for a walk. They wanted to make sure the contractions were real. Normally if you go on a walk and the contractions feel better then you probably aren't really in labor so they wanted to make sure, even though I was pretty certain that I was in labor; that or someone had hit me in the back with an axe when I wasn't looking.

We walked around the block, which wasn't super far, but I felt like my hips were about to fall off. It was really cold and painful, but I was really appreciative that Darragh (who was so pregnant that she had her baby 4 days later) and Shannon stopped their days, put their kids in strollers and walked in the cold with me.

That must have been what I needed because once I got home the contractions were coming every 5 minutes or so. I told Adam that we might need to start getting ready because it looked as though this was actually happening, so he says, "Ok, I am going to go get the car detailed then." "Ummmm...ok" I guess thats what he felt was important at that moment; for his daughter to come home in a clean car. I said "ok," because my goal was to labor at home as long as possible and with him gone I had a better chance of just chilling and waiting. By the time he got back it was time for him to focus and rub my back and pay special attention to me because my contractions were 2-4 minutes apart and strong.

At that point I started getting nervous. Adam hadnt ever really wanted to practice breathing and we hadnt really talked through a plan about how I would actually get through natural childbirth. And since I vomited on myself twice during birthing class and Adam almost started crying, I didnt feel too confident about what we had learned that day. But thats another story. Anyway, I felt like the contractions couldnt get any closer but at my last appointment I was only dilated a half centimeter and I didnt want to get there and they tell me I needed to come back later. That might have created some sort of rage and I might have hurt my witness by punching a nurse in the nose bone. But I didnt know what else to do. Back massages and breathing were losing their effect since in my head I was stressing about when to get to the hospital.

I call a nurse, she says to just go up there. So we start getting dressed...Oh my Lord, ya'll should have seen my outfit. When you are in pain it seems like matching is impossible. I had on a black snap Henley that was a little too small for my belly, some light brown sweats that were flooding and falling off my hips (a bad combo) some scuffed up white tennis shoes and white socks, which you could catch a glimpse of due to the flooding, glasses, uncombed hair, a gray pea coat and a popsicle.

Packing seemed like it took ten years (I was already mostly packed but needed to put the everyday things into the suitcase) and we were on our way, BUT our neighbor happened to be outside and he had been saying Zipporah would be born on his birthday which was that night (and he was right) and Adam told him we were on our way to the hospital so he wanted to give me a hug and a wish of good luck. Sounds fair enough, but I just wanted to burn rubber and get the heck out of there. Luckily we live about 8 minutes from the hospital. Grimacing and eating my popsicle I knew that icy treat had been a mistake. I know you arent supposed to eat when you are in labor, but my sweet husband gave it to me since popsicles and ice had been my one pregnancy comfort and it made me feel better for a few minutes and then my stomach started making idle threats that would later become a reality.

So we get to the hospital, leave our luggage in the car until we knew further instructions... I throw that stupid popsicle on the street... my sweet husband picks it up and takes it to the trashcan. I roll my eyes, vow in my heart to remember to be loving and gracious towards him during labor, pull up my sagging flooding pants, wonder why I hadnt put on something better and head into the hospital to hear our fate.

Til Later,

First Things First...Z's Room

I am a little behind, but here goes my effort. Its 11:37pm...Adam is asleep...Zipporah is fake sleeping and Elizabeth is here for the second night in a row staying the night to lend a hand because she is a saint, but I will go into that later. I thought I would finally put up pictures of Z's room. (uh oh...she's already starting to moan...this may not happen after all) I know people want to see pics of her, but we have to go in order:) Hopefully I will have some up by the time this blog is over.

Okay, its 1:09am now and I am back:) Here are some pics of her room...

I am not the best photographer, so you may not get the whole picture, but bear with me.


The guest bed


Changing table with her initials that Shannon made! (The furniture is a dark chocolate even though it looks black)


Zipporah (I picked out some fun paper with dots and the different names of Christ and some accents and Shannon put it all together so perfectly!)


Brooklyn


Thomason


All together...plus I hung some of the sweet notes and prayers I received from my great friends at my Texas shower on some ribbon:) She'll know that she was prayed for!


Buckets of toys


My very pink, very cheap curtains that Shannon and I made


And the ribbon around them...very do it yourself room:)


Her little "care cart"...she has way more product then I do


A closer look


I covered 4 canvas with fabric and the wall says "Every good and perfect gift comes from above." I have never found that to be more true than this week.




Rocker/ottoman


Zipporah's very own bookshelf...I initially asked Adam if we could just move one of our bookshelves into her room and find some other place to put our stuff and he basically said (as he did throughout pregnancy) that "Zipporah is not taking over...if she wants a bookshelf she will have to earn it just like we earned this one..." He really sounded tough and like a dad that wasnt going to be ran over by a little kid...Now that she's here... you can currently find him melted all over the house;)


A closer look...My aunt Yolanda sent her the piggy bank with her name on it and Ashleigh made her the little "Z" canvas:) So fun!

Okay, honestly my goal was to blog about the room and the delivery which I have to tell in full since it was such a God story, but it is now 1:51am and I just realized 1. that Zipporah has been soundly asleep for almost an hour and I should have totally taken advantage of that and 2. I am really sleepy:) BUT now that I am going to have to move her to our room she will probably wake up screaming or something and I will find myself right back out here. But I will definitely continue working on having the delivery and pics posted by the end of this weekend. PROMISE!

For now she say's
"I'm tired"


"Sooo...goodnight!"


Til Later,

Ummmm....

Okay, I know that I have NO CLUE as to what I am going to do with her when she gets here, but I would like for Zipporah to come. I will try to read a book or something and figure out the rest later, but right now I just want to kiss a little pumpkin face. I feel like she is getting bigger and I am not. She is probably all smashed up in there, but I cant wait to see her. My prediction is that she is a perfect mix of Adam and I...big eyes, a strong jaw line and a goatee. Please pray she comes (on her own) in the next day or so...k? Thanks for your help.

Til Later,

I need to update. I am coughing up a lung and sneezing everywhere, listening to the new Beyonce album. (thanks myspace for the preview...such great singing, lots of ballads!) But Adam is sitting court side at a Grizzlies game and has players passes or something, so he may not be back til late, so I may go hang out with Darragh and David...or take a Benadryl and pass out until I go into labor...OK, that probably wont happen. (Not sure why she put it on her album, but B is singing the crap out of Ave Maria right now)

I went to the doctor today...nothing is really happening. Zipporah loves my uterus. And that's comforting for me to know, but I want her here now. With my due date being next week, my doctor wanted to talk about inducing. Sad day:( Oddly enough Adam jumped at the sound of it. I have been wanting to wait to see if I go into labor so that i would have a better shot at having her naturally. But the reality is that our families come into town 5 days after my due date for Thanksgiving and 1. I don't want to stare at anyone while I labor except for the person who got me into this predicament, I mean... my sweet Adam; 2. I feel guilty having Adam's family driving from Michigan and Virginia and get here to find there is no baby. And 3. I want to be well and out of the hospital so that I can enjoy my neighbors deep fried turkey and all the food our families will be making for the combined Thanksgiving we are having with our neighbors. So, looks like this is our option, unless I choose to be selfish and keep waiting or she comes in the next few days. But its kind of exciting to think about her actually being here by next Friday/Saturday.

Well, I was going to put up pics of Z's room, but I think I will go cough up my lungs at Darragh's so that I wont be alone on this quite rainy dreary night. Maybe I will get back to that later, perhaps if I am up wandering around the kitchen at 3:00am. K, that's all.

Til Later,

Look at Me being Like Butta (on a roll...huh? get it? huh?)

I thought I would update! 3 times in October! I am proud of myself. There is literally a TON of stuff I should be doing, but I will just keep adding to the "Put off til Forever" list that I am making. I don't really have any pictures besides this one...



These are pretty bad pictures... I look asleep, but it was like almost midnight after Adam and I had gotten home from hanging out. But since he thought I looked like I had on a pregnancy suit, he wanted a shot. I am always lagging behind, so that is actually me at 33 weeks even though at this point I am 36 weeks and a little bigger. But something is better than nothing.

I have some pictures of the decorating process of the babies room, but I think you all should just come visit instead. Our camera is bad so some are all splotchy and doesn't do the room justice, so I will wait. Its pretty cute and girlie though:)

I will tell you that the colors are chocolate, pink, green and white and that the room was based around this little "guard dog."

This is what he looks like on his other side...

Such bad lighting and photography, so I will stop there:)

Okay, none of that was apart of what I was blogging for and now I am far off track and ready to quit.

Adam turned 28 on Saturday:) So we had people over for cupcakes, cookies, ice cream etc. and then after a couple hours about 20 of the brave ones headed out to SKATE!! Y'all...I am ashamed for not having had my camera. You have never seen so many people over 6ft tall on the ground. The beautiful AND sad part is that they were all actually trying really hard to skate...they weren't really joking around and yet, at heights of 6'7 and 6'5 and 6'4 I saw them dropping like flies, flailing arms, using the wall to stop and many other wonderful sights. Now, normally I would consider it rude to be the person NOT skating, sitting on the sidelines laughing at the people who ARE skating, BUT in my own defense being 9 months pregnant at a skating rink is no fun unless you can at LEAST laugh at your friends. I wish I at least had a picture of the line up (mostly guys) who were skating. All very tall, in shape...tough guys looking timid as ever with their size 15 skates on. I will give you my top 3 favorite falls and then I will stop...

3. LeCrae and Benjah skated up behind Adam and put their arms around his shoulders and brought him down. But they went down too...That was alot of "man" for little kids to skate around. Adam had been skating about a 1/2 of a mile an hour the whole night, so it was good to see some action from him. I kept saying "Babe, how are you having fun? You are going so slow! He would just keep saying, "I'm cool babe, see, you gotta know you're limitations." (Even though he was going a 1/2 of a mile an hour, he was dripping sweat)

2. Ben Washer (6'7) got out on the floor...usually a prankster, but very serious and like a minute and a half later, without so much as a cool breeze to disrupt his concentration he just fell. I lost it. I laughed so hard I thought I was going to go into labor. Geez, 6'7 is just so much to go down and come back up. But he did better after that.

1. And my favorite fall of all...a new friend of Adam's who DID NOT want to skate finally built up the courage to get out on the floor. He looked so confused and timid and after a couple laps of walk/skating he somehow lost his balance and while flailing his arms in the air took down a skinny little black girl with glasses who was about 8-10 years old. (Nothing funnier than a grown man pulling down a little kid with him as he falls) The girl was MAD, she got up and rolled her eyes in ways I had never seen them rolled and called him a "Pervert!" while he very seriously apologized. He looked deflated as she skated off dissing him to her friend. Haha, no forgiveness, but he pressed on:)

When we were done skating I realized all in an instant that we aren't that young anymore. Darragh and I were waddling and pregnant while all our guys were complaining of back aches, blisters (Really? From 2 hours of skating?) and were sweating way more than what seemed to be appropriate for a little recreational skating. We ended up eating burgers at Red Robin. That was a long day for a pregnant girl, but it was all worth it for my Sweet.

So, that's really all I have been up to. Went to the doc and the estimated weight of Z right now is 6lbs and 7 ounces!! I am so pumped since people keep telling me I am going to have a 4lb baby. If we make it to the due date then she could be about 8lbs! Cant wait to kiss her face!! I start going to the doctor once a week now. I am really in the home stretch. Pray for us during this big transition! You can join us in praying that she comes early! (Not too early, I still have a shower this weekend:)) I also want to deliver without the help of medicine, so PLEASE pray for that experience, that I can make it through. I wont feel like a failure if I don't, but I would love the extra prayer. Thanks friends!

Til Later,

Why Donald Miller is Voting for Barack Obama

This is a very well spoken interview with Donald Miller, but it doesnt intrigue me because of its eloquence, but rather because of the truth in it. This isnt a ploy to get you to vote for Obama, but it really just struck a chord with me. I feel as though he says almost everything that I want to say to some people who vote "Christian" (ha) or for the party of their family, or who have made Christianity all about Gay Marriage and Abortion, or in my opinion more shameful then all..."uneducatedly." Its a great read if nothing else and I know we all love Donald:) So, this is just something for my friends to read in hopes that maybe those who havent been following will read more articles and watch missed debates or interviews. I have heard lots say, "I havent really been paying attention, but I think I will vote for so and so.." EEK! Scary. Anywho, for the random people that find my blog and like to argue, dont bother....dont have the time. But if you are a friend with questions...we can talk. http://burnsidewriterscollective.blogspot.com/2008/09/interview-with-donald-miller.html

Til Later,

Begrudginly Updating Part 2 (This is great if you're bored at work with time on your hands)

Oh my goodness...I was just typing an update which I have been dreading doing in the first place and somehow magically my hand highlights and erases all of the text...I am over this. Well, really I was going to go play by play but the rest of the former update is that I went to Texas for 2 AMAZING showers and then my mom came back to Memphis with me for about 4 days. Here are only a FEW pictures of the ton that were taken. There are so many, but I don't know how to make a slideshow:( The first shower my mom and her friend hosted. It was really nice to see people I hadn't seen in forever and to have lots of family there.


My mom made me wear a sash and my big brother thought it was really funny since he knows I dont like stuff like that, so he took a picture.


A little food


Cute cupcakes


I opened lots of gifts and my mom was standing there the whole time, perhaps even more excited than me


It's Maw Maw!! She insisted I sit on her lap...I guess no matter how old, or pregnant you get, you still have to do what Maw Maw says.


My aunt Sheenon and her daughters


My stylish aunt Yolanda


LaTonya co-hosted with my mom. Sweet lady!


Some boys crashed the party...my brothers Chris and Damien


My cousin Antwone:)

Okay, there were lot of other people there but this is getting longer by the second:) I then headed to Molly's house for a shower with all my Dallas friends! (It was obviously a long but exciting day) I was so excited! I LOVE seeing them! Molly's house was soooooo awesome...too bad she sold it:( If I am sad about it then I am sure she is too so I wont keep talking about it.


The wonderful hosts! LOVE THEM!! Thanks girls!


See that diaper cake in the middle of the table?? Mel made that! She was so domestic for this shower! Everyone did a great job!


I love this picture. Lauren was really excited about making the heart on my stomach with Barkley


Katie and Niki!!!


Jourdan and I and her Cd!! I am so proud of her:) Cant wait for you to come to Memphis!


Why are little things so cute? Somehow, other than this, Molly dodged pictures all night...


Faith and Nat:)

Hope I didn't miss anyone...that's all the photos I got! And finally I couldn't leave without a dinner with these girls:) PF Changs and no makeup mmm...makes me happy. Being an extra 20 pounds...less happy:)


So that's all for the Texas showers. I still have one more in Memphis that I am really excited about.

My mom came into town and we really just chilled and bought a few baby things. She finally got to go to Graceland...unfortunately she went alone...too pregnant for that again. But we had a good time and it was good to see her before the baby comes. AND I had a couple of last minute visitors this past weekend! Brandi Howard and Kelly Moore stayed with us while they were in Memphis to shoot a wedding. LOVED being with them. Okay, that's all for now. That was draining! OH!! Go get LeCrae's new album REBEL!!! I promise it will not disappoint (not simply because I am on there;)) it really is sooooo good! www.reachrecords.com I know you can get it at Lifeway, Mardel and Walmart. (And I swear those shower thank you cards are coming!) LATER peeps!

Til Later,

Update Part 1

Blogging is so overdue. I am taking a break from cleaning my super messy house to try to at least begin a blog with the hopes of one day finishing. I have had a few pretty eventful weeks!! I was really excited for these weeks to both come and go...sounds weird I know, but as exciting as they were; pregnancy makes me super tired so it was fun to finally just go home and crash.


The "eventfulness" started at the end of August when my sister came to visit. She stayed for a few days just to hang out. We didn't do a ton of things because I needed a little rest, but we still had some good hang out time. We went to see LeCrae perform the first night she was here and did alot of eating, but other than that and church we just hung around. I felt bad for being boring but she didn't seem to mind so that was good:)


LeCrae


Leia disregarding my strict "no candids" order


Back home after the concert

We also drug her out to a Downline barbecue of about 100 strangers forcing her to make small talk. She did pretty well. I was proud.


Leia and I at the barbecue

We had a fun time. I was glad she came! She even treated me to a massage!!! Just what I needed:) Ok, moving on to the next week...

Sept 5th was the Downline retreat. I didn't take any pictures, but Downline is the ministry that Adam works for. So EVERYONE that is involved in or going through the program headed out to For the Kingdom camp for an overnight outing...It was pretty fun. Lots of talking to young women about all kinds of things and lots of sports, none of which I participated in. Most of the emerging leaders and downliners played in a tournament strategically planned out by the Downline staff with 10 different games like flag football, volleyball etc. It was way intense. Adam and Kennon even painted lines on the field for the games. I was so glad I had pregnancy as an excuse not to have to play. These tournaments lasted non stop til about 2am and there was at least one person that needed stitches by the end:( I had to sleep on a bunk bed without my husband and got about 2 hours of sleep. I spent the majority of the night trying not to wake my cabin mates as I ate granola bars in bed and went to the bathroom.

On the 9th Lindsey Brittain came into town. I was glad to have an old friend in town...especially one who does the dishes after dinner...geez, come back anytime LB. Lindsey was hired by Red Rev and Fellowship church to do some photography around Memphis. I will spare you the details, but you can imagine how little a photographer gets done when their chauffeur is a directionally challenged, tired, hungry every five minutes, "I gotta go pee," pregnant girl. She was very gracious. Again, no pictures, except for this one:)


Okay...I gotta go sweep and mop the kitchen...LONG OVERDUE!! Hopefully I can get back to finish updating my eventful weeks before another month goes by and I give up all together:)

Til Later,

All You Care About is My Big Stomach

Okay, I know that I need to update, but ever since I had my last day of work I have had minimal computer access. My husband left his laptop today so that I could use it, but I have to be somewhere in 2 hours and I have not even begun to get dressed, and if you know me then you know I need about that much time since I take singing/dancing breaks..not to mention I have to stop every 5 minutes and eat.

So I have spent this time catching up on people's blogs and GEEZ, this time almost everybody has had like 3 updates since I last read so I obviously cant get it all in before I leave...oh and did I mention I am also supposed to read two chapters in this two hours?? Geez, I knew I was supposed to read by Friday but not having a job makes you forget what day it is. Anyway, the point is...I know all you people want from me is to see me fat...I can write a life changing blog about how Christ saved my soul and I will get the email..."Yeah, but where are the belly pictures?"

Honestly, I don't take belly pictures...I am not a good pregnant person in that regard, but because of threats on my life I went ahead and caved.

This was my belly around 17 or 18 weeks

Look at that belly button go!

And here it is a couple of weeks ago (24 weeks along)...forgive the sad sweaty face...our air conditioner went out...it was a 110 heat index and 90 degrees in our house...:( I asked Adam to take a quick picture so Dana would stop blogging about me not putting up pictures. His effort was minimal so the photo isn't great, but you get the picture...I am growing...but still rocking the non maternity shorts in this pic!


Okay, this is random but I have to put this up for Ashleigh even though its months later. My birthday was in June and she made me a cake. And it was VERY good! White chocolate cream cheese icing on chocolate cake? Is that right Ashleigh? Whatever it was it rocked my face off. She made it to match my blog:)




And because I was pregnant, Adam went a little over the top on the portions...

But I went for it anyway...


I guess I will end there. I am now in my 3rd trimester headed for the home stretch. Oh boy...we start birthing classes next month...I pray they show a natural birth video so that I can watch Adam's face...it should be good. I am so behind so I am going to jump off, but maybe next time I will post pictures of our house or something. I am going to commit to taking more pictures from now on! Promise!

Til Later,