Quality Time

 This weekend was so much fun! So much quality time spent with some of my very favorite people.

We spent the afternoon as a family on Friday. Lunch at Roscoe's Tacos (my first visit) and it was so yummy. Of course, Jilli, the pickiest kid ever didn't eat much of anything. Some shredded cheese and a few chips. Hoping someday she will not make a terrible face every time she tries something new and says "that's dicusting".

Off to the park we went after lunch. Jilli made her way up the steps and once she was at the top realized it was a little too high for her. Tom, being the good daddy he is, climbed up and made sure she felt safe. He crouched down and contorted himself to get thru y the small spaces. Anyone who knows Tom, knows he's not a short guy, but anything for his girls :) Jilli and I went down the "big slide" a few times. It was hot, dirty and there are always those big kids at the play ground that you wish would play somewhere else. None the less, Jilli had a great time. Her smile made the sweaty,  hot day worth it. Delaney sat patiently in her seat, taking it all in. Someday, before we know it she will playing right along side of her big sister.

Mrs. Curls was calling our name after we left the park. We sat on a little park bench with our ice cream by the "creek". Dirty water, crawdads and the smell of manure  (not sure where it was coming from). We had so much fun and I'm so happy to do things as a family. I love making memories for the girls. I know Delaney is too small right now, but she watches us and smiles. I think she had fun too! No pictures were taken this day...my bad!

On Saturday the girls and I went to a birthday/pool party for my best friends kiddos. Jilli had a blast. She loves Harper and Maddox (max is what Jilli calls him) and I'm thrilled that she gets to know them like I know their momma. Swimming, cupcakes and fun times.

I was looking SO forward to Sunday. After church with the girls I got to see Summer. Not only did I get to spend some much needed time with Summer, we were going to the Tim McGraw concert. He is my absolute favorite artist and I was so excited when Summer got tickets for my birthday. Eleven years of friendship. God has been good to me when He picked my friends. She is one of my very best friends.

It was incredibly hot, sweaty and crowded, but a fantastic time. I think I have a constant smile on my face when I'm at a Tim McGraw concert. The atmosphere is so much fun and spending it with Summer made it that much better. It's good for a momma of two to get out every once in a while. It's also good for the girls to spend some one on one time with daddy.





A fantastic three days. I am so blessed to have the most amazing people in my life. I never want to take any one of them for granted.

<3

Delaney's Birth Story

 February 18th started out just like any other morning. I was rushing around like a crazy woman, getting myself and Jilli ready for my ob appointment. I was running late because I never wake up on time and I had to shower (so glad I did). I left the house with less than 10 minutes to arrive at the office and sent a quick text to Tom (and my mom accidentally) as a reminder.

 Jilli and I arrived at the office and waited for Tom to meet us there. I did the usual routine of peeing in a cup, getting weighed, blood pressure etc and waited patiently in the room for the NP to come in. Tom still hadn't made it when the NP came in and tried to find the heartbeat. She actually went to get new batteries for her monitor because she thought it might be that. When she came back in and tried again there was a faint, slow beat. I looked at her and said, "something is wrong?" and she said she was going to order an ultrasound. At this point I was getting scared. I called Tom (who was arresting someone...the reason he was late) and told him he needed to get to the office asap! I also texted my mom and asked her to start praying. Jilli was getting restless. After all, my appointment was at 9:40 and by this time it was 10:45. They had me go back for the ultrasound, still no Tom, and I just laid there looking at the monitor. I could see her heart beating, so I knew she was alive.

 Tom came in the ultrasound room (mind you he's in full uniform) about the time it was done. They told me I had to do a 20 minute stress test to see if Delaney was still in distress. I can remember now that the tech told Dr. Asdell she thought the nuchal cord was around the neck twice. They never said anything to me, but I can remember it in passing now that I think about it. I was hooked up to the monitors and I was crying. Tom was trying to entertain a restless Jilli who had been at the doctors office for 2 hours. Thank God for the blue dumdum suckers at the counter! 

 Delaney's heart rate dropped very low for what seemed like an eternity. The nurse got Dr. Asdell and she rushed in. I remember her telling Tom that he could get me to the hospital faster than an ambulance could.

 I was terrified. I couldn't have my baby at 32 weeks. Nothing was ready, the house was not clean and the room wasn't even started. I called my mom on the way to the hospital and asked her to meet us there to get Jilli. We arrived at the hospital and Dr. Asdell was right behind us. The nurses were pretty surprised when she rushed them to get me undressed and hooked up to monitors and an IV. Jilli was in the room the whole time. She had no idea what was going on, just looking out the window and talking to herself. Nothing more beautiful than the innocence of a child.

Once I was officially admitted they wheeled me to my room. We passed thru the hallway and a guy from church,Jim, who just happens to work at the hospital was praying with my mom and Tom. Praying for me and Delaney.

Delaney's heart rate dropped again once I was hooked up to the fetal monitors. Another ultrasound was ordered and Dr. Asdell told us that she would more than likely need to deliver via emergency c-section. I was given a steroid shot to help with lung development (but it really made no difference since it was only a few hours before she was born), had supplemental oxygen and they pumped a lot of extra fluid via IV because I was dehydrated. I wasn't allowed to get up, had to pee in a bedpan and was paranoid when the nurse turned down the monitors and I couldn't hear the heart beat. I asked the nurse to turn it back up just for my peace of mind.

My mom had dropped Jilli off with my sister in-law, Jamie, so she could be at the hospital. She walked in, took one look at me and we both were in tears. She told me that everyone was praying for us. Everyone knew what was going on, thanks to good ol' Facebook.  She prayed. She prayed for my safety and for Delaney. Prayed for peace and comfort. My dad arrived shortly after. I'm sure he had barely slept from working the night before, but he wouldn't have been anywhere else. You are never too old to need your parents by your side.

Once the results of the ultrasound came back Dr. Asdell came in. She said on a scale of 10 being the highest (good), Delaney scored 2 out of 10. She was in a lot of distress, unable to move around because my amniotic fluid was practically depleted. There was no explanation why it was gone. It just was. She said that the neonatologist would come in and explain all the possible issues that could arise with a 32 weeker. The anesthesiologist also came in to speak with me about what he would be doing to prep me for my c-section. 

I was SO scared.

Tom was my rock. He was there every second and he never broke down. I know he was scared to death too, but he never showed it. He's strong and amazing. I love him so much and I realized just how much that day. He reassured me that everything would be fine. He told me how good I was doing and that he was so proud of me. I am so thankful for him.

They wheeled me to the operating room. Cold, sterile and uninviting. I still felt like everything was surreal. Like I was watching my life from the outside. I was prepped for the spinal and was laid on the table. They put up the sheet and kept asking me my name, what surgery they were doing and there was one other question that I can't recall. Dr. Asdell attempted to find the heartbeat before she started the c-section, but there was nothing.

Tom was still not in the operating room. I remember crying for him and the anesthesiologist put both hands on my face and told me it would be ok. Dr. Asdell was yelling for someone to get Tom and he arrived right when she started my c-section. It's weird to be able to hear everything that's going on, but not feel or see it. I could here Dr. Asdell say "this cord is everywhere" and not a few minutes later Delaney was out.

She was tiny, feisty and beautiful. All 3lbs 6oz of her. I was able to kiss her sweet little head really fast before they whisked her away to the NICU. I was stitched up and wheeled back to the room.

The peace I felt when I was wheeled back to my room was unexplainable. I knew that God had everything in control. I just had to let go and trust Him. I was completely at peace with the fact that she was better off in the NICU than she was inside me.

I had visitors after I was back in my room. I know I'm loved, but I had no idea there were so many people sitting out in the waiting room, praying every second of my c-section. My family is the best, my friends are the best. I have such an amazing support system and I couldn't have done it without them.

Delaney spent the first 3 weeks and 3 days of her life in the St. Francis NICU. Other than being small, she was healthy. She was under the bili light a few different times and had a feeding tube for the majority of her hospital stay. Everyone in the NICU was amazed by her. They took such good care of her, answered all my questions and made us completely comfortable with bringing such a tiny baby home. I have favorite nurses and the NICU almost felt like my home away from home for those first 3 weeks.

God has truly blessed us with Delaney. Her birth could've turned out very different. So thankful the timing was perfect for my doctors appointment. Her small life has made an impact on so many already. I can't wait to see what her future holds.

She is our miracle baby.

Happy Birthday, Mom...

My mom is amazing. She's beautiful, on the inside and out. She is selfless, giving and has a heart of gold. I don't think I've ever met a person who didn't like my mom. She's just that type of person, friendly and nice to everyone she meets. She loves the Lord with all her heart and it's evident in her life. She never puts herself before others. You can't say that about a lot of people. She has a marriage that I strive for. A love that is lasting through every up and down. She has always opened her home to all my friends and treated them like daughters. She is simply a wonderful woman.

She was always my mom growing up, but now that I'm an adult she is also one of my best friends. I have learned and continue to learn from her as a mom, wife and friend. She is the best maama to my girls. They love her SO much and she would do anything for them. She (and my daddy) has sacrificed so much for me over the years and I'm forever grateful for that. My husband loves and respects her so much and I'm so happy they have such a good relationship.

I would be lost without her and I'm so thankful that God made her MY mom. She puts me in my place when I need it, supports me, and loves me no matter what. I love being her daughter.

I love you mom!! Happy Birthday :)

Happy Birthday, Grandma...

My Grandma has been such an important part of my life. I have always had an amazing relationship with her and I'm so thankful for that. She is beauty, grace and quiet faith. An amazing mom to five children, grandma to ten (maybe a few more somewhere along the way) and great-grandma to eight. She rarely raises her voice and loves with all her heart. I can only hope that I can be like her someday.

As a little girl I would go to Columbus often to stay with her and grandpa. We always played Memory and Bargain Hunter, went shopping and always went to Evie's (grocery store). At Evie's she would get me a 1/2 dozen donut holes and let me eat them as we went thru the store (I always sat underneath the cart, the old school kind you could sit under)and she would pay for the empty bag at the checkout. Such a silly memory, but one I will always cherish.

As a teenager I still loved spending weekends and summers at her house. I actually met my first boyfriend in her neighborhood. She has always been one of my biggest fans and the feeling is mutual.

As an adult I love spending time with her just as much as I did when I was young. She loves my girls more than anything and I'm so blessed that they get to know her like I do. I love visiting with her. We always talk about past memories and I know that we both cherish everyone of them.

She is the beginning of a lifetime of love and I'm so thrilled that God allowed me to be a part of it.

I love you Grandma with all my heart <3

Blessed...

There are days when I get overwhelmed. There's always another bill due,  something else around the house breaking and depending on the day, two crying girls (at the same time). On these days I have to stop, take a breathe, say a prayer and remember...I'm blessed. 

I have an amazing husband who works hard for our family and loves us like crazy.

Two beautiful, healthy daughters who are my heart. My love for them is like nothing I've ever known. There are those days when I think I might pull my hair out, but then I get a hug from Jilli or a smile from Delaney and it's all worth it. At the end of the day my life is complete because of these two precious girls.

My parents, well they are just too good to me. They are the most selfless people I know. An amazing example of lasting love and commitment...and they're pretty awesome grandparents too! My in-laws are wonderful too. Always willing to help out whenever we need it.

My friends mean the world to me. I don't have a huge group of friends, but I do have the best friends a girl could ask for. They know everything about me and the memories we have made and still make are something I cherish. We don't get to see each other as often as we used to, but I'm thrilled that after all these years we are still so close.

My job is good for me. Helps to pay those never ending bills, amazing hours and loving the people you work with helps a lot too!

I don't know what my future holds, but I know who holds my future. I know that no matter how good, bad or crazy my life is I never want to forget how blessed I am.

Jillian Ruby...

Jillian is my firstborn, my mini-me, my heart. She is a million different things and she's only two. She is bossy, constantly telling me not to do something, say something or telling me to play with her. She's a little bit mean too, sometimes I think she gets this sudden urge and hauls off and smacks me. She is a little lover, stopping for hugs and kisses, telling me she loves me and that I'm her best friend. Makes my heart melt. She is incredibly smart, can count to 15, says her ABC's and can sing a bunch of songs. Nick Jr has a lot to do with that! Who said TV was bad for kids? Her imagination is great - she's a little mommy to her babies and mimics the things I do and say to her baby sister. Sometimes I just watch her and wonder how I lived my life without her. She is beautiful, her blue eyes and dark hair are gonna break hearts someday, but that's the last thing I want to worry about right now. I'm going to enjoy her being little and cherish every memory.

Today while driving to my grandparents with my mom she said "Maama, I need some coffee". Maybe she's observant and knows that car rides equal coffee...or maybe I just go to Starbucks too often!

Every night we say our prayers, give kisses and she says "nigh night mommy, I wuv u" in a whispery little voice. No matter how bad a day is, she makes it better.

I love you my Jillibean <3

How great is our God...

As I was sitting on the couch tonight feeding Delaney, I was in awe of my tiny little girl. This song popped into my head,"how great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God, and all will see how great, how great is our God", and I'm so thankful that song is 100% true. I was terrified that day at the doctor when they said that Delaney would have to be delivered early. I was terrified and then I prayed, and everyone around me prayed, and then I was calm. I was completely at peace with what was happening. Our God is great, He loves us and never leaves us. We may stray from Him, but He is always right there. Delaney is our miracle. God allowed everything to happen in His perfect timing to get us where we are today.

My faith has grown leaps and bounds since February 18th, 2011. Growing up in a strong Christian faith sometimes makes you take for granted God's greatness. Maybe He allowed Delaney's birth to happen the way it did to make me see where my faith was lacking? I'm thankful He did. I'm not looking back, I'm going forward with a renewed commitment to understanding God's direction for my life, and the life of my family.

It's very important to me that Jillian and Delaney understand God's love for them. I LOVE to hear Jilli sing "Jesus loves me" and how excited she gets about going to church. This is only the beginning. The journey that follows is unknown, but with faith that can move mountains I know it will be great!