Fall Decorations

---

I have finally gotten all of my fall decorations done... well, for now. I don't really do the spooky Halloween type decorations but just generic fall decorations so I can put some up early September and then leave them up through Thanksgiving. I usually stick to fall colors including browns, golds and orange and then use lots of pumpkins and leaves. My husband has put me on pumpkin purchasing restriction...

I thought I would share some of my fun...

Here's the fireplace mantel. I have a combination of greenery (which I stole from my Christmast stash) and lights. I incorporate some pinecones and pumpkins to make it fall looking.

I also added some fall decorations to my sofa table. The candle stick holders were a good will find that I spray painted a flat black and then used brown and orange candles. Mr. Scarecrow is a purchase from the dollar store. The two glass pumpkin dishes were yard sale finds and the middle glass holder has some really great poporuri that smells like fall!

My dinning room table has a simple centerpiece of some various gaurds and pumpkins. Some are real and some are fake. You figure out which ones are which.

I have two pumpkins on my hutch. They are surronded by some leaves and pinecones from the yard--FREE!

Outside is my same set up as I've had in the past... a couple of scare crows on hay bails.

Right at my steps I added a little scare crow fella in each potted plant.

This is a new purchase for this year--a flag holder. This is my fall themed flag. I just purchased a Christmas one as well but we'll save that for a different post...

And of course, I have to share this picture of little one who is all ready for celebrating Thanksgiving!



Well, that's all my fall decorations. They'll only be up a few more weeks before they get changed out for Christmas decorations! Sad that I just got them all done and only have a few weeks to enjoy them before changing them out. All well, I guess that is the life of a new Mommy!

::

Newborn Photos

---

My sister-in-law is a great photographer and took some photos of baby girl for me to use for our birth announcement. She captured some great moments of little one. These are my favorites...








::

The Arrival of Kimberly Grace

---

August 21, 2009 I started a new journey in life that has brought much joy to my life. My daughter, Kimberly Grace, started her decent into the world.

It was a regular Friday morning where I was working at home but it was three days before my due date and I was miserable! Big in places I never thought I would be big in; couldn’t breath; it was hot as hell; my feet were swollen to the size of Texas and were painful to walk on; my hormones were so out of wack that I could easily kill someone with my pinky finger and not think twice of it. So, it was a normal Friday for a 39 week pregnanat girl.

I started out the day as usual—cereal, coffee, checking emails, and hoping there were no major work related issues to deal with (seeing how it was Friday). When I went on my first potty break of the morning (which seemed to be more often with a little one sitting on my bladder) I noticed a tiny spot of blood about the size of a nickel. I instantly got excited that something might be happening but tried not to squeal with excitement because I knew it very well could be a false alarm. I called my husband and told him but said I just would wait but I wanted him on call. About two hours later, there was a lot more blood so I called the doctor.

The doc said she didn’t think it was anything big but to go ahead and come on in for a check up. She said to bring my bags just in case. I called my step mom (Ya-ya) and asked her to go with me and told my husband to keep working because I really felt they would just send me home. We got to the doc about 2:00 for the 2:15 appointment. I had been having small cramps that felt like I was getting my period most of the last few days but nothing I felt worried about. Once I got to the doctor office and checked in, I was in the waiting room when those cramps started to intensify. The receptionist put me into a room to wait for the doctor. Once the doctor came in she checked me and said that I was dilatated to a four and completely effaced! She said, “And you’re going to L&D now so I hope you brought your bags!” I was so excited and scared at the same time!

Yaya and I went down to the car to get the bags and of course, started to call everyone! Hubs was first. He was nervous but I told him to take his time as I didn’t feel like it was going to proceed too quickly. And then I called all my family and best girlfriends. Everyone was so excited for me, well, except for my friends who have a recent memory of having a child because they knew what I was about to be going through!

By 3:00 we got checked in and I got to meet my nurse. I gave her a copy of my birth plan and we discussed it. It wasn’t too long before that little plan went into the garbage can! The first thing that didn’t go as planned was the IV. I had tested strep B positive so I needed to get at least one round of antibodics but they would prefer four to make sure the little baby was safe. Since the health of my child was being considered, I was game. That meant though that I had to be hooked up to an IV and would be restricted to the bed so therefore, no walking or bath or switching positions. So in goes the IV… did I mention I have an extreme fear of needles and that it took three nurses and four tries to get that damn thing in my arm? Not a good way to start off! My step mom and Dad were there with me though so that was good. Oh, and the contractions were really starting to kick in as they were poking me with those damn needles! And I was trying to go all natural. Miserable at this point.

About 5:00 my husband got there and the contractions really started to kick in. No one tells you that the pain will over take your entire body in a way that you’ve never experienced before. I suppose that is because most women get an epidural and don’t know this sort of pain. Oh good Lord in heaven is the pain bad. Damn that Eve! I fought the pain for a while with the help of my step mom and husband on each side. From time-to-time I had visitors come through two at a time to visit. I was not a nice hostess at this point. I couldn’t get up and walk so the only way I knew to fight the pain was to scream and moan. Did I mention I am a pansy? Hubs sister, Aunt Angela, had come back for a visit when I had the contractions of all contractions that broke my water. I let out a scream that you could have heard across town. All the sudden I had about ten nurses in the room with my legs flung open. All modesty was now gone. I felt the weirdest sensation of gushing water and I seriously thought I had just had her. When the doctor came in and told me I was now dilated to a seven and that my water had broken all I could say was “well, at least that followed the birth plan. Now get me an epidural!”

By the time the anastegolist arrived, I was in so much pain that I couldn’t even lift my head up. I just slumped over and closed my eyes. I think it was exhaustion at this point (now 7:00 PM). That labor crap is hard work! I can’t even tell you what that guy looked like because I was numb to the world due to the pain. About thirty minutes later I felt a little better.

My first reaction was that I didn’t accomplish a natural birth and I felt slightly disappointed but after I got to sleep for a few hours through the worst of the contractions, I just said all well and felt much more calm so I figured that it was a good thing for me.

Around 10:00 PM the doctor came in and said I was ready to start pushing. The nurse was on one side and my husband on the other and I pushed! And pushed! And pushed! At about 12:00 midnight I asked them to turn off the epidural so I could feel something because I really had no idea what the heck I was pushing. I tried to push my nose off my face and my legs off my body but not the baby out my good girl! One nurse suggested a mirror, too and I found that very helpful. I could actually see where I was to push and once the epi was off, I could start to feel to push some more. At that time the doctor came in and said we need to discuss a c-section because the baby was having some low heart rates. I did not want a c-section at all and wanted to discuss all options before going that route. I asked if we can use the vacuum or anything else to get her out over a c-section. She said she would give me ten more minutes of pushing to see what progress I could make. I pushed like hell then and started making some progress. She then said she would use the vacuum to get her out and I was okay with that. My husband stepped back and about ten new people came into the room--A group who would work the baby when she arrived and three new nurses. The doctor attached that vacuum to her crowning head and pulled like hell! I never ripped or had to be cut though which was a surprise!

At 1:04 AM on August 22, 2009 my little girl entered the world from one very exhausted mommy! My husband cut the cord and she was placed on my stomach. The first thing I saw was her little foot and thought, “so that is what has been kicking me this entire time!” She weighed eight pounds flat and was 21 inches long.

After a few minutes they took her to get cleaned up. I had to deliver the placenta at that point. Not so fun and if they ask if you want to see it, just say no. Not a pretty sight. Again, my legs were wide open and all modesty was gone.

The nurse brought baby girl back to me and laid her on my chest. I just cried because she had a full head of dark hair and the prettiest skin I had ever seen. We went to breastfeeding right away and it is crazy how they just know how to do that. She rooted around looking for it but then fell asleep once she found it. Funny.

After that, I was hungry! Pop-pop (my Dad) and Granddiddy (hubs Dad) went and got us McDonalds because it was the only thing open at 1:30 in the morning. I ate it like I had not eaten in months! The rest of the night was taken up with visitors who all wanted to see baby girl. They had to leave us in the delivery room that night because there were so many babies born that night that they didn’t have room for us in the post partum section. I think we finally went to sleep around 3:30 AM. Well, I didn’t sleep much because I spent the rest of the night looking at her in her basinet and listening to all her little noises! I was in love already!

Baby Kimberly Grace:









::

Summer Garden Harvest

---

Hey all! I know I haven't been around much (and make no promises to do any better with a baby on the way... no, she's not here yet!) but I had a really great harvest this year and just had to share! I was surprised at the abundance of produce this year seeing how I didn't do a good job with the old garden this summer (really hard to be out in the garden while you are growing a person inside of you!). Here's some pictures of the initial harvest:

So what did I do with all that yummieness? I cooked and froze and fried...

I made some yummy tomato sauce to put away for winter to make chilli, red sauces, etc. I used a portion of it though to make a big pot of spaghetti sauce to put away for easy dinners.

I had to use some of those maters and hot peppers for tastee summer salsa!

Then I used the green bell peppers for a great dinner (that also freezes nicely)... stuffed peppers. Take some rice, ground beef, a little tomatoe sauce, and cheese--mix together and stuff it in the peppers. Bake on 350 for about 45 minutes. Great meal!


I cut up some cucumbers and onions to store with vinegar. Makes a yummy little salad side later in the year.

And of course, I had to fry up some green maters for dinner one night!

Cut and blanced some squash for winter dinners.


And after all of that, I was tired and needed some lunch so I had a BLT with fresh summer maters! Yummy to the highest!So that's a preview of what I did with my garden fixings! I also made some cheese stuffed jalapenos for an appetizer, froze more veggies, made a big pot of veggie and beef soup for the freezer, and made some fried peach pies! I've been busy this summer in the kitchen... and loved every minute of it. Hope you all got to get out in the dirt this summer and relish the joys of gardening as well!

::

36 Week Update

---

Yesterday I reached the 36 week milestone! I really felt like that was a big deal and that anytime she is ready to come, that it would now be okay. Of course, I think I would like her to bake in there a little longer so she can reap all the benefits of being in her own private pool, but then again, wow, pregnancy in the final few weeks is challenging! At my 34 week doctor visit, the doc said I have already dilated to a 1 cm and I'm 40% effaced. I'm making some progress but since I haven't had any contractions and such, they didn't do another check at 36 weeks. Well, let me say that I haven't had timeable contractions--I'm having the "fake" contractions all the flippin' time and those are just not fun! Time is all I have though. It's a waiting game now.

I am very prepared for her arrival though... nursery done, check; clothes bought, check; diapers, check; car seat installed, check; showers and registry complete, check; I'm ready, ready, ready!

I have also finished my birth plan. I thought I would share it with y'all to get feedback and thoughts around it. I've already shared it with my doctors and had a friend of mine who is a L&D nurse look over it. They all helped me scrub it and I'm happy with the final plan. Now, if I can just stick to it. I think that all depends on how long I'm in labor and how well I manage the pain though. You never know till you get there so I'm trying to have a flexible spirit about it. Regardless, here it is:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is our sincere wish to have a natural, un-medicated birth of our baby. We completely understand and accept certain interventions and procedures may be warranted should the health of mother or baby be at risk. Should this be the case, we would like all procedures, medications, and/or interventions be explained to us before they are instituted. The following outlines our wishes. Thank you ahead of time for your attention to our birth plan.

First Stage of Labor
Support:
 Only my practitioner, nurse, and guests present (i.e., no residents, medical students, or other hospital personnel).
Vaginal Exams:
 After the initial exam in triage, we would like to keep vaginal exams to a minimum.
Medications for Pain:
 Please do not offer any pain medication. We will ask if we want anything.
Monitoring:
 We would like to refrain from continuous fetal heart monitoring as long as the health of the baby is not at risk. We would, however, like to be monitored intermittently for 15-20 minutes/hour.
Mobility:
 We would like admittance to walk during labor and the use of the shower.
 We would prefer a Hep-Lock instead of a standard IV so that I am allowed to move around freely.
Induction:
 We do not want to use any medication to induce or augment labor. As long as membranes remain intact, and the health of mother & baby are not at risk, we wish to allow natural labor progression.
 We understand the risks associated with prolonged labor after ROM and the need for a time limit. Therefore, we do not wish the membranes to be artificially ruptured or even stripped, unless warranted by mother/baby compromise.
Second Stage of Labor
Labor and Delivery:
 We would like no time limitations on pushing but would appreciate directive pushing.
 We would like to avoid the use of forceps and vacuum extraction.
C-section (if applicable):
 If a C-section is necessary, we would like to make sure all other options have been exhausted.
 Please allow my husband to be with me during the surgery and for me to hold the baby as soon as possible.
Third Stage of Labor / After the Baby Is Born
Birth:
 Please allow my husband to cut the umbilical cord.
 If my baby is not well, I’d like my husband and me to accompany it to the NICU.
 If an episiotomy is necessary, please use a local anesthetic.
Breast-Feeding:
 We plan to exclusively breastfeed and wish to begin immediately after birth. Please do not offer sugar water or formula to my baby.
Baby Care:
 Please do not offer a pacifier to my baby.
 All newborn procedures to take place in my presence and my husband to stay with the baby at all times if I can't be there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, what do y'all think? Am I leaving anything off? What have been your experiences? Any suggestions on how to handle the pain of an unmedicated child birth? Again, this is what I hope to happen but knowing I know nothing about birthing a baby, I'm flexible!

Beyound baby, not a lot going on these days. I do have some great pictures of produce I've gotten from the garden. I'll have those up soon as I am so proud of it all!

Until next time, hope you all have a great day!



::

Natural Child Birth

---

I'm considering doing a natural child birth. Does anyone out there have any good references on preparing for this?

TIA!

||::

Baby Girl's Nursery is Complete!

---

The nursery is now done! I just love the way it turned out! It is pink and vintage and country and sweet all at the same time. Here's some finished pictures of it.



The last touch was the baby quilt my Mom made her. She cross-stiched the crosses and made the quilt from scratch. It's perfect with the pink-cammo John Deere printed fabric on the back. Love it!

Now, I just need her to get here for her to enjoy it!



::

Marathon, Florida Anniversary Trip

---

About mid-May, hubs and I ventured off to the Florida Keys to celebrate our two-year anniversary. We stayed for four night and five days in Marathon and it was a wonderful trip. There's not a lot going on in the central keys so much of what we did was sleep and eat but seeing how they are known for boating and fishing down that way, we got in a lot of that as well.

We stayed in a "botel" which is a hotel where you can also dock your boat. Right out the back door of our room was our dock on one of the canals. You can see here my cutie hubs on the boat...


And the canal view...


We spent one day fishing together and he went fishing solo one day (way too hot for me out there!) We caught lots of snapper and the grilled them up for dinner. We ate dinner in our room at this little table. It was romantic.



One day we went out exploring. We ate lunch at the No Name Pub on the No Name key. We would have never found this place if we had not been told about it by some friends. It is way off the beatin' path for sure! The food was awesome!



We also did some cruising around to local beaches and lusted over beautiful houses.






Overall, it was a beautiful place that allowed us to relax and just love! It was a wonderful way for us to spend our two-year anniversary!





::

I'm Still Here...

---

Hi all! I know it has been a while and I so appreciate all the nice notes and comments checking on me. I really appreciate all of that! Life has just got the best of me lately and I haven't had time to blog. I don't know what I've been doing with me time but it just seems to disappear! Crazy!

Let's see, what have I been up to? Well, hubs and I took a trip to Marathon, Florida a couple weeks back to celebrate our two-year anniversary. It was a wonderful but very hot. I'll have an entire post on the trip soon but here's a little quick view of the beautiful waters...


We've been attending a lot of weddings it seems like lately. Do you know how hard it is to find a cute dress to wear for a wedding when you are seven months pregnant? Here's hubs and I at a friends wedding recently. Notice the largeness!


We also took our annual family trip to Cocoa Beach, Florida. It was wonderful and so relaxing. We wish we could have stayed longer. Hopefully next year! I'll have pictures of that soon as well.

Other than that, I've been working on my garden (which is getting harder and harder to do these days) and getting ready for baby girl to get here. Only three more months to go now! August 24th is right around the corner and there are lots of things to be done still! Like eating more. Here you can see I haven't hesitated on eating.


Other than that, not much going on in my world. I have been reading about you all and trying to keep up with your blogs. I hate to miss out on anything exciting! I hope you all are doing well!



::

Choppin' Brocolli Salad

---

Did y'all see the picture of the salad I posted last week in the Wordless Wednesday post? It was an easy salad I made for our Easter lunch at the in-laws. I thought I would share the recipe with you. It's great for spring and summer lunch or a shower!



Brocolli Salad:
1 head of brocolli chopped
1 small onion; chopped
1 lb shredded cheddar cheese
1 package of cooked and crumbed bacon
1 cup mayo
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp vingear

Mix brocolli, onion, cheese and bacon together; cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Mix the mayo, sugar, and vingear together and refrigerate. Pour mayo dressing over brocolli mix and coat well before serving.

::