It was on this day 2 years ago at 9:12pm that Piper Jolie entered this world.
My labor started at 1am on Friday, January 31, 2003. It was supposed to be my last day of work before I started my maternity leave as Piper was due On February 4th. She is advanced, however, and that started at birth.
The labor pains were not so bad and not at all consistent, but I was too excited to sleep and I made Jason stay up with me and time each one of the contractions. I decided to wait until my doctor's office opened in the morning and call and see what they wanted me to do. I am sure they went over all of that in the childbirth class that we went to but obviously we didn't pay attention.
8am rolls around and I call the doc's office, but neither him nor the nurse practioner were there so I received advice from the receptionist. She told me to go to the hospital. I said that the contractions still weren't that bad and still inconsistent and that I wanted to stay home for a little while longer and her response was..."Do you want to have this baby at home?" So, we went to the hospital.
When I got to the hospital, they checked me and as I thought, I was only 3cm dilated and the nurse said that I could either stay at the hospital and not eat lunch, or go home and eat and walk around. I opted to go home and so returned.
The labor picked up around 3pm and Jason and my mom started getting emotional with my moaning and screaming and pacing and ...etc...So, Jason decided to finish painting the dollhouse bookcase that he and my brother, Sean had built for Piper's room. I continued to pace and walk and sway...anything to soothe the pain.
My mom and Jason decided it was time to take me back to the hospital around 5:30pm. They hooked me up to the monitors and checked me again. I was only 4cm!! That is when I got discouraged. So, I asked for the epidural. Blood work had to be done, and my doctor came in and broke my water...he said that the epidural can slow down the contraction and he wanted to get them a little bit stronger and closer together. Stronger? You've got to be kidding, right? Those were my thoughts.
Finally, an angel from heaven came into my room...the epidural doctor. I got the epidural around 7pm and an hour later I was fully dilated and feeling the pressure to push. The nurses went into delivery mode and set up the room and brought in the baby warmer. I started to push. At exactly the moment when I was screaming the scream of giving birth, Jason's brother, Noah, knocks on the door to deliver a sleeping bag. Perfect timing, right.
20 hours of labor and 45 minutes of pushing later...Piper Jolie appears and she was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. She was 7 pounds and 19.5 inches long. I then understood what unconditional love felt like. I would give my life for this tiny bundle of fingers and toes and lips and eyelashes.
I read somewhere that... " To have a child is to forever have your heart living outside of your body," and never was this more true than on the day that I gave birth to my first sweet child.
I love you, Piper. Happy Birthday!
Monday, January 31, 2005
Saturday, January 29, 2005
It's Over!!!
It is night now and both of the girls are in bed and I have to say that the birthday party was a success. Everyone seemed to have a good time and there were no major disasters.
I am very grateful to Jason's sister Rebekah because she came over yesterday afternoon and stayed thru dinner to help me get everything together. For some insane reason I decided to make beanbag party favors for all of the kids and there was no way that I would have been able to make them and all the goodies that needed to be made in time without Bekah's help. So, thank you Bekah!
Piper was such a good hostess...she even shared and took turns with her guests which is a major big deal for a 2 year old. There were no arms cut off or even that many tears. All in all it was a great party. Finley slept through the whole thing, but that's ok because I am sure to overdo it for her birthdays also.
The storytellers I hired were...interesting. They sang songs that the kids knew but then they changed the words or the actions which made it extremely confusing not only for the kids but also for the parents that were trying to sing along and entice their children. For example..."If you're happy and you know it...play your instrument. Everyone knows that it should be "clap your hands" and so everyone was singing that and the storyteller people got louder with the "play your instruments." Annoying.
Piper received some very nice presents, including lots of Dora stuff. I am now convinced that if it is made with something to do with Dora, we now own it...scary. I never thought I would be one of those parents that allows commercialism to influence my child...and then I wanted to make dinner without any screaming and Dora just happened to be on TV and now I think I may have the first child that would stalk a cartoon character. At least she's learning some Spanish.
My sweet baby girl is 2...on Monday. Enjoy the pictures from her party!
I am very grateful to Jason's sister Rebekah because she came over yesterday afternoon and stayed thru dinner to help me get everything together. For some insane reason I decided to make beanbag party favors for all of the kids and there was no way that I would have been able to make them and all the goodies that needed to be made in time without Bekah's help. So, thank you Bekah!
Piper was such a good hostess...she even shared and took turns with her guests which is a major big deal for a 2 year old. There were no arms cut off or even that many tears. All in all it was a great party. Finley slept through the whole thing, but that's ok because I am sure to overdo it for her birthdays also.
The storytellers I hired were...interesting. They sang songs that the kids knew but then they changed the words or the actions which made it extremely confusing not only for the kids but also for the parents that were trying to sing along and entice their children. For example..."If you're happy and you know it...play your instrument. Everyone knows that it should be "clap your hands" and so everyone was singing that and the storyteller people got louder with the "play your instruments." Annoying.
Piper received some very nice presents, including lots of Dora stuff. I am now convinced that if it is made with something to do with Dora, we now own it...scary. I never thought I would be one of those parents that allows commercialism to influence my child...and then I wanted to make dinner without any screaming and Dora just happened to be on TV and now I think I may have the first child that would stalk a cartoon character. At least she's learning some Spanish.
My sweet baby girl is 2...on Monday. Enjoy the pictures from her party!
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
BRRRR!!!
It is winter in Florida. I think it was 30 here this morning and that is extremely cold for the people who have thin blood. It is a beautiful day, though, sunny and close to 65 now. Hopefully we'll have weather like this on Saturday for Piper's birthday party.
Poor girl, she has a cold. It's a good thing that she takes medicine like it's candy.
I can't believe that she is going to be 2 years old. My baby. She is growing up way too fast for me, but it is so exciting to watch her discover new things, learn new words, and negotiate her world (in which she is the center, of course). It is difficult to watch her try to become more independent and I have to say it hurts a little when she pushes me away and wants to do things on her own, but it also makes me feel good that she is going to be strong and independent but also loving and affectionate. She is so smart and so beautiful.
And Finley is developing such a personality. She loves, loves, loves her big sister. She face just lights up when she sees Piper. I love her laugh. It's like a squeal that just builds up inside her and bursts out and surprises everyone, even her. Her eyes are so bright, and she is so happy and sweet. I find myself just wanting to sqeeze her. She looks at you and in her face you can see that she wants to talk or communicate with you so badly and she gets so excited.
We are so in trouble with these two girls. They just melt me.
Poor girl, she has a cold. It's a good thing that she takes medicine like it's candy.
I can't believe that she is going to be 2 years old. My baby. She is growing up way too fast for me, but it is so exciting to watch her discover new things, learn new words, and negotiate her world (in which she is the center, of course). It is difficult to watch her try to become more independent and I have to say it hurts a little when she pushes me away and wants to do things on her own, but it also makes me feel good that she is going to be strong and independent but also loving and affectionate. She is so smart and so beautiful.
And Finley is developing such a personality. She loves, loves, loves her big sister. She face just lights up when she sees Piper. I love her laugh. It's like a squeal that just builds up inside her and bursts out and surprises everyone, even her. Her eyes are so bright, and she is so happy and sweet. I find myself just wanting to sqeeze her. She looks at you and in her face you can see that she wants to talk or communicate with you so badly and she gets so excited.
We are so in trouble with these two girls. They just melt me.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Cleanliness is next to Godliness
Piper had 3 baths today:
Bath #1: I am trying to clean up the family room (again) and in what seems like less than a second she has found a tube of chapstick and decided to use it as hair "product."
Bath #2: I am making lunch and Piper finds a pink marker that she decides to use as lipstick...and then decides that her fingernails need a new manicure to match her pedicure of course.
Bath #3: Jason is out of town so we eat weird (although very fast and easy) meals for dinner. Last night it was baked potatoes, tonight it was mac & cheese and french toast...with syrup...big mistake...another bath to remove the stickiness that was so sticky it made her clothing stick to her body.
On a brighter note...Finley slept for 6 hours straight last night, we'll see how she does tonight.
Why would anyone not want to have children I ask you?
Bath #1: I am trying to clean up the family room (again) and in what seems like less than a second she has found a tube of chapstick and decided to use it as hair "product."
Bath #2: I am making lunch and Piper finds a pink marker that she decides to use as lipstick...and then decides that her fingernails need a new manicure to match her pedicure of course.
Bath #3: Jason is out of town so we eat weird (although very fast and easy) meals for dinner. Last night it was baked potatoes, tonight it was mac & cheese and french toast...with syrup...big mistake...another bath to remove the stickiness that was so sticky it made her clothing stick to her body.
On a brighter note...Finley slept for 6 hours straight last night, we'll see how she does tonight.
Why would anyone not want to have children I ask you?
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Correction
Piper's birthday party is in 9 DAYS!
I thought I had an extra week. Can you feel my blood pressure rising. I need to lay down.
I thought I had an extra week. Can you feel my blood pressure rising. I need to lay down.
Birthday Countdown
There are 16 days until Piper's birthday party. She will be 2 years old, therefore, her guests will be around the same age. I have invited 12. I am crazy, right?
I am hoping that it is going to be really great. I have hired these storyteller people to come and put on a show for 20-30 minutes and we are going to do a craft. Lunch, cupcakes, and presents and that should fill the 2.5 hours, right?
I am starting to get stressed. The house is far from presentable and I will not be able to use my clean up in a hurry tactics because these people will want to use the bathroom and I will need to use the oven.
Deep breaths.
I am hoping that it is going to be really great. I have hired these storyteller people to come and put on a show for 20-30 minutes and we are going to do a craft. Lunch, cupcakes, and presents and that should fill the 2.5 hours, right?
I am starting to get stressed. The house is far from presentable and I will not be able to use my clean up in a hurry tactics because these people will want to use the bathroom and I will need to use the oven.
Deep breaths.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Bulldog Poop
Have you noticed a theme on this blog? Anyway...
We were coming home from our "music" class...more on that later...When I saw a funny thing.
We are driving down our street and I see an older man squatting near his bulldog. Turns out he was trying to put his plastic grocery "poop bag" under the dog as the dog was squatting in order to catch the poop.
Maybe you had to see it?
We were coming home from our "music" class...more on that later...When I saw a funny thing.
We are driving down our street and I see an older man squatting near his bulldog. Turns out he was trying to put his plastic grocery "poop bag" under the dog as the dog was squatting in order to catch the poop.
Maybe you had to see it?
Shannon's Hurry Up and Clean the Entire House Tips
There are times, on occasion, when people call and say they are right around the corner, and could they stop in and visit?
What are you going to say...Yes, come on over!
Here are some tips on how to clean your house...well, not really clean...more like make a place to sit or make your house presentable....in the emergency that is the "Drop By."
1. Stuff as much as you can in any closet that will hold it as long as you are not planning on opening the door while your guest is there.
2. Make sure you have a bedskirt so you can push anything that will fit under the bed. Also, under the couch is a great place to stash shoes.
3. The oven is a great place for dirty dishes...just remember they are there.
4. Make sure there is toilet paper in the guest bathroom.
5. Light a candle, spry some febreeze and dim the lights.
Many a time, Jason has come home and been under the false impression that the house is clean and neat, until he opens the door to the closet. He thinks I am funny...I call it creative cleaning.
What are you going to say...Yes, come on over!
Here are some tips on how to clean your house...well, not really clean...more like make a place to sit or make your house presentable....in the emergency that is the "Drop By."
1. Stuff as much as you can in any closet that will hold it as long as you are not planning on opening the door while your guest is there.
2. Make sure you have a bedskirt so you can push anything that will fit under the bed. Also, under the couch is a great place to stash shoes.
3. The oven is a great place for dirty dishes...just remember they are there.
4. Make sure there is toilet paper in the guest bathroom.
5. Light a candle, spry some febreeze and dim the lights.
Many a time, Jason has come home and been under the false impression that the house is clean and neat, until he opens the door to the closet. He thinks I am funny...I call it creative cleaning.
A day in the life...
Why is it that as soon as you have finished cleaning one room and moved on to the next, 5 minutes later your child has destroyed the room that was finished? I was cleaning yesterday because my parents were coming over to watch the kids (Jason was out of town for the day) while I went on a much needed "Mom's night out." I was only cleaning the rooms that they were going to see and be in, but even that proved to be too much. As I was moving into cleaning the kitchen...since the family room was done, or so I thought...Piper comes walking in with a tube of diaper cream that she swiped from Finley's port-a-crib. In one hand was the tube, and in the other was the twist off cap...twisted off...and all over the fingers holding these objects was the cream that was formerly in the tube. I walk into the family room, and oh yes, there is cream everywhere. I give Piper, "The Look," and say in the most calm voice that I can muster:
ME: Piper, you have a choice (lab school language). You may either give me the cream or you may choose to keep the cream and I will have to take it from you and you will sit in time out. That is your choice. Give me the cream, or sit in time out. I am going to count to three and you need to make a decision. ONE...
PIPER: TTTWWWWWOOOOOOO....
Now, at this point I don't know if I should continue on to THREE, or applaud her and be excited that she knew that TWO comes after ONE. And she is looking at me and smiling that smile that says, "I know I am in trouble, and I am having fun and if I look cute my mom will let me off the hook." I decide not to let her off the hook and be the consistent parent that I should be.
ME: THREE. Now...
And before I can finish, she hands me the tube and lid like the angel she is...and then...she wipes the cream all down my t-shirt, shorts, and legs. How funny she thinks it is.
I know that part of the reason she gets into trouble like this is because we don't leave the house to do anything to let her release the inner-devil. So, today I get my shower early, fix a delicious and nutritious snack, pack up the huge diaper bag, get both girls in the car, and like a million hours later we are off to story time and then to the park. Thankfully, Dora was not there today (see previous post), and Piper was awesome. She listened to the story and then we played with the train table, she looked at some books, and she put everything back where it belonged!
Unfortunately, the day that I have everything together, it rains. No park. So, we come home and have a picnic on the coffee table. Later we are going to a "Music Together" class at some New Age church. Should be interesting...wonder if there will be "chanting."
ME: Piper, you have a choice (lab school language). You may either give me the cream or you may choose to keep the cream and I will have to take it from you and you will sit in time out. That is your choice. Give me the cream, or sit in time out. I am going to count to three and you need to make a decision. ONE...
PIPER: TTTWWWWWOOOOOOO....
Now, at this point I don't know if I should continue on to THREE, or applaud her and be excited that she knew that TWO comes after ONE. And she is looking at me and smiling that smile that says, "I know I am in trouble, and I am having fun and if I look cute my mom will let me off the hook." I decide not to let her off the hook and be the consistent parent that I should be.
ME: THREE. Now...
And before I can finish, she hands me the tube and lid like the angel she is...and then...she wipes the cream all down my t-shirt, shorts, and legs. How funny she thinks it is.
I know that part of the reason she gets into trouble like this is because we don't leave the house to do anything to let her release the inner-devil. So, today I get my shower early, fix a delicious and nutritious snack, pack up the huge diaper bag, get both girls in the car, and like a million hours later we are off to story time and then to the park. Thankfully, Dora was not there today (see previous post), and Piper was awesome. She listened to the story and then we played with the train table, she looked at some books, and she put everything back where it belonged!
Unfortunately, the day that I have everything together, it rains. No park. So, we come home and have a picnic on the coffee table. Later we are going to a "Music Together" class at some New Age church. Should be interesting...wonder if there will be "chanting."
Monday, January 10, 2005
More pictures
Thought you all would enjoy some more pictures of my girls. I just can't get enough, I am so in love with them!
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