15 years ago
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Birthday Shindig
Friday, August 17, 2007
HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY NATHAN!!!
(If you don't want the music to play, just click on the speaker Icon in the left corner of the slide show.)
The story continues...
Last Year at This Time:
And so I went to bed...only to wake up every half hour or so with extreme pain (contractions). I think I had to get up and go to the bathroom once every hour, and I remember being so frustrated because all I wanted to do was sleep. I finally relaxed and put my head on my pillow at about 2am and fell into a deep, VERY comfortable sleep...then "POP". I rushed to the bathroom...and sure enough, it was "time". I calmly walked back into the bedroom and said "Jonathon....JONATHON....it's time, hon." He sat up, looked at me...completely still sleeping...and said "okay, uhhh...okay". He got up and started racing around, not really doing anything (because I don't think he really knew what to do and he wasn't awake yet). Then all the sudden he stopped and shook his head and said "FOCUS!!!". It was actually quite entertaining to watch! Needless to say, we got it together and made it to the hospital.
Because I had gone through the process of being admitted two days earlier, they didn't need any information and just told me to sit in the chair and wait for someone to come get me. Again, I thought to myself "what? sit? wait? are kidding me???? I AM HAVING A BABY!!! MY WATER BROKE!!!!!!" I wondered why it wasn't like it was in the movies when the wheelchair is right there when they walk in and everyone is scrambling around screaming "She is having a baby!!!! MOOOOOVVVVEEEE!". Apparently, movies aren't real...;) So, I sat. And sat. And sat some more. It seemed like FOREVER before the nurse came with the wheelchair, and when she finally did, she seemed to just STROLL me up to Triage. When I finally got there, I immediately asked for an Epidural. I had heard horror stories about women waiting too long to ask for it, only to be told that it was too late and they would have to just give birth naturally (YIKES!!!). I was NOT going to be one of those women!
However, I was told that I would have to wait for them to do a blood test and all this other stuff before I could get one. I didn't have a choice! Again, it seemed like 3years before I was able to feel the most wonderful drug in the world do its job, but in all actuality it was probably only an hour...but I will just say that the Epidural is ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!! Once I got that thing, I relaxed, took a nap, watched a little "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire". I was told that since it was my first baby, I could be in active labor for HOURS and HOURS....hahaha...did I fool them! Within in a couple of hours of getting the epidural, Nathan was ready to enter the world...
And he did. At 12:08pm on August 17, 2006, Nathaniel Charles Ice entered the world. Cone head and screaming...he was finally here!! That was honestly a moment that I can NEVER forget, and a moment that I would relive over and over again if I could. It was absolutely precious! Dare I say...."fun"? I remember everything about it...I remember Jonathon's face when he first saw Nathan (how amazing that was...I think I fell in love with him all over again), I remember Nathan's cry, and his touch. Beautiful.
Before having a child I always wondered what possessed people to have 5,6, 7, 12 kids. I couldn't imagine...until I had one of my own. The feeling of having a child is almost addicting, or I can see how it could be. That euphoria of a newborn cannot be matched, and once I had experienced it, I understood what everyone was talking about (don't freak out, I do not want to have 12 kids...nor 5...not even 4...HAVING them is one thing, but RAISING them is another!). We are SO blessed, and I am so grateful that we are able to feel that every single day!
And so I went to bed...only to wake up every half hour or so with extreme pain (contractions). I think I had to get up and go to the bathroom once every hour, and I remember being so frustrated because all I wanted to do was sleep. I finally relaxed and put my head on my pillow at about 2am and fell into a deep, VERY comfortable sleep...then "POP". I rushed to the bathroom...and sure enough, it was "time". I calmly walked back into the bedroom and said "Jonathon....JONATHON....it's time, hon." He sat up, looked at me...completely still sleeping...and said "okay, uhhh...okay". He got up and started racing around, not really doing anything (because I don't think he really knew what to do and he wasn't awake yet). Then all the sudden he stopped and shook his head and said "FOCUS!!!". It was actually quite entertaining to watch! Needless to say, we got it together and made it to the hospital.
Because I had gone through the process of being admitted two days earlier, they didn't need any information and just told me to sit in the chair and wait for someone to come get me. Again, I thought to myself "what? sit? wait? are kidding me???? I AM HAVING A BABY!!! MY WATER BROKE!!!!!!" I wondered why it wasn't like it was in the movies when the wheelchair is right there when they walk in and everyone is scrambling around screaming "She is having a baby!!!! MOOOOOVVVVEEEE!". Apparently, movies aren't real...;) So, I sat. And sat. And sat some more. It seemed like FOREVER before the nurse came with the wheelchair, and when she finally did, she seemed to just STROLL me up to Triage. When I finally got there, I immediately asked for an Epidural. I had heard horror stories about women waiting too long to ask for it, only to be told that it was too late and they would have to just give birth naturally (YIKES!!!). I was NOT going to be one of those women!
However, I was told that I would have to wait for them to do a blood test and all this other stuff before I could get one. I didn't have a choice! Again, it seemed like 3years before I was able to feel the most wonderful drug in the world do its job, but in all actuality it was probably only an hour...but I will just say that the Epidural is ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!! Once I got that thing, I relaxed, took a nap, watched a little "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire". I was told that since it was my first baby, I could be in active labor for HOURS and HOURS....hahaha...did I fool them! Within in a couple of hours of getting the epidural, Nathan was ready to enter the world...
And he did. At 12:08pm on August 17, 2006, Nathaniel Charles Ice entered the world. Cone head and screaming...he was finally here!! That was honestly a moment that I can NEVER forget, and a moment that I would relive over and over again if I could. It was absolutely precious! Dare I say...."fun"? I remember everything about it...I remember Jonathon's face when he first saw Nathan (how amazing that was...I think I fell in love with him all over again), I remember Nathan's cry, and his touch. Beautiful.
Before having a child I always wondered what possessed people to have 5,6, 7, 12 kids. I couldn't imagine...until I had one of my own. The feeling of having a child is almost addicting, or I can see how it could be. That euphoria of a newborn cannot be matched, and once I had experienced it, I understood what everyone was talking about (don't freak out, I do not want to have 12 kids...nor 5...not even 4...HAVING them is one thing, but RAISING them is another!). We are SO blessed, and I am so grateful that we are able to feel that every single day!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Gettin' Close...
Last year at this time (yesterday):
So...as the story continued...on August 15, I started getting ready for work, and started having "cramps", or what I now know as contractions. They were about every 5 minutes and very painful. So...after calling everyone that I knew, and not really getting anyone...Jonathon took me to the hospital. The contractions were getting closer and closer and more painful, so, I was sure I was going to have a baby that day.
After 30 minutes of waiting to get into the Triage (spelling?) room at the hospital for observation, and then 2 hours in the Triage Room being observed...they sent me home. I will tell you that at the time, I was flabbergasted that they were just sending me home while I was still in this pain! I remember asking Jonathon (and then anyone that would listen) why they weren't being more serious about the pain I was in, and why they seemed to just be taking it lightly! I didn't understand why they were sending me home...what was I just supposed to wait around in this pain???????????? Hahaha...needless to say...I went home, ate some Wendy's, and tried to lay on the couch for a couple of hours. The contractions stopped coming as frequently...so I met up with a girlfriend and went for a 2 hour walk around Seneca Park.
Last year at this time (August 16):
I was still having contractions about 15 or 30 minutes apart, but I had a Doctor's appt already scheduled for that morning. So I go ready for work, went to my appointment to see what the Doc had to say. She basically told me that she was SURE I was going to have the baby with in 2 days, but if I still hadn't delivered by the next week (my next scheduled appointment), that she would go ahead and induce me. For some reason there was some sort of relief in her words...even though the worst case was living through the contractions for another week! At LEASE, I thought, there was a light at the end of the tunnel ;) Anyways. I went on to work and worked a 10 hour day, trying to ignore the contractions. Then I went and worked/volunteered at the hospital like I did every Wednesday. I picked up some Wendy's (yes, I did crave Wendy's while pregnant) for Jonathon and I and went home, ate, and the contractions started to get REALLY bad. So...I went to bed.....
So...as the story continued...on August 15, I started getting ready for work, and started having "cramps", or what I now know as contractions. They were about every 5 minutes and very painful. So...after calling everyone that I knew, and not really getting anyone...Jonathon took me to the hospital. The contractions were getting closer and closer and more painful, so, I was sure I was going to have a baby that day.
After 30 minutes of waiting to get into the Triage (spelling?) room at the hospital for observation, and then 2 hours in the Triage Room being observed...they sent me home. I will tell you that at the time, I was flabbergasted that they were just sending me home while I was still in this pain! I remember asking Jonathon (and then anyone that would listen) why they weren't being more serious about the pain I was in, and why they seemed to just be taking it lightly! I didn't understand why they were sending me home...what was I just supposed to wait around in this pain???????????? Hahaha...needless to say...I went home, ate some Wendy's, and tried to lay on the couch for a couple of hours. The contractions stopped coming as frequently...so I met up with a girlfriend and went for a 2 hour walk around Seneca Park.
Last year at this time (August 16):
I was still having contractions about 15 or 30 minutes apart, but I had a Doctor's appt already scheduled for that morning. So I go ready for work, went to my appointment to see what the Doc had to say. She basically told me that she was SURE I was going to have the baby with in 2 days, but if I still hadn't delivered by the next week (my next scheduled appointment), that she would go ahead and induce me. For some reason there was some sort of relief in her words...even though the worst case was living through the contractions for another week! At LEASE, I thought, there was a light at the end of the tunnel ;) Anyways. I went on to work and worked a 10 hour day, trying to ignore the contractions. Then I went and worked/volunteered at the hospital like I did every Wednesday. I picked up some Wendy's (yes, I did crave Wendy's while pregnant) for Jonathon and I and went home, ate, and the contractions started to get REALLY bad. So...I went to bed.....
Friday, August 10, 2007
And so it begins...
We are one week out from Nathan's big #1! I will now try and relive the moments leading up to his birth and TRY to remember what life was like one short year ago.
Last year at this time:
I was probably working my little tail off, at Churchill Downs, trying to get everything planned and ready for my "maternity leave". I believe I took a vacation day the weekend before Nathan was born because I had tons of stuff stacked in his room but nothing organized. I do believe I had begun complaining that August was going to go on forever and ever because I was due on the 30th...and in my uncomfortable pregnancy stage, I couldn't IMAGINE going full term, unless I was able to miraculously sleep for the next three weeks. ;) I believe Jeanne and I started joking that I would go into labor before her, even though she was due a week before me (which, is ironic..since...I did!). I ran across an email that I had sent to my Sister In Law, telling her about the cramps and the "odd" pains that I was having. Looking back...yeah...they were contractions. I remember vividly the fear that I felt about giving birth...and the fear that I had about actually bringing that child home. I remember saying over and over "okay, you get him home, then what...?". I remember daydreaming about what he would look like, sound like, cry like. I wondered if he would be a fussy baby, if he would be healthy, or if he would be mellow. I remember wondering if he would have a lot of hair, and if his hair would be dark like Jonathons (I hoped it would be!). It was all so unknown and new...and wonderful actually!
Last year at this time:
I was probably working my little tail off, at Churchill Downs, trying to get everything planned and ready for my "maternity leave". I believe I took a vacation day the weekend before Nathan was born because I had tons of stuff stacked in his room but nothing organized. I do believe I had begun complaining that August was going to go on forever and ever because I was due on the 30th...and in my uncomfortable pregnancy stage, I couldn't IMAGINE going full term, unless I was able to miraculously sleep for the next three weeks. ;) I believe Jeanne and I started joking that I would go into labor before her, even though she was due a week before me (which, is ironic..since...I did!). I ran across an email that I had sent to my Sister In Law, telling her about the cramps and the "odd" pains that I was having. Looking back...yeah...they were contractions. I remember vividly the fear that I felt about giving birth...and the fear that I had about actually bringing that child home. I remember saying over and over "okay, you get him home, then what...?". I remember daydreaming about what he would look like, sound like, cry like. I wondered if he would be a fussy baby, if he would be healthy, or if he would be mellow. I remember wondering if he would have a lot of hair, and if his hair would be dark like Jonathons (I hoped it would be!). It was all so unknown and new...and wonderful actually!
Random Photo Blog
Camo Crocs!
Blowing in the wind!
Ridin' my "bike".
Mmmmmm...black beans!
How can you resist?Thursday, August 02, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
You Have A Friend In Me...
Nan and Paps bought Nathan his very own wagon...as you can see, Paps just HATES pulling the little guy around (I am being sarcastic, of course :)).
And it appears that Nathan just HATES riding around in the wagon as well...;)My Buddy's Got a Boat...
Our friends, Brad and Michele Matingly, have a place on the river and last weekend (while I was away...Nathan's FIRST night alone without one of his parents. He spent the night with Nan and Paps.), Jonathon took Nathan to the river and they went out on the Pontoon boat. Jonathon said that Nathan enjoyed it, but he didnt really care for the life jacket.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
11 Months and Counting...
And...so it is. 11 months today. Enormous personality. The discovery of one foot in front of the other. The concept of being an individual. Belly laughs. Numerous "oooohs" and "mooos" and "ooh ooh"s (his dog sound). Distaste for anything green that remotely resembles baby food. A severe addiction to anything requiring the need to be outside. A love for books, especially the tastey ones. Patty Cake and "Yeaaaah!". Bye-bye and blown kisses. Loves and hugs. Eleven months down, one more to go to the biggest milestone thus far. It will be here before we know it...and we will start a whole new wonderful adventure. Happy 11 months Nathan...we are well on our way!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Home Plate
I forgot to post a picture of Nathan sitting on Home Base/Plate at the Field of Dreams....One Mississippi, Two Mississippi
While in Nauvoo, we were able to let Nathan put his feet in the Mississippi River.Saturday, July 14, 2007
MOOOOOOO
While in Nauvoo, Nathan was able to see, up close, a field of Oxen (or cows to him). He giggled and clapped and mooed.Friday, July 13, 2007
Mmmm....Go-Gurt!
Some of you may know that Jon and I are trying to be very careful about what Nathan eats. We just dont want him wanting/eating sugary, crappy food all the time. However, once and a while it is okay (we are trying not to be "THOSE" parents ;)). So, while at Leslie's I let Nathan taste his first Go-Gurt "popcicle" (Leslie puts them in the freezer for a frozen treat...great idea!). Here he is...LOVING every minute of it! :)
MMMM...its even better when it is smeared all over his face!
And...of course the dog liked to lick him clean (dont worry, the dog didnt lick him too much or for too long)Field of Dreams
Yes, THE Field of Dreams (as in, the movie with Kevin Costner Field of Dreams). Leslie lives 10 minutes away...so of course, we had to visit. Here is Nathan in front of the welcome sign.
Sitting where the little girl fell off the bleachers and choked on a hot dog...
In front of the house.
THE Field.
"If you build it, they will come." Nathan and I coming out of the corn...The Backyard of Backyards!
This is the backyard of Nathan's 2nd cousin, Leslie, and her family. They honestly live in the middle of a corn field (which was beautiful!!!), and have this HUGE backyard, obviously. Along with the two very patient dogs that Leslie has...Nathan was in Playground Heaven!
Vacation Recap
So...Nathan went on his first roadtrip! Last Friday we drove to Dyersville, Iowa to visit my cousin and her family. She just had her 7th kid (yes, SEVEN!), so you could imagine the playground that was for Nathan! He LOVED it!
He was a very, very good boy on the 8hour roadtrip. He only REALLY got fussy one time. The rest, we were able to stop often enough for him to stretch his legs and "run around" a little bit. I was very suprised and a bit nervous that he would hate every minute of it and an 8 hour roadtrip would turn into a 15 hour, two day event. To prepare, I had tons of somewhat healthy snacks, lots of new toys and books (yeah $1 Stores!). It helped A LOT that someone was sitting in the back with him at all times (my Mom and brother went too), mostly it was me because Zane wanted to drive...so I was able to entertain Nathan for most of the time. He did sleep when it was his normal naptime, which was nice. :)
The only real issue Nathan had was his new surroundings. He tended to be extremely clingy to those he knew well (i.e. me...or Grandma or Uncle Zane), and didnt sleep all that well (meaning woke up at 5am!) while there. BUT, that is to be expected in a different time zone and surrounded by 7 other kids!
After Dyersville, we drove down to Nauvoo for a couple of days then on home to Louisville. We got back in Louisville late Monday night. It was a great trip! I have TONS of pictures...:)
He was a very, very good boy on the 8hour roadtrip. He only REALLY got fussy one time. The rest, we were able to stop often enough for him to stretch his legs and "run around" a little bit. I was very suprised and a bit nervous that he would hate every minute of it and an 8 hour roadtrip would turn into a 15 hour, two day event. To prepare, I had tons of somewhat healthy snacks, lots of new toys and books (yeah $1 Stores!). It helped A LOT that someone was sitting in the back with him at all times (my Mom and brother went too), mostly it was me because Zane wanted to drive...so I was able to entertain Nathan for most of the time. He did sleep when it was his normal naptime, which was nice. :)
The only real issue Nathan had was his new surroundings. He tended to be extremely clingy to those he knew well (i.e. me...or Grandma or Uncle Zane), and didnt sleep all that well (meaning woke up at 5am!) while there. BUT, that is to be expected in a different time zone and surrounded by 7 other kids!
After Dyersville, we drove down to Nauvoo for a couple of days then on home to Louisville. We got back in Louisville late Monday night. It was a great trip! I have TONS of pictures...:)
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Sunday, July 01, 2007
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