Well, it has been quite a few months since I have seen you and I really just need to get it all out. Why? you ask. Well let me tell you.
2014 has been, for lack of a better word, a SHITTY year. Maybe not what everyone wants to read about in a blog but that is what I am going to write about. This gives me a place to say all the things I want to and typing is faster than handing writing (and it doesn't give me a bad hand cramp either!) Deep Down I know that God has BIG plans for me and my family and I am waiting, each day, for Him to show Himself to me but I must wait. Wait until He is ready. Until He thinks I am ready.
I believe the last time I was here I wrote about my daughter, Harley. How she was there and then she was gone. Born sleeping in April, two weeks before her due date. A perfect pregnancy. A healthy heartbeat. Gone. Since then I have suffered two more losses in my life. First, my mother. I want to write about her like I wrote about Harley. When I wrote about my baby girl, I was sitting in a hospital room with my mom. She had suffered a broken leg and was in the hospital in Abilene, TX. In the midst of all her hospital time, it was all of a sudden early June, Moving day was here for Ryan and I. Dad and I loaded up the truck looking all "Grapes of Wrath" like and drove to OKC, added a 16 Foot trailer and on to Wewoka we went. Ryan and I's new Home! In all the sadness that surrounded our daughter, we were actually looking forward to this day! The next day, June 7th, we would wake up to greet the movers. Dad only spent the one night and then quickly headed back to Texas to be with mom who was still in the hospital. (Things are a little blurry as to what happened and in what order.) Ryan's family was here to help us move in and after three nights of staying up until 4AM, 3AM and 1AM unpacking, Ryan's sister, Kiley and I were hanging a fan when I got a phone call. (during the time we were moving and unpacking they had moved mom to Rolling Plains Hospital in my hometown and she was doing well. The phone call indicated otherwise. She was having trouble breathing and they had to intubate her and keep her in ICU. I knew that I had to get back and see her. Ryan's mother offered to drive me down to Texas if I could just get to her house, about 3 hours away. I did just that. Went to bed, got up early and hit the road. What I was expecting to see when I got there was not what I saw! She was awake, sitting up, talking and smiling that Dorothy and I were there. Things looked good but I went ahead and stayed in town for a while.
Ryan came that weekend to see her as well. She and Ryan connected on a level that I can only pray that all mother and son in laws can connect on. They both loved to cook and were great at it. They both loved to give me hard time. They were both huge OU football fans. She was his biggest fan and he was hers! He would always get me to stay up late and talk to her, she was a night owl, when we would get in late from a trip to Texas and I was exhausted! He loved seeing me love my mom.
Upon further check ups it was determined that mom would no longer be able to receive any sort of Chemo treatment for her cancer, that the cancer in her esophagus was causing her to aspirate. It took me a while to figure out what that meant exactly but basically each time she would eat, the food would come back up and she would choke. Once they figured out that was happening it got scary! They started her on a thick liquid diet and then presented us with two options. The options were to 1) do a scope for a feeding tube and if they were able to get through then she would be able to eat or 2) just wait - no real food, no feeding tube. I prayed that the Dr. would be able to get through the cancer without rupturing and he did. He was able to get through and put a feeling tube in. At this point we knew that when she got out of the hospital she would be coming home on Hospice care. I called Ryan one night and cried to him. Asking him how I was going to handle losing my baby and my mother in the same year. Telling him I did not think I could do it and asking him WHY!?
We brought mom home after a marathon painting session. She had been wanting to paint their bedroom for many years and knowing that she wanted it that bad and this might be the last opportunity, dad called in a favor or two and we got it done. We got her hospital bed in place and got all the supplies in place and she came home. People came to visit, in and out. Sometimes she wanted them sometimes she did not. I think that she did not want people to see her like this. Helpless when she mostly spent her whole life helping others.
The first night was terrifying. We had taken the king size bed from their room. Dad was sleeping on the couch and me upstairs in my room. we had a baby monitor set up and I had the other end. Her voice was deep and scratchy and I am honestly surprised I heard her. I woke up that first night to "Hillary, Tom, Hillary, Tom, help me." She woke up that first night home in a panic attack. Thankfully we have a nurse across the street and she was able to tell me what meds to give to calm her down and keep her comfortable. We struggled for most of the time she was still with us making sure that well got some sleep. It got better when we were able to put my mattress in the floor in the bedroom. Dad mostly slept on the couch. He tried a few nights but still was not confident in his medicine administering skills so he left that up to me. During the day though, we had the help of Rachel, our Godsend, and Shannon a nurse along with other friends that would check in, Hospice and more nurse and doctor friends that would come by to check on her.
Watching someone you love in this type of situation sucks. Part of me prayed for her to heal and get better and part of my prayed for her to be out of pain and suffering. I don't think I prayed that she was gone but I did not want her to live her life that way, in a hospital bed on medicine and with a catheter and being completely out of it at night. I wanted my mom. My mom who I talked to each evening at the counter while she cooked dinner and my mom who would take me shopping for school clothes and my mom who became an instant OU football fan when I started school in Norman.
Things were pretty consistant at the house, we had arranged for some friends to take turns staying at the house with her so dad and I could make another trip to Oklahoma. After a garage sale at my grandparents home, dad and I decided to take another load of stuff to Ryan and I's new house. We left on a Thursday. When I left I told mom I would be back but not until after our July 4th trip to NYC for my cousins engagement! She was awake, conscious, talking, hugged me and kissed me goodbye. Dad told her he would be back on Sunday. We got to Wewoka and unloaded the back of the truck. We decided to wait until Saturday to unload anything else, when Ryan was home from work. Friday dad and I ran around and got some things at Lowe's and met Ryan for lunch and did what we could. In the midst of all the crazy we were also prepping for a dinner party. Dad says "who else would throw a dinner party in her new house that she has spent 3 days in while everything is in boxes besides my daughter?!" That's right. Probably NO ONE! The plan was to get together with a family who Ryan and I met in law school and have become very close with ever since. They were there for us with Harley and came over to help with the yard and the trees and things at the new place before we moved it. They are just wonderful people. We wanted to cook and hang out and thank them all for being there for us through so much. Little did we know that they were about to be there for us again…BIG TIME!
We had received calls with "Mom-Updates" Friday and Saturday and when I had go to pick up Kiley I had called again and talked to her. She wasn't responding at this point so Dad and I decided we would go Sunday and be with her until I needed to be in OKC for our flight to NYC! Ryan and Dad were unloading the trailer and moving furniture and Kiley and I were decorating and cooking when the phone call came. Rachel, mom's caretaker, called to tell me that it was time for us to talk to her and tell her that we loved her and it was okay to go. I was not ready to let my mom go, especially knowing we were not going to be there with her when it happened but we did not have much choice. Most importantly I wanted her to go and be with my baby, her grand baby and take care of her! We got off the phone and new we needed to leave that minute to try to get to Sweetwater as soon as possible. I came in, gave Kiley the biggest hug, started bawling and told her we needed to leave right then. Here is the amazing part. Almost instantly Kiley's husband, in-laws and brother and soon to be sister in law showed up.
Please check back for the rest of the post. Lengthy I know. Thank you for hanging with me as I write about this!
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Harley Jane Pitts
Hello,
It has been a while since I've been on here. Things in my life have been kind of crazy. Things are still crazy but I feel that it is time to update you on what has been going on.
April 8th, 2014 is a day I will never forget. It will be the day that my husband Ryan and I had the greatest joy followed by the greatest sorrow. I gave birthday to our beautiful baby girl, Harley Jane Pitts. She was born at 8:35am. She was 7 pounds, 4.8 ounces and 21 inches long. She was born Sleeping.
We went to my 38 week appointment with great expectations to hear her heartbeat and feel our baby kick. Things did not happen that way. My appointment was at 9am and I was already anxious. We were meeting with a different midwife. It was my normal midwives suggestion that towards the end of my pregnancy we meet some of the other ones in case she was not there when I went into labor. She wanted me to be comfortable with the others just in case. I knew which midwife I was meeting with and has heard a story about her and how a good friend had a bad experience with her so that made me nervous. I had a bad feeling about the appointment since it was scheduled but I was getting so close I was excited to have my check up and hear my baby. She was unable to hear the heartbeat. She was with a new midwife to the practice and I think they both knew what they were going to have to tell us so the new midwife jumped up and started asking me when the last time I felt the baby move was. Meanwhile the other midwife went to get the doctor. She told me she could not find what she was looking for with the little heartbeat detector. My baby was posterior so at my 36 week appointment my midwife, Deb, gave me some exercises and things to do to get baby to spin. They had brought the ultrasound machine in to check to see if baby had spun and so the Doctor that came in used that to try and find the heartbeat for a second time. She was unable to. At that point she told us "I am so sorry but I believe your baby has passed." She told us she would give us some time but thought that it would be best to head to labor and delivery at OU children's to triple check before inducing labor. My husband and I stood there and hugged each other and cried. We absolutely could not believe the words that had just come out of their mouths. We loaded up and drove across campus to OU children's hospital to check in. In the process Ryan called his boss to tell him he would not be in that day and I text my cousin a simple message that said "prayers please." She text me back and asked if it was my parents or peanut. You see, my parents both got diagnosed with cancer recently and so we have been battling with that. She also knew we were at an appointment for the baby that morning.
We checked in to OU and prepared to be induced. I had planned for a completely natural birth so an induction was completely against my plan. I also was in shock that I was going to have to deliver my baby, stillborn. They checked me in, gave me a gown and had a doctor come in to triple check with another ultrasound. Once everything was confirmed, that our baby has passed, they began to prepare me for labor. Ryan started calling our family and friends to inform them of what was going on and explained that we had no clue what happened to our baby. Family and friends drove from all over the country to be there with us. I am not joking when I say that. South Dakota, Illinois, Texas and all over Oklahoma. To be completely honest, I did not want anyone there during this time. I was scared and embarrassed and wanted to be alone. (needless to say after all was said and done I am so glad that everyone was there to comfort and support us.)
As we began to prepare for the labor I kept thinking "I just want to go home and come back and do this." "How long is this day going to last?" and "how long before I meet my baby?" I just knew it was going to be the longest day ever. They told us they thought we would have a baby by noon the next day and that just seemed SOOOO far away. Little did I know she would arrive before noon! HOURS before noon.
They first started the induction by putting some sort of medicine "up there" to soften my cervix. This was very uncomfortable and happened 4 times. Then they used something called a Foley Bulb. Basically it is a water balloon filled with saline that was going to help soften my cervix and it got me dilated to a 4-5. They would come in and tug on it every 30 minutes and once it finally came out that meant I was at a 4 or 5 and they would start Pitocin. That was when the pain went from a .5 to a 10 and fast! I was having contractions while standing in the most awkward positions trying to get comfortable. I sat on the labor ball for a while and leaned on the bed. One contraction hit as I had one leg up on the bed trying to get back in. It was intense. Ryan was there the whole time and was such a rockstar. He helped me keep to my plan to not have an epidural and I am so glad he did. He helped me with my breathing and even when the I kept asking for the epidural. Labor was pretty quick. I have to think it was God's way of making this situation easier on me. It was only about 20 - 30 minutes of really hard, hard labor and contractions before I felt the need to push and deliver my baby. The contractions started like mild period cramps and grew into hard and painful ones. I finally asked what my other options were for pain and they told me Stadol was something that would "ease the pain" but basically make me be able to relax between the contractions. That is exactly what happened. I would be in terrible pain one second and sleeping the next. After this medicine took effect, which was really fast, I was able to scream in pain and then sleep. I am so glad I opted for this instead of giving in to wanting an epidural. I don't think I really wanted it I think I just wanted something for the pain. I knew I didn't really want anything stuck in my spine.
When you hear stories of women that say their body takes over and when you need to push you NEED TO PUSH and nothing can stop you. Well, that is absolutely accurate. Once I felt the need to push my body wouldn't stop. I told them I was ready and they said to hold on and I basically said "Screw You!" I am pushing. I didn't really say it but my body did and wouldn't stop. I swear once I started pushing the nurses put their gloves on and just stood there. Then all of a sudden a swarm of people came in to assist. I started to push and baby started to come, she got stuck though. She was truly her father's child because she had her arm behind her head just like he sleeps! Her head came out and then they had to readjust to deliver the rest. They told me when I was pushing to hold my breath, tuck my chin and then push. It made it so much easier! Somewhere in there before contractions got really bad they attempted to break my water. I am still a little confused on what happened with that and where my bag of waters was and why they were unable to break it. That is the one part of the labor process that I will probably never know fully what happened.
Ryan helped me so much through the labor process. He was in my face the whole time telling me how to breath. I also attribute my breathing to the hot yoga I had started before I got pregnant. I learned how to breath and that is how I was breathing during labor. He just picked up on my rhythm and kept me going when I would get off track and "stop breathing." I never actually stopped breathing but I would get out of my rhythm and he would have to keep me on track. It really helped.
Once our baby was delivered they told us that SHE may not look exactly like a newborn baby because of the situation. That gave away the sex. We had kept it a secret and Ryan was supposed to tell me if it was a boy or a girl. The nurse caught herself but it was too late. They handed her to me and Ryan told me that it was Harley Jane. We took turns holding her. Later family and friends came in and saw us and her and held her too. I was so glad that they allowed us time with her. We took pictures and some relatives sang to her. My aunt sang her Boomer Sooner and Oklahoma. My dad drove from Texas and arrived in time for the birth. He was able to hold his first grand baby and see her and have his picture taken with her.
After they took her from us for a while they were able to take her weight and height and molds of her perfect hands and perfect feet. They also took imprints of them to make ornaments and ink prints for her baby book. These are keepsakes I will keep for every. Such a special memory of my little angel. They said she had a little bit of hair. Her head was misshapen and soft from being gone for a few days before delivery so they put a cap on her that we never took off. I asked the nurse after they took her the final time if she could trim a small amount of her hair for a locket my aunt got me. She did. It was brown like her momma. She had my nose for sure and her daddy's chin. At our last ultrasound they printed off some 3d images and we compared those to our baby pics. She was perfect. I mentioned earlier that the nurse said she may not look like a newborn. She has some blood on one eyelid and her lips were a really dark red color. Her head may have been a tad misshapen but she was perfect.
After a few hours they moved us to the recovery room. All of the friends and family that had been with us for the past two days followed us down there. We moved as a pack. That night they brought Harley back for some of the family and friends to see and hold. Most everyone there took the time to hold her and talk to her. That meant a lot to me, that even though she was not alive that everyone would still hold her as if she was.
They took her away that night and we were able to get some rest. I was only on a Motrin for pain and kept it under control. The next day we saw more family and friends before we were dismissed. We did get to spend some more time with Harley before we left the hospital. We held her and took more photos and talked to her. Her Meme sang to her. It was special.
This was by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Thanks to God for helping me through the labor process and for bringing Ryan and I closer together rather than pulling us apart at this time. I am thankful for my family and friends for all their love and support during this time. I wanted to tell my story before I forgot all the details. I will never forget the day that I brought my precious Harley into this world but there are so many details I want to be able to share with her future siblings. I want to be able to tell everyone who asks about my story. You know, you don't hear much about stillbirths and because I had only heard of them but didn't know all about the details I want to be able to share my story. I never imagined this would happen to me. Now that it has I want to tell everyone who wants to know. I am thankful to my friends who have talked with me about Harley and who ask questions and want to know. I pray for Peace and Comfort for myself and my family and my friends who have been there for me and Ryan through this difficult time. Harley you will be my angel in Heaven forever and ever and I love you so much!
Here are some photos of Ryan and Harley and I. Papa Tom and Harley and Harley and I.
It has been a while since I've been on here. Things in my life have been kind of crazy. Things are still crazy but I feel that it is time to update you on what has been going on.
April 8th, 2014 is a day I will never forget. It will be the day that my husband Ryan and I had the greatest joy followed by the greatest sorrow. I gave birthday to our beautiful baby girl, Harley Jane Pitts. She was born at 8:35am. She was 7 pounds, 4.8 ounces and 21 inches long. She was born Sleeping.
We went to my 38 week appointment with great expectations to hear her heartbeat and feel our baby kick. Things did not happen that way. My appointment was at 9am and I was already anxious. We were meeting with a different midwife. It was my normal midwives suggestion that towards the end of my pregnancy we meet some of the other ones in case she was not there when I went into labor. She wanted me to be comfortable with the others just in case. I knew which midwife I was meeting with and has heard a story about her and how a good friend had a bad experience with her so that made me nervous. I had a bad feeling about the appointment since it was scheduled but I was getting so close I was excited to have my check up and hear my baby. She was unable to hear the heartbeat. She was with a new midwife to the practice and I think they both knew what they were going to have to tell us so the new midwife jumped up and started asking me when the last time I felt the baby move was. Meanwhile the other midwife went to get the doctor. She told me she could not find what she was looking for with the little heartbeat detector. My baby was posterior so at my 36 week appointment my midwife, Deb, gave me some exercises and things to do to get baby to spin. They had brought the ultrasound machine in to check to see if baby had spun and so the Doctor that came in used that to try and find the heartbeat for a second time. She was unable to. At that point she told us "I am so sorry but I believe your baby has passed." She told us she would give us some time but thought that it would be best to head to labor and delivery at OU children's to triple check before inducing labor. My husband and I stood there and hugged each other and cried. We absolutely could not believe the words that had just come out of their mouths. We loaded up and drove across campus to OU children's hospital to check in. In the process Ryan called his boss to tell him he would not be in that day and I text my cousin a simple message that said "prayers please." She text me back and asked if it was my parents or peanut. You see, my parents both got diagnosed with cancer recently and so we have been battling with that. She also knew we were at an appointment for the baby that morning.
We checked in to OU and prepared to be induced. I had planned for a completely natural birth so an induction was completely against my plan. I also was in shock that I was going to have to deliver my baby, stillborn. They checked me in, gave me a gown and had a doctor come in to triple check with another ultrasound. Once everything was confirmed, that our baby has passed, they began to prepare me for labor. Ryan started calling our family and friends to inform them of what was going on and explained that we had no clue what happened to our baby. Family and friends drove from all over the country to be there with us. I am not joking when I say that. South Dakota, Illinois, Texas and all over Oklahoma. To be completely honest, I did not want anyone there during this time. I was scared and embarrassed and wanted to be alone. (needless to say after all was said and done I am so glad that everyone was there to comfort and support us.)
As we began to prepare for the labor I kept thinking "I just want to go home and come back and do this." "How long is this day going to last?" and "how long before I meet my baby?" I just knew it was going to be the longest day ever. They told us they thought we would have a baby by noon the next day and that just seemed SOOOO far away. Little did I know she would arrive before noon! HOURS before noon.
They first started the induction by putting some sort of medicine "up there" to soften my cervix. This was very uncomfortable and happened 4 times. Then they used something called a Foley Bulb. Basically it is a water balloon filled with saline that was going to help soften my cervix and it got me dilated to a 4-5. They would come in and tug on it every 30 minutes and once it finally came out that meant I was at a 4 or 5 and they would start Pitocin. That was when the pain went from a .5 to a 10 and fast! I was having contractions while standing in the most awkward positions trying to get comfortable. I sat on the labor ball for a while and leaned on the bed. One contraction hit as I had one leg up on the bed trying to get back in. It was intense. Ryan was there the whole time and was such a rockstar. He helped me keep to my plan to not have an epidural and I am so glad he did. He helped me with my breathing and even when the I kept asking for the epidural. Labor was pretty quick. I have to think it was God's way of making this situation easier on me. It was only about 20 - 30 minutes of really hard, hard labor and contractions before I felt the need to push and deliver my baby. The contractions started like mild period cramps and grew into hard and painful ones. I finally asked what my other options were for pain and they told me Stadol was something that would "ease the pain" but basically make me be able to relax between the contractions. That is exactly what happened. I would be in terrible pain one second and sleeping the next. After this medicine took effect, which was really fast, I was able to scream in pain and then sleep. I am so glad I opted for this instead of giving in to wanting an epidural. I don't think I really wanted it I think I just wanted something for the pain. I knew I didn't really want anything stuck in my spine.
When you hear stories of women that say their body takes over and when you need to push you NEED TO PUSH and nothing can stop you. Well, that is absolutely accurate. Once I felt the need to push my body wouldn't stop. I told them I was ready and they said to hold on and I basically said "Screw You!" I am pushing. I didn't really say it but my body did and wouldn't stop. I swear once I started pushing the nurses put their gloves on and just stood there. Then all of a sudden a swarm of people came in to assist. I started to push and baby started to come, she got stuck though. She was truly her father's child because she had her arm behind her head just like he sleeps! Her head came out and then they had to readjust to deliver the rest. They told me when I was pushing to hold my breath, tuck my chin and then push. It made it so much easier! Somewhere in there before contractions got really bad they attempted to break my water. I am still a little confused on what happened with that and where my bag of waters was and why they were unable to break it. That is the one part of the labor process that I will probably never know fully what happened.
Ryan helped me so much through the labor process. He was in my face the whole time telling me how to breath. I also attribute my breathing to the hot yoga I had started before I got pregnant. I learned how to breath and that is how I was breathing during labor. He just picked up on my rhythm and kept me going when I would get off track and "stop breathing." I never actually stopped breathing but I would get out of my rhythm and he would have to keep me on track. It really helped.
Once our baby was delivered they told us that SHE may not look exactly like a newborn baby because of the situation. That gave away the sex. We had kept it a secret and Ryan was supposed to tell me if it was a boy or a girl. The nurse caught herself but it was too late. They handed her to me and Ryan told me that it was Harley Jane. We took turns holding her. Later family and friends came in and saw us and her and held her too. I was so glad that they allowed us time with her. We took pictures and some relatives sang to her. My aunt sang her Boomer Sooner and Oklahoma. My dad drove from Texas and arrived in time for the birth. He was able to hold his first grand baby and see her and have his picture taken with her.
After they took her from us for a while they were able to take her weight and height and molds of her perfect hands and perfect feet. They also took imprints of them to make ornaments and ink prints for her baby book. These are keepsakes I will keep for every. Such a special memory of my little angel. They said she had a little bit of hair. Her head was misshapen and soft from being gone for a few days before delivery so they put a cap on her that we never took off. I asked the nurse after they took her the final time if she could trim a small amount of her hair for a locket my aunt got me. She did. It was brown like her momma. She had my nose for sure and her daddy's chin. At our last ultrasound they printed off some 3d images and we compared those to our baby pics. She was perfect. I mentioned earlier that the nurse said she may not look like a newborn. She has some blood on one eyelid and her lips were a really dark red color. Her head may have been a tad misshapen but she was perfect.
After a few hours they moved us to the recovery room. All of the friends and family that had been with us for the past two days followed us down there. We moved as a pack. That night they brought Harley back for some of the family and friends to see and hold. Most everyone there took the time to hold her and talk to her. That meant a lot to me, that even though she was not alive that everyone would still hold her as if she was.
They took her away that night and we were able to get some rest. I was only on a Motrin for pain and kept it under control. The next day we saw more family and friends before we were dismissed. We did get to spend some more time with Harley before we left the hospital. We held her and took more photos and talked to her. Her Meme sang to her. It was special.
This was by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Thanks to God for helping me through the labor process and for bringing Ryan and I closer together rather than pulling us apart at this time. I am thankful for my family and friends for all their love and support during this time. I wanted to tell my story before I forgot all the details. I will never forget the day that I brought my precious Harley into this world but there are so many details I want to be able to share with her future siblings. I want to be able to tell everyone who asks about my story. You know, you don't hear much about stillbirths and because I had only heard of them but didn't know all about the details I want to be able to share my story. I never imagined this would happen to me. Now that it has I want to tell everyone who wants to know. I am thankful to my friends who have talked with me about Harley and who ask questions and want to know. I pray for Peace and Comfort for myself and my family and my friends who have been there for me and Ryan through this difficult time. Harley you will be my angel in Heaven forever and ever and I love you so much!
Here are some photos of Ryan and Harley and I. Papa Tom and Harley and Harley and I.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Thank You
Just a post to say Thank you. Thank you for your Thoughts and Prayers for our family during this very difficult time. Thank you for the food and the snacks and the help you provided as we came home from the hospital. Thank you for traveling many miles to be with us as we said Goodbye to our baby girl. She will forever watch over us. She will forever be in our hearts. She will always be with us. She is our Guardian Angel.
XOXO
Hillary & Ryan Pitts
XOXO
Hillary & Ryan Pitts
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Battle o' the Baby Showers!
This last weekend was full of traveling, celebrations, out of town guests, stress, more travel and finally we are home. I spent the majority of last week in Texas at my parents prior to my second baby shower and my hometown's claim to fame, The World's Largest Rattlesnake Round Up! Mostly I need to be there this week each year because mom gets really stressed about all the extra company and the open door policy that happens from Wednesday until Sunday at our house. Since dad and I enjoy this weekend SO much she typically sucks it up and we make it through but that does not mean there are not some fights and added stress! Always a Joy! :)
Anyway, when talking with the hosts of the shower in my hometown, I asked what they thought about doing it Round Up weekend so that if there were "out of towners" they would be able to make it to the shower and the rest of the Round Up festivities! They liked the idea so that is what we did!
The reason I titled this post "Battle o' the Baby Showers!" is because once I showed these ladies, my mom's dearest friends, photos of the shower my dearest friends hosted they new they wanted to try and "win!" I have to declare this competition a TIE because the showers were equally lovely and perfect but so different at the same time!
The OKC girls hosted a New and Trendy shower where the theme matched the colors of the nursery and they focused a lot of the decor and made sure that they foods they served made me happy! They asked my pregnancy cravings and planned a delicious menu based off those cravings! They know the way to my heart! FOOD!
The West Texas gals hosted a truly Southern Belle's Baby Shower! It was a morning shower where they served brunch foods and Petit Fours. Anyone know what those are?! They are delicious little moist cakes that are personal sized for you to pick up and bite or eat with a fork. One of my favorite desserts that I only get to enjoy at bridal showers or baby showers in Texas! I have never enjoyed a petit four anywhere else that my hometown! Something that also made this shower different was that it was a display shower. Instead of my having to sit in front of everyone and opening gifts, I was able to mingle with everyone that was there while the hostesses collected the gifts as guests arrived and displayed them in another room so people could go look if they wanted or just grab a bite and chit chat with friends.
As I said, both showers were equally PERFECT and I could not have asked to be honored by two better groups of women! My moms best friends and my best friends made Peanut and I feel so extra special! I will post some pics from the second shower for you to enjoy!
OH, one more thing that was EXTRA special from the second shower was the old school alphabet blocks that were used at the party entrance. Since we aren't finding out the sex, they spelled out both our girl and boy name with the SAME building blocks that my mom's friend Vicki used at mom's baby shower when I was born! We looked and looked for a photo from the shower 28 years ago but we did not have any luck! Either way, the fact that the blocks were the same made this piece of decor so special!
XOXO
Hillary
Anyway, when talking with the hosts of the shower in my hometown, I asked what they thought about doing it Round Up weekend so that if there were "out of towners" they would be able to make it to the shower and the rest of the Round Up festivities! They liked the idea so that is what we did!
The reason I titled this post "Battle o' the Baby Showers!" is because once I showed these ladies, my mom's dearest friends, photos of the shower my dearest friends hosted they new they wanted to try and "win!" I have to declare this competition a TIE because the showers were equally lovely and perfect but so different at the same time!
The OKC girls hosted a New and Trendy shower where the theme matched the colors of the nursery and they focused a lot of the decor and made sure that they foods they served made me happy! They asked my pregnancy cravings and planned a delicious menu based off those cravings! They know the way to my heart! FOOD!
The West Texas gals hosted a truly Southern Belle's Baby Shower! It was a morning shower where they served brunch foods and Petit Fours. Anyone know what those are?! They are delicious little moist cakes that are personal sized for you to pick up and bite or eat with a fork. One of my favorite desserts that I only get to enjoy at bridal showers or baby showers in Texas! I have never enjoyed a petit four anywhere else that my hometown! Something that also made this shower different was that it was a display shower. Instead of my having to sit in front of everyone and opening gifts, I was able to mingle with everyone that was there while the hostesses collected the gifts as guests arrived and displayed them in another room so people could go look if they wanted or just grab a bite and chit chat with friends.
As I said, both showers were equally PERFECT and I could not have asked to be honored by two better groups of women! My moms best friends and my best friends made Peanut and I feel so extra special! I will post some pics from the second shower for you to enjoy!
OH, one more thing that was EXTRA special from the second shower was the old school alphabet blocks that were used at the party entrance. Since we aren't finding out the sex, they spelled out both our girl and boy name with the SAME building blocks that my mom's friend Vicki used at mom's baby shower when I was born! We looked and looked for a photo from the shower 28 years ago but we did not have any luck! Either way, the fact that the blocks were the same made this piece of decor so special!
XOXO
Hillary
Monday, March 3, 2014
Hello Slacker!
Happy Monday! I am doing 'better' than the first few times I started this blog thing, but I still feel like I am slacking on my posts! I apologize also for mostly using this as a journal to just talk for the time being, that will hopefully change in the future. For right now, with all the things going on in my life, I find it hard to sit down and post of blog that explains how I am organizing my house or decorating my nursery or baking delicious treats! Each day is different and I just don't have a project going to blog about. I know that blogging can be about ANYTHING but I want to occasionally entertain my readers with helpful hints like I did with my V-Day Blog! Other than RANDOMLY packing boxes to take to or storage unit there is nothing that I feel would benefit my readers at this point! If I blogged about how our packing and moving situation has gone so far, NO one would want to move or take my advice, EVER! I attempted to start a spreadsheet to keep things organized! My best friend and seester, Jennifer , did this when she moved and I thought, "WOW, this is great! When it comes time for us to move I will totally do this!" Well, I have labeled the boxes we have put in storage so far but now I have a Word List telling me what is in storage and a very short excell spreadsheet telling me what is in what boxes. This being pregnant thing is making packing hard! I have to place a box where I want it to stay until the weekend because once It gets packed it stays until my husband gets home move it. I can't always count on him wanting to move them after work either so I have been stalling. I swear I am trying to make progress though! We are still in the process of finding a house but we are working on de-cluttering so we can list ours! My house feels naked because they say to remove all the personal touches when showing your home. We only have two photos still up of us and that is just not normal! My shelves are only holding a few items each when normally they are packed with "P's" and photos of us! I say "P's" because I am OBSESSED with monograms and our last name Initial - P! If you are ever looking for a gift to send just put a letter "P" in the mail! I will gladly accept it and display it somewhere in my house! Maybe after this week I will have some exciting info about a house to share but until then I am going to go do some random "organizing" if you can call it that or maybe some packing! We will see.
ALSO, 50 days until Peanut is due!!!! We will see if He or She arrives early or on time or late! I go this afternoon, despite the snow on the ground, for an ultrasound! It is crazy to think that when I left my midwife appointment last week that I scheduled the REST of my visits until my due date! Holy Moly!!!
Take care!
XOXO
Hillary
ALSO, 50 days until Peanut is due!!!! We will see if He or She arrives early or on time or late! I go this afternoon, despite the snow on the ground, for an ultrasound! It is crazy to think that when I left my midwife appointment last week that I scheduled the REST of my visits until my due date! Holy Moly!!!
Take care!
XOXO
Hillary
Monday, February 24, 2014
BUSY BABY WEEKEND!
WOW! It's been a while! I was trying NOT to skip so many days between blogs but this weekend got outta hand and I didn't turn on the TV or the Computer all weekend. There was a lot about ME but not a lot of ME time to just chill. This pregnancy thing tires me out so I have been taking a LOT more 'ME' time but really it is just resting time so I don't over do it!
So this weekend was all about babies! I would have to say it started on Thursday when my friend Brook was due in from IL. The plan was to pick her up from the airport at two and then head to meet Ryan to look at a few potential houses! Due to some plane issues she was delayed and we didn't meet up until later that evening. Ryan and I made it to see the houses and back home before we picked Brook up. Then we dined at the Cheesecake Factory. Brook and I sat up talking for a while since she recently moved away and then we decided it was time to hit the hay because we knew we had a FULL day planned for Friday!
Friday AM we woke up and grabbed coffee and breakfast before going to get pampered at the pedicure place. While we were there she received a text from one of the other hostesses, Jennifer, that he flight was delayed as well and that she and her husband and son would be making the trip via car! About a 12 and a half hour drive Jenn and her family would arrive! Since she was unable to get here a day early like planned, Brook and I spent the already busy day running around tending to Brooks final shower prep AND Jennifer's final shower prep!
Saturday was SHOWER DAY! I am very blessed to have such wonderful friends that wanted to host me a baby shower! 6 of my closest friends came together and planed what I would call the most spectacular Baby shower ever! Peanut is going to have the best Aunts in the world! They have already spoiled him/her with all the wonderful things they "showered" us with. The food was INCREDIBLE!!! I was able to have a a Virgin Bloody Mary that tasted JUST like a real one without the vodka! My cousin Meridith even duplicated a delicious dessert that I enjoyed in NOLA when we were there for the sugar bowl in January! They hit the nail on the head with the decor! I could not have asked for a more Beautiful shower to show my Peanut how much he/she is already loved!!! I have posted some photos below so you can all see how wonderful our day was!!!
Sunday was spent celebrating more babies! Brook and I have the same hair dresser and since she wasn't flying out until around 5pm we planned to go see our hair dressers new baby boy Thomas! He is two weeks old and SOOO cute!!! I can't believe babies are really that small! Then we picked up Ryan and headed to Jennifer's mother's home to celebrate her baby boy! He will turn 1 in March so since she and her family where in from out of town for the shower, they chose to have his 1st birthday with all the rest of their Family. Baby J had great party and he is truly loved by all his family and friends! Such a cutie!
Overall the weekend was spent celebrating babies with ones that I love! Again, I am so blessed to have the friends and family that I do to make me and Peanut feel so special!!!
Thanks to everyone involved for a great weekend!!!
So this weekend was all about babies! I would have to say it started on Thursday when my friend Brook was due in from IL. The plan was to pick her up from the airport at two and then head to meet Ryan to look at a few potential houses! Due to some plane issues she was delayed and we didn't meet up until later that evening. Ryan and I made it to see the houses and back home before we picked Brook up. Then we dined at the Cheesecake Factory. Brook and I sat up talking for a while since she recently moved away and then we decided it was time to hit the hay because we knew we had a FULL day planned for Friday!
Friday AM we woke up and grabbed coffee and breakfast before going to get pampered at the pedicure place. While we were there she received a text from one of the other hostesses, Jennifer, that he flight was delayed as well and that she and her husband and son would be making the trip via car! About a 12 and a half hour drive Jenn and her family would arrive! Since she was unable to get here a day early like planned, Brook and I spent the already busy day running around tending to Brooks final shower prep AND Jennifer's final shower prep!
Saturday was SHOWER DAY! I am very blessed to have such wonderful friends that wanted to host me a baby shower! 6 of my closest friends came together and planed what I would call the most spectacular Baby shower ever! Peanut is going to have the best Aunts in the world! They have already spoiled him/her with all the wonderful things they "showered" us with. The food was INCREDIBLE!!! I was able to have a a Virgin Bloody Mary that tasted JUST like a real one without the vodka! My cousin Meridith even duplicated a delicious dessert that I enjoyed in NOLA when we were there for the sugar bowl in January! They hit the nail on the head with the decor! I could not have asked for a more Beautiful shower to show my Peanut how much he/she is already loved!!! I have posted some photos below so you can all see how wonderful our day was!!!
Sunday was spent celebrating more babies! Brook and I have the same hair dresser and since she wasn't flying out until around 5pm we planned to go see our hair dressers new baby boy Thomas! He is two weeks old and SOOO cute!!! I can't believe babies are really that small! Then we picked up Ryan and headed to Jennifer's mother's home to celebrate her baby boy! He will turn 1 in March so since she and her family where in from out of town for the shower, they chose to have his 1st birthday with all the rest of their Family. Baby J had great party and he is truly loved by all his family and friends! Such a cutie!
Overall the weekend was spent celebrating babies with ones that I love! Again, I am so blessed to have the friends and family that I do to make me and Peanut feel so special!!!
Thanks to everyone involved for a great weekend!!!
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| Delicious Food Spread |
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| Me with 5 of the 6 hostesses |
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| LOVE Cake |
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| Decor - GOLD GLITTER! |
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| Write a note to mommy on a diaper for those late night changings! So funny to read the diapers! |
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| Such a creative guest book! |
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Cleaning Frenzy!
Is it just me or does everyone have to make a disaster of their house before they can completely clean it? I realized that it takes me twice as long to clean because before I can actually clean I have to de-clutter but when I de-clutter one space I clutter another space until it's time to clean that space and then I just repeat the process. It is now 11:30pm and I am finally at a stopping point. I am having a friend in starting tomorrow and I had a lot of work to do. She is helping host my baby shower on Saturday and just moved away to Illinois last week! 3rd Trimester exhaustion has kept me from my normal routine so there was lots of dust and dirt to be wiped away and lots of paw prints to be moped from the floors! I got started this morning around 10, had a lunch break with a friend that I had not seen in weeks and then kept going! I had to make a Sonic drink break run to be able to make it the rest of the night but I managed to make lots of progress! The guest room is ready and we even have a freshly cleaned bathroom in the master suite! Needless to say my husband was excited to be able to see the bathroom counter when he got home. Oh…I also made dinner! So basically today was a HUGE success!!!!
As I mentioned above, my baby shower is this weekend!!! I am so excited. I have the best group of girls hosting it for me. Needless to say this baby is blessed and is going to have the best aunts in the world!!! I hope that after this shower I will feel a little bit more prepared. We have not purchased ANYTHING for this kid that is practical, only a book, an outfit and a toy! NOTHING ELSE!!! I have received some things as hand me downs that I am grateful for but I still feel like there are some pretty important things that we need to be able to bring the baby home from the hospital safely! I will blog again after the shower and the weekend has calmed down and report back on the items we receive that will help us raise this babe!!!
Just a short blog tonight about my cleaning frenzy and the upcoming shower this weekend! I can't wait to post pics because I know it is going to be FABULOUS!!!
XOXO
Hillary
As I mentioned above, my baby shower is this weekend!!! I am so excited. I have the best group of girls hosting it for me. Needless to say this baby is blessed and is going to have the best aunts in the world!!! I hope that after this shower I will feel a little bit more prepared. We have not purchased ANYTHING for this kid that is practical, only a book, an outfit and a toy! NOTHING ELSE!!! I have received some things as hand me downs that I am grateful for but I still feel like there are some pretty important things that we need to be able to bring the baby home from the hospital safely! I will blog again after the shower and the weekend has calmed down and report back on the items we receive that will help us raise this babe!!!
Just a short blog tonight about my cleaning frenzy and the upcoming shower this weekend! I can't wait to post pics because I know it is going to be FABULOUS!!!
XOXO
Hillary
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