James Russell Ashby

As usual I'll let my photos tell the story:

A baby story

I'll keep the details to a minimum but I thought I would let you know a bit about the labor. First of all, I realize my experience may have been a bit easier than most and I am grateful for it. I also realize that my next ones may not be so smooth but here is how it went.
I checked into the hospital Tuesday just before noon.
I was given a softener to encourage the baby to come. Nothing happened.
A few hours later a different nurse gave me the softener again and she was a bit more aggressive with it.
This time within 5 minutes of the application I began having full on contractions.
One on top of another.
Each contraction lasted 1-2 minutes and I would get about 10-20 seconds between each. They were intense.
After an hour of this I insisted someone find the anesthesiologist. He came in, and after just EIGHT tries the epidural was in. Now under normal circumstances his eight tries would have really frustrated me but with the amount of pain I was experiencing, it could have taken him 1,000 tries and I would have felt eternally indebted to him. The result of his eight tries was the best epidural known to man. I had nearly complete control of my legs, but I couldn't feel any pain. It was amazing. At that point I was about a 3 so they gave me a yoga ball to hold and within 2 hours I was at a 10 and ready to push. About 6 (give or take a couple) pushes later my little man was here and forever changed my world.

I love James so much; which I realize is kind of a given but he is the best thing to happen to me and Sam. We stare at him all day, entertained by the smallest noise, or the littlest facial expression. He's such a good baby and he has the cutest face a mom could want.

Michael Bublé "Haven't Met You Yet"

The words to this great song make me think of my little James and I tear every time. I'm so excited for him to get here. I just hope he waits until Sunday:)Press play on my playlist if you want to hear it:

I'm not surprised, not everything lasts
I've broken my heart so many times, I stopped keeping track
Talk myself in, I talk myself out
I get all worked up, then I let myself down

I tried so very hard not to lose it
I came up with a million excuses
I thought, I thought of every possibility

And I know someday that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, that I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet

I might have to wait, I'll never give up
I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck
Wherever you are, whenever it's right
You'll come out of nowhere and into my life

And I know that we can be so amazing
And, baby, your love is gonna change me
And now I can see every possibility

And somehow I know that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet

They say all's fair
In love and war
But I won't need to fight it
We'll get it right and we'll be united

And I know that we can be so amazing
And being in your life is gonna change me
And now I can see every single possibility

And someday I know it'll all turn out
And I'll work to work it out
Promise you, kid, I'll give more than I get
Than I get, than I get, than I get

Oh, you know it'll all turn out
And you'll make me work so we can work to work it out
And I promise you kid to give so much more than I get
Yeah, I just haven't met you yet

I just haven't met you yet
Oh, promise you, kid
To give so much more than I get

I said love, love, love, love
Love, love, love, love
(I just haven't met you yet)
Love, love, love, love
Love, love
I just haven't met you yet

Am I ridiculous?

One obvious worry I have as an expectant mother is the health of my baby. Is it ridiculous that I requested all family members (on both sides) who would be within baby range before his 3 month mark get their DTaP? Or that I am considering getting him a baby mask to wear while flying to Utah for Christmas (recirculated air in December, no thank you!)? I want my kiddo to be healthy. My friend at work sent this photo below to be funny, but when I saw it I thought, "That's a great idea!" does this make me a little overboard?

GAP 30% off

In store only, I learned this the hard way last time :)



Enjoy!!

Changing Table

I bought the cutest dresser/changing table at a garage sale last week. It was perfect. It just needed a little paint. I kind of remembered to do a before photo this time:


The "Before" shot, even though it is after I'd removed the drawers and primed the top.


All primed and ready.


Love the grey color (I know the lighting isn't the best).


Tada!!

And the lovely knobs are from Hobby Lobby.
A special thanks to Brooke for the coupon that saved me 40%!