She's Here!

Hannah Clare

9 pounds 1 ounce

21 1/4 inches

Born at home in the water and caught by her daddy, Friday, March 23rd, at 11:21am.

More pictures and a birth story to come.

41 Weeks and Counting

I'm still here. Apparently Miss Hannah Clare doesn't realize she's a second baby and that her sister was early. She isn't supposed to be late.

I'm trying really hard to be patient, but it's really hard. I thought for sure she'd be here by now. I have a midwife appointment on Thursday. If Hannah isn't here by Friday I have to go for an ultrasound to check fluid levels. Then if she's not here by next Tuesday I have to be transferred to a doctors care for induction. By law the midwife can't let me go past 42 weeks. I am praying that doesn't happen. Of course she has some tricks up her sleeve we'll discuss on Thursday to see if we can get labor going. Although, I think I've tried them all except castor oil. She said she only uses that when she has to. I'm calling an accupuncturist today to see if they can help me.

I gues Hannah didn't want to be an Irish Twin. She only has until tomorrow to make that happen. Wouldn't that be insane if Hannah and Mary-Grace has the same birthday exactly 1 year apart? At first I was adamant (like I have control) that they have their own birthday. Now I don't care. I just want Hannah out Nd it may be cool of they had the same day.


I cannot believe my baby girl is a whole year old. It makes me so proud and sad at the same time. I'm not going to lie, this first year has be hard, extremely hard, but it was worth every second and I am so grateful to be trusted as her mother. I do however wonder what God was thinking. I am so not worthy to be her momma (or Hannah's for that matter).

We decided yesterday to reschedule Mary-Grace's birthday party. There is just no way I can do it this Saturday. We've moved it to the Saturday after Easter. I was sad to cancel, but I know it is for the best. I would be crazy to have 50 people in my house in just a few days. For all I know I could be in labor Saturday.

Well, hopefully the next time I post it will be a baby announcement. :)

Come out, come out...

I'm typing this from my iPhone. It hates me so I apologize in advance it this post looks weird.

Hannah was due on Tuesday, it's Thursday, so I guess that means she's over due. Now I realize that due dates mean nothing, but I never imagined she'd go past her due date. Her sister was a weeks early, second babies tend to be earlier than the first, not later. I guess she operates on her own time. :)

I had an appointment with my midwife yesterday. I asked her to check me because I had a lot of moderate contractions on Monday night and thought I was in early labor (obviously I wasn't). She said I was 1.5 centimeters and 85% effaced. Again, I know that doesn't necessarily mean anything, but I'll take it. I look at it as when I am in labor I only have to dilate 8.5 cm and efface another 15%. Works for me. She again confirmed that Hannah is super low and engaged which is awesome! It's just a matter of time and patience at this point. While I'm ready to get this kid out, K is hoping for Saturday. He really wants a St. Patrick's Day baby,

I am definitely getting a bit stresses about MG's birthday party. We've decided that of Hannah isn't here by the end of the weekend we are going to postpone it. I really don't want to do that but I have to be practical here. I know it seems like with so much family near us we would have lots of help. Unfortunately that isn't true. My family is very small compared to K's and is mostly make up of kids (we're outnumbered). It's also mostly men. I have two aunts but they aren't available to help. I have one sister close by but she has 3 kids under 7 and a husband who works 2 jobs. Other than that it's men. Not to mention they all have full time jobs. K's family is HUGE! However, my MIL and I have a very strained relationship...and she's the type of person who takes over rather than helping and creates more work for me. I've tried many times with her and have finally learned that it's just not worth it. The rest of the family doesn't help because of the strained relationship I mentioned above. It's a really ridiculous situation. I've gotten used to doing things on my own and I've come to like it. It's just easier.

We also finally decided on a middle name for Hannah, Clare, Hannah Clare. What do you think?

Now for fun I think I'll leave you with a few pictures of my little peanut.

Kiddo loves her food!


Drinking milk like a big girl. She didn't like it though and threw it on the floor, spit the milk out and crawled over to get her water cup.


Beautiful girl!


At Burger 21 celebrating Hannah's due date.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone so please excuse they typos. My phone thinks it's smarter than me.

Still here...

It's been a long time!  I'm still hear though, still reading (even if I don't comment), still pregnant.  I'm over 39 weeks now...due on Tuesday.  I honestly thought Hannah would be here by now.  Mary-Grace was 6 days early so I just assumed Hannah would be at least that too.  That's what I get for assuming.  I guess I've made it a little too cozy inside and she doesn't want to come out.  I need to think of a way to change that.

Since I'm still pregnant, you still have time to send your prayer requests to me.  And if I happen to go into labor before you read this, still send them.  I know there will be lots to offer up in those first few days (weeks) after her birth.

I'm still quite anxious about Hannah's birth.  I've very excited to be having a homebirth but nervous as well.  I'm not worried so much about something going wrong, more nervous that it will be too much and I won't be able to handle it.  I know this is ridiculous, because I CAN do it, but I worry.  I also have this fear of going into labor while K is at work and it being fast and furious.  I can't imagine trying to take care of MG while I'm having intense contractions.  K has a 40 minute drive home from work so it technically could happen.  My midwife had 2 women in the past week give birth so fast that she didn't make it in time.  She said it's rare but it does happen.  She leaves right away but sometimes the baby is just ready to come out.  There's a whole plan for what K is to do if this is happening, but I'm sure he'd rather the midwife be there.  The plan is for him to catch Hannah, just not by himself.

If Hannah holds out until at least Sunday, a dear blogger friend, who happened to move only about 4 hours from me, will be joining us for the birth.  I am very, very excited to have her and her sweet Hannah here.  She plans on helping with Mary-Grace during labor and if by chance (fingers crossed) Hannah is born in the middle of the night while the little ones are sleeping, she'll get to be with me for the birth too.  I've been praying from day one that she comes in the middle of the night.  It would make it so much easier!

My little peanut is going to be one year old in just 2 1/2 weeks.  I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!  Wasn't she just born yesterday?  We have planned a birthday party for her the Saturday after her birthday.  Now that that is only 2 weeks away and Hannah isn't hear I'm getting a bit scared.  It's nearly impossible for us to have a small anything when it comes to mine and K's families.  Both of our entire families live nearby and they are both super close.  It's impossible to invite a few without inviting them all.  This means that over 50 people are going to be in my tiny house in just 2 short weeks.  All but 5 of those people are family.  It gives me a panic attack just thinking about it.  We are doing it at 1:30 so we don't have to serve lunch, but we do need snacks.  I have no clue what snacks to have.  50 people is a lot!  I typically would make all of the food but there is absolutely no way I'm going to be up for that. So Publix cupcakes it is.  I ordered 60 and was shocked at how inexpensive it was.  I think $35 for 60 cupcakes isn't too bad at all.  Now I just need to figure out the rest.  I don't want to order the platters from the deli because they are really expensive.  I also don't want anything that requires me turning on my oven.  It's already so hot here (85-90 degrees) and I have a super small house.  I don't need anything heating it up.  Any suggestions?

And if you don't mind saying a prayer for me that I have peace of mind, a peaceful labor and birth, with a healthy mom and baby, that would be very much appreciated.

Prayers for a little girl

Back in 2009 a my friend's niece was diagnosed with a very rare form of stage 5 neuroblastoma. She was only 2.5 years old. The doctors explained that her chances were extremely extremely low. Bella, was strong and fought very hard. Her parents flew her back and forth from our children's hospital to one in New York regularly. Miraculously, after many treatments, a lot of them experimental, Bella went into remission. She has been cancer free for some time now (I believe over a year). Sadly, this week the discovered a 4cm tumor in her neck. After further tests they have now found several masses in her liver. Back when Bella was diagnosed, her parents were told that if she ever did go into remission and the cancer returned, her chances of surviving would be even less. They explained that when cancer returns it returns bigger and stronger. Bella and her parents are heading to New York to find out what the next step is. I cannot imagine what they are going through. I have been in tears since hearing the news. As parents we do everything in our power to protect our babies...we cannot protect them from this. It is gut wrenching. Please, please pray for Bella and her family. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone so please excuse they typos. My phone thinks it's smarter than me.

I did it!!!

I made the switch! I broke up with my OB's and hired a midwife. I feel slightly crazy doing this do far along (I'm 33 weeks) but I'm confident (at least I keep telling myself that) that we have made the right decision. We had a consultation last week and our first official appointment today. I was so pleased at how wonderful it went! We will be delivering at home (God willing) but my appointments are at the midwife's office until I get to 36 weeks - then she'll come to my house. Her office feels nothing like a doctor's office. She has a lending library full of books to borrow, snacks, water, toys for little ones, etc. etc. We didn't wait at all and she schedules 45 minutes for each appointment - and actually uses it! We talked about how I was feeling, how the baby is doing, any fears, concerns, questions I have. She gave me great tips and suggestions. It was great! Then we listened to Hannah's heart beat and she measured me (33 weeks, so perfect). We discussed my next appointment and she told me to call (on her cell) if I had any concerns. It was so wonderful and relaxing! Right now the only hang ups are my OB's office (they still haven't sent my records) and our insurance (who is giving them the run around). Other than that, all is great! I've also contacted a doula who comes to me highly recommended. I loved our doula last time but she had a baby a few months ago and isn't taking clients yet. :( Just talking to this doula on the phone I think I'm going to like her. She seems a little hippie dippie, but that tends to come with the territory. So now all I have to do is keep growing this baby and get our house ready for a birth and a new little one. I cannot believe how fast this is going! I know the next 4-9 weeks are going to fly by. I'm ready...but I'm not ready. I'm feeling more attached to Mary-Grace than ever right now. I'm trying to savor every moment I have with her before her little world gets flipped upside down and my time gets divided in two. Please feel free to send me your prayer requests. I would love, love, love to pray for you during labor. :) - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone so please excuse they typos. My phone thinks it's smarter than me.

When will we get a break?

Remember I told you a few posts back that I've become scared to answer the phone? It seems like every other time a family member calls me it isn't good news. Well...I should have listened to my own advice... I got a call on Saturday morning from my dad. My Grandad (Nana's husband) was taken to the hospital for a possible stroke. After 3 days and countless tests, the determined that he has a hole in his heart that cased a TIA. We were all shocked. This man, at 73 is the picture of health. He seems to be doing well. They have put him on blood thinners to hopefully prevent this from happening again. Then this morning my sister called. I asked you all to pray for her marriage in my previous post. Her husband found out yesterday that he is more than likely losing his job. He will know for sure on Monday. He is the sole provider for my sister and their 3 children (ages 7,3, and 7 months). They live paycheck to paycheck as it is and barely make it as it is. Even by collecting unemployment, there will be no way they can afford even the basics like food and rent. She said her husband feels worthless. He feels like he can't take care of his family and is an absolute mess. My heart is breaking for them. Any prayers you can spare for them would be so appreciated! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone so please excuse they typos. My phone thinks it's smarter than me.