Lilly already loves to talk and sing along with Mom!
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
That's What Fathers Do
So my Aunt Diane sent this to our family last year on Father's Day and I loved it. Made me cry last year and when I read through it again today. So I thought I would share it with you all with a special shout-out to my dad.
My dad came down the week after Lilly was born to help support me. He spent many hours on our couch allowing me to sleep and keeping me company physically and emotionally. He also bought us a couple meals when I still wasn't feeling up to cooking yet. When he left a week later I cried and cried. It was a wonderful to have him here to support my family. Thanks again, DAD!
via Mormon Mommy Blogs by Crazylandblog@gmail.com (Motherboard) on 6/20/10
When we were first married we were very poor and very pregnant. I remember one night how excited we were when we found thirty-three cents in our couch cushions. This allowed us to walk to McDonald's and buy an ice cream cone, an almost decadent extravagance. Poor Meredith was pregnant and having cravings. She wanted a Subway sandwich in a way that only a pregnant woman can. But given the state of our finances, she might as well have wanted a twelve course meal flown in from Paris.
After fighting the craving for a week or two, she finally broke down and called her dad to ask if he could loan us a few dollars for Subway. A few days later the mail brought a check for $300.00. An attached note said “Meredith’s Subway cushion.”
That’s what fathers do.
Years ago our toddler caught a ghastly stomach virus. He literally could not keep anything down. We were up around the clock taking care of him and doing laundry and cleaning up body fluids. It is not hyperbole to say that we did laundry 24 hours a day. After a few days of this, we were completely exhausted. We called to see if my mom could help us. She was reluctant because after many years at his company, my dad was retiring and his firm was giving a formal farewell dinner. Obviously, this was not something that could be rescheduled or lightly missed. Although we would have loved the help, we understood the significance of the event.
Mom called back shortly after, and said Dad had insisted that she miss the dinner and come help us. That’s what fathers do.
One of my favorite scriptures is an obscure verse from the story of Helaman’s young warriors. Helaman’s account contains this almost incidental verse: “And now it came to pass in the second month of this year, there was brought unto us many provisions from the fathers of those my two thousand sons” (Alma 56:27).
Every time I read this I get a lump in my throat and my eyes get a little teary.
We hear most frequently about the mothers of these outstanding young men and rightly so. But, on Father’s Day, I like to reflect on this verse and think about the fathers of these warriors.
I can see these worn and weary men. Time and suffering have etched lines in their faces and refining fires have burned their hair to gray. But their eyes glow with the light of faith and they are moist as they see their sons. Their bodies are thin from the hard labor required to raise this food, the rigors of the journey, and the knowledge that whatever they eat leaves less for their sons. They may limp and stagger a bit. They’ve been pushing themselves to cover as much ground as possible so they haven’t had much sleep. Undoubtedly some of them have holes in their sandals so their sons could have a new pair.
They clutch sticks and staves tightly. They are carrying precious food through a war-torn land. But they don’t have swords or knives. They made a covenant that they will keep to the death.
That covenant meant that they were willing to be slaughtered before lifting up their swords again. When war broke out, their sons, who had not made this covenant, went to war so that they could keep their promises to God.
These men had to choose between their covenants with God and letting their sons go to war for them. In their place. Knowing how likely it was that their boys would ever come back.
This would be terrible for any father. A few lines in the scriptures cannot capture what must have been the gut-wrenching, Abrahamic test of a lifetime for them.
They couldn’t change the situation so they did what they could do, what all good fathers do. They provided for their boys. That’s what fathers do.
I wish I could describe the reunion when the fathers came into camp and found their sons. But an artist, not a writer, needs to paint this picture because very little was said and everything is so subtle that it defies description.
These fathers provided critical sustenance to their sons and gave them the physical strength to fight their battles, just as their mothers provided the spiritual strength they needed. It was a less obvious, less visible contribution perhaps. And in a strictly eternal sense, one could even argue that it was minimal. But in that moment, in time, not eternity, when an army was preparing to go to war, they needed that food. The contributions of father and mother compliment and cooperate, they don’t compete.
When we needed her, my mom was an angel to come and help us and I don’t know what we would have done without her. Her sacrifice was large and obvious. But it took me years to realize that there was another angel in the story. Dad also made a profound sacrifice, one that enabled Mom’s. A man wants his wife to be with him when he’s being honored for his life’s work. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing my Dad gave up. That’s what fathers do.
A mother’s sacrifices are often obvious and apparent. Her work is difficult but, with all the frustrations inherent in her work, she enjoys a preeminent place in her children’s hearts. Mothers are vital and their love warms our hearts and save our souls. We rightly honor them.
But in the background is the dad. Quietly making his own sacrifices to ensure that everything works out. Dad is the great facilitator, the provider and protector who does whatever it takes to get whatever his family needs. For his daughter to go to college. For his son to go on a mission. He provides the means for them in the here-and-now, sending money for Subway or provisions for young warriors. His solid, stable presence solves problems and fills gaps.
That’s what fathers do.
Braden Bell grew up in Farmington, Utah. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theater from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. in educational theater from New York University. He and his wife, Meredith live with their five children on a quiet, wooded lot outside of Nashville, Tennessee, where he teaches theater and music at a private school. Braden's first novel, The Roadshow, is in stores now.
After fighting the craving for a week or two, she finally broke down and called her dad to ask if he could loan us a few dollars for Subway. A few days later the mail brought a check for $300.00. An attached note said “Meredith’s Subway cushion.”
That’s what fathers do.
Years ago our toddler caught a ghastly stomach virus. He literally could not keep anything down. We were up around the clock taking care of him and doing laundry and cleaning up body fluids. It is not hyperbole to say that we did laundry 24 hours a day. After a few days of this, we were completely exhausted. We called to see if my mom could help us. She was reluctant because after many years at his company, my dad was retiring and his firm was giving a formal farewell dinner. Obviously, this was not something that could be rescheduled or lightly missed. Although we would have loved the help, we understood the significance of the event.
Mom called back shortly after, and said Dad had insisted that she miss the dinner and come help us. That’s what fathers do.
One of my favorite scriptures is an obscure verse from the story of Helaman’s young warriors. Helaman’s account contains this almost incidental verse: “And now it came to pass in the second month of this year, there was brought unto us many provisions from the fathers of those my two thousand sons” (Alma 56:27).
Every time I read this I get a lump in my throat and my eyes get a little teary.
We hear most frequently about the mothers of these outstanding young men and rightly so. But, on Father’s Day, I like to reflect on this verse and think about the fathers of these warriors.
I can see these worn and weary men. Time and suffering have etched lines in their faces and refining fires have burned their hair to gray. But their eyes glow with the light of faith and they are moist as they see their sons. Their bodies are thin from the hard labor required to raise this food, the rigors of the journey, and the knowledge that whatever they eat leaves less for their sons. They may limp and stagger a bit. They’ve been pushing themselves to cover as much ground as possible so they haven’t had much sleep. Undoubtedly some of them have holes in their sandals so their sons could have a new pair.
They clutch sticks and staves tightly. They are carrying precious food through a war-torn land. But they don’t have swords or knives. They made a covenant that they will keep to the death.
That covenant meant that they were willing to be slaughtered before lifting up their swords again. When war broke out, their sons, who had not made this covenant, went to war so that they could keep their promises to God.
These men had to choose between their covenants with God and letting their sons go to war for them. In their place. Knowing how likely it was that their boys would ever come back.
This would be terrible for any father. A few lines in the scriptures cannot capture what must have been the gut-wrenching, Abrahamic test of a lifetime for them.
They couldn’t change the situation so they did what they could do, what all good fathers do. They provided for their boys. That’s what fathers do.
I wish I could describe the reunion when the fathers came into camp and found their sons. But an artist, not a writer, needs to paint this picture because very little was said and everything is so subtle that it defies description.
These fathers provided critical sustenance to their sons and gave them the physical strength to fight their battles, just as their mothers provided the spiritual strength they needed. It was a less obvious, less visible contribution perhaps. And in a strictly eternal sense, one could even argue that it was minimal. But in that moment, in time, not eternity, when an army was preparing to go to war, they needed that food. The contributions of father and mother compliment and cooperate, they don’t compete.
When we needed her, my mom was an angel to come and help us and I don’t know what we would have done without her. Her sacrifice was large and obvious. But it took me years to realize that there was another angel in the story. Dad also made a profound sacrifice, one that enabled Mom’s. A man wants his wife to be with him when he’s being honored for his life’s work. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing my Dad gave up. That’s what fathers do.
A mother’s sacrifices are often obvious and apparent. Her work is difficult but, with all the frustrations inherent in her work, she enjoys a preeminent place in her children’s hearts. Mothers are vital and their love warms our hearts and save our souls. We rightly honor them.
But in the background is the dad. Quietly making his own sacrifices to ensure that everything works out. Dad is the great facilitator, the provider and protector who does whatever it takes to get whatever his family needs. For his daughter to go to college. For his son to go on a mission. He provides the means for them in the here-and-now, sending money for Subway or provisions for young warriors. His solid, stable presence solves problems and fills gaps.
That’s what fathers do.
Braden Bell grew up in Farmington, Utah. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theater from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. in educational theater from New York University. He and his wife, Meredith live with their five children on a quiet, wooded lot outside of Nashville, Tennessee, where he teaches theater and music at a private school. Braden's first novel, The Roadshow, is in stores now.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Lots of Pictures
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| Her first Sunday outfit was from my friend Megan. It was a newborn outfit and unfortunat |
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| My dad came to help me out the week after Lilly was born. He was a great help and allowed me many much-neede |
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| One of the first nights Pret cuddled with her before bedtime. I love this picture. She still looks so tiny! |
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| Our friends, the Hoffmans, have a boy, Finn, who was born in January. They live around the corner and Finn and Lilly will be fast friends... |
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| One day when I was changing laundry I realized that I needed two hands to get the load into the dryer. Luckily I had just pulled towels out so there was a nice momentary resting spot. |
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| Tuckered out. 'Nuff said... |
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| I just love this picture. She will still turn her head like that when she sleeps sometimes. |
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| This is one of the first times I attempted to dress her up and even do her hair... |
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| She was almost smiling. I love this outfit of hers. I call it the "purple elephants" even though most of the elephants are not purple. I will be sad when this one does not fit anymore. |
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| So I am going to try to do a month-by-m |
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| The BOB! I am so excited about this stroller. Thanks to the RobertsCla |
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| Lilly on one of her first outings in The BOB! |
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| First "tummy time." She looked so cute! |
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| Another way to do a month-by-m |
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| Lilly and Grandma Brenda |
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| This is the outfit that I came home from the "hospital" in. My parents had to get something yellow because they didn't know what I was going to be. Lilly is about the same weight here that I was when I was born... |
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| Lilly of the Hood |
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| My sister, Mel's, favorite outfit she gave to me. Glad I got the picture because when she yawns is one of my favorite moments. |
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| Lilly's favorite thing to do with Dad. She has great balance and head control already. |
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| Papa admiring his girl. |
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| Our first family photo. Part of a photo shoot my dad did. I'll post more of those pictures later. |
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| Lilly in her blessing dress (the day after the blessing). My amateur photo. I forgot to put on her bracelet that I made with my friend for the day. :-( |
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| I have looked everywhere for my blessing dress but was unable to find it. Saturday afternoon, Brenda and I thought about using Pret's sister, Kris's, dress as she has been unable to have any children. It was perfect and beautiful! |
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| Just a random picture in a cute outfit. Lilly is staring intently at Grandma DeDee (my mom). |
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| She's a cutie starting to smile! |
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| Up close and personal.. |
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| Daddy-daug |
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| Duck, duck, goose! |
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| Lilly has recently discovered her hands and loves to suck. She favors her right hand in her mouth and left hand pulling her hair or ear. |
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| Lilly's first time playing with a toy. She still doesn't get the concept, but it was cute. Sorry, I can't get the picture to turn the right way. |
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Public
Hi folks,
We are going public again. I find it is more trouble than it's worth to be private. Hopefully there will be no problems... Maybe we'll change it back, but for now, we're available to the world.
We are going public again. I find it is more trouble than it's worth to be private. Hopefully there will be no problems... Maybe we'll change it back, but for now, we're available to the world.
And Lilly makes 3...
So I guess 5 weeks isn't too late to finally getting to write up the report of Lilly's entrance into the world. My dad took the time to write up the story of my birth and it is one of my favorite things to read/look at in my "file." So here goes nothing...
Thursday, April 21st
Pret and I had been in the middle of watching a movie for the last few days and we finally took the time to finish it this night. No contractions, no cramping, no nothing as we cuddled on the couch.
Went to bed about 11:00. Pret was only planning on working till 11 or so the next day and had big plans for getting rock to fill in our parking strips (including having reserved a dump truck) and I was just excited that I had figured out what had happened to the camera I had ordered (it had literally become a "ghost order" at Best Buy), so I felt like baby could come now.
Friday, April 22nd.
2:45 am Pret woke up to go to the bathroom. I figured I was awake, I might as well go myself. No indication of contractions...
3:45 am Woke up thinking I had dreamed I was having contractions, then felt one start, so I guess I had been (maybe 3 or 4, not a lot and obviously not too strong...) Figured I would get up and go to the bathroom again since I was awake, but as I slowly rolled over to sit up, I had a weird sensation that I had just peed my pants. I got a little anxious as the thought hit me that I maybe my water just broke. I went to the bathroom and checked--my underwear and pants were soaked, and it didn't so much smell like urine... I went back into the bedroom for a change of bottoms and I grabbed my phone so I could call my sister, Melanie (who is a post-partum nurse and was at work) to see what I should do.
3:56 Was in the midst of another contraction (they were about 6 minutes apart at this point) and called Mel. Since I knew I wanted to go naturally, I also knew that I wanted to labor at home as long as possible, so I was not in a rush to go to the hospital, but also knew that medical advice says to get to the hospital as quickly as possible after your water breaks. So I asked Mel and she and the L&D nurse near her both advised me to get there quick. I hummed and hawed and said I would get there as quickly as I could (ha!).
4:15 Had posted on Facebook (I seriously had people stalking me to know when I was going into labor...), sent a few emails, and finally realized that I had soaked through this pair of underwear as well, so figured I would go tell Pret and then take a shower.
4:20 Woke up Pret to let him know my water had broken. First words out of his mouth (and please don't hold this against him--I find it hilarious!) "Are you sh--ing me?" Needless to say, he is not one who likes to be woken up in the middle of the night. He also lamented the fact that "what was he going to do about the dump truck?!?!" I told him to go back to sleep while I showered and got ready, then I would wake him to shower.
4:25 Went in the bathroom and cried (Pret doesn't know that--sorry Love. It just took me an emotional minute to adjust to your "rude awakening.") But then started getting anxious again as I showered and thought about what was happening. Contractions moving to about 5 minutes apart...
4:45 Knew that I wouldn't be able to eat during labor once I got to the hospital, I had a bowl of cereal. Lucky I did because I didn't get to eat again until about noon. Now I wish that I had drunk a gallon of water, too! I called Brenda (my mother-in-law) and Shannon (my sister) to let them know the day was here! Told them we'd call again on our way to the hospital since they are both about the dame distance from the hospital as us.
5:00 Pret finally got up (said he hadn't been sleeping well since I woke him up to tell him--poor baby!) and showered as I started trying to gather things up (I had a bag packed already, but still was double-checking things and adding here and taking-away here). I had also bought a Boppy-type pillow, but could not, and STILL CAN'T find it.
5:30 Made waffles for Pret, knowing that he would be without food for a while, too. Contractions coming about 4 minutes apart...
6:00 Packed-up the car, hoping that we had everything that we would need. Before we left, though, Pret had to wake-up our tenant next door to let him know we wouldn't be around to have him pay rent. Pret spent 5 minutes knocking and ringing to get him to the door!
6:30 Arrived at the hospital at the same time as Shannon. Nervously checked in with contractions about 3 minutes apart.
At this point, I pretty much lost track of time. They got me into the delivery room and the nurse proceeded with the background questions. She wanted to check my progress and asked about my water. Pret and I exchanged a look as I told her that my water had already broken. She said, "Well, we'll see about that." This really upset Pret as he was mad that she wasn't believing me. She did check me and "sure enough" my water had broken (?!?!?) and I was dilated to a 5/6 and about 80% effaced. I was offered an epidural at this point, but I stuck to my guns and declined politely. :-)
My contractions moved to be about 2 minutes apart. I knew I needed to start relaxing a little bit more. I asked for a "birthing ball" (a non-glorified yoga ball) and that really did help. Pret and I started some calming music and then I asked for a bath.
So from the time I got to the hospital, I had started peeing and pooping like crazy (normal, I guess!) I was shocked! Well, as Shannon had started filling the bathtub, I went to pee one more time and while I was sitting on the pot, I had the sudden urge to PUSH! I had heard/read that when you feel you need to push, you will know and it is like no other feeling. SO TRUE! The nurse told me that I shouldn't be pushing yet, but I basically said, "Too bad!" Everyone encouraged me to NOT take a bath now and that my progress should be checked. So up on the table I went, not to depart for a few hours.
Thursday, April 21st
Pret and I had been in the middle of watching a movie for the last few days and we finally took the time to finish it this night. No contractions, no cramping, no nothing as we cuddled on the couch.
Went to bed about 11:00. Pret was only planning on working till 11 or so the next day and had big plans for getting rock to fill in our parking strips (including having reserved a dump truck) and I was just excited that I had figured out what had happened to the camera I had ordered (it had literally become a "ghost order" at Best Buy), so I felt like baby could come now.
Friday, April 22nd.
2:45 am Pret woke up to go to the bathroom. I figured I was awake, I might as well go myself. No indication of contractions...
3:45 am Woke up thinking I had dreamed I was having contractions, then felt one start, so I guess I had been (maybe 3 or 4, not a lot and obviously not too strong...) Figured I would get up and go to the bathroom again since I was awake, but as I slowly rolled over to sit up, I had a weird sensation that I had just peed my pants. I got a little anxious as the thought hit me that I maybe my water just broke. I went to the bathroom and checked--my underwear and pants were soaked, and it didn't so much smell like urine... I went back into the bedroom for a change of bottoms and I grabbed my phone so I could call my sister, Melanie (who is a post-partum nurse and was at work) to see what I should do.
3:56 Was in the midst of another contraction (they were about 6 minutes apart at this point) and called Mel. Since I knew I wanted to go naturally, I also knew that I wanted to labor at home as long as possible, so I was not in a rush to go to the hospital, but also knew that medical advice says to get to the hospital as quickly as possible after your water breaks. So I asked Mel and she and the L&D nurse near her both advised me to get there quick. I hummed and hawed and said I would get there as quickly as I could (ha!).
4:15 Had posted on Facebook (I seriously had people stalking me to know when I was going into labor...), sent a few emails, and finally realized that I had soaked through this pair of underwear as well, so figured I would go tell Pret and then take a shower.
4:20 Woke up Pret to let him know my water had broken. First words out of his mouth (and please don't hold this against him--I find it hilarious!) "Are you sh--ing me?" Needless to say, he is not one who likes to be woken up in the middle of the night. He also lamented the fact that "what was he going to do about the dump truck?!?!" I told him to go back to sleep while I showered and got ready, then I would wake him to shower.
4:25 Went in the bathroom and cried (Pret doesn't know that--sorry Love. It just took me an emotional minute to adjust to your "rude awakening.") But then started getting anxious again as I showered and thought about what was happening. Contractions moving to about 5 minutes apart...
4:45 Knew that I wouldn't be able to eat during labor once I got to the hospital, I had a bowl of cereal. Lucky I did because I didn't get to eat again until about noon. Now I wish that I had drunk a gallon of water, too! I called Brenda (my mother-in-law) and Shannon (my sister) to let them know the day was here! Told them we'd call again on our way to the hospital since they are both about the dame distance from the hospital as us.
5:00 Pret finally got up (said he hadn't been sleeping well since I woke him up to tell him--poor baby!) and showered as I started trying to gather things up (I had a bag packed already, but still was double-checking things and adding here and taking-away here). I had also bought a Boppy-type pillow, but could not, and STILL CAN'T find it.
5:30 Made waffles for Pret, knowing that he would be without food for a while, too. Contractions coming about 4 minutes apart...
6:00 Packed-up the car, hoping that we had everything that we would need. Before we left, though, Pret had to wake-up our tenant next door to let him know we wouldn't be around to have him pay rent. Pret spent 5 minutes knocking and ringing to get him to the door!
6:30 Arrived at the hospital at the same time as Shannon. Nervously checked in with contractions about 3 minutes apart.
At this point, I pretty much lost track of time. They got me into the delivery room and the nurse proceeded with the background questions. She wanted to check my progress and asked about my water. Pret and I exchanged a look as I told her that my water had already broken. She said, "Well, we'll see about that." This really upset Pret as he was mad that she wasn't believing me. She did check me and "sure enough" my water had broken (?!?!?) and I was dilated to a 5/6 and about 80% effaced. I was offered an epidural at this point, but I stuck to my guns and declined politely. :-)
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| All decked out--actually happy between contractions! |
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| Shannon laughed at our "tech labor" of browsing during labor... Really, we were just trying to get iTunes up and started! |
When the nurse checked me again, I was up to an 8, and still feeling the need to push. I hadn't done any breathing training (oops...), so everyone was trying to get me through it. I have ALWAYS hated breathing in through my nose while exerting myself (I know, bad running technique), so it was really hard for me to do that during the contractions/pushing. I kept yelling at everyone that I felt like I was going to pass out...
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| Everyone reassuring me that I was not going to pass out--they did appease me with and oxygen mask, though. |
So my contractions had progressed to about 1 1/2 minutes apart and I was pretty much pushing every time. I was SO thirsty in between but all they would let me have was ice cubes (at least they were the fun round ones!) I begged for them! I was also getting really hot while pushing, so Brenda was kind enough to apply cool, wet clothes all over my face to cool me off.
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| Yes, that is my brown baby blanket next to me. I knew I would want some comfort during the process. It came in quite handy as I was trying to breastfeed later on. |
So, just to give you a little background to how crazy the day as a whole was, there were 8 other deliveries that morning! That is huge for this hospital. My doctor was down south for the weekend, so it was up to the on-call Dr. to deliver my baby. My contractions were progressing quickly and the nurse informed us that she did not want to deliver my baby, so she had Brenda push the call button to have the Dr sent to my room. I kept contracting and pushing and the nurse had her do it again just a few minutes later to make sure that the Dr would be there.
And just to give those of you who have not experience contractions before a glimpse of what it feels like, imagine the WORST gas pains while constipated (not that I would know how that feels or anything...) and DOUBLE it, and maybe you'll get close.
So finally the Dr came in and they told me to try TWO pushes per contractions. Enough already and just get this baby out of me! The Dr let me know that I had just a tiny bit more to stretch and then I would be good, or she could cut me for an episiotomy. That was a DEFINITE NO! She kind of chuckled and I had a few more contractions and she let me know that it was ready.
Pret, at this point, had seen the head and let me know there was lots of dark hair. At one point, when I was really struggling with contractions, I caught his eyes and just stared at him intensely to help me through. He was about the only one that I made eye contact and it was so reassuring to have him there and supporting me. You can't really tell in any of the pictures, but even his shirt is a "Top Gun Wingman" shirt--he filled the part perfectly! Previously the Dr had talked to him and let him know that once the baby was delivered he had two jobs: 1) tell everyone the gender and 2) cut the cord.
Finally, the moment was arriving. I was ready! I pushed and the head came out and then I didn't really even have to push for the body to come through. Baby didn't really cry too much, surprisingly. Pret was so taken aback (he really thought it was going to be a boy...) that he forgot to say what it was until the Dr. prompted him--"It's a GIRL!" Then he was right there with our Lilly for the next hour or so... It was really neat to have her there on my chest right away, but very surreal! And about all I could think about was her HAIR!
Dad and Grandma Brenda went with Lilly for her first bath and shots. Pret says she screamed through most of the bath--at least until she got her head washed!
They brought her back to me after her bath and we tried feeding for the first time. She had a little trouble latching on that sadly continued until I got some help the next morning. She still won't feed without a few "accessories" for Mom, but when she does, she sure does! Although she did NOT want to wake up to eat! I can think of only once that I actually knew she was hungry and wanting to eat on schedule instead of me just trying to force her.
Other guests at the hospital included "Uncle" Tyler and "Uncle" Steve, our friends who will be around enough that they get an "honorary" title; Jeff, Tanya, and future beau Nathaniel; my assistant principal, Jodi and her daughter Kennady; Roy, Beth and second future beau Finn; and of course, Papa (Dan) Dahlgren.
Friday night, Pret had gone home and was trying to tidy up the house a little bit when he discovered his arch nemesis--ANTS--had invaded our house. Every year Pret has spent hours trying to keep the ants and earwigs from coming into our home. He had even sprayed once this year, but they had gotten past his barrier. So he was up until 1:00 Saturday morning trying to get everything sprayed so it would have a chance to air out through Saturday and Sunday morning before we brought Lilly home. He is such a hard worker!
One of my Catholic co-workers pointed out to me that Pret and I were married on Good Friday in 2006 and then Lilly was born on Good Friday 2011. I'm not sure that our budget can handle any more "special days" in the spring (Pret's birthday is 2/28, my birthday is 3/30, and our anniversary is 4/14), so I hope we haven't started a permanent trend. But it was definitely a GOOD Friday for sure!
And just to give those of you who have not experience contractions before a glimpse of what it feels like, imagine the WORST gas pains while constipated (not that I would know how that feels or anything...) and DOUBLE it, and maybe you'll get close.
So finally the Dr came in and they told me to try TWO pushes per contractions. Enough already and just get this baby out of me! The Dr let me know that I had just a tiny bit more to stretch and then I would be good, or she could cut me for an episiotomy. That was a DEFINITE NO! She kind of chuckled and I had a few more contractions and she let me know that it was ready.
Pret, at this point, had seen the head and let me know there was lots of dark hair. At one point, when I was really struggling with contractions, I caught his eyes and just stared at him intensely to help me through. He was about the only one that I made eye contact and it was so reassuring to have him there and supporting me. You can't really tell in any of the pictures, but even his shirt is a "Top Gun Wingman" shirt--he filled the part perfectly! Previously the Dr had talked to him and let him know that once the baby was delivered he had two jobs: 1) tell everyone the gender and 2) cut the cord.
Finally, the moment was arriving. I was ready! I pushed and the head came out and then I didn't really even have to push for the body to come through. Baby didn't really cry too much, surprisingly. Pret was so taken aback (he really thought it was going to be a boy...) that he forgot to say what it was until the Dr. prompted him--"It's a GIRL!" Then he was right there with our Lilly for the next hour or so... It was really neat to have her there on my chest right away, but very surreal! And about all I could think about was her HAIR!
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| Pret wasn't sure if he was going to cut the cord or not, but then his medical instincts kicked in and he couldn't resist. I am glad that he got that moment... I am glad that I had a smile on my face in this picture! |
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| I guess that she was fussing a little bit. Pret was over with her as they did all the initial checks and stuff. I was a little pre-occupied with what the Dr was doing to me afterwards. |
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| Lilly Arienne Dahlgren Friday, April 22, 2011, 6 lbs, 11.5 oz; 19 1/2 in |
Dad and Grandma Brenda went with Lilly for her first bath and shots. Pret says she screamed through most of the bath--at least until she got her head washed!
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| Just chillin' after my first bath! |
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| Lilly's first visitors were her cousin Katie and Uncle Michael who brought her a Cala Lily! Katie is going to be a champion babysitter for us! Thanks ahead of time, Kate. :-) |
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| Not the first time he held her, but the first "Proud Papa" moment for Pret. He's a great Dad. |
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| I know it's blurry, but this was the first night as I had just tried feeding Lilly. At the hospital they glue cute flowers on the hats of the girls so they can quickly identify the gender. |
One of my Catholic co-workers pointed out to me that Pret and I were married on Good Friday in 2006 and then Lilly was born on Good Friday 2011. I'm not sure that our budget can handle any more "special days" in the spring (Pret's birthday is 2/28, my birthday is 3/30, and our anniversary is 4/14), so I hope we haven't started a permanent trend. But it was definitely a GOOD Friday for sure!
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| Grandpa "Papa" Dahlgren and Grandma Dahlgren |
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| Papa admiring Lilly's hair, or is that Uncle Chad there? Here, Dan looks so much like Pret's brother, Chad, it is almost scary! :-) |
Saturday, while Mom and Lilly chilled in the hospital with visits by Aunt Shannon and Grandma and Grandpa, Dad was busy at home with the dump-truck and rock. He had been able to re-arrange the rental and worked hard all day hauling and shoveling rock. He finally got back to the hospital around 9. We cuddled up on the bed together and watched the first half of "How to Train Your Dragon" before we both started falling asleep, so he went home for a better night's rest in our bed.
We knew we had to leave the ease of the hospital on Sunday. Pret went to Church, then did some arranging for showing the other half of our duplex (oh yes, amidst all of the other craziness in our life, our tenant was moving out and we were trying to find new renters...). He came to pick us up around 1 and then we were home by 2.
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| Cuddling with his little girl after a hard day working! |
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| Ready for my first trip in the cars eat. I am so tiny that Mom and Dad thought they would break me getting me in! And the Binky is almost bigger than my face! |
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| The cute outfit Grandma Dahlgren got me "in case" I was a girl so I wouldn't have to come home from the hospital naked, with my Easter Bunny socks from cousin Kate. |
We knew we had to leave the ease of the hospital on Sunday. Pret went to Church, then did some arranging for showing the other half of our duplex (oh yes, amidst all of the other craziness in our life, our tenant was moving out and we were trying to find new renters...). He came to pick us up around 1 and then we were home by 2.
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| Dad's first snuggle with Lilly in the rocker after we got home. |
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| Our friend, Tyler, had "broken in" to our house while we were at the hospital and stocked it full of about 10 Easter Lilies (the ones in the purple wrappers). It was beautiful to come home to. Grandma Brenda brought us the bright carnations on the left and our friend Jim had sent a bouquet of Tiger Lilies to the hospital as well. The flowers in the middle are ones that Pret had gotten me for our anniversary. |
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| So I made this picture extra big so you can see the expression on Pret's face! It was totally un-intentional, I just caught him in the middle of a normal expression, but it was too funny! I think that about summed up Pret's feelings of having Lilly home and knowing that she is "ours!" (Especially when she is crying like that!) |
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| Pret worked hard with the dump truck again on the next Saturday. I need to get pictures of the finished product to show. |
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