The Day It All Changed

On August 2, 2015 we found out our family was growing by ten little fingers and toes, two beautiful blue eyes and what turned out to be a big ole' noggin of a baby!

I will never forget that day.  D.J. was upset about a baseball game and the position he was put it and we were on the last day of a trip in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  I had been feeling crappy for the past few days and was telling Maria about it and she was joking around about me being pregnant. I said "NO WAY! It's just a summer cold I bet".  So as the weekend went on, she finally made me take a test even though I wanted to wait till we got back to Lynchburg.  Sure enough, that (not so little) blue line popped up in less than 5 seconds and it was a LEGIT blue line.  No faint lines - dark blue lines.  I then proceeded to take the other two tests in the box, followed by two more the next couple days when I was still in shock! Cue the collage below.

So Maria and I had to go to the game with this big secret with my family there, D.J.'s family there and all our friends and not say anything! I had no idea how far along I was, so we wanted to keep it quiet.  I had all these great ideas in my head about how I would tell D.J. about the pregnancy, but this one sneeked up on us and I didn't have anything prepared. 

Since this day was the getaway day, Maria and I headed out from the game earlier than the bus and made a pit stop at Target.  I obviously got more tests because I was still in shock.  I also got D.J. some candy and a cute "congratulations" card. 

Getting him a little gift wasn't that out of the blue because he had a rough day.  Inside the card was the pregnancy test that said "If I'm going to get fat, then so are you!" It was the most precious moment ever to see D.J. find out he was going to be a dad.  I was nervous to tell him, because there were a lot of people that happened to come over after the guys got home.  But thats a moment in our life that we will never forget and we were happy to have our baseball family there for it. 

A few days later we had an off day and the Feyereisen's (cue the tears because JP was just traded to the Yankees!) treated us all to a day on Smith Mountain Lake on a pontoon boat! We couldn't keep the secret so we told the group and just enjoyed the day dreaming about what our life would look like a year from now. 

I cannot believe it's been a whole year since we found out our lives would change forever in the best way possible.  We love you Harrison!! 

Harrison's Birth Story

Well now that it's officially over three weeks since our world has been turned upside down in the best way possible, I figured I would share our birth story so I remember everything.  The best thing I did was get a journal so we could jot down everything that happened.  Between D.J. and myself, we were able to write down everything that happened during our hospital stay.  I've been using the journal to write down things I want to remember years down the road about this special time in our lives.

March 31st, 2016

It was an early morning for us, as we were supposed to check in to the hospital between 5 and 6 a.m. Dr. Golpierra had scheduled us for an induction for this day since she was on call and knew that we were working with a flight to get D.J. home from Arizona.  Since we knew the big day would be Thursday, D.J. caught a red eye home on Tuesday night. Wednesday we just hung out, went to a movie and enjoyed our last day as just the two of us.

We arrived at the hospital around 5:40 a.m. and didn't get the IV in until 7:40 a.m.  I was already 3-4 cm dilated and 70% effaced when we got to the hospital, so progress was already being made. The pitocin drip started around 8:15 a.m. and D.J. used that time to go get some McDonalds breakfast.  I was stuck with ice chips and popsicles, which were nothing fabulous.  Dr. Golpierra came in around 9:30 a.m. and broke my water.  I am SO glad that happened in the hospital - it was like Niagara Falls down there when she did that! HOLY CRAP! I didn't know I had that much water in there!

Around noon my dad came by with a cooler of food.  He was so sweet - cut cantaloupe, fresh turkey and a plethora of other options.  He didn't realize that I couldn't eat!! Around that time my contractions started getting a little stronger. They checked me then and I was 5-6 cm at this point.  I would say the contractions were a 6 out of 10 and it was not long before I was asking for the epidural.  Around 1:30 p.m. the anesthesiologist came in, kicked everyone (including D.J.) out and gave me the good stuff :) I was SO nervous about the epidural, but honestly I had the PERFECT epidural.  I could feel my toes, flex my muscles and felt NO pain at all. At the time I got my epidural contractions were about a minute apart and an 8 on my pain scale.

After that everything slowed down.  I was 7-8 cm around 2:30, but contractions were much less intense and further apart.  I decided to take a nap, D.J. and my mom played cards, D.J. had some dinner.  Our amazing nurse Anne, decided to pump up the pitocin and around 7 p.m. i was 8 cm dilated.

I was starting to get nervous that this babe was not coming on March 31.  Both nurses assured me that they were positive we would have a baby around 10 p.m.  D.J. guessed around 6 a.m. on April 1.  The thought of being in labor for that much longer was exhausting thinking about it! The nurse shift change was at 7 p.m. and Anne left and we got Janeen.  Anne was so great.  She stuck with me the entire day and left us in good hands with Janeen.  I was nervous about the switch because I knew that Janeen would be the main nurse in the delivery, but she really encouraged me, pushed me and helped us get baby Harrison here safely! Around 7:45 p.m., Bobby stopped by to say hi!

The real action started around 8:50 p.m. when I knew it was time to start pushing.  Dr. Golpierra and Janeen had me do some "practice" pushes.  Let me tell you, there is nothing about those pushes that were practice - they were just the beginning of the next hour and 20 minutes of pushing.

Once I started pushing, HC's heart rate was dropping when I would push, she I had to go every other contraction.  I ended up having to use the oxygen mask and when I did, I felt sick to my stomach.  I ended up throwing up between pushes.  It was terrible. Around 10 p.m. Janeen gave me "the talk" She encouraged me and told me all the power was in my hands. I had to kick it into full gear to get him out soon. Dr. Golpierra came in around 10:05 and I knew it was time to go.  The last 10 minutes of pushing was the hardest thing I have ever done, but to see the outcome at 10:16 p.m. was the most rewarding, overwhelming and heart melting thing I have ever experienced.  One minute I was pregnant and the next we were parents to a sweet 9.05 pound and 21 1/2 inches long baby boy.

They didn't put him skin to skin right away because his shoulder popped out a little weird.  They were worried he could have possibly dislocated or broke a bone during it.  The cord was also wrapped around his arm. D.J. had the honor of cutting the cord and watching as they made sure everything was good to go with baby.  I was flooded with emotion.  I was nervous he wasn't OK, exhausted from the long day, so joyful for the fact that our baby was here! But in the end, and was seemed like forever later, he was placed on my chest.  It was the most amazing moment ever.  I couldn't believe I had actually done it. 

Now, it was not all a walk in the park.  While baby boy was getting check on, I was getting some work done as well.  2nd degree tears y'all.  That is NO JOKE.  I have a whole new respect for mom and all those moms that decide to do child birth naturally.  Wow, just wow to those moms. 

Harrison was welcomed into the world in the first hour by his Gigi, Grandpa Beebs, Uncle Bob and via Facetime with Aunt Julie. 

Before moving to the post partum room, around 12:15 a.m. the nurses made me use the bathroom.  Walking to the bathroom was almost impossible, but I made it.  While I was sitting on the toilet, I knew I was about to pass out. Sure enough, I was out for about 15 seconds and woke up to 4 nurses standing over me.  After that, I wasn't allowed to go to the bathroom without calling a nurse until the morning. We finally got to the next room around 12:45 and attempted to get some sleep.  I was in no shape to be getting in and out of the bed, so D.J. took the diapers and helped Harrison get into the bed with me so I could nurse him.  Everything went perfectly with nursing and I could not have asked for anything better.  He was eating about every hour the first night.  

April 1, 2016

Around 7:30 a.m. Dr. Joyce, his pediatrician came to check on him.  He said he looks great! He had some tear duct blockage, but no jaundice or anything that alerted him. 

Our new nurse on Friday was Michelle.  She was AWESOME.  We had some of the best nurses in the hospital I think :).  Harrison had lots of visitors at the hospital on his first day of life.  Since we have so many family members, we kept it just to family.  Nana came by to visit her first great grand baby and was so in love.  Not long after Nana was there, all the kids came by.  Sammi, Sydney, Amelia, Caroline, Pappy, Bull and Cheech all came by right when he was going to get circumsized.  

He did great with the circumsizion.  He was only gone from the room for about an hour.  

Later that day we had the photographer come by and snap some amazing photos.  I will share those in a separate post.  

Throughout the night we had some more visitors and Harrison had to get his hearing test done.  He ended up having to do that a few times because every time they took him, he would fuss and get hungry! Due to his size, he had to have a blood sugar test and we had to supplement one bottle of formula.  After the one bottle though, he was good to go on the breast milk! 

That night he did pretty well.  I swear people were in and out of the room every hour, so we didn't get much sleep that night. 

April 2, 2016

DISCHARGE DAY! 

Before we head home around 12 p.m., all of D.J.'s family arrived at the hospital.  It was great to see them all and Harrison to meet his other grandparents! Nurse Michelle gave us all the discharge information and after saying our goodbyes to all the nurses, getting him geared up in the carseat, packing up all our stuff, we were ready to go home! 

Harrison wasn't quite sure about the car seat. He immediately cried and was a little uncomfortable, but when we hit the road, he was good to go.  Mom on the other hand felt every little bump in the road from the hospital to house!

This whole birth experience could not have gone better.  I had no expectations going into the day, but all I wanted was baby boy to get here safely and everything go well with me.  I was open to anything. I believe I had the perfect delivery.  I had a whole new appreciation for nurses, mothers, and myself.  Pushing a baby out is no easy task.  It was the most exhausting workout I have ever done.  I am very proud of myself.  During the moment it's almost unbearable, but a few days after the delivery all I can think about is how amazing, rewarding, and what a miracle life is.  D.J. and I made a pretty awesome little dude and I cannot wait to continue this journey of parenthood and mommyhood for the rest of our lives.

Baby Brown: Week 40

How far along: 40 WEEKS!!! 

Due date: YESTERDAY!!! 

Baby Size: fully cooked and hopefully ready to come out any day down and I can update you all on his actual size! 

Weight gain: too much to worry about. 

Maternity Clothes: at this point, I'm wearing whatever fits. 

Stretch Marks: oh yea, these babies popped out of no where underneath my big ole belly.  Can't complain though, it's all worth it! 

Sleep: I physically have to lift my belly whenever I want to roll from one side to the other.  So sleep isn't the best, but every few nights I get a pretty good sleep in there.  

Gender: BOY!!! 

Name:  Harrison Cole Brown !

Movement: Oh yea and boy, am I going to miss feeling this.  The movements come with some serious pressure these days, but it's such a surreal feeling that this child has grown in me for 39 weeks and now is officially ready to make his way into the world.  Women bodies are truly amazing! 

Best moment this week: coloring Easter eggs, celebrating Easter, and knowing that our little man should be in our arms any minute now! 

Looking forward to:  Celebrating Harrison's birthday!! and seeing where D.J. will start the season! 

Husband is: still out it AZ and killing it.  He has played in three games so far and hoping to get at least one more game/bullpen in before Harrison arrives.  Of all the things that come with delivery, I am most nervous about D.J. getting back to Virginia in time for the birth. 

Cravings: still the smell of cleaning supplies,  ice, and a hot shower! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: nope.

Labor Signs: As of this morning at my 40w1d appointment, I was 3cm and planning to be induced this week if nothing happens before then! 

Missing Most: hopefully pretty soon I will be saying I miss being pregnant! 

Symptoms: lower back pain that comes on suddenly....nurse said this was the stress on my body of carrying baby boy around. 

Nursery: DONE -  check it out.

Belly Button in or out? Still not 100% an outie.  It has it's moments though! When baby boy sits right behind it, its a full on volcano! 

Wedding rings on or off? they still fit, but I don't want to push it. 

Mood: anxious!! I can't wait for the labor process to begin so Harrison can be here in our arms and join our family on the outside! 

Baby Brown - Week 38

*disclaimer - this is crazy that this could be my last bumpdate! Here's to hoping (and not hoping for D.J.'s sake) that baby boy will be here soon! *

How far along: 38 weeks and 3 days! 

Due date: March 27, 2016 - EASTER DAY!

Baby Size: the size of a pumpkin and getting bigger and bigger by the day. 

Weight gain: I know this is all a process, but still trying to picture how I'm ever going to get back to pre baby weight! 

Maternity Clothes: if they even fit anymore.

Stretch Marks: got some love marks under this big ole belly! 

Sleep: not happening.  With the time change, I've had such a hard time falling asleep and then once I do, I feel like I wake up 20 minutes later having to pee. Ahhhh, the joys of pregnancy.

Gender: BOY!!! 

Name:  Harrison Cole Brown !

Movement: Oh for sure.  Even though he is running out of space, he still manages to make some dramatic movements.  Check out my instagram for the latest video! 

Best moment this week: paying my ER bill.  Just kidding.  That was probably the worst part.  However - silver lining is that this will make the delivery cheaper :) Seriously though, I'm just trying to embrace the last few kicks. AND finally got to catch up with one of the besties and got some great news from her! <3 

Looking forward to: Baby's birth day! Lots of people at work have chosen days that have passed, and i think everyone has their day on the calendar.  Only two people put after the due date, so we will see! 

Husband is: having a good Spring Training so far.  We are about a week and a half in and I'm just hoping Harrison holds out a little longer so daddy can get some more days in out there.  I feel confident that when the time comes, D.J. will make it back in time! 

Cravings: nothing really.

Anything making you queasy or sick: nope.

Labor Signs: At my 38 week appointment on Monday, I was 1-2 cm, 50% effaced and baby was in the -3 position.  So things are moving along, but nothing changed from 37 to 38 weeks.  I still haven't figured out if I'm having contractions.  People say it's when your belly gets tight.  I'm not sure if I feel that.  I have lots of pressure since he is head down, some serious back pain every now and then, but nothing timeable. 

Missing Most: being able to get comfortable. driving. sleep. D.J. and I'm sure more, but everything is so worth it!

Symptoms: anything and everything at 38 weeks pregnant. 

Nursery: DONE! Just waiting for Harrison to take his place in there! In case you missed it yesterday, check it out.

Belly Button in or out? flouting.  I had a serious innie y'all.  

Wedding rings on or off? they still fit, but I don't want to push it. 

Mood: lots of emotions this week.  Happy, excited, nervous, anxious, wondering how it will all happen, embracing the unknown! 

Workouts: walking around at school is a simple workout for me :) haha!

Harrison's Nursery Reveal

When I thought we were having a girl, I knew exactly what I wanted the nursery to look like. I had lots of ideas on Pinterest and knew the direction I wanted to go right away.  Pink, gold, white, and light colors.

Little did we know that Harrison would throw that for a loop.  My boy nursery Pinterest page was a hot mess.  I didn't have any idea of what way I wanted to go.  I didn't want a theme.  No sports, no animals, no cars.

I found a few items along the way that shaped the direction we went with the nursery. The soft fishy blanket, the wood "HC" letters, and the fact that I knew we were going to have the chair from my cousins. Here's a look at the nursery!

This is the view standing from the door.  We decided not to put blinds up for now because the windows have a frosting built into them.  Once baby boy starts taking naps in his room we will have to reevaluate the situation and see if we need to put them up!

We have been so fortunate to have so many things passed down to us or things that we have refurbished. The chair, which rocks, glides, reclines and is in great condition, was given to us from my cousin.  The crib used to be one of the people I babysat for and when they moved, I snatched it up.  Yes - we had a crib and a mattress sitting in our attic 2+ years before we were even pregnant!
The dresser was in my room growing up and I love the way it turned out once we painted it.

The dresser is on the wall right inside the room.  We decided that the best way to have the dresser set up was with the changing table on top and some hand sanitizer and diapers in the top drawer. The knobs are from Hobby Lobby and I am obsessed with them! They have the gold/wood accent that I was looking for.

We decided to paint the dresser with an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - Old Antique - if I remember correctly. I will do another post later on the way I decided to organize the dresser.  We snatched the mirror up from Home Goods for a steal of $40! It's solid wood and looks PERFECT!

 The crib is the Kendall Crib from Pottery Barn Kids. However, we got it a while back and it's in great condition! Only thing I tried to replace was the teething rails, but they don't sell those individually. All the stuffed animals, pillow and light blue blanket were gifts.  I decided to purchase our own bedding from The Land of Nod and love the way the orange looks in the room.  The fish blanket was one of the first items I got for the nursery.  It's so soft and I love the colors.  It was the starting point for the room.  The hamper to the left of the crib was a shower gift as well.

We scored the carpet at Home Goods the same day we got the mirror.  I was in LOVE with the soft feeling and bought it with the thought that we can always return it.  I'm not in love with the grey, but I think there is enough grey throughout the room that it all ties together with the colors.

The side table next to the chair was $9 from Goodwill.  We painted it the same as the dresser and added the same arrow pulls on it.  Right now I have a basket with all the toys we received from showers in the space at the bottom.  I have some things stored behind the chair - tummy time mat and another storage big. The pillow was TJMAXX purchase that looked perfect with the wall color - which is Sherwin Williams "Tidewater".

These awesome and easy to install shelves are from Target and these cute baby shoes are to die for! We decided to put the baby monitor on the shelves because we didn't want to mount it to the wall yet.  The two prints on the top shelf were made for Harrison by my friend, Kendall.  We orderer the "HARRSION" blocks from Little Sapling Toys on Etsy. 

On the wall behind the door, we hopped on the Ikea spice rack band wagon and spray painted the wooden racks white and they are perfect for the books. 

The closet is still an organizational work in progress, but my dad knocked it out the park with the shelves he installed.  After a long time of deciding what I wanted the closet to look like, he put the shelves up and now all I have to do is figure out how I want to organize it.  As of now, the blue bin on the bottom contains all of his books.  Orange bin is the next few clothe sizes up.  And the two orange metal bins have extra crib sheets and the baby carriers. 

The other side of the closet has the diaper wreath that we will eventually use, the Boppy pillow and a bin full of blankets. In the shelves below are all the unopened diapers that we got from the shower.  

 And to top off the room, I made a little book of all the cards Harrison received from the showers!

 The nursery has been a labor of love and we love sitting in his room on the soft, cuddly carpet.  I cannot wait for him to make his arrival and rock him in that big comfy chair.  His room has such a special smell to it.  (Side note - even before pregnancy, I had a very strong sense of smell)  I love the way the smell of his nursery will always remind me of him and getting his room all ready.

We are so thankful to all our friends and family that have helped us put this room together. He will be here before we know it and baby boy, we are ready for you!

Sources

Curtains - Pottery Barn Kids 

Dresser - Previously owned

Chair - Previously owned

Knobs on Dresser - Hobby Lobby 

Crib - Pottery Barn Kids

Bedding - The Land of Nod

Changing pad cover - The Land of Nod

Side Table - Good Will

Wall Color - Sherwin Williams "Tidewater"

Shelves - Target

Book Holders - Ikea

Harrison blocks - Etsy

Boppy pillow cover - Etsy

Maternity Photos

Back at the beginning of February, we had the amazing opportunity to work with Chelsea Lyn Photography and we could not have been happier with the choice we made.  I had heard about Chelsea through a colleague at work who had nothing but great things to say about Chelsea and her work.  I love the way she works with light and she was so helpful in directing us how to pose! We started off at our house for a little lifestyle session in the nursery.  Then we headed to Norfolk Botanical Gardens for some fun outside. Chelsea's work with the lighting is AMAZING!

And on a day that D.J. heads out to Arizona for Spring Training, I figured what better day to embrace our love as a couple before we welcome baby Harrison into this world. Next time D.J. will be back here we will be having a baby!

Stryker got to be in on some of the fun. 

Aren't these photos beautiful?! You can see more pictures on her blog!

Baby Brown : 36 Weeks

How far along: 36 weeks (and 4 days) Every day counts at this point. 

Due date: March 27, 2016, and still right on track

Baby Size: we had our growth scan on Tuesday and baby is measuring in right on track weighing around 6 pounds 8 ounces. 

Weight gain: duh.

Maternity Clothes: duh.

Stretch Marks: oh lord, so I looked at myself in the mirror the other day, and I'm pretty sure the "belly line" is now a belly stretch mark.  EEK!

Sleep: terrible.  Baby is kicking my ribs all night, I have to pee every hour, and rolling from one side to the other is the hardest thing in the world! Ok, dramatic, but still, it's hard!

Gender: BOY!!! 

Name:  Harrison Cole Brown !

Movement: Bubba is definitely running out of room in there to move. His legs and knees are rolling around and making my stomach distort in the craziest ways! 

Best moment this week: Seeing our baby one more time on the ultrasound before he makes his big arrival into our arms. 

Looking forward to: Spring Break and RELAXING.  Even though D.J. leaves, I am excited to just have a week off and prepare for maternity leave.  It's going to be super close to my leave, so it's almost like an extra week of leave! People at work keep saying "will we see you after Spring Break?!"

Husband is: AMAZING.  Has almost done everything on his "honey-do before you leave for AZ" list! House looks spick and span, screen porch is almost complete, and he even bought me new tennis shoes last night!! <3 <3 

Cravings: nothing really.  Craving a smaller belly HAHA! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: nope.

Labor Signs: nothing yet.  I was checked on Tuesday, and everything was getting "ready" but no progress yet.  I can definitely tell the difference between pregnancy pains and Braxton Hicks now.  When the BH's start, they are more in the back and move to the front of my belly and typically happen when I'm laying down at night or being too active during the day.  

Missing Most: having clothes that fit me other than big ole sweatpants and t-shirts. 

Symptoms: shortness of breath, sciatica nerve pain, starting to get the swollen fingers! 

Nursery: ALMOST DONE! Spring Break will be my blog planning time and hopefully will have it up by then!

Belly Button in or out? still an innie, but sometimes it goes flat and sometimes it pops a bit! Just depends on the day!

Wedding rings on or off? just wearing my band for now. 

Mood: feeling so excited/nervous/anxious for baby Brown to be here!!! 

Workouts: nope