VOTE!

Although we planned on early voting and didn't, we did manage to vote today! It feels good to make your voice heard, even if you're in a state that typically has its mind made up long in advance. :) Every vote counts!

The point: if you haven't yet, get your tush to the polls!!

Lots of firsts!

As typical of the first child, our picture pile of Mason grows by the day! Here are a few firsts to be noted....

First "outfit" (heading home from hospital)

First Outing

First Bath (very happy, as you can tell)

First Halloween!

Pretty much, we've just been finding our groove and enjoying ourselves this week! Sleepless nights included! We've graduated from having him in the bassinet in our room - to his crib in his room with a monitor - to his crib in his room without the monitor. It is a learning process :) Although so much has changed in such a short period of time, it still seems unreal that its been about a week already. Crazy!

As for me, my recovery is A-O-K. I felt like I had been in a train wreck for the first 2 or so days -muscles I never knew existed were sore!- but that has recovered now and I'm even able to sit on a hard chair for short periods of time :) My parents deserve a ton of recognition for taking care of everything so we have the time we need to get settled - they've got us spoiled!

Well, Mason calls! Until another time...

Our Little Mason!

Well, I am finally sitting down to blog, whew! I can't believe what a whirlwind these last days have been and how fast they've gone. We are SO elated to be home now and have our Mason with us! It seems so unreal how life has changed so drastically in such a short period of time - and we can't imagine it any other way.

Drumroll please.... here is the story! I am not sure how lengthy this might end up being -probably depends on how soon I get distracted- either way, happy reading! :)

Friday afternoon I went in for yet another checkup and my doctor went ahead and stripped my membranes (a nice way of saying she encouraged my body to figure out it should go into labor). It is very hit or miss as far as whether it actually does anything for you, but is worth a try! I cramped the rest of the afternoon and evening (as the doctor warned) - but not before Mom and I managed to get pedicures done! Turns out it was just in the knick of time.

That night I continued to feel crummy, but finally got to sleep around 11. A little after midnight I woke up to a sharp cramp... fell back asleep... woke up to another cramp... and so the story begins. I woke Matt up a little after 1 and he suggested I possibly get in the bathtub since water is my best friend. Yup, that is where we spent the rest of our evening - from 2 AM to a little after 7 AM, me in the bathtub and dear Matt sleeping on the tile floor in the bathroom next to me. I finally got out (tired of the warm-cold-warm-cold process, mental note to one day invest in a temperature-regulated bathtub) and bundled up in bed but my contractions starting getting really close together. At 9:30 we headed to the hospital... only to find out I was a mere stinkin 2.5 centimeters and the contractions had become really inconsistent. Sad day! I continued to labor through the afternoon at home and we finally headed to the hospital around 6 PM, praying we would have a better progress report. It was better... barely! I was 3 centimeters... yeesh! How about that for hours and hours of labor? So, in typical fashion, the hospital kept me for an hour to see if I'd progress and they could keep me. One hour later: 4 centimeters! From then on I progressed about a centimeter an hour until I hit 7 - then Matt says I went from 7-8.5 in no time at all and continued coasting along.

I pushed for 25 minutes and at 1:15 AM October 26, 2008.... Mason came to us at 7 lbs 19 inches and perfect.

This story cannot be complete without paying tribute to my support group. Seriously, I don't know how I could have done it without them. Through each contraction I had my devoted Husband and loving Mother and Father at my side encouraging me and cheering me along.

Matt was so absolutely amazing, I cannot brag enough about him.

He completely held it together through the entire ordeal and was beyond words wonderful. He is a rock. Did I mention I went natural - aka un-medicated? That's right, no epidural! I had the desire for this type of birth since day one and we took Hypnobirthing classes to prepare - but there is no doubt in my mind that this birth was so successful because of this support I had - plus lots of prayer and faith! Although in those final hours I started to question my sanity (I did labor for about 25 hours after all!), the absolute euphoria following his birth is so indescribable... all I can say is, every bit of it was worth it.

So, here we are, at home and getting settled into our new phase of life! Matt and I can't help but pause all the time and just stare at Mason in awe! We are completely and unabashedly in love.

Still here...!

That's right, I'm still here -- Mason is still in the oven and we're still trying different things to get him out! We're hiking, walking curbs, eating pineapple & eggplant parmesean, bouncing on balls, etc. Haven't heard of walking curbs? Neither had we! But, it seems to be a popular suggestion so Mom has had me walking up and down any curb she can find! As if a 40.5 week pregnant woman doesn't look awkward on her own, you should see me waddling on a curb! See picture below.

My next doctors appointment is tomorrow afternoon, so we'll see where that takes us. I believe I'll be scheduling the induction then and perhaps letting the the doc work a little magic to encourage my body to go into labor... :) Heres to hoping! Oh, and for your viewing pleasure, here is a picture of me in a labor and delivery room Monday... when we thought I was going to be induced! I guess Mason had other plans!

On the bright side, the extra time has allowed us to get a lot of things done -- thanks to Mom and friends, the nursery decor is coming together! Mom has had a flow of creative ideas and everyone has really come together to help out (including Matthew, who I think was tickled to have 'art and craft' time). We even have a Mason jar being imported from Tennessee via Dad to make a clever lamp for the room! Not only have we been working on the decorations, but nursing covers have also been in production... aka "hooter hiders". Go ahead - laugh!, everyone does when they hear the name! Although not necessary, they are a clever invention that makes nursing perhaps a little easier? When Mom saw them in a craft store she couldn't believe the price tag considering the construction and quickly said, "I can make that!" And wala, the tata tents/boobie bonnets/insert your own clever name, were made! She'll be accepting orders for Christmas. :)

40+ weeks!

Well... (Part II)

Although we were sent to the hospital being told we needed him out by 3 PM, here I am, back at home! The tests at the hospital ended up inconclusive and so they decided to just send me home until my contractions got going on their own. No complaints here bc I would reaaaally like to avoid pitocin and am much happier at home. The monitor showed I am having some regular contractions, but I'm not noticing them. Mason also appeared to be strong and healthy!

.... I'll be bouncing on my ball and walking if anyone needs me!...

Well...

WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO THE HOSPITAL! It seems Mason also wanted to prove everyone wrong about him coming in another week or two! My water has been trickling out since yesterday and I was ordered to the hospital by the doc... heeeeeeeere we gooooooo....!