Aunt Kim's 30th Birthday

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Aunt Kim's 30th Birthday

We were so excited that Kim was in Houston for her birthday this year.  It was awesome getting to spend her birthday with her.  Hey Kim - Doesn't it seem like just yesterday we spent your 25th birthday together in Rome?  We went to Soma on Washington for dinner and had a lovely time.  Pierce was on his best behavior.  He slept most of the time.  Mimi fed him dinner.  We had the most interesting dessert.  It was ice cream made with dry ice.  Happy 30th Birthday Kimmy - We love you bunches and bunches!!!  XO

Newborn Photos

 Thursday, June 9, 2011

Pierce's Newborn Photos

 

 

Initially, I had no intention of getting newborn pictures.  When I was on bedrest, I received an email for Mother's Day.  It was a forward that had a ton of baby newborn pictures.  They were so cute.  There were newborn pictures of babies in buckets, with silly hats, big bows, etc.  Once I saw those precious pictures, I knew that I had to get newborn pictures taken of Pierce.  I found our photographer, Jeni Hendricks, through a friend.  Thank you Tiffany!  Jeni is a stay at home mom who has a passion for photography.  Her husband bought her a camera as a gift, and the rest is history.   Jeni asked that we bring Pierce within the first ten days of his birth.  Evidently, it is easiest to put them in different positions since they sleep so much. 

We took Pierce to get his pictures taken on Thursday, June 9.  He was six days old.  It was our first outing with Pierce since he came home from the hospital on Monday.   When we arrived at Jeni's house/studio, Pierce was hungry.  We fed him and hoped that he would fall asleep. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite that easy.  We ended up feeding him double what he was typically eating at the time which definitely did the trick.  Pierce was out like a rock.  We were able to move him into different positions and change the backgroud with no challenges.  Pierce slept, slept, and slept. 

I ordered the silly football hat on ETSY.  My inspiration came from the forward that I received.  Since Brad is a die hard football fan, I thought that he would get a big kick out of the hat.  I doubt that he'll get much use out of it, but it was a great prop for his first photo shoot. 

Jeni was wonderful.  The best part was receiving the photos digitally within 2-3 hours.  Times have definitely changed since my personal experiences at Olan Mills as a child. 

I am so glad that I decided to get him photographed as a newborn.  I can't wait until his next photo shoot.  I think that we are going to try to do 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, and one year old pictures.  Before you know it, it will be time for his three month old pictures.  Until then, I'll cherish and enjoy each and every moment!

Going Into Labor & Pierce's Arrival

Brad and I went to the movie to see The Hangover II.  After the movie, we stopped at La Madeline to get take out for dinner.  We stopped by Mary and Marco's for a visit since they were leaving town the next day.  We were at Mary and Marco's from about 6-8pm, and I began to feel a little crampy.  We went home, ate dinner, and rented a movie.  About half way through the movie, I decided to leave the couch and lie in bed.  I wasn't feel great, and my tummy and back were bothering me.  I wasn't having contractions, but I definitely didn't feel my best.  Brad asked if he could go to the neighbors to hang out with the guys.  I told him to go ahead since I didn't think that anything would happen that night. 

As soon as Brad left, I had a very strong, painful contraction.  In the past, my contractions felt like cramps.  This time, it was more profound and definitely felt like a contraction.  I sent a text to Brad to fill him in.  By the time that Brad got home, the contractions grew stronger and more painful.  We called the nurse.  She told us to let her know when they were five to seven minutes apart.  Dr. Wilson previously told me to go to the hospital when I could barely talk or breathe.  My contractions never ended up coming between five to seven minutes apart, and I could talk and breathe even though they were quite painful.  We didn't know what to do.  I felt like it was time to go to the hospital, but we weren't seeing the signs or symptoms that we were told to look for. 

Brad and I debated back and forth on whether or not to head to the hospital.  After awhile, I told him that we should go.  Brad packed our last minute items including our phone chargers, pillows, etc.  He loaded the car, and we left for the hosptial.  In the car, I started to tear up.  I wasn't sure that this was the moment, and I was worried that it was a false alarm.  Everyone told me that you will know when you are in labor.  I knew that things were different, but I didn't know. 

When we arrived at the hospital, everything moved very quickly.  It was almost midnight when we checked in.  Immediately, the nurse gave me an IV.  I was dilated to 6 cm.  We still weren't sure at this point if it was the real deal.  I asked the nurse, "Do you think that I will have him tonight?"  She responded, "Sweetie, you are going to have him within the next hour or two."  At that moment, I was so happy that we decided to go to the hospital.  Brad called our parents to let them know the news, and I called Kim.  The nurse noticed that within a few minutes, I had dilated to 9 cm.  She told us that the delivery would be very quick.  The baby was very low.  A doctor came in and broke my water.  Our nurse, Katie, stated that we would wait about an hour and then proceed.  During our hour wait, Brad and I took a nap.  He got the camera ready and took a few photos.  We were so excited!

We did three or four rounds of practice pushing.  The nurse asked me to hold my breath while she counted to ten.  During each round, we did this three times.  After a few practice rounds, she stated that we would wait for the doctor to continue.  Dr. Wilson arrived and told us that she was ready.  She took a few minutes to prepare for our big moment.  It was time to deliver the baby!

During the second push, I heard Dr. Wilson say, "Wow, there is his head."  During the third push, I heard her say, "There is a shoulder and an arm."  After the fourth push, Pierce had arrived.  She asked Brad to cut the umbilical cord.  He cut the cord and took pictures.  Dr. Wilson placed Pierce on my chest. I was so excited.  I was shocked that Pierce wasn't screaming when he was born.  I couldn't believe how great I felt too.  He was perfect. 

Aunt Kim came as fast as she could.  She wasn't able to get there in time for the delivery, but she arrived a few minutes afterwards.  She joined us as we celebrated the birth of our baby boy.

The nurse took Pierce to clean him up.  He was grunting.  His lungs were very wet, and he was in respiratory distress.  As a result, he needed to go to the NICU.  Even though I was terrified, I knew that he was in good hands.  The nurse left with Pierce. 

My adrenaline was going, and I was very excited.  Brad and Kim patiently humored me as I expressed my joy and excitement! 

Pierce Bradley Applewhite
June 4, 2011
2:39 a.m.
6 pounds 10 ounces
18 1/4 inches

I am waiting on the doctor to arrive.

 Our nurse, Katie

Once I got the epidural, I didn't feel any pain. I  could only feel pressure.

The baby station was ready to go.

Pierce arrived at 2:39 a.m. on June 4, 2011.

He is absolutely perfect!

Nurse Katie took great care of him.

Nurse Katie took Pierce's footprints.

 Dr. Kelly Wilson was being camera shy.

 I just had a baby! Yea!!!

Pierce weighted 6 lbs. 10 oz.

 I called my parents to tell them that their grandson has arrived.

 Aunt Kim came a few minutes after Pierce was born. 

 This is our first family photo.

 Daddy is admiring his handsome son.