Avery Jane | The Birth Story!

This month, our little Avery Jane will be 2 and a half years old. One moment, your baby you've waited a whole 9 months to meet is laying in your arms at a mere 2.5 hours old. And before you know it, they are turning 2.5 years old in the blink of an eye, pursing their lips to beg for some Lipsmackers or begging to go outside and "fwing" (swing!) It's incredibly bittersweet to think about your babies growing up.

I may have taken a hiatus from blogging for a little while shortly after Aves was born, but that hasn't stopped me from reflecting on my baby girl's birth and wanting to document it for a while now. I truly love having these memories to look back on. This story here is for Mommy, Daddy & Baby Avey to look back on and smile :)

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On September 18, 2014 at 38 weeks pregnant, I went into my appointment to hear the doctor say if I didn't have the baby on my own in the next week, one week from that moment, we'd be getting ready for an induction. Ahh! I was scared, nervous, anxious, and of course - beyond excited to meet our sweet baby girl. I left that appointment with Emma and went straight to the store to prepare! I remember buying the girls matching pumpkin onesies, which got me so excited to be a mommy to two little girlies. I bought Emma 'Room on the Broom' book and came home and read to her, thinking about how we had one more week til our lives were all changed - in an amazing way filled with even more love. Their room was all ready for our girlies to share and my heart was so full!

Fast forward one week. No signs of baby coming! We had family in town and I went to my appointment and they scheduled my induction for that night. Holy crap. It became real - real quick! We were this close to meeting our baby girl! I think I was even more nervous than my first delivery!

Just before leaving, I had an ultrasound to check on her size and they so casually threw in a last minute "oh hey, since you had an episiotomy during your first labor and delivery, we suggest a c-section since your within 2 years of your first so the chances are pretty high for another episiotomy. Say whatttt? I'm nervous about giving birth today and you're so casually trying to throw on a c-section on top of those nerves! Come on! They left the choice up to me and I decided to give the ol' natural delivery another go.

Went home to prepare. We decided to bring Emma to the park and eat dinner there as a fun little evening. I could hardly relax but was trying my hardest to just enjoy those moments. Before heading to the hospital, James suggested we take a few pictures before meeting baby girl (my husband suggest pictures? Sure thing! ha..) We had such a sweet little night, despite my nerves! I kissed my Emmy baby 234508 times before leaving that night. She couldn't wait to meet her baby sis!



J and I arrived at the hospital - late, as usual. Me, ready to throw up. Him, ready to eat, sleep, relax, you know.

oh, that nervous smile!





I sat up in the bed, took a few deep breaths and looked around the room. With each of my births, I made sure to take mental note of the room. The very place that my baby would be welcomed into the world. Where she would take her first breath and meet her mommy and daddy for the first time. Oh, I couldn't wait for it to be that moment.

Before I knew it, I was all hooked up, Pitocin was started, and the pain began. I was texting with my sister and cousin in a group text - the two of them totally tricking me. I was giving them the play by play and before I knew it, at a calm moment in the middle of the night - in walks Catherine and Heather and COMPLETELY surprised me! They drove 5 hours in the middle of the night to be at my side and welcome our newest baby girl! I was so excited.

....and then they totally fell asleep, J laid in a chair and started dozing off. And me..my pain grew more and more intense. "Ow, ow, ow, owww" I tried to do one of those whisper cries so not to wake anyone. Until it got to that point.



I think they all jumped up at the same time. They asked what they could do, what I needed, and just held my hands when I needed them. James is my greatest motivator - he constantly whispered in my ear how great I was doing, how he can't wait to meet our baby, how we are about to have TWO babies, how much he loves me, how excited he was. And he rubbed my hair and head so much that he turned my hair into a bird's nest! He rubbed my back and reminded me to breath, breath, breath. "You got this, baby! You're doing so good! Just tell me how I can help!"

I wished so badly that somebody could help me! I opted out of the epidural since I realized after having Emma that it was possible. And in those moments leading up to delivery, oh how badly I wished I just had something. My sister pulled my hair (the nest) back as best she could. Heather may have called out in the hall for a little help here! And pictures - she took the pictures she knew I would want one day. (Thank you!!) The pictures that, while certainly do me no good in the looks department, mean everything to look back on and remember the moments leading up to life's greatest moments - meeting your very own baby.

In all of my insane pain and screaming, I constantly reminded myself in my head just how amazing this all was. How lucky I am to be in this situation. I don't take any of it for granted. I am beyond grateful to have the opportunity to grow a life, to give life, and to be blessed with wonderful babies.

"You can do this," I'd remind myself. I heard it over and over from those surrounding me who loved me...but I had to make myself believe it. I could do it. "Get through this...push..do it..make it happen..and quicker than you did last time!"

After a shift change in the midst of my chaos, the new nurses came in and encouraged me, letting me know we'd be doing this soon...real soon!

I curled myself up to the side of the bed and can't even imagine the look on my face. But I remember the look on Catherine and Heather's faces - they looked slightly terrified! Ha..and worried..and looked around wondering if the nurses were going to give me anything to help me. And when those nurses made that phone call "Delivery in room 1...."



My heart fluttered. My mind wandered. My body geared up. It's time! I will have my tiny baby girl in my arms any moment now. James held my hand tight. Tears snuck out the corners of his eyes.."she's almost here!!" I could hear him laughing, crying, all at the same time. "We see dark hair!" the nurses exclaimed. In my head, I knew that meant I needed to Just. Keep. Going! James held one leg, Catherine held the other, Heather took pictures/recorded video, the nurses and doctor were coaching me..."push, push, push" and counting. The s l o w e s t counting you'll ever hear. And reminding me to take breaths once we got to 10. ....And again. My eyes were closed, my body was stronger than I ever knew it could be. I could not wait to see my baby girl and take her in my arms, lay her on my chest. "Here comes the head! Shoulders...pushhhh!" And I heard a tiny little cry. So soft, so sweet! James in tears "She's here!! Our baby is here!!" And they placed her on my chest. Pure happiness, pure relief, pure LOVE at 7:21 am on September 26, 2014.



I questioned if she was okay. Why wasn't she crying? "Yes, she's perfect! She's so calm and content on you, Momma!"

Everyone asked her name.

"Avery Jane!"

"Hi Sweet Baby! Happy Birthday, my Avery Jane!" I so, so happily said to my baby. And I soaked up every single bit of my first moments with her, chest to chest, heart to heart.



I know just how precious these one-of-a-kind moments are and how much I wish to relive these moments all.the.time.

They took to her get her weight and clean her off a little and Daddy watched and got his moments, too.

"6 pounds, 8 ounces!"







And then I got my tiny, beautiful baby right back in my arms!



We rested, we cuddled, we were cozy together.







Mima, Aunt Catherine and Aunt Heather all got their moments, too!



Thanks for being my awesome little support team :)



And then came Emma. I got teary eyed just thinking of my two babies meeting each other. I envisioned the bond that these little sisters would have and I couldn't wait for it to begin. Daddy introduced his girls!







Oh, my heart! So full!!! I just became the mom to two sweet girls. We just gave them someone to share secrets with, laugh with, fight with, and gang up on Mommy & Daddy together. We just gave them their life long best friend.



Emma had so many questions and was just so interested in her new sis!



Our Avery Jane! So, so wonderful at 6 lbs., 8 oz. 19.5" long.









Daddy's girls!







It's hard to describe, but that amazing feeling of meeting your baby for the very first time ...is just as, if not more amazing to see both of your babies meet for the first time and look totally in love.













We spent the next few days getting to know, love, and cuddle our new baby girl. We introduced her to football and she watched the Seminoles win at just a day old.













We lounged around. We had family visit. And I loved every moment.





She met her Ppa.



And Great Grandma (GG) too!





We became a family of four, and our hearts grew like 234598x.





Another little girl to steal our hearts, wrap us around her finger, and snuggle with all day long!





One of the greatest moments -- Emma gave her sissy some new gifts from her. She painted her a wooden train and got her a goofy. She decorated the gift box and was so excited to give it to her. And Avery even got Emma a few things as a new big sister gift ;)







She decorated Avery in new cupcake stickers. And herself. And they continued to float around the house for months beyond that!





At some points, it was just the three of us. Mommy, Daddy, and Avery Jane. And I loved those moments just as much as the moments with people surrounding us. In those quiet times, I watched my baby. I smiled as I watched her, feeling grateful to have her and that the delivery went well. I thought about her whole life ahead of her and how this was only the beginning. And I just hoped it would all stay calm, slow down, and let us soak up these moments in the now. The now where she was a brand new baby and that was all we had to think about. I gave her my full attention and cuddled with her day and night!







I admired her tiny face and it's beautiful little features. I wrapped her little hand around my finger and kissed her baby toes. Newborn snuggles are not to be missed!















Then the moment came for us to take our new baby home. Take her out into the great big world to start her great big life. They wheeled us out the front door and I took a deep breath as I welcomed her outside. I'm not sure why that's such an emotional moment, but for me it really is. It's the start to her life - the time to welcome her to the world, to her home, to her doggy, to her life.





Mima & Emma welcomed us home. Ppa had left already but had the most delicious Honeybaked Ham meal awaiting our arrival. It was all so wonderful.







We were greeted with pumpkins on the front steps and lit a fall scented candle and watched Hocus Pocus as a new family of four. Beyond thankful, beyond happy, beyond lucky. Avery Jane is the perfect addition to our family! And her birth story is not one to be forgotten. Such special moments.

We love you Avery Jane!








Just a sweet little video to remember those newborn faces!

Good for the Soul!

Some things in life are just so good for the soul. I guess those 'things' vary depending on who you are. For some, it's sunshine, family, alone time, Jesus, coffee, vacation..the list could go on and on. But seriously, nothing beats a little R & R! Even when that R & R happens to be with 3 kids aged 1-4. Spending a few days in a cabin with absolutely no agenda was so good for my soul (and those 3 tiny souls as well!)



It's no secret my husband's schedule and work life takes a toll on him and our family as a whole. He is beyond wonderful at balancing it all the way he does. But a vacation week for him is a vacation week for all of us. And my goodness, like the rest of the world, sometimes we need that time to unwind together more than we even know.





For the past (who can even count anymore?!) years, we've been in this phase of life of constant change and uncertainty while trying to create a sense of stability at the same time. And now, we are right smack dab in the middle of 'seeing the light at the end of the residency tunnel' and 'moving to begin a whole new phase of post-residency life.'





In a way it feels like the calm before the storm (although residency has been quite the storm!) But we have this lull of time before everything gets wild between selling our house, finding a new house, moving our family, figuring out schools, J starting a new job with an insane amount of responsiblity (no pressure, hubs!) and all the fun in between. That calm feels good right now. So, so good. This week off work for him has been one of the most refreshing weeks for our whole family.





We went adventuring - or "hiking in the woods and sleeping in our cabinet" as Emma would say.





We may have steered away from our top choice for this vacation - a giant cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains with neverending views and hot tubs and such...but, we are wusses. We are Floridians (South Floridians, at that) and highs and lows of 50's-20's scared us away. So the weather brought us to our next choice - Disney's Fort Wilderness cabins. And it did NOT disappoint! It was so much more than we could have imagined, really.







Did you know that a no-fuss, no-agenda couple of days in the woods filled with nature walks, horses, camp fires, smores, and did I mention no cleaning up 234987 toys every hour could be so good for the soul?! Ah...









We made our own Mickey pancakes, drank coffee on the deck each beautiful morning, hung around in a hammock, babies took naps, Mommy & Daddy stayed up til wee hours of the morning drinking one, two, three, or more delicious brews on the deck. We golf carted it around every day, walked the paths, boated around, rode the monorail, hotel-hopped for drinks and ice cream...truly magical. Yup, Disney is still magical when you don't even step foot in a park.


get off the phone, kid!













When we didn't go to Chip n Dale's campfire sing-along, we were in Disney Springs, eating some seriously delicious food, riding the carousel and train, and winning lego car races. Woohoo! But, the campfire was missed...so back we went!



Oh, and we even had the DiSalvo's over for a BBQ and campfire night. Emma has decided to call these kids her cousins, so of course she couldn't wait for them to come! She had to show them the ropes of her 'cabinet' life with a golf cart ride and nature walk at sunset - in a track suit, for some reason!! You look good, kid.











When you only get 3 weeks a year off in a job where you are constantly working weekends, nights, and days, we try our hardest to make the most of his time off! We still have a few days left to maximize this time and rejuvenate our mind, body, and souls til the next time..yet I am already missing the 'cabinet' life, the coffee on the deck and watching our babes soak up the great outdoors.

After this magical trip in the woods of the mouse, I'm ready to soak up the next few days left of this vacation and I'm feeling more optimistic and encouraged than ever to take on the next few months of our regularly scheduled beautiful chaos! Til next time, I hope you too enjoy finding the magic wherever it is you fancy!

Sullivan James is ONE!

"Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along."

Time flies, we know. Our everchanging days go by before my eyes. But in between the chaos, I definitely try my hardest to soak it all in. Our little bear..the sweetest bear...is officially one.





One year ago today, I waddled my way up into the hospital bed even more nervous than I was with Emma or Avery. I knew what to expect alright..and I knew it would hurt like words I should not use on a blog. But the thought of cuddling with our newborn baby pushed me to the max just to have the greatest moments one will ever discover in life - meeting your child for the first time. And trust me, I know I am beyond lucky and grateful to be able to experience giving new life to a child. It's indescribable.

When your first baby is turning one, it's one of those eye-opening moments when you realize the whole rest of the parent world wasn't lying when they told you "Don't blink" or "Oh I remember those days, they seem like yesterday!" or "Before you know it, they'll be heading off to college." You think about it when you hear it, but you don't truly feel it until that first baby is turning one and you sit there planning the sweet little details of their celebration while thinking about how true every last word of those Target-aisle strangers' tidbits of advice were.

And then you become part of that parent world who passes on the word. "Enjoy every moment with your newborn! They go by way too quick!" you tell those new moms who truly feel like their newborn days just might last forever. But my goodness, it's true...the days are long, but the years are freakin' short.





And then if your lucky, you have your second baby and the love grows wild and the days get wilder. But you know..you know how fast it goes by so you try your damn hardest to soak in those crazy hard moments that you know you'll one day wish to have back.







And then if you're even luckier (or crazier, depending how you look at it!) your third baby comes along, or fourth, fifth, etc. (and if you're like me, you just may have your third 3 years after your first). Of course by number 3, you feel like a crazy person pulled in 456 directions at once and your mom guilt may set in hard at the end of the day when you question what you could have done better for each child or who you should have given more attention to. It's a tough and wonderful ride, I tell you. BUT, that third baby...when that third baby turns one, you're like w-w-w-waitttt a minute, what? Did we miss a few months? Somehow, in LESS than the blink of an eye, that sweet amazing newborn who you thought you'd surely make it a point to soak in all the days now that you've "figured out" the multiple kid thing..well then they turn one too. And it's just as bittersweet as the first, if not more, because you're not sure if this just might be your last time celebrating your child's first birthday.





Well, here we are. Ready to celebrate my baby boy's first birthday. Gosh I love this little bear with all my might. And I know he loves me too...those eyes, that smile, and the way he lays his head on my shoulder sometimes just screams to me how much he loves me! He brings so much love to our family and brings the cutest little squeals and laughs to our crew.



I never want to forget those bright blue eyes with handsome long lashes that bat at me while you're being sweet, your squeals of excitement when something is coming your way, the way you shrug your shoulders when we ask you something and give us the cutest "I don't know" look EVER, that toothy smile when you're super happy, the pouty lip when you're sad, or that birthmark near your eye. All of that combined makes one special YOU at age one that I want to bottle up forever to look back on as you grow.







Happy First Birthday, my most handsome baby boy. I love you with my whole heart, more than you'll ever know! Stay brave, stay wild, stay sweet...

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder.





Oh, and if you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance!





You will, you will! We love you, baby bear, Sullivan James!

Sullivan's Almost 1 | A North Pole Party

Paper snowflakes dangled from the chandelier, floating atop the bottle brush tree centerpiece creating the perfect North Pole setting for the kiddies to gather around and celebrate. Katniss the Heart was the masterind behind all this.

Our baby bear is turning ONE this week, can you even believe it? Sigh. We had the EM kiddies over in pajamas, secret santa gifts in hand, classic Christmas tunes playing in the background, all set for a North Pole breakfast party to celebrate Sullivan James.







James whipped up a breakfast casserole and I did his family's ice cream rolls (goodness, they are amazing.) Kristen brought fruit and some yummy homemade muffins, and Stephanie brought the good stuff -- mimosas. As a relatively new coffee drinker (oh hey, we're coming up on one year I suppose since I started after having Sullivan!), I am quite torn and wondering how one decides between coffee and mimosas when both are an option? Double fisting it was.







And for the kids -- reindeer pancakes.















Without a doubt, breakfast like this is my most favorite meal. I'll take a plate now, please.
Sullivan attempted to sit at the table with the big kids and eat a reindeer pancake - it was a good effort!





There is something magical about Christmas and also something magical about birthdays. Combining the two into a delicious breakfast was like a dream come true! I can see us doing this sort of magic year after year. Christmas crafts, gingerbread home making - just pure fun.







We set up a reindeer food bar - pretzels, chocolate chips, Cheerios & M&M's and let the kids take their turns scooping up their own mixes. And of course, topped it with a dash of sprinkles.







And instead of a birthday cake, it was birthday donuts. Reindeer and snowmen donuts, to be precise!









It was such a simple celebration that I think the kids really enjoyed. I hope it felt as magical for them as it felt for me watching them. Celebrating birthdays and the Christmas season through the eyes of a child is so special!!











Our idea of the North Pole was brought to life - all to celebrate our baby boy's one year of life so far - and I am so grateful for these moments. Happy (almost) Birthday, baby bear!



This kid must have partied just a little too hard! Ready for a nap.