Our New Addition - Brylee Dell

On Wednesday (9/8) morning I woke up at about 1:30am with contraction pains different than just plain old Braxton-Hicks. They weren't terrible or anything but I was still up for 2 hours. I went back to sleep and woke up still having them but I went about getting things done I needed to for the day. Bobby and I ran errands when he got home, well to Sonic at least...haha. We were going to have our last date night b/c I was scheduled to be induced the next night so it was our last chance. I was definitely not up for it. We were timing my contractions then and they were about 7-8 min. apart and 15-20 seconds long (doesn't sound bad unless you're the one having them!). So I voted no movie - I knew I wouldn't be able to sit in a theater and focus so we still decided to go to dinner at Olive Garden. I dealt with it - because I wanted salad and bread sticks of course! We came home, watched a movie, and went to bed about midnightish. Around 1:30, I woke up again. The contractions were so painful now I cried through them. Finally, I couldn't bear them any longer so I woke Bobby up. Every time I had one I pinched his nipple or grabbed his arm so tightly :). He loved it. We timed them and they were now 5 minutes apart and lasted more like 30-35 seconds. I told him we should go in. I was scared though because I didn't want to look like some idiot and them be like - wow what a loser...if she thinks this is bad...just wait. You know? But, we got everything loaded, I looked like CRAP (not exactly what I pictured myself looking like when I went in - hoping for a shower, hair that was done make-up, clothes instead of scrubs, etc....nut when the time came, I didn't think I could do anything), and drove to the hospital. We got there about 4:30, went up to labor and delivery, signed in, and the ladies there were like...you don't look like you're in enough pain to be in labor. You're smiling and walked in here like nothing was going on but we'll check you out. So I went to triage, changed into a gown, and they had a nurse come check me. After 15 minutes she came in, did her check and told me I was at a 5. She said I was indeed in labor (as soon as she did I began crying of course. It was all too real now and there was no turning back) and so they began admitting me into the hospital. I went into the delivery room about 5:30, got settled on the bed, and they asked me if I wanted my epidural. Of course I said yes...as I said before the contractions SUCKED. So 5-10 min. later the anesthesiologist came in, did his thing (which wasn't too bad at all), and almost immediately I could no longer feel any of my contractions and my legs went numb. It was amazing. My parents got there at about 7 and hung around. Dr. McKernan came in about 7:15, did a check and said I was at 7-8 and he broke my water...grossest thing ever. Especially if you're diagnosed as having excessive amniotic fluid. I was laying in a bed of my own bodily juices. There were like puddles, literally. It was so gross. And it would randomly just keep coming out. He said it would be about an hour per cm left (so 2-3 hours) before I would be ready to deliver. Well, after about 20 minutes of my water and juices flowing onto my bed I couldn't take it anymore so I told the nurse and she was like...."oh yes you are swimming! let's clean that up." So, she got new pads, sheets, etc. and switched everything out. Then, she asked me how I was doing. I told her I could feel some pressure so she said...ok I'll check you out before I leave really quick. She did and said, "Wow, you're at a 10 and I can feel her head. We better start pushing and get ready to deliver." Panic moment #2. So, she left and got the extra cart and other stuff. She came back in and within minutes she was telling me how to push and when to start. Pushing was probably my biggest fear of anything. I didn't want the horror stories I had been hearing of pushing for 2+ hours and the epidural losing its steam, etc. I pushed through 2 contractions (probably took 5 minutes) and she said I was ready for the Dr. to come back and push the baby out. So, we waited for him to come from his office. Finally, he got there, I pushed through 1 contraction and then 1 push on the next and her head was out. It was so weird and happened so fast. After she had her shoulders out, he told me to pull her the rest of the way out....which was weird but very cool. I pulled her out screaming! Bobby almost passed out. He had this unexplainable look on his face - half smile, half "what the crap did I just see". It was a very cool experience. I loved it. And practically painless! I couldn't believe how much different it was than I thought it would be. She came at 8:33 am and weighed 6 lbs, 3 oz and was 19 inches long.

We came home on Saturday and relaxed through the afternoon and evening. She slept really well at home...it was a much better experience than the 2 nights at the hospital. Sunday, Bobby went to church and my mom, sister, and nephew came over. They hung around the whole day, watched her while I showered and took a nap, and made dinner. It was another easy, relaxing day. Monday and Tuesday were the same - pretty good sleeping (she wakes every 2-3 hours to eat but that's what I expected so I can't complain - sometimes I have to wake her up b/c she is so out of it). Every time I check her in her bed she has either scooted almost completely off her positioning pad or is completely off...I'm thinking she doesn't like it :). She is quite the funny little girl.

Today was a big day for such a new little human. We actually woke up...and Mom (that's me now :)) did her make-up AND hair (I can't tell you the last time that happened) and we took her to Chick Fil A and met Bobby's sister there for breakfast. She did pretty good - only got fussy at the end and when I walked her outside she was instantly calm. She loves the warmth and sunlight (form what I've gathered so far anyway!). Then, she took a nice long nap and had her first dr. appt. Everything was fine...she weighed 6 lbs. 6 oz (and she was 5 lbs. 13 oz. when we left the hospital) so that was a chunk of weight she gained! They did her little heel prick and she screamed bloody murder. It was horrible and had a trill to it. I'm not looking forward to her shot appts. Ugh...hard to handle. We even went to the grocery store after that and she was good as can be.

She is laying in my left arm right now and I love it. Even if my life revolves 100% around her and it's nearly impossible for me to get anything else done right now, and if there is already pee and poop stains on my carpet and couch, I wouldn't change a thing about it. Bobby and I love her to death and can't imagine our life the way it was a week ago!

Last picture of me pregnant - 4 days before delivery.

Brylee's first picture ever.
Her first "weigh-in".
The Parks first family photo.

Just a cute pic. of her face not so swollen.

A cute body shot.
Snuggled in her favorite blanket to sleep in - a Swaddle Me. I love this thing.
Ready to go home from the hospital!
Another cute face:)
Her going-home outfit.
Cute eyes ( and headband - thanks to Alyssa!).
In Grandma Parks' sleeper all stretched out.

More pics to come soon - some from the last 2 days aren't uploaded and I'm not in the mood to go downstairs for my camera!

A Whole Year....I'm Pathetic

So, looks as if this year I haven't exactly become addicted to the blogging thing like I thought I would. We have had a very busy year though (just not a lot of time to do THIS on the computer). Even now I should be doing summer work for my job or writing the Primary Program. Oh well...

MOVING: First things first...we moved in with my parents in the beginning of July as the house hunt/buying process wasn't working out in our favor. After 4 1/2 months there (my parents probably feel like it was a year at least), commuting 45 minutes to and from work, and sleeping in my childhood bed, we finally moved into our house on November 21st. So, we've been here for 7 months (still have LOTS to do) and we love it. My work is 5 minutes away and Bobby's no more than 15 so it is a good location for our jobs now.

Here's our house.

SCHOOL: Bobby finished up his last year at GCC in May and now has an associate's. He refused to walk even though I told him it was the really COOL thing to do (since I did it...4 years ago :)). He is hoping to get a job at University of Phoenix in Decemberish and go to school there. He officially decided not to go to ASU last night even though he did get in. Free school or $25,000 in debt and 2 more years of Parks and Sons were his options.

This was Bobby celebrating his "graduation" from GCC at Texas Roadhouse.

WORK: Bobby is still working at Parks and Sons. He is not loving it to say the least :). But, it helps pay the bills, has great hours, and the benefits we need. We'll see how much longer he can last. I am still working at Carden. I finished my second year 2 weeks ago (I never thought I would have a first year so finishing my second is a BIG shocker). It's weird how summer affects a teacher. It makes it seem like the whole school wasn't that bad...it's kind of like after a woman gives birth - they always have more kids forgetting what it was like...I don't know if that makes sense but it does in my mind! I'll be headed back in August unless some miracle happens in between.

BABY: Probably our biggest news in the last year is we are pregnant with a baby girl and VERY excited about that. We found out on January 22nd after being rear-ended...and feeling like crap for 2 weeks. I took two tests in two days to make sure they both came out positive. Bobby went ahead and took the 3rd test (since it was a box of 3) to make sure we were reading it right. It looks like we were because mine were both positive and his was definitely a negative (thank goodness, right?). My first dr.'s appointment I was petrified I wouldn't really be pregnant and they would think I was an idiot for thinking I was. Luckily they found a little bean and it's been growing ever since. The first 3-4 months were horrible. I was constantly sick and shoving crackers down my throat at work to keep myself in the classroom. My kids thought I was crazy. We finally spread the news the day of my dad's birthday. We didn't want to start telling everyone and then something happen. I'm at 27 weeks now and everything has been normal so far. We keep praying everything will still go well and she is growing healthy and strong. (I'm still slightly concerned she is missing fingers but Bobby tells me to stop). We enjoy sitting on the couch just feeling her move around. It's such an odd sensation but probably my favorite feeling ever. At my Dr. appointment last week my dr. said she had long, skinny legs (huh? have you seen mine and Bobby's legs???) and big cheeks (now that one makes sense). It's been fun :)! The only depressing thing has been the weight gain. Although last week I hadn't gained a pound since my last visit. It was a miracle.

Here I am at 27 weeks.

Here are those long, skinny legs.

And Brylee's face...they said she looks just like her mom (poor girl).

TRIPS: Let's see...I guess Bobby and I have done a few things in the last year. We went to L.A. for our one year back in October. We went to Six Flags, shopped, went to the LA temple, and walked the beach a lot. It was a fun trip (besides the ENDLESS traffic LA brings). In January we flew to Texas to make our debut visit to Bobby's family in Tyler. We spent a few days there hanging out and seeing what their life is like. It was a pretty and rainy visit. We'll be going back for Christmas this year. Our last little trip was over Spring Break. We just drove up to Sedona and stayed a night. We had lots of fun though! It was very pretty and the weather was very nice.

CHURCH: We had a nice break from callings and such when we lived with my parents (since my dad was in the bishopric and knew we would be leaving at anytime, they pretty much left us alone). Starting in our new ward, we were both very happy to be called to be team teachers in the Primary for the 10-11 year olds. That was like our dream calling. A couple weeks later I was lucky enough to be called as a Den Leader in the Scouts. I didn't even know they called girls to such a thing! That was quite a shocker. Oddly enough, 2 weeks after being called to that (and not going to ONE activity) I was called in again and put in the Primary Presidency which is where I am now. It is quite the eventful calling - always something going on somewhere. As relieved as I was to be out of Scouts, I didn't like being released as Bobby's co-teacher. We had fun in there. But, he loves his new partner and the kids so it's a good place for him to stay.

LIFE: Now, we are just working on getting our house prepared and ready for our life and the baby. We have been constantly running errands, baby shopping (although I only am buying stuff I find on clearance), and working around. I still have a huge job of endless reorganizing and sifting through junk I thought I needed to keep as a child in our extra bedroom. We finally planted our '6' required plants in our front yard last Saturday. We bought paint for our extra bedroom and family room today which will be our big task for next week. Then, I need to start actually sewing the baby bedding instead of just "looking" at the fabrics over and over. We enjoy all the time we get to spend together over the summer. Since Bobby gets home at about noon M-F and doesn't work on Wednesdays we have a LOT of time together (but it sure doesn't allow me to get much done!). It's especially nice since we know we will not have this time alone ever again. I have the lovely responsibility of writing our ward's primary program which needs to be done in 2 weeks so that will be my life as well as finishing some summer work for school. Everything has to be done at the end of June so maybe the beginning of July will be a nice restful time. I'd eventually like to get some reading done and laying out by the pool. :)

Random, but Bobby and I got the WORST gifts at the white elephant game at Christmas: pig's feet and calf liver. What?!

At Bobby's friend Matt's wedding...

And my friend Lindsey's wedding.