Lucy's Birth

The end of my pregnancy was rough. I was officially diagnosed with preeclampsia at 34 weeks, even though we knew I had it long before that. Each day my body got more sick. It was really hard, but we made it to 37 weeks after a scare at 35 weeks. Finally, April 9th came, a day I honestly wasn't sure we were going to make it to!

We checked into the hospital at 6:15 for my induction. Keisha and Annette were my nurses that day, and were waiting for us ready to go when we got there. I LOVED them both. For some reason I passed out before we started anything around 7. They said I was probably laying too much on my back, even though I was propped up, but this caused my blood pressure to drop, which was actually great, since the preeclampsia had made my blood pressure rise so high, it felt nice to have low BP for a while!! I was already dilated to a 3, so we were hopeful it would go pretty fast. At 7:30 the doctor came in and broke my water, they started the pitocin about five minutes later, and I had my epidural before 8:00! It was a breeze, and I never felt a real labor contraction!

My mom and sister showed up around 9, which I am so grateful for. They make labor so much more pleasant and I can't imagine doing it without their company! We just hung out until I dilated to a 5, and then they brought in the peanut exercise ball that worked so well when I was in labor with Lyla. I was dilated to a 10 just over an hour later. The doctor made it back in and it was time to push.

The doctor had told me that I was ready but that her head was still a little high so it was going to take some time while pushing. At 1:51 he told me to push for the first time, and I didn't give it my all, because he had told me it would be a minute to move her down. The next contraction came about a minute later and her head was already out! Lucy Lou was born at 1:54 pm April 9. She weighed 7 pounds and 1 ounce and was 18 and a half inches long. The moments after she was born were so peaceful and spiritual. I literally feel heaven in those first moments with a new baby and I absolutely LOVE it. I also felt so so relieved that she was here, crying, and healthy and that we made it through this pregnancy that was so hard.

Lucy has been so fun to have with us. Lyla just adores her and loves to hold her and she cannot stop kissing her! I am so excited to watch her grow and to watch these two darling sisters develop their relationship!

Lots of love,
Brookeydee

HOME

What a ride the building process was for us over the last 7 months. We put an offer in and it was accepted at the end of July and by the first week of August we had been approved and signed our contract. It was a whirlwind, when we weren't even looking in July!

In September we were pretty shocked to find out we were expecting (read that story here) so we called the builder and asked if they had any properties that were available sooner, they did! A property that was about a month ahead, so it was going to put us in around the beginning of March. They hadn't even started construction on that one yet, so it was perfect. With the major construction going on at the SLC airport right now, I guess its really hard to keep Subcontractors on a job, because the airport is looking for anyone and everyone and paying them more than the residential builders are paying, so naturally subs are accepting the airport jobs. Our condo slowly began to fall behind on the building timeline and at the end of December they notified us that it would be late April, at the earliest, that we would be in. I am being induced early April so that does not work. We also only had a place to live until March 1st, so we would have had to move twice in 2 months, and 3 times in 9 months. NOT FUN.

I spent a few days seriously stressed about what we should do and started weighing out my options. I decided to call our builder one more time and ask if they had any quick move ins that were ready or would be ready in February. I was SO happy to hear back that they had three, and that one was exactly what we had been building. Same colors, same layout, same location in the building. IT WAS PERFECT. I was soooo happy. We jumped on that and had signed papers within 24 hours so no one else could beat us to it!

We moved in on Saturday. I am 31 weeks pregnant and not feeling well at all, my doctor told me last week that if I lifted anything heavier than Lyla I would likely start preterm labor and that I seriously needed to take it easy. They still want me on "modified bed rest" so it was really hard for me to ask everyone to move things for us when I was hardly any help at all. I was SO grateful for the help we received moving. I seriously don't think they know how much I appreciate each and everyone of their help. We literally could not have done it without everyone who came.

We are mostly settled in now almost all of the rooms are decorated and we are completely organized in our closets. The nursery still needs the decorations hung, which we plan to tackle this weekend. I even started washing baby clothes and packing the baby's bag for the hospital! I have had the nesting itch for months so its been so nice to finally be able to get to it after all this time of waiting to have our stuff out of storage and in our home!

I am so excited to have this little place of our own! A place to raise our girls, to learn of the Gospel, to laugh together, cry together, and learn. I know we will have such fond memories in this home and I am so excited about it!

Lot of love,
Brookeydee

Today is for lovers

It has been [almost] six years since I met Mike. I was quickly drawn to him because of his work ethic and love for the gospel and family; his ability to keep me on my toes; and his curly red hair that I will never take for granted. We spent the first few years of knowing each other as just friends, but it was a rapid switch to more than friends as I got to know him better after his mission.

A fun story I like to remember from the early dating days was our first kiss. We were out on a date and the whole date we had been cuddling and holding hands and having the best date ever. When it came time for him to drop me back off at my apartment he came in for the kill and I totally chickened out. I quickly pulled away and said, "you should come in and meet my roommates!" HAHA. So, he came in and threw a smile on his face but I could tell he was bugged. After small talk with everyone (and I had to give myself a silent pep talk) I offered to walk him back outside. Once outside of the door he pulled me into a hug and pushed me (sweetly not aggressively) against the railing on the stoop of my apartment and kissed me real good. It was not your typical first kiss.. it was HOT. Call me biased. I am glad he was assertive and went after it!

I am so grateful for the last four years we have spent together. Mike has loved me unconditionally even in the moments I have been unlovable. He has taught me to never give up, to serve, to be patient, and to be more easy going. We have overcome some hard things in the last few years, and I am so grateful he has been by my side- sometimes fighting for me, sometimes dragging me through, and sometimes cheering me on.  He is everything I could have wanted in a companion and a best friend.

As we approach the end of another pregnancy and welcome another baby to our family while he is still pushing his way through school, he hasn't been scared, stressed, or worried. He has been trusting. Trusting of a plan that we are trying to obediently follow. He has been full of faith. And he has been so excited. That is the guy I married, and I am so glad I did! His strength and peaceful perspective have been the biggest help to me during this pregnancy.

Today I hope he knows how much I love, respect, and adore him! I am so grateful he is my husband and the father to our girls! May we all take the time to appreciate those we love today and everyday!

I sure love my feisty ginger. Happy Valentines Day!
Brookeydee