Brynn's Birth

Brynn's due date was Sunday, November 17th. I should back up and mention that Casey's busiest few months are October, November, and December....we didn't plan well....okay so we didn't plan at all!  The weeks leading up to my due date, we finally finished her nursery, had all the shower gifts put away, shopping finished and bags packed for the hospital. We had several panic moments and last minute "don't forget...." suggestions. I was feeling more uncomfortable and tired....I worked several half days the week she born. I was reading and re-reading all the baby books making sure we were ready, that I had everything packed, and looking for signs that she was coming! Everyone said, you will just know! For months, the girls at work were sure she was coming early. That week, Casey had several big events and leave it to our daughter to make her appearance on his busiest day!

On Thursday morning, the 14th, I woke up at 5am with back pain and couldn't sleep. By 7am, I was becoming more uncomfortable and having what I thought were mild contractions. I took a shower and gathered all my things, then I called Casey and called mom....I think it's time! Casey and mom were both of course on their way to work. Casey came home and we arrived at the hospital about 8:00-8:30. They put us in a room and wanted to monitor me and the contractions to see if I would stay or go home. (I did NOT want to go home!) As the morning progressed, so did my contractions....mainly in my back and every two minutes or so. (I will spare you the details and just say back labor SUCKS!) They finally decided I would stay, admit me officially with paperwork, and give me an epidural around noon. I had never been so happy for drugs and a big needle in all my life! Casey says I am the poster-woman for epidurals! By then, mom had arrived, and they both stayed with me the rest of the day.
Things progressed naturally, my water broke on it's own around 5pm and by 7:30, I was fully dilated. It was time to push! Throughout the entire pregnancy, the delivery was what I was worried about the most! I am very thankful that mom, Casey and several awesome nurses were there to coach me through. I was a little nauseous and an exhausted, emotional mess, but once the doctor arrived and I started pushing......our beautiful Brynn Addison Woods was born in less than a half hour.

Nothing prepares you for the moment the doctor places that wet, wrinkly bundle in your arms. I was still an exhausted, emotional (and cold) mess  and so much happened so fast around me. Casey cut her cord, the nurses took her and got her cleaned up, did tests, etc while Casey watched. The doc and nurses got me cleaned up and put back together (and warm blankets!). It is so surreal knowing that baby, that little person, was just inside me and now is here. WOW!

The next few hours and days are a blur....we got settled into our room and stayed in the hospital until Saturday afternoon. We had many visitors and Casey slept on a very uncomfortable couch/bed. We learned to give Brynn a bath and to swaddle, tried nursing, watched videos, and completed the hospital's checklist before we could leave. I was nervous about not having the nurses and help so close by, but we were anxious to get home! We loaded up our car and Dad's van with a surprising amount of gifts and flowers. A nurse checked our car seat and base, Brynn was clicked in and we were good to go!

Two days earlier entering the hospital, we were not prepared for the changes to come. Leaving that afternoon, we were the happiest and most scared all at the same time! We are parents now.....what did we just do!?!?!

8 weeks!

I know I am going backwards....I have so much to share, I am not sure where to start!

Today was such a good day at home with Brynn! She will be 8 weeks old tomorrow...wow! She is growing and changing each day. She loves playing on her mat, looking up at all the toys. She is smiling more and cooing at us. We sing songs and listen to music. I take pictures of her daily and find myself wanting to capture each moment . We have somewhat of a sleeping/eating/playing routine down or maybe we are just more comfortable with each other and I am getting use to this whole mommy thing!
Brynn has brought us so much joy and she has taught me to slow down, enjoy the moment, be less plugged in, be more present and quiet! I am still working on it and being someone who was always going and doing, this has been the biggest change for me.
The past two months have gone by so fast. I wish I could stay home full-time with her, I feel like I am just getting started.
My maternity leave was 8 weeks and I am starting back next week (just 3 days, thankfully). So, of course, I am a little emotional. I have been procrastinating the decision as to when she starts day care and when I go back full-time. I realized today that I am just going to have to do it or I might not go back full-time, ever! So, my mom is going to have her 3 days next week while I go back to work....at least I am close!
Last night we met with Brynn's daycare provider. She came highly recommended by several friends and has had a home daycare for 20+ years. I feel more comfortable now that we have visited in person and she answered all our questions.
Boy, my list of "you will never understand until you have a child of your own" keeps growing and will show up in my posts! All the books, babysitting, niece/nephew time, etc just doesn't quite prepare you for the real deal! We are learning as we go, having fun, and sneaking in a little "me" (and us) time while trying to get as much sleep as you can with an infant!

Here are a few pictures from this week...play mat time and hanging with Daddy!

Our 2013 Blessing

Wow, I have not blogged in over a year! I take pictures and create blogs in my head and somehow they just never get posted. I even jot notes down on paper or in my phone in hopes to blog later. As I logged in to write this, I even found a draft for a new year post from last January! *sigh*

2013 rang in quietly at the Woods home and the year flew by! Does anyone else feel like this year went incredibly fast? For us, the 2013 was full of reflection, healing, and blessings!

On September 14, 2012 we lost Benjamin Matthew at 19 weeks. In March, we found out we were pregnant again. I was never someone who wanted to rush time, but those 9 months could not have gone by fast enough! After many tests, our baby girl was deemed healthy...no problems or complications to be expected, but that underlying fear followed us until the moment she arrived.

On November 14, 2013, 14 months to the day, we were back at Newman Hospital and Brynn Addison Woods was born at 8:44pm. A healthy, blue eyed bundle weighing in at 7 pounds, 4.2 ounces and measuring 20 inches in length! (More on her birth soon.)

Christmas evening at home, all smiles!

The 3 of us, our little family, rang in 2014 together at home. I never would have imagined we would have been blessed with a baby girl this year.  Brynn has changed us.....expanded our world beyond belief.
My goal for the new year is to reflect, create, and blog more! I will try to catch you up on the past 7 weeks of our life with Brynn and all our future milestones, day to day moments, and a few crafty, foodie, funny things along the way.