First Birthday Bash - Part 2: The Party

Here are the photos from Tennyson's birthday party last Sunday at my parent's house. Thank you everyone for making his day very special! Tennyson felt very loved!

Here is the custom-made cake Dawn got for Tennyson! It matches his nursery colors - green, white, and dark brown. And it tasted even better than it looked!

Everyone else enjoyed blue and green birthday cupcakes! Yummy!

Tennyson is not sure about that candle

"Are you sure it's okay for me to make a mess?"

"Here, Mommy, try some!"

All 7 of the grandkids (on my side) from L to R: Caleb, Jared, Tennyson, Nathan, Beckett, Holden, and Bethany. And only 3 of the 7 kids have started families. Yikes!

Tennyson ate his special cake on his actual birthday, so I was able to get some good photos of him really enjoying it. Of course I didn't let him get too messy.

What a look! I just want to squeeze my sweet boy!

Happy Birthday, Tennyson!!!

First Birthday Bash - Part 1: The Waterpark

I am finally getting around to posting pictures from Tennyson's first birthday party last weekend. My big brother, Kyrce, and his family were here from Atlanta (yes, we finally got to meet baby Beckett) and my sister, Lynley, and her husband came from PA. We had a busy weekend filled with food, fun, and lots of family time! On Sunday we had Tennyson's first birthday party. We all went to the water park and had a blast! If you live in the area and haven't gone, I highly recommend it! Then all 20 of us (we were missing my brother and sister-in-law as they are in CA) went back to my parents' for pizza and birthday cupcakes. And a special cake Dawn had made especially for the birthday boy!

Here are a few of the 150+ photos I took at the waterpark. (And that was only in the first 1 1/2. The camera was safely tucked away for the rest of our time there.)

Tennyson checking out the park through the big window

He is obviously very excited!
(He didn't like wearing the ankle band, and I told Tom he looked like and endangered species!)

I love his reflection in the glass as he watches all the fun!
And notice his little foot....too cute!!!
Gettin' wet with Daddy

He loved the baby swings

Walking through the sprinklers

Tennyson spent a lot of time playing with Uncle Dan

Nice hat, Dan!

Cousin Holden had a great time, too!

"My foot is even more fun when it's wet, Mommy!"

Tomorrow I will post photos from his birthday party, complete with classic messy cake face photos from his actual birthday.

"But we had a month!" (Tennyson's Birth Story)

Our sweet little Tennyson Harper turns one year old today. I can hardly believe we are already reaching this milestone with him. After all the praying, crying, fertility treatments, waiting, bloodwork, doctor's visits, and tests we were finally going to meet this little baby we tried so hard to have. A friend once told me that there was just something very special about the love for a baby who's parents had to go to extra measures to get pregnant. Not that pregnant-on-the-first-try parents love their babies less, it's just different. Going month after month while all your friends were easily getting pregnant was such a difficult journey. So to say we felt blessed and excited doesn't even come close to what we experienced that day.

I want to document Tennyson's birth story while it's still relatively fresh in my mind. Yet I know there are things about that day I'll never forget as long as live, like the first time I saw him and the love I felt. But I do want to remember to events leading up to his birth.

So here's the story of how he came to be born. I rolled over in bed at 4:45AM thinking I had a sudden urge to "go" and barely made it to the bathroom in time when my water broke. I started yelling for Tom, who was so calm it made me crazy. (Thank goodness we balance each other out!) I called my sister and then had the doctor paged. Of course we were advised to head right to the hospital. She asked if I had had any contractions and I told her I hadn't. The second I hung up the phone boy did they start! I had never even had Braxton Hicks so I didn't know what to expect. I knew contractions would hurt, they're supposed to hurt, but oh...my...word. I could tell we needed to go NOW, so we literally grabbed a towel and ran out of the house. The weather was notable, as it was unseasonably cool and rainy that morning, and continued to rain throughout the day. On the short ride to the hospital I tried to "breathe" like they teach you in childbirth class, which was completely useless. I guess it works for some people. Anyway, I politely advised my husband to run any red lights and am proud to say he did! Oh the love!

I was too uncomfortable to walk when we got there so Tom went in and they took me up to the 3rd floor in the wheelchair and quickly got me into a room and hooked up to.....everything. It didn't even phase me. I was so crazy excited MY turn had finally come!! They checked to see how far along I was. When we asked they just kind of looked at each other and said they wanted the doctor's opinion. Okay, what does that mean? I had NO concept of time pretty much thewhole day, so I don't know how long it was until my doctor got there, but when she checked me she confirmed I was already at 8 cm!!!! I was pretty proud of myself! I thought I was going to be a 2-3 cm give-me-drugs kind of woman.

For the record, I hold on to my sister's philosophy, "If you weren't present at the conception, you're not coming to the birth." Other people can do what they want, but the ONLY people I wanted in that room, besides the medical people, were my husband and my doula. I am SO glad I chose to have Steph as part of Tennyson's birth! I don't know how I could have gotten through it without both of them. They were so good at encouraging, praying, and keeping me calm! I was definitely feeling blessed! My wonderful husband was beside me, holding my hand, and stroking my head the whole time!

I knew I wanted to get as far as I could without the use of meds, but had no problem whatsoever using them if needed. So after lots of very strong, unbearable contractions I was ready for the epidural. I declare it one of the BEST inventions ever!! I remember holding on to Tom, not feeling anything but the frequent, strong contractions. It's never too late for it, because I was 9 cm when they gave me those lovely drugs! (Funny thing was the anesthesiologist had been at my brother's wedding two days before, and so was one of the nurse's we had during our stay.) I am SO glad I chose to have the epidural. It just made everything much more enjoyable (for lack of a better word) and otherwise I couldn't have managed the next part.

I really wanted my doctor to deliver Tennyson since he'd seen us through the whole fertility process and my prayers were answered. A few hours after we checked in he was the one on call! Like I said I kind of lost track of time, but all in all I pushed every 2 minutes for THREE-and-a-half hours in every position possible with absolutely no progress. The good news was that Tennyson tolerated labor really, really well. His heart rate never dropped during all the pushing. My doctor, who is a-m-a-z-i-n-g by the way, would come in and I would beg and plead to let me push one more hour and to please not cut me open. But in the end, it was my only option. After 3+ hours of no progress it was the best thing for Tennyson and I. It turns out his head wasn't straight so he wasn't coming any other way than a c-section. And you know, it really wasn't that bad. Recovery was rough, but it would have been either way.

So after getting me ready and Tom into scrubs, Tennyson was born at 12:20PM. Since we hadn't found out what we were having I wanted Tom to be the one to tell me. So when he came out they held him up for Tom to see. He leaned down and said, "It's a boy." My response, "I knew it!" I really did. In my heart I knew it was a boy and I was thrilled. We both were. Tennyson Harper was an 8 lb. 2 oz. preemie, but completely healthy. In fact he was full-term in every way but gestation!

It was finally here. The moment we'd waited so long for. They held Tennyson over the screen for me to see and yes, he was messy, but beautiful. I had never laid eyes on a more beautiful child in my life. (I still haven't!) The tears were uncontrollable. It's amazing the instant, unconditional, intense love you feel for someone you've just met. We had a few moments with the three of us before they took him away to be cleaned, etc. and I had to get stitched up.

The next thing I remember was waking up in the recovery room and asking for "my baby". It seemed like forever, but they finally brought him in. I never, ever wanted to let him go. I couldn't believe he had just come from inside me! What a wonderful, almighty God to design such perfection. He was so tiny (even at 8lbs), with all his little fingers, toes, and facial features. I couldn't get enough of him. I just thought over and over again that he was mine, ours. Half Tom and half me. The miracle of new life was before us and we definitely felt God's love pouring over us as a family of three.

Tennyson was born on Monday, and we were going home Thursday. I could stay an extra day because of the surgery if I wanted to and I am glad I did. There were some rough moments in the hospital, due to the c-section, but nothing a little morphine couldn't fix. We knew Tennyson was having an issue with jaundice, but they discharged us with a follow-up appt for bloodwork the next day. Sure enough his count was at 20 Friday morning so we had to literally turn around and go back in. I was devastated, but my family and friends came to see us the whole week we were there, bringing gifts and food. I didn't mind the hospital stay, it was actually kind of fun, but I didn't care for the food.

On Sunday, almost a week after he was born we were home for good. Tom and I still laugh about the ride home. "Oh my goodness, we're going home. We have a baby." The next few weeks and months were filled with visitors but also lots of doctor's appts because Tennyson didn't gain weight well. But that's all over now!

He's a happy, healthy, adorable boy and Tom and I feel blessed beyond measure. We thank God every day for our miracle baby. Looking back we realize, too, how perfect His timing was. Since Tennyson came a month early Tom was able to be home for three weeks before school started. What a blessing for him to have that undivided bonding time with our son!

For memory's sake here are some photos from Tennyson's first few days of life:





Mommy and Daddy love you very much, Sweet Boy!!! More today than yesterday and not as much as tomorrow.

This Time Last Year.....

As we drove by my old office Saturday on the way to the party store I realized that it marked exactly one year since my last working day there. And it made me wonder: Where has the time gone? So much of last summer seems a blur. I was in two weddings last July, one of which was my brother's on the 28th. I was big pregnant and the reception was outside in very hot and humid conditions. Some of you mothers could probably identify with my discomfort.

Okay, so this is actually from the maternity photos Lisa took for us on 7.7.08.

Ah, but let's not forget about that rash. I apparently fell into the 1% of women who develop an allergic rash during pregnancy. The itchy red bumps were e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e, on my palms, the soles of my feet, in between my fingers. I would soak my feet in ice water every evening and then go to bed every night with ice packs on my hands just to keep from scratching them bloody. No cream on earth seemed to help either. I officially declare it the worst pregnancy side effect ever!!! I would rather have had morning sickness every day. Hands down. So be thankful if you are preggars and rash-free! (*Please note: this has been something I've considered when deciding whether to try for #2. Yes, it was THAT bad!)

So needless to say the night of their wedding I was....um.... just a little irritable and exhausted. But we made it through, not knowing Tennyson planned to make his entrance in less than two days. Since we had family coming in town for the wedding I was really pushing Tom to get the crib and changing table put together so we could complete the nursery. Oh boy, am I glad we did!

The next day I stayed home from church to "rest" (read: clean my house from top to bottom - I was in nesting mode from the moment I found out I was pregnant). We ran errands that afternoon, etc. etc. etc. I had no idea what was in store for us at 4:45AM the next day. I am SO glad God is the one in charge. The fact that Tennyson was born a month early was a blessing for innumerable reasons, which I will elaborate on more in the next post.

Don't You Feel Special?

Well, the big switch is complete! I know a lot of you didn't actually leave a comment to be added, but I went ahead and added you if: 1) you'd left a comment on a post in the past (because obviously that means you visit the blog) or 2) you are family and therefore a reader.

I hope signing in from now on isn't too much of a pain. I just wasn't sure who out there in cyberspace was reading up on us and that freaked me out a bit.

Thanks for keeping up with us via the blog! I have LOTS to post in the next day so check back soon!

Photos by the River

As mentioned in the post on the 22nd here are some photos from our visit to my grandmother's last weekend.

The rear view of her house

This house is on the point right across the water. Oh, I think I could live there.

We couldn't figure out why Tennyson was so engrossed at looking at the kitchen floor. Then we realized it was because he was watching his spit hit the bricks. Such a boy thing to do!

I just wanted to post a photo of Tennyson in his cool Hawaiian shirt
Learning to walk holding on with just one hand
Applauding his efforts

He looks posed, but he's not. I love it!

What a sweet moment to capture

After Some Thought....

I, too, have decided to privatize my blog. I know my friends K & B have done the same thing recently, but I assure you I have been thinking about this for some time. (So don't get any ideas you two that I am copying you! Hahaha!!!)

My main reason is that since I don't have time to sit and write down everything it's easier for me to blog about it, and there are things....deeper things....more personal things I'd like to document. I don't like all these people knowing my biz, but if I know just friends and family are reading it then that's fine with me. And there's just no way I can maintain two blogs effectively. So that leaves the only option of making it for invited readers only.

I know it will be more "work" to sign on, and for this I apologize, but I truly hope you will still keep up with us. Right now life is busy with Tennyson in the house so there's always something new and exciting going on! Of course, I will still post lots of photos and (semi)weekly recipes.

Having said all that please leave me a comment below (with your e-mail address if I don't have it) or e-mail me and let me know to add you to the reader list.

I hope to make the changeover in the next few days, so thanks in advance for responding soon!