Thinking About Resolutions for 2008

Looking back, I've done some hard things in my life so far. I joined the Army and went through basic training.

I became a certified scuba diver.

I served a mission in Brazil and learned to speak Portuguese.

I graduated from college with a BA in English.

I went to Nicaragua as a combat medic with the National Guard.

I sent my husband away on a 6 month deployment and had our first baby without him.

Now, I am the mother of two little girls that are 13 months apart. And some days, this feels like the hardest thing I've had to do yet! But, in looking back at all these things, I've realized that the hardest things I've done have also made me the strongest. Doing hard things brings a lot of self-confidence and satisfaction. Knowing that you can do hard things and do them well is a true joy in life. Even though the hard things tend to scare me, I also want to welcome the hard things because I know they make me better and are the most rewarding. I know they prepare me for things to come and make me a deeper, richer person with more empathy and a greater capacity to love.

As I'm thinking about my New Year's resolutions for 2008, I'm keeping the hard things in mind. This coming year, I want to achieve hard things. I want to stretch myself and keep moving forward. I want to mold myself into a better version of me. And doing hard things is the only way that I know of to do that. So, in anticipating this new year, I say (do I dare?) bring on the hard stuff!!

Christmas Movie Marathon

Bust out the hot chocolate and popcorn and bring on the favorite Christmas movies!!!

Today's Daily Dose of Happiness

A few things making me happy this moment...

1. Christmas is only 5 days away!

2. Olivia is sleeping soundly

3. Christmas cards up on the fridge-I love getting them in the mail!

4. I decided not to stress about sending out cards this year. Besides, I didn't think a picture of me super pregnant would make for any Christmas card I would want to send out! ;)

5. I have a small bit of time to myself right now to actually blog and browse the net. (thanks babe - I owe you one....or two....or a million. I've lost count, but I love you!!)

6. I am actually looking forward to setting some New Year's resolutions and getting a fresh start.

7. The laundry is almost done

8. Thinking about the fun stocking stuffers I got for Michael

9. Lindt chocolate in our advent calendar doors...pure heaven!

10. The power of dreaming about where you want to be.

Image via Flickr

She's Here!!

Tomorrow will be one week since baby Olivia arrived and life has been hectic ever since! It is so awesome to have two cute little girlies though. :) So, here is the story breakdown:

Tuesday @ 3:30pm - We arrived at the hospital to start the induction.

Around 5:00pm - The Dr. gives me Cervadil (sp?) to start contractions. She says the plan is to pull the Cervadil out at about 6am and then start the Pitocin.

9:30-10:00pm - They decide to pull out the Cervadil because my contractions are too close together.

10:00pm -2:30am- My contractions continue on their own. I get a nice little pain killer in my IV so I can relax a little and sleep until I'm far enough along to get the epidural. At 2:30, my water breaks.

2:30am - Once my water breaks, the contractions are way more intense and close together, so I ask for the epidural. Suddenly, the nurse is calling the Dr. in and they're telling me that when I feel the urge to push, I can. Apparently there will be no time for the long-anticipated epidural :(

3:20am - Olivia makes her quick, but painful entry into the world. I'm glad it's over fast, but am now convinced that anyone who wants to do childbirth "naturally" either doesn't know what they're getting into, or they're insane.

So, I can now say that I delivered a 9lb. 8 oz. baby without an epidural - but I did not do so voluntarily!

Olivia was born on Wednesday, December 12th at 3:20am weighing in at 8 1/2 lbs. and measuring 20 in. long. She also has a full head of dark hair which was a bit of a surprise! Here she is folks! She's a cutie!

Baby Update

Well, you're probably tired of hearing about when the baby will come...I know I am!! But, I just called the hospital and they have me scheduled for an induction at 3:30. I was so scared they would say a bunch of women went into labor today and to call back tomorrow! So, the update is there should be a baby here by tomorrow. I hope.....

Our Halls Are Decked

Hooray for Christmas decorations!!

Newest Article

Since I haven't had this baby yet....yes, that's eight days overdue and counting and my mom had to leave yesterday but I'm not bitter or anything...I decided I might as well do all the things that I hadn't done yet and thought I wouldn't have time for this month. One of those things was writing a Baby's First Christmas article for Baby Creation Mag. Here's the link if you want to check it out.

Image by Anne Geddes

Update

Well, I am still waiting for this little girl to make an appearance. I cannot believe I'm still pregnant!! Thank you to everyone for your advice! I have to report that I have debunked the Castor Oil method....everyone I've ever heard about using that had their baby soon afterward. I took 4 tablespoons of the stuff with juice last night and while I can attest to the fact that it is a very effective laxative, there is still no baby.

I think I have now officially tried every method to induce labor that I've ever heard of and this baby is sending the message that she is just not ready to come yet. I hope this doesn't mean she'll be extremely stubborn her whole life! We've been out of the house a lot this week trying to make me either walk myself into labor or try to get my mind off of it for a while. We finally checked the phone messages today....my sincere apologies to those of you who have called and haven't been called back. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and concern so so much. I'm just a little too discouraged right now to talk about how the baby still hasn't come.....I'm sorry. My mom leaves Saturday, so I'm having to accept the fact that she just might not be here when Olivia finally arrives. My mother-in-law is driving over on Sunday so we will still have someone here to watch Katie if it happens after my mom leaves, but I was really hoping to have this baby before Saturday!!!! I don't think I've ever felt so helpless in my entire life. Oh well, if worst comes to worst, they'll induce me Tuesday afternoon. At least I know she can't hide out in there forever......

Thanks to Loretta for posting this picture on her blog a while back - it made me smile!!!

In the Meantime...

What do you do when you're waiting for a baby that's 3 days overdue and just won't come?

You go out to eat (and you order dessert to make yourself feel better...much better!)

You walk around..a lot...and see all the fun Christmas sights downtown...

You do a little retail therapy and feel fine about acting goofy...

You take a ride on a carousel (that was mostly for Katie actually!)

And, in the end, you have a great day anyway!

But seriously, if any of you know a fool-proof way to induce labor...please let me know - walking a lot only made my feet hurt!!

Holiday Party Dress

This would be a cute way to show up at a Christmas party this season!