Lilah Elizabeth Taliaferro ~ Part 1

Wow...I can't believe I am about to write this post.  There are so many things I want to remember about the last couple of weeks.  Amazing things.  Scary things.  Beautiful things.  Frustrating things.  And every single one of them, completely life changing.

At 39 weeks I was still at 1 cm and 50% effaced.  That. Is. It.  Despite having contractions for three weeks straight, our sweet Lilah Bear was just not ready to meet the world.  And after waiting for months to meet her, Mommy was getting a little anxious.  After much prayer, research and talks with some of those dearest to me, I was determined to have a VBAC.  Given the circumstances for which Soph was delivered via c-section (breech and IUGR), the percentage of success was estimated to be about 80%.  So then, why wasn't it working???

I was sooooooo frustrated.  If you know me at all, once I set my mind to something, it is not that easy for me to adjust.  If you tell me I can't do something, it makes me that much more determined to prove you wrong.  But this was something I couldn't control.  I couldn't fix it.  I couldn't make it all better.  I couldn't "fix" my body to make myself dilate.

There was even a moment following the 39 week appointment, after a failed attempt to strip my membranes, that I was ready to give up.  Just ready to throw in the towel and accept that I was going to deliver via c-section.  There was a part of me who wanted to call my doctor and just move up the c-section date.  But I couldn't.  I didn't want to rush my baby.  I didn't want to rush the Lord.  And I most certainly didn't want to regret my decision later on ~ I mean it's not like you get a redo on a choice like that!

So I did what any normal, hormonal, huge pregnant Mommy would do...I cried and cried and cried some more.  I grieved a dream ~ a dream of knowing what it's like to deliver my child vaginally, to hold her immediately, to not have to spend the first several hours of her life separated from my precious baby...the one person that in ten months I had never been away from for one second.

And then I attempted to pick myself back up.  I prayed as best as I could for peace and understanding.  I thanked God for the precious gift growing inside me...a healthy, beautiful baby girl.  And I was honest...I told Him I was disappointed, confused and heart broken.  But also that I trusted Him and would try to be patient, something I realize I'm not all that good at.

I say all of that and then for the sake of total honesty, I set about spending any free moment researching ways to help myself dilate and to get labor started.  I scheduled a prenatal massage for the next day, a gift from a dear and precious friend.  I researched acupuncture, reflexology, exercise balls and anything else the all-knowing Google could offer me.  And the next few days went a little like this...

Thursday, June 7th ~ Babysat my two precious nieces; Mexican for lunch; Prenatal massage #1
Friday, June 8th ~ Called the doctor to schedule a second membrane stripping attempt for Monday
Saturday, June 9th ~ Julian's birthday party; Foot reflexology; Dinner with friends
Sunday, June 10th ~ Prenatal massage #2; Purchase and use of exercise ball; Mexican for dinner
Monday, June 11th ~ Successful attempt at membrane stripping; Mexican for lunch; More exercise ball
Tuesday, June 12th ~ Officially in LABOR!

Ok, granted...I have no idea if any of the above did anything whatsoever.  Cause truth be told, the Lord had it all worked out anyway.  This was just my measly attempt at making myself feel like I was actually doing something.  And I'm sure in my crazy attempts, I gave Him a few good laughs along the way :)

Either way (at least in hindsight) I could care less!  Why?  Because at the end of the day, it didn't matter how my sweet girl entered this world ~ she was perfect, beautiful and has completely captured my heart.

And it's a good thing it didn't matter in the end because labor and delivery certainly did not work out exactly how I had it planned in my head...

Replay...

They don't look nearly as identical this week as they did last week!  Should make for an easier game of who's who :)  

And for the record, lots of people guessed wrong at week one...including their own Daddy!  

A little game...

of who's who :)

My girls at one week old

39 and 40!

39 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 28 lbs

Dilated: 1 cm (no change since 36 week hospital visit)

Effaced: 50% (no change since 36 week hospital visit)

40 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 29 lbs

Labor and Delivery :)

(Mind you this is totally unflattering and the monitors across my belly aren't helping,
but it's labor people.  And seeing how I had exactly one clothing option, I'll forgive myself
for not being dressed cute!)

Enjoying JuJu's New House...

...and of course, still the best of friends!  Love these two little munchkins.  So hard to believe they've come from this...

to this...

 Where does the time go???

Oh, you only wanted my favorites???

Yea, I can't do it!  I love every single one of these photos, and I absolutely ADORE Sabrina for continuing to capture these precious memories for us.

So yea, since I couldn't pick my favorites, you get to see them all :)

Sophia Street - Little Gym Style!

This year big, pregnant Mommy took the "easy" way out!  Meaning I found a place for Soph's party who would handle the entertainment, decorations, set-up and clean-up.  Of course, control freak that I am, I still had to bring my own decorations, tableware, snacks, drinks, favors...oh, you know, pretty much everything that was originally included in the package :)  BUT, in my defense, the girl asked for an Elmo party and who am I to deny such a request!  Have you seen this sweet baby's smile?  I mean seriously, you couldn't have said no either :)

Even with all the stuff I did do (self-inflicted as it may have been), it was still super easy and the kids had an amazing time ~ which is exactly why I would definitely recommend The Little Gym for birthday parties.  They were so helpful, great with the kids, patient and always had a smile on their face.  Honestly, I would probably go insane if I had to do four birthday parties on a Sunday :/  And we were only the second one!

Note to Self:  When you decide on a place for a birthday party in the future, book it that day!  Things around here book up insanely quickly!!!  Hence why we had a Sunday, after church birthday party instead of the normal Saturday ones I plan...

And without further adieu, Welcome to Sophia Street!  I think her smiles say it all :)

Happy Birthday!

To the cutest two-year old I know!

I still can't believe my sweet girl is now 2 years 2 months old (yes, I'm still getting caught up on the blog)!!!  I just don't understand where the time goes.  It seems like yesterday that it was April 13, 2010, and we met her for the first time.  It seems like yesterday that we celebrated her first birthday, and she took her first steps.  And now, it's already been two months since we celebrated her second birthday.  

The saying is so very, very true ~ the days can be so long. but boy, are the years so short!  We truly are absolutely blessed to spend each and every day being parents to this precious angel.  

To the moon and back...always and forever!

My morning birthday tradition for many years to come.  

Heck, as her mom I can still call and do this when she's forty :)

Ready for school and looking ADORABLE!!!!!!!

It's a birthday party British style!

Ok, well it's pretty much American style, but it was at the British Private Prep School :)

Soph's Birthday Banner

Her cupcake party!

She was digging the hat...

 ...and the attention...

 ...and of course the icing :)

More fun after school!

 Birthday bubbles!  George likes bubbles as much as Sophia...maybe even more :)

 And my little bug wouldn't be happy without some water time on her birthday!

Holly & Logan Come to Visit!

And this is the result of our little playdate!

Pure joy!  Love how happy she is :)

These two always get along even though they rarely see each other!

That's the sign of a true friendship :)

 Catch me if you can Aunt Jaja!!!

Soph likes to play shy and chase with Aunt Jaja...

looks like Soph lost this race :)

I promise Holly and I were present!  Why we didn't get pics of the adults I'm not sure ~ perhaps it has something to do with two energetic toddlers + two precious twins and only three mommies.  Somehow that math didn't work in our favor :)

Beauty in Bluebonnets

Since we went to church Saturday night, we spent Easter morning enjoying one of God's gifts to Texas.  I don't think I fully appreciated the glory of bluebonnets growing up, but my goodness aren't they beautiful?!

Disclaimer: I promise we put the props in already trampled areas!

My precious Sophia Grace

Love my sweet family of FOUR :)

Always and forever

Mommy and her girls

So blessed to be their Mommy!

Daddy and his baby girl ~ it's safe to say he is WRAPPED!

And how couldn't you be with that sweet smile?

Love them!

Soph was so happy we let her hold them!

Disclaimer:  You cannot see us, but we are literally in grabbing/catching distance of all three girls!

All my favorite girls.

Hopefully the wheelbarrow can hold one more next year!

Have to make room for Miss Lilah :)

I laughed at this picture because it is the truest form of reality...

Jaime's hair in her face, mine with some weird crazy piece blowing,

and not a single child looking at the camera :)  Gotta love it!

Attempt numero dos...

Such is life folks and isn't it wonderful?!