Welcome to the family, Emma!

On my due date, December 4th, nothing was happening. I think I visited the doctor at least 4 times that week. Not for any reason other than normal routine visit stuff -- a sonogram, check of fluid levels, and to estimate Emma's size. I was completely 40+ weeks miserable, but very confident with our decision to wait as long as possible to induce. I was really hoping Emma would come on her own...and obviously she would have, but we ended up speeding up that process because of some size estimates (8 pounds 12 ounces) and fluid levels! Our doctor happened to be on call Saturday December 7th and she convinced us it would be nice to be at the hospital on a weekend. We had our doubts. It also happened to be the weekend of a major cold front and possible icy roads. More doubts.  

My parents and sister drove in the night of the 6th. Forrest and I went out for one last date night -- we enjoyed a great, relaxing, filling dinner at Piatti. Italian, carb loading, I'm sure it helped with labor the next day! We casually made our way to the hospital, 5 bags in tow (jackets were in one bag, camera gear in another, you get the picture), the morning of the 7th around 7:30am. By 8am, we were checked in, getting blood work done, and hooking up to an IV. Before the Pitocin I was already 2cm and 70%...a good starting point! Around 10am, it was decision time, epidural or not? I was feeling strong contractions at this point, but getting through them fine. My nurse told me the anesthesiologist (only one available on a Saturday, grrr) was about to go in for a C-section and wouldn't be available for at least another hour. I've heard stories of labor progressing so quickly, by the time an epidural is wanted, it's too late. I had hoped to keep going, let the contractions get more intense, then decide. But I didn't want to take any chances. What if I was about to be in labor for 12 hours? What if I was about to push for 2 hours (like I did with Davis)? Not in the mood to gamble, I went for the epidural and then we waited. 

Forrest had the football games on and I napped on and off for a couple hours. He was making bets whether we would have the baby before or after the Baylor - UT game. Pattie and Richard were watching Davis for us. They passed the time by baking Christmas cookies. They visited us for about an hour. Davis had so many questions about all the buttons on my bed and the IV going into my arm. 

By 1:30pm I was at 8cm and frantically calling my mom -- she was stuck in traffic! At 1:55pm it was time to push and sweet Emma was born at 2:03pm. She was a healthy 8 pounds 5 ounces (not too far off from the estimate they got from the sonogram) and 20 1/4 inches. My mom, dad, and sister did make it in time. They had brought lunch for Forrest, but I ended up eating half of it. They weren't expecting me to have Emma so early in the day! The two hours after Emma was born, she spent it with us in our room. I got to hold her, feed her, and watch her while the nurses took her vitals. Emma also got to meet her big brother! It was a moment we will never forget. 

Christmasy Things

We are so on top of things this year...the house is decorated, the Elf is moving around each morning, we've done the gingerbread house, we've made a visit to Santa, and we are enjoying chocolate from our advent calendar. Nothing like a newborn's arrival to kick it all into gear! 

Turkey, Pilgrims, and Indians!

We had a very relaxing and wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Although Emma didn't make her debut, we were prepared and decided not to leave town. It was a nice change of pace, no packing and no driving. 

The week started off with the Thanksgiving Feast at Davis' school. The kids performed a couple songs and we enjoyed some turkey from Bill Miller BBQ!

Can you spot Chief Davis?

Forrest smoked the turkey this year...yum yum!

Eating loads of turkey requires playtime at the park

Emma's Due Date is Here!

It's December 4th, our long awaited due date for Emma. Is she here? Nope. Just like her older brother, I think she's cozy and we are probably going to have to force her out. I feel blessed to have made it to 40 weeks. But I do have to say, going on 10+ months pregnant is not so pleasant. Think swollen feet, clothes not fitting, and getting up every 2 hours at night. In an attempt to get her moving, I decided to wash and vacuum my car yesterday, followed by a nice long walk. Nothing. 

Since I don't have sweet newborn photos to share, I will give you a glimpse into the nursery! Enjoy! 

Hello Kyle Field!

As I entered Kyle Field I tried to remember the last time I was actually there...in the stadium...I think it was at least a good 8 years (maybe more!). I've been back to College Station since graduation and I've been back for tailgating, but I never had a ticket to the football game. I've also seen the Aggies play since I graduated, but it was at UT. So imagine my excitement when my sweet cousin and her hubby called us to invite us to the Auburn game! Whoop! 

Early Saturday morning, Forrest and I dropped Davis off in Buda with my Aunt and Uncle. He was ecstatic to spend the day with the cows, chickens, and Miracle (their horse). We enjoyed our drive to College Station surrounded by the suburbans full of fans decked out in maroon. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, sunny and cool. The game was a great one, so close. Sadly, the last two minutes of the game were not pretty for the Aggies. 

Pregnant girls enjoy their pickles!

There's Johnny!

Ole Holiday Market

I volunteer with the Junior League and every year since joining the league, I sign up for the Ole Holiday Market as my placement. More than 200 merchants come set up booths for the week and each day during the week we put on different events/parties! 

The months leading up to the event are spent planning parties, getting merchants, advertising, getting donations, and much much more. This year I was co-chair for all the events: Sneak Peek, Tween Fashion Show, Girl's Night Out, and Pajamas and Pancakes. Hours and hours are spent during the week of Ole setting up, decorating, coordinating, etc and this year was a little more challenging being on my feet all day while being 7 months pregnant. 

Our event is in October, so trying to twist in a little Christmas cheer is always a challenge. So we went with "Christmas Ole!" Bright fiesta colors decorated Christmas trees! 

My favorite event this year was Pajamas and Pancakes! It was our final event (yay for wrapping it up) and I got to spend time with Forrest and Davis (who I had barely seen all week!!). Kids came in their pajamas, did science experiments with the Children's museum, ate pancakes, painted, and sat down for story-time with the author of the cutest book, Good Night San Antonio. 

Painting with a Twist

Story-time with author of Good Night San Antonio

Davis and Jack

Hot Lava

Soccer season is coming to a close. Surprisingly, it went by quickly. We practiced one day a week - which really was like one big play-date on a huge field with 10 kids - and we had games every Saturday morning. The games proved to be very entertaining. 

The first couple of games, the kids had to learn that not all of them could play at the same time. There were some tears. I think the majority of kids had more fun hanging out by the "snack cooler" than on the field. There were some who would absolutely collapse in complete despair if the other team scored a goal. And there were some kids whose parents were shouting bribes from the sidelines - "If you stay on the field for the next 15 mins, I will buy you bubble gum!!!" Desperate times, desperate times. I will miss Saturday mornings! 

Did I mention the kids came up with their team name...HOT LAVA! Go Hot Lava!