Tuesday Talk

A few random thoughts on this lovely Tuesday...

I'm feeling rather productive so far this week. Yesterday I managed to do 4 loads of laundry (all folded and put away too!), run and unload the dishwasher, change the sheets on our bed, make supper, clean up the supper dishes, and work on catching up on my Bible reading. So far today I've made the bed, changed the sheets on the guest beds, washed 2 loads of laundry, sewed my homemade Moby wrap, and worked on catching up on Bible reading.

Trying out our homemade Moby wrap

Speaking of the Moby wrap...I had been nervous about sewing the knit material for the wrap, which is mainly why I didn't have it done yet. I bought the material months ago, but couldn't work up the nerve to attempt it. I put my big girl pants on today and got it done! You know what? It wasn't that hard! So far I like using the wrap and Evelyn fell asleep in it in about 3 minutes.

Our sweet Evelyn is growing like a weed! Her newborn clothes are starting to get too tight over her head. I tried a 0-3 month onesie this morning just to see how it fit and it actually fit pretty well! It's exciting to get to the new size and put all the new, cute clothes on her, but she's growing too fast!

Evelyn and Aunt Tasha

My sister and her boyfriend came for a visit last week. We really enjoyed having them and Evelyn loved snuggling with Aunt Tasha!

Evelyn's first trip to Disney

Tasha and Brad wanted to spend a day at Disney while they were here. We debated for days whether we should attempt to take Evelyn or if it was too much. She slept well the night before and was having a good morning, so we decided we would try it. I was prepared to call it quits and come home at any point.  One of the things I love about Disney is that they have these nice baby care centers at each park. It's an air conditioned building with a room for nursing, changing tables, bathrooms, a play room for older kids, and baby items to purchase. Evelyn and I spent a lot of time in there. We did ride one ride, walked around some, and ate good food (the most important thing), but I did spend a lot of time in those air conditioned baby centers! 5 nursing sessions, 10+ diaper changes, 2 changes of clothes, and one lost pacifier later, we survived our first trip to Disney! Evelyn did really well, but we were all worn out by the end of the day!

There's something adorable about a baby with a pacifier

Evelyn wore this dress to church on Sunday. She also wore it her first Sunday to church at 5 days old. It's amazing how much she's grown in just a few weeks!

Kinley was so excited to hold "Baby Ed-a-lyn" at church on Sunday

Nursery

I'm excited to share pictures of Evelyn's nursery (even though most of you have seen them on Facebook already). I absolutely loved working on putting the nursery together and was not the least bit sad to see my craft room dismantled. We were able to move my sewing and crafting things to one of the guest rooms and it's working out really well.

Before: Set up as my craft room

Looking into the nursery

Crib and alphabet wall

Close up of crib bedding

Close up of alphabet wall

Glider, dresser, and changing table cross from crib

The alphabet wall was my inspiration for the nursery. I had seen different ideas floating around on Pinterest and thought it was right up my alley. I enjoyed collecting the letters and decorating them. I think Chris got a little annoyed with me always needing to look at every home decor/craft store we went into. I decorated the letters with paint, yarn, fabric, felt, rhinestones, glitter, vinyl, feathers, buttons, scrapbook paper, and a few other crafty supplies. It was a labor of love, but I loved it!

Nursery Details:

Wall color: Urban Sunrise by Valspar

Crib and dresser: Dakota by Suite Bebe (Baby Depot at Burlington)

Glider: Savvy (Buy Buy Baby)

Crib skirt and curtain material: Premier Prints from Fabric.com

Sheet: Pottery Barn

2 Weeks

Our sweet Evelyn is 2 weeks old today. She's growing too fast!! It's hard to believe that it's only been (and already been) two weeks since we first laid eyes on her.

I've learned a lot in the past two weeks. I've learned that there are a lot of things I can do with only one hand. I've learned that I can actually function pretty well with a few hours of sleep most nights. I've learned that eating a meal in one attempt is now a luxury. I've learned that I completely underestimated the number of diapers a baby can go through in a day.

More importantly, I've learned that it is impossible to know the love you have for your child until you experience it. I've learned a love that is unlike any I've ever experienced before. My heart melts when my sweet girl grabs my finger and holds on while she nurses. My heart feels like it's being ripped out when she's screaming and I don't know what's wrong with her. My heart rejoices when she finally lets out a Daddy-sized burp and instantly stops screaming.

I've learned a love for my husband deeper than the love I've had for him before. There's something about seeing your best friend and companion look at his daughter for the first time with the most endearing look on his face. I've learned there are no words to express how I feel when he's up with me in the middle of the night to offer encouragement and get me whatever I need. I've learned that I have the best husband in the world and there's no arguing about it.

3 days old

5 days old on her quilt from Great Great Grandma Kate

6 days old

13 days old

Wesley checking her out

5 days old - Evelyn and Daddy before church

First day of church - 5 days old

Evelyn Ravinell

Introducing our daughter,
Evelyn Ravinell

April 3, 2013

1:16 AM

7 lbs 14oz

20 1/2 inches

The Lord blessed us with a wonderful birth. After going 10 days past our due date and being dilated 4+ cm for several weeks, I was admitted Tuesday evening to start a very low dose of pitocin. I had an appointment earlier that day and discussed the plan with my doctor. We agreed that we would start the pitocin with hopes that my body would respond well and we could eventually turn it off or break my water so I could continue with my plans for a natural birth. My doctor did warn us that it could take 5-6 hours for my contractions to start getting into a regular pattern before all that could happen. I was hopeful and prayerful that wouldn't be the case. 

We picked up my dad at the airport, grabbed supper at McDonalds and arrived at the hospital at 7:30 pm Tuesday. After all the paperwork was complete, the pitocin drip was started around 9:00 pm. Several of our church family gathered in the hospital waiting room to share the special time with us. The ladies took turns coming back to my room to visit and keep me distracted. My nurse came in about every 20 minutes to check if my contractions were getting stronger. I could feel them getting stronger, but I wasn't feeling any pain with them. Each time she came in she would increase the pitocin just a little bit. Around 11:00 I started getting panicked because I wasn't feeling any pain with the contractions. I knew that my contractions had to pick up quite a bit in order for the doctor to make the decision to break my water or turn off the pitocin. Finally around 11:45, I had a contraction that was a little more painful. They were coming on quicker and a little stronger. More than pain, I just felt very uncomfortable from the pressure. Around 12:10, the pressure was incredibly uncomfortable and I started to feel an urge to push. I thought it was ridiculous, because I knew there was no way I was anywhere close to being ready to push. My water broke on its own around 12:30 am. The nurse checked me and I was at 9 cm. From there, everything was such a whirlwind. She was on the phone with my doctor, more nurses were coming in, and equipment was being put out. At some point my doctor came in, checked me, and told the nurse she needed to gown up in a hurry. Next thing I know she is telling me I can push with the next contraction. From what Chris tells me, I pushed for about 20 minutes. It sure felt like a lot longer than that and at one point I said, "I'm done with this!" Our beautiful Evelyn was born at 1:16 am. 

Evelyn is a name I have always loved and Chris grew to love. Ravinell was Chris' great-grandmother's name. She was such an influential person in Chris' life growing up and in mine for the past 5 years. While there were often struggles, taking care of her in our home was such a blessing. When we found out we were expecting, we both had hopes that she would be able to meet her great great grandchild.  Her passing in January was bittersweet for so many reasons, one being that she would never get to meet the one who would carry her name. She was a wonderful servant of God and we hope that Evelyn will live to match her character. We will certainly share our many treasured memories of Grandma with Evelyn. 

We are so madly in love and just soaking up each moment. Chris was wonderful during the delivery and has been such an amazing support. He is a great Daddy and Evelyn sure does love him! 

41 Weeks

Well, we're in April and still waiting on Little Miss. There is no way anyone can prepare you for the mental exhaustion that comes along with going past your due date. Dealing with questions, comments, and people constantly wanting to know if the baby is here yet does a number on your patience. Not to mention trying to watch for any consistency or frequency to contractions. I've had several episodes of strong contractions 6-7 minutes apart that ended after a couple of hours. You get all excited and think that it's finally time, only to be let down. Then there's the packing and unpacking of the hospital bags. I've become quite an expert in that department. We have one bag that stays in the car for our long term stay, but then we have our bags of things that we're still using day to day. We take those silly things anytime we're going to be very far from the house, in hopes that something might happen.

All complaining aside, I'm thankful to still be healthy and that Little Miss is still healthy. There is a light at the end of the tunnel in knowing that we will have a baby this week! Let's all pray that it's closer to the beginning of the week and that she will decide to come on her own!

40 weeks...still waiting *edited with picture*

Well, we hit the 40 week mark on Saturday. I don't have a 40 week picture. I'll probably regret it, but it wasn't at the top of my priority list this weekend. Perhaps if I actually get dressed in decent clothes tomorrow I will take one. *Edited with picture*

• I'm working on getting over a sinus infection. Let me tell you, having a sinus infection at 40+ weeks pregnant is for the birds! Thankfully, I'm finally beginning to feel like I'm among the living again. 
• Amazingly, I still don't have any stretchmarks. I'm not all that concerned about it, but it's still surprising to me. 
• My favorite comments at this point are: "Have you had that baby yet?" "Still no baby?" "You're supposed to be having a baby right now!"
• I'm beginning to wonder if we might have an April baby?!?! I'm over trying to guess and predict at this point. We'll just be thankful when she decides to get here. Preferably, I would like to avoid April 1. 
• I'm thankful for my mom and husband who have taken great care of me the past few days! 

39 Weeks

It's crazy to think that we're so close to having our little girl! I love looking the app on my phone and seeing single days on the countdown. Of course, we could be here another 2 weeks waiting on her. Thankfully, I'm feeling great still and just trying to enjoy these last few days!

My Memories Suite Giveaway

My friend, Kerry, over at His Mercy Endureth Forever is hosting an awesome giveaway. Hop on over to her blog and check out the post about the neat digital scrapbooking kit. I've always admired people who use these programs, but it's always been intimidating to me. Check it out and enter the giveaway!

Beach Day

My brother, sister-in-law, and niece are visiting this week and we spent Wednesday at the beach. It was a bit chilly and windy, but still ended up being a nice day. We all came home with a little pink tinge to our skin.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge...I much prefer looking at it from the beach than being on it!

Just in case you were wondering...

Lily's first visit to the beach

All that playing wore her out!

38 Weeks

37 Weeks

We have now reached the point of being considered "full term!" As soon as I get my hospital bags packed (or at least all the stuff together), then I will feel more ready to have her at any time. Of course there are still a million things on my to-do list that I would love to get done, but nothing major. I've been battling sinus congestion the past week or so and I'm praying for it to clear up before I go into labor. It might be helpful to actually be able to breathe through my nose while I try to birth this baby.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Protein Bars

I've learned throughout this pregnancy that getting enough protein is SO SO SO important. I aim for 75-100 grams of protein every day. Sometimes that's really hard. Especially when I'm having a "sweet tooth" day. I've come up with a solution to my problem....peanut butter and chocolate protein bars.

Here's what's in them:

1/4 cup whole almonds
1 (15.5 oz) can of chick peas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup honey (or agave nectar)
1/2 chocolate chips (I prefer dark chocolate)
1-2 Tbsp. coconut oil

1. Grind almonds in a food processor until they are super fine. Dump in a mixing bowl.
2. Put drained and rinsed chick peas in food processor and pulse until pasty. Dump in mixing bowl with almonds.
3. Add peanut butter and honey into bowl. Stir all ingredients to combine.
4. Press mixture into a wax paper lined 8X8 pan.
5. Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a small bowl.
6. Spread melted chocolate and coconut oil mixture over bars.
7. Refrigerate for at least an hour to let chocolate harden.
8. Enjoy!
*Keep protein bars in refrigerator and cute off a chunk when want a treat!

These are a yummy, healthy way to get some protein and enjoy a little something sweet. If you close your eyes and think of rainbows and unicorns, these can even taste like those delicious Reese's peanut butter eggs.

36 Weeks

 

We're less than one month away from our due date. I keep telling myself that the most we will have to wait to hold our little girl is 6 weeks! That's not long to wait! I'm continuing to live by little dates to help pass the time...doctor's appointments, lunch dates, church meetings, family coming, Duck Dynasty season premier...every day gets us that much closer to our life changing. My plan is to stay busy and active until the day she decides to make her arrival. 

My goals for this week:

• Get freezers cleaned out
• Start some freezer cooking
• Wash up her sheets, blankets, towels, etc.
• Get her closet more organized and shower gifts put away

35 Weeks

 35 weeks = 35 days = 5 weeks until our due date! It's hard to believe we're just 5 weeks from our due date. We found out that we were expecting at 5 weeks and now we only have 5 weeks left (hopefully)!

I'm still feeling great and so thankful for a good pregnancy. We were blessed with a shower this weekend. Our church family is so loving and supportive. The shower was beautiful and Little Miss is definitely going to be one well-dressed little girl! It was so much fun to open all the gifts, then take them home and look through them all again. I'm thankful my mom and sister were able to come for the shower. We had a wonderful weekend together and it was special to have them here.

Me with my mom and sister

Amazingly adorable diaper cake! I absolutely loved it!

33 Weeks

We had another great week! I had an appointment this week and everything is looking great. I did have an ultrasound to check on our little girl's weight, because my fundal height and my weight were the same two appointments in a row. Little Miss was being a little stubborn and hiding her head during the ultrasound, but the tech was able to get enough measurements to say she is right on track. She weighs 4 lbs 3 oz, which is perfectly average. It was fun to know how she is positioned and get confirmation for what body parts I'm feeling.

We spent our 33 week mark celebrating at Disney! I had to have a picture for proof. :)