Silas Grayson's Birth Story

So 5 days ago on July 13th 2012 I gave birth to a baby boy! Yes it was Friday the 13th and we couldn't have been more excited about your "spooky" birthday since big sister Gabby's birthday is on May 13th and big sister Lainey's birthday is 3/10 making it.... yup a 13, so it was only natural you had a 13 connection with your birthday too.

We did not find out if you were a boy or a girl ahead of time as you are our last planned baby and we wanted a surprise. Thing is mommy and daddy weren't surprised at all! We just knew you were a boy! The pregnancy overall was my best pregnancy in regards to how I felt the 9 months as well as you were my most active baby. It was so fun and amazing to feel and see you moving around inside of me as you grew. I am already missing feeling all those kicks and hiccups and movements.

We had to be at the hospital at 5:30 am to be admitted. Daddy picked up the babysitter at 5am to come and be with your sisters while we were gone and off we went. We got there a little early and I signed paperwork and they got me settled into a room. I was doing good and was calm until they had to do the iv. Despite my tattoos mommy does NOT like needles. The iv was a little painful and while the nurse was trying to get it in I felt myself  "caving out" as I like to call it. What I mean by this is I felt like I was going to pass out, everyone started to sound really far away and I felt myself getting very hot. I had Daddy get me a cool cloth and he explained to the nurse I was scared for the needle in my back that would be coming soon. I had a bad experience with Lainey where they went into my back 3 or 4 times and this was making me panic. The nurse was super sweet and caring and promised me it was not normally like that and that the anesthesiologist that was on duty was really good. He came in to meet me and assured me he was good and I made him promise he would get it in first try haha!

I calmed down again and blood was drawn and various meds were administered to me. They then had me walk down the hall to the OR and Daddy suited up and was in the waiting area while they did my spinal and prepped me. They got the needle in first try! It was such a better experience than before and I have to say the iv hurt worse! The nurses assured me that it may take longer this time to retrieve the baby since it was my 3rd c-section and there would most likely be scar tissue to work through.

Daddy was brought in and I held his hand almost the entire time. It seemed to be quite awhile of pushing and pulling before they finally said for Daddy to get ready with the camera and for them to lower the curtain so that I could see you be born as well.

But then there you were! Our beautiful baby boy with a great set of lungs! You weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and were 18 inches long. Daddy went over and got to cut your cord while they dried you off a bit and they brought you to me to hold. I didn't get to hold you too long as I was then overwhelmed with nausea. I started to gag but nothing happened (the anesthesiologist did warn me of itching and nausea)...they had Daddy bring you out to the room I would be recovering in and then I did throw up several times before they wheeled me out, yuck!

Once we got to recovery I did ok but the itching in my face began and I was still nauseous. All went ok though and soon we were moved to our room where we would stay until we were discharged.  The rest of the day I felt very out of it and nauseous. I got sick several more times (while Aunt Katie and mommy's friend Elizabeth were visiting) and finally after a combo of several anti-nausea medications I was starting to feel more with it and able to eat more.

Right from the beginning you seemed to nurse well but you definitely did not want to open wide to latch on. Mommy has been suffering a bit because of this but we are working on it! I wanted to go home really badly by the next morning but of course that was not happening. I even had gotten up quite a bit the first day/evening and walked around and even showered. Aunt Katie, your sisters, Grandma Nana and Grandpa, and my friend Elizabeth were your first visitors.

On Saturday my friend Andrea and her 1 month old Isla visited as well as my friend Kendra and then of course Daddy and your sisters again and Elizabeth again too. Saturday went much better overall and the nurse Crystal I had in the evening was amazing and took you to the nursery a few times in between feedings so Mommy could get some much needed rest!

Sunday we were discharged and released to go home! YAYYYY let the adventure begin!

Lainey's words 2 years 4 months old

We have just begun to have an Early On speech person come and work with Lainey since she is behind verbally for her age (and I figure free help sure doesn't hurt a bit!). I wanted to jot down words she knows right now so that I have it to refer to in another few months to see how she is progessing so I am going to attempt to put them all down here (that I can think of being pregnant and all my memory is not great!).

Without Prompting

1. hi
2. bye
3. milk ('ilk)
4. mama
5. dada
6. booboo (bruno the dog whom we also call booboo)
7. Gabby
8. Lainey
9. hungry
10. food
11. cookie
12. "whas that"
13. "I did it"
14. "oh no"
15. bumbum (for anytime she goes in her diaper)
16. bath
17. shoes
18. outside
19. "nigh nigh"
20. "where'd it go?"
21. tree
22. feet/foot
23. eye
24. green
25. Gabba (for Yo Gabba Gabba)
26. guppa...ssss (for Bubble guppies)
27. Blues Clues
28. "yee haw"
29. sit
30. tickle
31. purple
32. brown

With Prompting

1. pink ('nink')
2. red
3. yellow ('lellow')
4. black
5. blue
6. sky
7. banana (nana)
8. cup
9. cheeks
10. nose
11. ears

And more and more each day!

9 Sleeps until Baby Firefly Arrives!

I honestly cannot get over how freaking fast this pregnancy has gone compared to my first two! Sure I had morning sickness and a myriad of random infections that have annoyed me the past 9 months but overall this has been my best pregnancy so far! For the most part I have felt great and my allergies have been the cause of most my misery this pregnancy.

Then there is the movement! Oh my goodness you are such an ACTIVE baby! It has been so awesome to feel how much you are moving around in my tummy! Daddy and Gabby have both been able to feel you and see you moving around in my tummy so much which has been just as awesome for them as it has been for me. We are a bit nervous to what this all may mean to your personality when you are born though! Are you gonna be a little crazy maniac our sweet baby? haha...

You are scheduled to arrive on the 13th and Mommy is lucky enough to have the week off so maybe I can start to feel officially ready for your arrival!

We just cannot wait to meet you and find out if you are a boy or a girl! (Mommy and Daddy both think you are a boy right now!).

My oldest baby is 10!

Gabby I cannot even believe you are 10 years old already! Where has the time gone? Becoming a mom to you was the best thing to ever happen to me and I treasure you so much my sweet Muffin! You are such a caring, sweet, funny young lady! You have done so amazing in 4^th grade this year and have just been blossoming more and more. Your love for reading is insatiable and you will easily read several paperback chapter books in a week. You love doing art projects as well and have just recently gotten into legos thanks to the new “girl” line they have come out with called lego friends. You have almost every set that you have mostly spent your own money to purchase. You love going to garage sales and thrift stores with Mommy and we try to do this along with the library every Saturday as our alone time together. 

You recently bought a mini guitar (missing a string or two but you didn't care!), and just today you spent the rest of your birthday money on a pink strap for it and a learn to play guitar book on amazon as well as two mini lego sets you did not have yet :) 

Some of your quirks equally amuse and annoy Mommy! You still eat a very limited diet and have particulars about even what side of the toast butter goes on etc....At age 10 you still have not had a hamburger, hotdog, pizza, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, soda pop, etc.....Some of these things you did have before age 3 but not since then! We are trying to encourage you to try more but it is a difficult task! 

You definitely know what you like and what you don't (even though majority of things you don't you have never even tried!). You know when people are not nice and you tend to stay away from those people at school and are not afraid to tell them when they are in the wrong. I love this about you but also worry about how you will handle this in the near future. I know you know not to hang around those that are mean but I also know you tend to still take meanness to heart if it is directed towards you. I hope you develop a tough skin for middle school and stay true to who you are and surround yourself with those deserving of your friendship! 

You have been taking your school health class you had as well as your book on growing up (Care and Keeping of You) very serious and have begun to be faithful with teeth brushing, deodorant, showering almost daily, etc....you of course are a bit freaked out about what puberty is going to be bringing you in the future hahaha! Our talks about this our priceless and I hope you will forever feel comfortable coming to me with your questions.

I love you so much Gabby! 

Before Baby To-Do List

I officially reached my "only 99 days to go until this baby arrives" day yesterday! Cannot believe it! On one hand this pregnancy has flown by but then again I then think about the fact I still have 3 months of growing and getting even more uncomfortable to go!

Here is my current to-do list of things I need and want to get done before July!

• Get some art on the wall above crib
• Prep all diapers and what few gender neutral clothes we have
• Go through my cubes and pack away what doesn't need to be in there (socks I refuse to get rid of yet I hardly wear, too small bras and undies etc....) making room for baby stuff!
• Wash up all pump parts and the milk storage tubes/get breast pads
• Make room in a cupboard somewhere for all the milk storage tubes and bottles again!
• Start pricing stuff for end of summer garage sale/also get more things pulled and put into the pile to get rid of!
• Car seat cleaned up and installed
• Hospital bag packed closer to the time
• Maybe attempt a few freezer food items/meals
• Buy small gas grill for easier grilling all summer long!
• Prepare myself to get back on weight watchers and get out and walk walk walk post baby!!!

Lainey's 2 year update (a little late)

Miss Lainey Raine cannot even believe you are two already (well until your temper tantrums ensue that is!). These two years have gone by so.dang.fast!

About you at Age 2

• You are SO active! You have been jumping off the ground for months now (your big sister was still not able to until I think closer to age 3!) 
• You learned how to get out of your crib even when mattress was all the way lowered! And you did it fast and smooth like a bank robber sliding down the side of a building out a window! 
• Thankfully you are still napping each day for a couple hours and going to bed before 8pm as long as we stick to routine and shut your door so you cannot come on out. Sometimes you fuss but at longest it is around 5 minutes or so. Usually you just wander around, look at some books, then crash in your bed or the twin mattress on the floor we put next to your bed.

• You are a little behind verbally according to "standards" but your pediatrician was not worried since you are so physical and you are def trying to get more and more words out
• As for words I would say you are over 20 now and copy more and more, you still mainly just ramble (a lot!) in your own language to us which is super cute
• You went through a phase where you were beyond obsessed with balancing things; usually things that could not be balanced like a mermaid on top of a my little pony! Or my little ponies on Daddy's head hahaha, You would get TICKED off if it would not balance! 

• You love stacking things and playing with various people figures and animal figures you have
• favorite shows are still Yo Gabba Gabba and Bubble Guppies but you are enjoying some Blues Clues, The Wiggles, and Dora and Diego occasionally
• You love looking at books and are finally starting to realize that we can read them to you 
• You LOVE dancing still and will dance to almost any music that is on even the music that comes on Daddy's hockey channels when just scores or schedules are posted haha!

• Favorite foods are cheerios (plain, multi grain pb, and multi grain), Daddy's crunchy nut corn flakes, pb on english muffins or toast, raisins, bananas, baked beans (still), water and milk (we still rarely give you juice) you won't touch most meats or veggies which is pretty normal from what I have read!

Happy 2nd Birthday my sweet Lainey buggles!

Baby Firefly Pregnancy Week 23

This past week I have finally started feeling you move....A LOT! Gabby and Daddy have both felt you kick even and Daddy even saw my belly move on the outside today. It is a wonderful thing but you are also making Mommy nauseous at times by all your acrobatics!

Speaking of nausea I think I am finally 100% done getting sick too! AWESOME so much AWESOME! Hopefully the sickness does not come back like I have had in the past!

We are slowly getting your nook more ready for you in our bedroom. The crib is set up and we bought a travel type bassinet/co-sleeper you will be in for your first few months. Your crib sheet, custom rainbow star blanket, and custom sun/cloud/rainbow mobile have all been ordered and on their way as well.

I got another batch of diapers ordered and will be organizing them all soon! We honestly don't have too much to do to prepare for your arrival so Mommy has decided to feed her nesting desires by purging the house a bit! I am starting to fill an area of the basement with stuff for a garage sale I will have at the end of August! This way if you do indeed turn out to be a boy like Daddy and others seem to think I can sell off a ton of girl clothing at the sale too!

Oh and most exciting news is we have your birthday all scheduled! July 13th at 7:30 am! Yup we are having you on Friday the 13th which Daddy thinks is so rad and so do I since your big sister Gabby also has a birthday on the 13th (in May though).Of course there is always the chance I go into labor or my water breaks before this date but for now your birthday is set to be July 13th, 2012.

Baby bump in full effect!

2011 Family Album Completed

Finally got this done and the hardcopy is officially in my possession as of today! It turned out so cute I am hooked and will be doing one each year now! I just love how mixbook lets you incorporate your own digital scrapbook elements into their albums!

| Learn About Mixbook Photo Books | Create your own Photo Book

Random Purchases

I just love tax return time (or anytime I may end up with a little extra cash!) It allows me to make some random much needed purchases.

So what have I bought lately? Here's a run down in no particular order (and I will post pictures because that is much more fun then just a list right?)!

this t-shirt only in a green crew neck for our friend who visits usually twice a year (figured he deserved it!)

this exergen temporal thermometer because how rad that you don't have to stick it into anywhere on your kids yet they are supposed to be really accurate!

this black and decker 4 slice toaster oven because our toaster is crap so I decided being able to see the toast will be a great advantage and this thing cost same as I had spent on our current toaster! 

I have also been shopping crazy for my daughter's upcoming 2nd birthday! Here is what she will be getting from Mommy and Daddy

She will also be getting a Bubble Guppies golden book and paint with water book (she is Guppies OBSESSED!) as well as some clothing! I like to spoil my kiddos what can I say? We won't be doing a big party though just a little one at home with grandparents and her aunt and uncle and cousin as well as her God father who is here visiting from England. 

I really think a pair of shoes are needed in this list of MUCH NEEDED purchases for Mommy so I am off to browse ;) 

What have you randomly bought lately?

Cream Cheese Blintzes-Pinterest Inspired

So I have a recipe that I found and pinned that instantly brought me back to a childhood Christmas where one of my aunts brought these delectable confections to eat!

Here is the recipe I pinned Cinnamon Cream Cheese Roll Ups

Now this recipe on pinterest is actually a bit simpler than the one my family uses but I assume it would taste almost identical. Here are the step by steps of when I made mine...

Yes this white squishy chemical laden stuff works great for these!

take the crusts off and roll them flat

the mixture I put on the inside had cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and 2 eggs

my assembly line: filling, flattened bread, melted butter to dip in, then sugar/cinnamon mix to roll in for final touch!

full cookie sheet filled plus a few more layered on top! Put into freezer for at least 12 hours

Bake at 450 for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown then enjoy! Mmmmm! Gareth and I decided these would be even more lovely served with a dish of nice vanilla ice cream or I would like mine with custard drizzled over top!

These were our special Valentine's Day dessert and we had them along with another Pinterest recipe I tried for the first time French dip roll ups which I liked but what I really LOVED was this easy home made au jus! I did leave out the white wine (this pregnant Mama drank all hers up before getting pregnant haha) and I left out the flour as I liked the thickness of it I achieved without it. So good! My tips for the french dip roll ups is make sure to get THIN roast beef, I had the husabnd get it from the deli and although it was thin I think the pre-packaged stuff for sandwiches would have worked even better. The dough did not get all the way done on the bottom due to the thickness of the meat I used but again still were delish especially with that au jus!

Firefly Diaries Weeks 4-17

So I have been doing little diary type entries since finding out I was pregnant, usually nothing that thrilling to others but just things I wanted to document for my own sake as well as for this little baby to maybe read one day too! Here are the entries I have done so far......


November 21st 2011 


This was our 3rd month trying for you...it was also part of our original plan to create a July baby! We wanted a July baby for 2 reasons....one is related to Mommy's work (I go into the schools during the school year so I didn't want to be on maternity leave during the school year if I could help it) and the second reason is so our birthdays could all be in a row! Lainey's is in March, Daddy in April, Gabby in May, and Mommy in June, and now you in July! 


So this was our first month we decided to give ourselves a little help and use ovulation predictors. We got a positive ovulation stick on 11/1/11......well on 11/11/11 I got my first positives on 2 different pregnancy tests! 


I surprised Daddy by getting a special ornament for Lainey for Christmas....it says "Middle Child" he opened it and was all "what is this?" I let him know it was actually for Lainey! He then figured it out right away and was super excited! We will give Gabby an "Oldest Child" ornament on Christmas day and then also let her open Lainey's "Middle Child" ornament for her way of finding out that she is soon going to be a big sister again! 


I have been feeling ok for the most part so far......I am not holding my breath since my first two pregnancies I had LOTS of morning (and afternoon and evening!) sickness! So far I have just had some sleepiness (Daddy said that is nothing new!) and some tenderness in the breasts (nothing too awful though). Some foods do seem to be tasting not good to me but no strong aversions really as of yet. 


I have my first doctor appointment on December 13th and I am sooo excited to get this pregnancy officially confirmed by the doctor (even though I have taken many at home tests to keep seeing those positive lines, even took one this morning!).


December 15th 2011


Well it is no shock that I have now started getting sick in the morning....are you another gorgeous daughter? Or a sneaky boy trying to trick Mommy? I have mainly just been nauseaous ALL DAY and NIGHT until bedtime but this week I have actually gotten sick the last few days in a row. No fun I tell ya!


My first doctor appointment went really well although it was quite uneventful. The nurse was very nice and talkative with me but she didn't even try to hear your heartbeat as she said it would be too early yet  She did say that if I cannot wait until my next appointment with the OB on January 12th I could pop in before then and have a listen  


I have to go get bloodwork done around Christmas sometime as well. Other than that nothing exciting to report except Christmas is coming which means we will be telling your big sisters about you as well as our other family members and friends! 


Love you firefly even if you are making mommy miserable right now.


December 28th 2011


Hey baby, well you have mommy getting sick in the mornings now but fingers crossed it isn't TOO bad. Usually just before I have had breakfast than rest of the day I am good with maybe a little bit of nausea to battle. I have been taking a medication called zofran the doctor gave me and it does seem to help but trying to not take too many a day. Yesterday I made it through with only taking one. 


Food is still hit or miss on what sounds and tastes good but I usually can find something to eat on. Lately it has been cheese and crackers, hazlenut turkish delight candies, and pretzels. Still loving pineapple too and also been craving crab meat rangoons which I finally had on Monday. 


Still haven't gotten my blood work done so I must get out and do that this week or for sure next week!


January 17th 2012


Well little firefly mommy had a scare on Sunday night! I was silly and moved around some furniture in the basement during the afternoon and by 4pm or so I was having a really bad cramp on lower right side that radiated upwards. I ended up waking at 2am still in pain and got really worried so your Daddy said I better go to the ER and get it checked out. The pain was not horrible but it was constant and didn't go away at all which is why I was so worried.


Went to the ER and they did an ultrasound really quick and I got to see you moving around like crazy! It even looked like you were brushing your hair out of your face at one point (so cute!). You also looked very big to me which was shocking as guess I didn't realize you would look so "baby like" already even though I should know better by now hahaha. They checked my urine too to make sure it wasn't a kidney infection or anything and that checked out clear as well so the doc checked me out and said most likely I had just pulled something or it was good ole round ligament pains giving me such trouble! 


Thankfully the pain was gone by 6 or 7 am and I ended up having yesterday off of work as well due to MLK day so that was nice to be able to rest! 


I get to see you again tomorrow morning for the nuchal scan and Daddy and your big sisters get to come too so we are all very excited!


Here you are approx 13 weeks on January 18th 2011




February 4th 2012


Well little firefly I should be 16 weeks pregnant now (I go to doc this next week so hopefully she will tell me what I was measuring at my ultrasound).


I am to go for the rest of my genetic blood tests today (quad screen and CF) as I should have gone a day or two ago oops! 
Not feeling you move around regularly yet which bums me out, I think I feel you then I go a long time it seems before I feel something again so then I just dunno if my mind is playing tricks on me or not. I am ready to start feeling you regularly so any day now little baby!


I am happy with my weight gain (or lack there of!) so far. Only up about 3 to 4 pounds according to the wii fit which has me at the normal or below normal range for what I started at as far as pregnancy weight gain goes so that is GOOD. Mommy is going to be on a weight loss and health mission once you arrive for sure! (I may have had Bernie O's hotwing pizza for breakfast today though shhhhh!).


Daddy and I are getting excited for tax return money to arrive since we have your crib picked out and are getting excited to set your little space up in our bedroom!

February 9th 2012


Well little baby today I had a check up today at 17 weeks along and found out that all the genetic testing came back normal, so that is always a relief to find out! Your heart rate was in the 140's and we get to see you on camera again on March 1st! Cannot wait!