Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The rest of our maternity photos!
Check them out at http://tisha.squarespace.com/blog/2010/6/29/sarah-maternity.html?lastPage=true#comment8839491!
Almost 10 years ago I met the Shuffield family in Brady, TX. I know there are a few people God has put into my life that I will forever be grateful for, and the Shuffields are certainly on top of that list. Tisha, Jimmy Jim, Garrett and Riley quickly became like family to me. I guess there are no words for how much they've helped me. In a short synapses, they became my FAMILY; they are the reason I was able to get into Texas Tech University and attend school for four years there, they have encouraged me, taught me, lifted me up (even when I didn't deserve it!), listened to me, forgiven me, been there for me and basically done everything else they could do for me.
Now, they have been the ones to document our pregnancy journey through their amazing photography skills. Can I say I'm BLESSED?! Chet and I do NOT make easy models to work with, yet they still made our shoot so fun.
Check out their work! You won't be disappointed. You'll be in awe!
We love you guys and can't wait for you to meet Holden! Maybe he'll be blessed enough to learn some things from Garrett and Riley!
Almost 10 years ago I met the Shuffield family in Brady, TX. I know there are a few people God has put into my life that I will forever be grateful for, and the Shuffields are certainly on top of that list. Tisha, Jimmy Jim, Garrett and Riley quickly became like family to me. I guess there are no words for how much they've helped me. In a short synapses, they became my FAMILY; they are the reason I was able to get into Texas Tech University and attend school for four years there, they have encouraged me, taught me, lifted me up (even when I didn't deserve it!), listened to me, forgiven me, been there for me and basically done everything else they could do for me.
Now, they have been the ones to document our pregnancy journey through their amazing photography skills. Can I say I'm BLESSED?! Chet and I do NOT make easy models to work with, yet they still made our shoot so fun.
Check out their work! You won't be disappointed. You'll be in awe!
We love you guys and can't wait for you to meet Holden! Maybe he'll be blessed enough to learn some things from Garrett and Riley!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Up close bedding shots
Some more wrinkly bedding shots...but this way you can see the patterns a little more.
Our colors are orange, deep yellow, robin's egg blue, brown and pea green.
Baby Room Update and Maternity Photos
Holden's furniture and bedding have both arrived! I REALLY love them and am excited to get his nursery started. These pictures are CERTAINLY preliminary and just a taste of what his room will eventually look like. I have SO much work to do and can't believe I'm brave enough to post these pictures on the INTERNET without it being anywhere near 1/2 way done! The bedding is NOT ironed and isn't even on the crib correctly. What kind of mama posts unironed bedding pictures?? Guess this mama does. I got too ansy to post pics finally....and too lazy to decorate and iron first. ;)
ALSO....yesterday we had the awesome opportunity to take our maternity pictures with Tisha and Jim Shuffield (check out their work at http://tisha.squarespace.com)! They met us in San Angelo and dealt with the extremely complicated/non-models that we are and the sweltering 100+ degree heat, yet STILL made it FUN to shoot and captured some super shots!!!! They truly are gifted and blessed at what they do. I can't wait to see all the pics! =) We also were able to hang out with the Shields while we were there, which is always the best! The Shields graciously "dressed" us (I borrowed a dress and jewelry from Stormy and Chet borrowed a shirt from James Allen), Stormy did my hair, and they let us use Asher's toys as props for the shoot...we couldn't ask for better friends! Chet and I are both kind of under the weather (a lovely summer cold), so I am praying we didn't spread germs to the Shuffields or Shields!
We drove back to Snyder late last night. I was so tired but just couldn't sleep because I felt such an awesome amount of gratitute for such wonderful friends. It was such an overwhelming feeling to know that we probably will never repay our kind friends for what they have done for us, and the friendship they give to us. We.Are.Blessed.Indeed. We love you Shuffields and Shields!
On to photos I suppose:
This is the changing table and hutch. The changing pad cover is not ironed and is over an old pillow. Also, I will decorate and re-arrange stuff on the hutch soon. This was just to put something up there for now. We will have a lamp on one of the shelves and stuff on top.
This is his crib and bedding. I will remove the candelabra above and his name will be written with Uppercase Living letters. We are still in a big debate over re-painting the room a light elephant grey. Opinions?! PLEASE let me know!
Night stand and where the glider/rocker and ottomon will eventually go. The chair is there to just "guage" room size. Also, the night stand will look like a baby's room night stand soon. Those items were just sitting on Chet's old dresser in the room before, and needed a temporary home.
View when you walk in. This is why I may paint it grey to neutralize it a bit.
This is a sneak peak of the shoot. Isn't it fun!? ;)
ALSO....yesterday we had the awesome opportunity to take our maternity pictures with Tisha and Jim Shuffield (check out their work at http://tisha.squarespace.com)! They met us in San Angelo and dealt with the extremely complicated/non-models that we are and the sweltering 100+ degree heat, yet STILL made it FUN to shoot and captured some super shots!!!! They truly are gifted and blessed at what they do. I can't wait to see all the pics! =) We also were able to hang out with the Shields while we were there, which is always the best! The Shields graciously "dressed" us (I borrowed a dress and jewelry from Stormy and Chet borrowed a shirt from James Allen), Stormy did my hair, and they let us use Asher's toys as props for the shoot...we couldn't ask for better friends! Chet and I are both kind of under the weather (a lovely summer cold), so I am praying we didn't spread germs to the Shuffields or Shields!
We drove back to Snyder late last night. I was so tired but just couldn't sleep because I felt such an awesome amount of gratitute for such wonderful friends. It was such an overwhelming feeling to know that we probably will never repay our kind friends for what they have done for us, and the friendship they give to us. We.Are.Blessed.Indeed. We love you Shuffields and Shields!
On to photos I suppose:
This is the changing table and hutch. The changing pad cover is not ironed and is over an old pillow. Also, I will decorate and re-arrange stuff on the hutch soon. This was just to put something up there for now. We will have a lamp on one of the shelves and stuff on top.
This is his crib and bedding. I will remove the candelabra above and his name will be written with Uppercase Living letters. We are still in a big debate over re-painting the room a light elephant grey. Opinions?! PLEASE let me know!
Night stand and where the glider/rocker and ottomon will eventually go. The chair is there to just "guage" room size. Also, the night stand will look like a baby's room night stand soon. Those items were just sitting on Chet's old dresser in the room before, and needed a temporary home.
View when you walk in. This is why I may paint it grey to neutralize it a bit.
This is a sneak peak of the shoot. Isn't it fun!? ;)
Sunday, June 13, 2010
First stay in a hospital
I'll start from the beginning I suppose, since this is a journal for Holden one day. On Wednesday evening I tripped going upstairs (yes, it takes special talent to be as clumsy as I am) at the bowling alley. We were with our UB students, so I didn't really think anything of it since it wasn't a bad fall, although it caused a lot of sharp pains in my abdomen. The pains didn't go away the next day and Holden didn't move that night, so I called my doctor's office on Thursday morning. They said a nurse would call me back, but I was so busy on Thursday with work that I didn't get a chance to answer their calls.
SO, by Friday (my only day off of the week), I didn't think anything of it and was just planning to spend the entire day cleaning my house and getting caught up. [Working as many hours as I do in the summer program, my house greatly suffers!] Well, a nurse called me so I called her back Friday morning. (I didn't want to leave them hanging...that would be rude.) I told her I was fine, that Holden started moving again and that the sharp pains had subsided. She said, "Great!" and we just hung up. No big deal. I felt all had been solved and that I was just going to continue cleaning that morning. 15 minutes later my phone rings from my doctor's office AGAIN. The nurse told me Dr. Perales insisted that I go up there to get checked. I thought it would be a ridiculous waste of time, since we are 90 miles away from Lubbock and I felt fine. (Yes, I told the nurse all that!) She told me Dr. Perales was insistent and that I needed to head to Labor & Delivery at Covenant asap. I hung up frustrated, since I had already been to Lubbock FIVE (yes, 5) times this week with work, etc. I called Chet and told him; he said the same thing, that it would be a waste of time and they'd let us go in 5 minutes after laughing at how unnecessary it was that I was there. He reluctantly decided to go with me...well I had to beg a lot before he did. I didn't want to experience L&D by myself for the first time. ;) Of course we didn't pack a single thing and I went with my greasy ponytail and just a little mascara on. Lovely.
They hooked me up to a contraction monitor and baby's heartbeat monitor when we got there. I was just in the "check up room" (I don't know the official name of the room) and just KNEW I'd be let go in a few minutes. The nurse (sweet Stacy!) told me if I had any contractions, Dr. Perales would make me stay overnight. They made me drink two glasses of apple juice and a cup of water so that I wouldn't get any false contractions due to being dehydrated. I told them I'd drink 10 cups of water if it kept me from having to stay. So hooked up we were. Chet left to get us some lunch because I was very hungry and grumpy by then.
Well, it turned out I was having contractions. My luck. SO...they drew 5 vials of blood, did a whole bunch of those fun "exams" and took those "fun" specimens (you moms out there know what I'm talking about). I was staying overnight. :(
I sent (again, BEGGED) Chet to go buy me some basics (i.e. makeup and a toothbrush). My sweet friend Stormy apparently had to guide him on the phone on what to buy. (THANKS STORMY!) My skin is very sensitive, so I was just hoping it would be okay with whatever he brought back, since I usually use Arbonne. [Never did really use the makeup, but I did appreciate the toothbrush!] I have a sweetie pie husband when he wants to be. ;)
While Chet was away they hooked me up to my very first IV. I guess they wanted me to get the full affect of being hospitalized, because I really think that wasn't necessary.
I was monitored and moved to room 315 overnight. The nurses were all precious and kind, so they made my stay very nice. They also all told me that Holden's heartrate was like a 34-week gestation baby, so that was very reassuring and wonderful to hear. Holden's heart is HEALTHY!!
In one of the urine samples they found blood though, so they thought I might have had a bladder infection as well. I don't have a bladder infection, but there is some "infection" they couldn't find. They started me on antibiotics for that.
The night was LONG, since I am a light sleeper and can't sleep with an IV and three monitors all hooked up, plus a nurse visiting every hour on the hour. I actually have NO idea how people ever sleep in a hospital bed. My husband sleeping on the couch besides me did not have a difficult time sleeping though, as his snoring was entertaining at least. ;) I am PRAYING that Holden gets his daddy's sleeping habits and NOT mine!
My contractions subsided by early the next morning (Saturday), so they said I could be discharged if Holden's ultrasound looked good. They wanted to make sure he wasn't in distress and that my amniotic fluid and cervix all looked ship shape. The u/s tech was nice enough to take a picture of his face for us. He always seems to be too curled up for a good face shot, so I was glad to get a decent-ish profile of our little guy.
We were discharged by the early afternoon. YAY for going H O M E! THANK YOU EVERYONE for all the prayers, love, sweet words and encouragement!! Y'all mean so much to us and we know God is the reason everything is okay! I am supposed to "take it easy" and drink lots of water....like I should be peeing every hour. I am going to try to follow my doctor's orders, as I do not want to spend another night in the hospital. Plus, we certainly need Holden to grow for a LONG time more before making his appearance!! It's really tough for me to not do as much, but I am making a real effort to do that. Holden is the most important person to me right now, and I need to rest for him. :) I go back for a "check up" sometime this next week, probably Thursday. They'll check on my cervix/contractions/infection and make sure all is still okay.
We attended the beautiful wedding of Bo and Jami's last night after coming home, but still ended up in bed at a decent hour. We slept 7 hours last night, which was the most I've had in about 2 weeks; SUCH A BLESSING!! I feel great today!
We sadly missed our nephew Asher's first birthday party in San Angelo, but we will see him soon to give him birthday hugs!
Our second week of the summer program starts tomorrow, so I plan to get to bed SOON! We work 7 days this upcoming week, and will be in San Antonio for the last couple.
This is a picture of our sweet little Holden at 27 weeks 4 days old on June 12, 2010. He weighed 2 lbs. 11 oz. Take a look at those CHUNKY cheeks!! He's already got his parents' cheeks. ;) I always love an opportunity to see our precious son! He's already changed us and is such a blessing!!
Yep, that would be my very first IV ever. I was told I have small veins and that it was a pain to put it in. I would say it was definitely more of a pain on me lol! ;)
This is proof that I should ALWAYS wear makeup and wash my hair...even when I am just taking a day to clean the house and get caught up. You never know what you will be doing. :) I had to document it though, since it was my first day/night in a hospital ever.
SO, by Friday (my only day off of the week), I didn't think anything of it and was just planning to spend the entire day cleaning my house and getting caught up. [Working as many hours as I do in the summer program, my house greatly suffers!] Well, a nurse called me so I called her back Friday morning. (I didn't want to leave them hanging...that would be rude.) I told her I was fine, that Holden started moving again and that the sharp pains had subsided. She said, "Great!" and we just hung up. No big deal. I felt all had been solved and that I was just going to continue cleaning that morning. 15 minutes later my phone rings from my doctor's office AGAIN. The nurse told me Dr. Perales insisted that I go up there to get checked. I thought it would be a ridiculous waste of time, since we are 90 miles away from Lubbock and I felt fine. (Yes, I told the nurse all that!) She told me Dr. Perales was insistent and that I needed to head to Labor & Delivery at Covenant asap. I hung up frustrated, since I had already been to Lubbock FIVE (yes, 5) times this week with work, etc. I called Chet and told him; he said the same thing, that it would be a waste of time and they'd let us go in 5 minutes after laughing at how unnecessary it was that I was there. He reluctantly decided to go with me...well I had to beg a lot before he did. I didn't want to experience L&D by myself for the first time. ;) Of course we didn't pack a single thing and I went with my greasy ponytail and just a little mascara on. Lovely.
They hooked me up to a contraction monitor and baby's heartbeat monitor when we got there. I was just in the "check up room" (I don't know the official name of the room) and just KNEW I'd be let go in a few minutes. The nurse (sweet Stacy!) told me if I had any contractions, Dr. Perales would make me stay overnight. They made me drink two glasses of apple juice and a cup of water so that I wouldn't get any false contractions due to being dehydrated. I told them I'd drink 10 cups of water if it kept me from having to stay. So hooked up we were. Chet left to get us some lunch because I was very hungry and grumpy by then.
Well, it turned out I was having contractions. My luck. SO...they drew 5 vials of blood, did a whole bunch of those fun "exams" and took those "fun" specimens (you moms out there know what I'm talking about). I was staying overnight. :(
I sent (again, BEGGED) Chet to go buy me some basics (i.e. makeup and a toothbrush). My sweet friend Stormy apparently had to guide him on the phone on what to buy. (THANKS STORMY!) My skin is very sensitive, so I was just hoping it would be okay with whatever he brought back, since I usually use Arbonne. [Never did really use the makeup, but I did appreciate the toothbrush!] I have a sweetie pie husband when he wants to be. ;)
While Chet was away they hooked me up to my very first IV. I guess they wanted me to get the full affect of being hospitalized, because I really think that wasn't necessary.
I was monitored and moved to room 315 overnight. The nurses were all precious and kind, so they made my stay very nice. They also all told me that Holden's heartrate was like a 34-week gestation baby, so that was very reassuring and wonderful to hear. Holden's heart is HEALTHY!!
In one of the urine samples they found blood though, so they thought I might have had a bladder infection as well. I don't have a bladder infection, but there is some "infection" they couldn't find. They started me on antibiotics for that.
The night was LONG, since I am a light sleeper and can't sleep with an IV and three monitors all hooked up, plus a nurse visiting every hour on the hour. I actually have NO idea how people ever sleep in a hospital bed. My husband sleeping on the couch besides me did not have a difficult time sleeping though, as his snoring was entertaining at least. ;) I am PRAYING that Holden gets his daddy's sleeping habits and NOT mine!
My contractions subsided by early the next morning (Saturday), so they said I could be discharged if Holden's ultrasound looked good. They wanted to make sure he wasn't in distress and that my amniotic fluid and cervix all looked ship shape. The u/s tech was nice enough to take a picture of his face for us. He always seems to be too curled up for a good face shot, so I was glad to get a decent-ish profile of our little guy.
We were discharged by the early afternoon. YAY for going H O M E! THANK YOU EVERYONE for all the prayers, love, sweet words and encouragement!! Y'all mean so much to us and we know God is the reason everything is okay! I am supposed to "take it easy" and drink lots of water....like I should be peeing every hour. I am going to try to follow my doctor's orders, as I do not want to spend another night in the hospital. Plus, we certainly need Holden to grow for a LONG time more before making his appearance!! It's really tough for me to not do as much, but I am making a real effort to do that. Holden is the most important person to me right now, and I need to rest for him. :) I go back for a "check up" sometime this next week, probably Thursday. They'll check on my cervix/contractions/infection and make sure all is still okay.
We attended the beautiful wedding of Bo and Jami's last night after coming home, but still ended up in bed at a decent hour. We slept 7 hours last night, which was the most I've had in about 2 weeks; SUCH A BLESSING!! I feel great today!
We sadly missed our nephew Asher's first birthday party in San Angelo, but we will see him soon to give him birthday hugs!
Our second week of the summer program starts tomorrow, so I plan to get to bed SOON! We work 7 days this upcoming week, and will be in San Antonio for the last couple.
This is a picture of our sweet little Holden at 27 weeks 4 days old on June 12, 2010. He weighed 2 lbs. 11 oz. Take a look at those CHUNKY cheeks!! He's already got his parents' cheeks. ;) I always love an opportunity to see our precious son! He's already changed us and is such a blessing!!
Yep, that would be my very first IV ever. I was told I have small veins and that it was a pain to put it in. I would say it was definitely more of a pain on me lol! ;) 
This is proof that I should ALWAYS wear makeup and wash my hair...even when I am just taking a day to clean the house and get caught up. You never know what you will be doing. :) I had to document it though, since it was my first day/night in a hospital ever.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Busy Update
These last few days have been a blur of activity for us. Last week was the week before our Upward Bound summer program, so we were just getting ready for that. Our AC has been out for the past several days (crossing our fingers that it will be fixed by tomorrow), so with these abnormally high temperatures, I'm learning how being pregnant in the summer is. Saturday and Sunday were over 100 degrees (Saturday was literally 110!) and today is in the high 90's at least. We've been sleeping with our windows all open, which Henri thinks is awesome! She gets to come and go oustide as she pleases. We happen to not find the heat at night quite as awesome.
Saturday I took two UB students to the Lubbock airport to fly to Washington D.C. While I was in Lubbock, I also went to my good friend Kimberly's baby shower. It was the most elegant shower I've ever been to, and I was SO glad to get the opportunity to visit with Kimberly and see her getting spoiled with baby stuff for her upcoming little boy, Kayden! After the shower, I enjoyed lunch with one of my very best friends, Valerie, and her husband Jerrod and their new little baby Jett Grayson. Jett is so stinking precious I can't even tell ya! What a fun afternoon it was to catch up with Val and hold such a sweet little baby! All these BABY BOYS!! Since one should never waste the opportunity to shop while in Lubbock, of course I did a little of that before heading home. ;)
Sunday was our 2nd anniversary and also the official start of the UB summer program. We went to church and then spent the rest of the day with our Upward Bound students. The Welcome BBQ turned out great, although very nice and HOT outside. This is a pic of me on Sunday before heading to the college....27 weeks pregnant.
Saturday I took two UB students to the Lubbock airport to fly to Washington D.C. While I was in Lubbock, I also went to my good friend Kimberly's baby shower. It was the most elegant shower I've ever been to, and I was SO glad to get the opportunity to visit with Kimberly and see her getting spoiled with baby stuff for her upcoming little boy, Kayden! After the shower, I enjoyed lunch with one of my very best friends, Valerie, and her husband Jerrod and their new little baby Jett Grayson. Jett is so stinking precious I can't even tell ya! What a fun afternoon it was to catch up with Val and hold such a sweet little baby! All these BABY BOYS!! Since one should never waste the opportunity to shop while in Lubbock, of course I did a little of that before heading home. ;)
Sunday was our 2nd anniversary and also the official start of the UB summer program. We went to church and then spent the rest of the day with our Upward Bound students. The Welcome BBQ turned out great, although very nice and HOT outside. This is a pic of me on Sunday before heading to the college....27 weeks pregnant.
Today we were back in Lubbock for several doctor appointments. I had my glucose test early and then visited with Dr. Perales. Baby Holden seems to be doing wonderful and now my appointments will be every two weeks. We have set an official "induction date" if he doesn't come any sooner: September 1st!! It's SOOOOO exciting to know we are less than three months away (86 days, but who's counting, right?)!! I love that his birthday might be exactly one month before his daddy's birthday (Chet's is October 1st). We also spoke with an anesthesiologist about getting an epidural. Dr. Perales had mentioned since the beginning of my pregnancy that because I broke my neck back in 2008, I may not be a good candidate for an epidural. This scared me to say the least...I am NOT a hero or a natural birth champion...I am a WIMP actually and really wanted an epi to help me ENJOY his birth. Well....the anesthesiologist is my HERO today!!! He said there is a 95% chance that I will be receiving an epi, so now I officially feel "ready" for Holden to get here!! YAY! =) All that done and then Chet and I celebrated by buying Holden's crib mattress and eating at Olive Garden (Olive Garden probably doesn't help at all since I'm about 4 lbs. above the maximum weight gain so far, but it was sure tasty!!).
We are sadly going to head back up to Lubbock TOMORROW (yes, again) for a memorial service. Our good friends, the Andrews, lost their daughter Sharyl to cancer. I say "lost", but I probably should say that she is now with her Saviour. We are SO sad for the Andrews and know there is nothing we can do but pray for them. Sharyl is out of pain and reunited with her King and Lord, but the pain the Andrews are feeling must be so incredible. I am sad every time I think of them.
Needless to say, I have the VERY MOST AMAZING BOSS AND JOB in the entire world. We are in the insanely hectic start of our Upward Bound summer program, and she is willing to let me go to Lubbock and be off all day today and all of tomorrow afternoon. I can't be more thankful to be in a job with such a caring, loving, understanding boss.
On a happy note: our bedding should be here by Thursday this week; it's shipping out tomorrow from Canada. I'll post pictures of it as soon as it arrives.
The rest of this week should just be tons of work. I will be catching up quite a bit from all this time away. I love our summer program...it'll make this pregnancy fly by even faster!
2 Years of Joy!
Yesterday was our 2nd anniversary (6/6/10). I have truly never been happier in my entire life and love Chet more and more (if that's even possible) every single day! Two years ago we would never have dreamed we were about to be parents, but here we are!! I know for a fact that I couldn't be on this parenting journey with any better person. When GOD puts two people together, the marriage is exactly what it should be. Yes, we are not perfect and have our ups and downs, but we are so in love and can't wait to spend another bajillion years together. (I think bajillion is another word for eternity!) ;)
We didn't really "celebrate" our anniversary, because it was also the first day of my summer program at work, but we just enjoyed being with each other for a small part of the day. It was a VERY hectic work day to say the least, but all was good. Here is a terrible self-timer portrait, then zoomed in to be blurrier. ;)
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Memorial Weekend 2010
This weekend we was such a fun one in San Angelo at the Shields home! They are truly a gift from God to us as friends! We're so close and love our times together! On Monday (Memorial Day), Charys, Scott, Kayson and Cohen joined us for a few hours. It was really neat to have everyone together!! The boys were so busy!
This is Kayson and Asher (3.5 years and almost 1 year)
Stormy and Cohen with me
My precious little Cohen, almost 4 months
Chet was able to meet his nephew for the FIRST TIME! :)
Getting to know each other (Cohen is handsome as always...but Chet's wife did NOT dress him yesterday...just a disclaimer)
Leaving each other's company is always sad. I was in a "funk" on the drive home, since I miss the Shields and Ballems so much when we are not together, but I know it just makes our times together so much sweeter! We love you guys!!
This is Kayson and Asher (3.5 years and almost 1 year)
Stormy and Cohen with me
My precious little Cohen, almost 4 months
Chet was able to meet his nephew for the FIRST TIME! :)
Getting to know each other (Cohen is handsome as always...but Chet's wife did NOT dress him yesterday...just a disclaimer)
Leaving each other's company is always sad. I was in a "funk" on the drive home, since I miss the Shields and Ballems so much when we are not together, but I know it just makes our times together so much sweeter! We love you guys!!
After a fun and busy weekend, it's back to work and the usual for the Erwins...
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