A Dream Come True

...that's my life right now!

I have known I wanted to stay home with my children since the time I was a child myself. I struggled not being able to do that with Lily but my mom kept her which was the next best thing. I have written before about Mimi, who keeps Lily. She has become a part of our family and after keeping children for 30 years she is an expert and I turn to her for advice on a regular basis. When Cora came into the equation we knew in-home child care would be ideal but we didn't have an luck finding something like that. I put her on the waiting list at a "school" nearby but I guess you have to get on those things when you are thinking about having a baby because she was pretty far down the list. After talking about it, Pat and I decided I would stay home! My mom offered to help but I thought all week would be a little much for her. That's when we decided part time would work out best for us. I talked to my boss and after the initial surprise, he agreed! He also said because of the holidays and our slower schedule he wouldn't need me to start back until the new year! This makes the situation perfect -- I wont have to go back until Cora is 4 months, Lily will be able to continue to go to Mimi's with her friends and Cora will get one-on-one time with my mom! And most importantly I will have more time to spend with my girls! Dreams really do come true!

Now lets move on to what we have been doing lately. We had lots of visitors and tons of love from cousins and family. I love to hear the little ones say her name, "Towa"!

A girlfriend came in town to hang out and meet Cora. We took the girls for a walk to the end of the road to watch Pat jet ski and Lily decided she wanted to join in; another example of dreams coming true! Pat has been dreaming about riding with Lily and the fact that she initiated this time had him on cloud nine!

The next morning while we were away getting breakfast Cora had a blow out. I came home to this. She was wearing a hospital shirt and a diaper one size too big! LOL

We took a trip to Greenville to visit the Kenney's! Lily loves getting together with her cousins especially her "best friend, A-pri"! 

Look closely, even Cora has a frozen nightgown!

We spent a wonderful looong weekend at the lake!

And before I knew it she was a month old!

The visit with my friend I mentioned earlier -- that weekend changed the course of the last 6 weeks drastically. I will try to make a long story short: The dogs got out one night and after the first day of laying around I started to wonder about Molly. By the second evening I knew something was wrong when she wouldn't come inside. Pat carried her in and she continued the behavior into Sunday. She wanted outside and she was drinking but she wouldn't eat. Years ago Maggie acted the same way after a big weekend outside and after a few days at the vet and a big bill we were told it was a pulled muscle. So Monday morning I spoke to our vet and after running a few errands I went by and picked up some medication for her. When I got home I knew something wasn't right. I noticed that there was  something hanging below her rib cage. It seemed to be filled with fluid. After talking to friends we diagnosed it as an abscess. It turns out that the area I noticed was excessive fluid from the abscess that started between her shoulder blades. The news we got from the vet was nothing that I would have ever expected. Things had spread, the infection was in her blood stream and a large portion of the tissue had died. The first few days they kept her were dedicated to saving her life and removing the dead tissue. After a tumultuous 5 days we were able to go see her. I figured she would be on a table so I was very surprised to see her walk in the room to greet us. I had tried to prepare myself for what I was going to see and I was surprised how well I did. She was literally missing a portion of her body. The vet discussed letting the wound heal from the inside out but ultimate decided on trying to close it. Without seeing it you can not comprehend the severity of the situation, let alone understand what a major surgery this was. She had stitches from one side of her body around to the other (I will spare you the pictures). It ended up being 2 weeks and multiple surgeries before she was able to come home. What we went through when she came home is crazy to think about now. It was an extremely emotional time and considering it all happened 3 weeks after I gave birth didn't help. Thank goodness we adjusted to our larger household rather well because caring for Molly became all-consuming. Pat's work schedule has been crazy so I became the dog walker, caretaker and a wound specialist. I am happy to report that with the exception of one relatively small area everything healed with stitches. We have let that area heal on its own and it is healing so quickly that this last week Molly was released from her weekly checkups! Our vet is absolutely amazing! I am so happy to have my girl back and our family whole again! 

I feel like I need to do a little service announcement here. In talking to friends, an abscess didn't seem like a big deal, lots of peoples cats get them. Well, that isn't always the case and in our situation they are not always easily identified. I think any animal owner is pretty conservative about running their pet to the vet because of the expense but if they are acting out of sorts check their body (which we did), really look, touch and feel.

I took this picture when I noticed the fluid below her rib cage. 

It wasn't until we knew what was wrong that I noticed the abscess.

We still question what she got into but the vet said it was definitely not a domesticated animal, we thought it was a cat. So we are thinking snake, spider, coyote??? But there was no blood, no real noticeable bite. Who knows but whatever it was, did some serious damage and our waiting only made things worse. Just remember to thoroughly check your pets if they seem in distress.

Now for all things happy -- our girls! I keep waiting for Lily to get jealous or act out but I am continually impressed with her. She loves Cora so much and I never thought a 2 year old could be so helpful. The love is mutual and Lily can almost always soothe Cora until I can get to her. Lily does like to act like a baby every so often but she also pretends to be Mommy and Elsa and Cinderella so we go along with the baby thing. 

This night they were both asleep before I finished the first book! 

Hasn't happened again but I hold out hope that it will ;)

That's a  Little Mermaid band aid on her face! 

Peek-a-boo!

Doc McLily. (The doctor set she is playing with was mine from when I was little,

 probably my brothers actually. Friends are always surprised when they see it. I love the old toys!)

Cora: "I want to be just like you when I grow up!"

Cora is 2 months old! She is the sweetest; generously giving out smiles and coos. She loves her hands and watching her big sister. I am such a homebody and rarely went out with Lily but this little nugget is everywhere. And when I say little, I mean tiny! She weighed 8.13 (and I'm guess at that, I can't remember and I have no idea where I put her paperwork. Isn't that sad?! I can tell you how much Lily weighed at 2 months - 10lbs even). The pediatrician wanted to do another weight check a week later to be sure she was staying on her growth pattern, and she was. At that visit she weighed 9.3. She is our tiny bundle of joy!

Again, most of this post was written weeks ago so the timeline is completely off. We have had more birthdays, major changes with our big girl and a wonderful Thanksgiving! Continue to check because I will, one day, get you caught up on all of that!

Happy Labor Day!

And when I say Labor Day, I mean labor day! That's right, the newest member of our family arrived on Monday, September 5 at 8:30pm and IT'S A GIRL, Cora Belle Stier, 6lbs. 13 oz.!

We spent our last day as a family of three on the lake. We went to my parents by boat and enjoyed a beautiful day!

As I mentioned before, I have been on meds for preterm labor which I quit taking when my cerclage (the stitch to prevent my cervix from shortening) was removed at 37 weeks, Friday, August 26th. At my routine check my cervix was very thin but I was only 1 cm. In the wee hours of Monday morning I kept getting up to potty. At first I thought it was my usual deal, but after about the 5th time I wondered why my contractions were waking me up? Duh?! It finally dawned on me, I'm in labor! I got up around 5:45 and started doing dishes and laundry and anything to keep myself busy. When Lily woke up we hung out and cuddled over cartoons.

 A friend of ours entered Chapin's Labor Day parade and Pat was supposed to be Santa while Lily and I rode along with other friends. When he woke up I told him he could participate but I would be sitting this one out. (He thought it would be cool if we had to stop the parade because I was ready to have the baby) We all ended up staying home and Pat worked on getting some things done while I labored. By 10:30 the contractions were starting to get stronger so I sent my texts and made my calls to let everyone know. 

It is an interesting thing to do with a toddler around. I started off with a slight cringe, Lily responded, "You tired, Mommy? You go lay on the couch. Watch my movie." As things progressed I would get to hear, "Mommy, what you doing? Why you do that, Mommy?" repeatedly for 45-60 seconds! That helps you relax, let me tell you! By the time we were leaving my sweet little girl was saying, "Mommy, please don't cry. Don't cry, Mommy." 

As I entered the hospital I immediately had a contraction. As I braced myself on the wall to breathe through it, a women stopped to ask if I was okay. The timing couldn't have been better, she was a labor and delivery nurse that had just been called in. As we waited for the elevator Pat came in from parking the car. We followed her through the halls and in the back way. From there it was pretty routine. They checked me and got me to a labor and delivery room with an epidural on the way. My water broke during the epidural prep but I didn't realize that's what it was until the anesthesiologist was done. The nurse checked and I was 5 cm. The next time I was 8-9. This labor went so much more quickly than with Lily. That made me happy but I wondered if the delivery would be the same (quick and easy!)?  I was relieved that it was! Less than 5 hours after arriving at the hospital it was go time. Two pushes later I saw my baby! I was excited to have the same midwife I did with Lily. She instructed me to do as I did almost 3 years ago; I reached down and grabbed a tiny body pulling HER to my chest! She is perfect!

The moment Lily and Cora met was so much fun! Lily loves her! She cried, "My sister, my sister!" when they took her to the nursery for lab work. Over the last 5 days she has been a big help and doesn't seem to be phased in the shift of our household. I love when she looks at her and says, "Mommy, her so cute. Her so adorable!". Or, "Where's my baby?", "I want to hold my baby". I never had a sister so I am excited for them to have that special bond that only sisters do! I know there will lots of arguing and crying in our future but I am so happy to have 2 healthy, sweet and beautiful baby girls!

Everything went well with Cora in the hospital but just like last time, my body seems to think I gave birth to multiples. I am blessed with enough milk for 2 or 3 babies so we had a little setback in weight her first day home (due to my engorgement) but we worked it out and by the following day she gained almost 3 oz.! We have been doing great ever since. I also feel wonderful! (besides the few extremely uncomfortable days of being engorged) I have run a few quick errands and this morning we kept with our regular Saturday morning routine, plus one!

I am thankful everything went smoothly and everyone is happy and healthy. I am looking forward to settling into our new normal! In case you haven't seen enough...

When we brought Cora home Lily immediately ran to her and wanted to hold her.

Happy after bath time!

Our new bedtime routine.

Being smothered with love!

Lily made up a lullaby for Cora:

Don't cry baby,

Don't cry all day.

I right here all the days,

all the days.

All the days,

I'll be right here.

I'll be right here, all day, all day.

The End

*It took me a few days to finish this posts so the time frame might not be accurate. And for anyone interested in seeing all of the adorable videos I have taken, I have put them on YouTube!

So Long Summer

Summer sure did fly by! I am going to miss the long days, sunshine, swimming and all of the other things that make summertime so wonderful but for the first time I am actually welcoming the beginning of the school year! Being an orthodontics assistant, I spend quite a bit of time on my feet and hunched over patients. And with our grueling summer schedule, pregnant or not it is exhausting. This is what we have been up to the last few months...

We finished out July with our annual trip to Virginia Beach for the Building Materials Suppliers Association meeting.

Beach massages, toddler style.

Lincoln turned 1!

There were more lake days of course. Evening boat rides and watching the purple martins is one of my favorite things about summer.

This summer we learned that Molly is afraid of thunderstorms. She feels most secure in small, confined spaces. (For those of you that have not met Molly, she is not as small as she may appear in these pictures. She weighs almost 60 lbs. but she thinks she's a lap dog)

Lily has been sleeping in a "big bed" since Christmas but I decided against decorating her room because I knew we would be planning for another baby and I wanted to move her to the bigger room with the bigger closet when that time came. Well, I never imagined I would put it off this long but I have spent the last few weeks getting her room ready. I am still waiting on some fabric and pictures to come in but she has officially made the switch. She was not open to the idea of a new room at first. We have had her bed in there for a few months but anytime we would talk about it she would tell us, "This is where the baby is going to live." I was given the advice of waiting until the room was complete to show her, in hopes that it would be more impressive to her and it worked! Her reaction was priceless!

So that means I have spent my spare time preparing Lily's room and doing absolutely NOTHING for the baby. Luckily my mom is thinking ahead and offered to wash clothes and blankets for me. It is true what they say about the second baby...poor things are such an after thought. My pregnancy with Lily was so unconventional I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to carrying around all this extra weight. I figured at this point I would feel like most people, done. But I don't. I wouldn't mind another week or two; one, to get things done and two, to soak time with my family the way we have enjoyed it for the last 2+ years. I also feel great! I mean, my legs and feet hurt by the end of the day but I haven't had any back pain and overall my energy level is good. I saw the doctor on Friday and I am 70% effaced and 1 cm dilated so I guess it could be any day now! Thanks to my wonderful friends, diapers will not be a worry for me for a while. Last weekend, they surprised me with a shower! I'm not one to be easily fooled so I was in complete shock when we returned from our usual Saturday morning breakfast/peanut run to a house full of loved ones!

Our Saturday morning ride to breakfast!

Lily loved the shower, I think she thought it was for her. She wanted everyone to see her "beautiful room" and immediately put on her princess attire, complete with a dance performance. Not only does she make the perfect princess but recently she has become quite the ballerina. I definitely see dance classes in her future. She is also a very sweet and caring mama. I hope this continues when the real deal arrives!

Last nights performance was one of her best. The lighting was terrible and the staging could have been better but there is no denying the talent! ;)