Ford's birth story in pictures....

Grandparents make everything all better......

(or in my case, parents...)

My parents arrived in San Antonio on Tuesday night and of course we went straight to the hospital to visit sweet Ford. I think it's safe to say they are smitten. 

And Mommy is ecstatic to have some extra hands and extra love! 

Yay for Family!!!! 

In other news, Baby Ford comes home in two days!

(but whose counting??)

An update on Baby Ford.....

This past weekend has been a wonderful and yet crazy blur. Ford had a few MINOR complications during birth and we've been having to work through them slowly but surely. To make a very long story short -- meconium was present in my amniotic fluid during labor (meaning Ford had a bowel movement in my uterus) on top of that, the doctors underestimated his size, so my active labor (Ford's time in the birth canal) lasted much longer than they anticipated---they just let me keep pushing and pushing and pushing thinking he would crown any minute, unfortunately he was just too big for my small frame! Finally after three hours of extensive pushing and no progress, the doctor performed an episitomy and removed Ford with forceps. Had they known his size, they would've done an episitomy WAY sooner and in all actuality probably would have had me deliver via cesarean.... Yep, he's one BIG baby! And Mama is on sore woman!!!!!

Post birth, his initial examination looked good and he scored a 9/9 on his APGAR making the doctors think all was well and maybe we were in the clear. However during further examination, they found a pretty good amount of fluid in his lungs (due to his extended stay in the birth canal) but it didn't appear that the fluid was tainted with meconium- so all and all, he was looking good and treatable...... But then, while he was still in the nursery, Ford's oxygen count dropped a few times and it never made it back where they wanted it to be. They  decided Ford was not quite ready to be released into my room, so was sent over to the NICU for further observation and treatment for his lungs.  He progressed well and as of today all of the fluid is now gone from his lungs.  Thank goodness. 

However, there was/is still the question of leftover bacteria in his lungs..... after much deliberation and discussion the doctors have decided to keep Ford for an additional five days and administer  a prophylactic antibiotic, just in case. To put it into context, if an adult has a sinus infection, the doctor would give you an antibiotic and you'd get better.  Well, Ford can only take antibiotics through an IV, so they need to keep him until Saturday to complete his full round of antibiotics for his "possible" bacterial infection. 

With all that being said, although he's on the mend, we won't be able to take him home until Saturday. I cannot express to you how hard it is to prepare and leave tonight knowing that my little guy has to remain behind hooked up to an IV. I am literally tearing up while writing this. I know it is the right thing to do and that he's going to be fine, but gosh as a new Mom the last thing I want to do is leave him all alone..... this is so hard. 

Thank you all for your continued love and support. I'm sorry I haven't been much for talking the last two days, like I said, it's been exhilarating and wonderful being a new Mom, but also overwhelming. Having to make all of these essential medical decisions so quickly while trying to just master the "diaper" and all the other normal New Mom things has been tough, but I wanted to at least fill you in on how my little man is doing. In the meantime here are a few more sweet pics of our adorable baby.....

Gosh, I can't wait to take him home..... 

Is it Saturday YET!?!?!?!?!

Hello to our miracle.....

Time it was I had a dream

And you’re the dream come true

And if I had the world to give

I’d give it all to you

I’ll take you to the mountains

I will take you to the sea

I’ll show you how this life became

A miracle to me

You’ll fly away but take my hand until that day

So when they ask how far love goes

When my job’s done you’ll be the one who knows…. 

Introducing Ford Burton Deneault, born on Saturday April 23d at 5:55AM

21.5 inches and 9.3 lbs.

13 hours of labor.... 

3 hours of pushing....

SO WORTH IT 

Do you have friends that inspire you?

As I've mentioned on my blog multiple times, I'm lucky to have many incredible women in my life; both family and friends. All of them completely different and all of them taking completely different life paths and experiencing very different things. Lately, I've truly been inspired by some of the situations and experiences they've had and the grace and determination they've shown. Not to sound like a Mom, but I'm proud of them. Proud that there my friends and proud that they are more accomplished than they even know. In particular, today, I'm thinking about my friend Megan......

Megan made an extremely bold move two years ago across the country to Denver, Colorado, completely out of the blue! To our shock that Florida girl just picked up and decided she needed a change. Done. We were all in awe.... ( I couldn't do that!!!) Now fast forward 2 years and she's hit a bit of a rough patch....

Without going into too much detail (it's her story to share), some people have been pretty "crappy" to her. As she told me the story, my blood just BOILED. I wanted to scream at these people!! Later, after we talked and I reflected on our conversation, I was/am just amazed at her kindness and composure. How she can look at a situation and still see the cup half full. I am not that kind or that understanding. Megan is.

Megan inspires me to be kinder. To reflect on "why" people do the things they do and to not judge so quickly. She's much stronger than she will give herself credit for and I know that although the road seems dark right now, she will figure out a way to make it better and will be a stronger person for it. After all, it's easy to be mean and jump to  a quick reaction; it's much harder to reflect, move one and still maintain a great attitude. Simply put, Megan is amazing.

What about you? Do you have a friends that inspire you?

All my bags are packed......

I'm ready to go......

Ok, so I am a bit of a nut. I have packed and repacked my hospital bag and new diaper bag 5,000 times this week! But now, I think it's officially safe to say, I'm ready! 

Ms. Erin over at Blue Eyed Bride blogged about her hospital bag "must haves" awhile ago and I've got to say I found this list VERY helpful. You can find her list here.  She's a Mommy of an almost two year old with another little munchkin on the way! So she's most definitely in the "know!" 

In other news, you can also see I FINALLY found a diaper bag!!! I really had commitment issues on this subject!  As most of you know, much to my husband's dismay, I'm a Louis Vuitton FREAK.  I don't think he realized that once he bought me my first one three years ago what a can of worms he'd be opening!!! That said, I do have soooommeeee restraint and was not about to fork over the bajillion dollars for their version of a diaper bag which really folks after touching, feeling, and contemplating this purchase, it really isn't a very good diaper bag.... even though it is BEEEE-AUTIFUL! 

I finally settled on a Petunia Pickle Bottom Bag..... BUT when it arrived and I saw all the big flower designs up close and personal and heard the noise the velcro makes when you open it( which many people had already warned me about)- I quickly decided this wasn't for me either.... 

Enter Kate Spade..... I found the above beauty at the Outlets in San Marcos and I've gotta say, I drool! (Thanks to my friend Lisa for the suggestion!!) I love it! It looks like a purse BUT still has the convenience of a diaper bag- waterproof lining, stroller straps, and a diaper pad. Heart! I also love that the design is simple and preppy. I'm just not into those big bright and bold screamingly BABY diaper bags.  Kate Spade was/is the perfect fit for me! 

So, Ford feel free to grace us with your presence at anytime because we are packed and ready for you kid!!!

Thank goodness for...... YOU!

Well, yesterday I had my last OBGYN appointment and found out that my body is nowhere near ready to give birth to baby Ford and in fact my Doctor wasn't sure if it ever would be.... (yikes!)..... that said, we have scheduled an induction for Monday, April 25th.

I have to admit, I was kinda bummed that I wouldn't experience the whole thing naturally, meaning the excitement of " Wow, these are contractions!" or " Oh wow, my water just broke!" I was/ am also a little scared of the induction because of some of the stories I've heard of prolonged labor, more severe contractions, etc. but as my husband lovingly reminded me last night, there are just some things you can't control, let the doctor and God take it from here..... so that's what I'm doing (or at least I'm going to try :)). And thankfully I've got wonderful people like you in my life who have been encouraging me along the way!

Yesterday was a tough day and left me feeling kinda down in the dumps; however, it was also a reminder of how lucky I am. My phone was filled with voicemails and text messages and my facebook jammed with sweet notes and comments from all of my friends and family near and far offering suggestions, support, and love. It definitely helped me work through my frustrations :) So thank you! One way or another, he'll be here next week and that's the important part :) Thanks for supporting me!

It also, just so happened that a little gift from my hubby coincidentally arrived in the mail yesterday afternoon. It was so out of the blue and so thoughtful that it kind of caught me off guard!? Talk about perfect timing, it was a perfect pick me up! How sweet is this bracelet?

It's a sterling silver cuff with my sweet child's name on it, love it! I have had my eye on something like this for awhile and my hubby found a cute little shop that has lots of sweet jewelry and gifts for weddings/babies etc. Check out this talented designer here. I may just have to become a regular customer, her stuff is so adorable!

Entering "Freakdom"

This past week has been tough. 

Anxious, does not even begin to mildly define the roller coaster of emotions I've been feeling. I am a thinker, a what-ifer, a planner, a worst case scenario"er"..... etc.... It's like a flood, that I just can't stop. So, last week I focused on a goal to distract myself..... Operation Get This Baby Out..... I tried everything I could to make baby Ford come early (as I explained in my posts last week) and obviously nothing worked. Now, here comes my due date (tomorrow) and I am an absolute nervous wreck. 

What if he doesn't come

What if I have to induce

What if there are complications with me

What if there are complications with him

What if the epidural doesn't work

What if he's not really 6 lbs and turns out to be huge (I'm small people!)

What if my water breaks and I don't realize it

What if I have to have a c-section

..... Can they put me to sleep if I have to have a c-section

What if I freak out about breast feeding?

.....Does that make me a bad Mom

What if there are complications after the birth

etc. etc. etc. 

Argh..... Currently lost in my emotions, please pray he comes soon before my mind sends me into a downward spiral into the pits of "freak-dom" 

(Hah, I just re-read my post.... it might be safe to say I've already gone down the spiral.....)

Are You Going to Kiss Me or Not?

So I heard this song for the first time on the radio the other day and I had to smile.... This song makes me think of Tyler and I when we first met and I have to laugh when I look back at the "rocky" start we got off to and some of the "fumbles" we've had a long the way.  Needless to say, I knew from the second I laid eyes on this man that he HAD to be mine. Stalker? Yes. I just knew. He however, wasn't immediately as sold (jerk!). Little did he know how much he was going to love me :). 

Anyways after two and a half weeks of "quazi"dates. He STILL had not kissed me..... I was going nuts! So finally I looked at him and said these exact words...."are you going to kiss me or not?" And since then, that's pretty much how are relationship has gone, me making comments like, "So are we going to move in together or not?" "Are we going to get married or not?" "Are we going to have a baby or not?" Hubby always needs a little extra loving nudge (heehee or push) from me :) 

Are You Going To Kiss Me Or Not? 

We were sittin' up there on your momma's roof
Talkin' bout everything under the moon

With the smell of honeysuckle and your perfume

All I could think about was my next move

Oh, but you were so shy and so was I

Maybe that's why it was so hard to believe

When you smiled and said to me...

Are you gonna kiss me or not

Are we gonna do this or what

I think you know I like you a lot

But you're 'bout to miss your shot

Are you gonna kiss me or not

It was the best dang kiss that I'd ever had

Except for that long one after that

And I knew if I wanted this thing to last

Sooner or later I'd have to ask

For your hand

So I took a chance

Bought a wedding band

And I got down on one knee

And you smiled and said to me

Are you gonna kiss me or not

Are we gonna do this or what

I think you know I love you a lot

I think we've got a real good shot

Are you gonna kiss me or not

So, we planned it all out for the middle of June

From the wedding cake to the honeymoon

And your momma cried when you walked down the aisle

When the preacher man said say I Do

I did, and you did, too

Then I lifted that veil and saw your pretty smile

And I said...

Are you gonna kiss me or not

Are we gonna do this or what

Look at all the love that we've got

And it ain't never gonna stop

Are you gonna kiss me or not

Yeah baby I love you a lot

I really think we've got a shot

Are you gonna kiss me or not

Happy Weekend! 

Because I love a good monogram!

Ok, so just because I'm a little anxious and right now I can't seem to wrap my head around anything other than childbirth I thought I would share a few of my favorite etsy finds thus far for baby Ford's wardrobe. I'm keeping all his hospital and coming home outfits to myself until the big "Hello World!" but here are a few that he'll be wearing soon after that...... how cute, I heart etsy!

Totally preppy, totally adorable, and totally comfy! Love, love, love! If you want to check out these gals websites go here , here, or here ! So talented! 

Voodoo Mama

Uncomfortable is an understatement. 

Can't sleep, can't make my stomach ache go away, can't move (I'm so swollen) etc. etc. 

I've got the pregnancy blues...... 

That said, I've been trying everything and anything to get this baby to pop! Well, everything that's doctor approved :). I'm taking the evening primrose oil, I'm squeezing my pressure points, I'm eating spicy foods, I'm walking three times a day, etc. 

Yesterday I had a prenatal massage where I told them to go all out and massage all my pregnancy trigger points.  It was the MOST uncomfortable massage ever and still..... no baby...... ARGH.

In other news, the nesting has definitely kicked in. I ironed ALL of Ford's baby clothes yesterday. Why, a newborn needs his clothes ironed is beyond me, but I don't have a nursery to rearrange, so ironing it is! 

Come on kiddo, Mommy's waiting!!!

People can be ridiculous!

Ok here's me on my soap box.... again (fair warning)

So this morning, everyone is up in arms over a picture featured in the Spring Crew Cuts Catalogue.

It's a picture of J.Crew designer Jenna Lyons and her son, horsing around with pink nail polish and yes his cute little toes are painted pink. People are complaining that this "confuses" children and this is a major reason for new "gender issues" and confusion in the USA. Parents have a responsibility, blah...blah...blah.....Well here's what I've got to say..... if you truly think that- your an idiot. 

I'm sorry, but a five year old kid is NOT confused about who he/she is. Their learning who they are for pete sake. their exploring their gender, their Mom's gender, their Dad's gender.... they have no idea the definitive lines (according to American standards) of each gender and at five I don't think we need to beat that into them. Let kids be kids. I'm not saying it's not your right as a parent to decide what your kid will and will not play with BUT what I am saying is it's not your right to judge other parents for the choices they make in this regard. 

And furthermore, what irritates me even more about the matter is if this was a picture of a little girl playing trucks with her Dad or digging for worms with an older brother, no one would bat an eyelash. It's hypocrisy at it's finest. My sister was the biggest tom boy known to man when she was a kid. In fact, I'd venture to say she had more boy friends than girls. She LOVED digging for worms,  playing trucks and getting dirty AND GUESS WHAT??? She's not a lesbian!?! To assume that the toys and games we play as children have anything to do with the gender we relate to best as adults is ludicrous. Again, let a kid be a kid. If Ford wants me to paint his toe nails... I'm going to paint his stinking toenails.  

Argh.

Ok, Getting off my soap box now....

No progress!

So I had my weekly OBGYN appointment this afternoon and as far as she could tell there's been NO progress from last week. So, I'm currently hanging out- 50% effaced. ARGH..... 

There may be nothing going on down there, BUT in other news--- I'm as swollen as a hot dog! I feel like I could burst out of my skin at any second! Check out this hot picture of my piglets..... cute huh?

Yah, not so much. Ouch, ouch, ouch. I don't care what you may or may not have been told about pregnancy or experienced during your own pregnancy--- there is NOTHING glamorous about your last month of pregnancy. In fact, it's just plain miserable, uncomfortable, and awful.

The good news is,  my doctor said Ford's head is super super low, so when I do decide to dilate, it could go pretty "fast" So she told me to get walking! But with swollen feet like this, I'm not sure how much walking I'll be doing!? We'll see.... cross your fingers. 

Until then I'm trying every natural method of inducing possible!!!!!

Things I Cherish....

Since I can remember my Grandpa has sent cards. Not only does he send them for traditional holidays like Christmas and Birthdays, he sends them for Valentines Day, Easter, St. Patrick's Day, 4th of July, Halloween etc. So it came as no surpise when yesterday I got a card in the mail from him and opened it to find this....

Can you read it? Just in case, it says....

Dear Tyler and Crispin,

 Needless to say we are all awaiting the "NEWS." I like the name Ford. I bought 1,000 shares of his stock. Already he's a winner! 

All the Best, Love Grandpa

Hah! I laughed out loud. This is definitely getting framed and put in Ford's nursery. My Grandpa also wrote Tyler and I a poem when we got married and that'll be hanging somewhere in our new house too! I absolutely adore getting his mail. So sweet and definitely something I've grown to cherish! 

Home News!

Ok....so the inspection came back on the house with a view AND........ had minimal things wrong with it AND the seller was/is willing to work on those things! YAY! Tyler and I are breathing a huge sigh of relief and are very excited for our impending close date of May 4th! Yes, that's correct you read that right May 4th! So yes, I will have delivered a baby 2 weeks prior (if he's relatively on time) and be moving immediately after.... fun! I love seeing people's reactions when we tell them this- they look at me like I'm insane, which clearly, at this point, I probably would have to agree, but I mean, what's a girl to do? It is what it is :) Luckily for me I've got great family on both sides coming in to help in shifts starting with my parents, so we should have lots of hands! We are lucky! 

In other news, our friends and newest neighbors, John and Megan took us out last night to a Pizza joint called Fralo's. Folks, let me just tell you it was the COOLEST place ever. I am so excited to be able to hang out there! Look at this picture, it's kid and dog friendly and BYOB if you want!  All the locals just pull their cars up and come on in, they play Live Music every night! (Susie and Ford-- I IMMEDIATELY thought of you!) It reminds me of something out of Sweet Home Alabama or Hope Floats, it's awesome! Not to mention, George Strait lives right around the corner and frequents this local haunt..... not going to lie, that kinda makes me weak in the knees! :) 

Things are looking up in the Deneault household! 

Have a great weekend! 

Last few weeks of pregnancy......

So here I am in all my 38 Weeks of pregnancy glory....... READY TO POP! 

To all the girls that have never been pregnant, TRUST me-- time your pregnancies so you are NOT preggo in the middle of summer! It's only April and I am DYING of heat stroke. Our thermostat is currently at 67 during the day and anywhere between 60-64 at night. Hence the picture of our dog all bundled up. Last night Tyler felt her and she was LITERALLY shivering. Me of course, still sweating. 

I am SO ready for Ford to jump out of my body and into my arms!

Pray he's healthy AND early!!!

Here comes the bride......

One of my oldest and best friends is getting married! She got engaged on Sunday and I am ecstatic! 

Katie and I have been friends since we were 15 years old. You can imagine the dirt we've got on eachother :) Not only have we been friends, but we've been such good friends that I honestly cannot recall a time where we've ever "not talked" because of a fight or an argument. We've grown together, which I consider to be a huge accomplishment considering how many people come in and out of our lives and people that you "thought" you'd be friends with forever, have gone by the wayside. 

Katie and I have seen each other through some of the best of times and some of the worst of times. Her family is like my family and ditto goes for her! My Mom refers to Katie as her "other daughter!" She gets me better than most and loves me just the same. We couldn't be more opposite and yet together, we make the perfect pair! She's the closest thing I have to a sister, other than my real sister, of course! 

I am so excited for her. She is marrying a WONDERFUL guy and I am so excited to be able to watch her go through this special time in her life! She's going to be a beautiful bride and Pete is one lucky guy, If I do say so myself. :) 

Pete, one piece of advice, even if she says she's not hungry at a restaurant-- order this girl a meal, otherwise SHE WILL EAT YOURS, ALL OF YOURS..... just saying..... :)

Because I'm that kinda gal....

So, one of the special requests from the hospital where I'll be delivering is that if we bring our own pillows, the pillow cases can not be white, so they don't get confused with the hospital pillows. So, of course me being the type A personality that I am, of course I didn't just buy a different color, I bought a different color AND embroidered them..... lame, I'm sure, but hey-- you only have your first child once :)

via

Sweet Gifts...

Tyler and I were up in Fort Worth last week to meet the movers and pack up all of our stuff for storage. It was a crazy week, but while we were home our yard man brought over an adorable blanket that his sweet wife had made for baby Ford. I cannot get over how intricate the details are, it's a work of art (here's a  close up).....

When T and I got home we also had a package waiting for us at our Apartment Complex's front desk, in it we found an EXTREMELY nice gift from Tyler's surrogate mother. I about fell over because everything she picked out were things that I have been DROOLING over at Best Dressed Child . 

Did you notice that some of the collars have been monogrammed too? DYING! I can't wait to put my sweet baby boy in these! 

I've said it before but I'll say it again. Ford is so lucky to have so many people who already love him so much! I can't wait for him to meet you all!

Maybe ????

Ok, so during our millionth house hunting adventure yesterday..... we came  across the most magnificent view! In a custom home, by the builder we love, in a neighborhood where we already have a friend..... If there was EVER a time to jump into the "Burbs" it would be now.... T and I have a lot of discussing to do and ultimately a huge decision to make, BUT I ask you.... who wouldn't drool over a view like this???? I mean, what a place to drink a cup of coffee? Or even better a glass of wine (or two :)) !?

Contemplating....