Happy Birthday Sweet Mason

So by the title of this post, its obvious that Mason Andrew has arrived. This past week has been the most life-changing experience that I cannot even begin to put it into words. So I will avoid trying and just give you the birth story. There are some detailed pictures and explanation, so if you are sensitive, you should just quit reading now.

9/14/2011: I left work early and came home because I "just didn't feel right." Something was definitely off. Additionally, around 10 that morning I began to lose "the plug."

9/15/2011, 3:30 am: I called my sister because I was having contractions that I could still talk through, and I ended up calling the hospital to see if I should come in. Contractions were about 10 minutes apart, but not super intense. Mid-wife told me to keep my OB appointment, scheduled for 8:40 am that morning. It sounded like I was in early labor, just not active labor. Call back when you cannot talk through your contractions and they are 5 minutes apart lasting for around a minute each.

8:40 am: Saw Dr. R and found out we FINALLY made progress. I was still only a fingertip dialated, but Mason had dropped, and I was 50% effaced. While doing my internal, Dr. R said he was going to "help me out a little bit." So he began stripping my membranes, which I was not prepared for. These things take time to mentally prepare and therefore let out a "Holy $h!t." Keep in mind Dr. R is an elder in our church and serves communion. As soon as I realized what I had said, I immediately apologized. Dr. R told me that Mason could arrive today, tomorrow, or next week.

Throughout the day on Thursday, my contractions ended up picking up in frequency and intensity. However, I did make sure that my hair was trimmed, colored, and my eyebrows were waxed, so I went to the salon. Later that day, I was talking to a friend, and I could feel the contractions coming on, and I remember telling her to just talk to me for a minute bc I knew I was about to have to focus through these contractions. Later that afternoon, my MIL came down bc we were going to see "The Help," which did not happen, but she spent the night anyway. That night, Charlie and I went to bed around 10:30 am and while I was asleep, I still remember twitching my feet back and forth in bed trying to get through the pain of the contractions.

Friday, 9/16/2011: I finally got up around 12:30 am and decided that I would deal with the pain better if I could just walk it out. So I get my MIL and we go downstairs and start timing. The contractions were definitely lasting for at least a minute and were about 3-5 minutes apart. We called the hospital and were told to come in.

We got to the hospital around 2:00 am and was checked. I was dialated to 4 cm at this point and beginning to get nauseous from the contractions. The nurse (Cece) told me I was getting admitted. By 4:30 am I had my epidural, and was feeling great. Also my mom and sister had also arrived at the hospital drinking coffee, which I REALLY wanted to partake in. Labor began to stall out, so they started me on pitocin, and then I began feeling the contractions again....UNACCEPTABLE! So Dr. Doolittle (literally) came in and injected some added juice into my IV and within 5 minutes, I could no longer feel my legs. I was complete dead weight, and I had to have Charlie and the nurse move me from side to side to get the epidural evenly proportioned.

Around 8:30 am, the nurse began moving all this equipment into the room and I just remember thinking I cannot be this close bc I feel nothing. At 8:45 am, Beverly, my new nurse, checked me and told me I was dialated to 10 cm. I had a mild internal breakdown, and just kept reciting to myself "God give me peace, God give me peace, God give me peace." The next thing I know I was pushing at 8:50 am and Mason came into this world at 9:25 am on 9/16/2011.

Mason Andrew weighed 7 lbs 14 oz and was 19.5 inches long. He was absolutely perfect in everyway. I had an amazing birth team consisting of my mom, sister, MIL, and Charlie. They were incredibly motivating, which I think kept me determined to get my sweet boy out. Charlie did an amazing job, and thoroughly impressed me bc he can be quite squeemish with blood, needles, or just seeing me in pain. However, after the adrenaline wore off, he did get faint, which you will see in a picture below.

This past week has brought about SO many changes. It is the most rewarding, yet trying experience of my life. We are adjusting wonderfully and each day gets better and better. So far my favorite moment of each day is waking up at 5:30-6:00 am to breastfeed Mason and then he falls asleep on me. I love looking at Charlie (still asleep) and Mason (asleep) and feel the warm fuzzies on the inside bc of my love for my little family. So, here are some pictures of our sweet Mason aka little Charlie.

Falling in Love

Fall, also known as Autumn, is my absolute most favorite time of the year. Mason's impending arrival gives me another reason to add to my list of why I LOVE this time of year so, so much. Gosh, where do I begin to put all these wonderful thoughts of fall into words.

The most obvious sign of fall (to me) are pumpkins. Big, beautiful pumpkins can take you from September through Halloween and then to Thanksgiving. Picking out pumpkins is a favorite fall activity of mine, and while I would LOVE to take Mason to pick out pumpkins this year, chances are I will not wait on him to arrive to participate. Even if he is here, he will be too young to go along. The first picture below is from my in-laws church where they host the annual pumpkin patch. I am so pumped up to go and in case you follow my blog from our hometown, the pumpkin patch at BCUMC is scheduled to begin on September 24 @ 9:00 am.

Another sign of Fall season that I LOVE are the leaves. Being an Appalachian State alumni, I was spoiled for 4 years of the fall folliage season. At the time, it was annoying when all the tourists, more specifically Floridians, would drive up the mountain and slow down the flow of traffic. Looking back, it was all for a great cause as you cannot deny the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains covered in those beautiful autumn colors. Driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway during this special time was beyond magical.

Fall also brings about apple season. With Charlie being from Lincolnton, and me from a small town close to Lincolnton, its a yearly tradition to participate in the Lincoln County Apple Festival. There are tons of local vendors, local high school booths, the most amazing apple fritters, fried apple pies, and just socializing with those you don't have the opportunity to see everyday.

Speaking of apples, I have ALWAYS wanted to go apple picking. As in, Charlie and I drive to the mountains to an apple orchard and pick some apples. How much fattening foods could I make with all those apples?

I also LOVE the Fall season because I LOVE to decorate my porch with MUMS! They come in several different sizes and many fun, amazing Fall colors. I cannot wait to go and purchase some for my outdoor decor. I like to find random people set up on the side of the road selling mums becuase they have the best prices and best mum color selection.

If you know me, you know that I LOVE food. Who doesn't? Seriously, while eating breakfast, I am already planning supper. The Fall season brings about my most favorite tastes. For example, when I know my beloved Starbucks has released their pumpkin spice latte or their pumpkin muffins, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling on the inside. True story. This year, Dunkin Donuts also has released a caramel apple donut. So far I am about halfway through my first jar of apple butter and have some pumpkin butter lined up to consume in the very near future. Just the thought of sitting on my mom's front porch on a crisp morning, cup of coffee in hand, and some sort of fall-inspired food really gets me excited.

Fall smells (deep inhale, now exhale, ahhhh), from the smell of the first few crisp mornings, to the foods cooking/baking to the scents that I burn in my home; gosh it just does not get any better. Here are some of my favorite Fall scents: 1)Tyler Candles: Homecoming, Mulled Cidar, and Sour Cream Coffee Cake 2) Yankee Candle: Pumpkin Buttercream 3)Scentsy: Baked Apple Pie.

On to another Fall love: decor. I have already told you that I LOVE pumpkins, leaves, mums, but I also have been known to get crafty. Here is my latest project: the deco mesh wreath. This was my first experience making this type of wreath and I absolutely love how it turned out. Lastly, no porch is complete without the seasonal welcome mat.

Fall also brings about football. Whether its watching our USC Gamecocks play, taking a trip up the mountain to watch my beloved Appstate Mountaineers play, or taking a Sunday afternoon watching those Carolina Panthers play from Bank of America Stadium or from our couch in sweats and our jerseys; football season is simply amazeballs.

Another reason to love Fall is because I was a November bride. Yes, our anniversary is November 10, 2007...WOW 4 years married. That will be its own separate blog post, but its just another reason to add to my reasons to love Fall.

Pimp My Nursey....Giraffe Edition

So, Mason's space has been a work in process for a few months now. It seemed like it took forever to get the furniture in and there was such a lag between painting the crown molding and the furniture getting here. I needed everything to be completed before I posted pictures. So....without further ado, here is Mason's nursery.

PS~Blogger and I are not getting along with spacing tonight.

Mason at 36 Weeks

My sweet little man, our time exclusively together is nearing its end and I have very mixed emotions about it all. A huge part of me is so ready to share you with this world, but the other "selfish" part of me wants to keep our time together to just you and me. I am also nervous about life forever changing after you are here. We have no clue what its like outside of the bubble mommy and daddy have created for ourselves. I realize I will never want it any other way, but I am just so nervous about the next few weeks and all the changes that are to come.



It seems like yesterday I was stampeding back upstairs at 7:30 on a Saturday morning to tell your daddy about our positive pregnancy test. Your daddy was so overjoyed that we just layed in bed, held eachother, started making plans for you, and talking about how we never thought we would be pregnant again. For my birthday present, you informed us you were really there and could possibly have another sibling or two. On Valentine's Day, you confirmed that it was only you in there, tremendously easing your daddy's anxieties about multiples and minivans. You gave us the gift of your heartbeat; a sound I will never forget and always want to hear and the ultimate sound of love in our eyes. You were so strong and have always overachieved at your appointments giving your daddy and I such a comfort throughout your entire pregnancy. On April 1, you allowed us to see your sweet face for the first time and find out that you were our little boy. Your daddy had such pride when he was told he had a son. I will never forget that look on his face. Since then, I have never looked back and could not imagine things happening any other way. You were made for us and truly a promise from God.

Currently, your movements take my breath each and everytime. You LOVE to play the guitar with your feet in my rib cage. You give daddy and I a nightly performance with your football kicks and karate kicks....I think Daddy wants you to follow in his footsteps and be the kicker for your future football team. He is extremely excited to spend time with you and teach you about life and sports. He is so ready to have a playmate of his own, and it is absolutely the most comforting feeling in the world. He adores you and me infinitely. You love most meals, except you like to give mommy reflux when I eat my beloved Grape Nuts. You have even given me a half in/half out belly button, which is great bc it only means you continue to grow and progress. You LOVE to play in my ribs during my drives to work making it extremely difficult to check blinds spots when switching lanes, but its ok bc it means you are growing, moving, and doing what you should be doing.

My little man, I love you to the moon and back. I love to hug my tummy and feel you kick in return. We are incredibly blessed, beyond words, and there are so many people who eagerly await your arrival. Just always remember you are always special in my eyes, and I will everything I can to raise you using guidance provided by our Heavenly Father. He is after all the one who made all of this possible. So, keep on playing your guitar, poking out that sweet bunky, and practicing those football kicks; there is not too much longer and mommy and daddy get to hold you soon.








PS~You are going to LOVE your monkey themed bathroom.

Keeping Up with Kim K's Wedding

Before I complete this post, I have to say that I really am in a great mood. Today marks my first visit to a Le Leche League meeting at a local chapter, shopping, and going to my mom's for the remainder of the weekend. With that said....

I am REALLY glad I will not have a chance to watch television today or tomorrow. Why? I can only imagine the coverage that is to come of the Kardashian wedding. To be honest, yes, they did amuse me in the first season of their reality show...possibly the second season too. Today, I feel they have over-saturated every media outlet, are too in-my-face, and they cannot properly speak (for example the word "like" follows every other word out of their mouth). I believe this is an actual speech problem....seriously. What are they REALLY famous for anyway? Papa K (RIP) assisting OJ go free? Kimmie's sex tape? Kimmie' s trademark rear-end? These are not very merit-worthy accomplishments. What have they REALLY contributed to our society? I do wish anyone well on their wedding day; I just feel like this country treats them as some sort of royal family, and for what the reason is, I am unsure. I honestly LOVE celebrity gossip; its a guilty pleasure of mine, but I honestly skip over all Kardashian "news" bc they simply drive me nuts.

Ok, vent over. You gossip lovers, don't hate on me too badly!! Ya'll have a great day!!

My Favorite Things: The Pregnant Lady Edition

I just wanted to share with ya'll a few things (as in 15) that I cannot live without right now. In no specific order, here they are:

1) Yoplait Greek Yogurt, honey flavored. I am over Fage and Stoneyfield's versions of greek yogurt. Honey flavored Yoplait is where it's at.

2) Starbucks Oatmeal with fruit and nuts. I LOVE this on-the-go breakfast and its pretty darn good for you too. This is my first choice if I am running late with no time to pack my breakfast.

3) Starbucks Grande Skinny Caramel Steamer. Absolutely amazeballs!! There are some mornings I just need that hot beverage from my favorite coffee shop, but this way I skip out on the caffeine and get a ton of calcium.

4) The nursing bra. While this bra may look like a sixth grade PE bra; I can wear (and do) wear it now, but I plan on using it as my nursing sleep bra after Mason's arrival. Brand: Motherhood Maternity; price $19.99

5) Websites that sell normal clothes. Think http://www.thelimited.com/, http://www.loft.com/, http://www.target.com/, http://www.gap.com/, and http://www.oldnavy.com/. These websites are my outlet and allow me to dream about the non-maternity-clothes-world.

6) Klondike Bars. These are such a treat. Heath bar flavor is my favorite; although the Reese Cup flavor gives the Heath Bar a run for their money.

7) Mother's Special Blend Oil. This was recommended by a "Bumpie" and I absolutely LOVE it. There is no scent, it keeps me moisturized, and I have found I much more prefer oil over lotions and creams. Lotions and creams have started to make me feel sticky behind the knees, which I am REALLY paranoid about and cannot go to sleep if I have this condition.

8) Exfoliator. I have tried several scrubs and use exfoliating gloves when I use these scrubs. Next on my to-try list: Burt's Bees Sugar Scrub. I LOVE being freshly exfoliated and moisturized.

9) Highlighting Powder. I do not like bronzer as I am a fair skinned chica who does need to Jersery Shore herself up. I know, I know, some bronzers are for fair skinned ladies, but I am just not a fan. This summer, I have not been able to live without the MaryKay Highlighting Powder.

10) Mascara. A girl should never leave home without this on. Moving on.

11) Flats. This is all I have lived in this pregnancy. I am normally not a flat-wearing girl, but I may be somewhat converted....somewhat, not exclusively. My most recent pair purchased:

12) Prenatal Massages. I have only had one prenatal massage this pregnancy. However, I have booked a second one (complete with "cradle" pillow and all for 2 Saturday's from now).

13) Waxing. It may not feel great, but when you can't see what's going on downstairs; its always great to let someone help you out. In my case, I chose Gina from Dolce Lusso Salon and Spa.

14) Exercise Research. I LOVE (pre-pregnancy) finding new exercises and classes to take. I am super pumped to check out Hot Yoga and incorporate this back into my jogging, body pump, boot camp routine.....post baby.

15) Sleep. Enough said.

Some Thoughts for My Sweet Mason Man

I have said it before, and I will say it again, my drives to and from work are the most reflective part of my day. I am REALLY inspired and driven during the morning hours. On these drives, I have these repeating thoughts and visions about our Mason. He is usually waking up on these drives and I love to feel his morning stirring and imagine his space is starting to get quite cramped. I long to see and touch those sweet feet, knees, elbows, and pat that little booty that continuously pokes out during the day. I cannot wait for our first moment together skin on skin when I get to look that sweet boy in the face and see God's greatest gift to us; a combination of my completing piece (Charlie) and me. Tears fill my eyes as I think of those first moments together. I pray that I have the ability and patience to nurse him and provide him with all his nutrient needs. I picture the newborn days where we are both trying to educate the other on what the other needs and figuring each other out and the patience that I will acquire over those coming days. Visions of rocking him in his beautiful nursery and cuddling up on Sunday nights with his Daddy and me to watch movies (in his case sleep or feed or cry). I picture Sunday afternoon football games in our Panther gear or Duke basketball watching with Daddy in Duke attire. This child shall never want or need for anything as we cannot wait to give him the world. Waiting so long to share something like this with a precious soul is more than I can comprehend sometimes.


My sweet Mason, Mommy is so eager to meet you, hold you, soothe you, spoil you, nuture you, and show you the world. I pray for you daily and for a smooth arrival into this world. Keep puckering those lips, opening your eyes, and practicing your breathing sweet child and I will hold you soon.