Sibling Gifts, A Few Visitors, and Heading "Home"...

Sweet sister got her big brother some prizes to celebrate her arrival, and Travis picked baby girl out her first doll.  Of course, Travis was happiest with the hospital phone.

Travis "sharing" with Maryn.

We had an amazing amount of friends and family visit us in the hospital, but apparently also had a crappy picture taker to document everyone.  Second kid definitely already getting documented less.  Here are just a few of many of special people that came to shower us with love.

Maryn's first gentleman suitor.  Maryn was the last (and biggest and only girl) of four births in June in our Sunday School class.  They are trying to make their move early!

We were discharged on Tuesday morning, and we loaded into the car about 30 minutes before our scheduled C-section time.  Most definitely the Lord's poetic justice on the whole situation.

Let's blow this joint!!

Hello ankles - I've been missing you!

Apartment "Home" #2103

Xoxo,

Gara

She's Here ... and We Are "Home".

Maryn Rochelle Hill

arrived at 7:42 am on Sunday, June 12th, 2011

weighing 8 lbs 6 oz. and measuring 21 inches long

looking angelic, squacking like a duck, sporting a piggy nose, and looking remarkably similar to her mama. 

Cliff's Notes Birth Story:  I started having contractions about 3:30 on 6/11/11 (her due date), we left for the hospital about 12:45 am, and she arrived about seven hours later the "ol' fashioned way".  We came home yesterday around lunch time (we left the hospital about 30 minutes before our scheduled c-section time - God's poetic justice does not disappoint).  The birth story is beautiful and emotional and perfect, and we look forward to getting it written and sharing it soon.  The Lord was so present and so faithful, and we are so in love with our baby girl!  Thanks to all who prayed for us during this journey - there is no doubt that we were (and are) surrounded by God's love and the prayers of so many of His believers.

A few pics from Sunday!

 

Busy week ahead - moving day is Saturday!

Xoxo,
Gara

39 Weeks

How far along?: 39 weeks. 
Total weight gain: 47 lbs. (still nine less than when I delivered Travis)
How big is baby?: Huge, ginormous, basically a 3 month old...  :)  Well, hopefully not, but the growth ultrasound at 37.5 weeks put her at 8 lbs. 7 oz. and 20.8 inches long.  Her head was 98th percentile, abdomen was 95th percentile, and all her limbs were greater than 80th percentile.
Stretch marks?: Convinced I can feel and hear them popping up now...  She may try to be making her escape thru my belly button.
Sleep?: Almost takes act of congress to get me out of bed.  B so graciously leans over and shoves me when he stirs with my grunting
Best moment this week?: Sending out my prayer requests and getting some amazingly loving and uplifting responses and Travis's new infatuation with "eyelash" kisses.  Love that monkey!!
Movement?: Plenty
Food cravings?: Root beer
Labor signs?: I'm making a little progress on the dilation front.  Totally tweaked my back the other day and thought it might be "it", but it was in fact just a tweaked back
Belly button in or out?: Flat and freaky shiny
What I miss: Caffeine
Milestone: Getting bags completely packed!

Xoxo,
Gara

Prayers for Maryn’s Birth

It is hard to believe that Maryn’s arrival is fast-approaching and could happen at any moment.  As many of you know, the journey for Maryn’s arrival is somewhat strange in that I have a scheduled c-section date, but am hoping and praying for an opportunity to deliver her "the old fashioned way".  My number one desire is that Maryn arrive healthy and safely, but I am prayerful that I will have the labor and delivery opportunity.  My doctor has been supportive of my vbac plan, but if I am going to have that option, we need to get the show on the road as my doc will likely want to move up my date based on Maryn’s size to next week.  Because of this, we have been trying all of the natural ways to coax her out.  We would love your assistance in praying with and for us as we near the end of this stage of the journey.  I’ve included some of the verses that I’ve jotted down in my notebook that I will be praying with, but please feel free to use some of your own favorites as well.

-Please pray that God would allow my body to go into labor on its own and that I would be able to labor as long as possible naturally in order to better increase my chances of delivering her vaginally.  Pray for mine and Brandon’s strength if this comes to fruition as this would be our first time to have an active labor like this.  Pray that I am able to cast all of my anxieties and fears at His feet.  Praise Him for having His will be shown.

Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

-If I end up having a c-section, please pray for the longer recovery for my body, but also for the recovery of my mind.  I will seek solace in knowing that His plan prevailed and seek peace and strength in Him and try not to fall into the guilt and ego issues of the world.  We will praise him for Maryn regardless of her method of delivery.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5

LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.  Jeremiah 10:23

-Please pray for Maryn’s health and safety and that she (and we) transition easily to a family of four.  Pray for Travis as he adjusts to his new life as Big Brother.  Please pray for my body to respond to her needs and that we are able to start successfully breastfeeding right away.  Praise Him for the blessing that is this new baby!

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

Thank you for praying for us and loving us and our babies!

Little Gym Graduation

Yesterday was Travis's spring semester graduation from Little Gym.  It was so cute and his first "awards" ceremony complete with medal.  Nana and Papaw gave him that semester for Christmas (I absolutely love experience gifts like that - we may find something else for his upcoming bday.  Wink Wink!!!).  We celebrated with pancakes at Mimi's with Nana and Papaw and then 45 minutes of showing off!  We have loved Little Gym.  I think it has been great for coordination and motor skills and gives him one more opportunity to mix and mingle with other kiddos.  Thanks Nana and Papaw!!!!

Working the camera while he waits for class to start

Every class starts off with some bell shaking!

Some "jumping" (Note: his feet never leave the ground)

Donkey kicks

Running

We did the parachute on Saturday, but sometimes do the little jump house or some other activity.

Then it is PLAY TIME!

Then come the balls

And bubbles

Medal time!

We are so proud of the developmental growth our little man has made since January.  Looking forward to the summer session (yippee for indoor activity)!

Xoxo,
Gara

Only God Knows For Sure...

But, I thought it would be fun to have our family and friends make a guess as to when Maryn will arrive and what her stats will be when she gets here. We did this with Travis too and it was fun to see the guesses.

Katy was closest on T with 8/25/2009 11:41 AM 8 lbs. 8 oz. 22.5 inches (He was actually 8/25/09; 9:12 am; 7 lbs. 11 oz.; 21 inches).

Leave a comment or send me an email with the following details:

Your Name
Predicted Birth Date and Time
Predicted Weight at Birth
Predicted Length at Birth

Our estimated due date is June 11th.

Happy guessing!!!

37 Weeks

How far along?: 37 weeks.  Officially "term" today.
Total weight gain: 45 lbs. (still eleven less than when I delivered Travis so the jury is still out on total weight gain).  I've gained three pounds over the last two weeks, but had a big "growth" week uterus-size wise as I'm now measuring 41 weeks.  So apparently the questions about if I was due yesterday are not that unfounded.
How big is baby?: 6 and some change.  She is hopefully packing on the sweet baby rolls these days.
Stretch marks?: I've got stretch marks on areas that I didn't even think were possible of stretching...  Seriously, if my ears get stretch marks - do not judge!
Sleep?: Trying to up my water intake does not bode well for great sleep at night.  Literally waddling out of bed 3 or 4 times per night to pee sort of makes me want to invest in some Depends.
Best moment this week?: Lovey coming into town to help me get everything ready.  Clothes are washed and car seat and bouncer seat are at least located.  Looking forward to shopping and lunch with Lovey and Pepper today to pick up a few last minute items.
Movement?: Doctor confirmed that she is locked and loaded in the head-down position so now I'm just getting fun elbows, heels, and knees.  Looks like little alien moves.
Food cravings?: Granola bars and sweet tea (although it gives me serious indigestion).  You can buy decaf sweet tea loaded with HFCS at Kroger.  YUMMY!  :)
Labor signs?: I do not think carrying my belly around on my thighs counts.
Belly button in or out?: Flat.  Even T-man says "bye bye belly button" when he sees mine.
What I miss: Turning heads in a crowd for a reason other than super-human uterus growth.
Milestone: Hitting "term" and knowing that she could make her arrival pretty much anytime with no expected health complications.

Xoxo,
Gara