bits&pieces: a birth story

Lately I've been thinking a lot about Olivia's birth story. Maybe it's because it seems like everyone I know either just had a baby or is pregnant right now. Here are bits and pieces of that day. The day that changed me forever, gave me a purpose, and has made me the happiest I've ever been. If you don't like hearing about labor and delivery then just read what is typed in black. If words like epidural, dilated, contraction, induce, pushing, etc.,  scare you, then don't read what is in blue. I don't go into detail though so just relax.


+ I just finished with my baby shower. I had my hospital bag with me and Conrad left work to meet me at my mom's. We knew that with my blood pressure being high (again) they were most likely going to induce me.

+ It hit me in the car driving to the hospital. I was so scared. and nervous. and excited. and worried. and happy. I think in the 15 minute drive there I felt every emotion there is. Tears streamed down my face. I just looked at Conrad and said "I'm scared." He calmed me down like he always does. That little dreamer (read that post here) of mine can be a real life saver!

+ We were right! They wanted to induce me. We got to the hospital around 3:00 and they broke my water by 5:00. Everyone at the hospital was taking bets that I would have the New Years baby. I had been saying for weeks that I would have her on December 31. Even at the hospital I kept saying that I would have her today. The nurses tried to tell me with my first baby it could be a long process and it will probably be the following morning (but I was right again. ha!)

+ Around 8:30 I felt sick. so sick. I thought I was going to puke. They had to redo my epidural because I could feel all my contractions on my left side. I thought maybe it was from the contractions. Conrad was fanning me with a clip board when the nurse came in to check on me.

+ She decided to check me to see if I had progressed at all (I was at a 4 when I got there)

+ It was only 9:00 and I was at a 10! we were ready to go!

+ After about a half hour of pushing she said we needed to slow down to wait for the doctor to come back. So we pushed through every other contraction. He got there and I think she was born like 3 minutes later. 12/31/2011 at 9:41 pm. 6 lbs 5 oz. absolutely perfect.

+ Conrad was so amazing. He was my biggest fan. He cheered me on the whole time. He didn't act "grossed out" like some do. He was fascinated by it. He made me feel amazing and special and beautiful. That's how it should be. It's such a miracle. I'm glad he could see and appreciate that. I fell in love with him all over again.

+ We chose to name Olivia Kate after Conrad's little sister, Kate. Kate is a perfect role model and someone we should all strive to be like. She's strong, happy, loving, caring, genuine, and beautiful inside and out. She has a contagious smile and laugh. She lights up the room! The girl is seriously amazing.  Olivia is living up to that special middle name she was given.

+ Conrad didn't leave the hospital once. He stayed with us the whole time. I was so glad! I didn't want him to leave. He handled every situation perfectly for us. I couldn't have been more happy/proud/in love with him. (and still am!)

+ Some of my best memories with Conrad are those first couple weeks together as a family of 3. We laughed so much. We laughed at her pooping on us during diaper changes, we laughed at the faces she made, and laughed at how tired we were.

Christmas 2012

I love Christmas! I love finding the perfect gift for someone and anxiously waiting to give it to them. This year I had to wait a little too long. I bought almost all my gifts back in September and had a hard time keeping it a secret. but i did it! I gave Conrad a Macbook Pro and I was so excited to see his reaction. I didn't sleep on Christmas Eve. at all. I laid there. and laid there. and laid there. I wasn't sure Christmas morning was ever going to come!

Being Santa was so fun. setting out her little gifts by the tree, stuffing her stocking, thinking of all the joy the next morning would bring. ahhh I wish everyday was Christmas! I was so excited about giving my gifts I hadn't thought about what I would get. Our families are so thoughtful! I cried several times because I was just so happy/surprised. Grandma Jean and Grandpa Merrill got us a journal/history of the Hansen family. I cried. Lissa got us a nights stay at the homestead. I cried. My parents got us a Kirby vacuum. I cried. Lissa also gave me earrings with Olivia's birthstone and I wear them almost everyday. I love them so much. I will remember this Christmas forever. It was so perfect.

giving thanks

This Thanksgiving was a year of firsts. It was Olivia's first ever Thanksgiving. She got to eat (almost) all the same food as us and she even got to eat off a princess plate! Luuuucky girl.
It was my first Thanksgiving away from my family... ever. I missed them of course, but I am so lucky to have married into the family I did. I love my Rupes and we had such a fun day full of delicious food and lots of laughter (always)
It was the first time I had a Thanksgiving dinner with less than oh about 40 people there. Ha! My parents both have big families. It was just the 5 of us. It felt weird to not have to wait in line to get food! We probably had enough to feed 40 though and it was gooooood. I even made green bean casserole and sweet potatoe souffle can you believe that?! are you proud?!
It was my first time going Black Friday shopping and actually buying something! When I worked at Skullcandy I always had to work 1 and sometimes even 2 seperate shifts for Black Friday so I never really got the chance to shop. It was fun! I went with Kate. She's the best.

The rest of the weekend consisted of playing and eating. We went and saw the lights downtown and I got to spend a lot of time with the Rupes. I loved it! Poor Conrad had to work so much he hardly got to be with us. He worked from 3:30 am til after 8:00 pm on Friday! Poor guy. He works so hard for us. We love him!



Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Ariel! You're looking at a HANDMADE mermaid costume. Olivia has the best great uncle ever. He is so talented.

The men in my life

My daughter's father...

This Father's Day was an extra special one; it was Conrad's first! He is such a good dad. Olivia already has that man wrapped around her little finger.

 

"Can we wake her up and play with her, please?"

He says this at least once a week.

Nothing melts my heart quite like seeing these two together. I love them so much!

Conrad is so optimistic.  Yes, sometimes it drives me nuts when I want the kid to feel sorry for me and moan and groan with me. But really it's so good for me. It's good for me to be reminded why the little things that drive me nuts don't really matter, reminded why I should be happy, and how the life I live is so good.
[because it is!]
He's good looking! I mean come on. Look at that face.
I love how he calls us his girls.
I love when he surprises me with treats.
I love when him and Liv visit me at work just because he knows how much I'm missing them.
I love when he [lies] and tells me I look pretty in the morning.
I love when he plays Michael Jackson. Especially when he dances to I Wanna Rock with You
I love when he texts me links to songs.
I love his ringtone for me.
He is so good for me. Olivia & I... well we're lucky girls.

My father...

One of the reasons I love seeing Olivia with her dad is the love I have for my own dad.  He is everything you could want in a father figure. Here are a few things I love about my dad. The list is endless.

Hard worker-- He works anywhere from 14-16 hours a day. And you know what? I don't think I've ever heard him complain. Never once have I heard him say "I'm tired. I don't want to go to work." 

Gardener-- Boy do I love his garden! Fresh peas, raspberries, blackberries, corn, potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans, onions, peppers, I love it all!   

love for my mother--It's the sweetest thing to see/know how much your mom and dad love each other. They have raised 6 kids together! They are an amazing couple. I love them and I love the love they have for one another.

Happy late father's day to all you dads out there! and future dads and anyone who knows a dad or has a dad. You're so important and so loved.