Our New Family

We are now a family of five! William Alton was born via c-section on Tuesday. We got home from the hospital yesterday. However, until I can comfortably sit in my computer chair, these pictures will just have to do. I promise to post his birth story very soon.

My Bump on Hump Day - Special Edition

Several hours later.....

William Alton Lemme, born at 11:59am 7/27/2010. 6 lbs 8 ozs, 18.5 inches

To labor or not to labor?

I wish this little monkey would make up his mind.

On Saturday afternoon, my husband and I began to think that it "was time"! Around 3:30 pm, the hard painful contractions began to come on. At first they were only about 9-10 minutes apart. Then, they started getting a little closer together.

We were frantic. The carseat needed to be installed, I needed to get my toiletries together, our chargers needed to be put in the bags, we needed to get the kids prepared. It was insane madness around here. By about 5:30, they were coming anywhere from 4-7 minutes apart, with an occasional couple that would be 10 minutes apart.

However, in order to call the hospital, they needed to be about 5 minutes apart consistently. I was frustrated. We had called my brother to be on alert if he needed to come and watch the kids, but we didn't want him to come just yet in case nothing happened.

Around 6:30, Matt wanted us to make a decision because we either needed to go or figure out what to do for dinner. We decided to order take-out. That way, at least I would have eaten something before going in. We talked about what was happening to the kids and they were getting excited. As we got them ready for bed, we warned them that Mommy and Daddy may not be here in the morning, but either Uncle David would or Mimi and Papa would.

Which brings me to the next step. I called my parents while Matt did the kids' baths. They live about a 7 to 8 hour drive away, so it might be best to get them on their way since this was showing every indication to be the "real thing". This meant, they would get here around 1 or 2 in the morning. My brother lives nearby, so he would come over and hang until my parents arrived.

Then, it happened, as I got more tired and drained, the contractions got further apart. They didn't stop, just began to creep further and further apart. First 10 minutes apart, then 20, then to almost one an hour. I DID NOT want to go to the hospital and then just be sent home. So, we made the executive decision to try to sleep and if we woke up in the middle of the night with more hard labor, so be it. But, this way, we might get a little sleep in our own bed.

I didn't sleep most of the night between my 10 trips to the bathroom and the occasional hourly contraction or two. But, at least Matt got a good night's sleep, in case this all started up in the morning.

My parents arrived at 2am and quietly tucked themselves in the guestroom without even bothering us. They were a little shocked not to see my brother's car here at the house.

The next morning, the kids were very curious and a little bummed at the fact that we were not at the hospital already. Plus, I had the guilt of making my parents drive all this way for nothing. Yesterday, I had a few errands that needed to be done and it gave me the excuse to get up and walking around....hoping to trigger labor! It wore me out, but it didn't bring on any more than I was already having.

Today, I have been super nauseous, and had more of the same intermittent contractions. However, I can feel LOTS more pressure and more lower back pain. His kicking has come to a halt and the only movements I have felt these last few days are just him stretching into what must be the "ready" position.

I go to the OB tomorrow, where I hope to get some sort of news that we are nearing home plate. At my last appointment, I was dilated to 1cm. So, I am hopeful that tomorrow, he will once again check me and I will be more dilated...so much so that he will send me directly to the hospital! Fingers crossed.

My parents are staying until I have at least seen the doctor. If it is GO TIME, then they will obviously stay, if not, they will head home until the next call that we are headed in for the REAL THING. I won't be so trigger happy on our next call to them.

So more waiting....tick, tock, tick, tock!

Cole and Allen

Ten years ago today, on a quiet corner in uptown Dallas, two people first laid eyes on each other.

That corner was the intersection of Cole and Allen.

That couple was Matt and I.

Here is the story of that special night.

Matt,

This has been the best ten years of my life. We both knew very quickly that we were in love. I am so glad you chose to throw that party and I am even more glad that I decided to go! Now, 10 years later, we are having our third child together. I love you with all of my heart and soul and that love just seems to get better and stronger with age!

Always,
Allison

My Bump on Hump Day - 36 Weeks

Wow, who would've thought I would make it this far. My first visit to the hospital with contractions was at 24 weeks. That was 12 weeks ago.

I am so thankful to have made it this far....BUT.I.AM.DONE! As I posted on Facebook the other night, "Sheer exhaustion doesn't begin to express my energy level!" I have been nesting a bit, which is exactly what I did right before going into labor with my first two...so we'll see.

I went to the doctor yesterday and had my Group B Strep culture taken. I begged the doctor to check my cervix since I have been having pretty regular painful contractions for the last couple of days (although not close enough together to consider active labor). I am dilated to 1 cm, but my cervix has not shortened any. So, I go back to the doctor next Tuesday when he will check me again. We also scheduled an induction exactly one week before my due date. Texas law prohibits scheduled inductions any earlier than exactly 1 week (unless medically necessary). So, he said we could schedule one week ahead since I have been so miserable, and this child could turn out to be stubborn! LOL.

So, tick, tock, tick, tock....the waiting continues.

Right where we left off...

Last week, we had our wonderful friends visiting from Atlanta. They moved just under a year ago. The boys met in preschool and were immediate best friends. Our children are all the same age (even the babies will be the same age within 5-6 months). Our families "match" as the boys put it. Boy, Girl, Boy! We have missed them so much. We have seen them on several occasions this year. They came back for the sale of their house in October. We saw them in February on the tail end of our WDW trip when we had a connection in Atlanta. We decided to stay a couple of days with them and see their new home. And, there have been a couple of times that they have met us at the airport during layovers we have had there.

So, even though, we have seen them on several occasions, it was so great to catch up and spend some quality time with them. It was like we were able to pick up right where we left off!

Some of the highlights of their stay:

• The boys staying up WAY.PAST.THEIR.BEDTIME!!!!! (past midnight to be exact, despite our efforts to get them to bed)
• Homemade cheese fondue for the adults one night, courtesy of my wonderful husband.
• Trip to the local pool with lots of splashing fun!
• Double date night at one of our favorite local restaurants (babysitting courtesy of my aunt).
• The girls multiple outfit changes a day (sometimes the lack of an outfit).
• Sprinkles cupcakes.
• Playdates with other friends from school that they have missed.
• Lots of laughter.
• My kids being so intrigued by the "baby" in the house (great way to practice for our baby).

We already miss them, but are already planning a trip for the just the adults to get together in the Napa/Sonoma/San Francisco in late January. I am sure, once again, we will be able to pick up right where we left off.

Super Siblings

Today was Big Sister Preparation Class for Cate. We did something similar with Max prior to Cate's birth in New Jersey and he seemed to like it, so I found a class here for Cate to participate in. Max did a small tour for older siblings about a month ago to become familiar with the hospital I would be going to as this class for Cate was meant for younger aged siblings.

As we walked into the hospital, I snapped this shot of her in her diva sunglasses!

She first decorated a frame to put a picture of herself and Max to put in the baby's room. Then, they watched a video called Sibling Silliness that focused on how to act around a new baby and what the transition of adding a new family member would be like. Then, they had storytime that was all about how we hold a baby, what we can and can't touch on a baby, what a baby can and can't eat or play with. After all this, the siblings learned how to swaddle and hold a baby. Of course, "lovey" was with us and she had to wrap her up with the baby doll!

After that, we went on a tour of the hospital to see the room where Mommy will be staying and the nursery where the baby may go.

At the end of the class, she got a Big Sister certificate, rubber bracelet, and badge. They were also given a surgical mask, hat, and gown. I quietly asked the instructor if I could at least get a Big Brother badge for Max so he would have one for the hospital and they ended up giving me everything for him as well. So, we showed him all of the goodies when we got back home.

I think these two are going to be Super Siblings!!!!

My Bump on Hump Day - 35 Weeks

35 weeks.

35 days to go (at least in theory).

Slower moving.

Time is dragging on.

Ready to hold this little bundle!

Splash Time

Yesterday, we took our friends visiting from Atlanta to the pool to have a splashing good time. It still amazes me how much the kids have grown and changed, especially when I compare them to pictures from last year's pool adventures. On Father's Day last summer, we went to Hawaiian Falls together (before they moved) and always loved this shot of the four kids. So, when we went to our local pool yesterday, I had to get a good picture just like that one!

Excitement abounds!

There has been a countdown going on in our house for the last 90+ days. And tonight, the countdown trickled to 1.

Our dear friends who moved to Atlanta last fall are coming to stay with us for the next week.

The kids can hardly contain their excitement. In fact, I think they cleaned the playroom faster, bathed faster, and got into bed faster than they ever have...well, maybe with the exception of Christmas Eve. Because, the faster they got to sleep, the faster tomorrow would come...and their little friends will arrive!

Even Matt and I are a bit excited ourselves. We have missed them so much!

No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!

Well, the nursery is complete!

Could there be a more appropriate theme for our "Monkey" than a monkey themed nursery?

I saw this bedding awhile back, even before we knew that Monkey was a boy. I fell in love. They are cute and cuddly monkeys and I loved the color palate. It would go great with the furniture we already had (it was Max's nursery furniture as well as his transition furniture until he got his bunk beds last year).

My sister-in-law painted the room and my brother installed the chair rail. I was so excited to see it slowly come together. After getting it painted, I couldn't wait to decorate and arrange the furniture.

Then, it happened. While getting ready to reassemble the crib, we realized that a small but crucial part was missing. Did we lose it back in NJ when we dismantled the crib to make it a toddler bed? Did we lose it on the move to TX? Lord only knows, but bottom line, it was gone and we needed it. I located the website and customer service information on the directions and quickly contacted them to see if we could even get a replacement part. I mean, the crib was originally bought back in 2003. Luckily, we were able to get the part and it came yesterday. So, of course, I made Matt build it last night, so that I could finally see it all come together!

The view from his door to the hallway.

The view from his closet.

The bedding is Mod Pod Pop Monkey from Babies R Us!

The little details around the room.

Now, all it lacks is a little baby boy to sleep in it! I hope he grows up to be the cutest little monkey on the vine! But, he will have to learn that "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

For more Wordful Wednesdays, visit Angie at Seven Clown Circus.

My Bump on Hump Day - 34 Weeks

According to the due date calculator, I have 41 days left. However, I hope it is a little less.

I am so hot and uncomfortable. But, I guess, what else should I expect from a summer pregnancy in Texas!

I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday and hopefully all will be moving along as planned.

Even though these weekly shots are a great reminder of how I grew...I prefer the beauty of the belly shots we had taken professionally a couple of weeks ago.

The Belly Shots

About a year or so ago, when I was changing up my blog design, I found a great designer. While researching the different designs she had done, I came across Holly's photography blog, Seven Dandylions. While the blog design was great, what I really noticed was the adorable and unique photos she had done. Then, the best revelation came as I noticed toward the bottom of her page, she was in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. How great would it be for her to photograph my children sometime. I tucked that piece of information back in my brain, not sure when I would be pulling it out again.

Then, we got pregnant with Will and I remembered seeing some amazing photography for maternity and newborn photographs....but, uh-oh, where had I seen it. Having pregnancy brain, I had completely forgotten the name of the blog...but I DID remember that I had come across it through my blog designer, Julie. So, I quickly looked her up and found Seven Dandylions Photography in her portfolio. I sent a quick email introducing myself and letting her know I was interested in a maternity/family photo shoot.

I was super excited to get an email back saying that she would love to do it. I had some unique ideas in mind and she was totally on board with making those shots happen!

So, here are some of our favorites.

I love that Matt's hands make a heart around my belly button.

He is going to make the best big brother!

I love Cate on her tippy toes!

This is a shot that I loved in her portfolio on the blog!

When she suggested we bring a sonogram picture, we weren't real sure where she was going with this one, but I really like how it turned out!

This was my idea after one of my friends had painted her belly with both pregnancies, first as a watermelon and then a football. I wanted to do something like that yet incorporate Max and Cate in the artistic process...this is what I came up with and I am so happy with the results!

Thanks, again, Holly, for your amazing talent! We will treasure these photos for the rest of our lives. And a special thank you to Julie, who without realizing it, introduced the two of us!

Happy Birthday, America!

The Namesake

Up until now, I haven't announced "Monkey's" name.

It hasn't really been a secret, but I just haven't really revealed it on this blog.

Well, without further ado, his name will be:

William Alton

He is named for two of his great grandfathers.

William was Matt's maternal grandfather and his "hero".

Alton was my paternal grandfather. He had to be the most gentle soul I have ever known.

Both were hard-working faithful men who always put their family first. We hope to raise him to do the same!

We will call him Will for short. Both kids go by a one syllable name, so it was only fitting to shorten his as well.

We can't wait to meet him.

They are back!

Well, it was fun while it lasted...

After about a week of feeling pretty darn good, the pain and contractions have returned. Today has been a rough one, but I am just hoping that I will feel better tomorrow.

If I can just make it a few more weeks, that will be good, cuz we still have to build the crib (waiting for the missing part to arrive), pack Monkey's diaper bag, have some houseguests from Atlanta, and a few other minor things.

Oh, well, he'll come when he is good and ready!