Halloween

After a CRAZY day, my mom is finally here! She lives in Colorado and was affected by the floods. She decided to bring her three horses, two puppies, and her live-in horse trailer to Texas to become a "winter Texan". She made good time and arrived yesterday. I was able to meet her to unload her horses and get them settled at my in-laws (they are so sweet to let her keep her horseys at their place).

After she unloaded horses, she went to the local carwash to wash the trailer and truck....when she was done she realized her truck would not start! Luckily her friend was able to come pick up the trailer and drop it off in New Braunfuls at the RV park she was planning to stay. Yay she was safe...or so we thought.

At 2 AM, there was a knock at the trailer door...she was being evacuated due to the flash flood! She said she couldn't help but laugh at the irony. So, yet again she had to call on a friend (good thing she has so many!) to come and get her. By 9 AM she was able to return and luckily there was no damage to the trailer...so all is fine! She even made a new friend who graciously lent her a vehicle--there really are some kind people around here!

Since it was Halloween, she wanted to come over and play with Harper and help pass out candy to the trick or treaters. We made a DELICIOUS chicken pot pie that was ready right when the trick or treaters came knocking!

 Grandma holding her little pumpkin

My little Sweetie

Looking Back

This morning, as I was going thru my purse, I found my USB that contained my maternity pictures. My sister in law did such an amazing job on the photos. I feel so lucky to have a great photographer in the family!

Photos were taken at my in laws ranch one month before Harper was due. 

 Benny wanted to be part of the pictures as well!

Photos by: Ashley Wyatt 

ashleywyattphotography.com

Harper's Birth Story

Harper Amelia Wyatt

Born September 6, 2013 at 5:59 PM

7 lbs 14 oz 21 inches long

As I sit here next to my sweet baby girl, I realize how quickly time flies when you have a little one. I want to take some time to reflect on Harper's birth and write it down so I won't forget over time. 

Ryan and I reported to the hospital on Thursday, September 5th, at 5:00 pm. The doctors plan was to give me a special cream that is supposed to encourage labor. The doctor told our nurse to hold off on the pitocin (devil juice that makes your contractions come quick) until the morning. 

The fact that I was induced was so scheduled (which I usually like) really stressed me out. Ryan could see that I was stressed about people asking when the baby would arrive, so we decided to keep it to ourselves that we were going to the hospital on Thursday. I felt so guilty for "lying" but we knew the baby would not arrive until Friday so we told everyone I was being induced on Friday. It really eased my anxiety level to just have my husband with me. 

Labor was a breeze until the contractions began to really kick in around 2 am. My nurse could see I was getting uncomfortable, so she unhooked me so I could take a nice hot shower. I am SO glad I did...as it was awhile until my next shower!

The contractions were coming every minute until 8 am. It was a long morning to say the least! My doctor came and checked on me at 8 am and he said we needed to start the pitocin to get the ball rolling. I was pretty disappointed, I was hoping the cream would work so I would not have to have the terrible meds! 

From 8 to 11 am  I continued to have contractions coming in strongly every minute or two. I was making slow and steady gains and finally at 11 am I was able to get an epidural. I have always feared getting an epidural, but after having contractions every minute for 9 hours...I was ready!

By 11:30, I was feeling more like myself. We were able to have friends and family come visit and I was able to be pleasant with them. Pre-epidural I felt like I could not carry on a conversation.

Things were moving very smoothly...I was dilating 1 cm every hour until about 4 o'clock. When the nurse finally told me I was at 9 cm, all of our family was so excited because we all felt like it would be any minute. I stayed dilated at 9 cm for awhile and my nurse noticed I was a little flush looking. When she took my temperature she said she was going to have to call my doctor because she was concerned. When the nurse came back in I could tell instantly she had bad news for us. She told me that he wanted her to get me prepped for a c-section. I was devastated. I felt like I had ALMOST made it all the way...I felt so close! I could feel my eyes filling up with tears and of course the room was filled with family when we got the news. I began to feel very stressed with everyone's eyes on me. I did something I never do...I kicked everyone out. I told everyone I needed to be alone. I needed time to talk with Ryan, I needed time to talk with the nurse. 

Our nurse, Jaime, could tell I was upset. She whispered in my ear, "When the doctor gets here you need to stand up for yourself. Tell him to check you again, Tell him you do not want a c-section." I took her advice, I begged the doctor- but he stood his ground. He said because of the fever I most likely had an infection and the baby was in distress. Hearing the baby was distressed, I knew I had to listen. 

It seemed like minutes and I was in the operating room. Ryan walked down with me to the operating room, but had to wait outside until the doctor called him in. I was wheeled into a very bright operating room filled with people. I counted 12 people in all. Everyone had a specific job. Even with so many people I felt very alone, all I wanted was my husband. Finally I was on the table and the sheet was up. Ryan was able to come in the room and I could see he was just as scared as I was. As soon as Ryan sat down next to me the doctor began. I remember hearing music and nurses singing along. I particularly remember hearing "Pink" and I thought to myself..."This is NOT what I want to hear when my baby enters the world!" 

It all happened so quickly. The doctor told Ryan to stand up and when he did I could see tears in his eyes. I heard the baby cry..I wanted to see her so desperately. It seemed like forever, but I'm sure it was only a few minutes until she was cleaned up and rubbing up against my cheek. As they took her back to be weighed, one of the nurses came over to me with tears in her eyes. She said, "Did you hear what song was playing as soon as she came into the world?!" I smiled and said, "Yes, I'm so glad it wasn't Pink!"

Our baby came into the world to the song Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars. Now every time I hear these sweet lyrics I remember seeing my beautiful girl for the first time. 

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are

Harper's birth did not go as planned, but what in life really does? God had a different plan. In the end, the c-section and the contractions were worth it. She is here and she is healthy. She is amazing, just the way she is.