Hunter's First Valentine

Well...it happened! Hunter had his first valentine! Christy came to visit Friday, February 5th. Hunter loved his little Valentine, Brinley Culli! Can you believe how they are lined up so cute! 1 month apart! Christy and I made jokes the whole night about how we will be seeing these pictures again at their rehearsal dinner for the video slideshow. And Matt always adds that the rehearsal dinner "had better be awesome." LOL

Lindy's Sprinkle & Ella's Cocktail

Ella Brooke's Cocktail (recipe below)

Ashley's Pretty "e" Mini-Cupcakes

Sprinkle Hostesses and Mommy of Honor (we all have had kids in the past 4.5 months-- except for the Mommy) LOL

We had a great time hosting the shower for Lindy and Ella Brooke, who is on the way! I must give a shout out to Tae to made the pink pom-poms in the backdrop. The Krafty Korean strikes again. ;) Everything was so fun and PINK!

Here's the recipe to Ella's Cocktail~ which made it's debut at the Sprinkle:

Mix 2 cans Bacardi Pina Colada (and use the Bacardi can for the rest of the measurements)

2 cans of water

2 cans of Cranberry juice

6 cans of Fresca

Frozen fruit for additional ice and texture (I used peaches)

we did it~fourth trimester~ complete!

dear hunter,

Well, cutie, we made it! They say that first 12 weeks is like another trimester...and what a learning curve for us both! I know what a culture shock that must have been for you. you had to work so hard for your food, sleep at different times, and for the first few weeks everyone was showing you a pointy tree with lights on it. I think it got kind of dizzy...everyone trying to burp you and swirling you around those dazzling lights. Between the Christmas lights everywhere and the cameras flashing--I'm sure you had enough stimulation to last for ANOTHER 3 months. Then suddenly, the trees went away. I'm sorry that is one of the only kinds of trees you have seen since you were born in the winter. We have not been able to get out too much! Like today...it's freezing and snowing in Texas!

Some of my favorite memories are of us dancing around the house together. I loved holding you as we listened to Christmas music together while it was snowing outside on December 4th. I still laugh at how tickled you got when Jingle Bells would come on the radio. And then there's the "Me and Hunter" playlist on the ipod. Our favorites include "You've Got a Friend in Me" -- (which is so cute to play when you are laying down eating with your little feet dancing at the back of the boppy pillow) and "Getting to Know you"-- because that's exactly what we are doing! The lyrics are just perfect for us right now.

You've been given lots of love and that is my main job description to date--to get the message to you how crazy we are about you. We already dream big dreams for you, kiddo. I know you are going to do great things. Love, MoMmY

Josh's 29th birthday

This is Josh here, and I just have to write because Courtney made the coolest cake ever for my 29th birthday. She spent 2+ hours in the kitchen the night before busting her tail. I have no idea how in the world she had the energy to bake this given that there is a 5 week old in the house. Don't worry, the cake has no reference to "coming out of the closet" or anything - it's just a cake I saw somewhere and mentioned it as looking cool. She decided to surprise me though. I can't even express how loved I felt. Thanks Courtney - for being the coolest chick in the world!

Pajama Breakfast

The annual Park Pajama Breakfast! Thank you, Ashley, for hosting the best party of the year. All-girls, lots of sugar, and Christmas music. Back to the sugar, it's not just any sugar, you know, if Ashley is in the kitchen! The cookies were fabulous....and those were just the party favors~ Delicious breakfast, drinks, and this year, she really uped it with DOOR PRIZES.

First pic: Girls from the NWC (we missed Kari...she had to leave early!)

Second pic: Annual pic of me and Ashley- Yes, it beats last year for all of you who remember that snagafu. :) Still, we will save all of these pics every year and look back and really enjoy!

Love to all my girls!

Coming Up for Air....'Cause I Have Much to Say About This

Well, for days I have wanted to get on here and tell the wonderful labor and delivery story. You must forgive me. I have taken on a full-time job that quite largely resembles a job on the Lido deck on a Princess Cruise ship. Full 24 hour buffet, all night hungry grazers glad to be in a whole new world. And that's what my little new blessing is experiencing. He likes the cruise life.

The theme of our labor and delivery is wrapped up in Psalm 91:4: "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

This is the verse God put on my heart so boldly, as Josh and I were driving on 610S to Texas Women's on Monday night, 11/9.

Feather #1: The reason we were going to the hospital in the first place.

Normally, you would think I was going b/c I was in labor, but I wasn't. Josh and I had gone on a walk when he came home from work. We were talking about how great I felt --and how we were surprised that Hunter had not come out yet. We were taking our usual walk around the neighborhood, and when we were walking back, there was a huge dog in the middle of the road---loose. Josh, being protective of me and cautious of how Okee would handle the upcoming encounter, thought twice about going home down that street. I definitely voted to go the other way home--so we went a different way around the circle. In reality, I don't know if this is what caused what happened to happen, but it was something different about the path. So, we continued the back way home, and then it happened. I stumbled---fast. At first I just thought--"Oh, I'm tripping." And then the trauma hit. I was about to fall---on my 9month--fully developed-- baby. Several steps later, I was still upright, bent over, trying to catch myself. My feet hit harder and harder with each wobbly step-- trying to not fall on Hunter. Josh was screaming--he let go of Okee, but Josh could not catch me. I finally fell--catching myself first with the side of my leg, my wrists and finally, tragically---the side of my stomach. I was so upset. I cried almost all the way home and yet, trying to receive Josh's condolences in the midst of the accident. So THAT is why we were going to the hospital-- to check things out and hopefully get good news. It was on that long ride in a lot of traffic on 610s that Monday evening that God spoke Psalm 91:4 so loudly. There was no denying it.

We arrived at the hospital around 7pm, and they sent us to the labor testing area. And why did the nurse think it necessary to ask me questions like "are you planning to have an epidural?" Millions of other questions followed, that seemed very untimely for someone who JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF HER BABY WAS OK! Just do the test already! Who cares if I want an epidural? Why does it matter? Do you really have to know if I accepted food stamps during my pregnancy? This went on and on. This lady was so unreal. She was super "high strung," as Josh accurately put it. She TOLD me what would happen to me (things off of the Strong birth plan), and TOLD me with an unsympathetic flat affect that I could not have anything to eat--- all the while making me watch the Food Network, as I am strapped down to the bed! She kept saying that she was not used to the testing area being this busy. Josh and I secretly found a list of reasons why people were checked in to the testing area that night-- 3 of which were from a fall!!!!! She sent me to the radiologist, who sent me back to her to get my results. BaBy Strong was fine, BUT....the nurse informed me nonchalantly -- all the while looking at her computer screen -- that I would definitely not be going home --- "you're delivering." She said the fall did nothing, but they did notice in the ultrasound that my fluid levels were low. "We deliver anyone who has a fluid level at a 6 0r a 7--- you're at a 1.7." OH. MY. What a miracle. I was supposed to be induced on 11/12 if he did not come before. The nurse said I "might have made it to then, but...." I would have never known about the fluid levels had I not fallen. I don't even know if I tripped over anything....hospital staff told me it was God who made me fall. I could not agree more. And so that night, they prepped me for a 7am induction. Also not on the birth plan, but acceptable--all considering.

Feather #2- Dr. Dimino.

She was the Dr. on call the night I went in. I was her only patient that night. She spent a lot of time with me -- telling me about her time in L&D 6 months ago with her first baby. She shared some of the emotions she felt when she felt things did not go as planned and assured me that she understood (and she really did) -- and that the aftermath was that the healthy baby is the goal. She was super positive. Between her and the sweet young nurse on call--- they erased the bad memory of the testing nurse who, I must state again, so pathetically stated I could not eat anything even though she knew I did not have dinner! So hungry! So did not want to see Alton Brown's face at that moment...ok, enough about me not getting to eat.

I asked my mom to be close by in case anything happened---if his heartrate dropped they would have to do an emergency C-section. Another major reason I wanted her near was to bring me my makeup at 6am in the morning. My grandmother, Jajo, and Marge Caldwell were both looking down from heaven pulling for me to get some "rouge" and "lips on" before the big event. After being packed for over 3 weeks, I had to rush to the hospital with limited supplies--- makeup included!!!! Trauma in the ER-- I know.

Feather #3- GILLIAN.

They started me on the Pitocin at 7am---right at shift change. At TX's women's hospital, a nurse is with you the entire day---not leaving the room---a great perk. I didn't think much about who would be the nurse. She just fell gracefully in my lap. I'll put it this way-- if Hunter had been a girl, I might have thought twice about the girl name I have saved and love and name the baby Gillian. This lady mothered me from the first moment--she was from England--and pleasantly soothed me all day--ushering in a great bedside matter and greeting my family in and out of my room with a British, merry "Cheerio!"

Feather #4- The Epidural Man

The medicine was nice, but the miracle to my heart was that it went well. It might sound silly, but my biggest fear was getting that needle put into by back. I just was so afraid of it. I prayed before going into labor that if he could ease the pain of the needle and let it not be so bad that I would be so grateful...I believed He could...but EVEN if he did not, that I would praise Him (yes, a Shad, Mesh, and Abednego prayer). And He did. The anesthesiologist walked in, and he looked just like Ben Stiller. Hmmm... a moment of faith for sure. But it went fine, gave much relief (both from the pain and the fear of the needle).

L&D went on. I found out that after I got the E, I was at 6 cm....from 6-10 I don't remember much b/c it went by super fast! I think I even got a little nap in there. All I know is that at 10--Josh went out into the waiting room and shared the news to our family (who was taking up the whole waiting room). Oh yeah, not the whole waiting room. Steve Tyrell's (our favorite musician) cousin was in the waiting room---waiting on HIS granddaughter to be born! Only God!

The pushing began! Gillian and Josh were the only ones in the room for the majority of the pushing. Then the doc came in to deliver! It was some of the most exciting 30-40 minutes of my life. Much anticipated joy.

Feather #5- Kicks inside the belly---and outside!

They said they might not be able to put him on my stomach since they were monitoring his heart rate so closely. They also said they had to use the forceps to get him out b/c of his low heart rate at the end. The doctor ordered that they may not be able to put him on my chest like I had really wanted--also b/c of his fragile heart rate. "Unless he just reaches up and slaps me as he comes out"-- the doctor said. Well, God brought Mr. Strong in at 1:46 pm, and he kicked the doctor! He went right on my chest -- I saw the most beautiful face -- he was perfect. My first thought was "he's mine!" I could not believe it. Josh had tears in his eyes.

Feather #6- Our Late Night Nurse- First Night

So, it was such a blessing and surprise that our nurse the first night was ALSO a certified lactation consultant. She was a cute, African American woman who told me so sweetly to add formula to my chest to get Hunter interested in feeding---Aunt Jemima style--- "put some syrup on that pancake!" Yes, she actually said that. That was her way of doing it. Don't think we'll ever forget that!

Feather #6- Suzy

We were having some trouble nursing at first when we got home. All the adjustment...Mommy recovering slowly...stress of coming home...yikes! The syrup was not working the same anymore. :) Our pediatrician recommended Josh and I call Suzy Adams to come to our house as a lactation consultant. I literally cried tears of joy when I talked to her on the phone and she said "I usually don't come out on Saturdays, but I will today." I cried and cried. She was so helpful. I would recommend her to anyone. Not only were we able to talk about the best way to help meed Hunter's needs--we were also able to talk about Beth Moore (she's a Siesta!)

Feather #7- Coach

As you can see from the first pic, I had a coach with me the whole way. Josh was an absolute help during this time of thrill, helplessness and a never-repeatable time in life. I love him more now than ever. I look at Hunter like he is the most important boy in the world. He is. And I can only look at Josh the same way. My pastor used to say "you are never more like God than when you give." Josh, you are a godly man.

Well, I could write about more feathers! Lord, you thrill me with all you have done for me! But, I must go. I must rest before Hunter is hungry again. Thanks for reading and sharing this with me~

Hunter Cameron Strong

Hunter made his debut today at 1:53pm. Mom and baby are both doing well! Hunter has an almost bald blond head of hair, seems like blue eyes, weighed 6lbs 8oz, and was 20 1/4 inches long. We'll post more pics as we regain consciousness.