Teacup Candle Tutorial :)

So, I love Pinterest.  It's a source for great inspiration, and while I know some friends despise it for the feeling of inadequacy it can create, I have found so many great ideas from the site that I 'got nothing but love' for it. :)  I use it primarily to search for ideas, rather than looking at what all of my friends are pinning.  I have found that helps keep the feelings of inferiority at bay for me.

So here's the inspiration picture.  Soo sweet and adorable.  I'd seen it about a year ago, but hadn't had the perfect opportunity to make them yet.

Luckily, my sister was having a little baby shower hosted by some of the sweetest ladies we know.  These ladies have been a part of our lives, as my mom's best friends, since birth in most cases.  They are inspirations in every sense of the word.  Caring, giving, and truly beautiful inside and out.  And, these precious women would most definitely appreciate dainty and sweet little gifts such as these.  Perfect!!  :)  So, I texted my sister and said, "what about these as hostess gifts?!" and she said "I would be so grateful if you would make those!" Again, perfect!  I love doing projects like this and I know that helped take some stress off my sister - I was honored.  :)

Now for the fun part.  Shopping.  :)  We are lucky to have several great flea markets and resale shops in our little town.  I found some options for as little as 40 cents and others were a splurge at $9 (marked for $12... I may drive a hard bargain).  ;)

These were my favorites.  I adored the bird teacup.

I followed a tutorial that I found here.  I bought little wicks from Hobby Lobby.  They were 10 for $2.99.  Of course, I used a 40% off coupon, so they were even cheaper.  I used bamboo skewers that I had for grilling out (broken in half) and taped them on the ends, with the wick held in the middle.  The skewers help hold the wick in place to keep it from moving while you pour the wax.

In another effort to be frugal cheap,  I actually grated used, white and unscented candles I had in storage that I hadn't used in years.  I hate storing stuff like that, so this was the perfect opportunity to put those to use!  I grated them into my Pampered Chef glass batter bowl (love that thing!).  Once I had about 6 - 6" candles grated, I put the batter bowl in a pot filled halfway with water and brought the water to a boil.  I used another skewer to stir the wax as it melted.  I decided against adding scent for fear of messing it up... scents are just so fickle!

Pour carefully and slowly!

Sadly, I don't have any 'finished results' pictures.  But, trust me... they were precious and a hit!  Because I wanted them to be able to see the cups so they could pick their favorite, I wrapped them in cellophane and a pretty ribbon.  The final cost ended up averaging $4.50 per gift.  Pretty outstanding when you're trying to find gifts for 8!

Let me know if you like the teacups and if you have any ideas of your own to share!  I have another little tutorial in store, but would love to hear  your thoughts!

Love!
Cris

A letter to my oldest

Dearest Eli,

You are such a joy!  Your daddy and I couldn't be more proud of you and the big boy you are becoming!  I haven't taken the time to write you a letter in a few months and for that I am so very sorry!  Our days are so full of adventure!

Sweet boy, you are incredibly smart.  You've known your alphabet since you were two, but now you are able to say the sounds they make, words they spell, and point them out when you see them.  Your creative mind finds letters in the most unexpected ways!  The letters L, H & S are among some of your favorites and most easily found around town.  You also love finding Es because "That spells my name!"  In fact, you've even written a couple of letters while drawing (mostly by accident) but you still identify them correctly when you shout for my attention!


You nearly have your left and right sorted out.  Which, embarrassingly enough, I'm pretty sure confused me until I was 10, so you're way ahead of whatever curve I've set for you.  ;)  You potty trained just before turning 2.5 and I think have set my expectations to an unfair level for Miss Kate.  While we did present the concept gradually, we took three days of "let's do this" potty training and you aced that test.  We took the nap diapers away a few days later and the nighttime diapers away two weeks later.  You had very few accidents during that period, for which I thank you (I might have been on you like a hawk!).  You loved your sticker chart (It's in your memory book) and love teasing about babies going poo poo in their diapers since you are such a big boy now.  Once we had you sleep in undies at night, we have since taken you for a "sleepy pee pee" right before your dad and I go to bed.  It is such a sweet time - you barely wake up and are always so sweet.  If we forget to take you, we hear a light flip on around 2 am.

You are coming out of your shell a bit.  When we play with Archer & Stockton, you don't take 20 minutes to warm up like you used to require.  :)  You talk non-stop.  I'm not joking.  Car rides are filled with identifying and discussing every type of machinery we pass or telling me stories about your day.  You LOVE playing outside and we spend hours out there when the weather cooperates.  You love to dig (anywhere) and pretend to plant things (always farming).  Your Papa recently bought a pony for you and your cousins and you adore it.  You LOVE riding horses and want to anytime we see one.  You are becoming more confident with dogs, but just aren't really around them much.  You've also really enjoyed playing with the kittens at the farm in the recent weeks.  You love picking them up and playing with them - even if they scratch you!  Of course, that makes me shudder b/c I'm extremely allergic to cats and as a result, basically despise them.  :)  But, I love seeing you have fun, so I just make sure to keep my distance.

You are hilarious!  You moved to Mars recently and haven't wanted to come back to Earth yet.  Of course, the rest of us live on Earth so I guess you'll come back eventually.  ;)  This morning, after your daddy left, you said, "I almost forgot to say, 'Smell you later!'"  You also love to ask questions - "I have a question.  Combine.  Tractor.  Digger."  It is clear you don't quite understand what a question actually is at this point.  ;)  You love playing all sports - golf, football, basketball, soccer, baseball... literally every kind.

You are incredible with your little sister - Kater-tot.  You are always gentle and love playing with her.  Sometimes the playing is very one sided as you pile all of the laundry on top of her, all the while laughing hysterically.  Luckily for you, she handles it all very well and just plays along.  I'm finding that I am actually able to have a cup of coffee in the mornings now bc I can trust you two to play for a few minutes without needing me in some fashion.  Even typing that is cathartic.

ahhhhh

Oh!  We'll end on a bit of a statistical reference.  At 3 years, you were 33 pounds (75%) and 40 inches (95%).

We love you so, so much and love every moment as your parents!

Love!

Kate at 14 months

Kate is 14 months.  And, I haven't blogged an update about her in ages.  :(  She's such a little almost-toddler these days.  :)

Dearest Kate-eroni

You have so many nicknames and I have no idea how most of them came about.  :)  Kate-eroni, Kate-oppatomus, Kate the dinosaur (ok, that's because you LOVE to knock over any tower Eli creates or really just get into anything someone is working on - laundry, dishes, blocks, etc), and Kater-tot are the main ones.  Our little twin friends and their darling mom, whom you adore, call you "Kitty Kate."  I'll try to add the others as I remember them.  We all call you "sister" most often.  Sometimes Eli and I throw your name in front of anything we can think of - Kate-a-pizza, Kate-a-crayon, Kate-a-combine, etc.  I think you like that we're talking about you.  :)

Teeth 7 & 8 finally made their official appearance and you have been a bit crabby as a result.  In the past, you would smile at anyone and everyone.  Now, you are more likely to give a stone-cold stare as you scope out this stranger.  And, you've never really experienced separation anxiety... until now.  It has only happened the past two Sundays as I drop you off with your as-sweet-as-possible teacher, Miss Stacy.  I have no idea what is causing that and it is baffling to me!  But, hopefully it's just a little residual crankiness that will pass (or only appear occasionally) once all of these pesky teeth make their official debut.

Your "Are you Serious, Mom?" face

Peek A Boo!

Giving her baby kisses

Helping yourself to some snacks!

You are still an excellent sleeper.  You are currently taking two naps - 8:30/9 - 10:30 (I have to wake you up so as not to ruin all hope for a 2nd nap) and one after lunch around 12:30 - 3 or so.  Mr Eli sleeps from 12:30 - 4:30 or so, so you and I get some one-on-one play time before he wakes up.  You like to be in bed by 7:45 and sleep until 7:15/7:30.  Eli's been waking up earlier lately and I think that causes you to stir a bit earlier than desired.  You sleep with a paci and your little satin blankie.  Your daddy wants to take those away right now, so maybe that will be my mission after the bottles......

First touch of snow!

You are LOVING your bottles, which you receive first thing in the morning and last thing before you go to bed.  I weaned the other two quickly and easily, but attempting to wean you from these two has NOT been successful.  You know what you want and won't take substitutes.  :)  Can't say I blame you.  I still cherish the quiet time holding you as you drink.

You love to eat and want snacks all the time.  Your favorites are dried yogurt snacks, rice puffs, goldfish and fruit.  You eat very well, but eat even better if I let you attempt to use a fork with your meal.  You are surprisingly accurate and successful!  I think you like feeling like a big kid... :)  You eat your yogurt best when I just hand you a spoon and let you go to town.  Talk about Miss Independent. ;)

Which leads me to this odd but so cool development.  You have historically needed mid-bath toilet time.  Apparently you get that from my baby days, but whatever.  No excuses for pooping in the tub, my dear.  ;)  Anyway, your daddy and I are on hyper-alert during bath time to try to catch any signs of a catastrophe before it actually materializes.  So, you've been using the toilet for several months now.  But, just in the past week, if you and I are standing in the bathroom (which one does with a 3 year old who still needs help wiping) you often say "poo poo" to indicate your need to use the facilities.  I ask "Do you need to go poo poo?" and you shake your head/body in a full body shake to say "Yes."  So, off goes the diaper and you sit up there like a big girl until you sign "all done."  I'm not lying.  It's incredible.  It leads me to wonder.... are you a 3 year old trapped in a 14 month old's body?  Kidding, kidding...  ;)

You love books and that was appropriately your first word to fully annunciate.  It sounds a little Russian, with the "K" sound being a little thick.  It's precious.  :)  We read the ones in your room over and over.  You demand them when you wake up and when you go to bed... and any other time you feel the desire.  :)  You also love pre-nap book time in Eli's bed.  You climb up on his bed with us and then proceed to crawl/roll/sit/climb all over us as we read.  We all laugh so much together during this sweet time!  You also like to show off your standing skills, which we so rarely see! Which leads me to....

You still haven't even attempted a proper step!  But, you are making strides in the sense that you let me help you walk by holding you under your arms and letting your feet walk.  Two months ago - no way.  You would either sit down or pull your legs up so they weren't touching the ground.  You have started showing off your ability to stand unassisted, but you're very stingy with how often you show that trick.  Now, the reason I can say this all so lightheartedly is because you cruise all around the house.  Everywhere.  My pants, kitchen cabinets, between the couch and chairs in the living room, the bathtub, the bookshelf in Eli's room, hence you are entirely capable of walking.  I am trying to do my part to build your confidence, but I'm afraid it's mostly up to you, my dear!  As a somewhat control-freak mommy (which I battle daily to suppress), this is yet one more example of the control that is NOT in my hands.  God is teaching me that all the time and I'm pretty sure you're just one more vehicle for Him to use to get through to me.  :)  Not everything is textbook.  Duh.  I'll get it eventually.  ;)

You jibber jabber all day long and have a list of "words" a mile long.  You love to point ("this") and do the full body "yes" nod.  Your comprehension is astounding - I am able to ask you pertinent questions and receive an appropriate head nod or shake.  You love making the animal sounds, especially chicken, cow, horse, and pig.  You SCREAM "Dada" when your daddy comes home everyday and you speed crawl straight to him.  He loves every minute.  :)

You are VERY ticklish and love playing games.  You love playing hide and seek.  Recently, I've been letting you pick out which shirt we buy, which breakfast  you eat, etc.  It's hilarious to me how passionately you select your choices!  You get so excited.  I love every minute.  :)  Future shopping buddy?????  :)

13 month chair picture - "Cheese!!"

We love you so very much, sweet angel!  Thank you for making our world a brighter place!

Love!!
mom

How do I keep losing her shoes?

Missing:

The right bootie seen in this picture.

Somehow we managed to misplace one of Kate's shoes over the Christmas holiday.  They were her go-to shoe.  She even napped in them, seen here:

Apparently she had a vendetta against the right one.

Now I'm stuck with a dilemma - do I buy another pair (~$30) for the next two months of cold weather? What if the right one magically appears?  

Such a serious and horrible issue.  

I kid, I kid.

But seriously, have you seen the other boot??????  

Baby issues.

Love!

Cris

Planning, In Style

I just received my first May Books planner in the mail and I'm hooked.

Have you seen these yet?  You'll want to take a minute and design one for yourself right now.  :)  You can pick your cover, your monogramming, the type of planner, etc.  You can even design personalized notecards.

It's the little things in life, right?

The cover is soft and made of canvas, which should break in perfectly over the course of the year.  The seams are sewn, so you don't have annoying staples to deal with.  It's 5x8, so just the right size for most mom-sized (and smaller) handbags.  And, yes, I still love an old-fashioned hard copy of my calendar.  It ranks up there with making to-do lists, simply so I can cross tasks off.  :)

I was able to use this coupon code MONOLOVE, which took $5 off.  Please, please - ALWAYS google coupon codes before you checkout online.  I find one 75% of the time! 

This is totally just me being a dork - not a paid advertisement.  In case you thought I might be big-time.  Don't.  ;)   

Hope you had a great Monday!

Love!

Cristin

Lil Miss at 10 months (why didn't I publish this in November when I wrote it?!)

Dearest Kate,

You are still such a dream-boat baby!  While you have started to show your personality (attitude) a bit more as of late, you are still such a sweetheart!  The other day, your teacher at PDO said she wanted 30 of you in her class!  And, your Sunday school teachers always sing your praises.  Of course, I agree with them!  You are just such a happy, sweet and easy baby.  Who doesn't love that combination?!  :)

You have been busy this month.  You started pulling up in your crib this month and were so befuddled/overjoyed by your achievement.  As any good 21st century mom would do, I promptly took a video with my iphone and uploaded it to my channel on YouTube.  :)

You recognize and generally obey basic commands like "Take that out of your mouth" and "No, ma'am" and "Can I have that please?" You sign "all done," but that's it.  :)  I haven't been as diligent with working on them with you as I was with Eli.

At 10 months:

-You have 4 teeth.  Your top two arrived on Thanksgiving Day and have taken their time coming in!
- As a result, you had loose stools and fought diaper rashes for nearly a month!  :(  It was one of the few times you have cried out in pain - it even kept you up at night.
- At 9 months, you weighed 18 lb, 12 oz (70%) and were 27 inches long (40%).
- We officially weaned you to bottle/formula during this month.  Your dad and I are taking a trip to Mexico for a wedding after your first birthday and you were NOT taking bottles!  It was time to take some drastic measures so that I could rest easy knowing that you are eating while we're separated!  Thank you for such a fabulous experience nursing you, sweet thing!
- You take 4 bottles a day, mostly 6 oz at a time.  Most often, you leave an ounce or two in the bottle.
- You take 2 naps per day - one around 9, for 1.5 - 2 hours, and the other around 1, for about 2-2.5 hours.
- You sleep with your pink blankie and your paci!  You have started playing around and tossing your pacis out of your crib before you fall asleep.  Just know, I won't play along with this game much longer.  ;)
- You love dancing (bopping) anytime you hear music.
- You LIGHT UP when you see Eli in the morning, Daddy when he gets home from work, or me after naptime and at PDO pick up.  :)
- You wear mostly 12 month clothes and PJs.  18 month tops seem to cover your tummy a bit better.  :)
- You wear 6-12 month Robeez/Crib shoes
- You enjoy your time at PDO, but do not nap while you are there.  You also don't take your bottle well!  But, you don't seem to act like that bothers you!  I am going to take you to PDO only one day a week in the spring.
- You are super ticklish and I LOVE tickling you!  :)
- You have poo poo'd and pee pee'd in the toilet 4 times over the past week!  I have to stay very alert during your bath time - you have the same tendency Eli had to relieve yourself in the tub!  Crisis averted, so far.... (I don't think your brother (bath-partner) would appreciate that very much!)
- You say "mamamamama" and "dadadadada," although dada seems to be more frequent and with more intention.  You also say "bububububa" (I think it applies to Eli, bye bye and bottle) and "nanananana" which I interpret as "night night" and "no," depending on the situation.

At the OSU Homecoming game

closeup chair love

Playing with Grandma Shelby

That Grin!  Playing with brother brings such sweet smiles!

Dancing with pops at Aunt Care's house

Waiting for 9 mo checkup, pre-appt checkup by Dr Eli

Dr Dansby at 9 mo check up

Thanksgiving, hence the turkey on your head.  I'm sorry - it was adorable.

Family outing to the zoo after produce season.

You are still a detail-oriented little girl.  You love touching my eye lashes while I feed you.  You pat my arm as I carry you around the house, and hold on tight as we walk around.  You love to be on my hip and act as if all is right with the world while you're there.  You like to play copy-cat games like putting blocks into their box, or empty nebulizer vials into a cup.  :)  We've had to use the nebulizer a few times with you - I'm hoping you don't inherit even a trace of my seasonal allergies or asthma, although I must remain realistic on that front.  Odds aren't in our favor, sadly.  :(

Sweet baby, you are the light of our lives.  You are Eli's best friend, daddy's sweetheart, and my dream-come-true.

Love!
Mommy

8 months ago

8 months ago, I was holding my sweet baby Kate and lamenting the fact that my maternity leave was nearing its end.  I found that I was having to remind myself daily to enjoy the time I had left, rather than let it get me down.  I wasn't working my dream job, but I was able to do it from home.  This arrangement allowed for me to keep my babies at home with me, which is all I wanted in the first place.

Sounds like an ideal set up.  But it was too much.

There were days when it was just Eli and me, where I would think, "Ok, I can handle this..." and then the other 75% of the time I was on the verge of a breakdown.  Shutting a crying Eli in his room so I could dial in for a meeting - which I was incapable of actually focusing on - was torture.  Working until 4am, only to wake up at 7, three hours later, to start the day... that happened regularly.

Let's just say it wasn't pretty most of the time.  Nor was my hair, but that's not super surprising.  ;)

My job was too demanding.  While I was generally allowed to "catch up" during the evenings, there was the large chunk of work that had to be performed during the day.  And, specifically, during those precious "awake" hours.

After Kate was born, I was blessed to be able to take 3 months off work.  After that time was up, I jumped back into a full load.  Systems had changed, processes had changed, leadership had changed... enough had changed that it required a lot more effort to be as productive in the same amount of time a process had required pre-Kate.  Two babies at home and more time required spent working to accomplish simple tasks, yep... I was headed toward a mental breakdown.

Fortunately, I have a husband that is willing to test his own limits in an effort to keep the peace (read: silence the nagging).  :)  Bill and I were both uncertain about our ability to live on one income.  A lot of praying occurred during those months (let's be honest, I'd been praying since Eli's birth...) in hopes that God would show a way for me to stay home.  After a month back on the job, I submitted my resignation.  We hadn't found some magical way for this to work out, but we believed that God would provide.  We had been diligent to remain debt free (including our home) which made this scenario a lot more plausible.  Bill's income is irregular and never guaranteed.  As a result, we live very conservatively.  And, God has provided for us.  We continue to live within our means - no fancy cars or 'too-big' homes, though I'm not going to act like I don't occasionally dream of such things.  :)

Today, as I believe I am coming out of some mild post partum, I sit here basking in blessings.  It's raining for the first time in months.  Both of my babies are sleeping.  My house is clean enough for me to handle.  :)  I have gifts wrapped and under a tree that sparkles beautifully with lights - especially in the middle where Eli clustered all the (plastic, shiny) ornaments.  We are headed to a Christmas party tonight with our small group from church.  The Lord has blessed us immensely and I have made it my mission to be the best mommy I can be.  Don't misread "best" as meaning "perfect." I have fallen short of that goal over and over again - enough to come to the realization that perfection is absolutely NOT my goal.  Real, loving, gracious, compassionate - those are the traits I pray I can exhibit as I raise my little people.

I pray I live every day not as if it's my last.  I can't handle that sort of pressure.  But, I do pray that I spend my days loving every single person I encounter - and showing them Christ's love.

Romans 8:11
The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.  And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Love!

Kate - 8 months

Is it possible that the second child grows up faster than the first??  Kate is already 8 months old and I'm equally saddened and thrilled by that!  Thrilled because I LOVE learning about Eli and the boy he is growing up to be, and I cannot wait to get to know Kate in that way!  Please allow me to gush for a moment......

Kate is quite possibly the best baby that has ever lived in the history of babies.  I had to go super overboard so I don't sicken all of you reading this, but honestly, in my gut, I believe that statement.  :)  She is such a ball of joy and I find myself 'losing' hour-long windows of time due to holding, tickling, nibbling on, talking with and savoring Kate.  She and Eli hold my heart in such a beautiful and loving way.  It hurts (in a good way) because it's so deep and beautiful.

Phew.

Alright, we're back. :)

sweetie at 3 months

At JohnO's graduation party!  You did NOT like the fog horns!

Sweetie pie at 7 months old

sweet baby with her blankie at 7 months

My dearest Kate,

You are my sunshine.  Truly.  You are such a gloriously content little baby.  In fact, that is the word used to describe you most often -- "content".  You give me slobbery, open-mouth kisses and kick your feet with excitement and make lots of squeals when you are excited.  You are definitely a people person and love for people to hold you, talk & play with you.  When you do get fussy, it is because you are hungry or tired.  Which leads me to....

You are a great little sleeper.  Your bedtime is a bit more lax than Eli's was at your age, but you handle it superbly.  You are usually in bed by 8.  You wake up right on time at 7:30, except for the mornings that you try to wake up at 5:30.  I think you learn quickly that you don't get much attention at that hour.  ;)  You still take 2 naps, mostly, at 9 and then again after lunch time.  If the naps are short, you are keen for a third nap before dinner.  You have a blankie (seen above) that you sleep with and you also like to find your paci in the night.  That's kind of fun for me, since your brother never took a pacifier.  Let's hope I don't regret saying that in a few months.  ;)

In regards to feeding, you are still nursing like a champ.  I know I haven't said it here, but nursing Kate has been night and day easier than feeding Eli.  We've endured many little challenges over the months -- thrush for 2 months, biting, over supply and distraction, to name a few -- but even despite those issues, feeding Eli was much more stressful and challenging.  So, for that I thank you.  :)  In regards to solids, you started on baby cereal just before turning 6 months old.  You did well with it and did enjoy baby oatmeal.  But, that's about it.  You did not like any other pureed baby food you were offered.  Thus, you started eating warmed canned green beans, soft cooked broccoli and peas within 3 weeks of starting on solids.  Unbelievable!  You love fruits and vegetables - and really anything else you've been offered.  Tonight you had roasted white pumpkin (from daddy's farm!) and fish.  You also love to drink water from your sippy cup.  Check out this video how you like to throw your head back to drink!

You are wearing mostly 6-9 months and 6-12 months clothes.  You have your 2 bottom teeth, which showed up at 7 months.  I keep thinking others are right around the corner.........  You started sitting up around 5.5 months and starting rolling around your room around 7 months.  You aren't technically army crawling, but you've been scooting around (initially only backwards!) for at least a month.  You sit up like a champ, and spend a lot of your day like that, as Eli loves to play with you and bring you toys.  Eli is such a sweet big brother to you and you completely adore him!  He gets you to laugh at bathtime and as long as he's around, you are happy to play on the floor for hours (trouble is he never stays in one place that long)!

I could watch that video over and over.  :)

We all love you so much, sweet girl, and are thrilled with the sweetness you have added to our family!  I LOVE watching you grow up and I know your big brother is LOVING getting to play with you more!

LOVE!
Momma

Miss Scrumptiousness - Birth to 4 months

I drool daily looking at and loving on my littlest of babies.  Seriously, I'm salivating now just thinking about her!  :)

Miss Kate is officially 4 months old!  She was believed to be a "small" baby, if you remember, whilst still cooking in the womb.  And, well, she was a small baby!  But, apparently being born agrees with her!  ;)

A quick rundown of her recent stats:
Birth
Height: 19 1/4 inches                                     Weight:  6 pounds, 5 ounces

1 week
Height: 19 in                                                  Weight: 6 pounds

2 weeks
Height: 19 in (5%)                                         Weight: 7 lbs, 2 oz (20%)

2 months
Height: 21 3/4 inches (25%)                          Weight: 12 lbs, 7 oz (90%)   not kidding

4 months
Height: 24 1/4 inches (45%)                          Weight: 15 lbs, 3 oz (90%)

Sweet kisses from big bro!

Kate Olivia - a Formal Introduction

My sweet Kate Olivia Shelby was born on January 26th at 4:08 pm.  

We were scheduled to check into the hospital on the 25th at 8 pm.  I loved having a full day to gather my things and thoughts about what was about to happen!  We dropped Eli off at my parent's house in Tulsa that evening and then went to dinner at PF Changs (it's become our "night before baby" ritual!).  :)  I ate WAY too much, but knew I wouldn't be eating most of the next day so decided to go for it!  ;)  Luckily that didn't backfire on me in any way!  

We checked into the hospital the night before at 8 pm.  They started antibiotics (I was GBS positive) and gave me an Ambien for sleeping.  Ambien is intense - I remember my sister coming in around 3 am and not being able to piece together words to talk with her!  Not a fan.  But, I did appreciate being able to sleep with such a big event looming!  Anyway, they started the pitocin around 4 am, I received the epidural around 10 am and then had her around 4 pm!  I pushed once, then had to wait for the Dr, then waited for another contraction... pushed... and she was here!  It was so much easier than Eli's delivery because, well, the epidural lasted through the entire delivery!  :)  Ideal, really.

We are loving every second with this little one and already can't imagine life without her!  

More in her 3 month post.  :)
Love!
Cristin