Month: August 2018

Our new baby boy – Part Two, Travis Walker

So, here we were five days after my supposed due date, and still no baby. Just a really, really big baby bump. (and, actually, this picture was from about 2 weeks earlier, so yeah….I was so ready for baby to come)

Early Monday morning, April 30th, I woke up earlier than everyone else, went downstairs and made some tea, had a bite of pie for breakfast (it was healthy pie!) and read my devotional. An hour or so later, everyone else was starting to wake up, and I was starting to not feel so good. I went back to bed to rest, and started noticing a few contractions. But – I didn’t want to make a big deal about it, after the previous false alarms I wanted to be completely sure this was the real deal. At 8:45 am I started timing contractions, and I texted our midwife, Sheryl, that something might be starting. I timed until 9:15 am and contractions were 3 & 4 minutes apart, fairly strong. At this point Jordan texted Sheryl and said she had better come. She left her house immediately, and only lives 15 minutes away – but before she could get here, I almost felt like I could need to push. About the time Sheryl arrived, I was headed downstairs to get in a hot bath (with Elsie’s birth I was in the bath during the middle part of labor, and it was SO nice) – she told me that if I went and got in the bath now, I might just have the baby there. At that point I really didn’t care, I just wanted the relief and comfort of the water, so we all headed down to the bathroom.

Sheryl checked vitals, and everything looked good, baby was doing well. After a few moments contractions were getting stronger and more painful. Sheryl checked dilation, and said I could push baby out whenever I wanted. Around this time my water broke, and contractions were getting unbearable. Finally, with two strong contractions baby made his entrance into the world at 9:56 am. Sheryl exclaimed that he was a big baby, and he certainly felt big as he was placed in my arms. Jordan told everyone his name-

 Travis Walker.

After the kids got a look at their new sibling, we headed upstairs and got comfortable on the bed. Travis got to eat a bit, and everyone started to get turns holding him.

Then it was time for him to be checked, measured, weighed, etc. I knew he was bigger than my previous babies, but when the scale said 10.lbs 7 oz, I was shocked!! Also just so thankful for God’s care of us – such a big baby and no tearing or difficulties with birth seemed like a miracle to me.

Happy rest of the day getting to know our big boy and lots of snacks for mama. (having a baby makes me so hungry, lol!)

Daddy time. Also – Travis looks EXACTLY like Jordan.

He’s such a happy boy – he started smiling the very first day, and hasn’t stopped since! I’ve never seen such a smiley baby!

Alan was absolutely thrilled to have a brother. Long before we were ever pregnant with Travis, Alan had been asking God frequently at supper time prayers to please send him a little brother. His exact phrase was “Please, bring baby boy back”. So sweet. These two little men will have so many adventures together!

So – here we are now a family of six! I can’t imagine existing now without knowing our sweet Travis man. So thankful God decided we needed him in our lives. My heart just about bursts every time I look at him. So far he has the sweetest, happiest personality, and will smile and coo endlessly as long as anyone will talk or sing to him – he loves his people, and we love him!

 

Our new baby boy – Part One, Waiting

Such a belated post on the birth of our sweet, sweet man, Travis! (he is currently 3 months old) However, better late than never, yes? So, come along and we will look back to the spring to tell the story of his long-awaited birth….

To me a big part of the birth story was the waiting – I felt like we were waiting so long to meet our new baby! I was feeling so big and awkward, and so tired, that each day was a struggle just making it to bedtime – most days I would have to collapse periodically for rests on the couch. Definitely my most difficult pregnancy so far.

I was convinced the baby was going to come early – from 7 months onward I had just been feeling so, so done. The ladies of our church gave us a lovely baby shower, and I was able to have all of my baby preparations done and ready about a month before my due date. (first time I have ever felt prepared in that way for a baby’s arrival – I’m usually caught off guard it seems!) Diapers and baby clothes were folded and waiting – baby blankets washed and handy, mattress cover and sheets ready for the birth – even a new crib fitted out. I was even afraid baby would come before my Mom arrived from Texas.

This baby had been by far the most active of all my pregnancies – every evening when I sat down it looked like there was a boxing match going on inside me – so much crazy kicking and moving! I had also been measuring larger this pregnancy than with the previous three, and I definitely felt the stretch and discomfort more.

The kids were each so anxious to meet their new sibling – tucking them in at night we would ask each other – “Will it be a boy or girl???!!”

About two weeks before my due date – Mom, Stockton, and Carolina arrived from Texas. It was such a relief to have them there. With all the full time help I was able to rest and take naps frequently – which was just amazing. Spring was just starting to get in full swing which means there was lots to keep us busy while we waiting for baby.

The garden, with salad greens and garlic.

The woods slowly coming into bloom….

Everyone helped with the garden – starting seeds, laying down new mulch, and planting starts.

Lots of good help! – I was anxious to get everything done possible before baby arrived.

Elsie – such a baby girl still. She has no idea that a new kid is about to arrive and turn her world upside down!

So big, and so ready for baby to come!

Grammie, and Uncle Stockton and Aunt Carolina kept the kids busy doing all sorts of things –

Like playing Robin Hood and Maid Marian, and making a big batch of salt dough for hours of fun…

Every day for two weeks we thought it would be ‘the day’ – we even had a couple of times where it was a false alarm and we were counting contractions. Two days after what I thought was my due date, contractions were strong enough we called the midwife and friends over, because we thought it was time….but nope. Everything stopped and we had more days of quiet waiting first….. (part two next)

 

Green Floral Maternity Dress

As always, I’m still hunting for the perfect pregnancy/nursing/housewife dress, this is the latest version done up in lightweight green floral rayon. The bodice is a bit modified but largely based on the ‘Dottie Angel’ dress pattern, with a waistband added and the skirt is a simple gathered rectangle.

This dress was so comfy for late pregnancy – I basically lived in it at home and abroad. I’m sure everyone at church got sick of seeing it – but it was kind of the only thing that fit for a while there!

I made and fitted this dress during pregnacy, so I found the waistband needed a bit of adjusting after Travis was born, but it was still completely wearable as a high-waisted but still retro themed dress for postpartum/nursing and beyond.

The next version I wan to try is one that buttons up the front, all the way down the skirt. I think it would be a cute effect.