Lily Ann's Birth Story

Lily Ann’s Birth Story

Born: February 12, 2014 (Wednesday) at 10:17pm

Hospital – Centennial Hills in Las Vegas, Nevada

I woke up, February 12^th at 12:30am, thinking I was peeing the bed (I know- TMI!).  And it continued all night long.  Poor John couldn’t figure out why I kept running to the bathroom all night long!  I started having contractions that morning too but didn’t think to much of it, since I have been having Braxton Hicks for the past month.  However being fast sleep and waking up with these contractions were different, and I was praying Grandma and Grandpa Stewart would drive fast so they could be here with me (they left the day before and was staying in a hotel that night.) 

 

So that morning being 38 weeks and one day pregnant, I told John that I thought we may have a baby that day!  So another typical day started, he went to work and I got all the kids to school.  And just the day before I transferred the two big kids over to their new school – Elizondo Elementary.  Transferring them from Doral Academy was so hard on me.  I bawled all day.  However the kids took the change really well and the 4 hour drive was now behind me, but that is another story.  So Wednesday morning after dropping kids at school I called mom and dad and told them to not stop and do any site seeing.  I think this made them super nervous because mom called every hour asking me how I was.  I called my friend Susan and told her what was happening too – just in case the folks didn’t get here fast enough.  Around 9:30am I lost my mucus plug and I was having contractions every 30 minutes.  And I kept “peeing” my pants all morning.  However I kept plugging along, cleaning the house, laundry and taking care of all my odds and ends.  Around noon the Grandparents arrived – and everyone was glad.  We put Emily to bed and starting talking about how I was feeling.  Susan kept telling me that my water broke and that is why I kept ‘peeing’ my pants all day.  Saying, that it isn’t always a gush of water, but it can be a slow process, like I was experiencing.  Mom agreed, so I packed my hospital bag –finally!  I called John to tell him that he had to go pick up kids from school because I was heading to the hospital to check to see if I was in labor.  I asked Susan to accompany me to the hospital since mom and dad needed to stay home with Emmy and the big kids when they arrive home from school.  I drove myself to the hospital and met Susan around 3pm.  We walked in and I told the woman at Labor and Delivery that I think I was in labor with my 4^th baby and she looked at me funny and told us to wait in the waiting room while they prepared the triage room for me.  Susan and I just laughed and I think the poor nurses thought we were crazy!  I got checked and my water did break.  I called John around 5pm and told him that we were having a baby.  He had to teach class that night and had to hurry and find a substitute.  By this time, I was having pretty regular contractions and it was starting to feel very real, but I was only at a 3.  Susan kept me entertained and my mind off the pain, most of the time.  John arrived around 6:30pm and I received the epidural right after that, but I was still at a 3.  Susan went and picked up my mom at 8:30pm and then she left us for the evening.  We were thinking we were in it for the long haul.  Our nurse came to check me around 9:30pm and I was ready!  I did a couple practice pushes and she called Dr. Harter because this baby was coming!  Dr. Harter arrived and saw that the baby was ‘sunny side-up’.  My heart dropped.  I remembered Emily was this way and it took a long time to push her out.  But Dr. Harter fixed that without any problems and she was now the correct way.   I pushed one and a half times and Dr. Harter said to stop pushing and our sweet baby was born at 10:17pm.  He laid her on my belly and I was able to hold her for the longest time before they took her away to clean her.  My emotions took over as she was placed on me.  Sweet tears

of joy and happiness overcame me.  Just to touch her and to share this moment with John is such an amazing moment in my life.  Those few minutes after all my children are born are the closest to Heaven I ever feel.  That bond of a forever family and THE LOVE!  It is just amazing.  She was tiny!  I saw a little of Izzie in her, but she was perfect.  She weighed 7 lbs and 4 oz and was 20 inches long. 

 

John and I still didn’t have a name for her and so we had to decide!  I have been calling her Lily the whole pregnancy and John would never tell me a name he liked. Izzie wanted to name her ‘Hot Dog’ but instead we named her Lily Ann.  She is so beautiful and we love her so much!  Our family feels so complete.  I am amazed that I am a mother to four beautiful children. 

Summer and Fall of 2013

My darling Em!  August 2013

 Cousin JoJo came to visit us - they swam for hours and hours!

 

 

 Isabel on her first day of Kindergarten!

 

Watson cousins and pool fun! October 2013

 

Halloween 2013

The Hulk, Fairy, Cheerleader by day and Ladybug by night!

Yes, we are expecting again!

About 17 weeks along with girl #4.  Due in February 2014!

My big kids - September 2013

 

I can't get over how big my kids are getting!  Matthew 7 and Isabel 5.

2nd grade and Kindergarten!

I have been cooking lately and here are some of my fav's!

 

 

 

From Mel's Kitchen:

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2010/07/black-bean-and-sweet-corn-quinoa-salad.html

 

Black Bean and Sweet Corn Quinoa Salad

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup frozen sweet white corn
• 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

Directions

1. In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When shimmering and hot, add the onions and saute for 4-5 minutes, stirring often. Add the garlic and stir for a minute or two until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
2. Add the quinoa and cover with broth. Stir in cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes (or until all the liquid is absorbed).
3. Stir in the frozen corn and black beans. Cover and let the pot sit off the heat until the corn and beans are heated through, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in the cilantro. Serve warm or chilled – it is delicious both ways!

 

Sea Bass with Garlic butter

http://bbq.about.com/od/fishseafoodrecipes/r/bl50716a.htm

 

This is a wonderful yet simple way to prepare sea bass. The garlic butter sauce blends nicely with this mild flavor of this light and flaky fish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 25 minutes Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds sea bass
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• lemon pepper and salt to taste

Preparation:

Combine onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, lemon pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle on both sides of fish. To prepare butter sauce, combine butter, garlic, and parsley, in a small saucepan. Remove from heat once butter has melted. Preheat grill for medium high heat. Place fish on lightly oiled grate, cook for 7 minutes. Turn fish and coat with butter sauce. Cook for 7 more minutes. Once fish flakes easily, remove from heat, drizzle with olive oil, and serve.

Isabel turns 5 on 5/05/13

My darling girl Izzie turns 5 on 5/5!
(Can you tell she wasn't very happy to take her pictures!)  She is such a sweet girl!  Loves to draw and doodle and write in her journal.  She is a messy little thing in her room, but will clean up when asked.  She loves being a big sister and helps her mommy.  As well as loves her big brother and looks up to him.  She loves her daddy and will draw and write him love notes to take to work.  She loves to wear dresses, jewelry, shoes and to look at mommy's make-up!  She is still very shy, but when you get her talking she will tell you all sorts of things!  I wish I had a magic wand to stop her from growing up, she is the perfect 5 year old!  I love you, my Isabel Grace!

Her birthday cake - she was able to draw on it and make it her own.

She wanted a rainbow cake!  Ta-da! Mommy is magic!

Best Homemade Pancakes

My kids love pancakes, when we go out to eat they want pancakes and when it is the weekend they want pancakes.  I find this recipe in the paper and wrote it down and it is so yummy and fluffy.  It is even better with bananas cooked in.

The Fluffiest Thickest Pancakes

1 1/2 cups flour
3 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar

1 1/4 cup milk
1 egg
3 Tablespoon butter, melted

In large bowl with the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.  Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg, butter and mix until smooth.  Heat griddle over medium-high heat.  (servings: 8 pancakes)