July 11, 2015

I can not even believe that my babe is ONE MONTH OLD!!

Yesterday, I woke up and just looked at him and couldn't believe it. They grow so dang fast. 

His first month of life has been a whirlwind. A lot of you guys have asked about his birth story and a lot of you have heard it...but a lot of you haven't. So just bear with me as I type this.

My entire pregnancy he was predicted to be a large baby. I was under maternal/fetal's care until towards the end...so I had ultrasounds regularly. He was always on track with MY due date...but not the doctors. Due to maternal/fetal's projection of size my doctor decided to induce me on June 8 which was 3 days after MY due date and a full week before my doctors due date of June 15. 

I arrived to the hospital at 5pm on June 8 to begin my induction process. My doctor didn't immediately want to start pitocin...so she started with a dose of cytotec. At 6pm she inserted it and then at 11pm I took the oral version of it. At around 5:30am on June 9 she checked for dilation and I was not going anywhere. She decided to do one more dose of cytotec and if that didn't work she would start the pitocin. She came back around noon and nothing was happening so she told the nurses to go ahead and get the pitocin for me. My IV started at 1pm on June 9. I immediately requested an epidural because I am a ninny and do not enjoy pain on any level and I knew that pitocin gave you minute long contractions...only about a minute apart and I am not about that life. So the remaining of that day was pretty boring. I watched Food Network and tortured Mike. They of course inserted a catheter so I was literally on my back not feeling a damn thing in the world...all...day...long.

Mike was trying to convince him to come out :)

Around 4am on June 10 shit got real. I woke up EXTREMELY uncomfortable and paged my nurse. She just kind of played it off that my body was just uncomfortable because I couldn't make it move (now...she was a GREAT nurse so I do not mean that negatively). After about 10 minutes I was in the most excruciating pain of my life. I was writhing around in my bed screaming like I was a demonically possessed banshee. I of course paged my nurse and they honestly had no idea why I was feeling that much pain having an epidural and having medicine still in my IV bag. She offered to give me some form of pain medication (I do not remember the name other than it starts with a D and is morphine based). I begged her not to because I did NOT want to be high...but at that point I just wanted relief. It took her about 45 minutes to get back in the room. It was already after 5am. The pain was unbearable and I literally never stopped screaming. The medicine she gave me of course did NOTHING but make me high. I BEGGED them to have the anesthesiologist come back into the room and remove my epidural and give me another one in another part of my spine. Around 7:30am...they finally called him and he was there within about 2 minutes. The nurses helped me get to the side of the bed so he could remove the one and give me another...at that moment it was found that the epidural had come out of my back and there was a kink in the line...NO ONE CHECKED FOR THAT. So technically...I was in ALL natural MEDICINE FREE child labor with contractions ONE MINUTE APART and lasting ONE MINUTE EACH for 3 1/2 hours...and I will NEVER do that again. Mega kudos to moms that do it for the entire labor process...because I literally will never forget that pain. 

Around 9am that morning I woke up with a crazy desire to push so I call my nurse to see if she can check my dilation process. She checked and I was FINALLY at 9cm. PROGRESS!!!! She said that my left side was completely 10cm...but my right was at 9 so for me to please lay on my right side, try to get some rest, and then when I wake up it would be baby time! I woke up around 9:45 with an even more intense desire to push. My nurse checked me and I was at 10! She called my doctor and by 9:55 all of the nurses and my doctor were ready to go! My doctor kept trying to prep me for hours of pushing and I was certain that I would have him out way sooner. At 10am I started pushing...at 10:30am...sixteen pushes later he was out! Now here is where it gets scary. 

His cord was wrapped around his neck twice, he was as white as snow, and wasn't breathing. After two minutes though...I heard the most beautiful sound in the world...his cries. At this point I haven't even seen him...Mike has though and through his tears told me that he was beautiful and looked like him. They finally let me have him after what felt like an eternity...but in all actuality was simply just a few minutes.

Our first meeting.

I'm. In. Love. 

Mike holding him for the first time <3

After 37 hours of labor, 16 pushes, a serious scare, and lots of tears...I am now the mother to the most perfect boy on the planet with the most amazing man on the planet.

Life is so perfectly wonderful.

The past month has been magical getting to know this little person with such a little personality. He loves country music, he loves bath time, he loves when his daddy makes silly voices and plays with his stomach, he laughs, he smiles, he already holds his head up on his own, and he is absolutely in love with his mommy.

My heart is so beyond full. 

May 30, 2015

Things that make me happy:

*soft chocolate chip cookies

*warm weather

*candles

*lightning bugs

*my dogs face when I get home from work

*my dog waiting until he thinks Tupelo and I are asleep before sneaking in bed with us

*my dog in general

*rain

*bumble bees

*the smell of books

*baking

*picnics

*the mountains

*the river

*when my mom buys soda for 'herself' only to give it to me later because she 'really doesn't like it'

*feeling human life move inside of your stomach...knowing you made this human

*sour cream

*the smell of honeysuckle 

*when people are genuinely excited to see you

*when your gas tank is completely full

*when Tupelo thinks I'm asleep and rubs my head or kisses me on the cheek or puts his arm around me and pulls me in tight

*greys anatomy

*stephen colbert

*anthony bourdain

There are so many things in life to be happy and thankful for. It's a short list...and in no particular order. Try to make your own. It's a lot harder than you would think!

May 25, 2015

Being pregnant is NOT fun. I repeat, it is NOT fun. Some women love it. I am not one of those. I will miss the growing being inside of me moving and having fun in there...but as far as pregnancy goes...I am just not pleasant to be around and hate it.

1) Morning Sickness- Lucky for me I got to skip the morning sickness. I got blessed with ALL FREAKING DAY SICKNESS. Of course, I was given the Zofran...and of course it didn't work. Then all of the 'birth defects because of Zofran' articles started being shared so I was just like...ummmmm I'll deal with it. I LIVED off of Preggie Pop drops and Ginger Ale. 

2) Headaches- No one can fully explain to you the level of pain you feel with a pregnancy headache. They aren't always there...but when they are they have an awful level of hate towards your body.

3) Cravings- The number one thing you are told/warned about during pregnancy. I haven't had anything really CRAZY. I just want a lot of grilled cheeses and ice cream. 

4) Swelling- Face, hands, feet, ankles...they all swell and it's a painful swell. You look awful and you feel awful. My wedding rings only fit me maybe two out of seven days and that kills me. That actually is one of my biggest complaints. Not being able to wear my rings.

5) Leg Cramps- THEY ARE FROM HELL. That's all I need to say. PAIN FROM HELL

6) Bulbousness- Yes, you feel like a bulbous whale. You don't necessarily look like one (hey, most people think pregnant women are stunning) but you sure as heck feel like one.

7) Constipation- We live in a world where books like 'Everybody Poops' is necessary because no one talks about it. Well, when you're pregnant you talk about it. You'll talk to everyone about it because you are so miserable. You want to do nothing more than poop...and guess what? YOU CANT! Courtesy of the Iron in prenatal vitamins and other factors of course. 

8) Modesty gone. Just face it. The whole world is going to be up in your business quite literally and you just better get used to it. 

9) Anxiety. It's inevitable. The anxiety of your life changing, a new baby, getting everything ready, if your baby will love you, if your spouse/partner will love you...it's a never ending battle of the nerves.

and finally...

10) The unknown. You know nothing even if you know everything (or think you do at least). The on thing you can rest easy on though is that this little precious tiny human that you have been growing for the past 9 months WILL love you. They will live for you. You will be the first thing they want to see when they wake up and the last thing they want to see before they go to sleep. You are everything to them even if you are less than perfect (which I SO am). 

Hurry up baby boy...Mommy and Daddy can't wait to meet you <3

May 23, 2015

I have decided to revamp my blog. I have done this numerous times...but I figure being a newlywed and fixing to have a new baby in the mix...now might be the time to do so. SO without further ado...

Let me introduce myself to you again. I'm Laurel. I am happily married to Mike (whom is 20 years my senior) and I wouldn't change that for anything in this world. Our entire relationship has been one big whirlwind...but it works for us. 

When I married Mike...I gained a daughter, Ruby. She is a loud, spunky, and vivacious 8 year old sweetheart. 

Mike and I are expecting our first child together. A baby boy in June. We couldn't be more excited. 

Together we have a one year old Labrabull named Blue (who tests my patience daily). I love him more than anything though.

I am currently anxious and awaiting the arrival of my son. I have just under 2 weeks left and I would be perfectly content if he would be born tomorrow. I am M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E. Also, I will resent him for the rest of his life if he isn't born in time for me to attend my cousins wedding on June 13. I am TOTALLY kidding. I would never resent my child for that...but if he could politely make his appearance before then...that would be greatly appreciated. 

38 Weeks <3

I left a few of my previous blogs because they were important to me. Feel free to read them. 

Until next time,

September 10, 2014

There has been a post going around Facebook where someone tags you and you respond with your

''15 Movies that stuck with you or impacted you"

It really made me think. You learn so much about a person based on their favorite books, movies, songs, bands...it really describes who they are. So instead of doing 15 movies...I'll do 10...and make a few more lists too! More or less...my favorites. They are in no particular order.

11 Movies That Changed My Life

*Dead Poets Society

*Steel Magnolias

*Crazy Stupid Love

*The Nightmare Before Christmas

*Peter Pan

*What Dreams May Come

*Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

*Say Anything

*Serendipity

*August Osage County

*Mona Lisa Smile

13 Songs That Changed My Life

*Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac

*Pauls Song by Bullet

*Imagine by John Lennon

*Lullaby by The Cure

*Hello My Old Heart by The Oh Hellos

*Just a Boy by Angus & Julia Stone

*Blue Skies by Noah & The Whale

*Get Together by The Youngbloods

*Peace Train by Cat Stevens

*With or Without You by U2

*One Headlight by The Wallflowers 

*Stubborn Love by The Lumineers

*Fever Dream by Iron & Wine 

12 Books That Changed My Life

-I could have a list going on and on and on for days and out of fairness to all of my other books I'm not posting any by Sarah Dessen even though all of hers are on this list...but if I have to simplify it down...this is the top 12...and I do have series' listed)

*To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

*The Wind & The Willows by Kenneth Grahame

*Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil by John Berendt

*The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

*One Foot in Eden by Ron Rash

*Saints at the River by Ron Rash

*Peter Pan by JM Barrie

*The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

*The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

*The Lord of The Rings & The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

*Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

*Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

10 Musical Artists That Changed My Life

*Death Cab for Cutie

*John Lennon

*The Doors

*The Oh Hellos

*Fleetwood Mac

*Taylor Swift (do NOT judge me)

*Coldplay

*Snow Patrol

*City and Colour

*Iron & Wine

If you haven't listened to any of these artists or songs...listen to them. If you haven't read the books or watched the movies...read them and watch them. You will thank me. I promise!

March 15, 2014

I found a Pinterest link the other day that brought me to a delightful blog seen here

...she had a blog on 30 lists to make for 30 days which is seen here

I love following her blog and you should to!

I figured I would go ahead and give the list a go...

Day 1: List 20 random facts about yourself

1. I have OCD and it controls my life. Here are a few things that my OCD includes...
1. My hands. I'm obsessive about my hands being clean. I don't like touching anything after anyone else and don't like people touching my hands. I wash and sanitize them to the point of being raw.
2. My desk. My room, car, bathroom, etc...can be in total chaos and it doesn't affect my OCD...but my desk...whoa. One thing out of place and I flip.
3. Once I get in the habit of doing something a certain way and someone wants me to change it...it is borderline impossible. It bothers me all day and night and brings me to the point of tears.
4. Things being even...lines, decorations, pictures, posters...you name it. It has to be straight and I won't stop until it is.
5. The order I do things in the shower; brush teeth, shave, shampoo, body, conditioner.
6. I have to hold my breath going over bridges...if it is a long bridge I will allow myself one breath.
7. I don't drink out of glass...ever. If I'm at a restaurant that has glass cups, I'll ask for a to-go cup. Why? Revert back to point number 1. Glass sweats more than plastic...therefore more germs from others hands
8. I will eat or drink after anyone pretty much...but I can NOT eat ice cream after another person. The thought of it gives me an anxiety attack.  
2. I'm highly sensitive and an over thinker (read both of those...trust me if you know me...you'll understand.
3. I am convinced that I was supposed to be a teenager in the 60s. I'm a total tree hugging, peace loving, hippie. Make Love, Not War y'all ☮☮☮
4. I'm also convinced that Fred Rogers was the greatest man to ever live on the planet. Seen here
5. I have Peter Pan syndrome. I never want to grow up. Ever. I want a tattoo of the silhouettes of the Darling children with Peter Pan flying to Neverland and I WILL have it one day.
6. Speaking of Peter Pan...favorite Disney Movie ♥
7. I love crime shows. Law & Order SVU...best ever. All of these ring true
8. I have wanted nothing more in my entire life than to be a mermaid or a fairy
9. I am very fortunate that I was in New York when the Tim Burton exhibit was at the Met and also when the Alexander McQueen exhibit was at the Met. I waited in line for at least two hours for each...and I consider both of them to be in my top greatest moments of my life. I was blown away at both.
10. I feel like everyone in the world should watch the entire series of Golden Girls and learn from it. ALL of life's lessons are in there.
11. I could live off of Philosophers Pie pizza from Mellow Mushroom and Coca Cola from McDonalds...literally.
12. I love quotes. I have a little notebook I keep in my purse to write down quotes that I enjoy when I find them.
13. I wish that I had artistic talent (drawing, painting, sculpting)...but I don't. I am extremely creating with doodles and handwriting...but no other artistic ability is there.
14. I dislike people sometimes for no reason at all other than I just don't like them. Yet, when someone does that to me, I turn into an emotional wreck wondering what I did wrong.
15. My heart has been broken a few times but I have only truly been in love with one person. I still get nauseas to this day when I think about him. The last words he said to me were "I love you" and my response was "doubt it" and I walked out and closed the door. I regret that more than anything else I have ever said to anyone in my entire life.
16. I want a black Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid more than I believe I have ever wanted anything in my entire life (even though everyone tells me that I shouldn't buy a Subaru).
17. I am not religious at all...but if I ever decide that I want to be...I would be Catholic.
18. You know the term 'take a bullet for'? Some people would only do that for close family and maybe one best friend. There are at least 10 people that I can think of off the top of my head that I would honestly take a bullet for. I love them all too much to let their lives be taken.
19. There is nothing sexier in this world than the smell of Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister...I know that is so typical for a girl to say...but it's the truth.  
20. I was at a fifth grade reading level in the first grade. I feel that is one of the most important things I have ever accomplished in my life.

January 7, 2014

10 Random facts to know about Laurel: 

Number 1: I cry every day in the shower.  

Number 2: I'm a damn good friend and when I choose to be your friend I devote every emotion I have to that friendship 

Number 3: I have a very bold, rough, and aggressive personality. I have lived with this personality my entire life and I know how to deal with it. I get it. You don't...but with time you will learn.

Number 4: I'm sensitive, but tend to get over things quickly. It will hurt like a knife in my throat when you hurt me or are upset with me...but in about 10 minutes I have moved on.

Number 5: I say what I think. Always. I do try to tame myself and not say anything hurtful...but opinions will be shared. 

Number 6: I'm as far left liberal as they come and I am not religious. I also keep that to myself because I live in the bible belt and if I tell someone I voted for Obama they tell me I hate America and if I tell someone I don't practice any form of religion they condemn me to hell. 

Number 7: I give in easy

Number 8: I let people walk all over me

Number 9: I read between the lines. Regardless of what anyone says. The words between those lines are always the important ones

Number 10: When I love...I love hard