So much to be thankful for

As Thanksgiving approaches, I look at my life and realize that I have so much to be thankful for. God has truly blessed me beyond anything that I deserve. I have the most amazing husband who loves me even when I'm not that lovable; who works hard to provide for our family and still manages to take care of me and our son. I have a perfectly healthy baby boy who brings me so much joy. The other day, I was burping him and was so shocked at the enormous belch that came out of his tiny body that I was laughing out out. It's the little things in life.  I am thankful that he is a rockstar sleeper too! He slept from 11:30-6 last night and then from 7-9:30 this morning. I attribute this success to the awesome schedule that my mom and sister helped get him on. During the day, he eats every 3 hours...pretty much with no exception. He has awake time after he eats and then goes down for a nap. We usually put him down awake and let him cry for a few minutes to teach him to sooth himself to sleep. It's hard to do but will be so worth it in the long run. 

Liam and Lala

Love them! 

Photo shoot with Aunt Stephie

Karlie is very curious about her baby brother

My favorite little face! 

What's up guys? 

I have so much more to be thankful for but must cut this post short as the tiny human is requiring food. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Liam Donovan Same

He is here! For weeks, I had had a fear that I wouldn't know when I was in labor. Ha! I have never felt pain like that in my entire life. Cheers to all the women who give birth naturally...I'll never be one of them! 
 About 3 am on Saturday morning I woke up because I thought Liam had kicked me in the bladder and I was "leaking". Not a lot, just a little but still thought it was strange. Got up went to the bathroom, got back in bed and it happened again. Just thought he was kicking my bladder or something. At 5 am on the dot I had my first REAL contraction...down on the floor on all 4s with back labor. I didn't have another bad one until 5:30 when I woke Isaiah up with a death grip on his arm. I continued to labor at home until 9:00. The really bad contractions were 9 min apart but I was having smaller ones every 2-3 min. As we were getting everything ready to go, I was having contractions and my water was leaking even more. (Didn't know it could happen like that) Got to the hospital with contractions 4 min apart. Got my IV and a bag of fluid and some demerol (did nothing for me), An hour later I got my epidural and was in heaven. By 12 p.m. I was fully dilated. I waited an hour before I started pushing to let him drop a little more on his own. 1 pm I was a pushing machine. I pushed and I pushed; epidural ran out and I pushed some more. Got some more pain meds and pushed some more. At 4:52 Liam arrived with the help of some forceps. He was perfect. 


7lbs 1 oz          19 3/4 in long          14 in head      @4:52pm  on Saturday, October 29, 2011


We have some of the most amazing friends that anyone could ask for. Thanks to the Clements for bringing us food in the hospital; The Gastons for the sweet treats, goodie bag, and bringing us dinner once we got home; Brandon and Meaghan Lokey for the adorable little Christmas socks and  feeding us tonight. Thank you to everyone who had offered to bring dinner. You are truly loved and appreciated! 

Proud father holding our son

The moment my heart felt a whole new kind of love

Sleeping like a baby

Already a week old! 

This picture was actually taken the night that I went into labor.

We have been home for a week now. My mom was here from the birth until Sunday afternoon. She was a Godsend. I honestly do not know what I would have done without her here in the first week. She was a huge support, sacrificing herself and her sleep for me. I will never be able to repay her for everything that she has done for me. Only now that I am a mother, do I truly grasp how much my mom loves me. I would do anything for my son and I know that my mom would do anything for me. Every morning at about 3, I would take Liam to her room so that I could get some good sleep. She would bring him back at 6 for his next feeding and then take him back so that I could sleep til 9. How awesome is that!? It was really fun having her here. One day, we stayed in our pajamas all day (something my mom had not done since she was probably 10) and watched tv while the rain fell outside. I am forever grateful for my mom! 

38 Weeks

There is a small chance that this will be my last post with Liam on the inside. My doctor informed me on Monday that she would like to induce me next Thursday. I will be 39 weeks. This is a huge decision. I can not wait to meet our little guy but I just don't know if I want to force him out before he's ready. And then, what if I end up with a c-section...I'd feel so guilty. Or, I could be induced and have a rocking delivery and everything be perfect. I just don't know!!!!! It's really not fair. Imagine this scenario....It's Christmas time. You have a very energetic 7 year old who is dying for Santa to come and fill his stocking. You ask this 7 year old, "Do you want it to be Christmas morning this week or a week or two from now?"  What do you think he would say?! Well, I'm this boy. How can I be tempted with something like this?

I'm still feeling pretty well. I had some major swelling after going to the zoo last weekend that was uncomfortable. Lucky for me the weather has cooled off and therefore is keeping the swelling down. Not gone, but down. I think every stitch of baby clothes, blankets, towels...everything has been washed. All we need now is a baby!

In other news....I was talking to my pregnant step-sister-in-law over the weekend and somehow Golden Corral came up. We convinced our husbands that we needed to go there this week. Two pregnant girls + a buffet = fantastic! I'm just mad that I waited until 38 weeks to indulge. I had not been there since probably high school. Totally worth the wait! Make fun if you will!

37 Weeks

I'm 37.5 weeks and my fingers have been replaced by sausages and my abdomen has been replaced by a watermelon and two honeydew melons. Hey, sounds like a pretty good breakfast. Needless to say, I am now, more than ever before ready to have this baby. He is fully cooked and just packing on the pounds until he decides that he's ready for a new living arrangement. This week I've been walking a lot, eating spicy food, and jumping up and down trying to get him to make his entry a little bit early. So far though, not too much has happened. I have a dr's appointment in the morning...I'm hoping that I've at least dilated a little more than last week (which was 1cm). I never thought that I would ever look forward to pelvic exams. Am I weird?

I feel like a 5 year old waiting on Santa to come on Christmas morning. I am not very good with surprises. I am a planner and like to know exactly when and how things are going to go down. I envy my sister-in-law who knows exactly when their little beauty will arrive via c-section. I do not wish for major abdominal surgery upon myself, but it would be nice to have a date to look forward to. So far we have a prediction of October 26 and another one of October 31 of when Liam will arrive. I am going to hope for October 27 since my Dr. practices at a different office on Wednesdays and therefore would not be around for my delivery on the 26. The 22 would be cool too because he could share a birthday with his Pappi (my dad). I guess there's no need stressing over this. He will come when he is good and ready and if not, will be served an eviction notice on November 8th!

36 Weeks

The cradle that my dad made for Liam

Mom and I made the window treatments

Vintage theme

Where the recliner will go after a few weeks. 

The great Pottery Barn rug that I got from a consignment sale. 

The new and improved bathroom. 

I have really enjoyed being pregnant and it has been a very easy and wonderful experience. However...I am sick of being pregnant now! I know that there will be struggles with having a newborn but I believe that I am ready to face that challenge. I am ready to hold my baby boy in my arms and feel the unconditional love that I know I will have for him (and for those of you who think I'm delusional...I know there will be times at the beginning when I will not like him and will possibly want to "put him back.") But I would really love to start the new chapter of my life sooner than later. In just 3 days I will considered full term. To avoid the wimpy white boy syndrome, I'd like for him to come on October 19th! Is that too much to ask? Although I'd like to meet my son on that day, I'm thinking it will more likely be November 8th before he's here. Oh well, that's still really soon!
How far along? 36 weeks 

Total weight gain/loss: 26 pounds.  Not too thrilled about weighing more than Isaiah. 

Maternity clothes? Of course. 

Sleep: Is ok. I really, really want to sleep on my stomach again and be able to roll over without lots of effort and a few moans. 

Best moment this week: Finishing Liam's bathroom and bedroom! Yay! I feel accomplished! 

Movement: He's definitely still moving. 

Food cravings: Baked potato from Jim and Nicks! Then, Isaiah ordered lemonade and it was the most wonderful thing that I have ever put in my mouth! Also, I ate an entire box of Rice Crispy Treats, then I made some and ate those too! 

Belly Button in or out? In, just really stretched

What I miss: Normal fall clothes. 

What I am looking forward to: My doctor’s appointment on Monday!!! And, Isaiah coming home on Tuesday! 

35 Weeks

I want to dedicate this post to my parents. I have so much to be thankful for and must attribute much of it to them. Although sometimes it gets me in trouble (like when I really do need help or sometimes I think I know better) I am very thankful that my parents taught me to be self sufficient. Please don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for Isaiah and all that he does for our family, but sometimes I end up having to do---um, I mean, I want it done now so I just do it.---A few weeks ago, my silverware drawer fell through the cabinet. Bummer. The little plastic thingy in the back of the cabinet that holds the drawer slider thingies cracked and broke. I went to home depot and to get a new drawer slider thingy holder. Well, they didn't have the size that I needed. I proceeded to Lowes. They also did not have the right side. I was told that I could go downtown to this specialty hardware cabinet store. That does not sound like fun to me at all. So, I decided that I would just replace the whole dang slider thingy on the drawer. Today at Home Depot, I tried to find help but could not find anyone. "I'm smart and capable of finding the right size drawer slider thingies. I can do this." Well folks, I did. I also got some new sand paper, painters tape, paint thinner, and new paint brushes! Let the weekend of home projects commence! Hubby will definitely be helping with the projects this week. So, thanks Mom and Dad for teaching me how to get things done!

I have been told recently by several different people that when I become a mother, I will truly understand how much that I am loved by my own parents. I already have a small taste of what it's going to be like. I am excited to love my son unconditionally and really, truly understand how much I am loved by my parents as well as how much I am loved by our Savior. I can't wait!!!

The little guy is doing just fine. He is measuring right on track still. I am really exhausted again. I have to take a break from whatever I am doing several times a day. My poor little feet are taking the brunt of the pain. They aren't used to all this extra weight. Other than being tired, I can't complain! I start my weekly doctors appointments on Monday. I am looking forward to those! (Minus some of the tests, which I am thankful I already know about....Group B strep...would not have been a welcome surprise!) Once again, I didn't spell check! I'm sure there's something wrong.....love me anyway. I gotta get dinner out of the oven. This is what we're having and it's SO GOOD! http://www.plainchicken.com/2009/08/chicken-rollups-2.html

34 Weeks

Last week at my mom's house was pretty lonely; I sure am glad to be home! It wasn't at all a bad week though. On Thursday night my sister got there with her two boys (Elliot, 3 and Oliver 15 months). It was so great hanging out with them. Saturday morning, mom and Bill got home and we got to work on decorating for the baby shower. They went all out! The pictures don't do everything justice!

Steph worked hard on these brownie bites

The theme of the shower was "vintage." It follows Liam's nursery.

L-O-V-E this picture frame! 

Red Velvet cake balls. To die for! They melt in your mouth! 

Cracker Jack party favors. In case you forgot, Cracker Jacks are amazing! 

Liam's welcome sign

Cannot wait til he can wear this outfit! 

Side view of the bumb

Steph, me, Mom

Baby Keens! 

33 Weeks

I am just not feeling this blog post. Can't seem to get it started. Maybe it's the rain, maybe it's that I'm surrounded by 4 dogs and no other people. I am dog sitting for my mom and step-dad this week while they are out of town. Isaiah and I came up, along with our friends Jemmie and Jeff on Friday. We had a wonderful weekend relaxing and enjoying a nice evening out in Nashville. We went to the Old Spaghetti factory and then went to a dueling piano bar called, The Big Bang. I felt a little awkward in a bar in my current state but the live entertainment made it much better than a typical bar. The line for the bathroom was kind of funny...bunch of drunk girls, dressed like hoochies having to pee from alcohol overload....super pregnant chick having to pee because a baby has taken residence over my bladder. 

Baby Boy Same is still going strong and growing like he should. I can't believe its already the middle of September. Feels like I could blink and it would be the middle of October and our son could be here any day! 

We have another little surprise to share. Not only am I giving birth soon, but Isaiah has a new baby as well. His baby (I am calling it that because it takes lots of nurturing and love to get it going) is a new company called, Telegraph Branding. I'll spare you all the gory details but this company pretty much sprang up over night. He and his business partner have a lot of work to do to get it going strong but I have every confidence in Isaiah that things will work out wonderfully. Telegraph- check them out! 

32 Weeks=Month 8 (out of 10. 40 weeks is 10 months people! Where this 9 month thing comes from, I don't know!!!!)

Went to the doctor today and everything is perfect so far! I really couldn't be more blessed. I'm having a lot more braxton-hicks contractions lately; sometimes they are a little painful but for the most part they just turn my belly into a rock for about 30 seconds. I am SOOOO ready for Liam's arrival! I look at his 4-D ultrasound picture every day and fall more and more in love with his sweet face. His room is pretty much done, just have to hang the last few little items on the wall. I started on his bathroom today. Oil-based primer is a ....not a fun product to work with. I'm not sure if there ended up being more paint on the walls or on me and everything else in the room. We are painting it Martha Stewart's cement gray. I'm pretty sure she got her inspiration from her jail cell a few years back. I'm trying to let my artsy husband take the lead on this paint color. The walls will be pretty muted but the accessories with liven the place up quite a bit! Liam better like it.

What's going on with Baby Liam this week...

• He's gaining about half a pound per week 
• He's is head down and preparing for arrival (sounds like an aircraft landing)
• He is receiving lots of antibodies and honing in on his skills that he will need outside the womb. 

31 Weeks

The third trimester had proven to be a very emotional time for me. Crying. Lots of crying-And not the cute kind either. Puffy, swollen face-the whole 9 yards. But when I'm not crying, I'm laughing at myself. I have been saying the dumbest things lately. I also look pretty funny trying to pick things up off of the floor. The other day, I was walking out of a store when something fell out of my purse. I very nonchalantly bent over to pick it up when I just about fell on my face. Apparently, bending at the waist to pick up something up is a thing of the past...at least for a little while. Now, bending over requires more of a sitting, squatting action- never to be done in a dress. Another fun player that is making his way back into my life is Mr. I-Don't-Like-Food-Anymore.  I am getting so picky again. If I'm not feeling it, it goes in the trash. Consequently, I lost 4 pounds over the weekend. I need to be better prepared and take whatever food I like for the week with me wherever I go. It's late, bedtime. 

I will leave you with a few photos of our sweet boy.