Blessing Day

Addi was blessed on January 2nd, 2011. She was fortunate enough to have lots of family and some friends present for the blessing.

Addi with Grandpa J

She wore my blessing dress. I love it on her.

Grandma B and Shaunzi were there.

As well as Grandma J.

With both Grandmas.

Addi and Mom.

Addi and Dad.

Jen and Jim and their kids were all present as well. It was such a beautiful and special day!

1 Month

1/8/2010

Dear Bug,

I can't even tell you how much joy and love you have brought into our lives. I can't imagine what our world would be like without you in it. Even though we are sleep deprived and not sure when the next time is we'll get to sleep for more than 4 hours at a time, we wouldn't change it for anything. This last month has been a whirlwind of emotions. Having you on the 8th of December was the perfect time because we could enjoy you through the holidays. Christmas was so special for us this year and you were the perfect Christmas gift.

You are such a good baby. You have your fussy periods, but don't all of us? I love how you need to be cuddled close in order to fall asleep, but that you also love to sprawl out in your bassinet or on the floor.

You smiled at about 2 weeks old. I think your first real one was at Grandma J. I know the pediatrician said babies don't smile at 2 weeks, but I'm your mom, and I know a real Bug smile when I see one. You have continued to smile more and more. It makes me so happy when you look at me and give me a huge grin--it makes all of the sleep deprivation worth it.

You are a rockstar eater. Thank you! At your 1 week appointment you had gained weight right back up to your birth weight. At your two week appointment the doctor said you were in the 90th percentile for height (21 1/4 inches), 75th for weight (8 lbs 12 oz), and the 50-75th percentile for head circumference. Your chubby cheeks are quite possibly our favorite feature.

You get hot really easily. I was so worried about having a baby in the dead of winter. I thought how would I ever keep you warm enough??? You, however, have lived up to your nickname you received in the womb of mommy's little heater. There are times where you are fussy and all we have to do is get your little feet out of your blanket or take your blanket off and you are one happy camper.

You give us a 2 second warning when you are hungry, but it takes you about 45 minutes to wake up. During that time you are stretching and grunting and groaning, and then you'll fall back asleep. All of a sudden your eyes will open and you'll start crying like you are famished. It cracks us up every time.

Basically you light up our lives. Never before did we imagine we could feel such love in such a short period of time. You make us so happy.

Whoops!

You are beautiful, little Bug! We are so blessed to have you as a part of our little family!

Love,

Mom and Dad

The Birth Story

I'm not really into posting all the details for the world to see so if you want them, call me :)

I am into brevity, however. So here are the major events:

• Contractions began on Tuesday December 7th, sometime in the middle of the night. All I can remember is that I woke up with them, not really sure what they were. As the day progressed, and as they got more intense, I finally realized what was going on.
• I went to my regularly scheduled doctor's appointment at 3. The doctor told me I was 95% effaced and dilated to a 2. This was progress from the previous week when I hadn't been dilated at all. The doctor also told me to go ahead and schedule an appointment for the following week. I couldn't imagine going another week with contractions, so I left the appointment a little discouraged.
• Over the next several hours my contractions became closer together and more painful. At 10:30 PM we drove to the hospital.
• I was admitted at 11:30 PM...dilated to a 4. This was right where I wanted to be before I received my epidural, so I was pretty proud of myself that I had labored all the way to a 4 at home.
• Epidural at midnight. This is about the time I fell in love with a man named Mark, who was my nurse anesthetist.
• I progressed throughout the night, and around 7:30 in the morning was dilated to a 10.
• I didn't begin pushing until about 10:30 or 11. Long story...my doc was doing a c-section, they wanted the baby's head to come down naturally, she needed to turn...yadda yadda yadda. It felt like we waited forever to start pushing.
• Had some issues with the epidural. Finally got them resolved.
• At 1:00 pm my doctor came in and asked if I wanted some help getting my baby here. I said yes. By 1:19 Addison made her entrance into the world.

It was the most beautiful, scary, exciting, and happy moment of my life and a moment I hope I never forget!

Addi Pics!

Addison Pamela Byron arrived on December 8th. She was 8 lbs. 5 oz. She is so adorable!

For pics go to:

www.chadandbekah.smugmug.com

Thanksgiving 2010

**Three posts in an hour? What has gotten into me?***



These two pictures are the only pictures I took of Thanksgiving. We hosted the Porcaro family at our house this year (as I am restricted from traveling too far in my current condition). We had a delicious feast, complete with a Williams Sonoma brined turkey, stuffing, mashed red potatoes, raspberry pomegranate salad, green bean casserole, oven roasted rosemary vegetables, homemade rolls and pumpkin, pecan, and banana cream pies.

Here is the table with the fine china. And by fine, I mean plastic because who wants/needs to do more dishes than necessary on this day of feasting.

This was Chad's first experience carving a turkey. I didn't realize it was such a big deal to do so, but apparently it marks some sort of milestone of manhood. Jim blessed Chad with a ceremonial electric carving knife. Thank you Jim!

We had a great day! My 8 1/2 month pregnant self was exhausted and swollen at the end of the day, but it was well worth it. Thank goodness my sister is such a great cook and was willing to share her talents with us once again.

The Nursery

Our daughter has a room. It's been several months in the making, but we are thrilled with how it turned out.

Big, comfy chair. We purchased all the wooden ladybugs, flowers, butterflies, and letters from Michaels and painted them.

I made the hair accessory holder, but she has so many that one of the drawers of her dresser is full of them as well.


Her closet





Now for the last essential part...the baby.

38 Weeks

Only 2 weeks left, and we are getting sooooo excited to meet this little girl!