She's too Much!

I love this kid so much, sometimes I think my heart will burst!

Kate's Birth Story

Our baby is here and she's a GIRL!!

Kate Mitchell Tucker
July 20th, 2011 at 11:21 pm
6 lbs, 8 oz
20 inches long

Of course Denny and I would have been thrilled with a boy or girl, but there's something so sweet about having 2 girls. SISTERS! I love the way the phrase "the girls" rolls off my tongue. It seems so perfect:)

Kate's birth story was many hours longer than Macy Brooks. This came quite a surprise, since labors are supposed to get shorter.

We arrived at the hospital on Tuesday 7/19 at 7:30. Got all checked in and settled in our room. Nurses came and went, paperwork was filled out. Then the fun started with trying to get an IV going. They blew a vein in each arm and decided to call the IV team. An awesome man came and said I had perfect veins for IV's, then he got one in seamlessly. Next up was placing the Cervidil. I opted for the ambien this time and it was off to slumberland:) I remember with MB's labor, I tuckered out quite early since I hadn't slept the night before, so I chose sleep!

Denny and I woke up at 4:45 & 5:45. At 8 the nurse came to remove the Cervidil. Her response, "oh, it's just sitting right here." Which means it wasn't placed where it should have been and therefore didn't do it's job:( I was still only 2cm and feeling a little discouraged. By 8:30 I was showered and began walking the halls from 9:15-11 to try and get things going. Labor wasn't where we wanted it to be so we began Pitocin at 11. Macy Brooks came by for a visit and it did my heart good!

By 2:30 I was 4 cm. I started feeling better at this point because contractions weren't hurting and was surprised by my progress! At 4:30 I was 6 cm and feeling great still! I was shocked I had progressed more, because I still had little pain. Then at 6:30 and 8pm I was still only 6 cm-Boo!

That's when "water breaking" conversations really got serious. I was the only one who did not want to do it. I really wanted to go without an epidural this delivery and had a feeling breaking my water would send me over the pain edge. My dr, Denny, and family members were all pushing me to let them do it. I had a good cry and talked myself into it being a good decision and told Dr. G I was ready. So it was broken at 9:30 and to my surprise I was between 7&8 cm.

Here comes the pain and boy did it hurt! I was managing it okay for awhile. Good thing the pain was that severe for less than 2 hours. At some point I got it in my head that I wasn't getting an epidural and I could do this. So I kept plugging along. By 10:30 I was 8-9 cm! By 11:00 I was starting to push. This was the point I started wanting pain control, but I knew it was too late. Before I knew it, I was screaming at the top of my lungs. I didn't even know that was in me! Then by 11:21 our beautiful baby was out!

I know I'm in the minority having this little dream, but I've always wanted to deliver a baby with no pain medicine. I knew this was likely my last chance so I tried extra hard this time. I'm thankful I was able to accomplish that goal. It hurt like nothing I've ever felt before, but it felt good to stick to my guns and reach that dream. The 1 thing I would have changed, was the feeling directly after the birth. I've always read and heard that you feel instantly better after a natural delivery-like a euphoric high. I did not have this. I remained in a little pain for a couple hours after birth. I also could not stop shaking! I would have thought I'd have felt better as soon as she was out.

By 2am we were in our other room and Kate was nursing like a champ! She did not act like a 37 week baby at all. She's a pro!

I'm incredibly thankful for another healthy baby! Life has been surreal ever since. God is too good to me!

Amnio & Last thoughts

Well....only 40 more minutes until we're supposed to have the phone call to report mature lungs!

Denny and I had our alarms set for 5:45 this morning, but I woke at 4:30(thought it was closer to morning because the moon was so bright!) and he woke up at 5. Can you say anxious??

Our sitter arrived on time at 6:15 and we were in the exam room by 7:15 as planned. Macy Brooks' amnio was a breeze. No pain and took less than 5 seconds. This one was completely different. I can just now talk about it without crying!

The sonographer found some fluid and I was covered in betadine. Dr. K inserted the needle which hurt terribly this time. Almost as soon as he got in the baby began to push against the needle with his/her leg. So he kept trying to draw up the fluid and it wouldn't budge because of the pressure. He stayed in for about 5 minutes. That felt like an eternity. I was trying to relax while crying(which is very hard to do!) and squeezing Denny's hand. I had my eyes closed the whole time. Dr. K pulled the needle out and had to go back in with a new needle. The room was getting very tense by now. Dr. K was getting annoyed with the sonographer and the baby(for not moving) and then me(for not relaxing). The second needle was in for about 4 minutes. As I was just about to tell him to stop and forget it, the baby moved a hair and he was able to draw it up. WHEW! I was now a complete wreck from pain and stress. I felt super woozy and was not happy. My needle stick sites are still very sore and tender!

So anyways, it's over now and we are waiting, but it was not fun! A total different experience than my last amnio...

Then we left and went to the OB's office for a dilation check. We had an 8:30 appt and arrived about 8:45. We walked out of her office at 10:45. I was in a total bad mood by now. Still upset from the amnio and just wanting to get home to my girl (and eat again!). The OB gave us orders to go in tonight (after a positive amnio result) for a Cervidil (I'm only dilated to 1CM) and then Pitocin in the morning if needed(hoping I don't!).

As soon as we got home, I felt tons better. Macy Brooks had a great morning with her sitter and greeted us so sweetly! We took her to the pool (I didn't do much or carry anything!) and soaked up some quality time. She's sleeping now(as is Denny!) and I paid bills(fun fun!)

PART II
Why do I feel like I need to keep soaking up my last days with Macy Brooks? So dumb! She's not going anywhere and neither am I (hopefully!) We are adding such a blessing to this family and Macy Brooks is going to be an amazing big sister. So why am I so emotional and teary when I think of it not just being her and I anymore? My mom told me something a few weeks ago that was supposed to make me feel better, but didn't really come out that way(sorry Mom!). She said "Macy Brooks isn't going to remember being an only child and just with you all day." What she meant is that she's going to adjust just fine and thoroughly enjoy her new role. But it really made me sad, because I want her to remember these times. I want to remember them! We have had an amazing 2 years of time together. Kind of sad she'll never remember them!

I'm so in love with this baby in my belly and can't wait to meet it and begin our journey of a family of 4 (here together). God has a plan for this baby's life and I feel so blessed He chose us to parent him/her. Motherhood is a calling and not just something that fills the days. God has called us to parent 2 kids here on Earth and that is amazing. I vividly remember the days of longing for babies and a house full of laughter and fun and it's almost here! God is so good!

So knowing all that, just not sure why it's so emotional when I think of Macy Brooks' role change. Any ideas?

The end of this pregnancy is just as anxious and scary, but in a different way. Thanks for all the phone calls, texts, emails and facebook notes today. They have really helped us focus and keep our cool when we didn't feel like it! Please pray that our phone call in about 15 minutes says mature lungs and things go smoothly tomorrow. My other main prayer request is for Macy Brooks. I know she'll do great, but pray for her heart and for Denny and I. We need guidance on helping her transition!

Thanks so much everyone!

36 weeks!

11 days to go, but who's counting?? :)

We have everything scheduled and our parents and babysitter are all lined up!

Tuesday, 7/19 7:30 Amnio-Prayer request #1 that lungs will be ready!
8:30 Ob visit for a check, If I'm showing any signs I won't have to spend Tuesday night in the hospital so that is prayer request #2

Wednesday, 7/20 If the lungs are ready and we pass the amnio, we will either go in that night before to get a Cervadil or come in early Wed. morning for Pitocin.

All the baby equipment is down from the attic and washed. I also pulled the newborn bin of boy clothes and girl clothes down for my mom to wash after the birth, but before we get home. Some diapers have been purchased (or given!) and my bag and the baby's bag is packed! Boy bedding has been selected and will be brought up if needed. Things are going well!

Next week is full of appointments: eye dr, hair cut, 2 preggo visits, a pool date with friends and doing last minute things. It's going to be here before we know it!

Today was another great appointment at high risk dr. He's so awesome! We got the best shot of the face! I think this baby is so cute already:) Take a look and let me know if you think boy or girl? Definitely has Brooks and Macy Brooks nose and full lips, but kinda looks like a boy to me.....thoughts?????

35 Weeks!

This pregnancy has flown by! I can't believe we have 2 weeks left. Here's a little update:

How I'm feeling: This has been my most comfortable pregnancy of all! I've had hardly no pain anywhere! Unless, of course, I overdo during the day and have a little back pain at night-but that's rare! A major plus, is that I still sleep well most nights. You know, except for all the potty breaks:)

Weight Gain: 14 lbs. Still all belly, but it's getting big! The baby weighed 5lbs, 12 ou today, which is exactly what it's supposed to weigh! I saw the baby in 3D today at the high risk dr. and it has some chubby cheeks and is definitely fattening up:)


Clothes: Definitely wearing maternity clothes if I dress for going out. Most days I just wear a maternity tank top and regular gym shorts. Staying home and not fully getting dressed during pregnancy is awesome.

Emotions: Overall, I've been more emotionally stable this pregnancy. I think it helps so much to have Macy Brooks here. She keeps me running and I don't have time to worry or over analyze things. Plus, I can now visualize what it's like to have a good labor and healthy delivery with an amazing outcome! Within the past 2 weeks, I've had some scary thoughts. When I first wake in the mornings I feel anxious until the baby moves. But, it usually doesn't take too long. This baby also moves the most. I'm thankful for those movements, but starting to think the baby will never sleep:)

Fears: Of course I'm scared that the worst will happen to this baby. But, I'm also very nervous for Macy Brooks. I want her to be happy and not feel replaced or 2nd fiddle.

Macy Brooks: I think she's getting the big sister-baby is coming to live with us idea. HOPEFULLY:) Her new favorite book is a big sister book. I always read it using her name to make it more personal. The baby kicks her every night while we are rocking and she gets so tickled! She's very gentle and sweet with other babies too.

These are a few of our pregnancy pictures with Jason Pendley. I'm 33.5 weeks here. Please keep praying for our family!

Beach Bound!!

The first week of June we headed to Panama City Beach! We had planned to go with the Pendley's like we did last year, but their son broke his arm and was unable to get a waterproof cast:( They booked a trip for later in the summer, but with a baby on the way, we decided we'd better go ahead and vacay!

Our little family ended up having a great time! I loved having a full week to focus on Macy Brooks and spoil her a little bit before she fulfills her big sister role. Almost everyday we'd head down to the beach by 9AM(someone had a hard time sleeping in!) and stay until 12ish. Our place was right on the gulf, so we went up for lunch and let our water bug take a nap. Denny ended up napping while she did so I headed to the beach for some reading and relaxation! It was perfect!


Here's our sweet pea entertaining herself on the ride down. Someone got a new sticker book, but somehow the stickers landed on her body instead of the book:)

Here's some photos from our beach time. Macy Brooks LOVED the beach! She loved the water even more. This kid had absolutely NO FEAR, which actually filled her Momma with a little fear! She'd get knocked over by a wave and come up asking for more. There were many strangers that commented on her lack of fear after watching her flounder around and come up laughing. We usually stuck her floaties on her arms and headed out past the breaking point so she could feel like we weren't helping her(two year old behavior is showing up a little early!).





This is what our girl looked like when we were in the condo. We offered her the same amount of sleep she gets while at home, but I don't think she slept soundly. This girl was WORN OUT from the vacation. She'd lay in our bed or on the couch and just stare at the TV, even at shows she's never seen before. Poor thing needed a vacation from her vacation!

We went out to dinner every night except for 1. It was fun getting dressed up and eating fresh seafood! We also had ice cream almost every night! Yum-O!

One morning in the middle of the week we took a break from the beach and went on a dolphin cruise to Shell Island. It was lots of fun. It's a 45 minute boat cruise out to the island, an hour stay and dolphin watching on the ride back! We were able to see a 4 day old dolphin swimming with it's Momma:)


I tried to get some good pictures in the evening on the sand, but it just didn't work out too well. Macy Brooks is at a very difficult age to photograph! She's constantly on the move and has decided not to look into the camera anymore:( This was the best we could do!
Photos with Momma:)


Photos with Daddy:)


This was our last night and last attempt at good pictures. The setting was gorgeous, but our tired girl was plain worn out!



Thank you Denny for working so hard and providing us with the opportunity to go on a nice vacation. I thoroughly enjoyed our family time! I love you!

Visiting Brooks

I'm blogging this short story so I can always remember it.

Macy Brooks and I went to visit her brother and put out spring flowers for him. It was a gorgeous day and we had enjoyed a great morning together. We trotted up that sidewalk looking at all the pretty arrangements along with stopping to look at bugs and lizards:)

The cemetery where our son is buried is super nice (and big) so I usually feel comfortable there. I guess I was distracted by my toddler in tow, because I did not do my usual and "be conscious of my surrounding." AKA....look around and make sure we were safe.

About 3 minutes into the flower arranging and tidying up, Macy Brooks became extra loving and cuddly. She just wanted to hug on me and kept giving me kisses. I wasn't crying or visibly upset this visit so I'm not sure what got into her. It's like she knew exactly what was going on. Then I got very weirded out when I realized I didn't check our surroundings. So... I don't know if she picked up on "momma's being quiet, she needs a few hugs and kisses," or "we're in a weird place and I better stay close."

I scooped up my girl and surveyed our area. There was a man not too far away who seemed to be minding his own. We quickly finished our flower arranging and headed back down the sidewalk. I turned as we were leaving and saw him glancing our way. It was a little creepy!

But I'm choosing to think that MB knew her momma needed extra love during those minutes and chose to give it to me! Isn't she the sweetest:)