The Stork Visited the Clem's!

Wow! What a whirlwind! I didn't quite make it to 39 weeks. Liam decided to make an early arrival! I can't say I'm sad about that! I was starting to get to the point where misery was setting in. The heat mixed with large belly mixed with swelling was just not cutting it.

Here's how everything went down...

It was June 7th and Tyler and I went to bed as usual. It was 11 pm. At 1:30 in the morning on June 8th, I got up to go to the restroom and when I got back in bed, something wet leaked out...I knew I didn't wet myself! So...sparing all the details, my water broke, we finished packing up our things, and headed to the hospital. The whole car ride there, Tyler and I were overflowing with excitement! I wasn't in any pain, so we laughed and squealed all the way there.

As soon as we got to the hospital, they hooked me up to monitor to make sure I was ready to be admitted. Sure enough, it was time! We got settled in our labor and delivery room and the incredibly long day began. Tyler and I tried to catch a little snooze before things got really crazy...he slept, I counted ceiling tiles.  At this point grandparents had been called and were on their way from Tennessee, so anticipation levels were sky high! Side note...Tyler's dad was at a fishing tournament the whole weekend and was supposed to fish that day. His prefishing had been awesome! We couldn't get ahold of him because he didn't have service! Once we finally did, he had about 8 hours worth of travel to get to Anderson! We weren't sure if he would make it on time...

So once sleeping beauty awoke (Tyler),  my parents and Tyler's mom had arrived! Yay! They made it! I was doing fine for about 4 hours, but was only dilated to a 3. They gave me pitocin, and that's when the contractions became intense! This low pain tolerating woman then requested an epidural! Y'all. Best decision of all. I highly recommend an epidural to any pregnant lady! I had nothing to prove at that point.

Once the candy man (he has a great job) came and gave me the goods, I was set! I didn't feel anymore pain. I labored and labored and labored. For hours. 13 total. With about an hour and a half to go, Tyler's brother Travis and his girlfriend Cassidy showed up. They could only be here for the day but they still drove allllllllll this way to see us! They're amazing! With about an hour to go, Gary made it! Yaaaaay! It was awesome. We all got emotional and prayed together, then I felt a slight change in my body. It was time. Sure enough, I was right. It was time to push. Each set of pushes consisted of  3 sets of 10 second pushes. I only pushed for about ten minutes! Thankfully. They kept an eye on Liam's heart rate all day because it kept dropping with the pitocin drip. We were on the cusp of a c section because of his heart rate, but thanks be to God, he made it just in time! They had to use a little vacuum device to get him out, but I'm just thankful we avoided a c-section! Our little boy was finally here!!!

Again...I'll spare you the details, but the aftermath was the worst part. The epidural wears off and all the sensations come back. But hey, it's almost been a whole month, and I'm feeling great! Just tired, of course.

This little guy makes all the pain and crazy changes worth it all. He's seriously the cutest baby I've ever seen in my whole life. No bias here. But really...look at this guy!

He's stolen my heart. One of the most beautiful parts of the day he came was instantly seeing Tyler become Liam's daddy. We both were a wreck in that delivery room. This was such a special moment in our family and our marriage. I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else! He's already been the biggest help in ALL aspects. I'm so thankful he's Liam's daddy! What an adventure for us.

Thank you all for your support, love, and prayers! We're so excited Liam's finally here! Now to figure out how to raise a child....and get a little bit of sleep...

38 Weeks.

At 38 weeks:

Size: Pumpkin. About 18.9-20.9 inches. 6.2-9.2 pounds.

Major Happenings: He may have about an inch or so of hair. He's slowly shedding the white goo on his skin but will still have some at birth. Growing bigger and bigger!

What's Been Happening: Graduation and graduation parties for our amazing students! We're so proud! Also, just prepping for Liam. Finished packing hospital bags and put up smoke detectors. Last minute details!

Sleep: I go to the bathroom during the night...a lot, but other than that, I cannot complain!

Miss Anything: Being able to go 1,000 mph every day. haha This is SO good for me to have to slow down. I just feel guilty when I have to slow down. I'm trying to get over that guilt!

Food Cravings: Cravings have really slowed down. Nothing's really striking my fancy. The watermelon is STILL so refreshing, though!

Wedding Rings on or off: They're off :( I really feel like people are judging me.

Looking Forward to: Him being here! I can't wait to see Tyler hold him for the first time. What a sweet moment that will be!

37 Weeks.

Happy Memorial Day! 

What a blessed people we are to live in a country with so many freedoms. Military life hasn't personally impacted me greatly, but I'm so thankful for all those who choose to serve our country! Praying for their families today. 

This week was just crazy. That word is often used to describe my weeks. Life's just all around busy! 

The highlight of the week was Tyler's cousin Casey and his family coming into this past weekend. It was our last visit together before Liam comes! We're so grateful for our families and the love and support they've shown us...especially as we prepare to become parents! It's quite overwhelming! 

We had a checkup on Wednesday and all is still good! To avoid grossing you out or offering TMI, let's just say things are...progressing! And Liam's sitting unusually low for this point in time. Exciting! He's also officially FULL TERM.

We may have a baby before we know it! Time sure is slowing down as we anticipate Liam's arrival!

At 37 weeks:

Size: Winter melon. About 18.9-20.9 inches. 6.2-9.2 pounds.

Major Happenings: Liam's now considered full term! He's practicing skills such as inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping, and blinking. He's getting bigger and packing on the pounds!

What's Been Happening: Just busy busy busy. Graduation time and summer are crazy for youth minister's families! We had a checkup last Wednesday and things are progressing already!

Sleep: Pretty good. My tummy gets sore from the weight. I try to wedge a pillow for support, but it doesn't always stay! Momma's getting way tired.

Miss Anything: The ability to exercise! I NEVER thought I'd say that! Ever!

Food Cravings: My watermelon craving has calmed down, but I'm still eating and loving it!

Wedding Rings on or off: This week I had to start taking them off :(:( the heat and being on my feet so much are making me swell. NO FUN. But sometimes they're on, sometimes off.

Looking Forward to: Our checkup on Thursday and the end of school finally being in sight!

Did You Just Say That?

"My feet were so swollen during pregnancy! They were as huge as your thighs!" Thank you for that wonderful compliment.

"You better be careful with all that watermelon... You're going to get gestational diabetes and go into a coma..." Well, that sounds fun.

"How much weight have you gained? With my 3rd I gained the MOST... 23 pounds! It fell right off afterward, though..." I'm done with this conversation.

"They didn't detect her Preeclampsia, so her placenta ruptured and she had to give birth to a dead baby...but don't worry! I'm sure you'll be fine." Well,  that was a ray of sunshine.

"You're really looking ready to have that baby" aka you look very fat and tired.

"I really wish we waited to have kids until my 30s...24 is way too young." I'm 23... Tyler's 25. Too late.

"You just wait...(fill in the blank)" if I hear that phrase one more time...

"You better get sleep now! You won't sleep for another 18 years..." Thank you, person #509364 to say that...

Well, well, well...here we are at the end. The comments just keep getting better and better! I'm so grateful that everyone's so encouraging about this process! Smacks head with hand.

First time parents have a lot going on in their minds. There's a lot of pressure, anxieties, hopes, goals, excitement, fears, etc. We have a lot of mixed emotions. If you have kids, you've been there. This is unchartered territory for us.

I know parenting is not all rainbows and butterflies, but really? Does anyone have anything positive to say? If you've been encouraging,  I'm absolutely certain I've looked you square in the face and sincerely said, "thank you for being positive! There's so much negativity surrounding parenting." And I truly meant it.

Some days Tyler has to remind me to just laugh at the crazy things people say to me. We'll just need to experience all of the craziness ourselves.
This morning I was thinking about a couple of verses my wonderful friend Shannon sent me the other day...
Psalm 127:3-4

"Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth."

I will be the first to admit that I'm naturally a pessimist. That's one reason why Tyler and I are so great together- he's so positive, while my tendency is to be negative. Through all of life's stresses, I naturally see the glass half empty. I have to pray for a positive outlook DAILY. I hate not recognizing the sunshine The Lord's put in my life. All that being said, why are we so quick to lose sight of the fact that children are a blessing? Parenting is a gift. I know...easy for me to say. My child isn't born yet. However, I hope and pray The Lord reminds me of this daily. I hope to be an encouragement to new parents! I pray that every day I'll have at least one positive thing to say about Liam and about being his mommy. No judgement here, but is a little positivity too much to ask for?!

Take some time today to encourage some new parents. I'm sure they could use it! I'm so excited to meet Liam! Please don't rain on my parade!

So, lay it on me...what are some parenting joys we have to look forward to?

36 Weeks.

Well, well, well...Here we are again. Another week under our belts! I can't exactly wear belts anymore, but you know what I mean.

Last week was another exciting one! We took some maternity pictures with a friend who is starting up her photography business! So, if you're around the Williamston area, check her out! Here are a few shots from Stacys Shots Photography:

Last Tuesday we had a baby shower at my school! I'm so thankful for such incredible coworkers. My related arts team gave me a watermelon for a card to continue to satisfy my craving! haha! LOVE IT.

We were so blessed by all the gifts we received! Everyone's anxiously awaiting Liam's arrival!

We left on Friday after school for a mini getaway! This was our final road trip as a family of 2. Wow! Of course, we had to stop on the scenic highway to document!

We went to Chattanooga to take maternity pictures with a friend of mine who actually used to take pictures of me when we were in middle school. She used to practice with me and say, "I want to be a photographer one day!" Look at her now! Here's a picture she actually took of me in middle school...isn't that special?!

Not only that, but she also shot our wedding!!! We just think it's so special that she's been a part of capturing some huge moments in our lives.

We got to stay with my precious Aunt and Uncle and my parents came to meet us! I'm telling you...this was SO GOOD for me! That was probably the last time they'll see us without Liam! Here are some shots from our maternity shoot with Mary Lauren:

I have a STUD of a husband. That's all I've got to say about that! :)

Sunday was awesome because I was given the opportunity to highlight Compassion International during our service. I'm NOT a public speaker and kept telling the Lord that I did NOT need to get up there. But, He wasn't listening to me...I'm SO GLAD he doesn't listen to me and my insecurities because all 25 child packets I had at the table were taken! And other kids online were sponsored through this event, too! PRAISE GOD! This organization is amazing, and I love the heart of it. I've sponsored my child since 2008. 6 years! Her birthday is actually June 16th, Liam's due date! Is that not the coolest?! She's so excited that he could come then! I'm so grateful to be part of an organization helping meet children's needs and sharing the Gospel worldwide. Amazing!
Here's my sweet Judy:

I love that face!

At 36 weeks:

Size: Honeydew Melon. About 17.2-18.7 inches. 4.2-5.8 pounds.

Major Happenings: This once poppy seed is now huge! God is so awesome. Liam's just about ready to breathe on his own! His liver and kidneys are in working order. 

What's Been Happening: Maternity shoots! Too fun. We're one week away from full term! Also, another wonderful baby shower!

Sleep: Eh.

Miss Anything: Well...I waddle now. So, here we go.

Food Cravings: Still loving that watermelon, y'all! Juicy goodness.

Wedding Rings on or off: ON! Getting very snug.

Looking Forward to: A checkup on Wednesday and every week after that! WOW.

35 Weeks & The Nursery!

Wow! We've made it to 35 weeks. 2 more weeks until Liam's full term! #overwhelming!

We had a checkup on Thursday, and all is well, still! Thankfully! His heartbeat sounds great, and our doctor wasn't concerned with anything from the ultrasound. Thanks be to our great God!

This weekend was Mother's Day weekend, as we're all aware. After we slept until the mid afternoon Saturday (not ashamed), my sweet husband helped me finish up the nursery! Then we had a date night, which was much overdue. It's been way too long! He took me to Macaroni Grill. Holy yumminess! That bread, though. In that olive oil, though. I almost bit the waitress's hands off when she took half a loaf that was still on the plate...you know she put that in the TRASH! Shame shame shame. I almost cried. She was so cute, though. I said something about being pregnant and she was like "I WONDERED! I offended a lady the other day who had just had her baby when I asked if she was pregnant. Never again." She was fun! I also discovered that Tyler has a secret gift...he can WIN at any of those stupid little games like tic-tac-toe and make-a-square-out-of-the-dots ( I don't know the technical name...). He got me every time! He's a genius.

The pups love a good sleep-in Saturday...

 Macaroni Grill with my favorite! He's kinda creepin' in this but so cute!

After dinner, we ran to buy a basket from Target and then made a stop at Spill the Beans. Spill the Beans is a great local coffee shop in Greenville. Every time we go, he gets coffee, I get ice cream. Such a treat!

Mother's Day was sweet. I'm at the awkward stage where I'm like...is it weird if I celebrate Mother's Day? Am I even considered a mom yet? I know Liam's alive in me...so surely yes? But do I count yet? So I felt extremely awkward standing in church when they asked the moms to. I didn't stand the first time; I stood the second. The struggle is real. But man...I was emotional! I just kept thinking about our baby boy and how precious he already is. I kept praying that God would enable me to be a godly mother. That's what I want our baby boy to know me by- a mom who loves and fears the Lord...first and foremost!

I'm basically a beached whale...

Mmmm I just can't wait to kiss his sweet cheeks! So now...onto some fun stuff. We FINISHED THE NURSERY! Yes! yes! yes! I can hear the hallelujah chorus now! So...here are some before and after shots for you. Enjoy!

So this room BEFORE was our junk/guest room. It was this baby blue color that I did not enjoy:

We gave it a little paint job...

Added all our STUFF.

And finally completed it this weekend...

I love some of the details...

This is a painting one of our amazing students did for Liam.

At 35 weeks:

Size: Coconut. About 17.2-18.7 inches. 4.2-5.8 pounds.

Major Happenings: Apparently my uterus has grown 1,000 times its original size. How disturbing is that? His hearing is fully developed, and he responds best to high pitched noises. That opera we were practicing in the car Saturday night (to be like the singer in Macaroni Grill) must have been LOVELY to him. ha! 

What's Been Happening: Church softball games and hanging out with youth. I love our youth girls so stinkin much! I hung out with some of our high schoolers Friday night and had a blast. I'm so thankful for this ministry God's called us to!

Sleep: It's been okay. We bought a couple of fans because I'm so HOT all the time! And our house doesn't hold any cool air in this heat.

Miss Anything: My old, active body. But that's ok! All for a good cause!

Food Cravings: WATERMELON. Still. We bought #8 after our doctor's appointment Thursday...excuse me...I bought it. And didn't tell anyone I was going to.. hehehe.

Wedding Rings on or off: ON!

Looking Forward to: Seeing this sweet boy for the first time!