Howe Fun with the Howe Family

A year ago we said good bye to some of our dearest friends--the Howe Family. They moved cross country and it seems to have been the fastest year ever. However, we never expected to visit with them and see them so quickly after the move. I always assumed we would go west first before they came back east, but having Jordan's parents live in Florida really helps the possibility to visit with them. Here's a glimpse at our visit together--it was short but very sweet and lots of fun!! We found out that Parker LOVED Lilly Grace, and we also found out that Parker and Lucas together is TROUBLE. When the Howe's moved, Parker was a little too young to really interact with the boys, but not now... 

Lilly Grace made her debut!

When I returned to school from Spring Break, evidently everyone on my team thought I was having LG that week, but I still doubted it since I'd made it so far and began feeling better. However, they were right...on Friday, April 8, 2016, I went to school like any other day. My intern was there for her last day and my long term sub had been shadowing all week, so she was there, too. Early in the day I started feeling some tightening in my back, but I was convinced it wasn't contractions because it was nothing like contractions with Lucas. But the one thing that kept me wondering was the fact that it kept happening and the pain would last anywhere from 30-90 sec. I started tracking the pain, just in case, and it was every 10min, 8 min, 5 min, etc...but the pain was constant. I didn't say anything to anyone because again, I seriously doubted the pain was contractions. But to be cautious I called my ob before heading to lunch and the nurse told me it was probably Braxton Hicks contractions, she told me to move around and drink lots of water...so I did both, and because I wasn't feeling the tightening across my stomach, the nurse didn't think it was contractions either. 

I went on to lunch and recess, where the whole 3rd grade was dressed in pink and gave me and LG a big shout when I came outside. They had a PINK OUT for Lilly Grace...well it worked :)

I went back inside after recess and I had been letting my sub and intern do everything anyway, but I felt I needed to at this point. I still wasn't feeling contractions in my abdomen, but my back was still hurting. I thought well I should head home and at least nap and rest because I felt like LG was coming this weekend. I knew I wouldn't get any downtime with Lucas being home so I figured a few hours to nap would be helpful. However, once I made this decision I felt a little different and thought maybe my water had started to break, but I wasn't sure. I had been messaging Andrew all day, and he wanted me to come home if I need to. I didn't want to waste any of my leave time, but I decided it'd be best to go home. I walked down the hall and found Kristen, who was actually coming back down the front hall and I told her I thought I should go home. I asked her if she'd go get Lucas and bring him to the house and that I thought I'd go ahead to the hospital. I grabbed my things, told my students and team bye. As I walked in the office to tell Ms. Hagood I was heading out ...I felt it...my water broke standing right there, luckily it was nothing like you see in the movies. 

Kristen and I walked out to my car to get Lucas' car seat out, we couldn't get the top strap to unlatch, so we decided we'd let Andrew take it out when I got home and she'd go pick it up before she picked up Lucas. She asked me many times if I wanted her to drive me home, but I felt ok to do it. As I drove home my back labor (which I didn't realize I was experiencing) turned into contractions across my abdomen and my water had definitely broke. I called Andrew and told him to get the truck packed to go, so when I got home we were ready to go. It was emotional because I realized I wouldn't get to see my baby boy again as my only baby boy, but I was in so much pain every few minutes that my focus quickly shifted. 

We got the hospital around 2:30ish and I was checked in. My admitting nurse was awesome and so sweet. We discussed that if LG was born today then her birthday would be 4-8-16, which was so cool because of the numbers, each doubles to make the next. However, it wasn't long after when my contractions got VERY intense and VERY close together. This progressed VERY FAST, to the point I was worried I wasn't going to get an epidural, and to be very honest, I was worried they weren't going to be able to get me to the delivery room. However, my Mama and Mr. Eddie made it to the room at this point and I was in lots of pain. The nurses were trying to put an IV in so I could get some pain meds, but my veins are very small and I guess because of the overall stress, they had to redo my IV, MANY MANY times...like 8+ times. My main nurse called someone else in to help, they were great at their job and what they were doing, it just wasn't the best circumstances. Luckily they got the IV in and pain meds, but they didn't help a lot to be honest. 

Finally they got me to the delivery room around 4ish and they had called the anesthesiologist for the epidural, sadly because of being stopped he didn't make it until just after 5pm. Luckly thought, he was AWESOME and so was my L&D nurse, and they both had amazing bedside manner, and the epidural went well, the first time (unlike Lucas where it had to be redone 3 times sadly). 

After my epidural, it literally was smooth sailing....I couldn't feel the contractions and I was good! Around 6pm the doctor came in to check and said we were ready to push! The nurse said she'd only get me to push on the big contractions as to not wear myself out. After 35 min and pushing, Lilly Grace Oliver made her debut!! Unfortunately, they had to use the vacuum to help get her out at the end, sadly her heart rate dropped. However, I will say that my doctor and nurse were TOP notch at Lexington Medical Center. They knew she was in distress, but they didn't say much, just communicated to get the point across. After being born, the nurse told me they thought maybe she had the cord wrapped around her neck, but she didn't. Once we had a few minutes with her though we figured she might have had her hands wrapped on the cord (because she uses and moves those hands so much). Either way, Lilly Grace and I were safe and healthy. 

 Lucas was the first to meet Lilly Grace. Once Kristen got to the hospital with him, Andrew brought him in and he got to meet her and spend some time with just us. After that, my mom, Mr. Eddie, dad, Ms. Mindy, Rebecca, Kristen and Lucas all came in to visit and hold LG. 

She was loud and not very happy. Lucas got 2 doughnuts :) haha one from Poppie and one from Pop!! He was a mess running and playing, but having so much fun with his Pop and Poppie!!

We were later moved a post partum room and we went with LG to the nursery to get her bath. 

Introducing Lilly Grace Oliver

April 8, 2016

6:35 pm

7lb 4.2oz

20 1/4" 

Grandma and Poppie

Gigi and Pop

Our sweet family of 4

Aunt Kristen

Aunt Becca

Snuggles with Daddy

Our experience at LMC was above and beyond. Every single staff member was amazing, sweet, thoughtful and just excellent. We were both worried about being at a different hospital than where Lucas was born, but man, there was NOTHING to worry about. It was such an amazing experience, and we loved it!! 

Recovery went well and we were able to go home on Sunday! 

Ready to go home

Baby Girl or Baby Boy?

We've been anxiously anticipating this day for weeks now, even months. We got up, got ready, had breakfast, and headed off to our doctor's office, Lucas included. So not only was today the first day of our Thanksgiving break, but it was also our 20 week ultrasound to reveal the gender of Baby Oliver #2!

After our appointment, we went to Wal-Mart, Build-a-Bear, and lunch as a family ;) Here's a look at what we got on our stops.

So it's confirmed...it's a GIRL 

We both thought it was a girl and we both wanted a GIRL!! We are so excited to meet and welcome Lilly Grace Oliver into our family come April 2016. Her due date is April 15, 2016. Above all else we wanted a healthy baby, and how lucky and blessed are we, that she's healthy and it's a SHE like we wanted and like we thought!!! 

 

Lucas' 2nd Birthday Paw-ty

While this weekend was full of bumps, ups and downs, today we had a great time celebrating Lucas turning TWO!

Paw Patrol Pawty Planning

Last year I ordered a lot of things for Lucas' FIRST birthday, after failing to create anything I liked. This year I got a head start and with our theme being Paw Patrol, it seems to be easier to create things for his party that I would otherwise pay for. I'm pretty excited for all the planning and creating I've done through this time. Can't wait for his TWO year old pawty :)

Cupcake Toppers

The top two were made by me. The invitation was not, and the shirt is one Lucas' grandmaw got him. I think instead of a monogrammed shirt, we are going with this one (of course, if he still has a cast or splint, we may not be able to, but I don't think he will). 

#OliverOnTheWay

We decided to visit our family on Labor Day and let them in on a little secret we've been keeping ... Here's a look at what we told them.











So the secret's out and has been out (this is being written late on 9-23 but better late than never, right?) Lucas is going to be a BIG BROTHER in April 2016. Our due date is 4-15-16 (Tax Day as everyone keeps saying). I was hesitant to tell everyone early because at the time of our reveal we were only 9 weeks in, but I am really glad we did. This one has been hard as far as morning sickness (which is a tricky name because it lasts almost all day), and I've been extremely exhausted...come 8 pm when Lucas goes to bed I am laying down for bed, too. So I think it's a good thing we told everyone because it would have been really hard to mask how I've been feeling and why I've been eating really weird or not eating much at all. It's been hard to eat 3 full meals a day, much less 3 meals and 2 snacks like I would normally do. I am eating and I am staying healthy. but it's definitely different than my pregnancy with Lucas so far. I did feel this way with Lucas, but it happened in the morning and when I drank water, and it seemed to disappear faster in the day. Others seem to agree with me, so I don't think I'm making it up. Some things that are similar is that when I hear or see something then it can make me want it, but once I get it, I could care less. I have things I bought while being at the grocery store and have yet to eat or eaten very little. However, another difference is my sense of smell is so strong and my nose is so sensitive, the slightest thing can make my stomach turn. Lots of people seem to think since things are so different this means we are having a girl. That is my vote, and Andrew's vote, and almost everyone we have told. Only my Dad says boy. Lucas' vote changes daily and depending on what you say...he usually repeats the last time you say ...so if you say brother or sister? he says sister. If you say sister or brother, he says brother....so we shall see. We should have our gender reveal ultrasound around Thanksgiving time. We are excited to see, either way, a happy healthy baby with no complications is what we are praying for.



We are still working on names, but we think we have our 2 favorites set. We'll let you in on those when we finalize, but we are very excited!! Besides how do you feel, everyone always asks, "Were you trying?" And the answer is, "Yes." Although God's plans are better than ours, we are excited with his timing and trust in his plan! Look for weekly pics with how the baby grows and Lucas telling you fun stuff about baby #2 :)  #OliverOnTheWay   #Oliver&Co.   #IamaBigBrother

The Howe Family Going Away Party

time I'm sad to say, their final destination is not Columbia, SC. Their trip this time will end across the country in Washington state. While we are THRILLED for how God has lead them to make all of these decisions, but selfishly, we are sad to see them go. We know this is what is best, but we are sad to say good bye (temporarily). We got together and created them a scrapbook and planned a surprise dinner for them at Red Robin tonight. Here's a look at the night, a little of what I snapped. And shout out to Tiffany and our awesome waitress-both were so helpful and for a party of like 15 adults and 5 kids, our waitress didn't write down ONE single thing, and she got EVERYTHING correct on the order!!

Dinner at Red Robin

 

He loves a cheeseburger                Toddlers LOVE pics

Playing before being seated

 Group Pic after dinner