First Things First

Dear Charlie,
My, how things have changed since I first started writing this blog. At first, my purpose was to write about my experience during pregnancy and to continue writing about being a mother once you were born and all the joy that comes with being a mother; not just any mother, YOUR mother. When you grow up, there are so many things I will tell you about me, about you, about us, and about our life journey. But, some of those things are better left between you and I. So instead of addressing the most intimate details with you for the world to see, we'll keep it simple. These letters will be full of laughter, joy, humility, encouragement, inspiration, love, and most of all, my hopes and dreams for your future through my own experiences in life. I hope this very first letter finds you healthy, happy, and content. And above all, I hope you know how very much I love you, how much you mean to me, and that being your mother is what I love most.

Love you always,
Mama

Charlie Grayson Peel: Birth to 3 months

Wow! I know I warned all of you of my ability to get easily distracted but this is ridiculous! I have so much to update all of you on.  First and foremost, the story of Charlie's arrival......

The night of March 2nd, Casey, my brother, both of my parents and I went to eat at Harvey's in Columbus.  Casey and I had a hotel room in West Point since we were having to get up and be at the hospital at 6 am, so after dinner we headed back to the hotel to get some rest before the big day (or at least try).  Casey slept like a bear, as usual, but I on the other hand woke up every hour on the hour getting more and more nervous and excited each time I woke up.  At around 4am I couldnt take it any longer, I went ahead and got in the shower and got dressed.  I wanted so badly to look pretty and have my hair and makeup lookin' good but I should have known better than to doll up the way I did (the make up didnt last long through the tears and my hair was up in a bun within an hour of arriving at the hospital.).  We arrived around 630 then around 8 they started me on the pitosin.  Within an hour I was pretty miserable and had contractions coming on pretty strong.  After they broke my water, I was pretty desperate for the epidural.  After giving me my epidural around 11am, the doctor told us that he predicted that Charlie would arrive around 7 or 8pm and to just try to relax.  About 15 minutes after receiving the epidural, the doctor came in to check me and out of nowhere said, "well, there's her foot!" My head shot up so fast and I immediately asked in fear, "what's that supposed to mean?" (Look, I was pretty loopy, otherwise I would've known that meant she was breech haha) He sad, "Well, it means we're going to have to do a C-section." "How long from now?" I said and he immediately said, "in 15 minutes.".  At this point I was freaking out, scared to death, and not only because of having to have major surgery but also because Casey was not at the hospital right then! he and my brother had gone to get lunch.  My mom called him and they rushed back as fast as they could.  Casey was hesitant at first to go into surgery with me but soon got past it and we were off to the operating room. 

20 minutes later, I looked up and Dr. Whittle was holding my beautiful baby girl over the curtain.  Tears of joy rolled down my face.  She was finally here.  My baby girl.  The most precious blessing.  I cannot explain that feeling of seeing her for the first time only to say that any part of my heart and soul that had previously been empty or broken was instantly filled with joy and love and made whole again.  She was born at 12:21pm weighing 6 lb. 12 oz. and 20 1/4 inches long.  The past three months have been the most amazing months of my life and I'm so blessed to have such a precious little family.....

Will post again soon with more interesting details and stories about mommyhood.
xo-Holley and Charlie

Sneak Peek!

Here is a sneak peek look at some of Charlie's nursery!

the dresser to the right of the window...once put together, changing table will go in front of window.

A few of my favorite things...The ceramic piece with the 3 little birds is my all time favorite find.  I have a tattoo on my right wrist of 3 little birds symbolizing the song by Bob Marley.  My dad sang it to me when I was little so it was very special to find "3 little birds" for her :)

Also, that is my sterling silver set from when I was a baby :)

The word cross Casey's sweet mom got me!It says Charlie (mirrored) on the top, Charlie Grayson (mirrored) on the left and right, and God's Most Precious Gift (mirrored) on the bottom! Can't wait to find the perfect frame.

LOVE these pillows on the day bed in her nursery.  I'm waiting on the monogrammed pillowcase to be ready to go on the big euro pillow.

I'm waiting to post more pics of the nursery until I have a painting above her crib, the changing table put together, and pictures hung.  Expect the final pictures within the next 2 weeks!!!

xoxoxoxo

Nesting:preparing for my little bird

If you know me well, you know that I'm not a very organized person.  That's not to say that I don't love the idea of being organized because I can highlight, post it, and *star* the HELL out of a day planner...but never look at it again after the first attempt.  I guess now, with only 6 weeks left until I become a mommy, I have an urgent need to get organized and ready and have things PERFECT. 
As far as the nursery goes I don't have much left to complete. All of the furniture and necesseties have been purchased and put together with the exception of the changing table (which comes with an instruction manual resembling the math section of the ACT) and the glider. The last things I need to do are to paint a picture to go above her crib, fill frames and hang pictures, and hang some shelves on one of the walls. 

One of the most IMPORTANT and CRUCIAL things I wanted to get done before Charlies arrival is to tend to my car.  My mother refers to my car as "the battlewagon" considering all four sides sport a beautiful dent, scratch, and/or bang, my passenger side mirror is hanging by a wire and has been for 2 years, everything under the hood makes a strange noise and not to MENTION the interior.  Did I mention that I drive a 2005 fully loaded Honda Accord?  Did I mention that it was bought BRAND SPANKING NEW  and I have ragged it to the full extent throughout my 'college' years(I'm very ashamed of not taking care of such a nice graduation gift).  Needless to say, it wasn't in any condition to serve as transportation with a baby.  Yesterday we dropped the ol' gal off at the dealership and *big sigh*...it is FINALLY getting put back together! I even ordered brand new floor mats and look forward to getting the interior all cleaned and detailed before putting them in.

Only 6 weeks until Charlie arrives and I can honestly say I'm proud of my ability to be getting things done with success!!!

Check back with me this afternoon for more blog and some pics of the nursery!!

xox

Update! :)

Hey friends!! 

I'm so very sorry it's been so long since I last blogged.  Like always and again, I've procrastinated and done everything BUT update all of you on what's been going on.  Christmas could not have been anymore wonderful. Charlie got WAY more than I did which I'm honestly adjusting just fine to.  It's such a wonderful feeling to be filling her closet up with precious clothes and accessories and watching her nursery come together beautifully! Casey and I had several Christmas Stops to make...on Christmas Eve, Casey and I opened our gifts to each other then went to his parents house for supper and gifts. His family knoooowwws how to do Christmas I tell you what!! I loved every minute of being a part of the family and enjoying celebrating Christmas with Casey and his loved ones.  Casey, Charlie and I got so many great gifts! After that we headed over to my mothers house for gifts and we all went to the 10pm episcopal church service.  Christmas DAY we went to my mimi and pops (my dads parents) for lunch and then our last stop was my moms then my aunts for Christmas with my other side of the family.  have I lost you all yet? haha.  I just cannot get over how blessed we are to have spent such a wonderful time of year with our wonderful family...not to mention all the great food and gifts :)

For New Years, Casey's brother and his wife had a party at their house so we just brought in the new year over there which was super fun (especially since there was TONS of snacks :) )  It was the first time that I've really 'dressed up' since being pregnant and while I did enjoy rockin' the baby bump, I ended up trading in my  patent leather bcbg heels for my favorite pair of houseshoes well before the countdown began.  

The BEST news I have since I last blogged is that I had some Maternity pictures taken last week.  Amelia Patterson, a friend and fellow tri delta from MSU, took the pictures for me and I am so blessed to have used her talent for my pics!! soooo....even though Amelia has not edited the yet, here is a picture of the bump...

30 weeks

I absolutely cannot wait to see the final pictures! I look forward to her coming again when Charlie is born to take her newborn pictures.

I will post more pictures of the baby bump and hopefully some pictures of the nursery as well.  You all have become well aware by now that I'm not very swift with updating you on things much less adding pictures when I say that I will so hopefully this one will suffice for now :)

And even more exciting than the pictures....I had my final ultrasound today and let me tell you, 4d ultrasounds are AMAZING.  I will try to send a picture of her sweet little face via mobile upload if I can.  She is absolutely beautiful and growing perfectly.  She weighs 4lbs. 30oz!! He also pointed out to me that she has alot of hair on her head which doesnt surprise me because I did too when I was born!! 

Forgive me for writing this blog so briefly and in a hurry, I just wanted to post to say that I have not forgotten about my blog and to finally post a preggo picture. 

Look for a more detailed and interesting blog in the near future with some more pictures....hopefully ;)

xoxo

updates and giggles

As usual, I have become inconsistent with yet another hobby (i.e. blogging).  So sorry it's been a while since my last post.  I suppose I've let my severe case of procrastination and forgetfullness take over!  Not a WHOLE lot has gone on since my last post other than a 3 lb weight gain since my last visit, a good bit of Christmas shopping, and lots of progress on Charlies nursery!! Let's talk about some preggers updates first:

Today marks the end of my second trimester/beginning of third which is UNBELIEVEABLE!! And honestly friends, this is when true pregnancy begins.  Up until this point things have been easy for me...no nausea, no REAL symptoms.  But NOW.....where do I begin? From the true difficulty getting in and out of a car to the inability to take a deep breath.....The dreaded sciatic nerve and the giant boobs that make just about EVERYTHING impossible, uncomfortable, and obnoxious without an industrial sized bra you WILL NOT and I repeat WILL NOT find in Victoria's Secret.  The hunger that hits you like a mac truck (the word mac just made me think about a big mac IMMEDIATELY...naturally) and the exhaustion that makes your eyelids feel like tiny 10 lb weights.....A bladder that cannot be tamed (I've laughed so hard that I've wet my pants at least twice a week for the past month, peed a little when I've coughed, peed a little when I've sneezed, and always get up in the middle of the night...sometimes more than once) and lets not forget the gas (insert an embarassed face and a few giggles)
Other than the ridiculous pregnancy trials listed above, pregnancy is a beautiful and exciting experience that I truly enjoy.  Chalie's activity has eased into a pattern (ironically being waking up, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime). Casey and I finished painting the nursery and my grandfather moved in some of the furniture and things look so precious.  It's coming together exactly the way I had envisioned!  Her closet is steadily becoming intimidating considering that she has not even arrived and already almost has more clothes than I do. only 10 more weeks until she arrives....    :)    :)    :)

Casey and I have pretty much finished Christmas shopping for each of our families and each other.  We've already even attended a family Christmas on his side of the family which was so much fun with lots of good food! Even more of that to come next week!!

As I've stated several times before I intend to post some pictures soon of the following:
our christmas tree
Charlies nusery (so far)
the baby bump (might as well!)
and pics of the apartment

until then,
xoxo

excuse me while I brag

Excuse me while I brag about how wonderful my day was today.  I've just recently in the past month started to experience the back pain that comes along with pregnancy.  The two places that bother me the most are along the back of my bra strap and in my lower back around my tailbone (I'm assuming due to the strain of whats growing in each place in the front!).  I've always been intrigued by the 'mother to be' massage offered at the Alluvian spa and have been hopeful to be able to get one and today I DID!! Listen up any preggers out there: invest in this during your pregnancy! They have a pillow sort of thing that the lay on the table that has the belly and boobs cut out so that you can comfortably lay on your belly (which I havnt been able to do for quite some time now). It.was.INCREDIBLE.  During the massage I got so tickled because of course, during the MOST relaxing hour of my pregnancy thus far, sweet little Charlie decided to practice kung fu, tae bo, gymnastics, Zumba (even though I really dont know what that is, from what I hear it seems similar to what Charlie was doing). How funny is it that even while still in the womb, my little one reminds me that there is no such thing as 'serious relaxing' anymore. haha..Mind you, any and every time I feel her moving it is special to me so please don't misunderstand me for complaining!

side note-victoria's secret fashion show.....get over yourself.

After my massage I got a facial that made me feel like I had an EXTRA glow (too bad all the products are just entirely too expensive.  For now, I'll stick to Purpose soap *i swear by it*).

To top off my super spa day, my mom fixed shrimp and grits, sweet tea, and a key lime pie YUMMY TO MY TUMMY!!

...................................anyway, now that I'm done rubbing it in your face how great my day was.....

I had a doctor's appoinment Monday.  They did the glucose test which I surprisingly passed.  I just knew I was going to fail it considering my lust for sweets but I was grateful to find out I had passed.  Everything else was great...Charlie's heartbeat was perfect, my belly measurement was great, and even though I had gained 8 lbs. since my last appointment, the doctor said my weight gain was right on target so that makes me feel better! (remember, those of you who may want to judge the weight gain, Thanksgiving fell smack dab in the middle of those 4 weeks so give me a break hahaha)

Going to be painting some more in Charlies nursery tomorrow so wish us luck and motivation!
xoxo