Our cup runneth over...

It has been an eventful few weeks at the Branch household. We brought baby girl home and I don't think a day has passed when someone hasn't knocked on the front door or come by to hold sweet Saylor or just to visit with us. 

The visiting lasted right on through Thanksgiving. Our Thanksgiving was wonderful this year. Family descended on Columbia to be with us and we are so thankful.

But today, today, the dust has settled, everyone is gone. Sean is back to work and I am enjoying every second of my first day home with my baby girl. I woke up surrounded by burp clothes and blankets to a sweet angel snuggled up to me. I enjoyed my cup of hot tea while I rocked her in my arms and watched the Today show in a quiet house. We have boxes of Christmas decorations waiting to be put up. But today, they can wait. I am soaking in the morning.

Such a change from the whirlwind of the past few weeks. Neither one is better than the other. They are both amazing. Although we miss our family and friends when they head home, it sure is sweet to drink up the silence, just me and baby girl. The coos and sweet sounds of an infant surrounding me. These are the moments, I am sure, I do not want to miss. 


I am thankful for holidays that bring laughter and love with family and friends. And I am thankful for mornings spent in jammies, in an empty house.

Our cup runneth over... I am in awe of our Lord's sweet grace and the many events that make our hearts smile.

2 weeks old

Sweet little Saylor is 2 weeks old today! We headed to the doctor this morning for her checkup and she is doing great. She has grown an inch and is up to 7 lbs 13 oz... gained over a pound since we left the hospital. Momma is feeding her good, ha! Most nights she is giving me 4 hour stretches of sleep, which has been so wonderful. She is also spending more and more time alert during the day. 

 This afternoon, after we were out shopping, I gave Saylor her first bath in her little pink bath tub (thank you Williams Family!). Had to get her all cleaned up for the holiday :)!

She is just so precious and I completely eat her up. She seems to already be changing everyday, so I am trying to soak in every minute and every day with her. I never knew I could love something so small, so much.

Check out the sweet baby toes:

Happy 2 weeks, little angel. I will love you forever.

Thankful for...

Our sweet Lord and His graciousness.

The idea of Black Friday, although I never seem to manage to battle the crowds.

Reconnecting with old friends on facebook.

My husband's hugs when he comes home from work.

Christmas music.

Fall leaves and watching them escape the trees slowly.

A great pair of jeans.

Sweet tea.

Driving my car with the windows down.

Garth Brooks. And yes, I saw him on Oprah this week and his songs always take me back.

Real, sincere hugs.

My sweet Saylor and the overwhelming joy she has brought to my heart.

High heels.

Looking at my wedding pictures and reliving our day.

Receiving Christmas cards.

The small things.

Happy Thanksgiving. 

Our day...

Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. 

-Genesis 2:22-24

Today is our day. Today is the day we celebrate us. Our love. Our life. We are thankful to have each other. We are thankful we walk hand in hand. Today is our wedding anniversary.  

Our wedding day was the happiest day of my life. Surrounded by everyone we love. I remember standing at the back of the room with Sean during the reception, holding his hand and marveling that everyone was in that room to celebrate us. We stood and took it all in... watching the faces of those we hold dear. We smiled as they danced, drank and laughed. Alot. Never again will all of these people be under the same roof. I am thankful we took a moment to let it all sink in.

The details. The planning. Watching it all come together... my dream wedding.

Bald Head Island now holds a very special place in my heart. Where we said 'I do.' Where I looked in the eyes of the man I will spend the rest of my life with and committed my heart and soul. We cried. We laughed. We loved. Oh what bliss. 

Happy Anniversary to the man who has completed my life. My best friend. My strength. My laughter. My joy. I will love you forever. Here's to a lifetime of smiles as big as the sun and love as strong as the sea... 

We'll always be like peas and carrots.

Saylor's Birth Story

Oh, what a magical day. I was scheduled to be induced and was told to call the hospital at 5am to ensure they had a room available for me. I hardly slept all night and jumped up at 4:45am to make the call. Sure enough, my room was ready. I woke up Sean and my mom, showered, got ready, packed the car, and off we went. 


I don't remember the ride there. I remember being overwhelmed with pure excitement and being a little scared. Not knowing what to expect. I remember being so excited that I was going to meet my little girl for the very first time. 


We arrived around 6am. They checked me, had me undress and put all my clothes into a plastic bag. I put the hospital gown on and we set up shop in our room. 


Less than an hour later, I was hooked up to all machines, IV's, etc. Around 7am they started my pit drip. And off we went. All day long. I was having contractions every 2 minutes, but nothing too painful. My doctor came in for the first time around 9:30am. I was still only 1cm dilated (which is what I was when I arrived). Yikes. This was going to be a long day. 


They cranked up the pitocin throughout the day. Occasionally, the contractions would be tough, but never to the point of unbearable. Each time the doc would come in, still no progress. Really? I have been having these contractions all day and they have done nothing? Wow. 


As the day went on, more and more family gathered in the labor and delivery room. I remember specifically saying I didn't want anyone but my husband in there. What happened? :) Sean was so sweet and sat right beside me all day. We chatted, watched my contractions come and go and started to realize that this little bean wasn't ready to make her debut. 


Around 3 my doc came in again to check me. Still 1cm dilated. NO progress. Holy cow. All these contractions for nothing. Doctor seemed to think this little girl had other plans, thus she started talking about plan B for us. Plan B was a C-section. I was immediately upset. I had said all along I didn't want a C-section and here I sit and they are telling me that looks to be my option. I cried. Doctor Neuffer said to give it until 5pm, crank up the pit and we will check again. At that point, if still no progress, we'll be going to Plan B. My nurse was so sweet and kept assuring me that it was going to be okay. 


What was funny through all this, was that during the contractions, Saylor just kept getting higher, now lower. You could see her little bottom sticking up near my chest. I guess she decided it was getting tight down there so she was heading the other direction! Crazy girl ;)! 


At 5, the doctor and nurses came back in for another check. Yep, you guessed it, still 1cm. After 12 hours of labor, nothing had changed. Doc told me I could continue to labor for another 124 or 48 hours, but she seemed to think we would still have the same end result.


Sean and I talked it over and I cried. Alot. Ha. I was so scared and this just wasn't the way I had planned it. We decided to go ahead with it. 


At 5:30 I was heading down the hospital hallway to be prepped for surgery. I headed into the operating room by myself (they won't let your husband in until right before the begin). I was so scared. I went in, had a spinal done (ouch!) and the rest is kind of a blur. I remember lots of needles and talking. Lots of nurses. My husband being brought in and my crying when I saw him. Me getting sick, ha. And most of all I remember that very first cry. 


My sweet little angel was born at 6:25 pm. They held her up over the curtain and I saw her sweet face for the first time. She cried right away. Praise the Lord. Sean went with the nurses to get her cleaned off and take her to the nursery while they stitched me back up. Before they left, they brought her over for me to see her face. My world was instantly changed as I met my baby girl for the very first time. 

Saylor Alden Branch

11/10/2010 @ 6:25pm. 

7 pounds 2 ounces

19.5 inches long

She is...

She is my joy and my heart's delight...

She is my sunshine and smiles...

A week ago...

A week ago today, I was in the labor and delivery room, not knowing how the day would unfold.

A week ago today, I was surrounded by the people I love, as we anxiously awaited the birth of a little girl.

A week ago today, I was overcome with every different emotion possible.

A week ago today, I didn't know something so little could change my life.

A week ago today, I was so thankful to have such an amazing husband by my side.

A week ago today, at 6:25 pm, I gave birth to Saylor Alden Branch.

A week ago today, I learned what love really was.

A week ago today, my life was changed forever as I held my little girl for the very first time.

A week ago today, I cried tears of joy as I held her and kissed her sweet face.

A week ago today, I realized I was the luckiest girl in the world to call this little angel my own.

Happy one week, sweet Saylor. I will love you forever.

Smilin' Saylor...

sweet, smilin' angel... i'm in love.

Welcome to the world sweet Saylor...

Saylor Alden Branch 

11.10.2010

6:25 pm

7 lbs 2 oz

19.5 in

Welcome to the world, sweet angel...

Walk it Out!

Being that I am in the same boat, I had to share this hysterical video of a fellow pregger and her attempt to "walk it out." She is 41 weeks preg and was told by her midwife to walk it out. This is what she opted for instead of a stroll down the street. Hilarious. Down right hilarious. (hit pause at the bottom to turn my music off so you get the full effect of the dancing mama!)

Now off I go to walk it out... Let's see if my moves are as sweet.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Happy Birthday to my sweet Nana! 

We love you!

The end is in sight...

I went to the doctor today (for my last appointment) and they think everything looks great! They have scheduled to induce me next Wednesday at 5am, pending Saylor doesn't come on her own before then.  


The end is in sight... and I am SO excited! Can't wait to meet the little girl! And here is my last update....

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 39 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 25 pounds

Maternity Clothes: blech. I wear the same 3 outfits constantly.

Best Moment this week: Getting a date for the end, if needed :)

Gender: It's a girl - Saylor Alden Branch

Movement: her moves hurt these days and I feel every single one, ha

Food Craving: comfort food!

What I miss: fitting into my regular clothes and sleeping all night

Sleep: Good nights and bad nights

What I am looking forward to: meeting my little girl

Belly Button: Looks like it's going to stay in.

Stretch Marks: None yet. Yikes.

Symptoms: Nausea is full force. Lots of zofran. Contractions are coming and going, but no real pattern. 

I can't believe we are so close and this is my last update. No more prego pics, bring on the baby pics! They are way more fun, anyways ;)!

November

I cannot believe it is November 1st.... we've been counting down for the past 10 months, and here we are. We are a few days away from Saylor's due date. What an exciting month it is going to be!

Things we are looking forward to at the Branch household:

meeting our baby girl

our wedding anniversary

thanksgiving (and mom's sweet potato pie!)

gearing up for the holidays

We are welcoming November with open arms... Life is good.


"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 
-Romans 15:13