You Are My Sunshine...

My only sunshine.

You make me happy

When skies are gray.

You'll never know dear

How much I love you.

Please don't take

My sunshine away.

That's my favorite song to sing to her. Sometimes I can't even make it through it because I start crying :). As if I wasn't emotional enough before, looking at this angel really does me in.

Courtenay took these beautiful pictures of her. I love them so much. I think they so perfectly capture her perfection. Court was so awesome to come and do this and Harlow was perfect for her. Thank you so much, Court! Life is good with Miss Harlow. She has a hard time at night, but I usually get 3-4 hours in a row. Just enough to keep me going the next day. It's amazing how I can be so miserable to be awake at night, sometimes even in tears. But then when the morning comes, I am just re energized and so in love with my baby and I don't care at all about the sleepless nights. She is 2 weeks already. I love her so much.

Harlow Carol Woodmansee

There she is! The love of our loves, my little baby girl! Harlow Carol Woodmansee was born on Tuesday, March 13th at 5:34 AM. She weighed in at 8 lbs 5 oz and was 21.5 inches long. She is perfectly beautiful. For now, I'll briefly share with you how this angel made her wonderfully smooth entrance into the world. Turns out good things come to those who wait.
I was supposed to be induced on Tuesday morning. So, they wanted me to be admitted on Monday night so that I could receive a pill that would soften my cervix. Piece of cake, right? So, at about 7 PM I went on in with my mom and my husband on hand to keep me company. We played cards and joked and I had a good time. I was having some mild pains. The nurse hooked me up to the moniter and says "You're having contractions". Looks like the little miss knew already it was time to come out. But, they gave me to pill anyway just to see what would happen and speed things along.
After that, things SURE did speed along. Around 11:00 PM the contractions got down to business. Those things are TORTURE. I was in the bad place until about 2:40 when I asked for my epidural. I was 3 cm and 90% effaced. Ahhh pure bliss. Epidural, I do love you. Then, the nurse came to check me at about 3:15 AM. "Whoa, your membranes ruptured and you're a 5, this is awesome!" What happy words to hear from my WONDERFUL nurse. She they decided that I would not need to pitocin and that this baby was coming on her own.

About an hour later, at 4:00 AM, I was feeling really uncomfortable. Nauseous, back aches, sweaty, I knew something was up. So, we called the nurse. "Oh my gosh, you're at a 10, you're complete, the other nurses are not going to believe this. Call your mom, I'm calling the doctor and we're going to push". OHHHH my gosh! I was so excited/soooo nervous about pushing.

Mom and the doctor showed up very quickly. I pushed for 40 minutes and then heard my favorite sound. Harlow's voice. I'm crying now just typing about it. It was truly a beautiful experience. Michael was a giddy little boy with excitement. It was SO cute. And it was so special to have Grandma with us to see her grand baby enter the world. I will always look back on that moment with so much joy.

There's my team (with mom behind the camera). Dr. Broberg was FABULOUS and made me feel so important and so strong. But Alicia, my nurse, was just wonderful. She took such good care of us and I totally feel like we're BFFs. I'm so thankful to her. Michael was the best support a person could ever ask for in that kind of an overwhelming situation. And my mom kept me sane with all of her encouraging words and I just knew that I could do it. Here are some pictures, in random order, of our whole hospital experience.

I am healing up wonderfully, have had very minimal pain, and feel very, very blessed to have enjoyed this whole experience. There are not words for how much I love and adore Harlow. She is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Thank you all so very much for your kind words, love, and support. Now, let the fun begin!

I had a birthday! My baby on the other hand... did not.

I turned 25 on Thursday. Weird! This is the first year that I realized it was my birthday, but I wasn't even THINKING about how old I was turning! I think that's a sure fire sign of getting old. Then yesterday, Michael asked me how it felt to be 25. Then it hit me, crap I'm 25! Half way to 50! I sure don't feel 25. I still feel 18. Whether that's a good or a bad thing I don't know, but I have a feeling that 25 will be a great year :).

It was a wonderful day! Michael knows me SO well. Seriously. It's like he was reading my mind and he did everything I could have wanted. You see, usually on my birthday, I like to go out and about, shop. socialize, PARTY! So, I was prepared for that. I geared myself up in the morning to try and muster up so energy in this 9 month pregnant body. But deep down, I just wanted to spend time with my husband, eat cake, and talk to the people I love. Well, I got JUST what I wanted.

I woke up to the house decorated for my birthday by my thoughtful husband. Then he took me to breakfast for my favorite french toast. He had to go to school after that. So I came home and did whatever I wanted! It was delightful! I scrapbooked most of the day, went on a very nice walk with Steph & Evelyn, talked to my family and closest friends, took a nap, read, ohh it was a wonderful day to enjoy some of my final moments of peace. Then, at 6:00, my hot date showed up with BEAUTIFUL flowers, chocolate cake, movies, and card.

Seriously- I know it sounds simple, but my heart was so overwhelmed with happiness I wanted to cry. He took me to a delicious Italian restaurant, and then we came home, ate cake, and had a movie marathon! Best birthday ever. Then, he topped it all off with a present. A photographer for our newborn girl :). How thoughtful and wonderful can a person be?!

On top of all of this, my mom took me out for the BEST pedicure I've ever had in my life a couple of days ago and she has been keeping me company and taking care of me and I'm so thankful for that. Thank you, EVERYONE, for the texts, calls, cards, messages, and positive vibes. It was a GREAT birthday!

Oh yeah, and for those of you keeping track, my birthday has come and gone, which means that my due date has come and gone. You can imagine how I feel about this. I WANT MY BABY!

On to the Next Adventure

Today was my last day at work. I am 39.5 weeks and so grateful that I have felt good enough to work my entire pregnancy. I am also so grateful for a work that has been so flexible and patient with me throughout this past year. It's a really weird feeling, knowing that I won't be going back on Monday. And that it's permanent. So, I just want to share some thoughts about my job and about leaving.

I was very blessed to find this job right after Michael and I were married and I've been there for 2.5 years now. I worked teaching rehabilitative exercise to people in pain. I truly enjoyed what I did. I can tell you that the best part about my job is the patients. I have met some wonderful people. Some rude people. Some really hilarious people. Some interesting people. And mostly a lot of people that I've just really enjoyed spending time with and sharing my knowledge with. I have felt so lucky to be able to use what I learned in college. It's a really fulfilling and rewarding feeling to teach somebody something that you know and then see it benefit them. And I've continued to learn so much over the past couple of years.

Now, a job is a job. Work is work. And everyone has struggles at work I think. Sure, there are some days that are better than others. And situations arise that are less than ideal, but do you want to know why every day was enjoyable? My co workers. I have been so blessed. The girls that I have worked with have seriously all been top of the line, hilarious, kind, wonderful people. Most of my closest friends here in Utah have been people I've worked with and I am so thankful for that support system. And looking back on the past couple of years, my bosses have bent over backwards for me. They have been kind and patient and I guess you realize how lucky you are once something is over. So anyway, today, on my last day, I'm just feeling grateful for the blessing of a good job that has supported Michael and I and made is possible for us to save some money in order to have this baby.

I am 100% positive that my calling and my desire is to be at home with my baby. And I am SO thankful for a husband who is willing to make it work so that I can do so. I cannot wait for what is next in my life. I cannot wait to spend every day with my girl.... if she ever comes out.... could and should be annnnnny moment now. :)