Happy One Week, Sam Nolan!

This little man just turned one week old...

 We have been very busy doing the things that Sam Nolan loves the most...

 Staring...

 Sleeping...

 Cuddling...

 and getting to know each other...

 And although he's not quite old enough, we have introduced him to the things he may enjoy in the future...

 Delaney has been such a helpful big sister, but she definitely doesn't want anyone to forget that she's here (not that we ever could). Nannie has been helping us the past week, and we decided to get out of the house to give Delaney a day of her own. Memaw came over for two hours to hold Sam Nolan so we could take Delaney to the zoo on the last nice day we will have for awhile.

The train was her favorite...

 And as much fun as we had, we were ready to get back to hold our precious new addition...

Sam Nolan updates: He is now eating every 3 to 3 1/2 hours and takes 2 to 2 1/2 oz. He is such a sweet baby, and doesn't let Delaney's singing, dancing, playing, yelling wake him up. He had his first doctor appt. on Monday. Dr. M said he was perfect! We already knew that. :)

Welcome to the World, Sam Nolan!

On January 17th, 2012 the most precious gift was given to our family. Sam Nolan Roberts was born at 1:18 in the afternoon. He weighed 8lbs 8oz. and was 22 inches long. The nurses and staff were impressed with his size and said that another week (which is what could have happened) would have put him into the 9lb zone. Whew!! This is the story of what happened that morning...I had an appointment at 8:15 to see Dr. H., who happened to also be on call. He was running late, and another woman came into the room to check me out. She told me I was still holding strong at 3 1/2 cm dilated, and that since he had told me I would be induced on the 22nd then he would probably not budge. This all came after me telling her of EVERY reason why I should be induced today, tomorrow, or any day this week. I just knew I couldn't wait much longer. My poor ankles, hands, and body couldn't take it any more. She told me to hold on and talk to him when he came in, and that maybe he could explain to me the reasons he had for waiting. When he finally came in, the look on his face told me he wanted to wait. It was a look of I have to let you down, don't be mad. In fact, those exact words came out of his mouth. He told me he would have to go before a committee and explain why he had induced me before I was ready, and for me to please understand. Yeah right. I couldn't hold my tears back! I mustered the words, "I understand." And he gave me a tissue and kept saying, "You just have to understand." He told the other lady to put me down for induction at 5 am on next Monday. Oh no. I told him that it was hard for me to walk, and that I wasn't going to be able to drive to work this week knowing it could be any second. I was so miserable and felt that he was going to be a HUGE baby if I waited. Delaney was five weeks early and weighed 7lbs! Dr. H. then gave a sigh, and told the lady to come back in the room. He asked me if I would let him break my water. I quickly said yes. Then he told me he really wanted to go home at a decent hour that night. I guess this was his way of letting me know he wanted to get the show on the road. Boy, was he right!! I was sent down to level 3 (labor and delivery). As soon as I entered the room, I put on the gown, was hooked up with the IV, asked a series of questions, and told that Dr. H. would be down in a few minutes to break my water. This was at about 9:45. He broke my water at about 10:00. This was not fun at all, but I knew my baby would be here soon which made it seem so easy. My contractions started to come. I had told the nurses that I wanted NO PAIN, and they were great about giving me the epidural as soon as it became unbearable. I was fully dilated at around 12:45, and the nurse said I was ready to push. It wouldn't take long at all! After 10 contractions/pushes later, Dr. H. came in to deliver Sam Nolan. He came right on out and was definitely ready to greet the world! :)

This is the exact place we will read and rock during those late nights...

 Delaney and I were ready the weekend before...

 Fly on out, Sam Nolan!!!

 Sooo ready for him to be here!!

 Daddy's little man...

 But already a mommy's boy...

 God's blessing to us...

 Proud big sister feeding her baby brother... (She did not feel well at all, but she was such a trooper)

 All the nurses and staff loved his onesie (Thanks, Jennifer!)...

 I love those sweet, wrinkled fingers. They are very kissable.

 Just for a comparison, this is Sam Nolan's relaxed face...

This was Delaney's...

 They both have those cheeks that I must kiss atleast 20 times a day. I think Delaney thinks the same thing.

 We're finally at home and couldn't be more happy.

 We are ready...

 Set...

 And going to have some fun!

 And maybe sleep a little, too...

Our plans for the next week: I will be taking as many pictures as possible to post on the blog! We are enjoying every minute with our babies, and with the second one comes less time to get the camera out at those moments you need one. We really want to live in the moment as much as possible. Even more this time since we know how quickly it goes by. Sam Nolan has been such a good baby, and I can already tell he is more laid back than Miss Priss. He lets her sing, dance, and be loud around him without getting upset. Updates to come!

What's going on in there??

For the past two weeks, Sam Nolan has kept us all thinking: what's going on in there?? I have had a great pregnancy (minus the placenta problem) this far, and now it seems Sam Nolan might be playing games with us. :)  A few days after Christmas I went to the doctor to discover the pains and discomfort I was feeling was nothing more than normal pregnancy issues, and I was not dilated at all. What?! Then, one week later I was 2 1/2 cm dilated and thinned! The changes were a surprise to me, and I felt the upcoming arrival of Sam Nolan would be approaching quickly. Exciting!! Boy, was I wrong!! Eric and I made the trip to the hospital that same evening since I was having contractions and felt the need to be monitored. We were sent home with the diagnosis of having extreme dehydration and possible infection. One hundred bottles of water later, on January 5, I went to the doctor to discover I needed blood work to look at protein levels which were high. My blood pressure was also higher than normal. I was given a prescription for the infection and sent home...again.  It was an extremely long work week walking around dilated, and having many of my teacher friends at school being "on call" for the news of water breaking, labor contractions, etc. I had even prepared my car with towels just in case it happened at school.  I was also grateful that my mom came over each afternoon to sit with me and Delaney. The last doctor's visit, January 10, gave me no hope of anything new going on in there. With my 39 week appointment next week (January 17), we are hoping for some good news!! Bags are packed, Delaney's prepared, and Mommy's swollen and tired. I also think Daddy is tired of Momma being tired. :) Yes, we are all ready.

Dear Sam Nolan

Dear Sam Nolan,

This quote is exactly the way I feel about meeting you: you are my heart. As I am writing this at 12:57 in the morning on the Sunday before I meet you (hopefully!!), I think about the miracle of you. Your daddy and I are trying to be patient awaiting your birth, but the anticipation of hearing you, holding you, and seeing your sweet face makes it nearly impossible to even sleep. You and I haven't met yet, but I can tell you that I love you more than you can ever imagine. I want nothing but happiness to be yours, although I know the worries and struggles this world will bring you. But don't worry, because you will know that there will always be a place at home for you; not only the home we have for you on earth, but the kingdom God has for you. He has given you the home in my tummy as a safe place to stay the past nine months, and it is almost time for your life with us to begin. We are ready, but I will miss the kicks and squirms only you and I have shared. No one else but us have felt the hiccups and dances you have performed in my belly. :) I am ready for you to meet the world and become the you that God has made. I pray that I will be the best mommy and friend I can possibly be, and that you walk through this world with the confidence knowing that you are never alone. I will do my best to show you all the things in life that make it wonderful. I promise to treasure every moment we have together and make memories that you will forever remember. You are my heart.

Love,
Mommy