Juliet Grace

(**Warning!  This is a super long post**)

Finally!  She is here (almost two months ago!!).  August 10, 2011 was so crazy that weeks after I would tear up thinking about it and how God was in total control.

Here is my story....

Halfway through my pregnancy I knew Juliet would come early (Sofia was 10 days late on the day she was born).  Due to the insane summer heat, I experienced frequent Braxton Hicks contractions at night but they were never consistent and would eventually fade.... until a week and a half before my due date.  It all started Sunday, August 7, 2011...the night before was the most uncomfortable yet and it seemed to progress. 

As we were getting ready for my appointment that Wednesday morning (a week before my due date), Sofia said "Juliet's gonna pop!"  I just stood there "What?!?!"  and she said it again! 

At the doctor's office I had prepared myself for the usual "All looks good and I will see you next week"  but the response was different.  He looked at me and said "We will make an appointment for next week but I don't think you will make it... it should be any day". The nurse that was in the room gasped and she recalled Sofia's prophetic remark regarding Juliet earlier that morning.

So with eager anticipation we practically skipped out the door knowing our sweet baby would soon come.   

At home I started to wonder "What am I supposed to wait for?"  Sofia was induced and once I was juiced up my epidural was given and 16 hours later all was over without feeling major discomfort so I was a little anxious to know what to expect.  I called the hospital and spoke to a labor and delivery nurse and after a gadzillion questions later....the final answer was "about 5 minutes apart within an hour".

4:30pm.... Steven calls and says he wasn't going to Wednesday night church service (I was relieved because I was not feeling too well....discomfort was happening every 6-9 minutes).

5:30pm....Trying to eat dinner....but feeling a little worse.

6:30pm....Okay...God may be telling me something so everyone needs to take a shower (yes..looking back this was crazy).

Today, I realize leaving Sofia was what kept me from going to the hospital sooner.  We had wonderful friends who were ready and willing to take care of her when the time came but how would she feel staying with different people and spend the night in someone else's house..I had not prepared her...

7ish (things started to become blurry because it was every 5-7  minutes)
Me:  "Sofia, would you like to go to Maddie's house?"
Sofia: "Yes!" (happily getting off the couch)
Me:  "Would you like to spend the night?"
Sofia:  "Okay!" :)  while putting her shoes on and grabbing her nap mat....

This was definitely God saying "Its time to go" 

Once we got Sofia settled, off to the hospital we went.  We parked the car in the parking lot and walked into the hospital (YES...I WAS NUTS!!!) and left EVERYTHING (cell phones included) because Steven would head back to the car after I got settled.

I had to stop a couple of times to catch my breath and endure a few contractions but up the elevator (AGAIN..CRAZY!!) we went to labor and delivery.  Nurse Amy(who became my superhero!) lead us into our room.  In the most discomfort I had ever known, ordered my epidural her response completely shocked me with "You're a 10!"  The look of horror on my face made her wait for a contraction and said "You are an 8/9 and we may get to you in time"  then proceeded to get on the speaker and said "I need everyone and everything" and soon my door opened with people walking in with carts, lights, heat warmer things etc.... ready..set..go!

The staff was amazing (especially the anesthesiologist), Steven kept me calm and God was in total control.  I walked in at 8:45pm and we were blessed at 10:17pm with a beautiful and healthy 7lb, 3oz and 20 inches long sweet baby girl!

We were blessed many times that night...here are a few:
(1) Sofia had fun at Maddie's, went to bed AND slept through the night
(2) Easy (but fast) labor and delivery with no complications
(3) Juliet was healthy
(4) Juliet was NOT born in the car!

Juliet Grace Ainsworth

....let the games begin!  :)

Big-girl Bed

As we were preparing to make room for Juliet's arrival, I was determined not to buy another crib....so that meant Sofia was to get a big-girl toddler bed so she could "pass the torch" to the baby.  Oh she was excited!  She loved being able to crawl in and out with her books and her babydolls.  The first week was pure honeymoon!  She did wonderful by staying in her bed for her nap and throughout the night.  Then reality soon came and everyone ended up in the same bed every morning.  Since then Sofia invites herself to slumber party with us every now and again unless Nani is here and catches her to climb in bed with her to give us a little extra restful shut-eye.  Although the nights can be sleepless at times having two has made me realize how fast my sweet girls are growing and I know I will one day wish they would crawl into bed with us.  Until then - Starbucks with a shot of espresso runs through my veins.  ;)

These are the pictures of Sofia waking up from her very first night in her big-girl bed.

Good Morning Sunshine!!

Hair by Hillary

It was way past the time for Sofia to get her first haircut trim....  and so we took a trip to our good friend Hillary....

In the end....there wasn't much change but I may get a little braver the next round :)

Sofia's Nail Salon

For an accurate trimming of Sofia's nails, I use nail scissors....and this is what I walked into the other day...

Swimming!

This summer Sofia participated in swim lessons.  The two best perks about the swim lessons were (1) They took place at our house and (2) I didn't have to get in the pool  ;) . 

Ms. Angie, the swim instructor, was absolutely wonderful and so patient with the everyday crying from the beginning to the end (30 - 40 minutes!).  She would occasionally bring her daughters to swim along which were a great distraction motivation for Sofia and her friend Tori.  Angie taught them great survival skills of getting out of the pool (not using the steps), turning around toward the wall after jumping in, using kickers to move around and going under water (the least favorite).  She used songs to calm them and they would eventually sing along ..... at night we would even hear Sofia repeat all the instructions in the same kind voice to her babydolls along with an "I'm proud of you!"  and "Here's a Skittle" (the reward).

Before, Sofia never would dart for the pool but didn't want to dive right in it either to enjoy the water.  By the end of the week she was a fearless Micheal Phelps (with floaties)   ;) 

We loved Ms. Angie and we will definitely see her again next year!

"Swimming"

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ELC - Mother's Day Out

Since Sofia had been used to being around friends, arts and crafts and structured time, I thought it would be fun for her to attend a Mother's Day Out program for a few days over the summer.  She has a few friends who already attended and their parents loved it so we gave it a whirl.

Here are pictures from her first day...

Loving her packpack!

I wasn't sure how it would be for her.  "School" is a term we use to describe Mrs. Nikki's and since that wasn't where we were headed I was a little apprehensive of her reaction once we drove up to her the new place.  It was harder on me (as always) than it was on her to leave her in a new surrounding with new people.  Overall, it was a great summer of new fun and new friends for Sofia.  I was happy (and shocked!) that she napped everyday and was still sleeping when I arrived to pick her up and didn't fuss when it was time to head out the door for another day.  It was a fast few weeks before it was over and we look forward for next summer!  :)

summer....

....has come and gone and hopefully this heat is not far behind it!  Summer was a whirlwind of fun, swim lessons, visits with dear friends, relaxation, visits with family and staying cool.  I enjoyed the time off with my sweet Sofia AND we welcomed the arrival of our newest blessing... Juliet Grace.

Stay tuned as I play blog catch up... but until then here is a sneek peek of our two precious girls  :)

Sweet Treat!

One very hot day, we decided we needed to go out and enjoy a (very) sweet and cool treat from the popular Sweet Sammies.  You choose a scoop of Bluebell ice cream and it is mushed between your choice of two homeade cookies.  This was the first of soon-to-be MANY visits! Yum.

Easter 2011

Easter this year was fun, busy and quick!  Sofia enjoyed an Easter Egg hunt at Mrs. Nikki's with her friends on Friday.....then we drove to see family to have an egg hunt with the cousins - who we always enjoy! - and then made a trip back home to celebrate Easter Sunday at our church and relax at home.

Game Show Contestant

Sometimes Sofia will randomly stack toys or other objects (but not in an obsessive way  :)  ).....she's getting really good that I may consider her for "Minute to Win It"  ;)