The story of Addy (AKA--Lack of Sleep)

About a year ago this month we found out we were pregnant with Addison. We were actually about to leave for Florida for Glory Basketball. Unfortunately I would not be able to go on any rides once we got there.

From the get go I was really sick for the first 20 weeks. I was unable to keep any food down and was just nauseated all the time. At about 12 weeks I had a complication that caused me to bleed quite a bit. Ben brought me to the emergency room under the assumption we had just lost Addison. However, when we got there and the doctors ran tests...Addison was still in there; healthy as can be.

After many ultrasounds we found out I had been pregnant with twins but did not know it yet as it was early into the pregnancy. They found two placentas and later at my delivery would find out I had two water bags. It was so sad to hear that we lost one but we were so thankful that we still had our little girl (at that point we didn't know it was a girl yet).

As my pregnancy progressed I was was working about 50 hours a week at work and came home exhausted every night. It was very difficult. I got to the point where I was only sleeping about 2 hours a night as I am sure most pregnant women understand.

Ben was such a huge blessing my whole pregnancy as he pretty much did everything around the house for the whole 9 months since I was so sick and tired. This really was so great.

Well, we began to roll into the month of March, my last month and I was getting so big and feeling so miserable. On March 15, my cousin Molly (who was pregnant at the same time as me)went into early labor. I was thinking, wouldn't it be funny if I went around the same time...

So March 16 arrived, I went to work and then came home... Ben made dinner and then we laid in bed. Ben proceeded to say to me "Katie, we need a plan for if your water breaks." I of course was already packed for the hospital so we discussed what we would do and who to call. Ben went on to say that it sure would be fun for me to go that night because then he could have the start of March Madness off from work so he could watch the opening rounds of basketball.

Well, his wish came true. Shortly after our conversation I turned to him and said, "Ben you are not going to believe this but my water just broke." We started laughing as we couldn't believe after just planning for it that I went into labor. We called our parents right away and then the hospital to let me them know we were coming in.

We arrived at the hospital at 10:30pm March 16, 2010. This was about two weeks early; my due date was March 27. They checked us in, got us in a labor room. I was only about 3 cm dilated when I came in to the hospital. To spare you all the details. I ended up having a 20 hour labor and then I was rushed into a emergency C-section. Unfortunately, after having the C-section the doctor indicated going forward that I can't ever have a natural birth due to some complications. We were just so thankful that our Addison Rose arrived safely...thanks to the advisement of Ben's dad. (who if you didn't know is a neonatologist: baby doctor).

Well, so began parenthood. As most mom's know going forward it is tough the first few weeks. I had a rough go about it with healing from the C-section and having a colicky baby. Addison starting at about 2 weeks until about 2 1/2 months had colick really bad. She was awake screaming from 11pm-7am every night. I was maybe sleeping 2 hours a day for those 2 months. We took her to the doctor as we had no idea what was going on. They limited my diet for nursing to see if she was allergic to anything I was eating and nothing got better.

Finally, after prayerful consideration and many tears we determined Addy was probably allergic to my breast milk. The doctor put Addison on some special formula to help with a sensitive baby and this did the trick. I felt so disappointed as a mom that I could not feed her what comes natural to us mom's but at this point we wanted to do what was best for her health.

So needless to say, I started getting more sleep. Gradually things have become so much better and our little Addison Rose is growing into a beautiful little girl. She is almost 4 1/2 months now. She smiles and laughs a lot. She also just rolled over for the first time the other day. She was so proud to show daddy this when he got home from work.

I do have to say, motherhood and pregnancy is not an easy thing. And for my first pregnancy, lets just say it was an interesting experience. There were a lot of hard times, sleepless nights and times I just didn't think things were going to get better. However, during those nights...I called on Jesus and he was ALWAYS there with me. I also had wonderful encouragement from my husband, parents, and other family members and friends

So this is our story of little Addison Rose. She is our St. Paddy's day baby. She is a miracle; she is our little angel.

Tribute Tuesday

So I decided to come up with a day that I give tribute to a person that means a lot to me in my life. Of course, I will have to start off with the number one man in my life.

Ben and I started dating 11 years ago this August. We met and began our relationship at Meadow Creek Christian our senior year of high school. Ben and I had a lot of fun that year getting to know each other and watching each other play basketball. As most of you know, Ben was WAY better at basketball as he ended up with a Division 1 Scholarship to Prairie View A&M.

So as college came near, Ben would be going to Texas and I would be staying in Minnesota going to Northwestern College. The long distance relationship was tough but we were determined to make it. Over Fall break I went down to Texas with Ben's dad to see Ben and spend a few days in his world of basketball.

Later that month Ben ended up injuring his ankle which ended his basketball career. It was a very sad time for Ben as he left his dream to come back home and was literally laid up for months before he could go back to college. Since he came home Ben decided after resting for some months that he would go to Northwestern College with me! Much to my delight of course, I was excited for him to be there.

In 2003 I graduated from Northwestern and then in 2005 Ben graduated from Northwestern. Ben asked me to marry him September 2004 in my driveway at my parents house where we had our first kiss. Then he took me to a wonderful steak dinner at Murray's. Ben and I decided that we would wait for college to be over before we got married at the advice of our parents. Which was VERY good advice.

Ben and I were then married June 17,2005 which was a month after Ben graduated. Yep, we didn't wait long! We had a beautiful wedding and reception at Edinburgh Golf Course thanks to my parents and a wonderful grooms dinner at Northland Inn and beautiful video that Ben's parents provided. It was the best any two kids could ask for.

Today, as I write Ben and I have been married for 5 years and we have a beautiful little angel named Addison Rose. Ben is such an amazing man and I am so grateful to be married to him.

He is a kind, caring, passionate, loyal, respectful, protecting, loving, and wonderful husband, friend and father. The list could go on and on of all I love about my husband. He really is my best friend. When I am having a horrible day, only he can make me smile and make things better. He was so wonderful during my pregnancy and birth of Addison as I had a pretty rough pregnancy and birth healing process. He always helped, always stood by my side even though he was working full time.

I am so thankful that my husband has allowed me to stay home with our little girl. He is the provider, the supporter and he works so very hard for us. Addy and I are so appreciative of all he does for us. I am a better mom because of him.

Thank you sweetie for all you do for our family. For being the great husband, friend and dad that you are.

I love you Infinity and Beyond!

WeEkEnD FuN

As I sit here with my little girl in my arms, I am reminded of how precious life is and how thankful I am that the Lord blessed Ben and I with this adorable,precious little girl.

This past weekend was very eventful and fun. On Friday all day I helped Emily and crew set up for her wedding on Saturday. It was really fun decorating and enjoying last minute preparations with her and my Aunt Shirley. Addy also tagged along for the ride. Then Friday night Ben and I got a date night so we went to go see the movie Inception. It was a mind blowing movie... Had to stay awake for that one. My mom and dad (Grandpa Ron and Grandma Dana) were nice of enough to watch Addy last minute. Such a blessing to have both sets of grandparents near by.

Saturday we had a blast participating in Mike and Emily's wedding. So fun to have my cousin and Ben's good friend getting married... They actually met at our wedding as Emily was the maid of honor and Mike was a groomsmen. Many blessings to them.

Then Sunday we spent the day with Grandpa Charlie and Grandma Cathie. We had a nice lunch at Panda and then went shopping, which was a blast. Addy loves hanging with her grandparents and smiling and laughing with them.

Today has been a really long and not fun day for me. About 2 years ago I was in a bad car accident where someone hit me and I have had a lot of health issues from it. Today was mediation before trial, which was not fun at all. The highlight of my day was picking up Addy from Grandma Cathie, who was nice enough to watch Addy while I had court mediation.

So at 1pm when it was over, I was so excited to go see my Addy Paddy (her nickname). Addy had a really fun time with Grandma Cathie as they watched some cartoons and played. So thankful for her grandparents. Love them so much.

Now as I write this I am waiting for someone to come fix our garage as it broke. If its not one thing, it is the other. But I have to say I am SO blessed to have a beautiful home, a wonderful husband who provides for us, and a cute as a button daughter that I adore. So even if we have those small expenses that are not fun and not expected, we have SO many things to be thankful for.

That is all for now. Have a great week all. More to come......

Four Months of Fun

A New Adventure

So I am not a big time writer or anything but I thought it would be fun to write a bit about our family and show pictures of what we are up to.

Ben and I have been so blessed this year to have been given a healthy baby girl, Addison Rose. She is such a joy to our lives. Each day there is something new... she likes to coo a lot right now... Her favorite part of the day is when daddy comes home. We usually try to wait by the window or the garage door in anticipation for his arrival.

I have been blessed as a wife and mother to be able to stay home. I am so thankful that my husband is such a hard working man and has allowed me to share each day with our daughter. I love each moment I spend with her.

Ben and I were able to go on a long date this past Sunday to the Twins game which was such a blast! Grandma Cathie watched Addy that day for us.

Well, for now I won't talk too much. I am off with Addy to help Emily (my cousin) set up for her wedding Saturday! She is marrying a guy that was in our wedding and a long time friend of Ben's, Mike Wiggin. I am so excited for her!!!

I hope you enjoy the posts to come and many many pictures.

Have a wonderful weekend.