What a Month...

I can't believe everything that's happened since my last post...I gave birth (finally:), entered the world of euphoric yet sleep deprived motherhood and have a beautiful one month old baby boy - Malachi James Leichner. I had joked that I would go into labor on Thanksgiving day because Malachi would take after his father and not want to miss any of the food - well surprise surprise I was right:) I had contractions all throughout Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's house, and then they started to get more regular around 7:30. Aaron and I timed them for the next hour and decided we should go ahead and go to the hospital. We told our family to wait for us to call - I wasn't sure if they would admit me or not. We checked in at the Wesley Birthcare Center at 9:15pm and they said that they were going to keep us! It was such a strange feeling...knowing that sometime in the next day I was going to be able to hold my son. They put us in our room and within the next hour or so I had my epidural (greatest thing EVER!) and they broke my water. Then for the next 10 hrs I was on pitocin trying to keep my contractions regular. I couldn't feel a thing - which was awesome:) But it was a bit of a long night. Both Aaron and my family's were camped out in the waiting room, and Aaron and my mom were with me. Aaron went ahead and napped at my request, and mom and I played cards with Monica - the best nurse ever:)

Finally at around 6:50am Dr. Kauffman was there and we started the wonderful world of pushing! Once again can I say that the epidural is THE greatest thing ever in the world - I couldn't feel a thing! And not gonna lie, it was really really strange having absolutely no control over my legs - I almost kicked Dr K in the face at one point and had no idea...oops. I ended up pushing for 2 hrs and we had a good time in between - told jokes, heard stories ~ it was good times! The last 30 minutes it actually got uncomfortable and I was pretty worn out by this point. But finally at 8:54am on November 28th Malachi entered the world. It was...incredible. It still seems pretty surreal honestly - that I've given birth. I have a son! That's craziness!

The weeks to follow were pretty intense, and will require a whole other post and I am out of time:) We're off to celebrate New Year's at my parents ~ here's a thank you to 2008, a year full of surprises, miracles, life lessons and joys. I can only imagine what 2009 may bring - God bless you all and your new year!

39 Weeks and Counting...

We had another doctor's appointment yesterday - and I guess you could say it went really well. I'm still pregnant, but other than that all news was positive:) I'm 39 weeks now, still at 4.5 cm and 90% effaced. Dr. Kauffman said that he was honestly amazed that I haven't gone into labor yet (it's always fun when you can baffle your doctor;). We've joked that Malachi is going to wait and come on Thanksgiving - he'd smell the food and come right out! But the truth is there is a good chance that he could come thursday since there's a good chance he could come any day - so Dr. Kauffman gave us his cell number just in case. I really hope that we don't have to pull him away from his family on Thanksgiving though:P If I haven't gone into labor by next Monday he wants to schedule an induction for the following Monday which would be 6 days past my due date...I really hope I don't go that long, but once again I am definitely not the one in control here.

Aaron is a few weeks into basketball season now, the boys first game is December 2nd - our due date:) - in Hutch. Last night they had a scrimmage showcase for the parents to come and watch and see how the teams are coming along. I think Aaron came away really encouraged - the boys played really well and are showing a lot of potential! It should be a fun season:)

I have a big praise the Lord - Ginger is starting to feel better! She had such a rough first trimester but the last week or so she's gotten stronger and more like her old self every day:) I hung out with her and Gina yesterday, we worked on a puzzle that was missing a lot of pieces - good times:) But it's so good to see Ginger up and around again, and for her old smile to be back:) Praise the Lord! I knew Baby Spanky would be nice to her eventually;)

I think that's everything for now - hopefully next time I post I'll have a baby:) God bless!

Maternity Pictures

My sister Ginger had always wanted to do maternity pictures for me but she's been enduring a pretty rough first trimester for the last couple of months so Gina - an amazing friend/photographer generously offered to take the pictures for her! So Gina, Ginger and my mom came over on a Sunday afternoon and did a session with us - I have to admit it was kind of strange having my belly 'out there' - but so worth it, she did an amazing job!

We even got our boys Sirius and Jaxon in there with us! They love the camera:)

I look ridiculously preggo in this picture!

Who knew blog pressure could be so great?

So I'm joining the crowd - I am officially a blogger. Well, not necessarily a successful one yet but time will tell. I figured with Malachi due anyday that my life is about to reach a warp speed (you can thank my husband for the Star Trek reference ::sigh::) I have yet to understand or know and that this might be the most efficient way to keep loved ones updated on the incredible thrills of the Leichner life.

On a sidenote, cute backgrounds, photos etc will eventually take their place on my blog...but only after a very user-friendly crash course of blogging from my much more technology adept sister. (Thanks in advance Ging:)

So our life right now is quickly at a standstill. Malachi James Leichner has been hanging out in my belly for almost 39 weeks now and apparently is really comfortable. I have been dilated at a 4-4 1/2 for 2 weeks and am 90% effaced. Dr. Kauffman is truly surprised that I have not gone into labor yet (as is the rest of the world apparently) and continues to say that it could/should be any day.

Honestly this week has been pretty hard for me...his due date isn't technically until December 2nd but I've been told that there's no way I'll make it until then. What makes it hard is that for two weeks I've been told it could be any time and yet nothing is happening - I know that God's timing is perfect and I completely trust it...but it gets really tiring having to answer to texts/calls/and comments all day every day of "why haven't you had your baby yet?" and "you're still pregnant?" or "haven't you popped yet?" I know that everyone who asks is asking in love and they're just excited...but my people pleaser side tends to come out and I feel like with every passing day I'm just disappointing someone or putting a wrench in their future plans. It sounds ridiculous I know - how could it be my fault that I haven't gone into labor? Maybe it's the hormones causing more sensitivity - whatever the reason it's hard not to feel at fault.

With all that said, I praise the Lord that Malachi is healthy and that this pregnancy has gone so well. I know that the longer he's in me the better it is for him - and God knows exactly when he's supposed to make his grand debut! So until then, I'll trust and I'll wait. It doesn't matter that I don't have a choice, I need to surrender my desires and trust that God truly does know what's best. So consider me surrendered...(i need a white flag)...
More updates to come - have a blessed and wonderful day:)