Apline Loop

This year we FINALLY took a drive through the Alpine loop. It has been something we have wanted to do for three years. We never got around to it but this being our (possible) last year in Utah, we have made a promise to do everything we have been putting off since we have lived here. The drive was beautiful. Madison was great in the car and I'm so glad we went.

Oh yeah, and I completely forgot to take a picture of all of us. Blame the new Mom brain.

Three Years

Another year of wedded bliss has passed us by. 

This year I knew I was going to be up all night with my husband. *wink wink*

ok just kidding, we had a newborn, of course we would be up all night. 

We celebrated a little differently. Originally I was supposed to be VERY pregnant and the idea of going anywhere too far was not so smart. Well lucky for us, Zach won an award at the University and they held a dinner for him on the day of our actual anniversary so we didn't have to go anywhere. 

 Madi also decided to come just in time to show support for her Dad-- and I didn't have to sit there 9 months pregnant and completely uncomfortable during the entire dinner/award ceremony. 

I consider that a win all around.

Earlier that day we took Madison's newborn pictures. They turned out horrible. HA! She was having a bad day and didn't want to help. You can't really blame her, it was a very busy day for a 9 day old. We tried again the next day. The rest of the day we enjoyed spending some time together as a new little family and once we got home from dinner we decided to give Madi her first bath

 She hated it and screamed the entire time.

But we're getting better at this whole parenting thing. Every day is getting a little easier. 

Taking it day by day and counting every blessing.

We love Madison. 

We love being an eternal family. 

We love being married. 

So here's to another wonderful year! I'm sure this one is going to be our best yet!

Need a laugh?

I have this weird quirk and truth be told its actually really cheesy.

For the last nine months my thought had always been "if I have to get fat, I'm taking everyone down with me".  That being said,  I have brought my OB a candy bar to each appointment. It has become a running joke between us and each candy bar has had some silly and oober cheesy tag line along with it.

Since Madison decided to come early, I didn't get a chance to make it to my last month of appointments. So this week I am dropping off a big thank you note that reads:

Dear Dr. Judd AKA the big hunk

“UNO” there isn’t enough candy in the world to tell you what a fantastic doctor you are. I really “Skor”-ed when I found you. You were a huge help when we were in a real “crunch”! Thank you for helping me “push pop” and delivering my “whopper” of a "Sugar Babie". She has brought my family so much “almond joy” already. I’m glad you weren’t a “butterfingers” because I know those “sour patch kids” can come out as “cry baby’s” sometimes. I hope you are around to deliver all of my babies “now & later”.

You are such a fun doctor and I know you aren’t in it just for the “pay day”, but I hope you accept this “100 grand” and “mounds” of  THANK YOUS  for putting up with a "Nerd" like me.


“Hugs & Kisses” Until the next pregnancy,

The “chunky” chick with the “JellyBelly”, “Mr. Goodbar” & the “whatchamacallit”
Sara, Zach and Baby Madison Lyman.


Of course the note is attached to a large basket with the corresponding candies.

Told you.. I'm a goober.

Name and a Story

The following is the birth story of Madison. Its a bit long but for journaling reasons I didn't want to leave anything out. 

If you would like the short version: 

My water broke 3 weeks early. Labor was 7 1/2 hours from start to finish. She was out in 2 pushes. 

Born at 1:25pm weighing  6lb 6oz, and 18 1/2 inches long. She is perfect. 

For The Details Continue Reading:

Sunday I spent the entire day in bed. I was so terribly sick with a cold. I didn't even leave my room until 3 that afternoon. The family came over for dinner and I tried to hide in my room. Lindsay came upstairs to talk with me and helped me get a few things ready for the baby. I told her that I had a feeling she was coming early and I said that I didn't mind as long as it was not while I was this sick. Well... 12 hours later my water broke. Funny side note, I felt a little better that evening and ended up doing a couple cartwheels in the back yard while teaching my niece to do them. Well I think that's what did me in. 

I woke up at 4am to use the restroom, per my usual routine, and went back to bed. I couldn't fall asleep and decided to just lay there for a bit. About an hour later, I heard a small "pop" and and thought that maybe the baby had kicked me very low which she has done before. Then I felt a small squish, which any woman in their third trimester will tell you that is totally normal. Then I tried to roll over to fall back asleep and the squish turned into an even bigger squish and I realized my water broke! I sat up quickly to run to the bathroom and not leak on the bed. This caused the "flood gates" to open and woosh. There it was. I came back with my hands between my legs and told Zach what happened. He popped out of bed and we started getting things together to go to the hospital. I threw a towel between my legs, grabbed the hospital bag, told Sophie we loved her and we headed down stairs. We caught Dad in the hallway leaving for work and told him my water broke. I asked for a blessing from him and Zach that everything would go smoothly and to help calm my nerves. I called my family on the way to the hospital to let them know whats going on. We arrived at the hospital at 5:45am and I checked in while Zach parked the car. At this point I was not having contractions. The nurses took me back and it was just in time for shift change so I had to wait a bit to get my labor and delivery nurse. My nurse, Lori Sowards, came in and got me all set up for everything. I was dilated to 3 and 80% effaced. Then the contractions started. Nothing too bad for a bit but they slowly started getting more and more intense. Lori said I could have meds to take the edge off before the epidural could come. BUT knowing that medicine works a little too well on me, I declined because I wanted to be alert for delivery. My anesthesiologist was stuck in a c-section and was not able to come set me up with the good stuff until that was over. The contractions were extremely strong and I finally asked the nurse for medicine as he walked in the door. HALLELUJAH ! I have never wanted a needle so bad in my life! My dear sweet nurse helped me hold still and bend forward to prepare for the shot. Zach held my hand the entire time. Lori kept laughing because I was being so sweet and nice, there was no way I was actually in labor. She said she was happy to have me start off her morning/week on such a happy note. Turns out, the hospital was very busy with deliveries that day. My anesthesiologist was named Dan and he knew a few of the people that Zach worked with and they chatted up as he finished hooking me up. They were actually so busy talking that he forgot to tape me up before walking out the door. He came back in and said that was the first time in 6 years he has ever done that. 

From then on out, labor was wonderful. They checked me again and I was at a 4, then an hour later 6 and an hour after that I was at 10! Yikes. The nurses were impressed with how quickly I was progressing. I was ready to push by 11 am and they called the doctor. They prepared the room for delivery and still no doctor. The nurses were telling me that "she had so much hair" I remember thinking, OH GOSH! You can see here hair and the doctor isn't here?!? AH! So finally a little after 1pm Dr Judd came into the room, threw on his gown and said "lets see what we've got". I started pushing and two contractions later he said "open your eyes!" I did and looked down to see the head. What?! Already!? I thought I would be pushing for hours!

Madison came out and the doctor held her up and I instantly started to cry. Zach left to go be by her side while they cleaned Madi up and he teared up a bit too. They wrapped her and placed her in my arms as the doctor finished stitching me up. I know I am her mom but, she is BEAUTIFUL. No conehead. No puffy face. No tiny preemie alien look. Just beautiful. It was instant love. They unhooked the machines and started cleaning the room while Zach and I just stared at her and took turns holding our little girl. The whole experience was a whirlwind. From start to finish it was 7 1/2 hours. Which the nurses told me was unheard of for a first time baby. I remember the nurses saying "this doesn't happen" but I guess there is a first for everything. The nurses had us do skin to skin while Zach and I tried to figure out a name for her. The rest of the day was honesty a blur. I remember calling family and that night the Lyman clan came to see us. They were all instantly in love too.

I was a little bummed that things didnt go how I thought they would. I thought my water would break and I would be calm and collected. I would shower, shave, brush my teeth and get ready for the day. I wanted to take one last picture pregnant to remember what my tummy looked like the day she arrived. Forgot that too. I got too excited and just threw on clothes and left. Looking back, who cares. The whole thing turned out perfect. 

As for her name... well we had a few ideas of names we liked but the entire time I was pregnant none of them felt right. So we decided we had to meet her before we could decide. We sat in the hospital room for a while and just looked at her. Then it was decided Madison Alleyne Lyman. It was not a name we originally picked out or even thought of, but it just fit. Madison has no sentimental/family value to it, we just sort of liked the name. Alleyne however, is actually my mother in laws middle name as well has her grandmothers name. 

So we love our little Madi girl. She is a total joy and a blessing for our family. 

Hospital Visitors

 Grandma and Grandpa Lyman

 Aunt Lindsay

The cousins: Max, Finleigh, and Maizy

 Maizy is so in love with her already. That face says it all. 

 Uncle Jono

 All of the Lyman Ladies

 Uncle Aaron

 My friend Candace 

 My friend Calix

 GREAT Grandma and Grandpa Powell

 Great Aunt Katrina

Our friends Shaun and Rachel Hughes

 The man of the evening, Dr. Thomas Judd. 

 Uncle Nate

and Me with my daughter!

Can you tell she is already so loved?

We're Lucky

Madison

Pictures now. Birth story later. 

September 10, 2012

6lb 6oz

18 1/2 inches

1:25pm

oh wow.

So I stumbled across this today

http://bauhauswife.ca/

when researching childbirth and all of the crazy that goes along with it, and friend and I found this womens blog. She has a very interesting approach on life and childbirth.

Very. Interesting.

This is in NO WAY my "birth plan". In fact, I think I am the complete opposite,  Drug me up and take it out.

Proud wife

My amazing husband has been recognized for all his hard work. This month he was featured in the UVU Magazine for winning the distinguished student service award.

He is such a stud.

Full Term and a Hospital Visit

Anyone want to see what 37 weeks and miserable looks like?

Well here it is. It's not the best picture but with a husband working all the time we forget to take "real" pictures and have to settle with the classic self portrait bathroom shot. Very Classy. 

I was doing great in the pregnancy till this point. I now understand why women are so ready to be done. 

I. HURT. EVERYWHERE. 

I feel large, and icky and just blah. 

What I don't understand is why doctors even tell you that you are "full term" at 37 weeks. This does nothing but get your hopes up and make you anxious everyday until your little bundle arrives. It also makes the following three weeks seem to take FOREVER Because now you are thinking she can come at anytime and why hasn't she yet?! In reality I know I can wait up to 40 weeks for this little beauty but Thursday night she decided to give us a good scare. 

Thursday afternoon I noticed some bleeding and was having pretty strong braxton hicks. I had been having them for a few days now and knew it was just my body getting ready for the real thing. But the blood threw me for a loop so I kept a close eye on the contractions for a bit. After an hour of contractions being less than 6 minutes apart, I called the nurse. Of course she told me to lay down and watch them for another hour and if nothing changes I needed to go to the hospital. I called Zach at work (the ER) to fill him in on what was going on. Then I waited. Another hour went by and the contractions weren't stopping. I decided its better to be safe then sorry and asked my mother in law to take me to the hospital. Sometimes it sucks only having one car. Zach left work and met me there. I finally got checked in and hooked up to all the monitors. 

Once hooked up to the machine, it turned out that my contractions were about TWO minutes apart not six. They were starting to get really uncomfortable. They checked me when I arrived and I was dilated to 1 then an hour later was dilated to 2. The nurses were trying to figure out if I was in "real" labor or just false labor. After they saw that I had dilated and the contractions were not stopping, they called the doctor to get his opinion. Doctor said to give me a shot of morphine and phenergren to again decided if this was real labor or not. It didn't help. And being very sensitive to any sort of drug I instantly felt extremely lightheaded and sick to my stomach. GREAT! Contractions were still coming. Not as strong but still pretty consistent. At this point we thought for sure that we were not leaving that night without a baby. Panic started to set it. 

Called the doctor again and this time he said to give me a shot to stop the labor. Why they waited so long to give me it before I don't know. So I got the shot, waited 15 minutes and the contractions started to slow down. Then they gave me another shot to get them to completely stop and they sent me home. I was completely drugged and got car sick on the way home. I could barely reach the bathroom before all the yummy hospital jello I enjoyed decided to come back up. yuck. 

The good news is that I was so hung over from the drugs that I had the best nights sleep of my pregnancy. I'm pretty sure I slept for 10 hours straight, without even getting up to pee! 

Now had I been over 37 weeks they would have done nothing to stop the labor and just let me have the baby but considering I was just a few days shy of 37 weeks they want to keep her cooking as long as possible. So with all that being said. I am basically on bed rest until my water breaks. 

I am still having regular contractions, some more painful than others. So really it could be any day now. .. 

I have a doctors appointment Tuesday to check things out again. 

I know this super attractive picture of my dinner and my high as a kite was exactly what you wanted to see. 

You're welcome.