He's Finally Here!

Lincoln Curtis Seymore joined us on

Saturday, September 4, 2010

at 10:15 in the morning

weighing in at 7 pounds 13 ounces and 21 inches long.

It was 7 pm on Friday the 3rd, my contractions are becoming more and more intense. Chris and I are keeping track of how far apart they are, on average 7 minutes. Doc wants me to come in when they are 3 to 5 minutes apart. At 8 I decide to go to bed (I'm just in so much pain and very uncomfortable). They're coming closer and harder. Chris joins me in bed at 9 but can't sleep 'cause he's too excited. My contractions are now 5 minutes apart but I don't want it to be false labor so I endure the pain a little longer. 10 pm and I can't take the pain any more. We get some things ready, say a prayer, and head to the hospital.

It felt like the longest drive of my life. I'm hoping I'm dilated to at least 4 cm so that I can get an epidural. It's 11 pm when I get hooked up to the monitors and get an IV. My contractions are so strong that they are literally off the chart. The doctor checks me and I'm dilated to 7 cm. I can get my epidural and I make sure I get it right away. My doctor says by the way things are going, it looks like I'll have my baby by 2 or 3 am! Great, it'll be a dream labor and delivery!

I got the epidural and for a moment felt relief... but with that came a much longer labor. The epidural completely stopped my contractions. Hours later, and with no progression, the doctor told me that I'd probably need to get a c-section. That really scared me and I started stressing out more. Thankfully the nurse that was helping me made it seem like the doctor was really rushing and she told me they'd give me more time to labor. The epidural started making me incredibly itchy to the point where I just wanted to rip my skin off. About 8 hours from the time I got the epidural, the nurse checked me again and she said I was about 8 centimeters dilated, all I have to do is relax. Relax. It clicked right when she said relax. I completely relaxed my body and instantly felt like it was time to push. the nurse just walked out the door when I had Chris bring her back in. She checked me again and I was at a 10! I was so happy to finally start pushing. I was just that much closer to meeting my baby boy!

I pushed for the longest hour and a half. Chris was amazing through the whole process. Seeing the glowing smile on his face was all the encouragement I needed. One last push and I heard my baby's cry. I remember thinking it was the cutest sound I had ever heard. And the moment they laid his little body on my chest he stopped crying. I started talking to him and he looked up at me. I couldn't believe how much love I already had for him. And my love for him is growing stronger by the second.

The process has begun and Chris is so anxious to meet his little buddy. I really couldn't have done it without Chris. He was so great and supportive the whole time.



Daddy cut the cord!

Love at first sight

Chris was so happy to meet our little man, he wouldn't even leave his side. Lincoln is so aware, he still always has his eyes wide open and looking around.

I can't even explain how much I love my little man. I feel so blessed to have this little angel sent to us.

Who Does He Look Like?

My friend did the 3D ultrasound for me today. It was so much fun getting a glimpse at how our little baby is going to look! He kept holding the cord up to his face, he even had it in his mouth. The tech said that he has a little cleft in his chin (don't know where that comes from!) She also said that he has a good amount of brown hair. (She's been doing her job for a LONG time.) Right now he weighs about 6.5 lbs.

Even his little pouty face is so cute!

This is his little hand blocking his face. I just like the little knuckle dimples!

I cursed him with my nose, but I LOVE his lips! I hope he looks like his daddy.

We'll soon get to see our little chunckster... 2 more weeks to go!

Maternity Photo Shoot

Nine months into my pregnancy and I finally took some maternity pictures. These were taken by my friend Megan Markarian {her blog} at the Citrus Park in Riverside. I had such a great time with her. Thank you, Megan! You did such a great job!

I'm telling Lincoln to pose for the camera.

Look at his cute little shoes!

This little monkey's name is Tito! Chris gave it to me on our first mother's day 2 years ago. Now we're going to give it to our little baby.

Hugs for the baby!

Isn't he so cute?!

These were only a few pictures from over 200! I'm glad I was able to have pictures of this little memory.

My Precious Little Baby

My precious little Lincoln,

I love you so much. I have been pregnant with you now for 35 weeks and 5 days (9 months!). Your daddy and I want nothing but the best for you. We are so excited to meet you.

On the morning of Christmas Eve I took a pregnancy test. I knew I was pregnant before I even saw the results. I was so excited when I saw the positive pregnancy test; I immediately took a picture of it. I wanted to surprise your dad when he got back from work that day, but he found the picture before I could tell him. He stared at the picture for a while then called me in the room and asked if that was my pregnancy test. I couldn't hold back my smile. His eyes started watering; we hugged for awhile and let the thought of this great blessing sink in. He said he was really excited and looking forward to being a dad, your dad.

At 11 weeks we had our first ultrasound. We called you our little peanut baby 'cause you looked like the cutest little peanut! The second I saw and heard your little heart beat, I started tearing up with joy. Daddy had the biggest smile on his face as his eyes got glossy. He looked so proud of you already. We instantly fell in love with you. We put your picture up on the fridge and we still have that first picture of you as our phone wall paper.

I started being able to feel your little kicks around week 18 or 19. It was the best feeling ever. You would always move the most for daddy when he would put his hand on my belly. Then in early June you started getting the hiccups, and you still get them constantly. I think it's the cutest thing. One morning when I was sleeping, and you were too, I had my phone by my stomach and the alarm went off. It startled you and you jumped! It definitely woke you up because you were very active after that. You've come a long way from you little kicks and twitches. You're so big now, I can feel you on both ends of my stomach, rolling around and stretching. Your kicks and punches are much stronger that it actually hurts, and sometimes tickles. From the beginning, you've really liked hanging out on my right side, sometimes you're practically wrapped around my waist. It's fun looking down at my belly and seeing you roll around. I feel like it's our little secret, only you and I are communicating and no one else knows it.

Daddy is very protective of you. Right when we found out that we were having a boy, his reaction was "You need to eat more protein! My boy needs to grow and be strong." He always makes sure I'm doing just as the doctor says. Taking my vitamins, drinking plenty of water, eating healthy, making sure I get all my vaccines, and the list goes on. My doctor put me on pelvic rest for two weeks because she was worried you would be coming too early, and your dad was on top of it the whole time. We'd go to the beach and he'd make sure I didn't go in the water at all. We even went to the river with some friends and he made sure I wasn't doing anything that would harm you. He wanted to make sure you were always doing well. He likes to mess with you too. He always shakes my belly and yells "Lincoln! Wake up! This is your dad." He likes feeling you move around. Before daddy leaves for work, he makes sure he gives you a kiss through my belly. I know he loves you so much, he talks about how excited he is to have you here with us.

July 30th was our last temple trip with our little baby. I enjoy having you there with me, that's the only time I get to go to the temple with you as my baby. Daddy said he was thinking about you the whole time. When we were together in the temple, he couldn't stop touching my belly. You were moving a lot in there. Dad's eyes started getting teary as he kept feeling you move. I know he was just so grateful for the amazing gift that Heavenly Father sent you to be here with us. It's so wonderful to know that we will be an eternal family.

Our journey together is just beginning. You will be here with us sooner than we know. As much as I can't wait to stop having the aches and pains of pregnancy, I know I'm going to miss felling you move around in there. I know I'm trading it for something much better though, having you here with us. Your dad and I are so eager to have you. You are loved so much already. We are constantly praying for you that you will be strong and healthy, and that we may be the best parents for you.

Lincoln's Nursery

I have had such a fun time decorating Lincoln's room! I had a hard time figuring out what kind of theme I wanted his nursery to have. I definitely wanted something a little different with no pastels. I finally decided on bright green and blue with brown and a little white accents. Once I got started I couldn't stop. I'm pretty proud with how it turned out. Just one thing missing now, and that's my little Lincoln!

Chris gave me this rocking chair for my first Mother's Day. It means so much to me that he thought about that and I look forward to using it with all of our future children.

The pillow on the chair was pretty much my inspiration for the whole room. I even made the art work above it that I think matches perfectly.

I love Target! I found these great baskets that are under the changing table. I got the book shelf and curtains there too.
For the longest time I could not figure out what to put over the shelves. I finally came across these cork boards! Now, what to put on them?

So many people helped Lincoln start his library with all of these great books.
Of course we have to have Lincoln's name somewhere in his room!
and it wouldn't be complete with out a picture of Christ. I found this picture in an old calendar. I love it.
So here is one idea I had to put on the cork boards, but I'm still playing around with different options. I think I might just get some cute push pins and post some pictures and quotes and whatever else I can find.

Putting his room together has really been a great experience. It makes things so much more real. I just can't wait for Lincoln to enjoy it too!

Mommy's Little Monster

My baby shower theme was "Mommy's Little Monster" and I love that it's definitely not your average baby shower! I have such great friends and family that helped out so much. Thanks to everyone who helped; Mommy, Andi, Nicole, Courtney, Shelly, Mary, and Gina!

I can't wait for my little monster to get here!

Aren't these invites cute!
We had a yummy monster cake too.

Treats table!

These were the gift boxes that we put the gift card prizes in!

 Guess how many gum balls?

Our little monsters!

These lollipops were the party favors...and they were delish!

He's Growing Fast

2 more months to go! I can't wait to have my little baby here. My little one seems to be going through his growth spert! My belly is starting to reach it's maximum stretching potential. My stomach is so tight now it's starting to hurt. Ok so the 1st trimester, a little nausia and sleepiness. 2nd trimester, more energy and feeling great. 3rd trimester, GET THIS BABY OUT! The only thing I seem to be enjoying right now is feeling how active he is. He seems to be getting the hiccups pretty often and is moving around A LOT. I love it. (Even though he sometimes throws some pretty hard hits) He also seems to be using my bladder as a trampoline. Ok so time to vent... Now that I'm 8 months pregnant, it's really starting to take a tole on me. I am so exausted, my feet hurt, my back is killing me, I'm always tired and out of breath, I found TWO stretch marks, I can't sleep at night, and i can't even shave my legs!

Besides that, I'm maddly in love with my little baby. I can't wait to hold him!

26 Weeks Down, 14 More to Go

Well I would say I officially "look" pregnant. There's no more second guessing, "is she pregnant or just fat?" I am, on the other hand, starting to develop a waddle. Chris says it's cute, but I think he's just trying to make me feel better. These 6 1/2 months have gone by pretty quickly. I haven't really had any cravings, except for one night I really wanted Pop Tarts, ha ha ha, but that didn't last long. Fortunately, I got over the morning sickness around month 4. I've been trying to walk or swim for exercise, but I haven't been very consistent. I'm just so exhausted from standing all day at work. (No excuses!) Still haven't gotten stretch marks. I'm rubbing Bio Oil religiously on my belly hoping that I will be one of the fortunate few who don't get any stretch marks while pregnant.

So far, so good!

SURPRISE!!

I was so eager to find out the gender of our baby that I just couldn't wait for our Dr's appointment. Chris and I ended up going to an ultrasound school to find out what we were having. They said they weren't 100% sure but they "think" it's a girl...so of course I get really exited and start telling all of my friends and family. 2 1/2 weeks later we find out it's really a BOY!

From the looks of this picture, there is no denying we're having a boy...

Of course every mom thinks there kid is cute, but I can tell mine is going to be the cutest!