Ivy Kathleen Seymore joined our family  on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at  2:09 in the morning  weighing in at  7 pounds 12 ounces and 19 inches long
Ivy was born exactly on her "due date" (the day before our wedding anniversary)! I had been having contractions months before and still nothing was happening so I just went on thinking I was going to have her past 40 weeks. 
Friday the 13th, was just like any other day. We had just moved to an appt in Oceanside and we were barely getting through boxes to unpack. Chris was having his car shipped from Virginia and it was being delivered to our old location in Riverside that day (about an hour away from Oceanside). So I drove out there to sign off the paper work and pay the guy. To kill some time while we waited, my mom and I, and of course my active toddler duo, went shopping at a few of our favorite places then met up with my sister and her boyfriend for lunch. Time past when I finally heard back from the shipping company saying they are running behind and will be getting here tomorrow morning instead. So rather than driving to Oceanside that night and then back to Riverside again the next morning, I decided to spend the night at my mom's house then drive back home early the next morning. 
We spent the rest of the evening at my grandparents house when I started having some pain with my contractions. I wasn't having very many contractions but they were starting to feel different than the ones I had been previously having. Still so far apart, I wasn't going to get my hopes up and think that it was the night (because truthfully, I had been thinking every night was going to be the night for the past month). I went to the bathroom and noticed I was bleeding, not just spotting but actually bleeding. That was really unusual for me so we decided it would be best to go to the hospital and have things checked out. We got the kids together and dropped them off with my sister so that my mom could stay with me at the hospital. It was about 11 pm when we got to the labor and delivery. I sent Chris a text message about 15 minutes before telling him what was going on and that I would let him know if I think he should drive out from Oceanside (he was in the field the night before and was exhausted so I didn't want him to drive out so late at night if it was nothing serious). This whole time I was barely having any contractions and they were far apart without any pattern and the bleeding wasn't as bad any more so I was feeling kind of bad about setting off a "false alarm".  After filling out all the paper work and finally getting into a room the nurse comes in, asks me a ton of questions, checks the consistency and intensity of my contractions, and checks to see how dilated I am. Turns out I'm only ONE centimeter dilated, the baby is still really high and she says it doesn't even look like I'm having any contractions and apparently the bleeding is just from my cervix thinning and opening. Then Chris walks in the door and said he couldn't sleep so he drove out to be with me. The nurse said they couldn't admit me into the hospital unless I was at least 4 centimeters dilated. She suggested I walk around the hospital for an hour and see if I progressed at all. My mom went home now that Chris was with me and we were all thinking it was going to be a long night of labor...if it even was the real thing. 
As I was trying to get out of bed, I was having such intense pain I couldn't even stand. I've had two babies before and I've never felt this kind of pain before. It literally felt like my insides were going to fall out. None of my previous labor contractions felt like this so I had no idea what was going on. It was a little past midnight when I was finally able to get myself out of bed and start walking around with Chris. We talked and joked around a bit with more of those painful episodes. And like a light switch, I was no longer in a joking mood. With every contraction I thought I was going to die. I really thought my insides were all just going to come out. My contractions didn't have any kind of pattern to them, all I know is that they were long and very intense. I would hold on the Chris and just shake with pain. It got to the point where I just couldn't walk anymore and I all I wanted to do was rush to my bed to lay down. Now it was constant pain, no break in between contractions, and I was just holding onto Chris crying. I don't even remember how I got back into the room and back on the bed. I was greeted by another rude nurse with more rude remarks like "well you didn't get far" and "you're going to have to do better than that" referring to not walking for very long and thinking I'm just exaggerating my pain. Just 30 minutes ago I was only 1 centimeter dilated so I'm sure they thought I was exaggerating. Chris told her I wanted an epidural and she came back with, "we'll she's going to have to wait an hour because the doctor is busy with another patient." That was the worst thinking I'd be in this intense pain for another hour! She repeated herself and said, "you need to walk around more..." Chris told her to just check how far along I was so she did. Thats when she started believing that I was in a lot of pain and quickly admitted me and offered me some other pain medications.  I was ready to push! They told me that there wasn't a doctor available yet but I didn't care. I felt the urge and I was confident that I could deliever my own baby if I had to. Thankfully, the nurse seemed experienced and she didn't try to stop me. She just stood by my side letting me do my thing, and I really appreciated that.
With only a few contractions of pushing, my precious baby was born. The nurse laid her on my chest and I just felt so much joy and relief. The doctor walked in not much later and then I heard faint comments about how blue she was and Chris was asking why she wasn't crying. I didn't think too much of it at the time. Everything felt right to me and just so natural. I was at ease with my baby laying on my bare skin. She brings me so much joy. Words can't express the love I have for my beautiful little Ivy.

"Feels Like Home"

I used to listen to this song all the time when Chris and I were dating. I felt every word to be true then, but it's never felt more meaningful than it has now.

 

I truly know now that home is where my husband is. Being apart from him for 5 months now has been hard. I can't wait to look into his eyes and get lost in his arms again. This time apart has made me appreciate that what we have together is the most important thing and it's made me realize how madly in love I am with this incredible man.

 

This life isn't an easy one to live, but I know we're working towards something bigger. He brings so much light into my life. I never thought I could love anyone so much and it's amazing how my love for him continues to grow.

 

(just substitute Noah and Allie for me and Chris! haha)    "Feels Like Home"
Somethin' in your eyes, makes me wanna lose myself
Makes me wanna lose myself, in your arms
There's somethin' in your voice, makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of my life

If you knew how lonely my life has been
And how long I've been so alone
And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along
And change my life the way you've done

It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong

A window breaks, down a long, dark street
And a siren wails in the night
But I'm alright, 'cause I have you here with me
And I can almost see, through the dark there is light

Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I've waited for your touch
And if you knew how happy you are making me
I never thought that I'd love anyone so much

It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way the back where I come from
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
(CHANTAL KREVIAZUK LYRICS)  

Faithfully by Journey

thousands of miles apart from my husband, sleeping alone one more night.

there's nothing I want more than a long, tight hug from him.

he says he listens to this song often because it reminds him of me, of us.

so tonight i'm listening to it over and over again, can't hold back the tears, thinking about the man I love and missing him so much right now.
 

Songwriters: CAIN, JONATHAN
 

Highway run
Into the midnight sun
Wheels go round and round
You're on my mind

Restless hearts
Sleep alone tonight
Sending all my love along the wire
They say that the road
Ain't no place to start a family
Right down the line it's been you and me
And loving a music military  man
Ain't always what it's supposed to be
Oh Girl
You stand by me
I'm forever yours
Faithfully

Circus life
Under the big top world
We all need the clowns to make us smile

Through space and time
Always another show
Wondering where I am lost without you
And being apart ain't easy on this love affair
Two strangers learn to fall in love again
I get the joy of rediscovering you
Oh girl
You stand by me
I'm forever yours
Faithfully

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Faithfully
I'm still yours
I'm forever yours
Ever yours
Faithfully

                                     

photo source 

 

a stroll down memory lane

  since i've been packing up to move again, i've been going through so many old photos. it's crazy looking back, especially at the times when chris and i were just starting to date. it brings back those giddy feelings of when you're first getting to know your crush. we always went on so many fun dates together. for a short time there we each went to RCC, but had different classes, and when i'd walk back to my car i'd always find a flower on my wind shield. he also gave me a flower every time he picked me up for our dates (it was always stolen from my yard or the neighbor's ha ha), then i'd always forget it in his truck when he dropped me back off at home. oopsie. oh and my favorite part about these pictures... his HAIR! dang you marine corp for stealing that gorgeous head of hair!  

hiking up the angeles national forest

this was at the 'night in gale' play in LA

the sweet side in him... one of the surprises i found on my car



my first (and only) hocky game

after a day floating down the kern river

yep. it was really 4:30 in the morning!

check out my cool flip phone and ed hardy hat

 

Year Five

 

Have we really been married for five years already!?

 

Let's see... since we got married, we've managed to live in four different places; I started and completed cosmetology school and worked as a hair stylist for a few years; Chris graduated from CBU and commissioned into the Marine Corps; and we brought two beautiful children into the world... not bad, right?

 

Thankfully, Chris was home during our anniversary this year so we were able to go out and celebrate a bit. (First off, I want to give a huge THANK YOU to our dear friends, Crystal and Marcus, for watching our little rascals. It's been so great meeting new people and developing life long friendships)! So, Chris and I drove out to DC and went kayaking in the Potomac River. (Man, what a workout)! After splashing around for a bit, and some serious racing, we changed in the car and headed down to a nice romantic, candlelit dinner. This french restaurant, Bistro Cacao, is such a memorable place to dine, I highly recommend it! It is so intimate, with dim lighting, curtains for privacy, and the most comfortable chairs. We whet our pallet with garlic sauteed escargot, I ate SNAILS, and it was actually really good. We ended our meal with vanilla, chocolate, and mango creme brulee, complements of the chef, (Ooh, I feel fancy)! Our server was french and I just loved how he addressed me as "mademoiselle" ...but that was about the only thing I understood from him.

 

I had a great time with my love and I'm so thankful we had this opportunity to spend some quality time together before he starts IOC (Infantry Officer's Course) and is constantly gone.

I love you honey bunny! 

 

 

Here's to five more years ...and then some!

 

home sweet home {Riverside, CA - Jurupa}

{home #2}

Riverside, California (Jurupa area)   May 2008 - June 2011
We moved into the house chris grew up in when his parents bought a new place. It was exciting to be living in a house together rather than a rule restricted apartment complex. We lived there for a few years and made so many of our own memories there. I still remember the roads I drove every single day going to school. I graduated from cosmo school while there and started my dream job at a hair stylist at the Carlton Hair Salon. 
Chris graduated from CBU and graduated from OCS. This was the home where we found out we were  called to live the military life. This is also the place we found out we would be parents for the first time! Our precious Lincoln joined us in 2010 and life couldn't be better. Parenthood was so much simpler with one baby to care for. I quit my job after having him, so it was just me and my little Lincoln all day together. 
We found out we would be adding another member to our family in August and that we'd all be flying to Virginia for Chris' TBS training.

 

A Little R & R

Chris and I wanted to take full advantage of out trip to California so we planned a little getaway for us to spend a couple of days in San Diego, kid free!! We left early Thursday morning to Seaworld where we had reservations to "Dine with Shamu." I have to say that was my favorite part of Seaworld. We got to sit right up with the killer whales while we ate breakfast. It was like our own personal show. Then we met up with our friends Tom and Anna. (We originally met them in Virginia while Chris and Tom where in TBS and we became great friends fast. They got stationed in San Diego so it was so nice seeing them again!)

Dining with Shamu! The food was amazing too!

They did tricks for us and the whales would splash the people outside watching haha

Ready to get soaked

ha ha I snuck a picture of the sceen

in a bear cave

this show was awesome

here are our friends Tom and Anna and baby Tony

After our fun at Seaworld, we drove down to the beach and took a nice little nap on the sand. Now that we got some rest, it was time for some more fun. We went down to the Gaslamp District and enjoyed a nice dinner together. We just talked and laughed for hours. Then we said our goodbyes to Tom and Anna once again. (I hope so badly that we get stationed in San Diego with them) and headed to our hotel around 10 pm. Right after we checked in we went straight to the hot tub...and we had it all to ourselves! We stayed at the Hilton in La Jolla right across from the beach. You could literally see the ocean from our balcony, it was beautiful. That was the longest, most fun filled day I have had in a long time. I can't even tell you how liberating it was not having to pack snacks, diapers, toys, stroller, sling, and every other little thing for the kids. There where no melt downs or nap times cutting into our fun. It was just me and my boyfriend (that's what it felt like) enjoying each other's company.

WE SLEPT IN!!! Anyone with kids knows how much of a privilege it is to get to sleep in, and sleep through the night... and it felt amazing! We took a little dip in the pool then headed out to watch Snow White and the Huntsman. But first, we had to make a pit stop to In-N-Out. I had such a great time with my love, just the two of us again.

I was getting anxious to see my little babies, so we finally started heading back home. Gosh, I love those kids, even though they drive me crazy! Ha ha.

(Thanks Mommy for watching my kiddos!!)

Click here to see some more pictures of our Seaworld adventure!!

It's the little things...

...that make me love him that much more

Is my husband sweet or what!?

My Favorite Valentine, 6 Years in a Row!

Happy Love Day!
        I know there are some Valentine Grinches out there, but I love Valentine's Day! Chris and I are pretty simple and we don't need much to show our love for each other, but it still makes me so happy to get a little gift from him. I especially wasn't expecting anything from him since he's been so busy with work. Chocolates and roses may be cliche, but it definitely did it's job and put a smile on my face and it just started my day out great. Some may argue "I don't need a holiday to tell my spouse I love them..." Well neither do I, but lets face it, we all get caught up in our busy lives and it is nice to have a day to remind us to plan something extra special for one another and show our appreciation towards them. Put in a little more thought and effort into our usual, daily I love yous.
        Last night the kids and I made some heart shaped cookies, they were a little burnt, but good none the less! I snuck into Chris's truck last night and put a little goodie basket in there for him to see on his way to work with some love notes. Then this morning my friend Anna came over and we took the kids to the library for a special Valentine's story and singing time. All the kids got a heart stamped on their hand, Lincoln was super excited about that! Now my babies and I are here waiting for Chris to get home... Happy love day to everyone I love! ...you know who you are ;)

(Sorry for the blurry and slanted pictures, I've been blogging from my phone...)


Late night with my valentine

My happy little boy. That's the stamp he got on his hand! 

Our yummy, burnt cookies!

My cutie pies! They made it a great day!



I just love them!!

What I woke up to this morning!

His goodie basket and love notes I left in his car!

This quote is from the movie The Notebook. It couldn't be more fitting for how I feel right now, times haven't been the easiest, with him being gone so much. Anyway, I love this quote:

“So, it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard.

We're gonna have to work at this every day,

but I want to do that because I want you.

I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day.”

- Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook)

Four Years In...

It's been four years since Chris and I were sealed for time and all eternity in the Newport Beach LDS Temple. It was such a beautiful ceremony filled with loving family members and close friends. The Spirit was so strong in that room. We were both kneeling at the alter holding hands and it felt as if it was just the two of us there. I was just so happy being in the temple with the love of my life. As the temple president started marring us, I bowed my head and tears came streaming down my face. I looked up at Chris and noticed even he was tearing. The feeling of being there was just so right. We finally kissed over the alter as the newly married Mr. and Mrs.

Chris and I have accomplished so much together and we continue to strive to do our best. He is my absolute best friend and companion. He brings so much happiness and assurance to my life. He is my protector and provider. I feel like the luckiest person to have such a wonderful man in my life.

So to celebrate our 4th year of marriage, Chris and I spent a few nights in a gorgeous hotel out in Newport beach. (We went in July before Ella arrived and we left Lincoln with his grandmas.) It was the first time, in a very long time, that we got to sleep in and actually sleep through the night! Although I did miss my little Lincoln and was constantly thinking about him, it felt amazing not having to get up at 1, 3 and 6 am to a crying baby.

Chris and I had a great time just the two of us. It felt like our dating years again!

Of course we went back to the temple that we were married in. It was so beautiful and so nice seeing everything again. We even spent some time at Crystal Cove Beach where he proposed to me.

Here I am 9 months pregnant with little Ella

That weekend flew by so fast and we had to go back to reality. Now we've got two babies and our lives somehow keep getting busier, so this is one memory I'll cherish for a while!

Our Newest Addition!

Ella Raquel Seymore joined our family on

 Monday, August 15, 2011

 at 4:37 in the morning

weighing in at 7 pounds 3 ounces 

and 19.5 inches long.

She is the most beautiful baby girl. Ella was born exactly one week "early". I couldn't have had a more different birth experience with her than I did with my first delivery. The experience in a nut shell was like a car crash! ...Very intense, chaotic, and quick! I was only in labor for about 4 hours, only 2 hours were spent in the hospital, and I only pushed for about 15 minutes!! (I could do that again)

Okay, so here's the story. (grab the popcorn, it's kind of long.)...

     I had been doing EVERYTHING to try and get "baby girl" out. My pregnancy was really getting hard towards the end and I was really just over it, considering I had been pregnant for practically two years in a row! Sunday the 14th was just like any other Sunday. I went to church, chased Lincoln around, visited with family... but I was determined to go into labor! So that night my brother-in-law prayed for me to have a good labor and delivery and I had my friends send me "laboring vibes" and I was focused and ready to go into labor. (I know I sound crazy right now, but the mind is a powerful thing!) I did my "pregnancy belly dance" one last time before I went to bed that night.

     I was just starting to dose off when my water broke at 12:55 am! I just felt a big pop and I jumped. I was so tired at that time that all I was thinking was "Ugh, not now..." I laid their a little longer then finally got up to the bathroom. There was no gush just a little tinkle. (TMI ?) Then I whispered to Chris that my water broke. He just mumbled something and rolled over. So, the procrastinator that I am, I started packing my hospital bag. As I was getting things together, I started having really strong, painful contractions. They were coming so strong and so close together I couldn't even time them. I went to wake Chris up again and he wouldn't even move. Ahhh! I was in so much pain. "Chris! Get up! We have to go now!" Okay, he's up now. (Later he said I just didn't sound urgent enough. What's more urgent than 'my water broke!') My contraction were literally on top of each other. I couldn't even walk to the car.

     We got to the hospital at about 2 am, checked in and was wheeled to my room. I couldn't even get up to the bathroom to change. My nurse, Christine, came in and saved my life! (that's what it felt like) I loved her so much! I don't think I could have done it with out her. She was a hustler! Anyway, she was like "forget the bathroom, just drop your pants and I'll check you right now!" She checked how dilated I was and I was only at 2 cm. I was sure I would be farther than that because of how much pain I was in. There weren't any doctor's available to give me an epidural so she gave my some other drugs to "take the edge off." That was fun, but not powerful enough. She checked me again and I was at a 4. Before she even took her hand out, I progressed to a 6! This was happening faster than we thought and still no epidural! Maybe 30 minutes later I was dilated to an 8 and that's when the anesthesiologist finally came in to give me the epidural. She finished up and now I'm 10 cm dilated and It's time to push!

      I did about 3 "practice" pushes with the nurse (that's just because there wasn't a doctor available) and she was stopping me and trying to get the doctor in asap. About 2 pushes with the doctor and our beautiful baby was born! I couldn't believe it! It happened so fast that I couldn't even register what had just happened, yet I was holding my precious new baby in my arms. She was the most beautiful things I had ever laid my eyes on.



She's here! I had no clue she was out until the plopped her on me.

Hello "baby girl!"



My awesome nurse, Christine with baby Ella.



This perfect little human just came out of me!



Proud papa. Chris is so sweet with her. He always says how beautiful she is.





I just can't stop staring at her



She was not happy about the car ride home



NAME GAME:

     "Baby girl" didn't have a set name until 30 minutes before we left the hospital. She was "baby girl Seymore" for almost two days! Chris and I both really liked the names Cali and Ella, so what better way to come to a decision than to flip a coin?! And that's exactly what we did. Heads, it's Ella. Tails, it's Cali. Chris flipped the quarter, and well, Ella it is! (but I still call her "baby girl" most of the time.) Raquel is my mom's name and we wanted our baby to be named after someone great. My mom is such a wonderful person and I'd love for my little Ella to have some of her qualities.

>>Here is the link to Lincoln's birth story only 11 months ago!

"He's Finally Here!"