Remembering Natalie's Birth

No baby yet...no contractions...no signs that this baby is ever going to come out!! It seems like it was only yesterday that I was going into labor with Natalie but it was 16 months ago already. It was a Friday and one of the best days of my life. I need to remind myself of that because I've been getting nervous. I'm actually more nervous now than I was when Natalie was about to arrive...I didn't know that pain like that existed!! But it was still one of the best days of my life.

I started having contractions at 11:00 on a Friday, the day after my due date. My mom came over and was more excited than I was...I don't think I really believed that it was the real thing. So she started to time them. They got closer and more painful. I went to the doctor's office at 3 for my scheduled appointment and the doctor sent me to the hospital.

Once there, I changed into the hospital gown and was trying to tie it up securely (so I didn't reveal too much!) and arrange the size XXXL maternity gown to look nice (which was totally pointless considering that everyone looks like crap after having a baby!!). The doctor came in and broke my water at 5. What an experience!! No one ever tells you how disgusting everything is when you're in labor. I was given some 'pads' to wear after my water was broke (which were actually XXXL diapers). What did I need all of those for? Oh...it never stops producing!

Jordan arrived shortly after they broke my water. He cancelled our plans that we had made with friends for the night. By this time, everyone knew that I was in labor. So much for trying to be secretive!! My cousin, Sara, was interning at the hospital at that time, so she stopped by and we walked the hospital halls, to help with the intensifying contractions. Later, Katie and Matt (my sis and bro-in-law) stopped by while on a 'date night' to keep us company. Jordan was happy to let my visitors take over walking the halls with me. They tell me I quite the speed-walker. I also happened to run into my friend, Michelle, who works for AMR and was transferring a patient. It was actually a lot of fun at this point!

My goal had been to have a natural birth without drugs. But the pain was exhausting. Around 1 a.m, I was 7 cm and the nurse had been asking me all along if I wanted to change my mind about the epidural. She said it was my last chance, so through my tears of pain, I agreed. I was very tense when the anestesiologist put that needle in my back. He was really nice and tried to keep my mind off of it. If I get an epidural with this baby, I hope he's the one to give it to me. I never saw the size of the needle and I don't ever want to know exactly how big it is until I'm done having kids. Enough of that though, because I am getting nauseated.

From that point on, everything went so good. I could still feel pressure but no pain. I got to rest and Jordan got to sleep. The nurse told me to buzz her when I felt like I was at a 10. About an hour later, I felt like I had to push, so I woke Jordan to get the remote with the buzzer on it. So he starts pulling at this cord, thinking it's the remote but it was the tube for my cathider!! Lucky for him I couldn't feel anything! I ended up pushing for 1 hour and 45 minutes. I think Jordan was just as exhausted as I was!! He was an awesome coach!

Finally, after about 18 hours of being in labor, our baby girl was finally here and all the pain was so worth it. She was what made it the happiest moment of my life! After adoring her and feeding her, we all just fell asleep. Four hours later, when we woke up, we decided on her name and started calling all the anxiously awaiting family and friends. We had many visitors that weekend and it was so special to share with them our new little miracle. I'm so excited to relive the feeling that my heart is going to burst with love for this child that we've created.

Hopefully soon....

Our first family photo...

...and me bawling my head off!

Almost time....

In a few days, our family of 3 will become 4. I am so excited!! I just want her to be here! But at the same time, I'm going to miss her being inside me. I feel like I have taken this pregnancy so for granted.... I was sick now and then but I have been so blessed with how smoothly everything has gone. I have just been wanting it to be over so I can meet her, but she's so safe and healthy inside of me. And what does the future hold for her?

One of my favorite passages of the Bible is Psalm 139:13-16: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Lately I am feeling a little overwhelmed at what it means to be a mommy. Maybe it's just taking a slightly different toll on me now that I'm nearing the transition from one child to two. It's the most important job I will ever have to do and I want to do the best I can. It's been so exciting to see Natalie grow and learn. And to think that God knows exactly who our children are even before they're conceived.... He has had all of their days numbered (and ours, too!) since the beginning of creation. We are so in love with Natalie. I never knew that I could love her so much; it's incredible to think that we'll love the next baby just as much. I am so thankful that He has chosen us to be parents to Natalie and our little unborn child. I want to do everything I can to honor Him for the gifts He's given us. Hopefully, my next post will include pictures of the newest addition to our family!!!

Does anyone know.....

...what kind of SPIDER this is?? It's by our shed and it's at least the size of a pepperoni....yuck! It's a pretty good picture though! Too bad I'm gonna kill it.

Daddy and Nay-Nay

I found Jordan clunked out on the couch after work one day with one of Natalie's "babies". I had to take a picture!!

Movie Night....Even though Natalie had her own little bowl of popcorn, she kept stealing some from daddy's big bowl!

15 months old!

Natalie is 15 months already! I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. She is the best thing that ever happened to us. She's finally cut her molars so she has been sleeping much better. She's always on the go, she loves to eat (like her mama!), and she loves to play with other kids and with Gary. She is usually a pretty happy girl but, like everyone I guess, she has her moments. She's got a vocabulary of 15-20 words but she understands so much of what we say. Natalie is getting to be a little helper, too which I hope will continue when the baby comes in 4 weeks. She brings me a diaper when she wants to be changed and she's starting to pick up her toys. She tries to help me vacuum, which she loves and it's a nice gesture but it ends up taking me a lot longer! We just love her to pieces!! As much as I wish she would just slow down and cuddle with me, like when she was a baby, every stage is even more fun than the last!

Oh My Achin' Back!

I’m offering affordable massage for women. I completed an 8-week basic massage training program but unfortunately haven’t gotten licensed. However, my rates are about half of salons‘ prices, many of whom received the same training as myself. While in my care, you will find yourself in a relaxing atmosphere. I am equipped with a massage table and other necessities to make the most of your massage experience.

Many people think of massage as an unnecessary luxury and therefore, the needs of their body go unmet. How often is your body without any aches and pains? Massage is more medical than most people realize. These aches and pains aren’t necessary. As you know, many times we can prevent illness by taking precautions. Massage is one way to stay healthy. With each massage, toxins are broken up and released from the body that may have been causing discomfort, keeping our bodies from being their healthiest. Massage serves the purpose of improving circulation and getting rid of toxins naturally, as well as providing some much needed relaxation!

*Gals: Take a night off from the kids, the husband, the endless “to-do” list, or the TV. Make an appointment with me and give your body what it needs to be at its best!! You’re gonna love it!!!

*Guys: This is a great gift idea for a lady! (Sorry…I have a “girls only” policy!)

Half Hour: $15 One Hour: $25

I am located in Zeeland. Phone: (616) 875-2889

Email: lindseybarkel@yahoo.com or Facebook me

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have or to make an appointment. I don’t massage men or pregnant women….sorry. I can also arrange to make house calls! Hope to meet with you soon!!

Little Dutch Girl

I just finally got pictures of Natalie in her Dutch Costume. Our camera was broken around Tulip Time and I've been procrastinating ever since... she wasn't too happy to wear the hat. We went to the children's parade with Natalie's cousins Briella, Hailee, and Taylor and (2nd-cousin-once-removed) Sara :). I got the costume for $10 at an auction. At that time, I was about 3 months pregnant with Natalie and didn't know if she was a boy or girl but I knew I had to have that costume! It fit her perfectly!