Grady's Birth Story

At 5:00 a.m. on Monday, July 23, I was awoken out of a dead sleep by a terrible contraction. I had been having contractions on and off for days, but nothing like this. I laid there in bed and watched the clock and about 10 minutes later experienced the same kind of contraction. During the third one, my agonizing sigh woke Josh up. "Are you having a contraction?" He held my hand and grinned when I told him it was my third one in under 30 minutes - he knew they were different too.

With his handy Contraction Timer App on his phone, Josh watched and timed my contractions. Around 6:30 a.m. when they started to become 12-15 minutes apart, he said it was time to go for a walk. "I am not going to work today, I want to meet my son." We went for a 2 mile walk around our neighborhood, timing contractions and talking about the anticipated day. By the end of the walk, my contractions were around 7 minutes apart.

Back at home, I bounced on my yoga ball, finished a decorating project, and watched an episode of Law and Order SVU all the while experiencing stronger and more intense contractions. My contractions had been 5 minutes apart for over an hour, but I did not want to be one of those people who gets sent home from the hospital. I knew they were really bad, but were they just bad to my weenie, pain-intolerant self? So, I suffered for a while longer at home, by this point having to brace myself against Josh through each contraction. Finally I had a contraction that lasted over a minute and a half and that made me wish I could just die, I decided it was time.

At 11:30 a.m., we left for the hospital.

When we arrived and got checked in, I was doubling over in pain with contractions that were bringing me to tears. When they checked me and told me I was at 5 cm already, I was so happy that all that work had not been in vain. 

Two hours later at over 6 cm dilated, I got my epidural. God's miracle drug. I could move my legs and wiggle my toes but I could feel no pain. What a crazy sensation. 

My nurse, Tracy, was so encouraging and sweet. She made my labor experience that much more enjoyable.

I had friends and family come visit me during this second half of my labor and it was a fun distraction. They laughed as we watched contractions on top of each other show up on the monitor with not so much as a grimace from me. When I was checked two hours later, I was at 8 cm. One of the reasons I debated the epidural is because I've heard it can slow down your labor, so I was happy to hear it hadn't.

By around 9 p.m. it was time to push. 

This was the part I was so nervous about. But it wasn't at all like you see in the movies. It was just me, Josh and my new nurse on duty, Vanessa. Josh had a Coldplay Pandora station playing on his iPhone. Josh and Vanessa each sat at the end of my bed and held my legs for me as I pushed. They gave me encouragement and helped me focus. Not too long into the pushing process, Vanessa could tell that Grady's head was turned sideways preventing him from coming down through my pelvis. She told me I was basically pushing against a brick wall. This was our new goal, to get Grady's head to turn. So they turned me on my side and tried pushing that way. Then to the other side. Finally, after over an hour and a half of pushing, we got his head to turn. The epidural had started wearing off at this point and I could feel a difference in my pushing. I could tell when my contractions were coming better than the monitor could detect. Five pushes later and Vanessa called the doctor in to help deliver Grady. 

At 10:53 p.m. Grady Ford Goodman was born. He came out screaming and with a slight cone head from being stuck in birth canal so long. 

Holding my baby boy for the first time was a feeling like none other. It felt so surreal to finally meet the boy I had been carrying and dreaming about for the past 10 months. 

When I slipped him inside my gown, he was instantly calmed. I was his mom and he felt safe with me.

Josh kissed me with tears in his eyes, "This is our boy."

At 7.2 lbs and 20 inches long, Grady is perfect and healthy. We praise God for his faithlessness to us and for this most precious gift.

He's here!!

On  Monday, July 23 at 10:53 p.m., we welcomed Grady Ford Goodman into the world!

7lb 2 oz & 20 inches

Labor was hard and taking care of an infant is exhausting, but the joy, oh the joy, of seeing that sweet little face trumps it all. 

Things are probably going to be a little quieter on the blogfront as I figure out motherhood and

and adjust to life with a newborn, but I promise to pop in when I can!

 Wish me luck!

38 & 39 weeks....and overdue

Wanting to see the previous weeks? Look here.

Yesterday, July 19, was Grady's due date. Probably the most exciting and equally frustrating thing is that a baby's arrival is a surprise - they come when they're ready, not necessarily when you are. Because I am ready.

The house is in a perpetual state of cleanliness - ready for guests, I've tied up all my open freelance graphic design projects, I've got a vacation message ready for the shop, our hospital bags are packed, and the car seat is in the car.

And now, we wait.

this & this

Been eyeing this pull-down chalkboard world map from Resoration Hardware but don't have $640?

Try this Two-Sided  Pull-down Chalkboard US & World map from the shop for 1/3 the price!

the final days

As I am in the final days of my pregnancy, I'm anxious. It's like knowing there is a big test coming up but having no way to prepare for it. I'm gonna get thrown in and I'm either gonna sink or swim, it seems. The light at the end of the tunnel for me is knowing that when it's all said and done, I'll have my boy. Imagining his sweet face keeps my spirits high amidst feeling completely uncomfortable in my own body.

I am also acutely aware that my world is about to be rocked. People with kids frequently feel the need to remind me of this, but it's often not in an uplifting way. Even my Dove chocolate is reminding me that my free moments are fleeting. So I've found I'm doing things and thinking, This is the last time I'll be doing this for awhile. I'm going places and wondering, Next time I come here, will I be a frazzled mess trying to handle an infant?  It's also bizarre how in tune with my body I am - feeling every little twinge of pain, Is this it? I'm not ready!

But I don't want to think like that. I want to think, The next time I do this, I'll experience it with my little boy! or Next time I'm here I'll have my little sidekick with me! I know people mean well and I truly want to have realistic expectations about what an adjustment it is to care for an infant, but I also want go into this thing called parenthood with the highest of hopes.

So I keep going back and re-reading a sweet email that my Aunt Georgia sent to me on my birthday. She has three grown boys of her own. 

"Your life is about to change with the added blessing of your son.  Joshua and you are about to experience your own personal miracle. It’s a lifelong gift that opens, increases in intensity, challenges you to the max, makes you weep with joy and occasionally sorrow, but holds forever wonder and awe for our Creator.  You will love your child/children with the tenacity of a junk yard dog and the tenderness of visualizing Jesus’ face.  Your love for that precious little being will grow every day for the rest of your lives.  Your heart will swell and grow with all of the people Grady brings into your lives.  I am still amazed that from the magnitude with which I have loved my sons from conception on, my love continues to perfect, gets angry, gets challenged, challenges me and continues to swell with even a greater degree of love with each passing day."

And when I read that, I only feel excited. Yes, I know it's going to be hard. I know that I'm going to have to make a lot of sacrifices (goodbye, sleep). But I also know that I am literally busting at the seams to experience that love she talks about. Love that has "the tenacity of a junk yard dog but the tenderness of visualizing Jesus' face". And I know that if I only ask, I'll be given the grace I need to navigate each new day of motherhood.

Let's do this thing.

nursery: the breakdown

Yesterday I shared a picture tour of our little boy's nursery. But because I've already received emails asking about various items and because as a thrifter I think it's fun to know where/how much people get stuff for, here is a nursery project breakdown Young House Love style. (If you've ever wondered about something they own, their source list for each room in their house is impressive!)
I'm thrifty to my core, so you won't be surprised to find that most of his room is second-hand items.

This 1930's pull down school map was gifted to me by my friend Linda. 

The banner over the map reads "Grady Ford, you are our greatest adventure" and I made it using old book pages and alphabet stamps. (All supplies already owned)

   

The 3 suitcases that make up the side table were all yard sale finds. ($3.25 total)

Vintage arm lamp from an estate sale ($7)

The upholstered rocking chair was found on craigslist. ($20)

Mustard yellow pillow - already owned.

The ottoman was a thrift store find. ($3)

Cream linen curtains from Target ($20) stripe added by me.

This blue leather baby book was a gift, but can be found on Amazon.

Thrift store frame with Grady's ultrasound - $.50

Crib and mattress were found on craigslist. The crib is wooden but we painted it gray using paint we already owned. ($20 total) Eco-friendly, teething approved sealant added. ($11)

New Cocalo Baby bumper via ebay ($20). Find it on Amazon here.

New Dwell Studio crib skirt via ebay ($5)

Gifted crib sheet.

Mon Tresor personalized blanket.

Vintage bicycle wall hanging from Goodwill ($2), banner by me.

Glass display cabinet from estate store, already owned refinishing materials. ($50)

Old school chair already owned.

Cream 5x8 shag rug from a yard sale ($20 - it's new!)

Letter G from thrift store ($2)

Globe from yard sale ($.25)

Piggy bank from Goodwill ($1)

Vintage gumball machine from yard sale ($.50)

Blue vase from yard sale ($.25) with styrofoam billy balls made by me.

Everything else was gifted.

Vintage train gifted from Auntie Megan.

Sophie from yard sale ($.25 - don't worry I sanitized her!)

Small metal giraffe from thrift store ($1)

Abacus from Goodwill ($1)

Vintage blocks from thrift store ($2)

Bear hat from Baby Gap ($7)

Gifted shoes.

Vintage metal GI Joe from yard sale ($.50)

Vintage easel chalkboard - gifted.

Mini Radio Flyer Wagon from a yard sale ($.50)
Homemade plush balls - gifted.

Aqua milk crate from thrift store ($1)

Lots of books from yard sales and as gifts.

Dresser already owned. Refinished with paint already owned. Stain for top from Lowe's. ($5)

Breakdown of the collage wall art here.

Airplane for mobile from estate sale. ($1)

Changing pad and cover - gifted.

Cover from Target here.

Vintage metal box - gifted. (I store his toiletries items in there.)

Wire basket from Crate & Barrel - gifted. (Holds diapers and wipes.)

Vintage block holding hand sanitizer - gifted.

Bunny with cotton ball tail - gifted.

Turtle q-tip holder from yard sale ($.25)

Lots of stripes, plaids and ginghams for our little man - gifted and from yard sales.

I've had a blast these past 5 months thrifting with a baby boy in mind. And I love that so many items in his room are unique finds.

It's so much fun to thrift with a specific purpose (besides just finding fun items for my shop)!

This obviously isn't an all-inclusive breakdown but Josh and I decided that when it was all said and done we spent less than $250 for all the furniture and accessories in his room.

I think we could be on Design on a Dime. ;)

Shared at: Thrifty Treasures

baby boy's nursery: the reveal

Way back before I knew my little baby would be a boy, I shared my mood board for what I'd like to do for a baby boy nursery.

And here is a room picture tour of how it translated into real life:

   

More on the striped curtains here.

More on the vintage bicycle art here.

More on the glass display cabinet here.

More on the airplane mobile and collage wall here.

More on closet dividers here.

Details about collecting the items for his room here.

Josh and I are so thrilled with the space we've created for our little boy. It was truly our way of loving on him before he gets here. Now all we need is a baby for the room!

10 days!

Shared at: Thrifty Decor Chick, DIY Showoff


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