Reminiscing...

Cordellia June at 2 weeks

So lately I have had a few friends tell me that they are pregnant!! And I am so excited for all of them. But it has just got me thinking about my experience being pregnant with Cordy. And although there were times where heartburn was so bad, or I couldn't get comfortable sleeping, I wouldn't have traded that experience for the world. I remember when I first found out I was pregnant it seemed so surreal. We had been trying for a few months, and I probably took like 10 pregnancy tests...and nothing. So I was always hoping but I kind of thought I already knew the answer. But I was proved wrong that day, and it was the best day ever! I wanted to tell everyone. But we told family, and then kept it under wraps for a few weeks. I have a lot of fond memories and these are just a few... <3 I'm not going to lie, this is more of a journal entry, so don't feel like you have to read it. I just wanted to write down these memories somewhere they wouldn't be lost.

Having my first ultrasound! At my first appointment, 8 weeks, we got to see and hear our little one's heart beat. That was honestly the most amazing experience ever. We knew we were pregnant, but seeing our little angel made it so much more real. The nurse printed up pictures, and suggested that I put one in my wallet (and I still have it there today).

Finding out were having a girl! When I was 16 weeks along, my mom and dad were in town. I had an appointment, and I took my mom along. We had a little plan that we would use my mom as an excuse to try and get another ultrasound (so she could see her grand baby), and secretly hoped that they would look for the gender. So our little plan worked, but the doctor totally saw through it. And although it was a quick ultrasound they told us it was a girl!!!! I was soo, soo excited. I stopped off at Aaron's work and showed him the picture. He was thrilled (he couldn't go to many appointments because of work and school, so he didn't mind.)

Feeling her for the first time! When I was flying home from my baby shower in Texas, (I was 19 weeks along) while Aaron was laying on my lap, I felt a weird sensation. Like my organs were shifting in side of me. That was Cordy!

Feeling her in general! As she got bigger I loved to just sit in class and place my hand on my belly, (while I was not really listening) and just feel her move. Also when I would lay on my side in bed she would wiggle like crazy. It took a while to fall asleep but I didn't mind! I loved knowing that she was healthy, even if it meant painful kicks to my bladder, or sides.

The first time Aaron saw her move. I was probably like 23 to 25 weeks along. We were cuddling on the lovesack watching a movie. I was wearing a fitted shirt, and I pointed to my stomach when I started feeling her stretch. And you could totally see a little limb poking out of my tummy. He was so weirded out (In a good way). All this time he could occasionally feel her move. It was so real to me, but it hadn't felt as real to him.

Growing. I loved to see my belly grow, (the only time in my life when it has been okay). It was fun to be showing and have everyone want to touch your belly (a little weird, but not so much at the time). And have everyone stare at you, and you just were so proud of your baby bump...I really loved it.

Hiccups. I loved when she had hiccups. It was so cute and fun to feel a repetitive little movement every few seconds for up to five or so minutes.

Having her with me all the time. That is one thing I enjoyed every second of. Knowing that anywhere I went she would always be with me...it was like I could always protect her...I wish it would always be like that!!

And then the contractions. I know they were painful as all got out, but knowing what they lead to made it so exciting! I started contracting early Monday morning the 25th. They were about 20 minutes apart and then went to 10, and 7, then 3. The doctor told me to wait a few hours after they got to around 5 minutes apart. And finally (after an episode of the Bachelor, trying to get my mind off of it) we headed to the hospital. They monitored me for an hour, and although my contractions were back to 5 minutes apart, I wasn't progressing fast enough, so they sent me home with a morphine shot. That was the longest night of my life. I slept (the very little that I did) on the couch, so I wouldn't keep Aaron awake. After every contraction I kept telling my self I'll wait a for few more, and a few more. And finally at 8:30 am, we headed to the hospital again. I still wasn't progressing very fast, so the sweet nurse helped me along, and gave me pitocin (to speed up the process). After a few hours of waiting, labor took about 45 minutes, and Aaron got to help out quite a bit...poor guy, the nurse left him with me for a few seconds while she ran to get the doctor.

And then seeing her! At 4:52 the doctor lifted her up upside down, and exclaimed how petite she was. She had a full head of black hair, and was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. She really was so petite, all of her features were just so tiny and perfect. I got to hold her for the first time and just stare at our beautiful little girl. I remember looking at Aaron and I was just overwhelmed with love, for both him, and our little angel: my love for them made life so much more perfect than it already was.

Now, 9 months later, time is flying, and I am still enjoying watching our little girl grow and learn. Life really is wonderful!

And although being a mommy is hard work, looking at my angel, seeing her sweet smile, and occasionally getting to cuddle my independent little sweetheart, makes every dirty diaper, late night, early morning, green bean smeared couch so, so worth it.