Chi Town and Gender Predictions

Chris and I recently went on a trip with some wonderful friends to Chicago. This was a much needed getaway for us before we settle in to wait for baby #2. I visited Chicago years ago for a conference, but I feel like I was working the entire time and didn’t really get to experience the city. Well we definitely made up for it on this trip! The minute we touched down we hit the ground running. It all started with the Architectural Boat Tour and tons of walking around Michigan Ave. The shopping was incredible…..maybe a little too incredible! It definitely made me miss living in a city with everything at your fingertips. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for outdoor activities and you could tell the locals were soaking it up as winter is just around the corner.

Our first lunch was at Lou Malnati’s, one of our favorite pizza spots. Years ago a friend sent us some pizzas as a gift and we have been obsessed ever since. It was even better in the restaurant! I am a fan of the deep dish. If you are ever looking for a gift to send someone, this is a great option. After more shopping, we met up with our group at a sports bar to watch some SEC football and catch up. The next day was filled with a fun trip to Wrigley Field. None of us were Cubs fans, but the history and atmosphere was well worth the trip. Our evening was spent at one of the best restaurants we have ever been to. Definitely check out Maple and Ash if you are in the area. The food, friends and decor were all top notch!

Our final day was spent with more shopping, eating, sightseeing and the Monday Night Football game at Soldier Field. What an incredible stadium! The fans and staff were all so friendly. It really wrapped our trip up perfectly and made us fall even more in love with Chicago.

When we returned to the hotel after the game, we ended up sitting in the lobby talking about when we would see each other again. This led to the gender prediction conversation since we probably won’t see this group again until after baby arrives. Everyone made their guesses then we decided to test out some old wives tales.

First was the Chinese Prediction Calendar. This was easy because you just plug in your birthday with the conception day and it does the work for you. This one says GIRL.

Next was the ring test where you hold your wedding ring on a string over the belly and see how it swings. My friend who did this for me said it has been spot on for all of her pregnancies. The part I didn’t know was that it shows all of your pregnancies and not just the current one. So we watched it swing for my first pregnancy, which was a miscarriage, and went side to side indicating a BOY. Then it stopped and started swinging in a circle for a GIRL. Finally it stopped again and began swinging side to side again indicating BOY. If you count every pregnancy this would mean my first was a BOY, then Lyla James, finally a BOY is on the way. It was crazy to watch the ring stop on its own and begin swinging in different directions. We were all totally freaked out!

Finally I decided to test one on my own that I read about online. This is the pee test where you mix your urine with baking soda. It says that if it fizzes like a volcano, it’s a BOY and if it does nothing, it’s a GIRL. Well…..ours did nothing so that means GIRL for this test.

So this still leaves us guessing, but it was fun to do these tests and we will see which ones are correct. It’s a 50/50 chance, right?!?!

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27 Week Pregnancy Update

​It’s really crazy to think I only have 13 or so weeks left in this pregnancy. The first half went so slowly because I was so sick. Now it’s flying by a little faster than I wanted. I am soaking up as much time with Lyla James as possible and trying to mentally prepare for what’s in store.

The nesting phase is in full effect. I find myself deep cleaning things I never would on a regular day. I have anxiety thinking about dirty dishes and laundry. I am constantly organizing my closet and cleaning Lyla’s out to make room for bigger sizes. The new closet components for Lyla’s toddler room came in last week and I am itching to get it all put together. There is no rush but my pregnancy brain is putting a rush on it for some reason! ​

I have gotten a little more energy over the last few weeks. This helped on our recent trip to Chicago, though I did walk a little more than I probably should have. My ankles and feet were so swollen on the way home. Normally I nap when Lyla naps but that has changed to just lying down and taking it easy. It’s nice to take advantage of the quiet when I can then it allows me to really focus on her when she is awake. ​

​My nighttime sleep has been hit or miss. Some nights I don’t change positions at all while others leave me tossing all night long. I did find a pregnancy pillow that I am obsessed with and Chris fears it may never leave our bed. It’s a U shape and couldn’t be more comfortable. The brand is Queen Rose and I found it on Amazon. Highly recommend!! 

My skin has been really dry and dull so I have been working hard on that with my BeautyCounter products. ​The Charcoal Mask, Plumping Mist and Brightening Oil have been lifesavers and really help provide my face with a little glow. This is especially nice now that my summer tan is fading! Click the links if you are interested in learning more or ordering some for yourself. It’s so nice to have products that are safe for me and for baby!

My food cravings have actually changed to more healthy options, which is so nice. I’m not sure if it is the heat or my hormones, but salads have been my jam lately. I don’t think I ate a single salad when I was pregnant with Lyla James. So maybe this is a boy?!?! Speaking of guessing the gender……we have been testing the old wives tales to guess the gender lately. I will post the results soon so we can see if any are actually correct once baby arrives. Stay tuned!

Pregnancy Skin Care

Images of Grace Photography

When I found out I was pregnant with Lyla James, I immediately started reading about the do’s and don’ts of pregnancy. What foods to eat and what to avoid. What medicines were safe. Then I started to research what skin care products were safe. It’s funny because I probably should have been worrying about this far before I became pregnant. If you think about it, why would I put anything on my skin that isn’t safe for my baby??

I went cold turkey and cleaned out my entire drawer of products because I couldn’t believe what was in some of them. The fact that this isn’t regulated is an even bigger problem, but there are people working very hard to change that and I am fully supporting that effort. This is where I found BeautyCounter and I haven’t looked back since. It’s been 2 years and I have fully embraced their products and I want to share the love I have for them with you!

The first thing I looked to replace was my body lotion because I was really concerned about stretch marks. I knew that I couldn’t fully prevent them, but I wanted to do what I could to keep my skin elastic and hopefully keep this under control. I started with the Body Butter in Citrus Mimosa and the Body Oil in Citrus Rosemary. This stuff is like silk on your skin and it smells so nice! I didn’t get any stretch marks with Lyla James. I can’t say for sure that it was entirely because of my moisturizing regimen, but I am sure it didn’t hurt!

The next thing I wanted to eliminate from my drawer was deodorant. I am still on the hunt for a replacement, but in the meantime I have been using the Body Oil as a natural deodorant too. So it’s a great product to add to your collection because you can mix it with lotion for some extra moisture or swipe on your pits for a nice smell. Winning!

This process was multi step because I couldn’t just order all new products all at once. It wasn’t realistic for me and I’m sure it’s not for many of you. So over the next few weeks I will share the products that I have explored and what I am using for a safer skin/body care routine. I believe in these products so much that I have partnered with BeautyCounter and am here to answer any questions you have about the products or creating your own routine. Check out my site here or leave a comment below!

Second Time Around

Now that I have passed the halfway mark in this pregnancy, I am beginning to think about my birth plan and things I want/hope to go certain ways this time around. I didn’t really have a birth plan last time because I had no idea what I was doing or what to expect. I wanted to deliver vaginally if possible and I was just going for the wait and see approach when it came to the epidural. Well, I’m not sure exactly what I expected but it definitely didn’t go that way. I learned I have a very low pain threshold and I was begging for that epidural. I couldn’t get it for a while because I wasn’t far enough along, so I hope things progress quicker this time around. While waiting for the progression they did give me some drugs to take the edge off. I do not want to do that again. I felt very out of control and that wasn’t a good feeling for me. But again, who really knows how this will go down so it could all change when we are in the moment. 

Something I wasn’t prepared for was breastfeeding. I thought you just decided to breastfeed or not. Boy was I wrong! I wanted to breastfeed for a number of different reasons and I ended up putting a lot of pressure on myself when it didn’t go as planned. It all started when we were in the hospital and nothing was happening when they attached the pump to me. I was doing everything the lactation consultants recommended and there was no milk in sight. Lyla had a perfect latch and I was just stressing because I knew my baby needed to eat. Our second night in the hospital was so rough. She was screaming and I knew she was starving so I called the nurse and asked for some formula. Immediately she calmed down and slept. That was my first taste of trusting my mommy gut. 

We came home and I continued to pump trying to get my milk to come in while formula feeding at the same time. We stayed in bed skin to skin all day long. She slept in my room and we would try over and over again with her on me followed by pumping. It was a process but I was a determined mommy. The pump finally showed about a half an oz so I felt like we were headed towards a successful mission. I made the lactation cookies, I drank the tea, I ate everything that was recommended to help with milk production. Still a half an oz was all the babies would produce. I didn’t know this was something that happened. 

I went deep down the google rabbit hole. I read every blog and website that had anything to say about breastfeeding. But I never shared this on my social media because I was ashamed and I felt like I wasn’t a good mother. I couldn’t provide for my baby. This is such a controversial topic and I honestly didn’t want to hear it from people who disagreed or who thought this should be easy. I was quickly spiraling into a post partum haze and I was missing out on my beautiful newborn because I was consumed with why I couldn’t exclusively breastfeed my baby. I felt so much guilt giving her formula because that’s how people talk about the topic.  I found myself fumbling when people would ask if I was breastfeeding. I was embarrassed to say ‘Well kind of....I’m pumping but I don’t produce enough so we are also giving formula.’ Now looking back I wonder why people even ask this question?? They are basically asking if you are feeding your child. Why is this a question? Why does it matter? Why is it anyone’s business how a mother chooses to feed her child? 

I scheduled an appointment with the hospital’s lactation consultant and decided I would let a professional tell me what I was doing wrong. So many people said that Lyla was probably getting more milk from me than the pump was showing, but I didn’t feel that was the case. So we went in and she watched us breastfeed. She weighed Lyla before and after the feeding. My gut was right. She was getting the same, maybe even less off me than I was getting from the pump. While this confirmed that I needed to give Lyla formula as a supplement, it fired me up to keep trying. I just couldn’t give up because I felt like eventually I would wake up with milk pouring from my chest. Well, that never happened. I ended up getting thrush a couple of times and seriously considered throwing in the towel, but I pushed on pumping for almost 4 months. 

Finally, we went on vacation without Lyla. I took the pump with me and while I was on that trip I decided that I had enough. I spent the first 4 months of her life with terrible anxiety stressing over why this wasn’t working. I missed out on some bonding moments because I was attached to a pump for hours every day. When I mentioned this to my friends on our trip, they all experienced the same thing. Why didn’t I know this?!?! Because no one talks about it!!  

It came down to the fact that my baby was fed. She was healthy and happy and thriving with a mix of breastmilk and formula. That was a wonderful thing! I needed to stop stressing about where she was getting her food and focus on the fact that she was fed. Period. I will try it again, but I definitely won’t stress this time around if it doesn’t work for us. I don’t want to miss out on the little things so I will feed my baby however necessary and that’s all that matters. 

Lyla James-20 Months Old

While I am still slightly in shock about being pregnant with #2, I am even more in shock that I have a 20 month old! There's a theme here....20 weeks pregnant with a 20 month old. People told me that the days are long, but the years are short and that phrase couldn't be more true. It just keeps going faster and faster. So before she is heading off to college, I want to do a better job of documenting what she is up to during these growing years. 

Lyla James is our champion sleeper and has been since she was about 12 weeks old. I don't know if she was born that way or if I just did everything right when sleep training her. Of course I like to think that I am a baby sleep genius, but I can't give myself that much credit. I was so strict with her schedule and I think that had a lot to do with it, but I think she just learned very early on how to sleep. Naps were a struggle, but she finally got those down and even naps for 2 hours at school. I was shocked when they told me she actually slept on a mat with other kids in the room. Now I find her laying out blankets on the floor at home and laying down when she is tired. It's truly incredible! But my favorite has to be when we put her to bed at night and she yells 'Night night mama' as many times as I will respond back to her. Then she lays her head down and sucks her thumb with her lovey until she drifts off to sleep. I find myself just staring at the monitor because it's so cute!

She recently learned the phrase 'I love you' and my heart literally could have exploded. I'm pretty sure it was after an extremely tough day and I was stretching bath time as long as possible to make it to our 7:30 bedtime. She was sitting on the sink and we were brushing teeth when I asked her to say 'I love you' and out of nowhere she said it back to me. It's only every now and then that she says it back, but when she does we all melt. She has also learned that she can say 'No' to basically everything and this has become her favorite word. This has recently come with shaking her head back and forth. We are trying to figure out how to navigate this as it's a new challenge, but really I can't blame her. She hears me saying 'no' all day long as she attempts to climb on everything and pull the dogs tail. Hopefully it's just a phase so we are treating it that way for now. I am open to suggestions from others who have been in this place! 

Lyla's other favorite and frequently used phrases include 'Mama doin' for what are you doing? Then she loves to yell at you to 'Come on!' My dad gets a full dose of this when he is here or on FaceTime. It truly amazes me at what she picks up on just from hearing us talk on a daily basis. She is quickly turning into this little person who has a strong personality and while it is sometimes frustrating to me, I love her independent spirit. 

She is a fish and a true Cape Cod beach girl. The curls in the back of her hair are amazing and I am going to wait as long as possible to cut them because she will probably have my stick straight hair. It's awesome to see how much she loves the sand and salt water. I won't be surprised if she ends up as a lifeguard on our beach because that is truly her happy place. 

Food and eating have been a real challenge lately. She went from eating anything I put in front of her to pushing the plate away immediately. Chris says he can't really blame her because I am the pickiest eater around. We keep offering her what we are having for dinner in hopes that she will gobble it down, but that hasn't happened much recently. The doctor says that when she is hungry she will eat, but this makes me think she won't sleep if she doesn't eat. So far it hasn't been an issue. She still drinks her milk and will snack a little so she is getting something and as of now it hasn't interrupted her sleep. Her little belly is amazing so clearly she is getting the nutrition she needs to thrive. I'm just a nervous nelly mother and it makes me nuts so I am really trying to loosen up. She does tend to surprise me every now and again. Last night she ate an entire bowl of frozen peas so I considered that a win! She didn't eat the yummy dinner we prepared following that, but I got some green vegetables in her! Smoothies have been a big hit this summer and I can sneak the good stuff in there. Just taking it one day at a time! 

It's not always a perfect day, and I find myself really struggling with her more recently as she is fully in the toddler phase. But when I write about the adorable fun stuff, it reminds me that I need to relax and enjoy this time more. I have to remind myself that all parents experience these challenges and they are all temporary. Time is truly flying by and I don't want to miss these moments because I am worried about what she is eating or just how many minutes she slept. This is the challenge to myself.....stress less and enjoy more. Who wants to join me?!?!

Pregnancy Update-20 Weeks

When I first found out I was pregnant in April, I thought time was standing still. I was so sick and just wanted it to pass. This happened with Lyla James too, but I could lay in bed all day with her. This time around I had to suck it up and find a way to parent while trying not to puke everywhere. I do have to give a shout out to my amazing husband because he really stepped up and allowed me to have full days in bed when I needed it. After trying every natural remedy possible, I did turn to my doctor for some relief. I took Diclegis with Lyla James and it totally saved me, but wasn’t working this time around. The same company came out with a time release version of the same med so I switched to that and it really made a difference. **Side note.....this is not an ad or an endorsement for these meds. Just sharing honestly what worked for me.

When the first trimester was over I kept waiting for the magical moment when the smoke would clear and I would feel wonderful. I’m still waiting for that feeling as I’m well into the second trimester. It has been a week since I last lost my cookies so I think I may be over the hump. Yay!

Everybody said that the second would show much quicker than the first and that hasn’t been the case for me. I have wondered if it’s because my first pregnancy was from IVF and this one isn’t. My weight was up before I even got pregnant with Lyla James from all the hormones associated with the egg retrieval. So I started this pregnancy down in weight compared to last time. I know every pregnancy is different but that’s how I’m making since of the change in weight gain. I really packed it on with Lyla James so we will see how this one progresses. I did bust out the maternity clothing box from the basement this week. I’m pretty excited about the belly paneled pants and shorts because they really are so comfy!

Until I posted the side by side pick of me at 20 weeks, I thought I looked so different this time around. When I looked at the photos I really don’t see any difference. So I was thinking this one was a boy, but now I’m not so sure?? 

Then there’s the heart rate and the old wives tale about that. Lyla’s heart rate was consistently around 140. This baby has been sitting in the 160 range. They say higher heart rates mean a girl, but I have friends who had boys with high heart rates. 

We had the big ultrasound a couple of weeks ago and everything looked great. There is a small calcium deposit on the heart, but the fetal specialist assured us that it’s nothing to worry about. We had such a scary situation with Lyla and a cyst that was showing on her abdomen that I was terrified going into the ultrasound. The cyst ended up being nothing but made us worry for months. I love technology and what modern medicine can provide, but in this case it was scary to hear this so early and then it ended up working itself out. I understand in many cases finding out about an issue early can save the baby, so it’s great for those situations. But I have talked to so many other mamas who were told the same thing..... ‘It’s probably nothing, but it could be something super scary.’ We end up stressing and worrying when it ends up resolving itself. Point is....becoming a parent is terrifying and exciting wrapped up together! 

So at 20 weeks I am feeling pretty good. The heat and humidity have been zapping my energy, or it could be keeping up with my sweet toddler. I will share her 20 month milestones soon! Only 20 more weeks to go!!

We Are Expanding!!

We are over the moon to finally announce publicly that we are expecting another little Lambton in December!! This was a different road for us as it was a complete surprise. Lyla James was an IVF baby and we went through so much to bring her into this world. I just assumed that was how we would create all of our babies.....boy was I wrong!

It's funny how things work out. In April we went to visit our IVF clinic to find out the process for transferring one of our frozen embryos. We were lucky to have 3 frozen from my first retrieval in 2016. The doctor let us know all the information and that we would need to go through all the testing again before insurance would approve the transfer. This made no sense to me since all the work had already been done. I really thought it was a matter of making an appointment and implanting when the time was right. We found out that first I had to go through all the baseline blood and ultrasound testing then Chris had to go through his testing as well. That part really boggled my mind because he did his part two years ago! But we left deciding that when I started my cycle that month we would do the testing so everything would be in order. I thought maybe we would schedule to implant in August after the summer was winding down.

The doctor also gave us the option of doing genetic testing to find out the sex of the remaining embryos. This was something I really struggled with because I felt like I was playing God in choosing the sex of the baby. Science is an amazing thing and I am so thankful it exists because it's what gave us Lyla James, but does it go too far?? We think we only want one more child so does it make sense to see or do we roll the dice like we did with Lyla James?? 

Well, we didn't have to decide any of this because as I was waiting to start my cycle in April I found out I was pregnant! Yes, naturally! Talk about a complete shock. We tried for years to get pregnant the old fashioned way and it didn't work. How in the world is it happening now? I had a plan. I was going to enjoy the summer with Lyla James and then start the madness in the fall. God and the universe had other plans for us and we couldn't be more excited!! I feel a bit of empowerment that my body was able to do it's job. I'm happy that IVF exists and I am also happy to have a different experience this time around. 

It has taken me some time to wrap my brain around this because I am such a planner and IVF did work for my OCD brain. But the unknown is exhilarating and I am embracing this different experience and can't wait to meet this baby in December. We do not know the sex and we are going to wait to be surprised. I have been sick as a dog, but I am finally coming around as we just passed the first trimester. The exhaustion is no joke, especially with a very active toddler running around. We can't wait to see Lyla James as a big sister. She is so nurturing and loves taking care of her baby dolls so I think and hope that will transfer into a real baby. Fingers crossed! 

Sleep Schedules

When Lyla James came into this world, I became obsessed with her sleep schedule and making sure she was getting what she needed to thrive. I am also pretty OCD and I need a plan to be able to get through the day. While I understand that babies are unpredictable, I was determined to get her on a schedule that would allow us all to survive. I asked every mom I knew for tips and tricks then I read every book and blog available. I was driving myself and my husband crazy! But, I feel like we found what worked for us and since about 12 weeks, Lyla James has successfully slept through the night. Naps have been a whole different ballgame so I will tackle that later. Many have asked so here are the schedules we used and the resources I turned to for advice. 

Around 8 weeks I started putting her down drowsy in her crib or bassinet for naps at the same time everyday. This helped us to develop a schedule for the day. We started with 4 nap times (because she was a 45 min naper) and then an 8pm bedtime. I followed the eat, awake, sleep routine so Lyla wouldn’t depend on a bottle to go to sleep.

Please keep in mind all babies are different and I definitely don’t think this is the right way. It was what worked for us. Lyla James was fed both breast milk and formula until 4 months then only formula. We also used the Magic Merlin Sleep Suit from 3-7 months then transitioned to a sleep sack. It truly was magic and I believe that along with the book, 12 Hours by 12 Weeks, were the tools to our success! 

Here are the schedules I followed....

2-4 Months

7:00 Wake for the day- 6oz bottle

8:30 Nap

10:00 6oz bottle

11:30 Nap

1:00 6oz bottle

2:30 Nap

4:00 6oz bottle

5:00 Nap 

7:00 6oz bottle

7:30 Bath/Books

8:00 Bed

4-6 Months (Bottle increased to 8oz by 6 months)

7:00 Wake/Bottle 

9-10:30 Nap

11:00 Bottle

12:30-2 Nap

3:00 Bottle

3:30-4:30 Nap

7:00 Bottle - Bed

6-9 Months (Solids were introduced around 6 months)

7:00 Wake/ Bottle

8:00 Oatmeal

9-11 Nap

11:00 Bottle

12:00 Puréed Fruit

1-3 Nap

3:00 Bottle

4:30 Catnap if afternoon nap was short

5:00 Puréed Vegetable

7:00 Bottle - Bed

9-14 Months

7:00 Wake - Bottle

9:00 Breakfast

10:00 Nap

12:00 Bottle

1:00 Lunch

2:00 Nap

4:00 Bottle

5:00 Dinner

7:00 Bottle - Bed

14 Months (Down to 1 Nap- No more formula)

7:00 Wake - Milk 

8:00 Breakfast

10:00 Snack

12:00 Lunch 

1:00 Nap (Usually 2 hours sometimes longer)

3:30 Snack

5:30-6:00 Dinner

7:00 Bed

We are currently approaching 18 months and I am hoping we don’t have an regression issues. She really hasn’t had any to this point, or at least nothing that has been too terrible to deal with. But I like to refer to the book Healthy Sleep Habits as well as the Baby Sleep Site website when I have questions. 

Happy sleep!!! xoxo

Where does the time go??

I'm pretty sure in one of my last posts I said I would give an update about Lyla and life with a newborn. Well that was back in December and I have no idea where the time has gone, but I am finally getting around to this update just a few weeks later. It's been a little bit like Groundhog Day around here so it's easy to lose track of days and time. We are learning so much about being parents and navigating our way through each exciting milestone. The feeling is very surreal and sometimes I think I am in a dream. 

Ashley Wills Photography

Lyla is such a great baby. She cries when she is hungry, wet, tired or needs a burp. It's been interesting to watch her and figure out her signals to us. Trying to decipher cries and sounds is an art but most days I feel like I can figure out what she needs. We've only had a couple of nights with inconsolable cries, but I think it was just some gas. Poor thing!! Her personality is starting to show and I melt when she smiles at me. There really isn't anything better and it makes any frustration I have disappear instantly. She likes to give me a big smile when I am desperately trying to get her to nap. While it feels like she is giving me the middle finger and saying that naps aren't necessary, I just laugh because it's so adorable. 

I am a type A, very organized, scheduled person and this has consumed me when it comes to sleep training with Lyla. The internet is a blessing and a curse at the same time because I find myself obsessed with reading every sleep training website and article imaginable. In my mind, I was going to get her on a schedule and that was just how it was going to be. Well I didn't take into consideration that I'm dealing with a newborn and this was going to take some time. Lyla spoiled us because she was a champ at sleeping long stretches at night from the start. We would have to wake her up at night to feed her because she just loved to sleep. That all changed recently so we are trying the schedule again and I am learning to be more patient with the process. She still gives us her longest stretch at night so I really can't complain because I have friends who are up every couple of hours all night long. My struggle is more with the day and getting her to nap. I tried to tell her that she will feel much better if she naps longer than 30 minutes, but she's just not into it yet. 

Right now she is still sleeping in her bassinet in our room. I worked so hard to make her nursery a room that she will love, but for now we just play in the floor and attempt to nap in the crib. I find myself organizing her closet every chance I get. The Container Store really went above and beyond with her closet and I am so grateful. We chose the elfa shelving and drawer system because of the flexibility in configuration. My parents used the drawers in my closet at home and I had the free standing drawers in my closet prior to meeting Chris, so I was familiar with elfa and loved how durable the product was. My favorite part is the organization on the doors. This is space that could have been wasted, but we made the most of every inch! I hope that Lyla is organized like me and I look forward to watching her grow into this space. 

Ashley Wills Photography

The Container Store was so nice to help us out with this project and I want to help them by letting you guys know about the massive sale they are having on elfa products until February 28. The Annual elfa Sale features 30% off elfa products and elfa installation. You can either design your own space using their online design tools, or have one of their experts design your dream space for FREE in store, online or over the phone. I worked with the designers to create Lyla's closet and they were fabulous. They know the system so well and can quickly come up with a design that will fit your needs and maximize your space. If you want to see more of Lyla's adorable nursery and to learn more about the details of the closet, head to The Container Store's lifestyle blog, Container Stories. 

Ashley Wills Photography

10 weeks have flown by and I am just soaking in this newborn phase as long as I can. Staring at our beautiful girl all day is definitely making this winter much more enjoyable and I have almost forgotten about how much I hate the cold! I will keep you all posted on our sleep training and hopefully we can find a schedule that works for everyone. Fingers crossed!! Let me know if you have tips!!

2016 Year in Review

Man, 2016 was quite a year for me personally and professionally! It's really hard to believe that one year ago we were well into our fertility battle and about to start IVF. I remember worrying about scheduling because I had some work commitments that would require me to travel. Then once I was home it seemed that Chris was traveling and we all know that it takes two to make this happen. But finally the stars aligned and we got our little girl. I had to learn to try and let it go and once I did everything fell into place.   That's one thing I need to continue to work on in 2017....letting it go and trying not to control everything. This is proving to be challenging especially with a newborn. More on that later....

I've shared so much about our journey to parenthood but I realized I never really talk about work. I was so lucky in 2016 to work with some incredible brands. Wayfair and Living Spaces provided me the opportunity to share design ideas and I loved every minute! I posted some of the videos but if you are looking for inspiration check out the Wayfair YouTube page and the Living Spaces blog. Both social media sites are packed with tons of ideas from other designers as well. 

Chris and I both had a great time partnering with Greenworks Tools. If you aren't familiar with the company then you should definitely check them out. We use everything they offer and love it all. The landscaping tools are all battery powered so you don't end up smelling like you work at a gas station after working in the yard. This also makes things like a leaf blower much easier for women to use. I gave one to my mother for Christmas last year and she loves being able to go out and blow the leaves or any debris off the patio without any help. The blower is so lightweight and you just push a button to start. How great is that?!?!  Today I plan on blowing the snow off my car with it. I'll post a video so keep an eye out for that! 

I look forward to what 2017 will bring for me both personally and professionally. I do have plans for opening a design business on Cape Cod this year with my friend Sarah. Check out our site Washashore Home and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.  Having a newborn has definitely forced me to take a step back for a while, but I plan on working when I can and I hope more wonderful opportunities will come my way. In the meantime, I'm excited to spend the winter snuggling this amazing human that we created. She's pretty awesome!  

Happy New Year!!  

My Birth Story

Wow! I can't believe it's been a month. The day after I wrote my last post I went into labor and here are the details I can still remember!

Photo by Channing Johnson

Thursday night we went to eat dinner with my parents and Chris's dad at our favorite local spot, Gina's by the Sea. I didn't feel awesome at dinner and I couldn't get comfortable in my chair. Something inside of me knew the big event was happening soon. Sure enough the next morning my water broke. There was no question about it. A huge gush came out when I got up to go to the bathroom for the 100th time. It wasn't a one time thing.....it continued to flow pretty much every time I stood up. I never knew it would keep flowing like that. I didn't have any contractions yet so I tried to go back to bed. I calmly told Chris when he woke up that it was time. We came downstairs and told the family that the day had finally arrived, but there wasn't a huge rush to get anywhere since I still wasn't having any contractions. My midwife told me to wait it out at home until things got moving. So at 9am my mom and I went to get our nails done. I figured we could all sit at the house and stare at one another or I could go do something relaxing. 

Around 4pm the contractions started coming on stronger so we decided to head on in to the hospital. It was such a strange feeling as we drove to know that was the last time it was just the two of us. When we got in the car to come home our lives would be completely different. I got all checked in and set up in my hospital room. I bounced on the ball and walked/swayed as each contraction came along. My midwife, who is also a close friend, wasn't working but came in just for us. I am so lucky! 

I guess I imagined that once we got to the hospital it would be go time. That wasn't the case. We ordered dinner and settled in for the night watching a Harry Potter marathon. Chris was in heaven. Around 10pm they checked my progress and I was disappointed to hear that I was barely dilated. The contractions were getting pretty intense and I was sure that I had to be further along. My hope was to try to do this naturally, but I quickly learned that my pain threshold is not as high as I thought it was. At some point in the middle of the night, I finally made it to 5cm and asked for the epidural. This allowed me to get some rest. Then around 7am we found out it was finally go time. I didn't really have time to process it all so I just focused on meeting our baby and began to dig deep. The epidural was wearing off at this point so I was able to feel some of the contractions which helped me push....and push.....and push for 3 hours. It didn't feel like 3 hours at the time but man I wanted this baby out of me. My midwife began talking to one of the nurses about getting a doctor to come in and use a vacuum to bring the baby out because it just wasn't making it over my pelvic bone. That was all I needed to hear. I gave one more push and there she came!! 

It's a girl!!!! I quickly learned why it was so tough to get her out. She was 8lbs. 8 oz. and 20.5" long. They immediately put her on my chest and she was solid. I couldn't believe it! We have a beautiful, healthy baby girl!! After having 3 nephews we were sure it was a boy, but we finally broke the streak. This girl is going to be tough, strong and completely protected by those boys. I can't wait to watch her give them all a run for their money. 

After she was delivered, we got to spend an hour together, skin to skin, just getting to know one another. This was my favorite time and something I will never forget. All the pain immediately vanished as we laid together. Then I learned I had 8 stitches. She did a number on me, but it was all worth it and I've been told that one day I won't even remember all the bad parts. But for now, I still remember all of it. 

It took us the entire first day to name her. All the girl names we had at the top of our list just didn't suit her. We kept testing them out and it just didn't feel right. So I pulled out our master list that I had on my phone of every name I ever liked. We went through each one and when we came to Lyla it clicked. Then I looked up the meaning and it said, 'beautiful island girl.' That was what solidified it for us. She is an island girl and of course she is beautiful. Her middle name is James after both of her grandfathers. I'm not sure yet if she will be just Lyla or if we will give her some southern flair and call her Lyla James. I'm from the south and we love our double names! 

Photo by Rebecca Brown

We spent two more nights in the hospital and attempted to get some rest. The nurses were wonderful and we were lucky that it was an empty floor while we were there so we got plenty of attention. Before we knew it we were packing up to head home. It's crazy that we just walked out of the hospital as a family of three...well four once we got home to our fur baby Summitt. 

Next week I will get into what the first four weeks have been like. Now I need to take a nap, but I will probably end up just staring at my beautiful baby girl! 

Photo by Rebecca Brown

The waiting game

Photo by Channing Johnson

I remember when we found out we were pregnant and November seemed so far away. Well it's here, almost halfway over, and we are still waiting. I was given two due dates for this baby, which I know sounds crazy, but it isn't uncommon. Since we did IVF, we know when this all went down. I have been measuring about a week ahead of schedule so that's how we received two different dates. The first one has now passed and we are approaching the original date that was based on my last menstrual cycle. So it could be any day now! 

My parents arrived two weeks ago in the event that I went into labor early. Chris was traveling and it made us both feel better to have someone here just in case. I feel bad that we are all just sitting around, but things will get crazy soon enough and we won't even remember what it was like to just sit around. I have developed a tiny routine of cleaning the house and making sure everything is in order. It's about the only thing I can control at this point so it gives me a sense of purpose. 

Sleeping hasn't been so easy, but I have gotten more shut eye than I expected. If I didn't have to get up to go to the bathroom every couple of hours it would be much easier. The giant body pillow has helped a little with the pain in my hips. Poor Chris probably feels like there are 2 people in the bed with him because the pillow is so large, but whatever works at this point is what we will go with! I was having some pain and pressure in my pelvis so the doctor recommended a maternity belt. After looking them up online I wasn't quite sure how this was going to help but I ordered one anyway. Surprisingly it really did provide some relief. I have also found if I just keep moving and don't sit for too long then it keeps everything loose. This is probably why the pressure is so much more intense at night after I have been laying for a while. It actually feels like a bowling ball is going to fall out of me sometimes when I get up in the night. So weird!

Photo by Channing Johnson

Now we just continue to wait. It's crazy that this huge life event is happening and we have no idea when it will actually go down. The anticipation is crazy, but I am just trying to remain calm and rest as much as possible. I am reading every book I can to try and prepare for this event. I want to attempt a natural birth, but I have no idea what my pain threshold will be. There isn't a medal at the end so I will do whatever will keep the baby and myself healthy. I also want to breastfeed, but it's another unknown. I can read every book and article about how to do all of these things, but we really won't know until baby Lambton arrives. Then we will take it one day at a time and figure it out like all first time parents have done for hundreds of years. 

Everything is ready. The nursery is finished. The laundry remains clean and mostly put away. We have gas in the car. The bags are packed. Now we just need our little miracle to make a move!

Photo by Channing Johnson

Showers and Stuff

I have to start by bragging about my amazing friends. They were so kind and generous to throw me three of the most amazing showers that I could ever imagine! The first was in my hometown of Kingsport, TN at the home of my childhood best friend. Women who I have grown up with and have known forever came to spend a beautiful afternoon showering baby Lambton and myself with some of the most thoughtful gifts I could ever imagine. This was followed by a weekend in Dallas with a group that is so special to me. They planned a morning at the spa that was just what this momma to be needed. They are all moms and I received some incredible advice along with more presents for this little babe.  One friend even flew in to surprise me from Chicago and I was blown away!! My final shower was thrown by my sisters in law on Cape Cod. Again, I was completely overwhelmed by the support and love that friends and family have shown for us. I came home with more goodies than I could ever imagine and my heart is full with all of the love shown by everyone. We are truly blessed to have such incredible people in our lives!!

Kingsport, TN Shower

I remember when these special friends began planning the showers the first question they asked was about my registry. So I got online and started reading lists and reviews about all the latest and greatest gear. I was shocked at just how many items are out there for this tiny human. Then of course there are a billion reviews and everyone has a different opinion about what is the best. How do you even decide??? First there is the nursery where you need a crib, rocker, changing table, dresser, closet organization, cute décor, sound machine, bedding, blankets, and clothes. Then for the car you have to have a car seat, stroller, mirror, baby bag filled with diapers, wipes, pacifier, toys, books, extra clothes, boogie wipes, hats, mittens and anything else you can think of just in case something happens while you are out of the house. Finally, there are the things that stay at the house like the bassinet, high chair, bumbo seat, boppy pillow, swing, vibrating chair, sleep lounger, swaddles, bottles, breast feeding supplies, pumping supplies, burp cloths, swaddles, diaper cream, baby powder, bath tub, bath supplies, lotion, books, toys and I’m sure plenty of other things that I am going to figure out along the way. Can you believe all the stuff?? Now, I know all of this isn’t completely necessary, but for a first time mom I am trying to be prepared for every possible scenario. We don’t know what kind of sleeper and eater this baby will be. So I guess you try it all until you find what is right for your baby. Below are some of the items that I am really excited to give a try!

Yesterday I began washing every item that we have received to make sure it’s all fresh and clean should this baby decide to arrive early. I quickly realized that the whole idea of nesting is real and I may have become slightly obsessed with cleanliness lately. I finished my last work obligation a couple of weeks ago and since then I have been non-stop cleaning and washing everything that will fit in the washing machine. We are still technically 5ish weeks away from the big day, but I know plenty of women who went early so I just want to feel that I am in control and prepared while it’s still just adults and dogs in this house. I guess it’s half nesting and organizing and half keeping myself busy so I don’t turn into a couch potato.

Dallas, TX Spa Shower

I feel like we have everything we need. The nursery is almost finished and I’m excited for it to finally come together. Just a few items left and we will be all set!  Until then I will just keep cleaning, folding and organizing everything in my path. 

Cape Cod Shower

Doctors, Specialists, Midwives-I've Seen Them All

I'm not sure I anticipated just how many different doctors I would see throughout this process of making a baby. I guess in a perfect world you have one doctor that you see once that plus sign shows itself on the stick and you finish with that same doctor catching the baby. Well, I have had an entire team in multiple offices and various cities across the state. Now we are weeks away from meeting our little turkey and we wouldn't be here without every single one of them. 

We started with a recommendation to go to an IVF specialist. I had several friends who had been to the same doctor so we made an appointment and we were all in. She was fabulous and always full of positivity, which was refreshing and kept me in a good place that this would work. When we actually got to the testing phase, egg retrieval and implantation, our designated doctor was never working those days. Normally it would make me nervous to see unfamiliar faces, but this practice was beyond incredible and every person instantly became my BFF. The experience couldn't have been more positive and I would recommend every single one of them!

Once we received our positive blood test, we remained with the IVF clinic for a few more weeks just until we saw a heartbeat and they were ready to release us to an OB/GYN. Around week 8-10 we finally went to see my midwife, who is a part of the OB office. That's when we began testing the baby and looking for any abnormalities through blood work and ultrasound. This part is terrifying because the last thing you want to hear is that something is wrong with your very tiny baby that you have worked so hard to create. Our genetic testing came back normal, but on the ultrasound they found a tiny cyst. My heart sank to my stomach and we were off to see a fetal specialist a couple of days later. This doctor performed another ultrasound to see if they could determine what this oh so tiny cyst was. Well, the baby was so tiny that they really couldn't tell what it was, but this doctor proceeded to give me the worst case scenario telling me we may have to terminate. Why in the world would you tell an expectant mother those words when you have no idea what this is because it's way too early to tell??? I was heartbroken and furious all at the same time. Basically we just had to wait and see as the baby grew. We ended up switching to a different fetal specialist after this visit because I needed someone who was a bit more sugar coated in their delivery. Thank goodness I did because our new specialist was honest, but didn't jump to any unnecessary conclusions. We went every 2 weeks for an ultrasound for the first 6-7 months then we were able to go every 4 weeks because it was becoming less of a concern. Finally this week we were cleared because the cyst is gone!!! So much worrying all for nothing, but I am happy that we had the right people in place to make sure everything was okay. 

Now, we are focusing on our classes with our midwife and just preparing for labor. Many people have asked if I am delivering at home because we are with a midwife. No, midwives also deliver in hospitals and that's where we will be. I decided to choose a midwife because I like the care that she provides. She will be by my side from the time we enter the hospital until little turkey arrives. She will also give us all the options when it comes to pain management and birth positions, instead of choosing for us. I want to feel in control of this process as much as I can and I believe my midwife will do her best to allow that to happen. There are doctors there in the event that something happens or if I end up needing a C-section. I am going into this with an open mind because you never know what will happen. This is an unknown for me so I am just going to take it one step at a time and choose the best option based on what's happening with my body. It's terrifying because of all the unknowns, but I am sure that I will be surrounded by the best who will only have the best interest for me and baby in mind. 

I would love to hear about your experiences so please feel free to share below!! 

What is my body doing??

So we have all heard about the good, the bad and some of the ugly that comes along with pregnancy. Let me just say that hearing about it and experiencing it are two completely different situations. I read a couple of books before getting pregnant and have even continued to read week by week books that detail what should be happening at different stages. Again, reading and experiencing are very different! So let's break this down a little and I will also share some of the things that helped me get through these weird body changes. 

I have already covered my battle with morning sickness and that was just no fun at all. I still want to know why it is called morning sickness when it really lasts all day long. Let's just equate this to the worst hangover you have ever had that just won't go away no matter what you do. Fun, right? I did end up on a prescription for this but having my Yeti Tumbler full of ice water with lemon was also helpful. If you don't have a Yeti I highly suggest one because you need to drink a ton of water and this will really keep it ice cold all day long. 

I was lucky in the acne department. There were a few minor breakouts but nothing worse than what comes with that time of the month. The only problem here is you just have to let it run its course because acne medication isn't safe during pregnancy. I actually found a product line that was safe to use and I was really pleased with it. There are several out there but the Belli Skin Care line was what I went with after reading reviews and the ingredients. The scrub was my favorite!

Gas. Yep I am just going to put this out there. You have a tiny human inside of you that is forcing all of your organs into a smaller area than they are used to. It makes sense that the intestines would get squished causing any air to need a release. It happens and all you can do is try not to be embarrassed. Don't hold it in because you will feel much better if you just get it out. This is probably one of the least embarrassing topics when you see all the other stuff that will happen with your body. 

Restless legs and leg cramps are so much fun! The leg cramps haven't been horrible for me but the restless legs are pretty crazy. I feel like I have ants crawling all over me and it makes trying to go to sleep a joy. I have tried stretching and this helps a little. Drinking water seems to help some as well. The nights that I wake up with cramps or restless legs I can tell I am dehydrated. Now I try to have a coconut water before going to bed. The chocolate is wonderful and it satisfies my late night sweet tooth. 

So far I haven't had any issues with stretch marks but that could definitely change. I feel that I have really started to stretch out over the past few weeks so I just keep as much moisture as possible on the belly. After I shower I always cover myself in baby oil then before bed I lube up with some lotion that has coco butter in it. I also have a bottle of fractionated coconut oil that I go to some days when I am feeling extra dry. They say this is genetic and I'm pretty sure my mother didn't have them so fingers crossed this will be one thing I won't have to deal with. 

It's crazy what our bodies are capable of. I am amazed every day that there is a tiny human growing inside of me. I love feeling the movement even when it's late at night and I am trying to sleep. It provides a little peace of mind that my little one is doing just fine!

Oh the things people say.....

I know I am guilty of giving unsolicited advice and offering my opinion when it probably isn't appropriate. This is something I am now going to be much more aware of after experiencing the things people say to women who are expecting. It's actually pretty comical and I don't take any of it personally, but I feel that we all need to take a step back and think before we speak.....especially to hormonally charged women who are creating a life inside of them. 

1. Commenting on a pregnant woman's size.

Whether you think a woman is too small or too large doesn't matter. All pregnant women are seeing a doctor and that's for them to determine. I have heard both comments so I'm not sure whether people think I need to gain weight or put the brakes on the amount of food I am consuming. Honestly I don't care, but really why would you tell a pregnant woman, who is probably already self conscious about their appearance, anything other than 'You look beautiful.' A woman told me the other day that I must have a very large baby because I am big and I still have a ways to go. Really? Did you really just tell me I'm huge and to be prepared to get bigger?? Who says that? I'm fully aware that I am creating a human inside of me and if I get big and have a big healthy baby then that is the least of my worries. I also had a lady at the nail salon tell me I'm too small to be carrying a baby. So whatever!! Side note.....I'm drinking a giant milkshake as I am writing this and it's delicious. 

2. Opinions on finding out the gender. 

Chris and I have chosen not to find out the gender of our baby. After going through IVF we figured that having a surprise at the end of the long road would be something fun to add to the excitement. This is a personal decision and everyone is entitled to make this decision for themselves. Telling me 'I don't know how you do that' or 'I don't know why anyone would find out' is simply your opinion, but at the end of the day it's really up to the parents to be to determine what they want. So when you are expecting you can make that decision for yourself. Maybe just say 'Oh that's great' or 'I can't wait to see your beautiful baby.' That would be nice. 

3. Selecting a name for the baby.

I now understand why expecting parents do not share their name list. This is a very personal decision.  It would break my heart to share a name I chose just to have someone tell me something negative about it. But if you wait until after the child is born to announce the name, then most people are going to be excited for whatever you have chosen. Again, saying anything other than 'That's beautiful' is really unnecessary. There will always be someone out there who won't like the name you chose, but that's life. Just keep this opinion to yourself. 

I guess to sum it up just offer a smile and if you need to comment, try to keep it short, sweet and positive. Hormones are no joke so stay on the safe side. :)

The Joy of Pregnancy

What an exciting day it was when we got the call that we were pregnant! It took me a while to really let it all soak in especially since we had previously suffered a miscarriage. I was on pins and needles until around 12 weeks, but finally we let the cat out of the bag and told the family. They knew what we were going through, but after the egg transfer we told everyone we would let them know once we had news to share. This was for my sanity so I didn't have to share bad news if that were the case. But we were so lucky to have good news the first time around!!  

We told my parents when they were visiting and then told the rest of the family over dinner at our house. I think they all knew already because I wasn't having my usual glass of wine at dinner. Also I was really feeling like crap. I wanted to jump from the rooftops and celebrate, but I couldn't stop throwing up. This was a major bummer, even though everyone says that means the baby is healthy. Obviously we want a healthy baby, but man this morning sickness was no joke. They call it morning sickness but it's more like 24 hour a day sickness that feels like the worst hangover ever. I have to admit that I felt and still feel guilty complaining about how awful I have felt, but when people ask 'How are you feeling,' I want to be honest. This isn't all sunshine and rainbows, but that's okay! This is my journey and I'm creating a life. That's pretty awesome! 

I have always been an active person and I pictured being healthy and active throughout this pregnancy. Boy was I wrong! The first 22-23 weeks were awful. The nausea kept me from having an appetite, but I knew I needed to eat. I turned into a toddler with my diet and could only tolerate mac and cheese or the occasional chicken finger. It was terrible. Most meals didn't stay down very long. Finally I called the doctor because something had to be done. They put me on Diclegis after I tried every possible over the counter remedy. This was a lifesaver!! Yes I tried the ginger chews, which made me feel worse, and the preggie pops that provided about 5 min of relief. I found a bit of relief from Sea Bands but again only temporary. There were several times I tried to stop the meds because I just didn't want to take anything at all, but I got sick every time. Around week 22 I tested it out again because I was told the second trimester would be wonderful and I would feel like a new person. I didn't get there as quickly as others have but eventually I was able to stop the Diclegis.  I'm still so thankful that I had it when I needed it!!  

The remainder of my second trimester was great until I got the worst summer cold ever. Can I catch a break here?!?! I had to take a trip to LA for work and I'm sure I picked it up on the plane. Normally I pack myself with meds and nose spray, but not this time. It was rough and really lingered for a few weeks. Saline spray just doesn't do the trick like the real stuff, but that was safe so that's what I used!  

It really amazing what creating a life takes out of us and how it takes a toll on our bodies. Even though this hasn't been the easiest road for me, I know it's all worth it and I will soon forget about these yucky days where I stayed in my pjs all day long. I recently told my husband that I didn't enjoy this, but I know I will do it again! 

20 week bump pic

The long and winding road.....

The road to starting a family did not go as smoothly as I always envisioned. Chris and I were married in 2012 and immediately everyone began asking, "When are you having kids?" I understand this is a natural question to ask, but after the crazy ride we have been on, I ask you to think twice before asking anyone this question. I say this because starting a family is not really a question of timing and for those of us who have had to seek alternate routes to getting pregnant, we just don't have an answer to that question. 

It took me a while to process, but I am now ready to share our journey to getting pregnant because I think it's something that should be talked about more. So many women are dealing with infertility issues and choose to keep quiet for multiple reasons, but honestly it's so much more common that I ever realized. Here is the story of our long and winding road. 

Chris and I met and got engaged in less than a year so I knew that I wanted to wait a little bit before starting a family. There were things that we wanted to accomplish as a couple and I wanted some time to be selfish and just enjoy my marriage. So we did that! We traveled, worked, got a dog and built a house. In 2014 we decided that it was time to pull the goalie and in 3 short months I got a positive pregnancy test. It was on Chris's birthday and we couldn't have been more excited. About a week later it all ended and we went from the highest high to the lowest low in a matter of moments. It happened so quickly that I didn't really have time to process everything. Nothing had been purchased, the nursery wasn't designed and we hadn't heard a heartbeat. But we still had planned that our family would be expanding and now that wasn't happening anymore.

We took a few months to chill and decided we would try again in the summer. I was tracking my cycle, using an ovulation kit and doing everything according to plan. Month after month went by and nothing was happening. This was so frustrating and became such a pain in the butt. The fun that comes along with trying for a baby was not so much fun anymore. It became a job and a process and I was putting entirely too much pressure on that tiny window of opportunity that came along each month. So finally in May of 2015 we decided to seek help and made an appointment with an IVF clinic. We immediately clicked with our doctor and we were excited to move forward after a year of nothing. The first step was testing for both of us. This required lots of blood work, an ultrasound for me and a semen analysis for the hubby. The worst part was the HSG test I had to have to see if there was anything blocking my fallopian tubes. This required a dye to be put in the tubes and then pushed through. I heard horror stories about how painful this was so I was very nervous going in for this test. Mine was a little uncomfortable, but I wouldn't say painful. 

It was a little nerve wracking waiting on the results, but I think more frustration came once we got the results. I never wished for anything to be wrong with either of us, but I think it would have been easier for me to process if there was a reason that we weren't able to get pregnant naturally. The results showed that we were both fertile, healthy and didn't have any issues. They call it 'unexplained infertility'. You would think there could be a better name for it, right?? 

So we had our answers, for now, and in June 2015 we began our first round of treatment. Our insurance required that we start at the bottom and work our way up to IVF. The first month we tried Clomid, which is a pill that is used to stimulate ovulation. I was definitely hopeful that this would be our ticket. I heard horror stories about Clomid and many called it the 'bitch pill' but I didn't really have many side effects. I felt a little different but I also think I was being overly sensitive because I read about the possible side effects. Well after 2 months of this treatment, and no baby, we moved on to the next level which was IUI or Intrauterine Insemination. This process controls the timing and the doctor will insert the sperm at the time of ovulation. There wasn't any pain. It just felt like a pap smear. Not a fun procedure, but not painful. Again, we did two months of this and still nothing so it was time to move on to IVF or In Vitro Fertilization. 

We decided to wait until after the holidays to start because it is a commitment and you have to stick to the schedule once you begin. In February the calendar looked good and I didn't have any travel planned so we began once my cycle revealed itself. There was a lot of monitoring and testing that went along with IVF. Oh and there were shots.....lots of shots and I don't mean the fun kind. The box that came with all my supplies was a bit overwhelming. I have never given myself a shot before so this was very intimidating. The first few I had to get friends to help with, but finally I convinced myself that if I was going to give birth then I should be strong enough to give myself an injection. It started with one a day but by the end of the week I was up to three shots a day in the stomach. I was bloated and just felt awful, but I kept reminding myself that this was worth it and I wouldn't remember the negative parts. Every two or three days I went in for blood work and ultrasound so the doctor could monitor my ovaries and measure the eggs that were developing. Once they were ready, I scheduled my trigger shot to release the eggs and we went in for the egg retrieval surgery. This required anesthesia, but I was only out for about 30 minutes. When I woke up I was so happy because Chris told me to think of something happy before they put me under. This totally worked! Then they gave me animal crackers and I was super excited. Great snack! It's the little things that make me happy apparently. The egg retrieval was definitely the hardest part. I was very uncomfortable, super bloated and it took me a few days to feel good again. They say you should be fine the next day, but I was on the couch for about a week after. 

The doctor retrieved 10 eggs and we waited five days so they could fertilize and turn to embryos. After the five days we ended up with 4 viable embryos that were ready for transfer and the ones we didn't transfer could be frozen for future use. We went back in for the transfer and the doctor chose to implant one embryo. This was a quick procedure and again similar to a pap smear. The coolest part was watching the embryo go into my uterus. We got to watch the entire process, which took about two minutes, on a screen and we left with our first photo. Following the transfer we had another waiting period. Lots of waiting with IVF and really the entire process so be prepared to find some patience and inner peace to keep from going nutty!! About 10 days later we went in for blood work and received a phone call that afternoon that we were pregnant!!!

I will never forget that phone call. We were sitting in Chris's truck and it was the week of his birthday. Very ironic because just two years ago we were experiencing similar feelings when I found out I was pregnant the first time around at the exact same time. I still wake up some mornings and can't believe this is happening. We waited until I was about 8 weeks along before telling our family, just to make sure we were closer to being in the clear of another miscarriage. Now the world knows and I am happy to finally share the journey that got us to this point. It was a long and winding road, but worth every step! 

Baby Lambton coming November 2016!!

Summitt is ready for duty!!