Trace Parker's birth story- the unabridged version

I feel like this post should come with a warning, as so many of my posts seem to do.  Please note, this is the UNabridged version, so it's length and may be too much information for your taste.  This is for those that want to hear all the details of our firstborn's birth, and for me.. so I don't forget a single detail!  Don't say I didn't warn you.

Our world changed forever on March 15th.  I'm not talking about the impact of this date on all of civilization. The Ides of March- Once a day on the Roman calendar that held several religious observances, then it became notorious as the date of the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. The death of Caesar made the Ides of March a turning point in Roman history.  But  I am referring to a different turning point in history-- the unimaginable difference that March 15, 2013 made on me-- the birth of Trace Parker Morgan! The day I went from being "wife", "sister", "daughter", "fund development specialist" to being the only title that really matters -- "Mother."


On Tuesday, March 12th, I went to work (disobeying bed rest), and I stayed up for a long time. I joked with my co-workers that if I didn't send myself into labor by running around the office, my plan was to make sure my blood pressure was high enough that they would induce me at my appointment the next day.  I thought I was only kidding, and that my romp around the office would have no affect on my next day's appointment.  I had reached that point where I wasn't sure Trace would ever arrive on his own volition, and I was going to have to wait until my due date, at least.  However, I am super thankful that I went ahead and put our hospital bag in the car and insisted Jefforey get a sub and come with me "just in case."

The birth of our sweet baby boy began with a routine weekly visit to Dr. Pryzybysz on the chilly morning of Wednesday, March 13th.  As you may have read, I had been on bedrest for what seemed like FOREVER with little reason other than a lot of symptoms of preeclampsia, but no real diagnosis of any kind.  I was beginning to feel like a crazy hypochondriac because at every appointment, they said my numbers were good, and everything looked fine. They were just monitoring me extra closely because of our family history and my symptoms.  Although, I was assured everything was normal and healthy during every visit, I still left every week feeling like something just wasn't quite right. So I insisted on extra tests and monitoring, and now...I am really glad that I did.  The week before, I had practically begged for a growth scan because I couldn't shake the ominous feeling that something wasn't right. During this visit, we learned that I was dilated to a 1, but not effaced much at all yet.  I was a little let down that I wasn't progressing enough to warrant a "stay here, and we'll just go ahead and induce you" conversation from my doctor.  (I was READY to have this baby!)  I reminded my doctor that she said we would do a growth scan this week because I was very concerned that the fundal measurement hadn't changed in 4 weeks.  She had the nurse take me to ultrasound, and from the look on the ultrasound tech's face, I could tell something wasn't quite right.  Even though she wasn't supposed to, she told us the measurements-- our amniotic fluid level was low-- and what it meant.  She said, "I would bet you are going to have this baby today without a doubt."  So then, we got really excited... and scared because it meant things weren't perfectly healthy anymore.

After my doctor saw the results, she let us know that while a healthy fluid level was once 10-20, "normal" is now considered anywhere from 5-20. Ours was a 4.  There was also a new type of test that UAB was using, which meant it was the new industry standard that said another measurement could be 1.5.  Ours was 1.7, so technically... we were still "normal," but because of the other symptoms, etc.  they wanted to send me down to labor and delivery for a few more tests. Dr. P said that we had 2 options: 1- admit me, and pump me full of fluids to see if maybe I was just dehydrated, which is why the levels were low or 2- go ahead and start the induction process that afternoon to be safe.  I was ALL for option 2!  

I met my fantastic nurse, Candis, (who would care for me over the next few days) at the Labor & Delivery admission desk.  She was absolutely phenomenal.  (All of our care team was, and I could kick myself for not getting pictures with them!)  We hung out and did lots of tests in triage, then they admitted us to room 309, which became our home for the next 5 days. 

 Unfortunately for me, the next couple of days were sort of trying. I'm NOT a patient "waiter".  Later that day, we learned that Dr. McKee (another physician in the practice who was on call) had recommended waiting to induce labor to see if my amniotic fluid levels rose as a result of the 3 bags of fluid they would pump me with in the next 12 hours.  Because of the "wait-and-see" mode we were in, we didn't want our parents making the trip to Birmingham, so we just hung out at the hospital without ANYTHING to do.  I had left my work bag at home that morning (for the first time ever), and it had our phone chargers in it, among other things that would have been oh so helpful during that torturous wait.  Thankfully, we had some dear friends visit to help us pass the time!  Thank you, Ericka and Rusty. And a big shout out to one of my favorite people on the planet, my old boss and unrelated precious friend, Aimee, who brought me a phone charger and her iPad. We survived a LONG night of waiting!

Thursday morning, Dr. McKee came in, and said that a) I was NOT dilated to a 1, Dr. P was optimistic and b) the 3 bags of fluid basically did nothing. My AF level was about 4.5, so that meant that my placenta was no longer working properly, and we needed to have a baby!  He also prepared us that he figured we would have to have a C Section because he didn't see my labor progressing quickly enough to prevent harm to the baby.  However, we were going to have to wait (yet again) until around 8 p.m. when they would begin the induction process with Cytotech (it's a cervical "ripening" agent.  Yummy.) and start the pitocin and break my water on Friday morning.   So he wanted me up and moving during the day... they took off the monitors, which after hearing all that I'd just heard...scared me to death.   But regardless, I did make my way around the hospital that day... visited the gift shop, bought some books (which good gracious.. we should have done the day before!) even got a birthing ball to try and convince Trace he needed to make his way!

Friday morning, Dr. Ellis was on call, and she came in planning to break my water around 5:30 a.m. IF my cervix was "ripening."  Now, let me just tell you... pregnancy causes you to no longer believe in the term TMI, so I had no shame in sending a text to my "baby news" groups of contacts asking them to please pray for my cervix to ripen. :)    Since we were afraid we'd be having a c section around 6-7 a.m. on Friday morning... our families came early!  My parents spent the night in Birmingham the night before so they could be around for all the action.  Jeff, Katie, Denise and Karen arrived at the hospital by 5:30 a.m.  Thankfully, God heard our prayers, and we were able to progress with a vaginal delivery childbirth plan.  I was very excited that after what seemed like endless waiting, we were going to have a baby that day!  I had always heard horror stories about the breaking of the water, but it really wasn't so bad.  And we realized how precious little fluid I really had, which was sad.  Shortly after the breaking of the water, I was feeling like a champ because I was handling things quite well.  They started the pitocin drip around 6 a.m., and things changed QUICKLY! Apparently, the cytotech and pitocin combo in my body was NOT tolerated well. I had intense "clustered" contractions, which meant that unlike normal labor... my contractions started at the most intense and never eased up.  I didn't have "5 min. apart...4 min. apart..." with contractions gradually getting closer and more intense.  I had "no minutes apart" from minute 1! My blood pressure was increasing, and Trace wasn't tolerating the contractions well, so they put my on oxygen around 6:15 a.m., and I stayed on it until about 3 p.m. after Trace was born.  NO fun. And it mean that I never got to put on any make up for those "after birth" pictures like I had planned.  Also, I didn't get to talk with people and stuff for the next several hours because of that annoying mask.

I have the utmost respect for my friends that choose to labor naturally, but I figured out very quickly that I was not going to be able to join them (not that I planned to).  I felt like a weenie.  Although, I had not planned to have any type of medication other than the epidural, which I planned to get when I was dilated to a 3 so I would not have to increase the risk of a C section-- I ended up getting Stadol (sp?) around 7 and epidural around 9, when I wasn't yet dilated to a 3.  My nurses and doctor strongly encouraged me to get the epidural because my contractions were so intense and my BP got dangerously high.  With the epidural, my BP bottomed out. So within a few minutes, I went from 160/90 to 88/48 or so.  It was rough.

From 9:30 a.m.- 2 p.m., we basically took turns in MANY different laboring positions trying to find a position that Trace liked.  Oddly enough, the position he seemed to prefer was almost as if I were standing up-- the bed was raised as vertically as posible with my deadfish legs hanging down. It was kind of funny.  We were experiencing heart wrenching "decels" or decelerations of Trace's heart beat.  This was easily the most terrifying thing I have ever experienced.  We would be hearing his strong 140-150ish bpm heart rate then it would drop off... bub bum, bub bum, bub bum... bub bum..........bub bum.  His cord was compressed at variable intervals during the labor-- before, during and after contractions.  We had two great nurses that never left our sides, and I felt very confident in their abilities-- I will be forever grateful for Kathryn and Demi! Sweet Candis was off starting on Friday, but she called multiple times to check on me.  And she was the one that made sure we had a great nurse... although, I'm certain that was an easy task.  We had such competent and compassionate care. I cannot say enough positive things about our experience at St. Vincent's!

Since I was on oxygen, our many guests were asked to stay in the waiting room. It was nerve wrecking to hear the heartbeat drop off like it did so frequently, and I didn't want anyone else to have to be nervous.... and I didn't want to have to feign confidence for anyone. I was scared to death, and I didn't want to make it difficult for anyone else.  Plus, I was tempted to remove my mask to "entertain" folks, so around 9 a.m., we decided it was best if it were just me and Jefforey in the room from that point forward.  So we listened to really good music, and we prayed a lot!  I wish I could say that they were really elegant or thoughtful prayers, but most the time it was simply.. "God, please help him. Help me! Keep us safe! I'm scared."  Like a child frightened by a thunderstorm, this storm of my life had me crawling into my heavenly Daddy's lap just to tell him I was scared.

At first, things progressed kind of slowly. I was just dilated to a 3 at 10 a.m.  I thought it was going to be a really long process, and that we would meet a new round of nurses at 3 p.m. who would help us welcome our baby (hopefully), and we had resigned ourselves to the fact that our sweet nurses that we were growing to love wouldn't be around for the end game.  I was not excited at the prospect of facing a shift change and having to live without a nurse even for a minute!  But around noon, I guess, things started picking up... including the decels :(  Kathryn said several times.. "if___  keeps happening, we will do an emergency c section." So we were on the edge for several hours.  Then around 1:30, I was dilated to a 9.5, and we needed to get me to a 10 because Trace was not tolerating labor.  So she intervened a little, and with the next contraction... I was at a 10 and ready to push.  As they were prepping the room for the big show, we had a great moment with Jesus.  Jefforey and I prayed together, and one of my favorite praise and worship songs was playing on our iPod, and "the peace that surpasses all understanding" had definitely come over me! A big shout out to my music loving husband who put together the most amazing labor playlist!  Although, I really wanted him to put "Ah Push It" by Salt N Pepa for this particular stage in the game, (he refused to do something so "cute"), I was really thankful for the song that was playing instead!

Dr. Christine arrived around 2, and we started pushing.  She explained that they may need to use forceps because it was time to get him out, and I agreed!  I think we had 3-4 big pushes. I had to stop twice because I almost passed out. I remember fading into that dark tunnel of fainting, and losing the ability to hear/see temporarily.  Jefforey was so strong through it all. I never knew he was apparently more terrified than I was.  During the pushing, our nurses tried to keep it light.  Kathryn laughed at me, and said I was deceptively strong because she was explaining how to push, and said "try to pull me into the bed with you"-- which I almost did.  All of the scary moments were forgotten at 2:39 p.m. when we got our first glimpse of Trace Parker Morgan. It's such a weird feeling.  With an epidural, you don't feel much, but you can feel the pressure of the baby in the birth canal.  And you can feel glorious release when they come out! I could tell that Trace was out, but I hadn't seen him yet, but I saw the relief on Jefforey's face.  My heart still hadn't started beating again as I waited what seemed like 5 minutes to hear him cry.  The nurses whisked him away to the warmer on the other side of the room (since he was in distress, Jefforey wasn't allowed to cut the cord), little did I realize at the time that because my crazy cord was so long... he was actually still attached!  The first thing I can remember hearing the nurses say was "Look how long and pretty his eyelashes are!"  to which I might have replied- "Who cares about his eyelashes! Why isn't he crying?!  Is he ok!?"

Then, he started crying and they brought him over to me.  And in that moment, the world stopped, flipped over a few times and then kept turning forever altered!  His tiny little squeaky cry melted my heart, but one look in those beautiful eyes that seemed so anxious to capture every detail of my face on through to my soul was just all it took.  I was a mom!  I knew instantaneously that nothing else in the world would ever matter as much as meeting this tiny little 6 lb. 4 oz, 21 inch human's every need. It is unbelievable how quickly everything changes.  As much as I'd like to capture those emotions with words... I am still speechless at that incredible feeling. He was HERE safe and sound!  I was ecstatic.  I just cried and held him and warmed from the inside out that his squeaky "uh huh" cry was quieted just by my voice.  They had to take him away again to check him out more fully since he'd been in distress, but they assured me everything seemed perfect.

I never want to forget the sweetness of that face.

 Dr. Christine continued to work on me.. delivering the placenta and then stitching me up for what seemed like an eternity.  I never asked how many stitches, and I never so much as glimpsed down there. I didn't want to know.  Ignorance was bliss (until the feeling came back anyway).  She told me I had a 2nd degree internal tear, and a 2nd degree episiotomy ,but it could have been much worse.  She also told me that we had a 2 vessel cord (which happened to be the longest she had ever seen in her long career) and my placenta didn't look right, so she sent both off to pathology.  After she left, we had the most precious time... just the three of us. Well, and the nurses that came and went...(cleaning up very efficiently might I add!)

Our first family photo- woof.

After our family time, we finally let the visitors in to take their turns.  First, they got to watch his first bath.

After his first bath, his AU hat was "conveniently" the only one that fit :)

He had to go back under the warmer once because he had a tough time regulating his temp at first.

The next 2 days were such a flurry of activity and visitors wanting to catch a glimpse at the boy who stole our hearts.  I don't remember a lot of it, honestly.  Not sure if it was the pain meds, the emotional rollercoaster brought on by the drastic hormonal shift, the difficult time we had trying to get the boy to eat, the utter physical/mental/emotional exhaustion of it all... or a combination of all those factors.  But thankfully, someone took pictures!  It was overwhelming.

Dear friends, Caleb & Erin, getting a little practice before they welcome their own!

Jefforey's aunt Teleah, and cousin, Molly Kate waited patiently for their turns!

He had such a strong "startle" reflex at first.

Grumps and Katie were very excited!

Candice holding both our boys.  Easton is about 6 weeks older.

sweet little hands and feet

Trace and Paw Paw

Aunt Karen was very excited!  Still sad that the police dept wouldn't let Corey take off to be there.

Big cousins-- Aubrey is exactly 2 months older; Andrew is 6 years

Sara K. got to see him before they headed to Disney the next day!  He had cooperated so she could be there ;)

He was so very sleepy after his arrival.  He didn't want to eat for several days, which was no fun for me.

He is Granna's little buddy.

All in all, it was a successful experience because the end result is a perfectly healthy baby boy.  It didn't go as we had hoped or envisioned necessarily, but when does it ever?!  On Sunday, March 17th, we were given the OK to leave the hospital.  We were told to take our time, and we did.  We had to leave by 3 p.m. according to insurance.  This was our first experience in learning that EVERYTHING takes longer with a baby. So we actually were a little late leaving, but it was ok.

He was waaaay too skinny for his original "going home" outfit, so we had to settle for a preemie outfit Aunt Sissy picked up on her last visit to the hospital.

Loading him up for the long ride home, for which... he was a champ.

We were welcomed home by lots of our family who had anxiously awaited our arrival.  It was a special day... and an exhausting one.  God really gives you a new capacity for love and exhaustion when he gives you a baby!  We feel so honored, and it's our prayer that we will be worthy of the calling to be parents!

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Something in the water

It has been so much fun being pregnant with several of my friends and my sister! What a blessing to share this exciting time in our lives together... to have someone to celebrate and commiserate with! S My sister and Candice were originally 6 weeks ahead of us on due dates.  Amberly is 6 weeks behind me, and Jenna is 10 weeks behind me.  Erin is about 20 weeks behind me.  And we have recently found out that Anna and Cate are pregnant too!  So yes... I am pretty much surrounded by pregnant people.  There is something in the water!

It's also made for some really fun photos like our Christmas maternity sister photo shoot.  We had planned to get some pictures made from a professional photographer before Sissy was put on bed rest.  We weren't able to get our official photo shoot done, but we had a pretty good fill in with my mom... too bad we were really rushed that day!

I am up for opening this gift early like Sissy did, by the way.  It's only fair, after all :)

Loved these adorable PJs

Our traditional "Sissy Hug" picture was a little more difficult this year with Trace and Aubrey wanting in on the action.

Here we are at Candice's Shower

Easton is ready to meet his little buddy, Trace!

Amberly and Jenna helped host my friends shower!

We added one belly to the bunch at Amberly's shower!

Can't wait for all these babies to get to know each other!

 I'm so excited that Trace Parker will have friends to grow up with.  If they turn out to be half as good of friends as these girls have been to me... he will be one very lucky boy!

Are we there yet?

No.

Are we there yet?

No.

I feel like an errant child begging my Father from the backseat of a long road trip to let it be time to be at our destination-- in this case,  the arrival of my baby boy! And trust me... I'm doing my fair share of whining and begging God from the backseat.  Example #77,026 where I am not in control... God is.  (You'd think I'd learn this lesson by now... man, am I a stubborn child!)

The calendar says we are 38 weeks pregnant today, and boy am I ready! Patience has never been my strongest virtue.  To think I even feel the need to say that out loud is laughable... anyone that knows me has more than likely never listed me on their "most patient people" list!  I wish I were more patient, and I really do try, but it definitely isn't something that comes naturally for me.  If you EVER see that fruit of the spirit in me-- it's because of the Holy Spirit working an overtime miracle that day!

It's not that I'm that tired of being pregnant, although, according to Jefforey.. we "have to be at least 12 months pregnant by now."  Which truthfully, including the miscarriage...I've been pregnant like 11 of the last 12 months.  If I'm being honest... I am a little ready to have my body back.  I'm ready to have my foods and beverages of choice again.  Oh how I miss sushi.  And Dr. Pepper.... and a looong list of other items on the "no fly list" while pregnant.

It's not even that every single conversation I have throughout the course of a day begins, consists of, ends and completely revolves around "When is Trace Parker going to get here?"  or "How are you feeling?"  Although, admittedly... that does get a bit old!  But it's not like I can blame people... it is on my mind 24/7!  It's becoming increasingly difficult to get anything accomplished because I am thinking about him constantly!  Up until yesterday, I have (thankfully) been so busy with work, that I haven't had much time to dwell on the fact that I'm about to have a baby.  I was managing our biggest event of the year, and I was just praying that Trace would wait a few more days so I could attend it!  Now that we've made it through the Race to Remember, I having a bit of a tougher time staying focused on ANYTHING but BABY!

I am mostly ready to have this baby boy because I am dying to meet him!  I feel like I just can't wait another second to see his face in the flesh instead of on some creepy ultrasound machine or alien-esque 4D photo. I am longing to hear him cry and smell his sweet baby fragrance, not the artificial imitation that is his closet (which I sneak into at least 5 times a day just to sniff!).  I am honestly just ready to know he is here and healthy.  Everyone tells me that the worrying has just begun, that you really never stop this constant thinking of your kid business.  Hooey.  At least when he is HERE, I can lay eyes on him and see that he's still breathing. There is so much faith involved in this whole pregnancy process...  So many scary things that can happen.  I'm not proud of this, but I am admitting to you that I have really struggled with worry lately.  Apparently, that comes with the territory, but I don't want to accept that.  Sin is sin, and no amount of "mommy justification" will change that -- worry is NOT from God!

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you;my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

If I am constantly worried about the health and safety of this child, am I really being a good example of God's peace?  What does my worry say to others about my faith?!  I called to make an appointment with my tax preparer, and God used that gentleman on the phone to bring this issue to my attention, he must have been able to hear the anxiety about the arrival of our son.  He asked, "Are you my sister in Christ?"  I said, "Yes, sir!" He said, "Well then just declare and proclaim a healthy, safe baby and delivery. No need to worry!" And I thought... Right you are, Mr. Tax-Preparer-appointment-taker guy! Right you are!

How many times does the Lord tell us not to worry throughout Scripture?!  Tons of times.  I found an encouraging post about worry that you can check out for more examples than I've listed below.

Isaiah 43:1-3  But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob,  he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;  I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;  and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...

I often use this verse on baby door hangers.  It's a beautiful image, but it's not just pretty-- it's TRUTH!  It's the promise of God!  We have been redeemed!  We are claimed by the Maker of the Universe.  He called us by name!  He promises to be with us and tells us not to fear.  Who am I not to listen to that direct command!  Forgive me, Lord!

Hebrews 13:6 So we can confidently say,  “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

It is time that I start living on faith and confidently saying The Lord is my helper whom/what then shall I fear?! Thank God that He never lets go of me...even when I am a wimp and get lost in the seas of worry!  Praise God that He brings us through storms and challenges and allows us to rest in His incredible peace!

Psalm 118:24- "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

I've also been convicted about my change in focus lately and about my whining, complaining and begging God to let it be time already!  I want to stay focused on the reason I was made-- to bring glory to God in all that I say and do.  If I'm constantly questioning (see: begging/whining) the timing of my son's arrival... am I really living with an attitude of gratitude for all I've been given?  Am I really rejoicing in the day the Lord has made?  Sadly, no.

Habakkuk 2:3-

For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
    it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
    it will surely come; it will not delay.

Verse 4 in Habakkuk 2 says (From the Message) “Look at that man, bloated by self-importance—
    full of himself but soul-empty.
But the person in right standing before God
    through loyal and steady believing
    is fully alive, really alive. 

If I am waiting on this vision to become a reality, and I'm focused on ME.. the trivial things that are important to me.... I become full of my selfish desires.  When we're full of ourselves, we can't be full of God.  I loved how The Message put this verse ... "through loyal and steady believing we can be fully alive, REALLY alive!"  That's good stuff!

Ecclesiastes 3 (From the Message)
¹⁴ I’ve also concluded that whatever God does, that’s the way it’s going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God’s done it and that’s it. That’s so we’ll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear. (emphasis is mine)

¹⁵ Whatever was, is.
Whatever will be, is.
That’s how it always is with God.

Yep, right again... God's timing is perfect.  That has been SOO easy to say, and lots "less easy" to really believe or live out lately.  I've decided today that I am going to stop begging Trace to come and start rejoicing in the time that I have left with this little buddy in my womb.  I'm going to celebrate this special time because it's the last precious time that it will be just us!  While I still kind of hope that Trace will subscribe to the good ole Camp War Eagle mantra, "Early is on time. On time is late.  Late is unacceptable."  More importantly, I'm going to rest in the comforting peace and knowledge that my God has this thing under control, and Trace will arrive safely at His appointed hour, which will be just the way it should be!

Your prayers are appreciated!

My precious baby niece

Aubrey Faith Ladner graced the world with her presence on January 15th at 4:53 p.m. I am so grateful that I was able to be in the delivery room. It was an amazing experience to be able to watch her take her first breath.  There really aren't words to describe that miracle!I feel more prepared for labor now,and even more anxious to meet our little man.  Hopefully, ours will go just as smoothly!

Sissy finally got her girl!  My sister is SUCH a girl mom, and she desperately wanted to have a baby girl!  We are all so excited that Aubrey Faith has arrived safe and sound, and she is just beautiful.  These pictures don't really do her justice.

If you want to learn more about her arrival, or see more photos for that matter-- check out my sister's blog.

I've kidded my sister that I have about 300 pictures of Andrew from weeks 1-3, but I basically have had to scavenge these few from her blog!  I guess it's a 2nd child thing... or maybe she's busy being a mom to 2 kiddos now, and can't send as many pictures.  Either way... the following adorable pictures are not in any sort of order.  They are just some of my faves from the beautiful Aubrey Faith.

I could just eat those cheeks!!

Obviously, I love this one.  In case you are wondering... I'm the "Auntie" :)

 Here's a picture of her door hangers I made for the hospital.  I love making cute little girl stuff.  So fun for our little princess!

 This is our first picture together.  The first time I got to hold her, Trace was so excited! I think he knew it was his big cousin, and he was kicking like crazy... effectively giving Aubrey a baby back massage!

 This might be my favorite photo ever taken.  It's so precious!  Her newborn pictures were all pretty terrific, but this one takes the cake.

 My sister married into a VERY big Disney family.  This little Minnie is just adorable!

 That was the bonnet my sister and I wore home from the hospital. 

 Such a little angel baby!

 LOVE!

 My sister was so concerned about her baby acne, that's why she says there aren't many pictures from these weeks. I think she's ridiculous.  Nothing could take away the cuteness of this child!  Baby acne is just a sign of great breast milk and effective hormones :)  I love her little first Valentine's Day outfit.

 War Eagle, Baby Girl!

Such a sweet shot with her awesome big brother! It's hard to imagine loving anybody more than I love these two kiddos.

Showered with Love

Another thing that pregnancy has taught me, is that I really have the BEST friends, family, church family and co-workers in the entire world!  We have been so blessed to have friends throw us showers to celebrate the coming of our precious baby boy!

  Here I am at 31 weeks (looking very swollen already, sadly).

Our first shower was hosted by my long-time girlfriends from left to right: Ashley Ham Wells, Anna Weathers Smith, Katie Uithoven Baugh, Amberly Pierce Baugh, Jamie Duckett and Jenna Duckett Payne on January 17th at Cindy Ham's house.

One thing I LOVE (insert sarcasm) here about baby showers are these incredibly awkward photos of you opening gifts... why do we think it's a good idea to take these photos? I have no idea, but they are not kind to animated people like me.  Here's one of my "favorites."

My friends are very talented, and had the cutest shower ideas ever!  I loved everything about it... the cake, the decorations, the door hanger, the fellowship...  We had such a fantastic time!

On February 3rd, my friends from Auburn threw us a couples shower with an adorable baseball theme at the home of our dear friends, Ericka and Rusty Jackson.  They didn't miss a detail... we had peanuts, cracker jacks, cotton candy, nachos, hotdogs, sour straws... even Jefforey's "traditional" baseball snack of Snickers and blue Powerade.  They even made some trophies for Trace with MVP, Rookie of the Year and Allstar!  So adorable!  We had a blast!  I just wish I had pictures of all the shower details!! 

At least at the couples shower, I have someone to share the fun "gift opening" photos with!

Me with my beautiful hostesses (minus Katie Smith, who unexpectedly had to be away)-- Claire Marie Whitmore Maceina, Ericka Bennett Jackson, Sara K. Smelley Goodwin and Courtney Lawrence Isbell.

 I was so glad to have some of our best friends that we don't get to see nearly enough to join us in celebrating our little Rookie :)

On February 19th, my sweet co-workers through me a shower at work.. even though I've been home on bed rest, and we were only 2 weeks from our biggest fundraising event.  We are abundantly blessed!

Here I am at 35 weeks

 My sweet HMC family:  Rhonda Osborne, Laina Williams, Susan Sanders, Elizabeth Bell and Chrystal Hoffman.

The next day, Jefforey's co-workers showered us with love as well!  We had a joint shower with one of his co-workers who was two weeks ahead of us in the pregnancy.  She has already had her beautiful baby boy, and we're incredibly jealous!!  Sadly, I didn't have my camera that day, but hopefully, we will get some pictures from the folks that were there that we can add soon!

On Saturday, Feb. 16th, my sister, Drew, Andrew and Aubrey made their first trip to Albertville.  Yes, I recycled an outfit.  Sue me.  When you're enormous... your wardrobe becomes limited :)  Mom decided to throw a joint shower celebrating Trace and Aubrey for family and Sissy's friends (since she wasn't able to have one before Aubrey's arrival because of her bedrest).  It was wonderful to see everyone, and we had a wonderful time!

It was so good to see Brandee Oliver Sims and her precious baby girl, Greenleigh!

 Mom really went all out with a pink and blue theme for her new grandson and granddaughter!

 Aubrey girl pretty much slept the entire time and seemed to enjoy being passed around meeting all the fam!  Isn't she a doll?!  I'm so in love!

 The next day, our precious church family at Albertville First United Methodist threw us a shower rounding out quite a busy week for this girl on bed rest!  It was such a HUGE blessing, and we had a blast!  Again, I didn't do a very good job taking photos of the details, but everything was so nice.  All of the girls (youth and kids) helped me open the gifts and load them into the car.  Becca was an awesome helper!

 With 3 of my sweet youth ladies-- Mille, Anna Clay and Maddie

Last, but certainly not least...Jefforey's family threw us a shower on Sunday, Feb. 24th at his Aunt Pootie's house.  We had a great time, but again... unfortunately, I left my camera.  Hopefully, I can add some photos that his aunts and cousins took soon!

We have been so blessed with gifts and love of our friends and family as we celebrate the soon-to-be arrival of our sweet baby boy! So Trace Parker... you are one loved little boy.  Everyone has been so gracious and kind to provide gifts for you and now, they are just waiting to meet you.  It's not nice to keep everyone waiting, so please... come on anytime you are ready!