Saturday, September 29, 2012
Bebe and Pops meet Anna
A HUGE thank you to Bebe and Pops for coming to Tulsa for Anna's arrival. I am so blessed to have you in my life and I couldn't have delivered my baby without Pops by my side. Thank you for taking care of me and the kids. Dan and I could not have run the house and lived in the hospital without your support. I love you guys!
William meets Anna
William was desperate to meet his new sister, so after school on Tuesday, he came to the hospital to see Anna for the first time. I will never forget the minute he laid eyes on Adeline the day she was born. The expression on his face was pure joy and his smile was the most raw, genuine grin I have ever seen. So, I just knew that William's first glimpse of Anna would be as loving as the day his life changed 18 months ago.
William's rode home from school with his friend, Jake. Bebe helped him clean up and change his clothes so he could hold Anna when he got to the hospital. I had the door shut to my room and Dada fired up the video camera so we could capture William's reaction the second he walked in my room.
He burst into the room with eyes open wide and scanned the room to find Anna. Within seconds, that same ol' genuine smile filled his face from ear to ear. William's voice quieted down and he reached out to touch her head and hold her hand.
"Hi Anna? How is my lovie bug today?," he said. That little conversation melted my heart. He just stared at her in a way I simply cannot explain other than describe it as a bond of pure love that only siblings understand. It's a language all it's own.
William wasted no time setting up his spot in my room where he could comfortably hold Anna. "Mom, where is my donut pillow? I need to have that in my lap so I can hold Anna and feed her a bottle. I will take care of her so you can lay down in your bed." William held Anna forever. He gave her a bottle and every now and then pulled the bottle out of her mouth so she could take a break. When he was finished feeding her, Dada worked on burping Anna and then William insisted that Anna lay back down in his lap.
Without hesitation, William began singing to Anna. In his most quiet and calm voice, William made up a lullaby and sang a beautifully made up song to Anna about how much he loved her, how he wouldn't ever leave her, how the world was excited to see her, and it went on and on. He didn't care that we were all looking at him while he performed. Instead, William just held Anna's hand and stroked her fingers while he continued his lullaby. Anna was asleep in his arms, but I know she heard every word of that sweet little tune.
Watching William meet Anna and embrace her with pure affection makes my heart completely full. I knew William would love her because he is the best big brother. He treats Adeline like a friend, he is so proud to teach her new things. He is patient, kind and always, always looks out for her. I have no doubt that his love for Anna is the same.
William, I am SO very proud of you and I love you more than you will EVER, EVER know. You are a gentle soul and a fiercely loyal brother. I am so happy to know that you will always look out for your sisters. You make your mama's heart soar!
"Anna, hi! I am your big brother William and we have been waiting SO LONG to meet you. You are my lovie buggy and I can't wait to take you home." - William, 5.5 years.
William's rode home from school with his friend, Jake. Bebe helped him clean up and change his clothes so he could hold Anna when he got to the hospital. I had the door shut to my room and Dada fired up the video camera so we could capture William's reaction the second he walked in my room.
He burst into the room with eyes open wide and scanned the room to find Anna. Within seconds, that same ol' genuine smile filled his face from ear to ear. William's voice quieted down and he reached out to touch her head and hold her hand.
"Hi Anna? How is my lovie bug today?," he said. That little conversation melted my heart. He just stared at her in a way I simply cannot explain other than describe it as a bond of pure love that only siblings understand. It's a language all it's own.
William wasted no time setting up his spot in my room where he could comfortably hold Anna. "Mom, where is my donut pillow? I need to have that in my lap so I can hold Anna and feed her a bottle. I will take care of her so you can lay down in your bed." William held Anna forever. He gave her a bottle and every now and then pulled the bottle out of her mouth so she could take a break. When he was finished feeding her, Dada worked on burping Anna and then William insisted that Anna lay back down in his lap.
Without hesitation, William began singing to Anna. In his most quiet and calm voice, William made up a lullaby and sang a beautifully made up song to Anna about how much he loved her, how he wouldn't ever leave her, how the world was excited to see her, and it went on and on. He didn't care that we were all looking at him while he performed. Instead, William just held Anna's hand and stroked her fingers while he continued his lullaby. Anna was asleep in his arms, but I know she heard every word of that sweet little tune.
Watching William meet Anna and embrace her with pure affection makes my heart completely full. I knew William would love her because he is the best big brother. He treats Adeline like a friend, he is so proud to teach her new things. He is patient, kind and always, always looks out for her. I have no doubt that his love for Anna is the same.
William, I am SO very proud of you and I love you more than you will EVER, EVER know. You are a gentle soul and a fiercely loyal brother. I am so happy to know that you will always look out for your sisters. You make your mama's heart soar!
"Anna, hi! I am your big brother William and we have been waiting SO LONG to meet you. You are my lovie buggy and I can't wait to take you home." - William, 5.5 years.
William's show and tell poster about Anna
When Adeline was born, William and I worked on a show and tell poster for him to take to school. This was a great way for us to celebrate William becoming a big brother and it sure made William proud to show off pictures of his new sister.
Right before I went to the hosptial to have Anna, William reminded me to get his poster supplies for his new baby. I thought it was really cute that he remembered making Adeline's poster and this time around, he wanted to make a poster to celebrate Anna.
So on Wednesday when William came to visit Anna, Bebe brought his poster supplies and a few pictures that I printed from Tuesday. William placed his pictures on the poster and Bebe helped him spell out exactly what he wanted to wite on the collage.
He drew balloons and hearts. He also wrote her name really big and added her birthday and stats.
I love how it turned out and he was SO proud to show it off at school. Bebe said he raced out the door for school just beaming!
I Love You William!
Right before I went to the hosptial to have Anna, William reminded me to get his poster supplies for his new baby. I thought it was really cute that he remembered making Adeline's poster and this time around, he wanted to make a poster to celebrate Anna.
So on Wednesday when William came to visit Anna, Bebe brought his poster supplies and a few pictures that I printed from Tuesday. William placed his pictures on the poster and Bebe helped him spell out exactly what he wanted to wite on the collage.
He drew balloons and hearts. He also wrote her name really big and added her birthday and stats.
I love how it turned out and he was SO proud to show it off at school. Bebe said he raced out the door for school just beaming!
I Love You William!
Anna Elizabeth Barron's BIRTHDAY!
Dear Anna,
You have been in my arms for 4 days now. I simply can't believe it. You are the most beautiful baby and your life completes my heart. You will never know the extent of my love for you or how grateful I am that you are my daughter. I stare at you in amazement and spend hours holding your tiny hands and feet. Thank you God for giving me another precious miracle. Anna, you are wonderfully made and every bit as special as your brother and sister.
Bebe and Pops came to Tulsa to take care of William and Adeline. They both had school Tuesday and it was also picture day for Adeline. Bebe stayed home and got your siblings off to school while Pops came to the hospital to be with Dada and Mom.
We got to Labor and Delivery at 5 a.m. and quickly checked into a room where the nurses prepped me for my c-section. The prep takes about 2 hours, so you were not scheduled to arrive until a little after 7 a.m. I got set up in the bed and hooked up to my IV. Dada and I tried to relax as best we could while we waited for Pops.
It was THAT MOMENT in time when the clock couldn't tick fast enough to keep up with my intense desire to meet my daughter. My heart was bursting. I NEEDED to see you. I NEEDED to hold you. I NEEDED to kiss you. I NEEDED to tell you, "I am your mommy!"
When your brother was born, it was hard for Dada to stay in the operating room with me. So when Adeline was born, Dada suggested Pops go into the surgery with me. I was fine with his decision because I didn't want your Daddy to faint or get sick during delivery. So, Pops was there when Adeline came into the world and Dada asked him to go with me again for your arrival. Don't worry, your Dada was waiting in great anticipation for you!
As the clocked ticked closer to 7 a.m., I remember feeling overwhelmed with mixed emotions. I had waited SO long to see your face and I felt so grateful that God chose me to be your mom. I also started to feel a small sense of loss in the fact that you wouldn't be my little traveling companion inside me anymore. It sounds crazy, I know. But you will know exactly what I mean when you have your own babies. There was something very comforting to me knowing you were with me all the time and when I would feel you bump and kick, it simply took my breath away. But all these emotions were floating on a tremendous cloud of joy and anticipation. I was ready to see you and hold you in my arms!
At exactly 7 a.m., I hugged Dada good-bye and walked to the operating room where Dr. Gehring was waiting for me. Once I was set up and the team of doctors were ready, Pops came in the room and sat beside me. I laid there waiting and waiting to hear you cry and I just kept telling God thank you for answering my prayers and sending me My ANNA.
And then I heard you. You screamed a tiny, high pitched scream and my whole world stood still. My eyes filled with tears and I asked if you were ok. Dr. Gehring told me, 'She's perfect!" and my heart burst. Just like with William and Adeline, my heart has never been so thankful and my soul has never felt a love like it did IN THAT MOMENT.
Pops raced over to the table where they were cleaning you up and he took some great pictures of you. I will treasure them forever. After what seemed like hours (but only minutes really), Pops carried you over to me so I could see you for the first time.
I remember kissing her head and holding her hands and telling her over and over that I am her mom and that I was so thankful you were here and about all the prayers I sent to Heaven in hopes that one day YOU'd be mine.
You took my breath away. Anna, you are wonderfully made and so precious. The first thing I noticed was that you didn't have the full head of hair like your sister. I wasn't expecting you to have a ton of hair, but I was so stunned when Adeline was born with thick hair. I was just bracing myself for a sweet surprise from you! Your head has light blonde hair and is very similar to William's baby hair. It is going to be fun to watch you grow and change. I can't wait to see what is in store for you!
While the doctors took care of me and sewed me up, Pops took you down the hall to meet Dada. I am sorry I wasn't there to see his face the minute he laid eyes on you, but I think these pictures show you just how much you mean to Daddy. He's got another little bundle of pink. Twice as much pink love and oh, how you light up his world!
After awhile, the doctors wheeled me back to my recovery room where I got to hold you for the first time. There are no words to describe the moment you were placed in my arms. The feeling is irreplaceable and exceeds my dreams. I remember the second you looked into my eyes too. I know you heard my voice and knew instantly that I am your mommy. I studied your tiny nose and held your tiny finger in my pinky. You gripped my finger so tight! Oh how TINY you are! 7 pounds, 5 ounces and 20 inches long. Your petite face peaked out from under your little hospital hat and within minutes you were nestled on my chest where you stayed for 4 days.....sleeping the day away under my robe and listening to my heartbeat.
You love sleeping on my chest with your head to the side. It's where you can hear the familiar sound of my heart beating inside that little place you called home for 9 months. Selfishly, I don't want you to get bigger. I want to freeze time or slow it down just so I can hold onto these precious days of newborn bliss. I watch you for hours. You stretch and yawn. You extend your skinny little legs and bow your feet in the air. You love the pacifier from the hospital and at 4 days old, you can even hold it in a death grip! Your cry is high pitched and squeaky - it's a sound unlike anything I have heard and I love you for it. Your eyes are wide open and you look around with a quiet, calm presence.
My last night in the hospital with you was my favorite time. Dada took William home for the night and it was just you and me against the world. In the stillness of my room, you slept on my chest down inside my robe like you love to do. I laid there in the darkness and just embraced your life. Anna, you are the delight of my heart. You are an answered prayer and I cannot imagine my life without you.
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You woke up for a brief while around midnight. We had SO MUCH FUN. You talked to me and held my finger. You looked around the room and gave me a smile (probably gas but it was still a smile!). I gave you a bottle and you burped like a champ.
Then I let you sleep again. While you slept on my chest, I could feel little movements from your hands and your feet. I could feel your bottom kinda twitch and hear your voice let out a tiny moan. You are the gift that completes me. Every single time you moved, it was like you were back inside me. I recognized the feeling and it was such a joy to say to myself, "oh, so that was your bottom moving when I would feel that!" or "ah ha! that gliding sensation was always your toes wiggling and your fingers moving...." Those are the moments that simply steal my heart and bring me to tears.
You are always a part of me.
You have been in my arms for 4 days now. I simply can't believe it. You are the most beautiful baby and your life completes my heart. You will never know the extent of my love for you or how grateful I am that you are my daughter. I stare at you in amazement and spend hours holding your tiny hands and feet. Thank you God for giving me another precious miracle. Anna, you are wonderfully made and every bit as special as your brother and sister.
On Monday, September 24th, Dada and I headed to the Double Tree hotel to spend the night. We had to be at the hospital at 5 a.m. Tuesday morning so we chose to stay downtown close to the hospital where I could get some rest and focus on the biggest day of my life - YOUR BIRTHDAY!
Bebe and Pops came to Tulsa to take care of William and Adeline. They both had school Tuesday and it was also picture day for Adeline. Bebe stayed home and got your siblings off to school while Pops came to the hospital to be with Dada and Mom.
We got to Labor and Delivery at 5 a.m. and quickly checked into a room where the nurses prepped me for my c-section. The prep takes about 2 hours, so you were not scheduled to arrive until a little after 7 a.m. I got set up in the bed and hooked up to my IV. Dada and I tried to relax as best we could while we waited for Pops.
It was THAT MOMENT in time when the clock couldn't tick fast enough to keep up with my intense desire to meet my daughter. My heart was bursting. I NEEDED to see you. I NEEDED to hold you. I NEEDED to kiss you. I NEEDED to tell you, "I am your mommy!"
When your brother was born, it was hard for Dada to stay in the operating room with me. So when Adeline was born, Dada suggested Pops go into the surgery with me. I was fine with his decision because I didn't want your Daddy to faint or get sick during delivery. So, Pops was there when Adeline came into the world and Dada asked him to go with me again for your arrival. Don't worry, your Dada was waiting in great anticipation for you!
As the clocked ticked closer to 7 a.m., I remember feeling overwhelmed with mixed emotions. I had waited SO long to see your face and I felt so grateful that God chose me to be your mom. I also started to feel a small sense of loss in the fact that you wouldn't be my little traveling companion inside me anymore. It sounds crazy, I know. But you will know exactly what I mean when you have your own babies. There was something very comforting to me knowing you were with me all the time and when I would feel you bump and kick, it simply took my breath away. But all these emotions were floating on a tremendous cloud of joy and anticipation. I was ready to see you and hold you in my arms!
At exactly 7 a.m., I hugged Dada good-bye and walked to the operating room where Dr. Gehring was waiting for me. Once I was set up and the team of doctors were ready, Pops came in the room and sat beside me. I laid there waiting and waiting to hear you cry and I just kept telling God thank you for answering my prayers and sending me My ANNA.
And then I heard you. You screamed a tiny, high pitched scream and my whole world stood still. My eyes filled with tears and I asked if you were ok. Dr. Gehring told me, 'She's perfect!" and my heart burst. Just like with William and Adeline, my heart has never been so thankful and my soul has never felt a love like it did IN THAT MOMENT.
Pops raced over to the table where they were cleaning you up and he took some great pictures of you. I will treasure them forever. After what seemed like hours (but only minutes really), Pops carried you over to me so I could see you for the first time.
I remember kissing her head and holding her hands and telling her over and over that I am her mom and that I was so thankful you were here and about all the prayers I sent to Heaven in hopes that one day YOU'd be mine.
You took my breath away. Anna, you are wonderfully made and so precious. The first thing I noticed was that you didn't have the full head of hair like your sister. I wasn't expecting you to have a ton of hair, but I was so stunned when Adeline was born with thick hair. I was just bracing myself for a sweet surprise from you! Your head has light blonde hair and is very similar to William's baby hair. It is going to be fun to watch you grow and change. I can't wait to see what is in store for you!
While the doctors took care of me and sewed me up, Pops took you down the hall to meet Dada. I am sorry I wasn't there to see his face the minute he laid eyes on you, but I think these pictures show you just how much you mean to Daddy. He's got another little bundle of pink. Twice as much pink love and oh, how you light up his world!
After awhile, the doctors wheeled me back to my recovery room where I got to hold you for the first time. There are no words to describe the moment you were placed in my arms. The feeling is irreplaceable and exceeds my dreams. I remember the second you looked into my eyes too. I know you heard my voice and knew instantly that I am your mommy. I studied your tiny nose and held your tiny finger in my pinky. You gripped my finger so tight! Oh how TINY you are! 7 pounds, 5 ounces and 20 inches long. Your petite face peaked out from under your little hospital hat and within minutes you were nestled on my chest where you stayed for 4 days.....sleeping the day away under my robe and listening to my heartbeat.
You love sleeping on my chest with your head to the side. It's where you can hear the familiar sound of my heart beating inside that little place you called home for 9 months. Selfishly, I don't want you to get bigger. I want to freeze time or slow it down just so I can hold onto these precious days of newborn bliss. I watch you for hours. You stretch and yawn. You extend your skinny little legs and bow your feet in the air. You love the pacifier from the hospital and at 4 days old, you can even hold it in a death grip! Your cry is high pitched and squeaky - it's a sound unlike anything I have heard and I love you for it. Your eyes are wide open and you look around with a quiet, calm presence.
My last night in the hospital with you was my favorite time. Dada took William home for the night and it was just you and me against the world. In the stillness of my room, you slept on my chest down inside my robe like you love to do. I laid there in the darkness and just embraced your life. Anna, you are the delight of my heart. You are an answered prayer and I cannot imagine my life without you.
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Then I let you sleep again. While you slept on my chest, I could feel little movements from your hands and your feet. I could feel your bottom kinda twitch and hear your voice let out a tiny moan. You are the gift that completes me. Every single time you moved, it was like you were back inside me. I recognized the feeling and it was such a joy to say to myself, "oh, so that was your bottom moving when I would feel that!" or "ah ha! that gliding sensation was always your toes wiggling and your fingers moving...." Those are the moments that simply steal my heart and bring me to tears.
You are always a part of me.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Anna Elizabeth Barron
We joyfully annouce the delight of our hearts,
Miss Anna Elizabeth Barron
September 25, 2012 at 7:24 a.m.
7 pounds, 5 ounces, 20 inches long
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Sunday, September 23, 2012
A big brother's grateful heart
William" "MOM! MOM! Can you believe that my new baby is going to be here in just 2 more sleeps?" (Sleeps = 2 more nights)
Me: "No, I cannot believe it either."
William: "Mom, I have so much to do to get ready. I need to find that beautiful dress that I bought Adeline when she was at the hospital. I need to give it to my new baby to wear but I think it is in storage. Oh man!"
Me: "You know what William, I think it is in storage but I don't worry. I think Dada will help you find the perfect gift for your new baby."
William: "Ok. You know what, I am really going to miss you when you are in the hospital. I plan on coming to see you and don't worry, they have a cafeteria with cookies. I will take really good care of Adeline and show Amanda (babysitter) how we do things around here."
Me: "Thanks buddy. You are my best boy and I am so, so proud of you. I want you to go to school and keep on having fun while I am gone and that way, you can tell me all about your day when you come visit me."
William: "Yeah, that is my plan. When my new baby gets here, I am going to be so excited. I hope she likes Adeline and me. Maybe we can show her around and give her a tour of all the toys so she knows what we have to play with. And, you know what? I think when my new baby comes home, Adeline and I can get bunk beds and the new baby can take Adeline's crib."
How in the world did I get this lucky?
Me: "No, I cannot believe it either."
William: "Mom, I have so much to do to get ready. I need to find that beautiful dress that I bought Adeline when she was at the hospital. I need to give it to my new baby to wear but I think it is in storage. Oh man!"
Me: "You know what William, I think it is in storage but I don't worry. I think Dada will help you find the perfect gift for your new baby."
William: "Ok. You know what, I am really going to miss you when you are in the hospital. I plan on coming to see you and don't worry, they have a cafeteria with cookies. I will take really good care of Adeline and show Amanda (babysitter) how we do things around here."
Me: "Thanks buddy. You are my best boy and I am so, so proud of you. I want you to go to school and keep on having fun while I am gone and that way, you can tell me all about your day when you come visit me."
William: "Yeah, that is my plan. When my new baby gets here, I am going to be so excited. I hope she likes Adeline and me. Maybe we can show her around and give her a tour of all the toys so she knows what we have to play with. And, you know what? I think when my new baby comes home, Adeline and I can get bunk beds and the new baby can take Adeline's crib."
How in the world did I get this lucky?
Three times the blessing
39 weeks, the evening before my c-section
39 weeks, the day before your birthday!
Dear Baby Girl Barron,
As I sit here writing this letter to you, I simply cannot believe that we will meet in 2 days. It feels like yesterday when I had a gut feeling that you were growing inside my belly. I just knew it.
It was January and we had just moved to Tulsa 3 months prior to knowing you were on the way. We moved cross country, bought a house, William started school, we moved into an apartment, I was taking care of your 6 month old sister, and we started the remodel process on the new house....a very slow process but one that is almost complete.
During those busy months, you were my constant companion. You were silent, but I knew you were there with me. Life was moving SO fast and there were many, many times that my mind was cloudy and overwhelmed by all that was going on. There were days when I was so tired and never stopped moving because I was SO busy getting settled in a new city and taking care of your siblings.
When I found out that I was expecting YOU, my world stopped and my heart simply overflowed with gratefulness and a love that you will never know until you have your own children. You are a dream come true and a mighty prayer that was answered. All the chaos around me fell to the side and YOU became the delight of my heart. Nothing on my checklist mattered and nothing was urgent anymore. You changed my focus and over the course of 9 months, I treasured every bump, every kick, every ultrasound with YOU.
As you will learn about your mom, I am ALWAYS thinking about you, William and Adeline. There isn't one second of any day that I don't worry about each of you. I want to make sure you are happy and well adjusted and I want to keep your daily routine positive and fun. I want to raise each of you with a grateful heart, respectful character, and a twinkle in your eye. Being a mom is a challenge. Some days are really tough and I am pushed to the end of my rope. But everyday is wonderful too.
This pregnancy was way too fast. I tried relentlessly to remember all those days with you in my belly. When I would feel you, the world would stop for a second and let me enjoy our connection.
To know that I will see you in 2 days leaves me with a bundle of emotion. I simply cannot wait to meet you in person and hold you in my arms. You are my third most precious gift in life, and I am so thankful to have another turn at being a mom. I know that as the years pass by, I will look at you in awe and feel so blessed. I might try to hang on tight and I am sorry if I have trouble letting go.
Being third might as well be like being first because YOU are always special. You complete my heart and our family.
You are my number one priority and my everyday joy. You are my answered prayer.
I have millions of dreams for you. My hopes for you are endless. My prayers for you are steadfast.
So on September 25th, I hope you will come into this world happy, healthy and crying loud! Because your Mom will have tears rolling down her face and a heart so full of happiness.
Love,
Mom
Friday, September 21, 2012
Pigtail Perfection
My babysitter, Amanda, loves to fix Adeline's hair. Everytime she comes over, Adeline's hair is the cutest it's ever looked.
Amanda parts her hair perfectly, the rubberbands are nice and tight and Adeline is always wearing one or two hairbows.
It's amazing to me. I love it.
I have NO idea how Amanda gets Adeline's hair so perfect. She told me Adeline just sits really still on the bed while she goes to work creating her hairdo. Seriously? Come on Amanda, what is your secret weapon!! ha!
I am so jealous because when I style her hair, Adeline is running all over the place while I hold onto her ponytail and try to wrap the rubberband around the hair while she darts around the apartment.
Even if I turn on Bubble Guppies, I am lucky if I can catch her still for 2 minutes. So I work fast and when I am done, her part is never straight, some bangs are back in the pigtails, or there is hair that never made it into the "updo" in the first place.......I get an "E" for effort, but Amanda comes out the winner every. single. time.
I told Amanda I would pay her to come style the kids' hair when we have our pictures taken!
Today when I got home, Adeline was wearing the CUTEST most PRECIOUS pair of pigtails. She had two big pink bows in her hair, the part was perfect, the piggies were even and high on her head....I could have eaten her with a spoon because she was SO ADORABLE.
I NEVER know how long Adeline will wear a hairdo, so I knew I better act fast if I wanted to capture the cuteness. So, I took her outside and acted like the paparazzi outside Vidal Sasson. I am SO thrilled with the pictures because about 30 minutes after we went back inside, Adeline pulled out the piggies and looked like she put her finger in an electric socket.
Sigh......oh well, Amanda will be back soon enough!
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