{ cecelia mae }

On November 19, 2012 our sweet little Cecelia Mae came into our lives. We are so incredibly happy and overwhelmed with how wonderful she is! And Berkley is so excited about being a big sister! Whenever Cecelia cries, she rushes over and in a soft voice says,"It's ok baby, big sister is here." Melts my heart every time she says that. 

We couldn't believe how quickly she came. I started petosin at 9am and contracted for a couple hours without the epidural (I was always planning on having one, my pain tolerance isn't too high) and then I was dilated to 10cm around 1:30pm or so. I waited while the doctor and nurses got ready for her to arrive and started pushing around 1:49pm. Cecelia was born at 1:56pm...Just 7 minutes of pushing? I'll take it!! 

It was such a wonderful experience! 

I had Matt, my mom, mother-in-law, my cousin Sarah, and my sweet friend Jalene there with me, rooting me on and sharing that sweet experience with me. My friend Jalene (hire her for your birth story! J.Taylor Photography) took the most beautiful pictures of the whole day! And I'm so excited to share them with everyone! 

They let me have lollipops! 

Playing the waiting game. Do you think he is excited, nervous or bored?

The cheering section.

Part way through pushing I was overwhelmed with emotion and started to cry a little. I was just so incredibly happy. 

This picture makes me cry. Knowing that Matt is always by my side in every aspect of our lives. I don't know what I would do without him.

The Grandma's

The view from our room. Just gorgeous!

Big sister, Berkley!

I just love how interested Berkley was with everything. She was so happy for all of us to be together...finally after MONTHS of waiting.

Footprints

Family Picture

The happiest big sister on earth.

Me and my girls.

{ hospital bag }

So it's getting to be crunch time, and I'm finally starting to think about the hospital and all the things that I need while I am there. You just never know when these little ones are going to come, so it's best to be prepared...so I'm trying to do that now. 

I looked on a couple blogs and looked around my house trying to come up with a good list of things to take. And I have A LOT of things that I wrote down. I may or may not stick to everything but I figured it would be fun to blog about it, in case anyone else out there needs to look at a list for ideas too! Everyone's experience is different so if there is something that isn't on my list that you think is a necessity PLEASE feel free to include it in the comments section. 

Ok, here goes...

1. Pajamas

2. Clothes to leave hospital in

3. Flip flops {for the shower...you never know how clean it is}

4. Socks

5. Nursing bra or sports bra

6. Undies {the hospital gives you some pretty stylish mesh undies, but you may be more comfortable in your own}

7. Towel

8. Pillow {It's nice to have a pillow from home}

9. Boppy {I didn't bring this for my first baby, but I'm definitely considering it for this one}

10. Make-up {there is no doubt pictures WILL be taken at the hospital...I'd rather look half way decent than like a zombie in them}

11. Travel size toiletries {I went to Wal-Mart about a month ago and thought,"These would be perfect for the hospital!!!}

*shampoo + conditioner

*deodorant 

*toothbrush + toothpaste

*contact lens solution

12. Hair brush and hair bands

13. Any hair styling products and tools {In case you want to feel do your hair...don't get your hopes up, but you would be bummed if you did and you didn't have these things}

14. Lanolin {for those sore nipples}

15. Body lotion

16. Thick maxi pads with wings {in case you don't like the ones the hospital provides}

17. Cell phone charger

18. Camera

19. Ipod or Ipad {for music and movies/shows}

20. Trash bag for the car {this was an interesting idea that I found...you sit on the trash bag in case your water breaks so you don't have to clean up a huge mess later on}

21. BABY CLOTHES!!!!

*onesies

*sleepers

*hat

*scratch mittens

22. Baby blanket/swaddle

23. Diapers and wipes {the hospital will provide these too, but I think it's ok to be over prepared for the ride home}

Those are the things that are on my list...hope it helps for some of you! I know it's a huge list, but if you just keep most of it in the car, then you can have your husband or family member bring it up so you don't have to. 

This is how it started out...sitting in the waiting room for my appointment this morning. I've added to the list, but this is the original. 

{ halloween }

We had such a great Halloween! Took us a while to nail down what Berkley was going to be because she changed her mind almost daily. But once we decided that a mummy was a good idea there was no going back. It wouldn't have even been very cool if it wasn't for Grandma Dianne and her awesomeness at the sewing machine. We are totally in love with how it came out. 

And 2 nights in a row Berkley sat down and let me braid her hair in 8-10 braids!! She was so good! 

Next year I think we are going to have to dress up as a family...but what to do?????

Pictures taken by Grandma Dianne. :)