Anyway, it is a pretty lengthy post, but it is a really special one :)
Let's start off with my Pregnancy:
It was about four in the morning, I could not wait to take the test, so I got up and took two pregnancy tests. I can't really explain it to anyone, the joy, love, and nervousness I felt as both the tests were positive. I wish I would have told Rich in a cuter way. But I couldn't wait. I woke him up and told him to come to the bathroom, when he got there I said look! Half asleep he was like what? Then I showed him the tests, he smiled and we hugged and kissed and were really excited. After that is pretty much a blur, all I know is that we were so happy and felt so blessed.
Finally to the Birth:
With it being our first child, I really wanted my family there. I had decided long before I was pregnant that I wanted my mom, mother in law, and sisters in the delivery room with us. I asked Rich what he thought about it and of course he was okay with it. I know that may seem strange to some that I wanted so many people in there but I had good reasoning. I was able to witness the birth of my niece Penelope back in 2012. It was the most amazing experience, there was such joy in witnessing the miracle of life.. I wanted that for my family, if they felt comfortable of course. My mom, dad, brother, and sister went up to Rexburg on the 29th of August. My mother in law went up on the 30th. We had such a fun weekend, it was full of food, laughter, and lots of prayer asking for this little girl to make her entrance while my family was there. Those prayers were certainly answered! I started having contractions that weekend in church around 3pm. They weren't unbearable..YET. That night I couldn't sleep because they were so painful. I woke up every ten minutes or so and would squeeze Richards arm. haha so I think it's safe to say he didn't get sleep either ;)
The next day, Monday September 1, 2014 was the day I knew I would give birth to my little girl. The contractions were growing closer and closer together as the day went on. The girls got ready and went to Deseret Book, then Walmart. At both of these places I had to hold on to my mom and bend over because the contractions were so painful. They are unlike anything I had ever felt. It is so true that contractions are indescribable. We then met the boys at our favorite taco shop, we ordered, sat down, got our food, and I couldn't take it anymore. So at 3:00, Rich, Mom, Denise, and I made our way to the hospital. I was so excited to finally meet Kendall, and to get that epidural! We checked in, they checked me and I was dilated to a 6. That's when things got super real for me. My baby girl was coming! I changed into a gown and got settled in my room. My family was there and we just couldn't believe she was actually coming on her due date. Rich and I had talked about due dates a few days before and I joked, " How many babies actually come on their due date? haha" Little did we know our little one would!
Everyone left the room except Rich when they gave me the epidural. I remember lying there afterwards, and I just felt so good haha, I was so relaxed. Everyone came back in, my brother and dad stayed on the other side of the curtain, watching baseball on the TV. I made a promise to myself early on that I would be as pleasant as I could during labor, and that I wouldn't be a screamer. I am proud to say I kept that promise. Near the end it became extremely painful and I told Rich I couldn't do it. He of course gave me encouraging words and squeezed my hand. It was just the boost I needed to keep going. After two hours, our Kendall Denise was born at 8:46 pm, at 7 lbs 6 oz 19.5 inches long. She was so alert, they put her on my chest and she popped her head right up. The burst of this new love I felt was unreal. Something changes within you the moment you become a parent.
I was asked what I wanted as my first meal after giving birth. My dad went to the store and I was able to indulge in the sweetness of Mini Wheats.
I am incredibly thankful for such an amazing first birth experience. I am grateful I had my husband by my side, and my family there to witness. Being a mother is truly rewarding, and such a sacred and beautiful calling.
My pregnancy was so amazing. I honestly loved being pregnant, the aches, pains, sleepless nights, and gestational diabetes could not compare to the joy and love I felt for that little girl kicking inside of me. I am not saying pregnancy was easy, but the good things outweighed the bad in every way. I had friends who would say "ugh, I don't like being pregnant." and that broke my heart! I couldn't imagine not loving it. I realize there can be scary complications and it be painful and uncomfortable, but man, I miss that movement in my belly everyday.
In the beginning I definitely used the excuse, "I am eating for two!" Exactly what my mom told me not to do. (love you mom, I promise I listen) I was horrible, but when I wanted food, I went and got it. I had become addicted to mini wheats! I had them daily. So when I found out I had gestational diabetes, I was scared and worried, but not too surprised. Diabetes runs on both sides of my family, and so there is a bigger risk of getting gestational while pregnant. It broke my heart that I had been so careless, I didn't grasp that this food was not only affecting me, but also my Kendall. My determination to eat healthy was solid, because I knew now what eating poorly could do to my sweet Kendall. I am proud to say I did so good, and ate how I was supposed to. Occasionally I would have my bowl of cereal, but I made sure my blood sugar numbers stayed where they needed to be. Rich was a great help during the whole pregnancy. I had to make sure I exercised at least 30 minutes a day, preferably after each meal so my numbers would stay where they needed to be. Rich was always there by my side, going on walks with me, or climbing the bleachers at school. I say climbing, because that is literally what it felt like with my huge belly. haha
There were days, where I didn't feel like I could do it. I absolutely hate being told what to do, if it is not what I want (who doesn't?!). I have no problem eating healthy, but when someone tells me I have to, it makes it harder! But, like I said earlier, I wasn't just doing this for my health, I was now in charge of someone else's life, and that gave me the boost I needed if I was feeling down. Kendall got me through a lot of things. When the diet got hard, school was rough, or I had no desire to do anything, I thought of her and how one day I could hold her, and life would be amazing no matter what was going on.
Finally to the Birth:
With it being our first child, I really wanted my family there. I had decided long before I was pregnant that I wanted my mom, mother in law, and sisters in the delivery room with us. I asked Rich what he thought about it and of course he was okay with it. I know that may seem strange to some that I wanted so many people in there but I had good reasoning. I was able to witness the birth of my niece Penelope back in 2012. It was the most amazing experience, there was such joy in witnessing the miracle of life.. I wanted that for my family, if they felt comfortable of course. My mom, dad, brother, and sister went up to Rexburg on the 29th of August. My mother in law went up on the 30th. We had such a fun weekend, it was full of food, laughter, and lots of prayer asking for this little girl to make her entrance while my family was there. Those prayers were certainly answered! I started having contractions that weekend in church around 3pm. They weren't unbearable..YET. That night I couldn't sleep because they were so painful. I woke up every ten minutes or so and would squeeze Richards arm. haha so I think it's safe to say he didn't get sleep either ;)
The next day, Monday September 1, 2014 was the day I knew I would give birth to my little girl. The contractions were growing closer and closer together as the day went on. The girls got ready and went to Deseret Book, then Walmart. At both of these places I had to hold on to my mom and bend over because the contractions were so painful. They are unlike anything I had ever felt. It is so true that contractions are indescribable. We then met the boys at our favorite taco shop, we ordered, sat down, got our food, and I couldn't take it anymore. So at 3:00, Rich, Mom, Denise, and I made our way to the hospital. I was so excited to finally meet Kendall, and to get that epidural! We checked in, they checked me and I was dilated to a 6. That's when things got super real for me. My baby girl was coming! I changed into a gown and got settled in my room. My family was there and we just couldn't believe she was actually coming on her due date. Rich and I had talked about due dates a few days before and I joked, " How many babies actually come on their due date? haha" Little did we know our little one would!
Everyone left the room except Rich when they gave me the epidural. I remember lying there afterwards, and I just felt so good haha, I was so relaxed. Everyone came back in, my brother and dad stayed on the other side of the curtain, watching baseball on the TV. I made a promise to myself early on that I would be as pleasant as I could during labor, and that I wouldn't be a screamer. I am proud to say I kept that promise. Near the end it became extremely painful and I told Rich I couldn't do it. He of course gave me encouraging words and squeezed my hand. It was just the boost I needed to keep going. After two hours, our Kendall Denise was born at 8:46 pm, at 7 lbs 6 oz 19.5 inches long. She was so alert, they put her on my chest and she popped her head right up. The burst of this new love I felt was unreal. Something changes within you the moment you become a parent.
I was asked what I wanted as my first meal after giving birth. My dad went to the store and I was able to indulge in the sweetness of Mini Wheats.
I am incredibly thankful for such an amazing first birth experience. I am grateful I had my husband by my side, and my family there to witness. Being a mother is truly rewarding, and such a sacred and beautiful calling.
