The Big Sister. The One That Showed Us Love Does Grow.

written 1.01.13

I've mentioned before how amazing Elliana has been as a big sister. I will keep saying it. Because I am so proud. Because I want her to remember how thankful her mama and papa were during this time of our lives. Because I want her to know how much our hearts grew, not only for her little brother, but for her.

How could it even be possible? To love this little girl more than I already do? She pulls at my heart strings. She lights up my life. She has brought so much happiness into this world.

So to see her as a big sister with so much love in her heart? It makes me feel complete. This little girl that has just been our only child for the past 2 years now has to share us with someone else. And she? Well she makes it look easy.

Thank you Elliana, for being you. For showing us that love does grow, and that it grows in large amounts. Your brother is so lucky to have you. As you are to have him. But the luckiest of all....

Your mama and papa.

Coupons of Love. A giveaway too!

Raise your hand if you have ever made a "coupon" book for your significant other in the form of date ideas. Common, just do it. No one is looking, I promise. You have, haven't you?

Please, tell me I'm not the only one.

The thing is though, I'm not miss-crafty-all-over-pinterest type of coupon maker. In fact, the only "coupon" book that I have made for the husband of mine was when we were in college as a last minute resort, and simply resembled white pieces of paper with permanent marker scribbled on it saying things like "free massage" and "100 kisses" and other mushy gushy stuff. And by "resembled" I mean that's exactly what it was.

So I have long since given up on the coupon books.

That is until I heard of Datevitation. The name interests you, doesn't it? I know it did me. What is it? It's a site that makes coupon books... for every occasion!  The great thing about it is that you get to personalize it! From 200+ different coupons to pick from, you are bound to find a handful to meet your significant others' needs.

The website is well designed and user friendly for all. The process of creating the book is simple and requires very little steps. A great aspect of the site is that it has categories for all types of people, couples, and situations.

From the adventurous to the romantics. Want a massage? Why not. Want to go out to dinner? Lets. How about jump out of a plane? There's a coupon for that too.

And for those that have a little something something in mind for their honey... no worries... there are plenty of coupons for that. Lots of different ones. Ahem.

Honey got one of those. Just one though. Don't want him abusing the coupons you know. 

So he will be getting his coupon book at the end of the month when we celebrate our 7 year anniversary. Date-avversary. Fitting right? I can't wait to see the look on his face.... I think it will beat the scrap pieces of white paper, don't you think?
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Enter below to win a book to design for your loved one!

Also, as a special treat for my followers, you can use the code ‘MRSMAMA’ for $10 off your purchase in January. That means you can get your sweetie a custom love coupon book for Valentine’s day starting at just $10!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

First Snow 2012

Before little man made his grand appearance, a few days before Christmas, we got to experience the first snow day of the year. Something, that in all honesty, I didn't think we would be able to experience at all this year. With all the crazy whacky weather fluctuations, I was convinced that there would be no snow this year.

Boy was I wrong.

Elliana wasn't a huge fan. She loved to look at it, but did not want to throw a snow ball or touch it for any reason. I would say that this was definitely fitting for her personality.

I'm happy to report that since the first snowfall we have had a few more and the most recent one, she actually let me throw a snowball at her. Once or twice. She gave me the look. That's for sure.

But still let me.

And we built two snowmen. One for Elliana and one for baby Graham. Hats. Carrot nose. And all. Even crackers for eyes. And then we forgot about the mouth and the sticks for arms.

Mom fail.

One day.

The difference between the two labor and deliveries

Before my labor, during, and after, I couldn't help but think about how similar yet different my two birth experiences were with my son and daughter. I want to go ahead and jot some of these differences/similarities down so I can closely compare the two.

Would I change anything about either one? Absolutely not.

I think I had two very beautiful birth experiences and I am happy for their differences as I am really able to look back on both days and smile.

Both= Green
First= Pink
Second= Blue

With my both pregnancies, I had "false alarms." With both pregnancies when I went to the hospital, I was told that I wasn't in "active labor." With both pregnancies, they kept me due to my "favorable cervix." With my first pregnancy, I delivered at 39 weeks. With my second, I delivered at 38. To the day.

With both pregnancies I worked an entire shift {well 1 hour left for my second} and then headed to the hospital across the street to deliver. With my first I worked day shift. With my second I worked night shift. With my first, I drove myself across the street. With my second, the doctors made security drive me. Stubborn, I was.

With my first they started pitocin on me {only the smallest dose and had to be turned off}. With my second, I never had pitocin.

With my first my water broke on it's own {the audible POP and gush of fluid}... and that's when everything happened quickly. With my second, the doctor broke my water, and it was just a "trickle."

With both pregnancies, I received the epidural. With my first it was after my water broke and I was in agonizing, excruciating pain {and had gone from 4cm-10cm within 30 minutes}. Therefore, with my first my epidural never fully kicked in, but gave me just enough relief. I could still feel every contraction and control my pushing. With my second I received my epidural before my water was broken, and therefore was not in much pain. However, once I became numb I became anxious {as I had never experienced this with my first} and begged for it to be turned down {it was already at it's lowest dose}. Eventually the medicine wore off and I could again feel the contractions {much more painful than the first time} and knew when to push/control my legs.

With my first delivery, I had 5 people in the room. Andrew, my mom, sister, MIL, and SIL. With my second, just Andrew and myself.

With both pregnancies, I had a mirror out and watched as my babies came out. With both, they required only 3 contractions of pushing.

With both pregnancies, a labor and delivery nurse by the name of Erin had a role during my births. She was my delivery nurse with my first and my triage nurse with my second. So great to see a familiar face. Not to mention... we were sorority sisters in college!

With my first, they had issues with getting Elliana's "shoulder" out. Her right one. All went okay after a few pushes from the doctors on my belly. With my second, no issues at all, however he came out with bruising on his right arm and swelling on right side of face. We later found out he had a broken right clavicle!

With my first, I delivered early in the morning {1:41 am} , with my second, early in the afternoon {2:20 PM}.

With my first, she came out as quiet as can be. With my second, he was a screaming machine instantly!

Although my first was 39 weeks gestation, she came out weighing 6 pounds 15 ounces and 20 inches long. My second at 38 weeks gestation, came out weighing 7 pounds 11 ounces and 21 inches long.

With my first pregnancy I had a first degree tear requiring stitches. With my second, I had an "abrasion" that did not require any kind of stitching and healed on its own.

With both pregnancies, Dr. G was able to deliver my babies. I hope he delivers our next as well :)