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My Sweet Teagan

I have never been more fulfilled or content to be defined by what I do. The moment we are born we are defined by what we do. Through the course of my life I have been defined in many ways; it began at birth for me when I became a daughter, sister, and niece. As I grew I became a friend, student, athlete, etc. . . In the last few years my roles have changed, as well, therefore changing how I was defined. I became an aunt, wife, daughter-in law, teacher, and then four years ago a Mother. Today, I have three children and as many of you know my newest bundle of joy is only a week old. So I thought I would take this time to introduce her and also share how she has already changed me in just one short week. She too has begun the cycle of being defined by what she does. She is already a daughter, sister and niece, which is right where I started 29 years ago. I am excited to know I will have the opportunity to watch and help her grow into these roles that are inevitable for her to be defined by.

In the delivery room 1 hour after birth

Our hospital room 1 day old

Teagan entered the world on January 20, 2010 at 1:31 pm after almost 5 and half hours of labor. Which was much to my surprise but believe me I was more than pleased not to have another 20+ hour labor. She was delivered at 9 lbs, 3 oz and 21 inches long, which is bigger than my other two children who weighed in at (Alaina) 8 lbs, 2 oz and (Will) 8 lbs, 12 oz. Teagan was born with no complications to her or mommy and was already alert, responsive, and smiling the day after delivery. She is very pleasant and hasn't quite found her cry; we have heard her cry, but it is very soft and not very often. We have not put our finger on who she looks like and will probably just have to say she looks like Teagan. She has similar features to Alaina in her eyes and nose and the shape of her face and dark hair remind me of Will. Speaking of hair, boy does she have hair!! Will had some hair and it was dark, but Teagan has a head full of dark hair. The funny thing is at my ultrasound when I was 36 weeks pregnant the technician said, "Oh my does she have a lot of hair!" Even though I knew she was going to have a lot of hair 4 weeks before she was born I still can't believe it and I haven't gotten used to seeing one of my babies with so much dark hair. Anyway, that brings you up to speed on the things I have learned about my sweet Teagan now let me finish this blog by saying how she has already greatly changed me.

Teagan's first smile caught on camera by Grammie at 1 day old!

Leading up to and since Teagan's birth I have had a renewed desire and passion to raise my children in an environment where they will thrive after Jesus as their Savior. Although, as I mentioned above, throughout my life I have been defined as many things I could have added the word "Christian" in front of all those labels. I am teaching my children life skills, manners, and many things throughtout the day. However, my greatest desire is to teach them about their Savior, Jesus Christ. The world defines us by what we do, but if we do not know and have a relationship with Jesus we have nothing. Looking at my children is a reminder everyday that my greatest reponsiblity is to show them by my example how to be a "Christian" in everything they do no matter how they are being defined in that moment.

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.Impress them on your children.Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." 

 Deuteronomy 9:6-7

Our first family picture

The Countdown

I have heard women say that every pregnancy is different and now approaching the end of my third pregnancy I can say that is a true statement. (Or at least it has proven correct for me.) So today I am sitting here in my living room 4 days from my due date and what has turned out to also be my induction date as well. I have time today not only to look forward to meeting her, but to reflect on the past nine months as well. Aaron has taken the other two kids to the gym with him so I am enjoying a rare moment of peace and quiet alone at home. (Thanks Babe!)

This seems to be the perfect time to write, especially considering the next week will be a whirlwind of emotions and excitement. So here is a snapshot of my experience this go around. The first 16 weeks or so I had what some would call "morning sickness," which for me was anytime of the day sickness. Several times a week I would be not feeling up to par, but the hardest part was hearing the kids tell Aaron as he walked through the door from work, "Daddy, mommy went blah!" As a side note with all the unpleasantness of getting sick I actually was losing weight instead of gaining. By the time I was half way through my pregnancy I was less weight than when I came in for my first visit.

As I found myself in my second trimester some other symptoms started to pop up. Some familiar and others just seemed to arrive so much earlier than in my past pregnancies. Not to dwell on them but just to name a few: acid reflux, sleeplessness, uncomfortable, lower back pain, numbness in fingers, headaches, and so on. However, what also starting happening during this trimester was I began to feel this little person moving inside me. From week 14 until now I have felt her move everyday and let me say she is a mover and a shaker! The neatest thing is how responsive she is. If anything or anyone touches my belly she will kick right at that spot. I like to rest things on my belly and then watch as she kicks and squirms moving the item all around. The remote control works the best and she has entertained many of our friends by doing this. At night when I roll over and my belly touches Aaron's back he can feel her kicking him. Alaina and Will have also been able to feel their sister move as they sit on my lap. It really has been amazing and fun! Let's just say we may have our hands full when she is born.

Now I am at the end of my third trimester and I feel better than I did a month ago. I am sleeping through the night (with the slight exception of getting up 3 to 4 times to use the bathroom), which is such a blessing to feel this rested so close to delivery. Interesting enough, although my belly is without a doubt bigger than it has ever gotten in the other two pregnancy I am still less weight today then the day I found out I was pregnant. Upon delivering I will be 10 lbs or so less than my pre-pregnancy weight, assuming my doctor is accurate on her prediction that this little lady will be close to 9 lbs.

All that to say I would like to try to articulate my current state of mind as we quickly approach the birth of our third child. There are the normal fears and anxiousness that come along with the process of labor and delivery, but also an underlying peace that my loving God will never give me more than I can handle with His help. The thought of how can I possibly love another child as much as I love the two children I already have has crossed my mind, quickly diminished by the fact that I already have such a deep connection and love for her that will only grow naturally as I meet her and care for her. The strong desire and calling that I feel God has placed on my life to be a mom is only heightened by this experience. The joy this precious girl will bring to our lives and others is immeasurable. Though unplanned in our minds, God has known and prepared for her arrival long before now. This fact only magnifies my overwhelming sense of responsibility to raise her in the love and knowledge of my Savior Jesus Christ. She is a gift from above, entrusted to us to love and cherish.

I can honestly say, that even though I am may not be in life where I pictured myself being at age 29, I would not trade this time for anything in the world. I am married to a loving and supportive man. I am blessed with two healthy, intelligent, humorous, and adorable children. Last, but not least, I am days away from meeting the newest source of delight in my life, my daughter Teagan Marie.

It is the Small Things (Part 4)

Alaina had her 4 year old well appointment the other day and had to get 3 shots. As she was crying Will came over, rubbed her arm, and said, "You're doing good Alaina." That makes a Mama's heart proud!

While riding in the van we heard Will say from the backseat, "Daddy help me I can't get my choo choo out of my pants!!" For the record he was talking literally about the toy train he had stuffed down his pant leg.

As we prepare for our third child to be born, I have been bombarded with questions from my 4 year old daughter. I was talking to her the other day and telling that they new baby will be here soon. She quickly replied, "I really don't know how she can get out of your belly!?!"

While we were waiting at my last appointment, Will saw a newborn in a carrier and points at the baby and says, "Look mom, baby Jesus!"

Alaina took off her shoe and said, "Mom my foot is crinkly!"

I responded and said, "It is ok. Your foot is just asleep."

She quickly laughed and said, "Mom! Feet don't have eyes!!"

We were sitting at the dinner table the other night and Will looked at Aaron with a huge smile on his face and excitedly exclaimed to him, "Daddy, I put corn up my nose!!"

Alaina was watching Aaron play his Super Mario Bros Wii game and she kept saying, "I am not sure about all this." "Ohhh I can't watch!!"