Time flies...

They say time flies when you're having fun!  Well, this past week has gone by soooo quickly!  So much has been going on: being home w/ 2 kiddos, Paul enduring finals, trying to nurse/breastfeed Peyton, awesome meals being delivered by beloved friends,  family drama, meltdowns (by me & Brightlie), and precious moments within our sweet little family.

I can't believe that Peyton is already over a week old!  She is such a sweet baby- she only cries when she is hungry or getting her diaper changed.  She is a great sleeper, and a natural at nursing. Her 1st doctor's appt. was a success- She is healthy, but a tiny little thing!  She measures in only the 5th percentile for her age.

Our crazy, independent, strong-willed, loving Miss Brightlie!

Can't believe that she is already 2 & 1/2 years old!

Brightlie is adjusting to her new role as 'big sister'.  She has been having some melt-downs, and is searching for attention.  But she LOVES Peyton, and is very good at helping with diaper changes, getting Peyton a binky, etc.  Each morning when she wakes up she asks to see Peyton, and at night she insists on kissing her goodnight.  Such a good sister! I know that the terrible 2's is a hard time, but i know that B is a good girl with a loving heart.  :) She is super independent, smart, and wants to do everything herself. She is my little helper, and i love her so much!

(This was us leaving the hospital- with gorgeous flowers Paul bought me!)

 Mommy & Daddy are doing well.  We have had lots of great talks and loving moments, especially when we are up with Peyton at 3am.  :) Bringing a new child into world is such a strengthening moment for your marriage. Paul is so helpful, and is a great husband and dad.  He is so supportive and loves me so much!  He works so hard to balance school (it's finals, then graduation in 3 days!) and family time.
I'm doing pretty good- i've only had 2 major melt-downs.  One over missing my Mom- i wish with all my heart she was here to help me and find joy in my motherhood.  I like to think she would be so pleased with how my life is going.  And i am sad that she is not here to cuddle with my babies.  Second meltdown was about needing more time.  It is funny how your heart multiplies in love for 2 kids, as your ability to offer 'time' divides in half.  I just feel like i need more time to cuddle Peyton.  And more time to play with Brightlie.  More time to be a good wife.  More time to be a homemaker/clean my house.  And thus, i feel like i am failing at all of these things.  But, i am trying my best to find balance, and attempting to give lots of love and attention to both of my girls.

 Paul is so good at helping with feeding Peyton...

and he loves holding her!

 And you know he loves his Brightlie-girl! 

 They are best buddies!

 Brightie & Peyton- sister love!

 Peyton's 1st bath at home!  

 She didn't like it very much- she much prefers

to be all swaddled up!

We just love our tiny little Peyton!

 Life is good, and I know that the Lord has blessed our little family.  

We look forward to the upcoming adventures that await us 

as our family changes, grows, and thrives.  

The arrival of Peyton Sage

Peyton Sage Reidhead

6lbs. ~ 18.5in. ~ 2:05pm 

April 19th, 2012

Thurs. morning at 3am I woke up (as if i had ever been asleep yet, due to anticipation) and called the hospital to make sure they were on schedule for inductions. As I supposed, they were behind, and would call me when they were ready.  With a sigh, I tried to lay back down and get some rest... and was thrilled when my phone woke me up at 6:30am- the hospital was ready for me!  I woke up Paul, rushed to get dressed and do makeup, Paul packed the car, we grabbed Brightlie, and were off!  We dropped off B with her Aunt Chelsea & promised to be back soon, with baby sister!  Yes, I cried as we drove away... I have never left B for any grand length of time, and I knew I would miss my sweet girl.

We arrived at Banner Gateway Hospital at 7:45am, were ushered into our room at 8:15am, and my nurse had the IV, epidural, and high levels of pitocin flowing in me by 9:00am.  Paul was so supportive and held my hand the whole time, since needles scare me to death, and the epidural was more painful this time than last time.  Then, we sat.  And waited.  And talked.  And rested. And got restless.... by 1pm I had dilated from 4cm (which was what I was at when I arrived) to 5cm.  Super discouraging!  I was hoping to pop this baby right out!  So, Dr. Beck came in and broke my water (1:00pm), hoping this would speed up the process, and it certainly did!  At 1:25pm I was having some weird pressure/pain and asked the nurse if my epidural was working or what I was feeling?  She checked me and announced I was at 7cm!  Yay!  I was pleased but still in chill mode... I mean, it wasn't like she was coming out anytime too soon right?  Wrong! My nurse started rushing around the room, preparing for the birth, called in another nurse, and they were organizing all sorts of things.  At 1:45 she checked me again and said I was nearly at 10cm, and it was almost time.  I was stunned.  I had no idea my body would react so fast. The nurse called my doctor, and he waltzed in at 2pm, quickly putting on his scrub gear, mask, and gloves.  I was still in shock, not quite sure how this could be happening so fast, and thinking that I was going to need to push for at least a while, so why was my doctor already here?  The nurse had me sit up, Paul was by my side at the end of the bed, and Marian (Paul's mom) was ready with the camera.  Dr. Beck had me push 2 times and out she came!!!!!  Literally, in a matter of less than 15 seconds, he had me push once, had me catch my breath and without waiting for the next contraction said "push again, harder, go!" and that was it! Baby girl arrived at 2:05pm!  Dr. Beck announced that she was a tiny little thing, as he cleaned her, let Paul cut the cord, and handed her to me.  She was so little, and had a such a sweet but loud cry.  She was so cute, and I was so happy.  I handed her to Paul, and he held her for a moment, while I was being stitched up (only minor tearing, hurray!)    Then they put her in the warmer, and her piercing cry filled the room (she was not happy to be over there).  The nurse asked Paul what her name was, and Paul said we were thinking about a few. The nurse pressed for details and Paul responded that Peyton was one name we liked and..... um, he couldn't remember the other names!  He came over to me, kissed my forehead, and I confirmed that I thought she should be named Peyton.  So that was it- Peyton Sage Reidhead.  The middle name Sage coming from Paul's youngest sister who looks just like Paul and who has the same sweet personality to match. And ironically, Peyton looks just like Paul (and Sage!).  I am so happy with her name, since we were so confused and nervous as to what to name her up until that moment.  

 What a special moment, to meet your new baby!

 She certainly has some lungs!  

 Daddy and his little Peyton 

 Mommy and Peyton- happy and doing well!

 Love that the nurse put a little purple bow on her head!

 Leigh. Me. Tiffany.

So happy to have such wonderful, supportive friends! 

 Brightlie meeting Peyton!  

 Brightlie wearing the adorable shirt my friend made for her-

B is so happy to be the "Big Sis"!

Our stay in the hospital the next two days were great.  Paul's family, friends, and grandmas showed up to show their love and support.  I felt really good and was even up moving around! Paul is the best Daddy, and was so happy to just sit and hold her.  All the nurses commented on her perfectly round head, her sweet tiny body, her cute lips, and how pretty she was.  Peyton is also an excellent 'nurser' - she roots when she is hungry, and is a pro at latching on... I am hopeful that I can breast-feed with her, since she already seems to know what to do, without any direction from me!  She is also a good sleeper, sleeping 3 hours in between feedings.  Brightlie already adores her sister, and is so happy that we brought her home.  She is already very helpful with diapers and handing Peyton a binky, and gets worried the moment Peyton starts to cry.  

Paul and I feel so very blessed to have two wonderful daughters in our lives.  My heart is so full, and I am so in love with Peyton!  And yet, I am so much more at peace, because Peyton's birth has in no way changed my overwhelming love for Brightlie.  I am so thankful that the delivery went so smoothly, and that I am feeling so good afterwards.  And Peyton is happy, healthy, and perfect!  Life at the Reidhead Home is full of joy!  Little girls are the BEST!!!!   

Loving preparations...

How do you prepare for a life changing event?  When do you finally feel ready to welcome a new baby into your home?  Well, I have spent the past 2 weeks trying to solve these questions and more....
Cleaning my house, organizing baby clothes, buying out Babies R Us with last minute necessities, lots of laundry, playing with Brightlie, praying, crying, laughing, and stressing....it's funny how long 9 months feels... but now i almost wish i had more time.
The thoughts of my heart tonight are:
-How will tomorrow go, as far as labor/delivery? (being induced,- i was with B, but you never know what may arrise)
-How will Brightlie react? (to staying away from us overnight which she has never done, to the new baby, to sharing attention, her role as a big sister, etc.)
-How will Paul survive a new baby & finals/graduation at the same time? yikes!
-How will i be able to handle a newborn & toddler without my Mom here to be with me-  i miss her greatly at times like these, when i feel lonely for her company, wisdom, help, and support.
-Will i be able to handle two children..... emotionally?  Postpartum depression makes me nervous.
- Will i favor Brightlie?  How do you love 2 little girls equally/differently (but still, how?)
- How will Paul & I's relationship change as we add more children? How will our love grow and develop?
And finally....
-What are we going to name her?!

I hope that tomorrow can bring peace to my soul... I have never been good at change, which is funny since i all for moving forward, new achievements, and a life full accomplishments of personal goals. I am excited, nervous, anxious, and scared for tomorrow.  But i know it will all work out the way the Lord has planned.  Tomorrow is a big day... But i am happy to have my husband by my side, family to help with B, and loving friends who have offered many texts, calls, and kind words of support and love.  

Some"bunny" to love...

This week has been so much fun, and full of celebrating!  

We have been very busy, but we've enjoyed each and every moment! 

Get ready for lots of pictures...

 My Mom's Club celebrated the upcoming arrival of Baby Girl #2 by

 throwing me a baby shower!  It was so fun to go out to dinner, chat, 

and open presents- what a wonderful group of friends I have! 

 Brightlie & I attended our annual Mom's Club

Easter Egg Hunt at the park, and had a blast!

 "Me, sneaking jelly beans?!  No mommy, never!"

Living Our Happily Ever After - Married for 4 years!!!!!

(We went out to dinner at Claim Jumpers, yum!)

Can you believe it? Time sure flies when we're having fun!

Paul & i have been through a lot of joy, chaos, struggles, and blessings in

the 4 yrs. we've been married, and we know that it has made us appreciate, love, and trust 

each other more than we could have imagined.  So glad i married

my best friend!!!!

 Happy Easter!

(the Easter Bunny gave B a basket full of 

bubbles, pez candy, 2 books, and a sticker/coloring book!)

Oh, and of course you will notice her pretty new dress 

she got to wear to church! 

Easter Sunday was wonderful- we love celebrating our

Savior Jesus Christ at church, spending time with our little family

doing Easter Bunny traditions, and then doing dinner with

Paul's family... it was a great day! 

 Only 11 days left!!!!  I am 37 weeks prego, 

and being induced on the 19th of April... oh it is so close!

Can't wait to meet Baby Girl #2!

 Daddy & Brightlie- best friends!!!

 We can't believe that B is already 2 & 1/2 yrs. old!!!

Some fun facts about our cutie:

 loves Disney movies, talking on the phone to daddy, playing with 

her friends, going to the park, picking out her own clothes, bubbles, 

books, says "please" & "thank you", potty trained, super independent and wants to 

do everything herself, good at sharing with others, gives hugs & kisses, excited for

baby sister, insist on walking (no more stroller).

May we be thankful each day for our Savior's 

life, death, and resurrection!  He lives!

We are so grateful for the Easter Season, our 

family, friends, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.