it takes a village

{written a few months ago:}

"I'm about 5 weeks along in my pregnancy with you. We made it back from vacation and kept our secret safe...until this morning. As we were having carpet put in, my good friend and co-worker, Blanche, called to tell me she is pregnant. So, I spilled the beans! We think we are 2 weeks apart with me being earlier. I'm glad to have a friend, more specifically a friend here in Waco, to go through this very exciting and new experience with. My biggest worry from Day 1 was and is that our family and friends are so far away. I want to have a village of people close by to help me, hold you, love on you, and ease my fears in this new world called "mommy hood." However, I know God is already taking care of us and building the community we need. That truth was reiterated today when Blanche called. 

{written today:}

Looking back, I am humbled at the work God is doing in our lives. Home doesn't feel so far away anymore. We have become close to many couples in Waco through our small group- all of which have babies or are having babies! We finally feel rooted. And the miles between here and family don't seem so long anymore either. We had various family here taking care of us for 3 weeks and lots of visitors coming to love on Evie girl! To top it all off, Blanche's baby girl was born a day after Evie, only 6 rooms apart! We have been continually loved on and taken care of since the day this sweet girl entered the world, and for that we say "thank you!" We are thankful for the many meals delivered, advice offered, and miles driven in order to hold Evie and provide these new, tired parents with love and support. More than anything, we are grateful that Evie is already loved by so many and will have a unconditional support system as she grows. God is so good! 

Welcome to our village...

Unfortunately we don't have photos of every member of our "village," nonetheless, we appreciate each one of you, near or far, that have been praying for us, thinking of us, and checking in on us! Love you all! 

what's up doc

4 doctors visits in 4 weeks! They've actually started a rewards program in our honor.  

Many of you have been so thoughtful to inquire about E's health and how she is doing. Overall, she is doing great; we've just had a few hiccups along the way. Nothing serious to report, thank you Lord, but I wanted to catch you up nonetheless. I know many of you mamas out there have experienced the same things with your precious babes, and I thank you for sharing your experiences and advice. As always, your prayers are appreciated and valued on Evie's behalf! We take heart that, "When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action." {Matt. 18:20}

Visit 1: Newborn well-baby check up {routine visit}

Healthy girl in the 88% for weight, 80% for height, and 40% for head circumference...however, if you count the crazy hair it bumps her up to 99% 

Visit 2: Laryngomalacia & Hernia 

Two days after after our well baby check up, we started noticing Evie's breathing sounded abnormal- labored, gargled, congested breathing. We noticed it mostly at night when she was sleeping inclined in her bassinet in our room. She was diagnosed with Laryngomalacia, apparently common among infants. Basically, the tissue in her larynx is softer than expected and her upper larynx collapses slightly when inhaling. Sounds scarier than it is, but this is to blame for the "labored, congested" breathing. No treatment needed, she just needs to lay flat to sleep. It should clear up by 18 months...which seems like a long time to hear your poor baby wheeze! At this visit we also found out she has an umbilical hernia, which again is common among infants. No treatment at this point; 9 out of 10 cases clear up on their own.

Visit 3: Two week well-baby check up {routine visit} 

Still have a healthy girl! 

Visit 4: Acid Reflux

We had been noticing E gets fussy 30 mins exactly after feedings. She arches her back, seems very uncomfortable and spits up. Dr. agreed it sounds like acid reflux and prescribed drops to help with her discomfort. Oh and guess what, it is ALSO "common among infants." Yeah, yeah, yeah...

Laryngomalacia, hernia, reflux- Evie spread the love and save some "common" baby ailments for the rest of the population! 

one month

Happy 1 month birthday, little Miss Evie J! 

I can't believe you have already been here for a whole month. Every time I think about a memory or detail of your actual birth day, it just seems like last week! You have survived and thrived for 30 whole days- congrats to you and to us! 

At one month, you are doing the following: 

Eating: every 3-4 hours. 

You are such a good eater! I am so very thankful that you like to eat and have taken to feedings so well. We had a little trouble the first night home, but a pound and a half later, I'd say no one is worried about you starving!

Sleeping: 

You have been sleeping in your crib since your seventh night home. Normally, you get really fussy in the evenings for about 2 hours while your dad and I rock you, pat you, feed you, burp you {basically whatever we can think of} and pass you back and forth until you finally doze off. We then dread putting you in your bed for fear that you will open those pretty little eyes, scream and we start all over. However, after you finally fall asleep, you are a good sleeper! You sleep pretty hard for the first 5-6 hours and then about every 3 after that. You only wake up once a night to eat. Hallelujah! 

Napping: 

Ehhhh this would be your area for improvement. Everyone says newborns sleep like 20 hours a day...not you, sister! You like to stay awake most of the day and then nap for a while around 2:00. However, you keep me guessing everyday if you will actually fall asleep that afternoon or not. You fall asleep better when I am in the room, but not paying attention to you. Today at 3:00 after no napping, I had to call your Bull so I could talk while you fell asleep. And it worked! 

Liking: 

Eating, gas relief drops {that taste like Pina Colada}, your hands by your face, MAM pacifiers, your giraffe sound machine, having visitors {you are a little angel when others are around...show off}, being rocked, and being held at all times! If you are awake, you want to be held. I shouldn't complain because I know one day I will wish this was still the case {cue Darius Rucker's, "You're Gonna Miss This"}, but as of today I have started about 7 projects that have gone unfinished due to the fact that I need hands to complete them. 

Disliking: 

The taste of your reflux meds {which your dad tried and also agreed they are yucky} and those baby mittens that cover your hands.

Undecided: 

You are not sure or not if you enjoy walks in the BOB, baths or  your activity mat. However, you are coming around on all of these things! 

*Disclaimer/Mom confession- you are still changing so much every day so it's hard to tell what you actually like and dislike. It changes all the time! I don't think you even know yet. And that's at least what I tell myself when I can't figure out why you are upset.* 

Milestones: 

Everything is a milestone at this point- it's your first 30 days of life for crying out loud {pun intended}! You are making eye contact with those pretty blues, starting to track objects moving slooowly in front of your face, smiling at us {although I'm pretty sure it's involuntary at this point, but a mama can pretend}, and holding your head off of our shoulder. You've got a strong neck under all those chins! 

Happy one month, sweet Evie girl! We have loved every moment with you and can't imagine what we did before you entered the world...just a short month ago! We love you baby girl! 

evie's birth day

We are so very excited to announce... 

Evie Jacquelyn Barrett has arrived!

Born

Tuesday, 3/25/2014 at 1:10 PM

9 lbs. // 5 oz. // 20 inches

 

I went in Monday 3/24 at 40 weeks and 5 days to start induction. This girl was not coming by herself, so we had no choice but to help her along! And at 9 lbs., 5 oz., I am thankful we did not wait another day or she would have walked herself out of the womb! Aunt Lynley came into Waco Monday to keep me busy and my mind off of induction. We went to lunch and got mani/pedis before Tate and I headed to the hospital that evening. After being admitted, the labor and delivery nurse asked my pain level. I told her, "uhhh 3 I guess." She said, "wow, that is pretty good considering you are having some pretty decent contractions." I said, "so THAT is what those feel like! In that case, I've had those on and off for a few weeks." In some ways, the entire experience was a wonderful blur, and in other ways time stood still. Either way, I pray that we remember the details of this oh, so happy day forever!  

Monday 3.24

4:30 PM- Did balloon induction (twice)

6:00 PM- Admitted to Hospital. Nurse Emily, Debbie, and Lee got us admitted and IV ready to go

Tuesday 3.25

5:30 AM- Started on Pitocin 

7:30 AM- Dr. Patterson came to check me before her rounds and decided to break my water at last minute 

8:30 AM- Epidural! Best/weirdest thing ever 

12:00 PM- Tate leaves my Labor & Delivery room (for the first time in the 18 hours we've been there) to grab a quick lunch. Also, Bull, Aunt Lynley, and Poppy leave for a few minutes to eat. When they leave, Bull says, "don't push until I get back." I laugh at the thought of that happening anytime soon.

12:01- Dr. Patterson arrives and has me just try a "practice push." She announces this baby has a lot of hair and decides its go time! 

12: 10- Gran Jan, MiMi, and Aunt Kelly reenter the room to check on us. Everyone realizes we haven't called Tate, so he has no idea what is going on while eating his Which Wich in the hospital cafeteria. LaVon calls him and he literally comes running.

12:25- Pushing begins with me, Tate and Nurse Emily "1...2...3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10..rest...again" 

12:50 PM- Dr. Patterson comes back 

1:00 PM- I look over to see Tate munching on a granola bar! 

1:10 PM- Evie enters the world and our lives are never the same!! 

Other Evie birth facts: 

-The week Evie was due {one week before she arrived}, Dr. Patterson guessed she would only weigh 7 lbs, 5 oz....she was waaaay off! 2 lbs to be exact. 

-After delivering I told Nurse Emily, I was so thankful because "nothing was as hard as I thought it would be." She said, "Good, maybe I will see you same time and same place next year then." Haha, nope. 

-As Evie was getting weighed, the NICU nurse announced, "We have one at 13, 10" Tate said, "she weighs THIRTEEN POUNDS?!" Nurse Nick chuckled and said, "No that is what time she was born- 13:10 military time or 1:10 PM."

-Evie was famous among nurses and doctors as the "big, healthy 9 lb., 5 oz baby girl" born after only being pushed for 45 minutes. 

-Family at the hospital on the day of her arrival: Gran Jan, Bull, MiMi, Poppy, Aunt Lynley, Aunt Kelly, Grandma Flo, Grandpa Lyn, PaPa, Aunt Roxi, and Aunt Katie. The aunts represented well since her famous rockstar and baseball uncles were earning a living to buy gifts for their new precious niece 

-Speaking of, Evie was born the same week Uncle Shawn was assigned to the Rangers Opening Day roster! 

-Evie's first visitors at the hospital included: Sarah Moore, Meredith Lancaster, Mallory Allcorn, Kate McCunniff, Erin & Tyler Ellis

-Evie was born a day apart from Brooklyn, the new daughter of my good friend and co-worker. Evie and Brooklyn were practically hospital roomies, staying only 6 rooms away

We are so thankful to God's grace during this whole experience and to those of you that have prayed for a safe and healthy delivery. Your prayers were so evident due to my peace during this process and the ease of a quick, safe delivery. We knew Evie had meconium in her fluid, but found out later the cord was wrapped around her neck twice and I lost twice the amount of blood than was expected. However, everyone is healthy and happy and we praise God from whom all blessings flow! We couldn't be happier with our 9 lb., 5 oz. bundle of joy! 

40 weeks: watermelon baby

Well, we made it to 40 weeks! Can you believe we are finally here? I can! Your dad can! But you obviously cannot. Either that it you are cozy and snug in there and don't care to make your debeut just yet. I would love to say take all the time you need, but sorry sister, you need to come out soon! Like it or not, you will get some help in the right direction starting Monday {tomorrow} evening when Dr. Patterson starts induction. I'll technically be 40 weeks and 4 days. However, I would LOVE for you to come on your own so anytime this evening or tomorrow would be great! 

At this point I am apparently quite the sight to see. When I go out in public, strangers either stare or worse-- want to talk about just how pregnant I am! I love to see their faces when they ask, "oh honey, when are you due?" And I say, "last week." The best comment was at lunch yesterday we went to Which Wich {to get our 2 free sandwiches- holla!} and an older man asked if we were on the way to the hospital. No sir, I'm just here to feed the 7-8 pound watermelon in my belly. 

Come on Evie!! Can't believe we will be holding you in just a few days {if not sooner}! 

We love you so much already, sweet girl.