Oh My Darling Clementine!

Dear My Sweet Sailor Bear..My Sailor Boo...My Sailsy Sue...

I've been told that things will be more laid back with your 2nd baby. I did indeed take a lot less pictures during your pregnancy and I didn't do a weekly journal as I did with your sister Shipley. So let me sum the pregnancy up for you….I ATE A LOT OF ICECREAM! In all seriousness, I loved being pregnant with you. Each week was an adventure and a day getting closer to meeting you. It was a busy time for us as I started a new job and we moved TWICE... but growing you always remained my number 1 priority. Oh, I was also disgusted by olives and mushrooms…I'm guessing you'll never eat them growing up. :)

As I write to you. . . you are now almost 7 months old…you are a  giggly, happy growing lil gal who has quite a spunky little personality. You are incredibly laid back about most everything except when you get your mind set on something…you will stop at nothing until you get it. Daddy says that trait comes from me. :) I think it will serve you well in life my dear.

I know life existed before you but you are such a part of our family that my world would seem empty without you. Things have been busy since you came into this world. Daddy and I have been finding our "system". Learning how to meet your needs and the needs of your sister Shipley and develop our family of four. But it is a good busy…full of laughter, learning, and not a lot sleep. You like to eat every 3 hrs…day and night. :) It took me 7 months to sit and write "your story" but I wanted you to have it written while the details are still fresh in my mind. I don't ever want to forget a single detail of your little entrance into this world.

You came to meet us on rainy and fall like night...October 30th, 2014. I was 39 weeks-1 week before your due date. Daddy was hoping for a halloween baby and you decided to keep him on his toes and come one day early. We were so ready for you…I cleaned every nook and cranny..I even had cookie dough stocked in the freezer. I couldn't wait to hold you and look at you. Your mimi was in town helping me finish a few things before you came. I got a massage that morning and then we headed to target to grab a few last minute baby things. After walking around target for awhile I knew the little contractions I'd been having for weeks were beginning to feel different. They are more intense, sharp. I had to stop walking a couple times in Target due to the discomfort.  I swooped up Shipley and told MiMi it is time to head home. I knew you were coming very soon. I've always loved Target…but not enough to have a baby there.

We got home and I called my dr…they said they wanted me to be checked to see how far dilated I was before I took my blood thinner. I took a hot shower and drove myself in to the Dr. office a little past 3 pm. Daddy was at work and mimi stayed with Shipley. Upon getting to hospital, I was 4 cm dilated but my discomfort was increasing by the minute. My Dr. told me to walk around the hospital for awhile and then see where I was at. I made it 45 minutes walking around and the contractions were coming like rapid fire. I happily checked myself in to the labor and delivery unit (where I work) at 4:45 pm and called Daddy. He was in a meeting. I said, "Get in the carpool lane and get here."I was only at 5 cm upon checking in but by the time daddy made it a half n hour later...I was in tears and ready for an epidural. Mimi and your Auntie Ashley were not far behind to join us for your arrival. My co-worker and dear friend Molly also joined the "party" as she was on the unit that thursday night working.

I had planned on a natural delivery but from target to checking in by myself..I hadn't really thought much about my coping mechanisms and now I was in a whole heck of a lot of pain. I tried walking but that didn't do much. I wanted to stay put. We got in a room and I was ready for an epidural, but the nurses were having a hard time getting an IV in. I had to have some blood drawn to make sure my blood wasn't too thin. (I took blood thinners throughout out your pregnancy due to my clotting history). After an hour, the blood was sent and it seemed like forever (probably only 30-45 minutes) until we got the results. I was feeling quite grumpy and ready to be done with these contractions. I was already dilated to  8 cm. But my mind was made up and I was ready to have that epidural. We got the go ahead and the anesthesiologist came. She was great and got me set up right away except it only numbed the left side of my body. After what seemed like eternity..She pulled it out and put it back in and ….tada... I was out of my misery.

I rested, I laughed, and it wasn't long until I was complete and ready to push you out. My discomfort picked up as you were low and anxious to come out. My support team was stupendous and so helpful in encouraging me. My amazing nurse Krystal and Dr. Whitman were so awesome in caring for us in the final stages. Daddy was still in his suit and tie from work but he was right there ready to meet you..helping me work through the labor. I pushed for just about an hour. As I was pushing the Dr. said, "wow look at this dark hair!" Your daddy and I were shocked as we assumed you would be bald just like your older sister. We were dying to see this head of hair and your sweet little face.

Things went quite smoothly and by 09:41 pm you were born..just under 7 hrs from when I first arrived to my Dr.'s office earlier that afternoon. The nurse and Dr. let me help pull you out and you came right to my chest.  You cried your sweet little cry and you took your first breaths. You stayed skin to skin for the next two hours. You were alive and you were our sweet sailor girl with a head full of black hair. You made our hearts pound with joy and scream with excitement. You were ours! You were healthy! Our lives would forever be changed by your quick and early arrival and our adventure as a family of four had begun.

You weighed 6 lbs and 10 ounces and you were 19 and 3/4 inches long. You were snuggly and quiet except when you wanted to eat…you snorted. This snorting to signal eating lasted for the first 3 months of your life. :) Shipley came to meet you the next morning and has been smitten by you ever since. She sometimes is rough when she shows her love for you by bumping into your face :)...but we are 7 months in and she still doesn't tire of holding you. She is proud of you already. And nobody can make you laugh or smile like Shipley can. You already admire your big sister. It is amazing to watch your interactions with each other. My love has grown for Shipley watching her as a sister. And my heart has doubled in size to hold my bountiful love for you Sailor. In my wildest dreams, I couldn't have asked for anything more in this life than two healthy little girls.

So Sails...I will never forget the day you were born or halloween night when we took you home to tricker treaters and Shipley dressed up like a little pig. Your birthday will always be marked by my favorite season…FALL. And Halloween has a whole new meaning…I imagine you will have some fun birthday parties growing up. :) Your birthday was one of the very best days of my life and I will spend every year loving you, helping you grow, and adding to "your story". I am blessed and honored to call you mine!

Yours Truly,

MAMMA

TO BE DETERMINED….

Well today I finally sit down during nap time to revisit the good old blog. As I thought about how the last 6 months have transpired, and gone so differently than I had planned, I had a good laugh. How exciting this journey of life really is.

 It has been 6 busy months since we moved from Portland, OR to Redmond, WA. We've unpacked, found new jobs and trained into them, settled into a weekly routine, and then found out we were pregnant with baby #2! Oh the joys and surprises of life! :) In early May we found out baby #2 is a girl. And Shipley will be welcoming her sister Sailor Clementine Fay. We can't wait to watch two little girls grow up together. Having a 3rd baby is now really up for debate as Pete is just not sure if our budget can handle 4 women shopping at Nordstrom. ;)

And then when things really seemed like they were slowing down we found a darling house in a great location and decided it was the time to buy.  We will be moving to Kirkland, WA very close to Evergreen Hosptial. We will be in walking distance from a lot of great things. Everything is still in the final stages of closing but hopefully we will be moving yet AGAIN in the end of June. :) It sure helps to have your dad as a real estate agent. :) I've started making packing lists, buying boxes, and getting ready to turn our house upside down with a toddler for the 2nd time in 6 months. Yes I must really be crazy!

The biggest lesson I've learned here is that life is never really a routine. Just when you think you know the future, when you can plan every step…God will throw in another curve or a stop sign. I think God has quite the sense of humor actually. He is constantly reminding me that life is not about MY plans. All things happen in his time and for his purpose for our lives. It seems like a simple concept to learn BUT it has taken a lot of curves, stop signs, and car sickness for me to get this one. The obsessive planner in me always wants it all mapped out ahead of time. But for once in my life…I'm sitting back and thinking well this is kinda fun how this all turned out. How the plan looked so differently a year ago!

I know there are times when life throws hardships and it is full of sadness and heartache. I've been there too. BUT I find it so comforting giving GOD the reigns and finding that trusting IN him…knowing that no matter what it is going to be OK.

SO my motto for today is that life is TO BE DETERMINED! Some people might live lives that work out pretty straight and narrow to what they thought it would be, others might move a 15 x before they find a place to call home, and still others keep getting road blocks. You never know what is around the corner…where you might end  up…who might become your neighbor…who might become your coworker….where you will travel….what your health will look like….what might change in 1 year… or even 6 months. Cherish today. Cherish the moment. Cherish Spontaneuity and open doors (Kelly Meakins…you taught me this one!) And Trust God that he has a perfect plan for that life of yours! Because plan as you may plan as you might…things are TO BE DETERMINED…

Pete and Shipley doing some of their last relaxing before the craziness begins this month :)

Rocking and Running

It has been a big week in our household...the littlest feet in our family took their first little steps!! It was right before bed time...she was all snugged up in her jammies....pete and I both present.. and she stepped forward 1234 steps before falling. I think our clapping and cheering nearly scared her to death. It was a big moment..it is a moment I will replay in my head with a smile for years to come. Besides walking, Shipley is now sleeping in her crib through the night again (insert more clapping and cheering here). S has always been a good little sleeper but this last month she has been having a rough go...which leads me to ROCKING.

Yes...I am a mom who rocks her baby to sleep. I rock her before her naps and before bed time. We both settle in to a cozy little position. My pandora is usually playing the Norah Jones station or the sleepy time mix or sometimes I just sing a few of my own tunes. And we rock, and rock, and rock and she drifts off into her happy place and then I lay her into her crib. This past month.. she has been waking up more frequently through out the night and not wanting to stay in her crib- which has led to more and more rocking (thank goodness we invested in a comfy rocker). Last week the chair started to squeak from all the rocking. I seriously think I am permanently always rocking...even when I'm standing still I feel like I'm on a boat. I think we have a system down now to minimize the rocking and get S to like her crib a bit more. BUT I'm not completely ready to give up the rocking. I know that day will come when she won't want to rock with me or she will be too big for me to rock her. SO right now I'm cherishing it while I still can. My rocking sessions are little breaks in my day to reflect on how fast this year has gone and just hold my sleeping little baby.

RUNNING. I've been doing a lot of rocking and not quite enough running. I completed my long awaited half marathon this past saturday. It was my goal to complete a 5k (February), 10k (May), and half marathon (November)..all before Shipley's 1st birthday. I finished the races, but not for speed. My training was not quite to where it should have been. I've found it hard to make time for long runs and pushing the BOB while running takes extra mental energy/dedication. At the start of each race I thought to myself...how am I going to make it to the finish line? But each time I managed to get my legs across that line. On mile 11 of the half, I literally thought someone would have to drag me to the end. It was raining ice and I was afraid a cougar was going to pounce on me any moment (It was a trail run in central oregon). Needless to say,  I'm grateful for some pretty encouraging running buddy-moms. Without their tips, speed, endurance, and coaching...I wouldn't have accomplished my goal. I'm also thankful for my husband's honesty when he tells me I need to pick up the pace...He was very sweet to accompany me on some of my runs and push the BOB for me too. I may not have logged as many miles as I hoped to but I sure did break my running shoes in and I feel like I'm back in the game...the game of running that is. Next goal is set...Birch Bay Half Marathon February 2014. :)

So has exciting or unexciting as my rocking and running may sound...I feel like it marks a stage of my 1st year of motherhood. It is a constant journey...figuring out how to fit everything into life with a baby-to find that perfect balance...how to get your baby to sleep...how to find personal time for things like exercise. I am almost 365 days into this journey, this adventure, this marathon...AND I'm learning new things daily...when I need to hold her hand and when I need to let her explore, when I need to teach and when I need to listen, when  I need to laugh or when I need to set boundaries, when I need to pick up the pace, lace up the running shoes, or sit on the side lines for awhile and rock.  I'm on mile 1 and this race doesn't end at 13.1. I'm pretty confident that I am running the best, yet most challenging race of my life just by being Shipley's mom! And what a blessing it is!

6 memorable months

6 months and 2 weeks...I truly cannot believe this time has come. When i was pregnant..I prepared for the birth...the first weeks...the first 3 months. BUT I never thought ahead to 6 months. It seemed so far off; I had so much time until we reached this milestone. A milestone of sitting, babaabaa ing dadada ing, kissing, giggling, teeth growing, solid eating,  and personality developing. A milestone where I laugh every other minute at her cuteness, a milestone where im constantly wiping something off the floor, and a milestone where i feel like Shipley and I are starting to connect in new ways (this baby signing thing is hilarious).

 It probably doesn't surprise most of you when I say it went by in the blink of an eye. My little sleeping newborn who wanted to be held all day is beebopping around, rolling, kicking her legs, sleeping in the crib, acting silly, and reaching for everything...including the stars. and I ask myself...where did the days and hours go?

I'm sentimental...and my heart is mixed with joy and a feeling of wanting to stop the clock and just stay in this age range forever. BUT as many of you moms have told me.."it keeps getting better...they keep getting cuter and life even more entertaining".

SO I wake up each day and watch her discover new objects in the house (like the little vase full of water she knocked off the table while eating dinner :0 ). I watch her grow(15 lbs and 11 ounces in counting)...could those thighs get any chunkier? She was turning heads in her lil romper suit at the pool today :). I watch her brain develop (thank you target for awesome toys that teach. My $9.99 block set entertained us both for hours). AND I watch her learn to love and show affection (I can only imagine the hugs and hair pulling Nellie Lu will receive when she returns home to us in 2 weeks. FYI-for those of you who don't know-Nellie Lu has been on a "vacation" with my grandma up in WA. My grandma takes better care of her than any dog could ever dream of. It might be a rough adjustment back at home for that sweet chiweenie).

So what are 6 memorable things I've  learned this past 6 months?

1.) To cherish every second. That is not a myth or something annoying that people will keep telling you. It goes fast and every second is one I will look back on when I'm 80 and wish I could relive it because it is so unbelievably wonderful (the good and the bad-the diapers, the lack of sleep, and most of all the baby belly laughs)! I've learned to STOP every day and take it in...being a mom is a gift..a blessing!

2.) Start traditions. It may not seem like they will remember it because they are so small......But as parents we are shaping their childhood from day one. Give them one darn good childhood to remember. :)

3.) Be adventurous. Sometimes staying at home all day feels like the most comfortable thing to do..and I do it quite often...but little and big outings are worth it....they were my first obstacles to over come as a new parent. I mean learning to get the car seat in and out of the car and how to unfold the stroller is a battle in itself.

4.) I've learned and accepted that target is my second home.

5.) I've learned to see Pete as not only my husband but as a dad. Our roles have changed and our family dynamic expanded. The minute your baby is born things won't ever be the same in your marriage again....they will be BETTER because you created a piece of the both of you and you have someone to take care of you both when your both old and grey :).

6.) I've learned that the term BUNDLE of JOY is true..it's not a corny phrase your nurse or DR. says when the hand you your baby. JOY floods my heart every month, every new thing she does, every smile she gives me, and especially when I wake up to her small little hands grabbing my nose or trying to put her binkie in my mouth. :)

In conclusion, I can't wait to see what the next 6 months will bring. And I won't lie...I've given her 1st birthday party a thought or two.

All Done All Done (yes i'm signing that).

It was better than sipping margaritas on any beach in the world...

well my 3 and 1/2 month maternity leave has come to an end...well "kinda sorta". It was better than sipping margaritas on any beach in the world.  I went back to work on February 26th as a resource nurse/lactation consultant. I will work 4 days a month in the clinic as a lactation consultant and four nights a month on the post partum unit as a nurse. I feel very blessed to have landed this set up as it will allow me big stretches off to be with Shipley. I also feel very blessed to have my mom (mimi) coming to Portland once a month to take care of Shipley for a lump of my days. And we feel so lucky to have  found a sweet nanny named Marissa to care for Shipley a couple of the other days each month. Pete will also get special daddy/daughter time when I work on the weekends. 

 I was actually off work a total of  4 months as I took three weeks off before Shipley was born due to pregnancy hardship (AKA  varicose veins..yikes!). These 4 months have been the most life-changing, exhilerating, breath taking, happy, growth filled, and loving months of my life. They have been full of "firsts" for Shipley and Pete and I. It has been a whirl wind of joy, worry, and getting in the groove of parenthood. So when I had my first two days of work and I cried buckets and buckets of tears before leaving the house. Those two days came and they went and Shipley was there waiting for me when I got home with a big smile on her face.

Which leads me  to the "kinda sorta part". You see I cried and cried because I felt like my endless days to hold Shipley with no place to be and no time frame was coming to an end. And yes now that I have more of a schedule with going back to work...things will be less leisurely at the Moormeier household; but my role as a mother is far from over. Even if Im gone for a day or a night...she will still be waiting for me with that heart melting smile and those big blues eyes. I will cherish the moments I spend with her all the more!

So I like to think of it like really my maternity leave is never ending. Because life will never be the same as it was before now that I have this little munchin to share it with. It is just taking a new turn as it will many times in the years to come. I find comfort in knowing that my role as Shipley's mother is permanent and she is not going anywhere. Even though I won't be home with her every single day...she is still my baby always and forever. And some day when she has her first day at kindergarten or high school...or goes abroad (help me) I will tell myself the same thing. Near or far...nothing can break the connection between a mother and her baby. :)


That being said..I wanted to document some of my favorite memories of this magical time spent at home with my little girl..it was simply the best!


-sleeping in daily-morning skin to skin sessions-bath time and dressing ship-eating breakfast at 2 pm-power walks to the coffee shop-meandering the baby aisles at target-snuggling and watching Downtown Abby (seasons 1-3)-mastering the moby wrap-watching S sleep-meeting daddy for lunch down town-doing workouts n the baby's room while she naps cause I don't want to leave her side-video chatting with family n friends-having no schedule, to do list, deadlines, or agenda-filling my freezer with breast milk-play dates with other baby friends-crock pot meals and baking cookies-reading S books and picking favorites-walking to whole foods for a snack-our first story time at the library-our first trip to the ZOO-especially meeting baby Lily the elephant-watching Shipley grow before my eyes...smiling to laughing to rolling over

4 months old!

Laughter for our New Little Valentine

My Valentine cupcakes are in the oven....the house smells delicious and Im about to tackle the dishes when I hear pete yelling my name from upstairs. My heart is racing and I bolt up our flight of stairs to Shipley's room where Pete is getting her ready for bed.  Im relieved as I hear little belly giggles. I scream with joy. My 12 week old baby is laughing! I start sobbing as it is the cutest thing I've ever heard in my life. I see a few tears at the corner of Pete's eyes too. She's growing, she's developing...and so is our love. WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR VALENTINE'S DAY? HOPE YOUR DAY IS FULL OF LAUGHER TOO!

Dear Shipley Lucille Moormeier...

TODAY, December 20th, 2012,  marks your 1 month of life. Where did these last 4 weeks go? They have been full of pure JOY. It seems like only a few minutes ago I held you for the first time, but it also seems like a life time ago....because I could never imagine my life with out you.

I've been meaning to write you for the past month...to tell you about the day you came into this world (YOUR STORY), but I could never break away from you long enough to type you this letter until now...I want to hold you every second of every day. For the rest of my days...November 20th, 2012 will forever be the most memorable, amazing, and love filled day of my existence. Your dad and I have been waiting for you for a long time. For the past 6.5 years of our marriage-we've dreamed of the day we would meet you. It took us a little longer than planned to have you...so by the time your due date was close...we were counting the hours until your birthday.

We went into the hospital on November 18th (39.1 weeks)  to be induced due to a medication I took during pregnancy for blood clots (lovenox). We had to time everything right with the delivery. We were excited, nervous, and giddy with the thought of meeting you so very soon. I was induced with cervadil and then pitocin. Things started slow. Your mimi and aunties Kelly and Ashley were there to support your dad and I. We were all having a great time...laughing...anticipating your debut. We walked the halls, I bounced on the birthing ball, and they snuck me some bites of cookies. :) By the afternoon of the 19th...I was no longer having fun. Labor became intense, painful; I was nauseous and it was hard for me to focus on anything but the end to it all. You stayed strong the whole way through..your steady heartbeat during labor was music to my ears.

I wanted a natural delivery so that I could experience it all and be involved in every moment of your birth. I made it to 8 cm dilated without any pain medication when my cervix became swollen from my body pushing before it was time. Your head was very low..both you and I were ready for you to come out...but my cervix was not. My dr. encouraged me to get a epidural for medical reasons so my body could rest and then we could try to push when I was complete. We all wanted to avoid a csection. I rested once the epidural was in, but it did not stay in. Somehow during my pushing it came out...and slowly but surely the pain rolled back in. I pushed for 2.5 hours with little progress...I was determined to push you out. I tried numerous pushing positions and your dad was such an awesome birthing partner. BUT....we needed some more assistance to get you out. Dr. S said he felt it was time to introduce the vacuum. Your dad and I were very scared. But Dr. Stewart and my wonderful labor nurse Carrie reassured me and eased my worry. I prayed over and over again in my head that you would come out strong and healthy and that the vacuum wouldn't hurt your strong and precious, innocent head.

With the use of the vacuum and some more pushing you emerged into this world at 4:19AM. Your first cries were so beautiful. I could tell that you have a gentle and sweet nature to your spirit. Your APGARS were 8,9. Your sweet body was placed against mine and we did skin to skin like I dreamed of so many times. I instantly loved all 7 lbs and 1 ounce and 20 inches of your little being. I feel like my heart doubled in size just for you. Your dad couldn't even talk he was so overwhelmed with love for you. I'd never seen such happiness in his eyes until those first moments he spent staring at you! Everyone in the room was cheering with tears, laughter, and joy. It was a feeling and beauty one can never imagine until they experience it. Your grand debut was breath taking!

My labor was not as I imagined. It was longer, harder, and full of obstacles I didn't anticipate. I left many of the less glamorous details out of this story (you can ask me when you're older). BUT we were blessed with an amazing support team, nurses, and a wise Dr who helped us through those long 30 hours from start to finish. I look back on that experience like it was magical...all the hard work paid off. I would do it all over again a 1000 times to have you! GOD answered our prayers and gave us OUR perfect baby!

We had a wonderful stay on the post partum unit (where I work) and we were spoiled by my marvelous co-workers. We made it home the night before Thanksgiving and we were able to give thanks with our family for our new life...YOU.

So SHIPLEY LUCILLE...this is your story. I can't wait to see how it unfolds month after month...year after year. Your sweet and gentle spirit makes me smile every day so far my girl!

Love Always,

Your devoted MOM