Catching Up: Part One

It's hard to believe that it's been about 7 months since my last post & a year since I started the blog! A LOT has happened since then! So much, in fact, that over the next couple weeks, I'm going to do a series of "Catching Up" posts, just to fill in the huge gap. I have a ton of posts swirling in my head, but the one obvious place to start, is with the biggest news! Here goes:

I had a baby!! I know...you're thinking..,wait...WHAT?! Uh, yeah, that was my thought when I found out, too! lol Here's the story. It's a long one, so you might want to pop some corn & put your feet up. I'll wait. You done? Okay, good, we'll get started. =D  It begins in July of 2012. Dan (the hubbs) was traveling with Geek Squad Summer Academy, so he had been gone for the better part of June, but was able to be home over the 4th of July weekend. We had a HUGE event planned for that Sunday morning & we got up a bit earlier than normal to get ready for the day. Something had been stirring in the back of my brain & I had been wondering if I'd really had my period in June, and for some whacky reason, I decided - on the way out the door - to take a pregnancy test. Expecting it to be totally negative, I didn't even tell Dan I'd taken it. I put it down, finished putting on my jewelry, put on my shoes & walked back into the bathroom to check on it. Yup. It was positive! I was so shocked, I didn't quite know how to react! I called Dan into the bathroom, and showed him the test. The look on his face was about the same as mine! lol! We just sorta stared at the test, and then at each other, and after about 30 seconds, we both started to well up....we were PREGNANT!!!


Dan still had to travel & was going to be gone most of the summer, so I knew I was in for a long first trimester. From the beginning, it was a totally different pregnancy. I was sick 24/7 for the first 4 months, and then off and on through the end. It was horrible! I also struggled with ligament/pelvic pain through the last half. Most days, I was pretty useless & felt really bad for the kids. But, they were super good & we got through it. Even the homeschooling got done!! God is good! lol

In August (on my birthday!), we made our announcement & it totally surprised the church & facebook lit up like a Christmas tree! haha!

I had kept it a secret for so long, it was so nice to be able to share it with the world! Once we spilled the beans, the pregnancy became that much more real and the anticipation was killing me! Was it going to be blue...or were we FINALLY going to get our pink?! I prayed like I'd never prayed before. No, not what you're thinking...lol. I prayed that God would help me be content & love the child, even if it was a boy. I didn't want to go through the depression that I'd had with Jo (that's another post for another day). I wanted to be happy & love the child, no matter what.

Me & the Beebee at 20 weeks, the week before the ultrasound.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, the day came. I finally had my ultrasound. Me, Dan, the boys, a good friend & her kids all gathered into the room for the 3D/4D experience. I told the tech.: "Don't tell me what it is 'till you are absolutely positive!!!" A few minutes later...

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!

 We felt like we'd hit the lottery! haha! A baby girl! For US! First, the Lord surprised us with a child, then He made it doubly surprising by giving us DAUGHTER?! I was overwhelmed, speechless & crying. It was a moment I'll never forget. What a miracle...what a blessing...what a gift!!! Above is the best picture we could get of her face. I still have it by my bed. Our Genevieve Jennifer Dolar. =D  I can't even begin to tell you how crazy everyone went!! lol!! We each had about a zillion "likes" & comments on our facebook announcements, and once again, the church went nuts!! haha!! The planning officially began & it was even more real than ever!

Me & the Beebee. Christmas '12.

The days & weeks seemed to drag on, and the yukky pregnancy issues made it feel like an eternity! BUT! I persevered, and tried to make the best of it. Dan & I also made sure to spend some extra quality time with the boys, and we went out of our way to reassure them that they were loved & would still be loved once their sister arrived.

I have to admit, the best part of the pregnancy, was my shower!! My awesome Sister (along with Mom & good friend) threw me a lovely baby shower & I was completely spoiled!

Everyone was beyond generous! Even those who weren't able to come to the shower, bought gifts or gave us things. It seemed like every day, someone was dropping by with a gift, or we were finding one in the mail. God was (as He always is) so good to us!! Between all the gifts, and the timely tax refund, we were able to get every single thing we needed. I don't have to buy her clothes 'till her birthday! hahaha! In those last miserable weeks, I was encouraged, loved on, pampered & blessed beyond measure. It was just what I needed to get me to the end.

A couple pics of me from the last few days of the pregnancy. The one at the top L is the morning of delivery!!

Once February came, we were on alert! With my history of havin' babies weeks before the due date, we knew she was coming at ANY time! We took the kids out a few more times, started organizing anything and everything in the house & made sure the crib was up & the house was ready for her to come home!! I started having contractions at my 36th week! My OB & I were both convinced she'd be here before Valentine's Day & she was!! lol

I had my last check up on February 12th. When my OB checked me, I was already at 5cm!! He told me, that, unless I went into labor that night, I was to head to the hospital first thing the next morning & he would have me delivered. WOOT! So, I did exactly what he said. We went home, made sure everything was packed, took the kids to the In-law's house & got a good night's sleep. Well, Dan did...who can sleep when you're 9 months preggo?! lol! The next morning, we went to the hospital & after some drama (for another post), I was admitted! After a morning of basically just laying there, doing nothing, the OB came in to get the pitosin goin & to break my water. OY! That was crazy! Once that happened, I had intense labor for about an hour & a half, and then she arrived!!! I was a Mom - again!!! And this time, I had a DAUGHTER!!!

Getting to hold my baby girl for the first time.

And, there you have it! I had a baby!

 Genevieve Jennifer Dolar was born to us on Wednesday, February 13th, at 3:30pm. 

She weighed 7.14oz and was 19" long.   

Thank you, God, for your bountiful blessings!!!