Liam's Birth Story

Finding out...

We found out I was pregnant after I had taken Finn to the park and could barely climb a small hill with him in my arms!  I was so out of breath! I knew then that I was probably pregnant because I had similar symptoms with Finn.  I went home, took a pregnancy test and told Clint after he woke from a nap.  We told our parents very quickly after that.  We told friends and extended family a few weeks later.

14 weeks

Pregnancy....
My pregnancy was very similar to Finn's.  Some mild nausea and tiredness in the beginning.  By second trimester I was feeling good.  Liam sat really low so I felt a lot of pressure early on.  I also felt him kick earlier.  I believe I first felt him around 15 weeks.  I swore to exercise with this pregnancy so around 30 weeks I started walking almost daily.  That was when my energy picked up and I had enough help with Finn to not be completely exhausted by the end of the day!  I tried to eat healthy throughout my pregnancy but that was difficult since I was always hungry! 

20 weeks

 Almost there...
Around 37 weeks I started getting really anxious to meet Liam.  I just knew it would be any day.  I was wrong and it was a good lesson in patience and waiting for baby to decide.  I walked every night and could usually get some good contractions going but they would go away as soon as we got home.  At 39 weeks, a Monday, my doctor stripped my membranes and said I was at 3 cm dilated.  I was contracting pretty often but nothing serious.  On Wednesday, I was at the museum with Finn and started getting consistent, strong contractions.  I just knew it was time!  Wrong!  We went to the hospital only to find out it was false labor.  I was about 5 cm dilated (5!!!) but no labor.  My doctor is extremely patient and I was okay with that.  We agreed that as long as baby and I were fine, we would let nature decide.  Boy was it hard walking out of that hospital!

24 weeks

 And it begins...
The very next day I started contracting around 3:30 pm.  I was pretty much emotionally and physically drained.  I was so upset labor hadn't began.  Patience and giving up control were getting the best of me.  I was contracting inconsistently but they were all within 10 minutes of each other and were very slowly getting stronger.  Clint got home around 5:30 and I cried as I told him about the contractions and how I just couldn't handle it if these contractions went away too.  I was so unsure of myself and worried that it could still be days before Liam came.  We decided to go to the hospital anyway.  At 8, after mom got there to watch Finn, we went to the hospital.  Contractions had definitely picked up but were still not too bad.  After arriving, going to triage (still at 5/6 cm) and walking the hospital halls for an hour, contractions had progressed and were about 3 minutes apart. Woohoo!   We headed to our room.  I got in the shower immediately.  Contractions and water just go together! I also rocked in a rocking chair which felt good too.

28 weeks

 It's Getting Serious...

After about an hour in the shower and breathing through almost every contraction, the doctor checked and I was still 6 cm!!  I realized labor may be pretty long.  I decided on an epidural.  I was very open minded going into labor this time and was hoping for no drugs but after a few hours and staying at 5/6 cm dilated, I realized I would rather get the drugs and rest so that I would have more energy the next day.  I also hadn't mentally prepared myself for the task and was looking for a way out!  I got the epidural and my doctor came in and broke my water.  This happened around 12:30.  

32 weeks

 Just Look Into His Eyes..After my doctor broke my water, it took 3 contractions for complete dilation and baby to descend .  In case you don't know what that means on a pain scale, it means...Ouch!  The epidural hadn't fully kicked in so I had been feeling contractions.  The only thing to center me, was Clint.  He is my rock.  I was making all kinds of noises but if I could just look into Clint's eyes, I knew I would be okay.  It was over quickly and as they say, I really don't remember the pain at all.  What I do remember is pushing, touching Liam's hair before he came out, laughing and talking about his hair color and feeling a lot of determination and power that I could push him out.  The whole room was very peaceful.  No loud nurses and my doctor was extremely calm, which I loved.  We were laughing, talking and just enjoying those sweet moments before a new life is brought into the world.  It's not pretty.... but it's beautiful.

37 weeks

Totally Worth It....
Liam was born at 1:40 AM on April 26, 2013.  He was beautiful.  They put him on my chest and Clint and I fell in love all over again.   Liam was screaming so I nuzzled him into my chest, shhhh'ed him and talked to him.  He quieted down and looked around a bit.  They took him to the incubator and then brought him back to me.  We did skin to skin and attempted a little breastfeeding.  He was totally not interested so we just did skin to skin. 

We love you Liam Elliott McHenry!

March

The beginning of this month was a lot of fun!  I had my church baby shower.  It was so much fun and Erica did such an amazing job making it look so cute.  The theme was "little man". 

Glenda, Lori Anne, me, Erica and Heather.

So glad Bobbi got to come down!

Amy, Caoimhe, Sally, Judy and Hailey.

Lori Anne, Emily, Cyndi and Suzie.

Lacie, Grandmom and mom.  Kara came early but had to leave.

While on spring break, I decided to finish Liam's nursery.  I'm so glad I did!  I think it turned out really cute.  Finn calls it baby's room.  We're working on "Liam".  I'm sure once he is here, he will pick up his name very quickly!

Finn asks almost everyday to go see the ducks.  We have a pond about a quarter mile from our house so every day we stroll down to see the ducks.

February

I know, I'm waaaaay behind!  But I'm here to catch back up!  (Story of my life.)

This month, Finn and I flew all the way to the frozen tundra, aka St. Paul, Minnesota to see Claire and Daniel's new addition, Jonah.  He is so stinking cute, especially when he's all bundled up like a little eskimo.  Daniel and Claire are doing great as new parents.  Especially considering he started residency and they moved far away all within a year! 

 Claire and I enjoying the 30 degree day.  And I'm serious, that was the warmest day by far while I was there!

 Is he not precious?!?

Finn had a special art activity to do.  I have been working on Liam's room and wanted some more things to go on the walls.  I had bought 2 small canvases and paint months ago but never used them.  I decided to let Finn do some abstract art work for Liam's room.  Finn and Liam won't remember it, but I love it.  And Finn had a blast getting to paint!

Clean up is, sometimes, the best part!

 

Finn also had his very first haircut this month.  I don't know why, but it was so hard to cut his hair!  I just love these little curls!

Right before his big boy hair cut! I bought clippers so I cut his hair and Clint kept him distracted.  He really did not like the noise and it was difficult to keep him occupied long enough for me to get all his hair!

Clint's Graduation

After 4 years of undergrad and 4 years of medical school, Clint is graduating.  I could not be more proud of him.  He has spent countless hours studying, reading, working, dissecting and thinking medicine!  Medical school is not for the faint of heart and Clint handled it so well.  We have had 4 years of happiness, sadness, stress and growth.  Through all of it, Clint has been my rock and I hope I've been his.

We are so proud of you!

 

 The graduation was held on TCU's campus.

 Clint's dad hooded him.  What a special time for both of them.

 Colby, Daniel, Clint and Brad.  We are so happy for all of you!

 It's not official until it's iced onto a cake!

All the guys with their "trust me I'm a doctor" shirts on.

Finn at 11 months

 What a big boy my little man is getting to be.

 Taking a much needed nap after playing so hard.  He needs a binky, cup and blanket for sleep.

And we have a walker!  He still crawls some but he sure is working on it.

He loves:  eating, drinking out of his cup and going for walks

He's learning: to walk!  He wasted no time in trying this new skill!

Christmas with the Families

We were so blessed this year to spend lots of time with both sides of our family.  This translated into  time laughing, catching up and just enjoying being together.  And for Finn this meant lots of gifts, time spent with cousins and spoiling from grandparents.

 Finn at Grams and Papa Bill's opening gifts. He didn't get into the unwrapping as much as the new toy!

 Not a great picture but here are some of the cousins as they unwrap.

Finn at G's house.  All the toys in the front are Finns.  He was in heaven.

Uncle Justin and Finn wrestling on the floor.

And one more from Gram's house.  All the boy cousins (except JR) playing video games.  William (3) laying on the mattress, Finn (18 mos) looking away, Connor (12) and Watson (5).  Finn loved being with the older boys.  We would usually find him watching the big boys playing and trying to join in when he could.

Out of Order Posts

Sorry guys!  I am trying to catch up on some of the things we had going on this year.  I'm putting all my posts into a book that covers this past year.  Sorry for the weirdness! :)

Secrets Maroma Beach

To celebrate Clint's graduation from medical school, we planned a trip to Cancun Mexico along with 4 other couples who were also in Clint's class.  We had so much fun but the best part was the beautiful resort we stayed on.  Our room was spacious and the backdoor led to a semi private pool.  Some of our friends were staying in rooms close to ours so at the end of a long day, we would meet there to swim and wind down from our day.  A short walk away were the main pools complete with a swim up bar, floating mats and even waiters who you could ask for food or beverage, even while swimming.  Surrounding each pool were lounge chairs with umbrellas and soothing music.  The beach was a short walk from there with white, clean beaches and the ocean was crystal clear.  We spent most of our time at the beach.  Between sand volleyball, comfy lounge chairs and playing frisbee in the ocean, we had lots of play and down time.  The restaurants at night served amazing food while in the morning and at lunch you could pick between a buffet or poolside fair.  Each night there was different entertainment and food so we never got bored with staying on the resort.  We paid a little extra and were able to use parts of the relaxing spa: the sauna, jetted pools, bath robes, and a relaxing atmosphere.  Everything was set for complete relaxation.  We also had free room service.  One of our friends ordered a pizza late one night, no problem!  With a personal butler and a kitchen that was always open, we wanted for nothing.  The weather was gorgeous the entire time we were there, usually hovering around 85 or so.  We had a few people in our group get sick with a stomach bug and I got a little bug from Finn before we left so I wasn't feeling great.  But besides that, the trip was amazing.  It was great to be with all of our friends one last time and to see more of God's beautiful creation was awesome!

 

When we got there, we were sent to the "preferred club lounge" for a cold glass of champagne.  What a start to a lovely vacation!

 Our room.  It was spacious and so romantic.

 The semi private pool right outside of our room.  So relaxing and beautiful.

 Clint and I the first night on our way to dinner.  We sat in an open air restaurant and ate seafood.  Quite a fun experience.

 This is the view from the main lobby area.  Here, you can see down to the casitas and pools.

 

 All the ladies on the trip.  We were all fairly unscathed by the stomach bug, the boys were not.  This was our last night.  We went to a super yummy Mexican food resaurant.  I was told the margaritas were delicious there!

Finn at 10 months

He loves: playing on the floor with daddy, reading books and being outside.
He's learning: to pull up on things and even took a few steps.

Finn at 9 months

He loves: eating, playing, bath time and walks.
He's learning: to catch a ball and eat with his hands.