Lexi's Birth Story

Lexi girl's due date was orginally June 22nd.

Induction date was set for June 30th.

As you can imagine, we counted down the days to June 22nd. Even though due dates are estimates, you can't help it! 

Due to insurance purposes my doctor is in St. George. My mother-in-law lives there so we decided that I would go up a few weeks early just to be safe. Of course this meant that Logan would have to be in Vegas during the week for work and then come on the weekends. This was especially hard on my emotional, pregnant self... (But who am I kidding, I'm always a baby when it comes to being apart from him!!!) 

So the waiting began. I spent my days bouncing on the exercise ball, walking, eating pineapple, swimming, and watching crime shows with grandpa!!

When my due date came and went, we really started getting desperate! On Monday, my due date, I was still only dilated to a stretchy 3. My Dr. was able to strip my membranes. On Thursday night, Logan so sweetly surprised me a day early! He planned to stay all the way until my induction date the next Tuesday. We went in for another appointment on Friday and I had progressed to a 4. She tried again to strip my membranes but baby girl's head was soooo dang low she couldn't reach (TMI I know). Haha!!!

I had Braxton Hicks contractions starting like week 28 and they continued to get more and more uncomfortable as the weeks progressed. I had a few real contractions in the weeks leading up to her birth but nothing close together!

On Sunday night, June 28, we went to sleep at about 11:30pm. An hour later I had a good contraction that woke me up! Then 5 minutes later... Another!!! So I woke Logan up and we timed them. After an hour they were still really regular!! What! It was happening!! We decided to shower and go to the hospital. We got ready, woke up Momma Shellee, ate some food, called my family, and went on our way!

We were so nervous that we would be sent home, especially since I was scheduled to be induced pretty much the next day. 

When we arrived at 4:00am, they checked us in and set me up to be monitored. I was still at a 4 so she said if I dilated to a 5 in the next hour they would admit me and get things going! Longest hour! I still had regular contractions and Logan and Shellee had fun watching the contractions come up on the monitor. It seemed so surreal to be there, things finally happening. 

By 5:00am they came and checked me.. YES! I had progressed to a 5+! They took me to the delivery room, stuck my IV in, and asked when I wanted the epidural.. I said I could wait for a while until I was dilated to a 6. The contractions hurt but I felt like I could handle them. I didn't want the epidural to slow things down too much. 

By this time my family was on their way from Orem, Utah!

By 7:00am they checked me again and I was at a 6! So they sent in the anesthesiologist a few minutes later. I planned on having an epidural from the beginning, but I didn't look too much into what it looks like going in because I didn't want to freak myself out. Honestly, for me getting it put in HURT! A lot of pressure going on.... He had to redirect it a few times so it took longer than I had hoped. It was the worst part so far for me. But I knew I just had to get through this and it would get easier. Seriously like a minute after it took effect, the BIG contractions came. They were so high up on the monitor I was so glad I didn't feel them!!! I felt pretty good with the epidural at this point- happy as a clam! Haha! 

At 7:45am one of the doctors from my health center came in and broke my water. Such a weird feeling NOT feeling it but knowing what was happening. And so weird how hard and small my belly felt once the water was all out.

Things did start to slow down a bit at this point. My mom, dad, and sister showed up at 8:30am! We were so happy they arrived. I asked Logan and my dad for a priesthood blessing which calmed us all down.

Then came the waiting. We slept, talked, my family got food, and we waited some more.

My doctor was unavailable from 10-2 so I really didn't feel any pressure to get any pitocin to speed things up. We were just fine waiting for her to become available again. 

Fast forward to 4:00pm.. I started feeling pressure down there. The nurses (AMAZING NURSES P.S.) came in and we started some pushing to get Lexi's head under my pelvic bone.

We did this for about 50 minutes before my nurse said, "STOP pushing, it's time to get Dr. Winward, you are crowning!!" 10 minutes later she walked in. We started pushing again.

8 minutes later at 5:08pm our beautiful daughter was born. Lexi Klaire Reynolds. She was finally here!!! All 8lbs 4oz and 20 inches of perfection. The moment they laid her on my chest I started bawling... Then I looked up at my amazing husband and the emotions became over-powering. Our family had grown by one perfect little human! We had a daughter! We had been waiting for her for more than 2 years and finally there she was. Nothing can prepare you for the love you feel in that moment. 

Lexi Klaire- Newborn Pictures

My amazing friend, Chauntelle (her website here) took these pictures of our little family in our home when Lexi girl was just 6 days old! So many heart eyes!

Nursery

So, I'm not sure how many people actually care about this... But it's fun for me to go back through the steps we lovingly took to get baby girl's nursery ready!

Here are the before pictures of the room:

               

                     

               

We decided to go with a light blue/mint color for the walls. We had a lot left over from our master and we figured it would be a good, neutral nursery color since we didn't know the gender at this point. It's just such a calm color!

                      

Logan free-handed the ceiling line, which I was really, really impressed with! You go babe! 

Next was buying the furniture! I originally wanted to buy cheaper/used furniture and re-finish everything, but I couldn't find ANYTHING I wanted stylistically or price wise. So, we got most of our big pieces in one fell swoop from IKEA. Logan felt like super overwhelmed in the checkout line whereas I was like a kid in a candy store!!! The grey recliner is a Lazy Boy. It's so comfy, rocks AND reclines, and is still adorable! 

And of course, we had to set it up as soon as we arrived home.

After all the big items comes the fun part- decor! 

I had a really hard time deciding what to put above baby girl's crib. Did I want her name? A gallery wall? But then I remembered how talented my mom is at wall vinyl!!!! So I chose a quote, font, and a dark grey color to match the recliner. 

I also knew I wanted something besides the quote to add some kind of pop of color on that wall.

My mom and I brainstormed and decided to do a cute heart garland. Now here's a disclaimer: most, if not ALL the credit for this wall goes to my mom. She was so sweet, she sewed the hearts together for me and really managed the whole project. Love you mom!

I'm obsessed with how it turned out.

I then got these cute crib sheets through.. Drumroll... Walmart.com. Bahaha, who would have thought! But they're PERFECT.

One of my most favorite things is her book collection. The IKEA bookshelves are just perfect- I wish we bought another one! After my baby showers, these shelves are STUFFED and I have even more books stowed away. In love.

After a few more months, it started coming together more little by little.

I was completely set on finding that light coral pink color for my curtains to add more of it in the room. But seriously I looked EVERYWHERE and I couldn't find anything that really matched!! So I decided to buy some neutral curtains and put the chevron basket on the dresser to add that color to that wall... 

Here is the finished room... For now.. Who knows what could change when she gets here and I actually put the room to use! But we love it! We are constantly in the nursery, sitting in the rocking chair.

(Don't mind my hospital stuff and non-filled frames)

Source List:

Paint color: Behr Ultra Mountain Morn

Recliner: Lazy Boy

Curtains, Side table lamp, Woven Basket: Target

Coral Chevron Basket: Home Goods

Dresser

Crib

Crib Mattress

Side Table

RIBBA bookshelves

2 square frames (other frames from Target & Walmart)

Crib Sheets

Rug

Changing Pad Cover

Metal Etched Letters (we used these for her name but I blurred it out for not- will post later)

Diaper Pail

A letter to my husband

Logan,

I still remember the day I handed you the positive pregnancy test. 
How your eyes teared up and your whole demeanor instantly changed. 
I remember the joy we both felt the next morning when I took another test and it was positive. How you jumped around with me in the bathroom at 6 in the morning.
We talked and talked and dreamed and dreamed about the little life that's going to come into our lives. We'd been waiting a while for this to happen.
I looked at the huge smile on your face when we found out it was a girl, and my heart filled with joy. You were so excited to have a daddy's girl and I loved it. 
I have loved how excited you get when you feel her moving and kicking inside me. 
I have loved your enthusiasm and excitement as you clap and rub your hands together in the way that you do when you simply cannot contain yourself... 
I've had a relatively easy pregnancy and I can honestly say that a LOT of it has to do with you! You have been willing to do the dishes and chores around the house. You've offered to grocery shop for me when I really didn't feel like it. You've helped bring my vision together for the nursery and put up with my pickiness. You've given me countless back and foot massages without me even having to ask. Selfless. That's what you are.
You said the other night that looking back on that night we met in the hot tub, it's crazy that we are where we are now. You have a great career, we have a house, a dog, and a baby girl on the way!! It does seem so different than the early stages of our courtship, engagement, and marriage. 
But babe, this is all SO much better. Better than I ever could have imagined! So much more full and rich. I am so happy with you in this life we've created!
I can honestly say that even though the biggest change will come when she is born, I have grown to love you so much more these past 35 weeks. 

Thank you for being ever so willing to show me love, support, and patience. 
Thank you for working so hard for this little family of ours. 
I cannot wait to see how our love grows and deepens and how our relationship evolves in just about 35 days. I cannot wait to see you hold our daughter in your arms. I know that you will be such a wonderful father, babe.
We are so, SO lucky to have you.

I love you.

-Lindsey

32.3

Now that my due date is fast approaching, I can't stop thinking about it!
I can't stop dreaming about meeting my little girl. 
I am a ball of anxious excitement. 

At any given moment I may either be positively over the moon about our new addition or, quite frankly, paralyzed with fear of the unknown. Not only do I worry about the labor and delivery, but the following weeks of learning to be a new mom. 

More than all of that though, I simply cannot wait to love on my little.

And, as well-meaning as I know they are, many family members and friends have told me stories about being new parents- the majority of which are horror stories. 

If I've learned one thing being pregnant and on the brink of motherhood its this: The journey will be our own. 

This adventure is something my husband, daughter and I will wade through together.

I can't wait.

I know that it will be hard. I know that I will be a sleep-deprived, frustrated zombie at times. But I know that the joy I feel will make all of that disappear. 

I cannot adequately express how much love I already feel for the little one growing and moving around inside me (and a LOT of moving around, mind you).  It's amazing the bond the three of us have already made... 

On a different note, we have decided on a name! I'm not sure how I feel about announcing it to the world just yet, so perhaps when I post about our nursery (which is ALMOST done) I will throw that in there. ;)

Here's a little sneak peek:

I've starting packing my hospital bag. I am constantly folding and re-arranging her ADORABLE clothes. I've made lots of bows. I spend most of my time in the nursery; day dreaming, reading her many books, and relaxing- it's easily my most favorite room in the house...

There is still so much more to do to prepare for her.... But with all the craziness going on inside my brain, I am still enjoying being pregnant. I am trying to soak it all in and make sure I remember this special time because I'm sure I will miss it in many ways. 

How far along: 32.3

Size: Winter Squash: roughly 3.8lbs. And I'm FEELING it. She used to just move in the morning and and night, but now it seems like it happens throughout the day! I love it but she is getting strong enough to it to make me randomly yelp when she pushes out hard, haha.

Maternity clothes: YES! Aaaand sweats are my best friends.

Sleep: Doing pretty good! I still have the hip cramps but I'm getting pretty good sleep! Stocking up, enjoying the ability I have to sleep in.

Food Cravings: Nothing like super overpowering.. Spinach and artichoke dip. Chocolate milk. Otter pops. Popcorn. Strawberries. Pineapple.

Boy or Girl: GIRL!

Names: Decided.

Shopping: Her nursery is ALMOST done! We are soooo grateful for all of our friends and family for spoiling us with love and gifts at the baby showers. I'm now on the hunt for the perfect 'going home' outfit... Sooo cheesy and first-world.... but somehow necessary.

Wedding ring on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy for the most part.

Belly button: SO close to popping out!

Labor signs: Braxton Hicks Contractions like ALL the time, especially when I'm more active.

Most nervous about: Labor and delivery are starting to make me more nervous at this point.... OH and sleep deprivation

Most excited about: THE LOVE. THE CUDDLES. HAVING HER OUTSIDE MY BELLY AND IN THE WORLD.

xx
Linds

Third Trimester

Let me warn you- this post is seriously all over the place.

The third trimester.

28 weeks.

84 days LEFT.

I have been extremely blessed with a relatively wonderful pregnancy thus far. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed being pregnant!! Of course, sleeping is getting more difficult with the increasing aches and heartburn. Let's not forget the trivial daily activities that are becoming more and more difficult: tying my shoes, shaving my legs, painting my toe nails, and bending down in general. The other day I went out to get the mail and upon my return I dropped the mail key when trying to put it back on its hook... I simply looked down and thought, 'nah' and went on my merry way! 

But all of these things are nothing. Nothing compared to the joy, love, and excitement I experience when I feel my sweet girl moving around. Sure, I still have a ways to go, a lot more being uncomfortable to endure, but I am learning to enjoy every second. 

Lately I can't help but contemplate what she will be like; what I will be like as a mother; what Logan and I will be like as parents. It's exciting and daunting all at the same time. The failures and the successes, the peaks and the valleys...

And how to prepare? Not just for a newborn, but for being responsible and worrying for another human being for the next.. FOREVER! Because being a parent doesn't stop when your child turns 18 or leaves the home. It's a forever kind of thing. 

I'm getting ahead of myself. Usually Logan is the worrier but lately I've taken on that role. That's why I've been focusing on enjoying the small things; the kicks, the reactions to our voices, and setting up the nursery.

We recently went on our 'babymoon' to Laguna Beach, CA. It was our first time going to California together since we moved to Las Vegas 2 years ago. Took us long enough! We stayed in a great location! We could walk to a part of the beach that not many people went to, so it was lovely staying on the beach all day. We also went to the IKEA nearby to get nursery stuff, which I was super excited for. Overall it was a great weekend that Logan and I got to spend together with no concrete plans, just going with the flow. :) 

Upon our return we obviously HAD to set up the crib, nightstand, and dresser we got over the weekend... Which, let me tell you, makes this baby thing all the more real!!!!!! We also put the rocking recliner in the room. It is easily my favorite room in our house to hang out in; my go-to reading/napping spot. Apparently Logan feels the same. While I was getting ready for church Sunday morning, I got this from him:

So I went to next room to find him sitting in the rocking chair, reading. It was SO SWEET! 😍😍

As I warned you, this post is so scatter-brained (much like this momma lately). Now that I'm 28 weeks, here's a few more tidbits on the pregnancy for ya...

How far along: 28 weeks

Size: Papaya: roughly 2.2lbs.

Maternity clothes: YES! I finally caved and went into Old Navy to purchase some maternity shorts... SO GLAD I DID.

Sleep: My hip cramps are getting worse and worse each night, despite using my pregnancy pillow and other pillows. I'm trying to do prenatal yoga to help... Does anyone have suggestions?

Food Cravings: Fruity and salty things. Chocolate milk.

Boy or Girl: GIRL!

Names: We have it narrowed down to 2 that we are choosing between.. So dang hard!

Shopping: Big nursery items! Diaper bag! Only a few clothes in anticipation for baby showers. Which is very difficult when Target is just down the street... ;)

Wedding ring on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy for the most part.
Belly button: SO close to popping out!

Labor signs: Braxton Hicks Contractions

Most nervous about: Labor and delivery are starting to make me more nervous at this point.

Most excited about: Meeting our sweet girl! 💕

xx

Bumpdate

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post.. The gender reveal!

I am now 24 weeks! It is so amazing how time flies. So much can happen in such a short amount of time... Like my belly just growing and growing! It's so fascinating how my body is changing to make room for baby girl (and uncomfortable at times.... "JUST YOU WAIT" everyone says).

One of my favorite things now is all the movement and kicks I am feeling multiple times per day! She loves having dance parties, especially at night. Logan loves feeling her strongly now! Today was the first day we got to capture her kicks from outside my stomach on camera. Hehe I loved it!

As far as prepping everything for her, we haven't really gotten that far (which gives me anxiety even though we have time)... We did however, paint the nursery a few weekends ago! It was a tan color, like most of our house. We painted it a light blue-aqua color. We chose this color because 1. We did our master bedroom and had paint left over and 2. We wanted a color that was usable for both genders. We figured since we're adding pops of coral, it will become a baby girl's room!! We have yet to get the big furniture items, so pictures will come along as that does. 

We are pretty set on Baby Girl's name but I don't know that we'll announce it until the very end.

At my last appointment my doctor told me that my blood levels were a little low and that I needed to start taking iron supplements. I had also been feeling a major lack of energy so this explained why! She said that once the iron kicked in, my energy levels should go up. So far, it's gone up a little bit. I work as a substitute teacher, as many of you know. I worked three days in a row last week, and man, that was tough! I know, I know, 3 days really ISN'T that bad. But I still had a hard time! Walking around a lot and yelling at loud fourth graders (who are all my same height) being pregnant really does take it out of ya, haha! At the end of the day I had a little waddle goin on. 

Honestly the beginning of this pregnancy went very smoothly for me! I still feel pretty good. The one big difference I've noticed is that I get really anxious or frustrated about things!! I just want everything to be PERFECT for our little girl that I get worked up on the paint in her nursery, the car seat and stroller we want to buy, etc... But then I sit back and realize that everything will be FINE! Babies are more simple than some people make them out to be. All we need are the basics, and more importantly, lots of love.

I am so lucky to have a husband who knows just how to calm me down when I get all worked up, who gives me foot rubs after HE works all week, who makes me laugh and smile, and who takes me out on dates. My heart just bursts with love thinking about seeing him with our daughter!!

Here's a little more info about this week:

How far along: 24 weeks!

Total weight gain: 10 lbs so far

Maternity clothes: Oh yes! I don't have any maternity pants yet, I just wear long shirts (some maternity) and use a hair tie on the button of my pants. But mostly I wear dresses, maxi skirts, and sweats. SO GRATEFUL FOR SWEATS.

Stretch marks: Not yet! Veins are showing up darker on my sides. I've been applying stretch mark lotion and coconut oil nightly, even if it doesn't work it's still fun!

Sleep: Still getting up every night to go pee and/or from leg cramps. The pregnancy pillow definitely helps, though. This is the one I have here.

Best moment of this week: Painting the nursery and feeing her move more and more!

Miss anything: Running, weirdly enough! 

Movement: SO much movement. I love seeing her move from outside my belly! She is so strong!

Food cravings: Nothing too crazy. Cereal, fruit snacks, fruit popcicles...

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nah, doing pretty good there.

Have you started to show yet: Um, yes. I feel like in the past 5 days she's grown a ton! I've got me some nice little love handles now, haha. 

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: No

Belly button in or out: Still in, but it's definitely more shallow!!

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy most of the time, with little mood swings when problems crop up.

Looking forward to: Buying big nursery items! Feelin' that nesting itch lately. Also, we are planning a baby moon trip to California which should be soo fun!