Lilly's 3rd Birthday Party

We celebrated Lilly's 3rd birthday party at the Treehouse at Glenview Baptist Church. It was awesome! The playscape was big enough that even the adults could climb and slide. I'm tempted to go ahead and book her party for next year already! Here are a few of my favorite pics from the party courtesy of Chris Gilbert. Thanks, Chris!
Birthday girl on the slides

Racing down the slide with sweet friends Savanna and Megan

Make a wish!

My Birth Experiences - A Side By Side Comparison

I am so thankful to God for both of my birth experiences, because they make me the woman I am today. Thought it might be interesting to compare the two, side-by-side and blow-for-blow.

Laboring with Lilly: Notice my one pillow I dragged to the hospital with me, the IV in my right arm, the hospital gown I'm wearing, and the machines and monitors I'm connected to. 12 hours of pitocin and oxygen masks, lying in bed. (This picture was taken right when I arrived at the hospital.)

Laboring with Everett: Notice I'm wearing what I'm most comfortable in, the lighting is nice, I've got lots of comfy pillows, I'm drinking what I want when I want, and there isn't a needle in sight.

Lilly's delivery: I pushed for almost 3 hours because I didn't labor down, never ever felt the urge to push, just purple-pushed when a monitor told me to. OB cut an episiotomy without ever telling me. First hands to hold her were the OB's and nurse's, First thing she laid on was a chux pad, and I look just a little disconnected and stunned.

Everett's delivery: Labored down (trying to buy time for the midwife to arrive!), pushed for about 17 minutes. I only pushed when I felt the urge, sometimes strongly, sometimes more gently. This allowed plenty of time for natural stretching, so no tearing and certainly no episiotomy. First hands to touch him were mine. The feeling can best be described as glorious elation, and I think Frank's face speaks louder than words.Lilly's first bath: Under a warmer, given by someone we don't know. Lilly cried the whole time.

Everett's first bath: A warm, candle-lit, herbal bath with Mommy. Daddy washed his hair. He was calm and alert.Lilly's Vitals: 7lb, 4oz 18 1/2 inches long

Everett's Vitals: 9lb, 9oz 21 1/2 inches long (And doesn't that look way more cozy than the flat scale?)

Happy 3rd Birthday, Lillian Cate!

I'm so thankful for my beautiful, smart, stubborn, silly, precious, loving, prayerful, honest, funny, perfect little girl. I'm so proud of the person she is, and who she is becoming. Mommy loves you, birthday girl!

Lillian Cate Rebarchik on August 25, 2006

Lillian Cate Rebarchik on August 25, 2007Lillian Cate Rebarchik on August 25, 2008Lillian Cate Rebarchik on August 25, 2009

Working Mommy and Other Randomness

We planned very carefully (with the Lord's blessing) when we would like to have our second child, and because of that I strategically avoided being big-pregnant in the summer AND ended up with 5 1/2 months of maternity leave. I somehow thought having a long maternity leave would make returning to work easier. It has not. My time home with them has been wonderful, especially over the last six weeks or so, that it has really broken my heart to go back to work on a regular basis. Fortunately, I work with some really amazing people, so my time away is filled with good conversation, laughter, and purposeful work. So, all that to say it has been a difficult transition back for me, but we are settling in nicely. The kids are back at Tassie's house, and love it. In another week or so, Lilly will start preschool... that's a whole other post in itself! Say tuned.

Here are a few pictures, just to catch up. They aren't at all related to the post. I know, I'm random.

Aren't they beautiful! Lilly's wearing princess panties, a long-sleeved pajama shirt, and a swimsuit. Quite the fashionista.
As of August 5, Everett can sit up on his own! Way to go, big guy! On the 26th, learned to log-roll as a form of transportation. That's right, folks. Our little man is mobile!

Colorado Vacation

The four of us took our first vacation together this past week to Colorado. Frank was being sent to Denver for a training Monday-Thursday, so since the hotel and car were already covered (thank you, City of Dallas) we got a fun fare and off we went. We left on last Thursday and spent the weekend visiting the Anthony family in Monument. It was so beautiful there. I don't think it got to 90 degrees the whole time we were there. So refreshing! Each morning, we had breakfast on their back patio, wrapped in a blanket, and enjoyed this view

While there, we visited the Focus on the Family headquarters, where there's an amazing interactive play area. Too bad I didn't run in to Dr. Dobson while we were there. I have a thing or two to pick his brain about. I'm sure he'll contact me once I send him this picture for the next cover of "The New Strong Willed Child"

After that, we visited the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. It's the only zoo actually built on a mountain. It was very cool, but kind of a beating to push a stroller on.

Once we were in Denver and Frank was in trainings, I set out with the two hoodlums by myself. I totally get now why single parents rarely vacation. GAH. First we went on a tour of the Hammond's Candy Factory and got to see them making candy canes. I was impressed, but Lilly was just concerned about getting her lollipop.
One of our favorite things to do was to eat dinner out together at restaurants with a patio. Having dinner, outside, not sweating, was awesome! Everett was even content in his seat as long as we were outside. Everett didn't really get that we were in Denver. All he knew was that Mommy and Daddy were happy and relaxed, and Lilly was excited, so he was a happy kid!

The kiddos and I enjoyed a trip to the Denver Children's Museum. Lilly's favorite part was playing, in costume, on the firetruck. She got to make the lights and sirens work, and drive the truck. But her most important job of the day was taking care of the (stuffed) firedog.

We also enjoyed dinner at the Downtown Aquarium one evening. What a beautiful restaurant! We sat next to a huge tank full of "Nemos and Dorys." The best part was when the diver came into the tank and fed the fishes right next to us. Then he gave Lilly a high five through the glass.

Our last night there, we went with the Anthony's to Casa Bonita, which is this really fun, really huge all-you-can-eat Mexican food restaurant. There's a waterfall inside, where a diver comes out and cliff dives about every 20 minutes. They had pirate shows, arcades, caves to explore, and mariachi bands to enjoy. The room we were seated in had a huge stage, with a magic show once an hour. The magician wasn't the best, but at least we got Abby volunteered to be his lovely assistant. Somehow, Lilly managed to find her way on-stage as well. Her favorite part was interrupting the "Miller Time" act to wave and yell, "HI MOMMY! LOOK AT ME!!!" from the stage. I was so proud. :)

Much to our surprise, the security line at the airport was unbelievable! So we missed our 3pm-6pm flight home. So we hopped on a 4:45 plane to Phoenix, then hopped on another plane to El Paso, then on to Dallas. We got home around 11:30 with two very tired little ones. Fortunately, they were amazingly well behaved. I was so proud of my little troopers! We were sad to leave Colorado, with the beautiful weather and the Anthonys, but it sure was nice to have everyone in their own bed (and in their own ROOMS) again!

Bellies in Bloom

There are three reasons I'm putting up this link to my dear friend, Hannah's, website.

1. Her blog is an EXCELLENT source of unbiased information on natural childbirth, choices in vaccinating, circumcision, etc. Good stuff!

2. Hannah is a dear friend and a fantastic doula.

3. She's having contest on her blog, and even though I won her last blog contest, I'm DYING to get a pair of her homemade baby shoes. So here I go again!

PLEASE VISIT www.belliesinbloom.blogspot.com !

Happy Father's Day, Frank!

Happy Father's Day to the most wonderful man I've ever known. I love you, and couldn't be more pleased that God chose you to be the daddy to our children. I wouldn't want to face this parenting adventure with anyone but you.

Some things never change...

Yesterday I had the priveledge of spending the day with one of my dearest friends from WAY back. For those of you who don't know, Beth and I were inseparable from the time we were about 13. She moved to Ohio (booo....hissss!) toward the end of our Junior year in high school. Since then, we've only gotten to see each other a few times. This time was especially sweet because I got to meet her precious little girl, Amelia, and introduce her to my handsome Everett. Amelia is only 2 days older than Everett. We are currenly working on the conditions of their betrothal. We did lunch, drove around our old haunts, and got really, really silly. Boy, a lot has changed since we were 13... but I think we both discovered that some things never do. I love you, Beth! Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Water Babies

On Thursday, the small ones and I went out to Memere's (that's Frank's mom's French grandmother name) house on Lake Granbury. The pool was warm, so we enjoyed the first swim of 2009! Lilly wore her swimsuit with the built-in floaties. We call it her "suicide bomber" swimsuit. I'm sure you can see why...

I wasn't sure I was going to get Everett in the water, but once I realized it was nice and warm, we decided to go for it. He wasn't sure what to think at first, but after a few minutes he figured out how to splash and kick, just like his sister.

The four of us had a really good time. I'm thinking we may make a habit out of this!

After about 15 minutes in the water, Everett was wiped out. So Memere shaded him from the sun, and rocked him... poolside. :)

Catching Up

I know it's been a long time since my last post! I had a glitch with my picasa/blogger, and couldn't get pictures up. Since I knew that's what everyone wants anyway, I just waited until I had a "free minute" (Yeah, right! What's that?) Now that I figured it out, you can see ALL our updated photos by clicking on the "Our Family Photos" link on the right.

But for you readers out there, here's our life in a nutshell:
Everett is 10 weeks old already. He's such an amazing little guy! At his 2 month check-up, he weighed 14lbs 8oz, and is 25 1/2 inches long. So in two months he's gained 5 pounds and 4 inches. Needless to say, nursing is going well. He's holding his head up well, and is very strong. He's got the most precious smile, and isn't afraid to use it. Over the last couple of days, he's started cooing at us more. He's so much fun!

Lilly currently holds the title of "Best Big Sister EVER!" She is wonderful with Everett, and tells him daily that he's her best friend. Her imagination has really blossomed over the last few months, which is so much fun to see. She really is such a bright and beautiful little girl, even if she is mine!

Frank and I were officially "prayed-in" as shepherds of our community group at church. It's been a smooth fit for us so far, because of the love we share with our church family. Frank is still loving his job, which makes me very happy. I'm enjoying being home with my babies, although there are days I really miss my girlfriends at work.

Everett's Unexpected Homebirth - March 5, 2009

As a doula (still in training), I have a ton of head-knowledge about birth, and I totally believed that birth is a normal, natural, healthy thing. But my Lilly was born in the hospital (in my pre-doula days) with all the bells and whistles. So I had doubts deep down about whether or not I could really do it. My plan this time was for an unmedicated hospital birth. Fortunately, it didn't turn out that way. Here's my story:

I was 39 weeks on Thursday, March 5. I woke up at 3:00am thinking my water might have broken. I was finally sure that's what it was at about 3:30. So I called my doula, Gina Phillips, to tell her my water had broken, and that we were going back to sleep to wait for my body to do it's thing. By 4:15, I was feeling crampy and uncomfortable... enough that I couldn't sleep. So Frank and I got up, e-mailed work, threw a few last minute things in our bags, and basically wasted time. Then around 5:00, I noticed that my cramps were coming about every 4 minutes apart, lasting more than a minute, but I was going to wait to do anything until they had been that way for an hour. At 5:15, we called our doula and said things felt really intense, and that I thought I could use her help. We also called our friend Kim, who was going to watch Lilly, to come over. At about 5:30, I decided I needed a change of scenery, since I couldn't find a comfy spot in our bedroom anymore. So I got up and walked into the living room and laid down on the couch just in time for another "cramp." It was then that I felt the baby's head come off my pubic bone (which is where he'd been resting for several weeks) and slide all the way down. It was the most dramatic thing I've ever felt in my life. Suddenly, my body was pushing and I couldn't make it stop. I was scared to death, but stayed calm. My husband was oblivious, and I didn't tell him what I'd felt because I couldn't even explain it to myself in my own head. I crawled over to my birth ball and stayed there for several minutes. Kim came at 5:45, and I couldn't speak to greet her. My doula came in at about 6:00 and found me on the floor making "pushy sounds". She helped me get up and walk to the bathroom. Up to then, I hadn't had any bloody show, but boy, that had changed drastically! I was freaking out, telling her I was pushing and couldn't stop. I think she and my husband both just thought I'd lost control and was starting to panic, so she tried to get me to reach and see if I could feel the baby's head. I couldn't tell what I was feeling, so she offered to look, just to reassure me that he was not falling out. When she looked, she could see his sweet little head right there! She said, very calmly, "We have two options. I could call 911 and a paramedic could deliver your baby here. Or I could call my friend, who is a midwife, who lives 10 minutes from here, and she could deliver your baby here. Either way, you are about to have a homebirth." Thankfully, in that moment I firmly said, "call the midwife!" That was about 6:10. For the next 13 minutes, my doula had me on my back, blowing through the intense urge to push, trying to buy some time for the midwife, Ann Crowell, to arrive. She came in at 6:23 and immediately got in position to catch my little one. I flipped to all fours, then down onto my side (which was way more comfortable for me.) She coached my pushing beautifully (strong push here... gentle push here... breathe here....) At 6:40 am, my sweet Everett James was born into my arms in the comfort of my own bed. He was 9 pounds, 9 ounces, 21 1/2 inches long... and I had NO TEARING!!! It was the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. The next 2 hours were so amazing... nobody took my baby away, nobody rubbed goop in his eyes, nobody asked anything absurd of us. It was beautiful. We got into a wonderful herbal tea bath, and we felt so healthy and wonderful.

God gave me, not just the blessing of a healthy baby boy, but the gift of true belief... in His perfect plan, in birth, in my baby, and in myself. We thank God for this overwhelming gift. All the glory belongs to Him!

Here's a link to the picture montage of the birth.
http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=8354a766378ec560013157&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email

Long Overdue Post

I can't make any excuses for why I haven't blogged lately... unless, of course, you count being a zillion months pregnant, and having a two-year old, working, helping shepherd a cg.... then I guess I do have an excuse or two!

Lilly "ice skating" on our "pond" on the ice day, 1/28/09.

She just loves to blow the dandelions!

Big sister, helping Mommy open Everett's gifts at the baby shower at Mommy's work.

Isn't this the cutest thing!?! Thanks, Amanda, for such a sweet gift!

His name is on the door... we're ready when he is! For more shower and nursery pictures, visit our family photos link on the right side.