The Story of Miller K...

I can't believe my sweet little man will be 4 in just a few days!

My best friend recently had the best idea for a blog post about her little man who is also turning 4. She went back and had a little time reminiscing about his birth story, Coops birth. I thought wow, what a great way to actually have a digital copy of the story of his birth. So, Rebecca I'm stealing your idea... probably in 2 different posts ;)

My story begins almost 4 years ago on August 9th! I had a really great pregnancy with Miller. Everything was exciting and as a first time mom everything was new. I was scared and ecstatic about everything he did in my belly. The first time he kicked, he kicked a magazine (that was resting on my belly, why not? it was a great prop) all the way across the den floor. I did have lots of morning sickness, but I gained the right amount of weight and overall had a healthy pregnancy.

Miller was due on August 7th. I went to the doctor on my actual due date and she kind of laughed saying he was in no hurry to make his grand entrance. I was just a little over a 1/2 centimeter dilated and she saw no signs of Miller ready to come out. She said to go home and attempt to jump start labor by the typical "home methods." So I walked, got a pedicure, and put the hubby to good use for the next day or so. Still no signs. Then in the early morning hours, 2 whole days later, on August 9th I felt the smallest little almost cramp. Well as a first time mom, I jumped up, went to the bathroom, and thought could this be it! I think I almost expected my water to break, just because I went to the bathroom- oh well! I went back to bed and started timing my "cramps" They didn't really get any worse but they were pretty constant, about every 4 mins. At about 7am, I woke Wes up because they were getting stronger. I had a doctors apt that morning anyways. They had scheduled me to come in on the 9th which was a Friday, to see my progress before leaving for the weekend. I was kind of getting excited, could this really be it? I called my dad, for 2 reasons, to tell him I think I may be in labor and to wish him a Happy Birthday! Yes, my dad's birthday is actually on the 9th too.. Lots going on in August in my family ;) But anyways, he answered the phone, the same way he had for the last few weeks. "Is it Miller time" I excitledly said, i think it might be, and he quickly passed the phone to my momma! haha!

Well my appointment was scheduled for 10 am, by then my contractions were in full swing. They were steady every 4 minutes, but just a little tingle- no real pain yet! I went in to see the doctor, and when she checked me, she agreed, I was in labor! She said since it was a Friday she would send me on to the hospital for evaluation. I was hovering somewhere between a 3 & 4 on the dilated scale. When we got to the hospital, I was really in no pain and they told me to walk the halls for a few mins to maybe get the process started because although I was dilating I wasn't in "Active" labor. I walked the hospital halls for about 3 hours, the nurse checked me again, and still no "Active" labor. The doctor came in and told me that without active labor, she wanted me to go home and sleep in my bed and we would probably not be back for a few days! "A few days".... a few what! Then why the heck did you send me over here, just to send me home! Anyways, after I cried over that for a few mins, I agreed, I wasn't in active labor, and I didn't get much sleep so that kind of sounded nice. Dr. W gave me a prescription for an Ambien to help me sleep and said that she would probably see me in the office on Monday.. ugh Monday!

So we left the hospital, went by the Pharmacy to get the Ambien filled, and I started hurting, hurting pretty bad. I got the pill, went home, laid down like they said to, and literally stared at the clock for 2 solid hours. I never took my eyes off of the clock, I watched every minute count down from 6pm-8pm, and also counting ever 3 minutes when my contractions would hit. They were getting worse- and fast. I was scared though, I thought ok she said Monday, but this is getting kind of bad. At about 8pm I got up, went to the den and sat there for a few mins. Some of my dear family friends were there, watching me as I attempted to sit still and let each contraction hit me. They urged me to go back to the hospital so after some convincing I did just that. Honestly, I don't remember the car ride at all, I have no idea how I got to the hospital or checking in at labor & delivery. However, I distinctly remember the look of the doctor when she walked in and saw it was me. First words out of her mouth, "What are you doing here, your NOT having this baby tonight." I froze, I was like, I think if i'm not having this baby then something is totally wrong. I was in terrible- I mean horrible pain. Contractions were still a steady every 3 minutes and getting so much more intense. I was hurting! Now keep in mind, when this "wonderful" doctor sent me home, a few hours earlier, I was already dilated to 4cm. I'm pretty sure that at 4cm you can get an epidural- just saying! Back on track... She said well since you've brought me up here, I guess I'll go ahead and check you. I was like, um, yes please, I'm dying here! She checked me and immediately her facial expression changed. Her face kind of dropped. "Oh my, your already 7 1/2 cm dilated." Secretly inside I wanted to say "told you so" but instead my first time mom jitters along with the fact that I was in some serious Contraction PAIN! I just smiled and said, then can I have some pain meds. About that time my water also broke, as she was checking me. She then turned into my best friend doctor... um, no you just made me feel like a fool, for no reason, I'm good! Dr. W gave me some pain options, Pills, nothing, epidural, um.. EPIDURAL please! & fast! I'm already near 8 & don't you just have to be at 10!

Well, I got the epidural and a few bags of fluid, and then I felt pretty good. No complaints from me, the Ambien was also kicking in full blast, so I had a nice little nap while everyone else stayed up awaiting the arrival of my sweet baby boy!

A few hours later, around 3am, the nurse checked me again and said I was well ready to push. To what, i thought, ohh my can this really be happening. Yes, it was time to push! I started pushing and nothing was happening. I remember everyone counting to 10, over and over, and not allowing me to stop pushing until they were at 10. I kept praying please let them count faster. I pushed about 15 mins and the nurse told me to relax and breathe through the next few contractions, while she called Dr. W. She came in and while she was getting ready, I started pushing for the nurse again. Dr. W had a little excitement when that happened and for once believed me and kicked her butt into high gear! We were ready. I pushed hard 2 more times for the doctor and she said the most precious words that I have ever heard in my life. "Angela, get ready, your about to become a mom" The nurse placed a blanket on my chest, spread it out and said to me, "your life is about to change forever." I was in full mom mode by that point, I was so excited I couldn't believe I was one push away from becoming a mom, the thing I had dreamed about for months and months. Finally the time came, the contraction was here, ohhh my no turning back now. One hard push and here he was. Miller Kenneth arrived! it wast August 10th at 4:32am. Love, love is all I could think about at that very moment. He was beautiful, he had a head full of dark hair, and I remember thinking, man he looks big! I held him and hugged on him for a few mins and then they took him to be weighed and get his scores and clean him off a little bit. While the doctor sewed me up .. tmi, I know. But, the doctors had to work on me quite a bit, the other nurses took my baby off to weigh him. She placed him on the scales, and shouted out over the room... 9lbs 11oz... All of a sudden, the hustle and bustle stopped, the once busy busy room, turned almost silent. What? what did she just say? She couldn't have said what I thought she said. I looked at Wes, he looked at me.. what? Dr. W looked at the nurse, somethings wrong with that she said, weigh him again. Same weight the 2nd time... wow he was one big baby, perfect, but big!

They finished cleaning him off while Wes went out to the waiting room to show off pictures of our precious baby boy. Wes will forever be coined with the waiting room entry phrase of, "We had a flippin toddler" haha! He was a big baby. They took his footprints, his photos, and Apgar scores. He scored a 7 on the Apgar score, but they insisted since he was such a big baby, he would need to eat within an hour after being born.

I was finally fixed up and they allowed all of our visitors who had been patiently waiting on Miller's arrival to parade through the room. Everyone was so happy to see him and couldn't believe he was finally here! Our family and friends were all thrilled to see and hold him. He had to lay under the heat lamps for a little longer than typically required, due to his size, he couldn't keep up his own body temperature. Everyone paraded through the nursery to see him laying there, just adorable. My mom & dad, Wes' Parents, the Stameys, Teresa & Ali, and Chris & Rebecca with little newborn 5week old Coop were all there to see Miller's first hours.

After he was shown off to everyone, I had to attempt to feed him for the first time. He and I had to learn together, and that first attempt at breastfeeding I'm sure was pretty comical. He had to eat and he was a hungry boy. He was able to feed as much as he needed right away and I thought we did pretty good with it.

After everyone left to go home and take naps, since we had kept them up all night, I sat there staring and really holding my baby boy for the first time. He was amazing. He was beautiful. He was perfect. Immediately I felt a bond with him, he was mine and I loved him more than I ever thought possible. I was scared to take my eyes off of him, he was not leaving my sight. The nurse came in to take him to give him a real bath and I guess she could see the fear in my eyes, so she left, and came back with the stuff and bathed him right there in our room. A few hours later, the nurse did have to come get him and take him to see the Pediatrician in the nursery. I made Wes follow him all the way to the nursery and stand outside and wait on the Pediatrician to finish checking him out and then follow the nurse back to me. I was a little bit of an overprotective first time mom, but he was mine, and we bonded immediately, and I was not letting him out of my sight. We had lots of great family & friends visit us as soon as they got word that Miller was here. We are so lucky to have each of them.

Because I was such a nervous wreck, as soon as Dr. W released me, we were outta there! We actually came home the very next day. I was excited to get home and break full force into a new routine with my sweet boy!

Over all, my birth experience with Miller was a great one. Sure there was lots of pain and a horrible recovery (9lb baby.. I didn't think I would ever be the same). But, it was all worth it. I think the human body/mind has a way of forgetting the most horrific parts of our childbirth, to allow us to even contemplate having a 2nd child. He was a great baby and I am so blessed to be his mother.

Missing Daddy...

The 4 of us are a pretty close little family. We enjoy the times spent together and seem to have lots of fun just hanging out together. So when one of us is missing it's always a little strange.

This week Wes had to leave town for a few days for some jobs in Raleigh & Cary. He left way before the kids woke up Wednesday morning and didn't get back until late- late Thursday night. We really missed him. I missed all his help and I really hated seeing the kids miss their daddy so much! Miller asked over and over where daddy was. I would say daddy had to go off to work overnight and then he would remind himself that he would be back tomorrow, over and over.

We did go to Grammy's for the night to stay with her since Wes was not home. We had lots of fun there riding the golf cart and playing out on the porch.

Both Miller & Emma really missed Wes and couldn't wait for him to come home. The second they heard his truck pull in the driveway they both went running to the door. Miller gave long hugs and wanted to know everything about the mysterious work trip daddy had been on. Em just gave hugs and "sugars" and was super excited to see daddy. They sure do love their daddy and missed him terribly, I missed him a little bit too!

Here's a picture of Miller cuddling up with Wes getting ready for bed. He got to stay up extra late, just to cuddle with daddy because he kept saying over and over how much he missed his daddy.

a love stronger than death...

Everyone that is close to me knows, I love my grandpaw. He was the most awesome man, caring, loving, brilliant, funny, and just an all around great man, but most of all an amazing popaw!
My grandpaw was diagnosed with Lung cancer a few short months ago and although the treatments were very successful, his body just couldn't take all the rounds of medicine, chemo, and radiation they attempted to throw at him. He beat the Lung Cancer, but ended up losing the fight when his body just got tired. He passed away a few months ago and it has been incredibly hard on all of us, especially my parents who spent so much time and lived with him during his sick year. But most of all, it's been a rough time for my sweet Momaw.
I just happen to be spending the night with my parents and my Momaw tonight, when I walk into her room to find her in bed and laying beside her is a framed 11x14 photo of my amazing popaw. It hit me hard to see that image. How strong must their bond be for her to still, after months, feel comfort just by having his picture laying beside her. I condsider myself still a "young married" couple. Wes and I have been married for 5 years and I really don't know what I would do without him by my side every night. I love the feeling of safety and comfort that I get with him besdie me. Then I think, my Momaw has had that same feeling for over 60 years and now it's been taken away from her. I just can't imagine. It just pulled so hard at my heart to see her with his picture as she layed there drifting off to sleep. How many countless days over the past 60plus years has she layed there holding his hand as she drifted off to sleep, or waking up to him next to her. I can't imagine the lost feeling she has of being alone. It's true that love can outlast life. I saw in that one little picture that there was a bond in them and a love that is way stronger than death. Death may be the thing that parts them for now, but it will not be the thing that seperates their love. In that one glance into her room, and in turn into her heart, I saw that Love is much stronger than Death. I hope that I can also have that love in my life, to last from now until death and beyond. Love is Love, and if you Love with all your heart, I truly feel that kind of love will last forever.

It's Birthday Season.....

Well, its the end of July and in the HOYLE household that means it's coming up on BIRTHDAY SEASON! We have birthdays galore in August, but the most important birthdays are my sweet babies! I can't believe that out of the 365 days in a year, I would have my sweet babies exactly 2 years apart.

Miller arrived in his own timely way, a few days overdue, and taking his precious time. He was born on August 10th at 4:32 in the morning. Just a few short years later- almost exactly two to be exact! EmmaLeigh came barreling into the world with just a single push at 5:34am on August 9th, which also just happened to be my Daddys birthday too! So as you can see, August is a little exciting, um.. eventful, um..EXHAUSTING for us!

With two very young babies and birthdays only a day apart, I've been plagued as to how to celebrate their birthdays. No matter how exciting the lead up to your birthday is, poor Miller will always have to take a back seat, because Em's will always come first. Or Poor Emma's will have to fly by because Miller's is coming up the very next day! And not to mention, my poor Daddy has to get a birthday wish in there somewhere ;) Last year I decided that even though their birthdays were so close, Emma deserved her very on first birthday party. So I tried my best to make 2 parties not consume an entire weekend of our friends and families lives- however I think I kind of failed. We ended up planning a party for Friday night and another for Saturday morning. Both parties were perfect and both kiddos had great birthdays but I felt like a heal for taking up so much time on everyone's weekends. Not to mention, we were completely exhausted! So this year, as I hope to do for many years to come, we have decided on a joint party! YAY! I am super excited to celebrate, hopefully in a more relaxed way, that my babies are turning 2 & 4! Wow, where has the time gone... 2 & 4 seems so old!

Miller & Em are both so excited that their birthdays are approaching and it's all they've talked about. Who am I kidding, it's all i've talked about too!! I love birthdays and I love that my babies can celebrate together. Although, it sometime makes party planning, present planning, cake planning, decoration planning, and venue panning a little more difficult, I wouldn't trade it for the world!

So as the weekend approaches and the countdown begins to Birthday Season in August, I hope to stay calm, collected, stress free, and hopefully get a little extra sleep to accommodate all the sugared up kids from a week full of Birthday fun!!!

Here's a copy of our B-day invite for this year! I love how it turned out!

I can't believe it's been a year.....

Wow! It's been a year since we sold our house! Wow does time fly.

Rewind back to a year ago, we knew we wanted to sell our house. I loved our house, we loved our house. It was a house we built with our own hands. My grandpaw, dad, and Wes & I spent countless hours the year before we got married on the house. It was perfect, it was excatly what we wanted and we picked out everything in it from paint to tile to grout color and appaliances! It was ours- all of it! We came home from our honeymoon to that house, we brought our babies home to that house, we were happy with that house! However, as much as we loved that house we knew it was built not exactly as investment property but as a starter house, and with 2 babies, 2 dogs, lots of stuff, toys galore, our "starting" was over. The housing market had just crashed- noting was selling anywhere and especially in our area. Because we knew this we decided to put our house on the market, attempt to sell it, and not take less than what we wanted for it, because we didn't have to sell it.

Well much to our surprise, our little lovely house, had about 6 showings the first weekend and then an offer within 38 days! An offer we really couldn't refuse! Ok so no what?? We had no ideas where to go, what to do, to buy or to build, we just didn't know! Wes and I are about as indecisive as any couple could be, and this was no different! If we agreed on a house, we would disagree on location, if we agreed on location, one of us would hate the house! We quickly found out, for so many houses to be on the market, we sure couldn't find one for our family! Then I had a crazy thought, my grandpaws house was sitting empty, he was attempting to rent it but was not getting very far. We could move in there for just a few months, until we decided on what to do, to buy, to build, to move! Thankfully he was as excited about it as we were, and allowed us to move in and continue making some repairs and improvements as we lived there. He was so excited and a little scared to see the repairs we were doing. We changed carpet, paint, doors, refinished hardwoods, and all kinds of things! The house still has lots of problems, but it's been a great house for us for the last year!

Thankfully we moved in just about 2 months after the offer came in and we settled in to the "new house" as Miller has come to call it. We still couldn't decide what to do, to buy to build, we had no idea! We looked at house after house for the first few months and then decided to take a little break and really survey our lives, save a little cash, take a few vacations, and spend some family time deciding what we need, what we want, and where we want live, what school district we want the kids in, and what we want in a home. That process has taken us well into a year at this house. We moved in on June 10th, 2010- a little over a year ago. We've enjoyed living at this house, it was like moving home to me. I love the area, I'm comfortable in the house, it's a house I spent summers at, nights at, partys at, and just plain a comfort to me. For me to move into this house was like moving back home to my childhood.

Now that it's been a year, we've finally decided and might I add agreed that we wanted to build again. Lord help us! We have looked at so many houses and each one is lacking the personalized fit that we have had and that we want. We've finally picked out a house plan and have decided to go for it... hopefully soon. We've had many memories in this house and it will always hold a special place in our hearts, but we can't wait to move out either. We'll see how fast it goes, but after this year I think we're all looking forward to calling somewhere HOME in a Permanent way!

There's nothing like a busy summer.....

Oh Summertime! Summer has hit us full blast and i'm just now getting time to talk about all the fun things we've been doing in the Hoyle family ;)

Our summer started the beginning of May with our family trip to Disney world! We had a 6 day trip with Grammy & Popaw too and made so many memories. Miller constantly asks to go back to Disney.
When we got home Miller & Em enrolled in a summer program at their PreSchool and began going to class and having fun with their friends. We also finished the teeBall season with a night out at the WL park.
We had our annual family vacation in June with the extended family and made many memories on the Beach. Miller & Em Loved the sand and the ocean this year, they didn't want to leave the beach. We had lots of fun. Miller rode every ride at the theme parks that they would allow him to get on, many several times!
Since then we've had birthday parties, day trips to Tweetsie, Vacation Bible School, and just fun play dates with all our friends. We've had such a busy summer that it's flying by so fast. I'm afraid we're going to blink and it will be August and my little 1 & 3 year olds will be 2 & 4 before I know it! I'm hoping summer will slow down but I doubt that will happen so I'm enjoying spending the time with my sweet babies and planning on soaking up the last few weeks I have with my 1 & 3 year old!