Happy Birthday Mason!

Today is a bittersweet day at my house. I have been looking forward and dreading Mason's first birthday! And I almost feel bad for saying that I have been dreading it. I am so excited that Mason is here with us but to say that he has been here for a year is hard to believe! Everyday with him is a new adventure and everyday with him, I am more thankful than the day before that a year ago today, Derek and I welcomed this precious boy into our lives. He has made us happier than we could have ever asked to be. So to keep with the traditions of my fellow bloggers and posting their birth stories on their blog, here goes ours:

Tuesday June 23rd seemed like any other day. I got up, got ready for work, drove to work, and left for a regular visit with Dr. Hobgood. My boss Julie teased me and said that she didn't expect to see me after my appointment. I thought that there was no way Dr. Hobgood would tell me to stay so I took it with a grain of salt and went on my way. I got to Dr. Hobgood's office she checked me and expecting to hear 2 centimeters like I had been hearing for 2 weeks, I about passed out when she said "4 centimeters, we are having a baby tonight or tomorrow." I think she saw the shocked look on my face and she said, "Here are your options, you can stay and we can get in you in now, or you can go home, take a day to relax and be back at midnight unless your contractions start heavy then you need to come one back." Knowing that my husband would have a heart attack if I told him I was staying not to mention, I wasn't ready, I said I would come back.

I am leaving the doctor's office shocked and scared. I call my boss and let her know what's going on. I call Derek and say I am coming back at midnight, call my mom, call Brittany, and the call Courtney. I had to make sure everyone made appropriate plans! So I go home, pack the rest of our bags and head to the pool to relax.

At 11:35 Derek and I left our house and headed to Women's East. There wasn't one word spoken the entire trip there. My contractions had started about 10:45 and they were at the point of every 5 minutes. So we get to the hospital and we check in. They hook me up to the IV's and tell me to try to get some sleep because I won't get any the rest of the day or evening. YEAH RIGHT! What were they thinking? A. I was having contractions and B. I had to pee every 30 seconds and that was a chore because Derek was having to unplug me and walk me in there and come back to hook me back up. Jennifer the nurse came back in around 4 and said that the anesthesiologist got called into an emergency c- section and it was going to be a while before the epidural but she could give me something else to ease the pain. I agreed and she gave me a shot, I can still remember her words when she said "This is going to hit you fast" and before I could say what do you mean, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt like I was on laughing gas. By the way, I am still 4 centimeters. Dr. Hobgood and the anesthesiologist come in around 6 and Dr. Hobgood says to start Pit and give me an epidural. So, as soon as I get my epidural, my butt goes numb and I let everyone know about it. We all laugh and about then, we start getting our visitors. My mom, Pop, and Anna Beth were the first to arrive! They said Anna Beth had been up for quite some time and couldn't wait on Kim and the other kids so she decided to come on. By then, it was time for a shift change and I get a new nurse. She wasn't the greatest. She checked me at 8 o'clock when they broke my water (which Derek made a huge deal out of to the point that he got the needle out of the trash can to show all of the family what they just stuck inside of me) and that was the last time she checked me until 2 o'clock when my epidural bag ran out and I thought I was going to die. I know what Jamie and Veryll are thinking, but I was in some pain ladies, I give you props for being a lot stronger than me! So I told her that I had a lot of pressure and she checked me. Sure enough 8 centimeters. I was well on my way, but one side wasn't dilating as well as they would have liked, so they had me turn on my side until that side dilated. STILL NO EPIDURAL REFILL! So my nurse comes in at 3:15 and says that she has to go next door that I am going to have a new nurse for the rest of the day! THANK YOU JESUS! So Barbara my hero comes in checks me and says 9 centimeters, fills my bag back up just in time for the important area to become numb by 4 o'clock when she called Dr. Hobgood. They check me at 4:00 and she said, "Ok it's time, 10 centimeters, let's have a baby." Derek and I just look at each other and Barbara goes and tells all of our family and friends that are there to come on in that I am about to push. As soon as my mom crosses the corner, I start to cry. They all kiss me and say that I will do great and that they will see me soon. At 4:05 I start pushing. Sweet little Mason gets stuck on my pelvic bone and I think that I am going to die because I can feel almost every bit of it. Barbara asks me if I would like a mirror and I say "No, because I am scared that if I see what I am doing to myself I will stop." Everyone laughs and I keep on going. At 4:44, I heard the most beautiful noise in the world. That cry that was heard by Derek and I that day was a better sound than anything we could ever imagine and they laid that sweet baby on my chest. This was my baby, the baby that I helped to create and the baby I was going to raise, he was mine and he was here. They take him away and clean him up just in time for the grandparents and K.K. to come in and welcome Mason Riley Bates at 6 pounds 15 ounces and 20 3/4 inches long.

Words cannot describe the way I felt at that very moment. An overwhelming amount of fear and love and excitement filled my body. I was fulfilling the purpose that I always knew God had planned for me. I had a beautiful baby boy and I got to keep him! We are so thankful for our sweet Mason! Happy Birthday Big Boy! Daddy and I love you very much!

Happy Birthday Mason!

Introducing Maxwell Reece Bates

I thought since I haven't posted any pictures of Max, now would probably be a good time with an update. Max now weighs 3.7 pounds. Sumo Wrestler comes to mind when I hear this! I don't know about you but that seems huge to me since Mason only weigh 3 pounds more than that when he was born! I passed my glucose test and everything is going as planned! I am hot as Blue Blazes! Derek and Mason are usually freezing and in sweats at the house while I am in shorts and a tank top! Bless their hearts! Derek said the other night that his toes were going to fall off as I was wiping sweat off of my face! Oh the sacrifices as family makes for the pregnant woman in the house! We are so excited to meet Max!

Profile Picture

From Left to Right: Toes, Calf and Knee

A Butt View, these are the legs

And arm

Father's Day

I'm sure Derek could tell you more about his First Official Father's Day than I can, but I just want to take this time and brag on Derek and my dad for being the amazing fathers that they are.First of all, my dad is amazing! He has been a wonderful protector to me, mom, and Kaitlin. I always said that leaving my dad would be the hardest thing for me to do when I get married and it was. My mom and I have a relationship that's the same no matter where I live, but the night before I got married, I remember laying in my bed and hearing that knock that I had dreaded hearing for 21 years! I wasn't ready to tell my dad bye and leave my trust in another man to protect me. My dad has been wonderful through the whole process of me getting married and having Mason. Lord knows I haven't made it easy on them with the situations that have crossed our path, but he has never failed to amaze me with his faithfulness to be there for me. I also have to acknowledge his love for Derek. Not many fathers can take another man into their home and show them the same amount of love that a father should be showing him. My dad did that for Derek and more. I often tease Derek that he's turning into my dad, but I don't think that would be bad at all! I could not ask for a better dad for me or a better "Pa" for Mason!
And now for Derek. Derek has done nothing but amaze me daily with his patience with Mason and his overwhelming love for him. I can still remember the day that I told Derek it was time to go to the hospital! Although probably scared to death, he still was there to coach and encourage me the entire way. Derek has talked about having children since the day I met him. He swore that he would be a great father because for a long time he didn't have that privilege. I must say he has out done himself. He's not a great father, he is an amazing father. He's an amazing husband! I am so thankful that I get to call him mine.
I'm sure there are fathers out there who had a big elaborate father's day, but to all of us, just being together that day meant more to us than all of the presents and celebrations in the world. Happy Father's Day dad and Derek.

I Wonder If He Thinks....

By the looks of this picture, I think Mason already knows the family that he was born into! We are always on the go and it looks like he is ready for a trip! Don't worry Derek and I won't disappoint him! We are going on vacation on the 4th! I just had to share this adorable picture that mom took today!

This Is It!

Today is the last day Derek has to study for his test in the morning. I am a nervous wreck, but he is doing well. He has been studying non stop and I could not be more proud of him. He read the entire book last night (again) and went through and highlighted things that he was having trouble remembering. There wasn't that much highlighted believe it or not. If we can get through the Standard Operating Procedures and the different kinds of strokes, he will be doing great! It cracks me up because he'll get to the point where that's all he talks about. His insults/ jokes all refer to something fire related. Pretty lame huh? I guess I need to be thankful though because all that does is prove his dedication to this. No matter the outcome of tomorrow (we won't find out for 2 weeks what he made) I am so proud of Derek and his determination to make something of himself, more than he already has! Please please please be praying for Derek tonight as he finishes up studying and tomorrow morning around 8:30 when his test begins!

This Time Last Year....

I woke up this morning with a heavy heart! Not depressed or sad really, just thinking back on this last year and how much things have changed. I remember this time last year, my parents were on a cruise, Derek and I were "dogsitting" and Dr. Hobgood advised me to go ahead and pack a bag and keep it in the car in case I went into labor. So this time last year, although 12 days away from delivery, Derek and I got our bags together and packed one for Mason as well. I started off with making my list which I found the other day. Now of course there were some things that were going to have to wait, but as for everything else, pajamas, clothes to wear home, Mason's stuff was all packed and put in the car in case for some reason I went into labor at work. Little did I know at the time that I would be in labor for 16 hours.
So what am I doing this year, today I go take my 1 hour glucose test for Max, go get goody bag stuff for Mason's birthday party and continue planning for it. 12 days away from his first birthday. I feel like I should still have him in a carrier packing newborn diapers, not letting him hold my hand and walking somewhere and packing size 4 diapers. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love this time with Mason. He is so fun and we love being silly with him and playing and dancing around the house, it's just hard to believe that he's becoming more of a boy not a baby. I have warned the girls here at work that the Wednesday of Mason's birthday I may be laid out in the floor in depression. We are so thankful for our sweet boy!

Why I Deserve The Wife Of The Year Award!

Just kidding.... but I should at least tell you why I am the runner up! Again, just kidding, but here is what my life has consisted of for the past, oh 4 weeks. As many of you know, Derek is scheduled to take his firefighter test on Wednesday the 17th, BTW, I am a nervous wreck and I think he is too, but he will never admit it. So for the past 4 weeks, I have made 400 note cards, 3 sets of 30 page notes and highlight points, 3 practice tests, countless hours of reading note cards and asking random questions as we travel, and the most important of all... encouraging Derek when he is mad, tired, and ready to give up on it.
Here is an update on Derek. He has been reading the 400 note cards and answering the questions as we go down the road, he has read the book, studied the notes, and taken the practice tests. He has really impressed me with all of his efforts with this whole process.
No matter the outcome of next week, I am so proud of Derek for the efforts he is applying to this. He has truly taken the initiative and tried his best despite the fact that he hates studying and he hates tests. I am so excited for him, nervous for him, all of the above emotions, but I know it's in God's hands and what happens is meant to happen.
Please keep Derek in your prayers this next week as his studying comes to an end and he takes his test on Wednesday the 17th at 8:30!

We Should Have Named Him Jack...

As in Jack- O- Lantern! That's what Mason looks like right now. He is working on 4 teeth and of the 4, only 2 have broken through. So we have the two bottom center (we've had these for a while) and then we have the top left center and the top left "fang" tooth. Although I shadowed in a dentist office for 3 months, I am clueless as to what the real name of these teeth are. So Mason looks quite hilarious and oh by the way... HE'S NOT SLEEPING! Oh the joys of motherhood. He just wakes up in pain around 2 or 3 and he cries in pain. So he's pitiful! And I have also found that he only cries at night when he's with me and Derek and it's only when we have to get up and go to work the next morning. For example... he slept until 9:30 Saturday morning! Maybe this will be the extent of his rebellion!
Mason also had another small accident. I know... bad mommy and daddy comes to mind! I promise we watch him, he's just EXTREMELY clumsy! We went swimming with mom and dad Saturday afternoon. He was in the 6 inch with dad and slipped in the pool and bumped his eye. It's now a little bruised and scraped! He cried and acted like it effected him for about 5 seconds then he was ready to get back in. He is all boy despite what Derek says! So he looks like we beat him! I am amazed at the stories that people tell me about their children and what they have done... actually I am very thankful that I am not the only one who has a full speed ahead baby!

No More Stitches!

I am so thankful to say that Mason's stitches are gone! He finally rubbed the last one out last night! I was getting worried because it had been a while since the stitches were put in and they were supposed to be gone. But last night they had finally itched him enough and he scratched the last one out. His head looks great! There is definitely a scar, but the nurse/ resident did a great job at stitching him up so hopefully it will start to disappear soon. I am so proud of Mason! He was such a big boy during this terrible process. He has a trooper! He never cried because the stitches were bothering him and never really touched them or got anything in them. He did great! As for Derek and I, I think considering the circumstances, we did a great job handling everything too. Were we terrified when it first happened? Yes, but we made it and so did Mason. No matter the scar, he's still precious! We are very cautious with him now. We watch every move and gasp when he falls. Most of the time he laughs! We just hope the clumsy stage is almost over!

6 And Counting!

Although Derek and I have only been married for 1 year, today marks our 6th "anniversary" together. I can't believe it! 6 years ago, we went on our first date and 6 years ago, I knew I was going to marry Derek someday! We have had so many wonderful times and many horrible times, but I am thankful that the good have always out weighed the bad. We truly complete each other and we have a great time together. I can honestly say there is NEVER a dull moment with us. To this day, I can still remember our first date, or lack there of. I was a nervous wreck, but we had a great time, obviously a good enough time to be together 6 years later and married. So just in case you don't know, here's how our first date went:
Derek had been coming to church for a while now and we started to be good friends. Not "talking" per say, but our friendship was growing. We were both just coming out of relationships and Derek was recovering from some issues that he had:) We went to eat after church and for those of you who know anyone at our church, there is always about 30 of us who go eat and today was no exception. Derek had mentioned that he needed a hair cut but didn't know when he could go, so I graciously and stupidly offer to cut his hair. In the mean time, my mother is telling me that I should never have done that because I will have to shave it. So later that evening Derek comes up to the house and while I am shaking I start to cut his hair and about the third snip I yell for back up and my mom completes the job. I was too nervous and by the way, I DON'T CUT HAIR. And Derek hasn't let me since that day except to shave it. After that we meet Michael, Ashley, and Tara at Lupi's for dinner and then we all go back to my house for banana splits. I can still remember the conversations and what we were wearing that day. The funniest part of the evening: getting into Derek's red truck in the 98 degree weather, it's burning up and Derek pulls out Pepto Bismol and takes a big slug of it out of the bottle. HOT Pepto Bismol! I thought I was going to gag! By the way... he hasn't done it in front of me since. He says it was the food he ate, I say he was nervous. Happy 6 Years Together Derek!

We're Back!

We made it home from Mississippi last night! We had a great time visiting with the family. Mason had a great time entertaining everyone especially Nathan and Natalie because they thought he was hilarious and cracked up about everything he did. Mason loves the attention and continues to do things when you laugh at him. He is growling a lot here lately! We think it's quite hilarious and so does he! MiMi and Pop were a nervous wreck all weekend because Mason is quite clumsy and falls a lot! So every time he fell you hear everyone gasp for air.
Highlights of the weekend:
1. We tried a new restaurant that MiMi and Pop frequent- Hamil's! It was amazing! I am not a buffet person at all. In fact, they make me sick, so I was very hesitant, but it ended up being one of the best restaurants that we have eaten there.
2. Nathan, Natalie and Mason riding around in the driveway in the wagon and car. Mason thought he was hot stuff and the kids thought it was so fun wheeling someone else around.
3. The new mall in Madison! It was amazing as well. So many cute stores! It's an outdoor mall so for a 6 month pregnant woman, it's too hot especially in Mississippi, so that was the only down fall.
4. Kim seeing a man that she graduated high school with. She was talking about his family and her family and she told him that I was Paula's daughter and that she is a grandmother now. You could see the shocked/ disgusted look on his face. I told Kim to make sure that next time she tells someone that Paula is a grandmother, that she also tells them that I am 22 not 14.
5. This is probably more of my mom's highlight, but I think I will write about it. Mom always stays at Kim's house and me, Kaitlin, and Mason stay at MiMi's. So Saturday night Nathan says that he wants to sleep with mom. So he gets in bed and tells mom that Heidi stinks. Mom says, well, I'll give her a bath when I get home. He waits a few minutes and says, "She really smells bad, can you give her a bath now." Mom explains to him and says that it's late and she will give her a bath later. Then he says, "Well, I can't hold my breath all night long." Mom laughs and he goes and gets in the bed with Anna Beth. Oh the things that kids say! I can't wait to hear what Mason starts saying to her! It will be very interesting.