Time Flies when You're Turning One!

One of the last times I posted here Corbin had just turned one. The year had passed in the blink of an eye and it seems these following months have moved even faster. Our lives have become such chaos. Sometimes good and sometimes bad but it seems the weeks are just flashing by.

In the time I have been away from the computer we have kept up on our usual day to day life. We have worked hard to maintain the life we were used to even though our worlds have been rocked with Little Man's autism diagnosis and all the hours of therapies that come along with it. Although life has changed for all of us, we want a normalcy to remain for all four kids. One big part of that has been their birthdays.

Despite how busy I have been, I wanted to make sure that the kids are still getting my 100% in their day to day but also in the extra areas and celebrating them.

Corbin's birthday party was one of my favorites yet. We were able to spend a little extra on decor pieces that will go into his room when we move in the not so distant future. Between those elements and just simple handmade items, I was so happy with the overall look.

We made sure to have airplanes everywhere since it was his current favorite thing. There were lots of Hobby Lobby finds, as well as just plain old fashioned Paper airplanes. 

Since I had been watching way too much Cake Boss, we attempted a fondant covered, three tiered cake. I got brave and made fondant decor too.

I still cannot believe this boy is one...actually 15 months by time I posted this. Stop time. Just stop!

Happy First Birthday Corbin

Today my youngest turns one. How is that even possible? I swear we brought him home from the hospital last week. Yet, at the same time, it is like he has always been here. Isn't it funny how that works. Time and emotion combined makes things so complicated.

Being number 4, means his time spent with mommy is broken up between or shared with 3 siblings. I think that is why this one has rushed by. I swear, I blinked and he aged. It has been terrible. Wonderful at the same time but quite ridiculous.

Corbin is a pure joy. God knew what He was doing when He surprised us with this one. When days are crazy and painful and defeating with everything that our life has thrown at us, this boy will manage to light up the room for all of us.

Oh, and can we just talk about those eyes for a second? Seriously, this boy makes his mommy swoon. It is that reason that you all get to have a picture overload here today to celebrate Corbin. Happy Birthday baby boy!

And how cute are the one year photos we took? He slays me!

A Newborns Life

Seriously, has more than a month already gone by since we brought our sweet baby boy home? Time is a funny thing. How is it that it can feel like we have had Corbin forever but like he just arrived at the same time?

A few days after our little guy graced us with his presence, my good friend Alaina from Simply Sweet Moments Photography came and did some our newborn pictures. We went with more of a lifestyle shoot than the typical studio newborn photos.

I am absolutely in love with these pictures. Using our own furniture, Corbin in his crib, they really give a sense of who his family is. What his reality looks like. Alaina did a beautiful job.

Cannot wait to watch this little guy grow. I do wish it would slow down a bit though.

A Baby Story: Corbin Grey

You write up a birth plan. You plan out the details. Discuss and confirm every thing with your doctor. It's going to be beautiful and perfect. Until it isn't.

That's how this labor went.

We decided to go all natural this time around. No epidural. No drugs at all. I was going to experience the real deal. I was actually pretty excited about it.

Then for numerous health reasons, after a lot of consideration and prayer we (doctor, hubby and I) decided that an induction was the best option for baby and I.

With the decision for an induction, came the decision to have an epidural. It was not an easy decision but the thought of no pain meds during the intense labor induction brings terrified me.

The decision to induce and have an epidural threw my loved birth plan out the window. Bye bye birthing ball, showers and ability to rock and walk the halls. Hello being locked down to a hospital bed. Sadness. But a good decision for my baby and I. 

Plus side, at least it'll be pain free, right? Right? Someone tell me epidurals always work! Or don't, you'd be lying. We'll get to that though. 

Induction day came. Family was on call. We knew it would be quick. My first labor was 9 hours, second was 6. This would be 3, right? Wrong!!

We arrived at the hospital. Got checked in. Waited about an hour and were in the room by 11am. They checked my cervix and I was at a three. Booyah!!! I'd never been dilated before labor in the past. This was gonna be over in an instant.

Pitocin was started and my first contraction came at around 1:30. I toughed through what the nurse called intense contractions for about 2 hours. It wasn't too bad. We walked the halls, I rocked in the rocking chair for a bit. It was the best part of any labor I've had because I was doing it! The nurse informed us that if I wanted an epidural in the next few hours I needed to do it now.

The epidural was placed and my water was broke. With the other two, after my water broke it was about an hour. It was go time. 

After about 5 minutes, I wasn't feeling well. Like really bad. Nauseous, light headed, room spinning. The epidural caused my blood pressure to drop. They gave me something in the IV and instantly I felt fine. It was really go time now.

About an hour later, I was still in labor. Instead of feeling the urge to push like I expected, I felt nauseous again. I felt like I was going to pass out. From what everyone in the room says, my eyes rolled back in my head, the bottom of my feet were blue and I was pale white. My blood pressure had dropped to 60/58!!! More ephedrine in the IV and I was fine. 

But why couldn't I feel my legs. Epidural was settling in them. My contractions were not being picked up by external or internal monitors. Had they stopped? Sure enough my labor would not stick. It went off and on for 13 hours where I stayed dilated at a 4 the WHOLE time. 

All of a sudden, horrible contractions. I let the nurse know I was in pain. Yes, in pain despite an epidural. For some reason the epidural was only working from my waist down. I felt everything from this point on...everything except my legs. My legs felt like logs, heavy logs that I could lift on my own. But things were progressing.

I was at 7. After 20 minutes I informed her I was feeling the pain and a little pressure. We were almost there.

Doctor was called and we kicked my family out of the room. As the doctor was prepping I had the urge to push, so we started. 1 push and there was his head. Within 4 pushes he was here. The labor from hell turned into the easiest delivery ever.

This precious baby was placed on my chest and I have been in love ever since. 

Corbin Grey was born on July 23rd at 3:23am. He was 9lb 11oz and 21.5in

He is growing quickly and is the sweetest little guy.

First picture as a family of 6. It's cuter without Little Man's disguise but it'll do :)

Corbin's Quilt

Well, we are about a week out from having baby #4 and this mama is in full blown nesting mode. The nursery is just about complete. We call it Corbin's Corner. That's basically what it is, about a third of Rhiannon's room that is all his own.

When we first looked at the space, I was super sad, just too little room for a baby. After moving things around and decorating a little bit I am happy to say that it does not look like we are putting the baby in a corner.

There are still a couple of things that need to be added to the room but I was so excited to finish his quilt before he actually got here that I decided to just do that before the whole room reveal.

I knew I wanted something simple for his blanket. He will only be in Rhiannon's room until Little Man is adopted or goes home, so at 10-12 months. Then he will move into the boy room where his theme will change.

We went with colors that we pulled out of Rhi's uber girly room. To save money on both the quilt and the baby shower, we made table runners for the shower and then cut them up for the quilt when it was over. Also, being the cheap person I am, decided to use bed sheets for table cloths...because.. well fabric table cloths are way too expensive. So I cut one of those up and used it for the border. Two birds, one stone...or is that three birds?

For the front, just basic geometric rectangular strips and a border. Simple, bright, fun. Done.

Looking at the picture, it clearly needs to be ironed. Eek.

 The back, we found a totally comfy and cute Chevron minky that matched the blue on the front.

I love the quilt. He can hang onto it for quite a while because of the simplicity and it only took a day and a half to make. On a very low budget.

Pay no attention to the half naked toddler...comes with the job.

What projects are you working on this week?


Linking up with: Live, Laugh, Linky

It's a...

For those of you who follow us on InstaGram or Facebook, the answer will be no surprise. It was plastered everywhere Sunday night. We would like to invite you anyway to walk through our Gender Reveal party with us.

I told Steven as soon as we found out we were pregnant that since this will likely be our last pregnancy (only fostering after this one), I want to everything that I have ever wanted to do with the others. The first on that list was a gender reveal party.

If you know me well, or really much at all, you know that surprises are not my thing. I hate them. I dread them. I get angry when my husband says there is going to be one. So people were shocked at my decision to do this. Don't let me fool you though. I went to a place that does the ultrasound at 13 weeks and then had the party the very next day. And will power? I had zero.

Saturday after our ultrasound, I immediately dropped the "results" off with my friend Stefani, who I bothered about the answers all day. I am weak people. I thought I might die of torture. It was bad. I am pathetic. Ha!

Onto the party.

The theme of the party? Cute and fun. I don't know. Not  a real theme. I saw a color scheme I liked and went with it.

I wanted simple and pretty.

My friend Gaby made these beautiful pinwheels to hang above my little centerpiece.  The vases were simple. Frappacino bottles wrapped with paper.

 

My mom and I made some pom poms, hung them above the "Cravings" table.I unfortunately didn't snap a picture of those.

It was lots of fun.

Eventually I couldn't wait any longer so we ripped into the box.

 

IT'S A BOY!!!!

We had everyone guess the name we chose for the gender they voted for and gave gift cards who guessed correctly.

I'm so excited we will be having another sweet boy! His name will be Corbin Grey Murphy and we cannot wait to meet him!