When I look at her...

Thursday, September 25, 2008

When I look at her...




I see a girl who will always be a little baby to me. She's so perfect. I see the birth pictures, and I am so happy I have so many because of how quickly the moment passed. I only pushed for a few minutes and then she was in my arms. She rubs my hand softly as she nurses and slowly drifts off to sleep. I lay there a little longer to feel her soft skin on mine and I kiss her head. The smell of her downy hair fills me with love and tenderness, and I squeeze her closer in a delicate hug. She sighs. I am so blessed! I remember the prayer I said to God asking for a daughter the next time I got pregnant. Here she is, another answered prayer. No teeth, still, so when she smiles, it's all gums! She's my little chunky monkey. Squishy and irresistible to kiss! I promise to raise her The best I can. I will be her guide, her friend, her mother, her teacher. I will never strike her. I will explain to her the birds and bees openly and confidently and intelligently. I will NEVER turn my back on her or ignore any plee for help she utters. I get to do it right. I WILL do it right. And I will ALWAYS be there when she needs me. No matter what. I love you, Lillian. My daughter. My Prayer.

Crawling

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Crawling!
I caught it on camera! I'm gonna have to clean the carpets today. I sent Daddy out to get some stuff. She's mobile now! Last week she pulled herself to her feet (also on video!), and then, just a couple days ago, Lilly Nicole met a new friend (Kylee Mae Kuntz, 9 months old- My friend Lillian's daughter) and I guess she caught on to Kylee's crawling, cause she started doing it today! She moves gracefully (and a little wobbly) towards her ducky, sitting just about a foot away. Once she reaches it, she gives it a nice "Hello" with a slobbery kiss before she easily pushes herself to a sitting position and examines Ducky for the 100th time. My Girl!~<3>

6 months old

Saturday, September 6, 2008

6 months
Already 6 months old, Lilly Nicole has already shown bowel and bladder controle, has been saying Mama since she was 2 months old (no kidding!), walks well in her baby walker, sits up perfectly without assistance, rolls over both ways, and is starting to try to pull herself to her feet! I am so amazed. I think back on her birth as I hear the birth stories of my friends' newborn, and I remember how I was so focused on CAPTURING the moment "perfectly", it passed right by me without actually experiencing the wonder and the glory of God in an instant. I was pregnant, then I had a daughter. I wish I had it on video. She's my little beauty princess. I'm so happy to have a little girl, too. A Cadallac family.

Lillian's birth story

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Lillian's Birth story
We went to the hospital at 6:am and by 7 I was admitted and in my robe. After a little talk with the nurse I was given a pill (not to swallow, though) and I had to stay in bed for an hour to let it dissolve and soften my cervix. My contractions were 3-5 minutes apart, but I couldn't feel any pain. I was 2 cm dilated.I lay in bed waiting, trying to sleep, paying close attention to my body as my contractions got closer together to 2 minutes apart and I felt the beginning cramps. Around 5:p, Dr. Lubkin arrived and popped my water at 5:30p and I was 3 cm dilated at the time. She warned me that it will make the contractions a lot stronger, but I asked her to do it anyway. By 6:15, I was feeling such strong contractions, I finally asked for a little relief. They gave me a pill to swallow that eased the pain for about half an hour, the contractions still hurt real bad, I couldn't feel the difference but when the pill wore off, I realized how much it really took the edge off. I couldn't hold out any longer. My face was soggy, my body sore, and I was starting to lose focus and feel dizzy from the pain when my contractions peaked. I waited what seemed like a lifetime for the epidural at about 7:15p, I was 5cm dilated. As my body went numb, I could feel each contraction getting much weaker quickly. I loosened up, wiped my face, and lay there talking calmly to Jeremy. I suddenly felt a weak pressure and called for the Dr. She came in and confirmed, it's time to push. As the Dr. quickly set up and got in position, Tristan, who had been sleeping since 4p, woke up and Jeremy swiftly swooped him up and brought him to the side of my bed as I began pushing. Tristan lay his head sleepily on Daddy's shoulders. I watched everything in a mirror and even toughed her head with both hands as she was coming out. I didn't need any stitches, and it was a quick delivery. Out came a pink little girl with a head of brown hair, my nose, and daddy's feet. My little Princess was born. 6pds 15oz, 19 1/2 inches of perfect.

Friday, February 29, 2008



WELCOME!! LILLIAN NICOLE ARNDT
2-27-08 8:16P
6LBS 15OZ
19 3/4 INCHES LONG

The day before induction

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The day before induction
I'm nesting. Knowing I wouldn't have this kind of energy again for a while, I'm trying to get everything clean and ready for tomorrow. Like the last time I was pregnant, I suddenly got this uncontrollable, irresistable urge to wash the car. Unfortunately, we don't have a hose (like last time) so there I was, 5:30 in the evening, with 2 buckets, a cup, and a wash cloth. The faucet outside was about 20 paces from the car. So, I used one bucket for soapy water and the other I filled as full as I could with clear water. I carried the buckets to the car and i washed small sections at a time and used my little cup to rinse the soap off. It took me 2 & 1/2 hours and it was dark by the time I finnished. Neighbors snickered at this fat, pregnant, waddleing crazy lady washing this huge car slowly but surely. "you can do mine next!" an old lady joked as she passed by. "If you need anything, let us know" said a set of church goers as they got home. Almost all of them asked what I'm having and the women smiled knowingly when I shyly admitted that I couldn't resist doing it because I'm nesting. Now the house is clean again, and I'm doing the last load of laundry, and the car is clean inside and out. I took a nice long shower until the hot water ran out, and now I'm trying to keep Tristan Boy awake to take his medicine pretty soon. I figure, If I ware myself out, I'll sleep pretty well tonight. Since Tristan came down with Bronchitis, 3 days ago, I haven't really slept exept for an hour here and there. 8 & 1/2 hours from now, I'll be heading to the hospital. I'm so eager, anxious, impatient, ect... My coach might not be able to make it to be there for me because of this delay. I'll be really disappointed if she can't make it, But I'll understand.

my last check up!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

My last check up!
Okay, so, I wish I could be exited about my hospital visit, but unfortunately, all the tricks I've been doing hasn't helped me dialate any more, but she has dropped a little. We're set to start the induction Tuesday Feb. 26th at 10pm, earlier if the scheduled C-sections that day are cancelled.But that's not what I'm really so exited about. Relieved to see the end in sight, but I'm so so exited about the deals we just took advantage of! So, I found a resale store called "We Love Kids" where everything is really cheep, and gently used or new. I had a short list of things we still needed for Baby Girl including: Baby bath, swing, bassinett & bedding for it, bouncer, stroller, birth announcements, and I needed a couple nursing bras. We WERE going to go to "Babies R Us" for a swing we liked that cost $110. My WONDERFUL, AWSOME, and EXTREMELY COOL friend MISTY gave me some coupons for the place (75% off here, 50% off that, ect) and there was already a 75% off other things deal going on, too. With the coupons and the in store deal, we paid a total of $91.00 for everything!!!! The bassinett, marked $60 was marked down to $21, Stroller went from $75 to $15!!! Those were the biggest savings!! But everything we got had a discount!! I recomend EVERY MOTHER TO SHOP HERE!!!! If you don't already! Here's the address and phone number:We Love Kids11200 S.E. Fuller RdMilwaukie, OR 97222(503) 775-9946A huge weight has been lifted. I was so worried we wouldn't have everything we'd need for her when she came. All we need now are 4 drawer dressers for both kids. If anyone knows of a cheap place to get them, I'd LOVE the head's up!!