Savannah Kate Arrives!

Savannah Kate Hinkle made her entrance into the world on Friday, December 12th, 2008 at 6:00 pm. She weighed in at a whopping 5 lbs. 12 oz and measured 19 inches long. She is beautiful!

I had a feeling that she would be here early. I was having contractions earlier in the week and just an overall uncomfortable feeling. I woke up about 7:00 am to an all too familiar feeling...water trickling down my leg. I knew instantly that my water had broken, as it was the same with Jackson. I found out later that it was a full moon that night. I've always wondered if there was any truth to the whole full moon/water breaking theory. Maybe so. Unlike what you see in "Hollywood", I did not panic. In fact, I was probably a little too laid back. I spoke with the on call nurse and she suggested that I go to the hospital and get checked out. I asked her how much time I had, and she replied, "don't be putting on make up." Of course not...but I was going to get in a little cleaning and some laundry done! Meanwhile...Chris and Jackson are still sleeping!

I was more prepared this time than last...just in case she decided to come early. I had all my bags packed for the last month. After my sister arrived to take care of Jackson...off we went to the hospital. They put me in triage to monitor me and admitted me about an hour later.

Pretty soon after that, they started the Pitocin...and that stuff is evil! It definitely progressed things...the contractions were getting stronger, longer, and closer together. That was my cue to order me up an epidural! 

This time...the epidural didn't go in as easily. I kept feeling like I was getting these electrical shocks. Apparently, the needle or thread he was using would brush up against nerves. Definitely not a comfortable feeling, but once it kicked in...I was in Heaven!!!

I was so happy this time to have my Dr. there with me. She is the one who saw me through my entire pregnancy. I feel I'm one of the lucky ones...she is a fabulous Dr...who stayed later just to deliver my baby girl!! I also had great delivery nurse this time around! 

As a side note...I Facebooked almost the entire time I was in Labor. I had a good dose of drugs...what else was there to do?

When it came time to push, my epidural started to wear off. Because of some blood pressure complications with me, I couldn't get another dose. I felt like I pushed for what seemed like an eternity...and actually I think it was only like 45 minutes...maybe. I could feel everything and I was exhausted from pushing...at this point I didn't care how it happened...I wanted her O-U-T...OUT!!! I think at one point I even said...I couldn't do it anymore. I kept thinking I was going to pass out and they would have to do some emergency surgery to remove her. With the encouragement of my Dr, Nurse, and Husband... I was able to muster the strength to carry on. A couple more pushes and with the help of the little vacuum, Savannah Kate Hinkle was born.

They laid her on my chest and I just listened to her sweet newborn cry! I love that sound! Chris was crying, just as he did with Jackson. That's probably the third time I've ever seen him cry. She was born wide eyed and with a head full of hair...and I think she may look like me!

This time was a much better hospital stay than with Jackson. You may recall, that it was just my luck some "water contamination" issue was going on at the hospital when I had Jackson. I couldn't shower until the night before I left! As soon as they gave me the go ahead to get out of bed...don't you know I headed straight for that shower!

So this year...I've gotten the best Christmas present ever...my little Savannah Kate!!

5 lbs 12 oz

Lil' Bit

Sleeping Beauty

Visit with Santa 2008!

I was a little apprehensive about taking Jackson to see Santa this year. He is much more observant of his surroundings than last year. I thought a visit with a white bearded fat man might trigger a meltdown. I had to try anyways! 

Almost all the kids ahead of us were screaming...oh it must suck to be Santa sometimes! I kept the mood happy and well, basically lied to Jackson. I told him, "Look...they are all laughing. HAHAHA...this is so funny!" He must of bought what I was selling, because when it came time for him...he ran right up to him. He sat on his lap, touched his beard, and of course pointed out every single thing around him. 

Jackson with Santa

Showing Santa what he wants

I saw Santa...I'm cool like that!

Happy Thanksgiving 2008!

Dear Jackson,

Today marks your second Thanksgiving! I can hardly believe that much time has gone by. Soon, you'll have a little sister, so I thought I would take this time to tell YOU how thankful I am for the blessings you bring me everyday.

I'm thankful that I'm the first person you see when you wake up. Though I'm extremely tired, I love walking into your room every morning, laughing at your "mad scientist" hair and knowing you'll be just as happy to see me. I'm thankful for your big "Jackson" smiles. They have gotten me through more tough times than you know! I'm thankful to be able to see the world through your eyes. If not for that, I would never know the feeling of getting excited over simple things like birds flying in the sky or cars driving down the street. I'm thankful for the gentle tugs you give me on my pants to remind me there are more important things in life than cleaning a kitchen. I'm thankful for your big belly and how you laugh when I'm bestowing my many kisses on it. I'm thankful for your tiny fingers that point out all the things I would never notice. Most of all, I'm thankful I waited all these years for you and that God chose me to be your Mom. 

So, thank you my sweet baby boy. Thank you for loving me and letting me love you! Happy Thanksgiving Jackson!

It's the little things

My little man is growing up way too fast for my liking! He's turning into a little boy right before my eyes. I do a lot of, "wishing" he would grow out of this and that stage, or "can't wait" until he can do this or that.  I need to bite my tongue! While it makes my life easier as he gets a little older, I can't help but feel a little sad.

Just last week he used his paci for the last time. I had no intentions of taking it away this soon, but he decided to start shoving the whole thing in his mouth. Thanks to my Dad, I have a huge anxiety about choking. While he probably wouldn't have been able to swallow the whole thing, I was way too nervous to let it continue. So...the paci met it's demise. I had a tougher time giving it up than he did. He didn't even care, and doesn't seem to miss it. Well I do! I miss seeing him walking around the house dragging his blankie behind him, with his paci firmly planted in his mouth. I miss checking on him at night, when he's sound asleep, sucking away on his paci. I miss hearing the sound of the paci's flying out of his crib and hitting the floor (his clever ploy to get us back there). I miss him trying to share his paci with me. I miss finding paci's in my refrigerator, shoes, hamper, and my pockets. I can't bring myself to throw them all out. So for now, they will have a home in my kitchen drawer until I'm ready to let go.  

I know it may sound ridiculous to some, but to me it's just another sign that he is in fact growing up and out of things. I guess it's like they say, "It's the little things."

My last time with Paci

Halloween 2008

This year marked Jackson's second Halloween. I have to admit it was more fun than last. Only because he didn't sleep through the entire pumpkin patch experience, he was walking, and he actually was excited on Halloween (he obviously had no idea what was going on, but I think he was just reacting to everyone else's excitement).

We started this Halloween season the same as last. We made the annual (I can say this now...since we've done it twice) trek to the pumpkin patch. Mommy drew the design and Daddy did the honor of carving. Jackson was so happy every time we brought the giant orange ball (pumpkin) out. I lost count of how many times he tried to pick it up! One night, he laid on top of it, then proceeded to have a conversation with him. Of course he was speaking in a language that only he understood. The pumpkin didn't seem to mind, and actually sat there for a good half hour listening to Jackson's ramblings! It's a good thing that Jacks doesn't know what happens to pumpkins after Halloween.  It was all very sweet, but was a gentle reminder to me that he needs to have more play dates. 

Daddy, Jackson, and Pumpkin

Daddy, Jackson, and Jacks-O-Lantern

After going back and forth what Jackson would be this year, I decided he would make a very cute scarecrow! I made his costume, rather, embellished some store bought overalls and shirt. None the less, he was a very cute scarecrow indeed! I was sure he would try to rip pieces off, but he didn't. We went trick or treating in Papa and Grammy's neighborhood, as it's more kid friendly. Jackson rode in style, being pulled in his big red wagon up to each and every door. He seemed to love every minute of it! I was a bit surprised at how many people actually asked him what he would prefer...in terms of candy. Like any good Mom, I spoke for my 15 month son and would quickly reply, "Butterfinger, Reeses, he just loves chocolate!" Even more surprising, they seem to buy what I was selling! Sorry kiddo, no chocolate for you this year. I did however, let him indulge in a few pieces of candy corn from Miss Gelsy. Afterall, what would Halloween be without some candy?

I think his second Halloween was a success!  Until next year....

Ready to go!

Showing off my costume

What a cutie!

Balls, Balls, Balls!

For a while now, Jackson has been obsessed with balls. In fact, that was his first word. Anything with a round shape is a ball or "a baw" as he says. 

We can not leave his room in the morning without pointing out all the balls on a picture hanging on the wall. Just try to leave and see what happens. Balloons are balls, oranges, pumpkins, peaches, and grapes are balls. He cleverly points each one out with is middle finger. So if you catch him flipping you off and saying, "a baw", don't be offended. Most likely he is pointing to your head!

Jackson in all his glory!

I think he would have slept here!

Pumpkin (a baw)...tossed many times!

He found the balls!

Pumpkin Patch...Florida Style!

So we took Jackson to the pumpkin patch yesterday. Or...should I say...a parking lot covered in hay? I've been scouting several places, not wanting my little man to pick out a pumpkin from a cement slab. I wanted the works! A grassy knoll strewn with great big orange pumpkins, the corn maze, a hayride, and cool Fall weather. Neither of those things were going to happen in Florida! So...once again...I vehemently vowed to my husband, "I'm not living here forever!" For clarification, "forever" means before Jackson starts school. Anyways, I'll save the Florida bashing for another post.

Cement and all, my little Monkey did not seem to mind. He was in Heaven! To him, he was surrounded by great big orange balls! He loves balls! He trotted his sweet, chunky baby legs up and down rows of "orange balls" until he found some he could clutch in his little, but deceptively strong hands. Let the pumpkin tossing commence! Those poor things didn't stand a chance! Before I could say, "NO" he had attacked a whole pile of them and proceeded to chunk them left and right! Oh well...no harm done! Although, I'm not sure the battered and bruised pumpkins we left behind would agree. I'm pretty sure I heard screaming at one point!

Trolling for victims

The unsuspecting pumpkins

Before "The Great Pumpkin Massacre"

For comparison, below are a couple of pictures from Jackson's first pumpkin patch visit last year.