Simply Skelton

Monday, May 24, 2010

Grahm Emerson Skelton!

Wow so this post is wwaayy past due, but hey...I've had more important things to do than be on the internet haha! So I finally got on here early while the boys are still asleep to post some of our first pics with our little man! So here are the details:

Grahm Emerson Skelton arrived May 2nd 2010 at 4:44pm. 8 lbs 11 oz and 20 inches long!

On Saturday, May 1st we went out to dinner at Sassy's with Laura Jade, Joe, Tony & Bailey. Afterwards LJ & Joe came over to watch a movie. I hadn't really had any 'progress' yet so when I started feeling contractions I thought it was possibly in my head knowing that my due date was the next day. Well..the contractions didn't hurt but they got closer and longer through out the evening. Within a few hours instinct told me to go finish packing our bags, we would be making a trip to Willowcreek very soon! While they visited in the living room, I anxiously finished going through our packing list. After they left, Grant and I decided to call one of the nurses and ask if we should come up there since the contractions were just minutes apart. The nurse advised that if they weren't painful and I could sleep (it was now almost midnight), to go ahead and try to sleep. So..to sleep we went. At 3:56 (yes, I vividly remember the bright red numbers on the alarm clock)...my water broke! Now talk about good luck, I happened to be in the bathroom for one of my every hour bathroom breaks.
Ok, so about my contractions not hurting...WOW! After my water broke, the pain set in. No phone call necessary this time, we grabbed our bags & headed straight for Willowcreek (ok and by "straight for" I mean minus the stop at McDonalds for a 4:30am breakfast since I wouldn't be able to eat again for a long time)! We were checked into Willowcreek E.R. by 5 & making the long awaited call to our parents. On a side note - the nursing staff in the E.R. was amazing. We spent an hour or two in the E.R. where my pain progressively got stronger and I learned why they call it 'labor'. I wasn't too nervous until they wheeled the girl into the curtain-divided room next to me and we had to listen to her scream and cry in pain. Grant was there, holding my hand and we waited for our 'real' room. By 7am I was in my own room and the dr's were impressed with my contractions, they were close and big! I was quickly introduced to Anethesiologist Dr. Jech and her big needle - woo hoo for the epidural (p.s. - that hurt!). After the epidural set in, I didn't feel anything from the waist down...I mean anything.
Ok fast forward about 8 hours....
Crazy contractions, petocin & many check-ups later...I still had barely dialated to a 3. This is when Gorman made the call. Mr. Grahm would be arriving via C-section. They had me prepped and wheeled into the O.R. within 30 minutes where Dr. Gorman performed the C-section and our perfect 8lb 11oz baby boy was delivered! Seeing Grahm carried across the room and handed to Grant was the most emotional & amazing moment ever!

SO...here are some pictures of our journey to starting our family!!

Grant & I waiting (looks like I'd had my epidural at this point lol)

Mom, Sis, Dad & me...they were about to become Grandparents!

Only at a 3?! C-Section, here we come...

Grant suiting up for the O.R.

He's here!!! Grant carryin Grahm to the nursery

Stop and pose for the family! Grahm's first introduction

Grant with Grahm in the nursery. They let him stay and help with everything

Our first family picture & my first time to hold Grahm! So incredible!

Here he is - Grahm Emerson Skelton!

It's a BOY!

Wow...I'm a Mommy!

Holding my little man.

Smile Skeltons!

(Great) Grandma Daisy with her G-Grandson

Aunt Lula with Grahm

Grant's Mom - MeeMaw with Grahm and cousin James

I'm 1 day old! 4:44pm May 3rd

My Dad - Grandpa holding his first grand baby!

My sissy - Grahm's Aunt Sara!

There were a ton more pictures from the hospital since we had so many friends and family visit (see facebook for more!).

Headed home! Grahm was wide eyed and taking in the world!

GG & Papa Lew Skelton with their newest Great-grandson

Daddy & Grahm!

Grant's sister - Aunt Anjean & James with baby Grahm

Grandad holding his newest Great-grandson

Grahm playing with Daddy - he's so alert

Chillin in the swing

Grandad with me, Grant & Grahm

Snuggle time with Daddy

Snuggle time with Mommy

Relaxing with Laura Jade

Ha this one cracks me up.

Grahm checking out my mom - Grandma

Sweet boy...

Grahm & Hollyn hanging out!

Mother's Day!

(still had my kankles lol)

Mother's day dinner

Mr. Smiles!

Trent & Naomi's daughter, Bryley holding Grahm

Just chillin in his shades

Grahm's cousins - James, Trynity & Tryston!

Gdad Skelton with all the grandkids!

Why hello...

Monkey toes..

Such a tough life being a baby...

"I do all my own stunts!"

Grandpa talking to little man

Hanging out on the Naturals lawn, listening to Josh Wilson perform

Grahm's first Naturals baseball game!

Well there are definitely more memories to be shared, hopefully it won't take me a month to get more pictures posted. Take care & more updates soon!

Love,

G&B + Grahm!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Maternity Pictures!..and then what you really want to see...

So by now most have heard that Lil' Mr. Grahm is here!!! Warning - this is just a teaser post! We can't wait to update everyone with all the amazing experiences and pictures of his 1st week here. I just have time to post our maternity pictures by Maura (Mauradawnphotography.com) and I'll be on soon to tell you all about our incredible blessing! Enjoy some pictures of the last days before Grahm arrived!

Thank you Maura for these wonderful keepsakes of our last week preparing for Grahm to be here. I can't wait to get some prints of her work up in his nursery!

Love,

G, B & Grahm!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Let the countdown begin!

Well we're 39 weeks now! We're just waiting on lil' man to decide he's ready to come join us!

This morning I met Dad, Tiff & Hannah at Neals cafe for a delicious breakfast and then they came over and checked out the nursery (see below for a great pic of Dad and I haha). Then Morgan & I went and got one last pedicure before Grahm gets here! It was amazing and my piggies (although rather fat at the moment) look pretty good! And then...Sis and I went shopping for her Spring Semi-formal and I picked up something to wear for our maternity pics tomorrow!
Tomorrow (Sunday) Grant is off work - yay!!! My friend Maura is a photographer and she's taking maternity pictures with Grant & I tomorrow. We're sooo excited for her to capture a few shots of us with our little guy while he's still 'in the oven'. Check out her website at http://www.mauradawnphotography.com/!
Then Grandma & Papa are coming over! Such a fun weekend :)

I'm a little behind on updates...sorry!
Two weeks ago we had our 37 week appointment with Dr. Partridge. She was great like everyone said. At that time, I still wasn't dialated or effaced and everything else looked good so we planned to see Dr. Hix the following week for our 38 week appt.

Last Wed. we had our 38 week appt with Dr. Hix. He asked how baby's activity has been and we reported that he's very active and his movements are quite strong haha. Shortly after that conversation, Hix went to check his heartbeat and said something along the lines of "let's find her hearbeat". As soon as that doplar touched my belly, Grahm started kicking it and bouncing all over. Dr. Hix looked up at us and we said "his heartbeat"! Haha...Dr. said "He didn't like being called a girl much did he?". Guess Hix should've read the chart first, ha. Anyway, belly measurements were good, weight, BP...and all that jazz. And Hix said we were barely dialated to almost a 1. Well progress is progress right? So this Tues. we go back for our 39 week appt. with Dr. Gorman where we'll discuss inducing if needed.

38 week baby bump!

Grant and Jim finished the dresser last week and brought it home!

The nursery is now fully furnished and the only thing we're waiting on is....well, Grahm!

Daddy hanging Grahm's name above his crib! :)

Grahm's nursery...ready & waiting!

Ha..Dad's turn to compare bellies.

I don't know..I might have him beat!

Daddy installing the carseat!

I tried to tell him that he doesn't fit, but he wouldn't listen...

(ok..ok he's just reading the levels on the side)

Snap on...snap off..

The gorgeous cake Rachel Jardot made for my JBHunt

baby shower! And delicious too!

Nothing like taking a 2 hour break on a Friday at work to hang out with friends

and open baby gifts! We got a ton of must-haves & goodies.

We're so thankful for all our friends and families helping prepare us for Grahm's arrival. He definitely won't go without!

Well my next update will either be after our Tuesday appt or after we get home from the hospital if Grahm comes before then haha. Everyone take care!

Love,

G&B + Grahm!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

37 weeks!

No fun sun!...
About a week and half ago Grant and I took a couple days off together and went fishing out at the lake. I ended up with a severe sunburn after just a couple hours (yes, yes...I now know that my body doesn't react to the sun while pregnant like it used to - ouch!). It was 3 nights before I had a decent nights sleep after trying aloes, lotions, & even vinegar. My skin was so tight on my legs I couldn't even walk normal b/c there was no elasticity - Grant had to help me in and out of bed! I got dehydrated so my legs, ankles & feet swelled up huge! Can you say 'Kankles'?! My feet finally fit in my shoes again & lesson learned, so please...wear your sunscreen! P.S. if you do get a sunburn and certain lotions irritate your skin, Eucerin brand lotions were a life saver!

36 Week Update...
Last Wed. the 7th we had our 36 week appt with Dr. Bailey. He didn't get nearly as upset about my sunburn/swelling as I thought he would. He just made a few jokes about a great new invention called "sunscreen" (yea, ha..ha). My BP was 110/60, weight gain still on track, and my belly measured at 36 which he said is right where it should be for 36 weeks. Grant guessed my weight exactly- stinker! I guessed less but forgot to account for the water retension from all the swelling. Bailey said Grahm's head appears to be progressing in the right direction and his position is good. He also said I don't seem to be dialated at this point which is normal and we would check again next Wed. We meet Dr. Partridge for our 37 wk appt on the 14th (then we will have finally met them all! lol). I hear she's great. So stay tuned for next week's update.

37 week pictures!

He's getting heavy!

Almost time for Grahm to be here!

The dresser/changing table is almost done now! Ibelieve all that's left now is the drawer fronts and then the stain!

Grant working on trim pieces

Sara helping sand

It was such a gorgeous day when we went out to the farm last weekend. Perfect amount of wind for flying kites!

MeeMaw flying kites with James & Tryston

James, Tryston & Nathan flying their kites

My Grandma Dora was a florist so I've always loved flowers and taking pictures of them.

Here are some new blossoms on the farm!

Easter Sunday!

We spent Easter Sunday at Grandad's house. Grant had to work so he couldn't make it. But we had a great time with family.

Aunt Mellisa, Mom, Sara, Shane, Britt, Deanna, & Vanessa

The kiddos - Emily, Alex & Isaiah

Me and Grandad showing off our bellies!!

Cell Group Baby Shower!

We had an awesome get together Saturday with cell group girls, some moms & other leaders! Thanks everyone for all the sweet gifts & fun. We played a game where we passed around numbered baby food jars and everyone tried to guess what was in them by smelling. THEN, whoever guessed the most correct got to pick their jar for the next game. Luckily I got quite a few right and picked apple sauce because the next game was a baby food eating contest! We paired up and had to feed our partner half the jar & then switch. I felt so bad for those who had peas, sweet potatoes, squash, etc! Mom and I won, but we had an unfair advantage with the apple sauce lol.