Countdown to 30: Day 6

The year is 2007/2008... one of the BEST years of my life!  I was 24 years old. :)

After the storm calmed a bit, I became the happiest pregnant lady!  I loved being pregnant, well, until I started to hate it around 36 weeks.  I loved feeling Olivia.  I loved feeling her kick.  I was one of those women who didn't mind their tummy being touched or rubbed... I loved it!

33 Weeks - Veins and stretch marks!

Maternity shots - Holy Belly!

As the first of 2008 went by, I dreamed of how Olivia and I would make it.  I knew I was strong, but how strong would I be once she arrived?

I had two amazing baby showers where I was completely spoiled and pampered. 

Olivia's nursery theme was Little Suzy's Zoo - I had been collecting items since high school!

Whew!

Miss my Granny :(

Big Belly Beautiful!

(Weight loss blurb: I weighed 163lb when I peed on the stick... I delivered a beautiful baby girl at 196lb.  The journey to get back to 'myself' took over 3 years, but I'm glad to say that my 30s will be starting about 10lbs UNDER pre-pregnancy weight.)

My official due date was May 15th, 2008.  Around the beginning of April I started bugging my doctor about an early induction.  I was miserable, I couldn't sleep, and I just wanted my baby.  I also wasn't one who wanted to go into any surprise labors.  (Disclaimer: My doctor was in complete control, did an ultrasound to make sure everything was okay, and would not have induced me if she felt the baby or myself were in danger.)

My induction was set for May 1, 2008.  You can read my birth story here.

At 12:48pm Olivia Rose entered the world weighing 6lb 6oz and measuring 20" long.  She was my new life and it is so hard to remember life before her.

Sweet girl!

Miss my Grandpa :(

The girl had TONS of bows...

All of the struggles I had faced, all of the tears, all of the heartache, all of the worries, all of the uncertainties.... it all melted away.  This little girl was mine.  She came from my body.  She looked at me with eyes that told me everything was going to be okay.  She was 7lb and my complete rock.

(I am just hitting on moments here, but this is where my blog kind of started; with my pregnancy.  Feel free to go back and read all about our full year of 2008.)

Sweet baby girl.

Olivia's ears were pierced around 16 weeks. 

 

 

First Halloween :)  My chunky monkey!

In August my dear Grandpa was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.  I remember the day.  I had never felt so sad.  This little girl LOVED her Great-Grandpa... so many smiles and laughs with him.  I still tear up thinking of her never knowing the man I adored.  November 10, 2008 my Grandpa walked into the arms of the Lord.  Olivia was still laughing and talking to him during the viewing... she, of course, had no idea... but I thought it was pretty awesome that they were still able to communicate. :)

 

 

September - Grandpa's 80th Birthday

Thanksgiving was celebrated in Texas where Olivia got to try mashed potatoes! 

I think she liked them!

My mom - Our Rock!

See you in 2008/2009!

Countdown to 30: Day 7

One more week until the big 30! 

The year is 2006/2007. 

That first winter in the house we had snow and lots of it.  We also adopted sweet little Winston.  I remember driving in the ice storm for almost two hours to go pick him up.  Kylie had no clue what to do with the tiny thing chewing one ears.  They had wonderful fun together!

Kylie

Winston

 

 

 

 

 

My first year of teaching flew by super fast.  I was happy and was very happy to continue my love of teaching.

In July of 2007, my sister got married!  She and Rex were a great couple and I was so glad to see her happy and settled!  Andrea and I weren't always the best of friends growing up, we pulled hair, bit each other, scratched each other but we loved each other!

Yep... it was beautiful!

Around this time my marriage was suffering.  It was never a perfect fairy tale relationship, even before marriage.  However, I thought I could change him things and make it the fairy tale I wanted.  I then started to believe that having a baby would make our marriage much happier.  Around August 2007 I got off the pill and we started trying to conceive.  He was still working nights and I was still pretty much living on my own, but I knew a baby would make me us happier. 

September 1, 2007 - I discovered my husband was cheating on me and had been for quite some time.  I knew that I had to leave.  I knew I had to get away.  I knew I had to put my big girl panties on and take charge of my life.  It was the hardest thing I had ever done at that point in my life.

September 7, 2007 - My mom and dad were at my house helping me pack up some things of husbands and I knew I didn't feel very well.  I was crampy, my nose was stuffy.  I thought.. well.. I should probably take a pregnancy test.  Two Lines.  You.Are.Pregnant.  I was pregnant.  I was pregnant with a cheating husband.  I was pregnant and knew I was going to be alone.  (However, in some humor, my dad thought maybe it was something I ate that made the two lines appear. :)

6 Weeks

The days rolled on and I continued to put one foot in front of the other.  The relationship with ex was rocky.  I went through ups and downs of emotions constantly.  I knew I didn't need want him back, but being alone was HARD.  He tried to come back and then he didn't.  Once it was finally set in my own mind that I was NOT taking him back and he wasn't coming back, I was able to look forward to my future and my beautiful growing child.  My family was my ROCK.  Andrea made frequent trips from Dallas to help with court hearings, etc. when my Mom couldn't.  My sister and my mom quickly became my very best friends and I couldn't imagine it any other way.

December 21, 2007 - IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!  Olivia Rose was growing happily in my tummy and I couldn't have been more ecstatic.  I had never thought it was a boy, and was so glad to start buying lots of pink! 

Christmas was definitely different.  It was another emotional wreck for me.  My sister with her new husband, my belly growing, and me just trying to keep one foot in front of the other.  But, I knew that I just needed to get into 2008 and meet my little daughter who had already stole my heart.

Rex and Andrea

Christmas 2007 - 20 weeks

Countdown to 30: Day 8

Writing all these posts is really making me focus on my past and all the memories, feelings, and accomplishments I had in the last decade.

November 2005

The year of 2006 was a busy and exciting year!!  I had moved back to Oklahoma City to begin my marriage and my student teaching at a Mid-Del Elementary.  I was placed with an AMAZING 2nd grade teacher who inspired, motivated, and encouraged me to be my best every single day.  My love of teaching prospered even more and I was totally floored when I was hired in MARCH to begin teaching that following August at the same school.  I couldn't wait.

 I graduated from Oklahoma State University in May 2006.  This was a pretty cool graduation as President George W. Bush was the speaker.  All I remember was sweating and being a tad bit miserable outside.

In April 2006, I took a big step as an adult and signed to build a brand new house.  The ex and I were excited little did I know it would be a huge mistake in the future and ready to start the journey of home ownership and large mortgage payments with a too big yard and HOA fees!

While waiting for the house to be built I lived in a rental house that had horrible ugly green carpet!  But, we had adopted a beautiful Boxer named Kylie!!  She was an amazing dog and so, so sweet.  I miss her!

In August 2006 I started teaching 2nd Grade.  It was a crazy, fast year full of many laughter, memories, and tears and wine.  I grew so much and made so many amazing friends.  I felt like my school was my home.  Ex husband worked nights, so I guess they were part of my family.  The friendships I made are still just as strong as ever.

The year 2007 became MUCH MORE traumatizing exciting and can't wait to share with you!

Apparently my first year of teaching also added a few pounds!  December 2006