Catching Up...

Well, I have a lot I want to catch up on, but I think I will start with this past weekend. Last Thursday was my 28th birthday! I really can't believe I am pushing the big 3-0. I mean, am I even mature enough to be 30?! Anyway, Kendall just happened to be coming to town for her doctor appointment, so she, Katie, Maggee and me went to lunch (Winston, Sam, and Campbell came too, of course). It was such a fun time of fellowship, and break from our usual routine. Thanks girls for making me feel special. On Friday night the girls all went out for a time of celebrating the upcoming arrival of Hunter and Hays Ainsworth!!! We had such a fun time all being together. It has been a while since every one of us was able to come to a gathering, so that made it even more fun. I tell you it is so exciting to celebrate these two miracles we all prayed so hard for, and continue to do so. I just love my sweet friends. I honestly used to pray daily that the Lord would give me sweet, trustworthy friends, and He heard my prayer and answered it far beyond I ever could have imagined.

As a side note, Sam went for his 4 month check-up earlier this month and is weighing in at 15 lbs. 14oz (75%) and 26 inches long (95%). He is such a sweet, sweet baby. We are slowly getting his afternoon nap time on track. Thankfully he sleeps like a champ at night, so who can complain? Winston is just as energetic, talkative, and fun as ever! I don't know what I would do without my little helper/shadow. I asked Joseph the other day if it is weird that next to him, Winston is my "best friend" since I spend every day with him, and he loves me no matter what. I wish I could just record everything he says so everyone would hear the things he shares with us. So precious! Every morning he asks "Whatchoo want for breakfast, Mommy?". He also loves to sing ("God is So Good", the alphabet, "Jesus Loves Me", and "Veggie Tales" theme song are his favorites), and he can spell his name "W-I-N-S-T-O-N, Winston". Maybe in another post I will tell you all about his imagination...it amazes me daily the things he comes up with, and they make since :)

"Auburn Meter Seed"

...yes, that is Auburn University. Each day I am even more amazed at Winston's vast vocabulary, and just how easily he picks up on things. What's even scarier is his memory. I can't tell you how many times he has brought up something that happened weeks, months, even a year ago!! I am just in awe. Anyway, he has an Auburn video and this morning he woke up and said "Auburn Meter Seed". It took me a second to sound it out and say it a few times before I figured out what he was saying. Joseph just looked at us and smiled as if he was proud he was saying it, and maybe equally glad I was able to translate. One of my favorite parts of being a mommy is to listen to Winston talk all day, whether to me, himself, or his toys. Love you Winston boy, and Sam, I can't wait until you are talking too.

Samuel Wright Martin

Samuel Wright Martin
June 4, 2009 8:18 pm
7 lbs. 6 oz.
20 1/2 in. long

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Well, we are back-tracking a little, but I wanted to make an official post about our newest addition. Sam's labor/delivery was a completely different experience than Winston's. He surprised us and all the nurses and doctor by being born just 45 minutes after we arrived at the hospital! In case you are counting, yes, that means we didn't have time for the epidural!!! Here's the quick version...All through the night on Wednesday (june 3) I contracted, but they were never consistently spaced. Once I got up for the day on Thursday (june 4), they seemed to subside a little so I got some things done. Katie and Campbell and Winston and me went for a walk around mid-morning (I wanted to get things started back up so we could just "get the show on the road"). Anyway, we had a fun lunch together and Winston and I went back home for his nap. Thursdays are pool days for the girls in my Sunday School class so we planned to go. Over the course of Winston's nap, the contractions returned a little more intense and consistent, but I still didn't feel an extreme urgency. However, I knew if I went into the hospital they would probably keep me. Needless to say, I wasn't real sure I still wanted to go to the pool, but not wanting to disappoint my sweet boy, we went. I just thought I would rather be in the pool with friends and hurting than sitting at home by myself. We came home from the pool around 5:30 and that's when things started to shift to a higher gear. I took a long, hot shower, and told Joseph to pack some things for him for the hospital (I just thought we would head in-still not rushing-that evening so I could get some drugs that would make the pain stop!). Anyway, by the time I was out of the shower, I changed my mind. I told Joseph to get in touch with Paul so he could come watch Winston until his or my parents got here. At this point I was not even able to talk through the contractions. I was just trying to get through each one (i think they were 3-5 minutes apart). Well, the ride to the hospital was the worst part (no way to "get comfortable"). We arrived around 7:30 pm. They were ready for us and the first thing I said when I saw the nurse in the hallway was, "I NEED and epidural!". She calmly expleained that there were a few steps to do before I could get it (which I knew). I was checked and was 6 cm dialated. I quickly double-checked about getting that epidural, and she looked at the other nurse standing there and said, "We are going to hurry". The doctor came in and checked me again and I was 6 cm with my water about to break. THey were drawing blood and waiting for a whole bag of IV fluid to go in me before I could get the epidural. They all kept looking at each other like I wasn't going to make it, so I kept asking about the possibility of the epidural (in between contractions). Five minutes after the dr. initially checked me I mentioned feeling more pressure so she checked me again and I was 9 cm!!!! I quickly made one last plea for the epidural and when they went into delivery-mode (gowns, masks, etc.) I just gave up. However, I then panicked a little since I didn't prepare for this. I just assumed I would get the magic shot and go through it all pain-free. Not so much. After more preparation, a few pushes, and 15 minutes, Sam was here. Thankfully a whole pound less than Winston. In hind sight, the recovery was better without the drugs. If I knew my next would go that fast, I would consider doing it "natural" again. So here are a few pics from Sam's first few days: the third picture is Winston's first encounter with Sam, the fourth is our first new family photo, and the last is with cousin William.

Mother of Two

Hello all! Okay, so now that I am officially the worst blogger in the history of blogging, I think I will make a few posts. I have been a little busy the past 7 weeks since Sam's arrival. Samuel Wright Martin was born on June 4, at 8:18 pm weighing 7 lbs. 6 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long (it was a crazy night...look for the story on the next posting). It has been a pretty smooth adjustment to having two kids. Winston has done so well (with the exception of a few moments) and I envy his energy. The hardest thing to get used to has been the part where I don't get as much done during the day, whether it's errands or cleaning or even a shower. I know this will get better soon. The biggest accomplishment has been that Sam is already sleeping through the night!!!! He eats around 10-10:30 pm and I wake him at 6 am to eat!! He started that about 2 weeks ago. I sometimes get overwhelmed by all the things to do and responsibilities and the lack of time to do them all, but then I look at my precious baby's face as he smiles innocently at me, or I hear my 2 year old say "You know what Mommy?...I love you so much!", and it is all worth it. God is so good to have given me a loving husband who steps in to help with whatever, whenever, and two precious boys! I just want to leave you with the words from a song that probably all of you know, but these days we sing it a lot around here, and our pastor last Sunday repeated throughout the sermon...

Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me; yes, Jesus loves me; yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.

Hi, I'm a big brother.

Sam came to hang out on June 4th. It appears he'll be staying a while. That's ok though, I think I love him.

Big Boy Bed!!!

Well, this morning I was half asleep when I heard one of the most dreaded sounds you can hear as a mom -- the sound of a loud thud followed by Winston crying. Yes, he had climbed up and fallen out of his crib. He is fine, and I am fine, other than being thrust into getting the guest room in order for him to sleep there. We took a trip to Target to get the bedding I had picked out previously, and I have cleaned out most things other than furniture so he can't get a hold on anything he shouldn't. We washed his new ABC sheets and Thomas pillowcase for it to be ready in time for his nap. All that being said, it's been 30 minutes and he still hasn't cried or made a noise!!! What an answer to prayer. However, I am still cautious about how tonight will go. This is much harder since Joseph is out of town. Oh, I also bought one of those doorknob things so he can't open the door. Anyway, just thought I would give y'all a quick update on the crazy day we are having so far in the Martin house. Hopefully soon I can get some new pics put up...

The end of our perfect record...

Yep. It finally happened last week - Winston had to get an antibiotic. He is two months short of being two years old, and we haven't had to take one until last week. We have the wonderful ear infection to thank. Thankfully, he loved taking his "new new medicine", so it was easy to give him each day. His doctor said it came from all the congestion he had. Anyway, we are well and healthy now.

One more thing...

Another exciting thing that happened the week I went to film Wheel of Fortune is that we found out we are having another BOY!!!! He is healthy and moves around a lot. He is like Winston in that he really likes church (he moves the whole time I am sitting there). We have decided to name him Samuel, but aren't sure on a middle name. That will come soon. The sweet thing is that if you ask Winston who is in mommy's tummy he says, "Sam". He rubs my tummy and gives it hugs, but I don't know that the whole concept is registering. June will be here before we know it. I just pray our transition to the "big boy bed" will go smoothly.

WHEEL...OF...FORTUNE!!!!

Ok, so obviously I am the worst blogger in the history of blogs. I have so much to catch you up on. One thing in particular is that yes, I finally made it to the "Wheel"!! I got "the call" about a week and a half before Christmas asking me to fly to LA to shoot the show on January 15th. Boy, was I excited. Thankfully, my sweet sister, Hayley, and two precious friends, Kendall and Katie, came with me. We were immediately in LOVE with the weather (it was 85 everyday we were there)!! The day before the taping we packed every site to see in LA, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach all in 24 hours. What fun! The day of the taping was fun and very memorable. I was never nervous, and really took in the whole experience. Pat is just as down-to-earth as you would imagine, and yes, Vanna, really is that pretty...and skinny! I must admit it was even more fun to look up in the audience and see my three trusty supporters sitting up there. As for how I did, you will have to watch Wheel of Fortune on Tuesday, February 3rd!! Hopefully I will get some pictures on here soon. The only sad thing is there are NO pictures from the taping -they were not allowed.