Valentine’s Day 2018

This was Reed’s first Valentine’s Day and he was super cute in his “Mommy’s Heartbreaker” shirt. 

This was Mollie’s first time to need a Valentine’s box for school.  We had a lot of fun making a princess castle.  She cut everything herself and it turned out awesome!

I got to go to her Valentine’s Day Party at school.  It was a little crazy, as all Pre-K parties are, but it was fun.  I love seeing her interact with all her school friends.

She came home with way too much candy… but a huge smile!

Nate and I didn’t forget about each other either…. I am so grateful to have him as My Love!

Reed’s Birthday!

Reed’s Birth Story

Reed Isaac McConathy

May 31, 2017

8 lbs. 13 oz. ~ 19.5 in.

I thought this day was never going to come.  I was sure that he would be early… as I felt farther along the entire pregnancy.  It was seriously rough for me.  If there was a “pregnancy symptom” I had it… I mean everything!  I knew that we would have a precious baby at the end so I kept pretty positive, remembering that each day was a blessing.

The last month was super hard.  Moving my pinkie finger hurt…. and I was sure that he would come before June.  I had 38 weeks on my mind the entire time because that is when Mollie was born.  Well, 38 weeks came… and nothing.  I knew that I was in “pre-term labor” as they like to call it…. there were pretty painful contractions every night.  I couldn’t sleep a wink.  When week 39 rolled around I was certain that it would happen…. I felt totally ready…. I knew in my heart that Reed was totally ready… just thought I needed some help.

I called my doctor and she agreed.  There was not much movement down there but all the labor signs were happening.  I wasn’t sure I liked the idea of being induced but I knew we were all ready.  Also… I explained how my father-in-law was going out of the country on Friday and we wanted him to meet his grandson before he went.

So…. Grandma and Papa came up super early to be at our house when Mollie woke up and we walked into the Women’s Center on Wednesday, May 31 at <7am> to be induced. 

So, this was the day before my due date… I was 39 weeks and 6 days and ready to pop!  I had been dilated to a 4 for the entire week before.

<7:10am> I took a quick shower with some special soap… my second shower of the day… and got all hooked up.  The nurses had me filling out paperwork and answering all kinds of questions.  They definitely didn’t waste any time.  I didn’t know that when they put in the IV, they also take some blood… this was the worst part of the whole thing… I totally almost passed out and we found out later that my blood pressure went way down, like 80/50 or something. Ah!

<7:15am> Started a very small amount of petocin and things started to progress very fast!  They came in every 30 minutes to up the amount.

<8:00am>  Dr. Schrop came in to break my water.  She could feel Reed’s head already and said it was moving around like crazy.  Was already dilated to 6… and just like with Mollie, as soon as my water broke I started to feel the contractions more.

<8:20am>  My favorite person at the hospital, the anesthesiologist arrived and gave the epidural.  After the IV, this was no big deal and I felt immediate relief.  From here, they upped the pitocin a tad, and told me to let them know if I felt the urge to push.

My epidural was working great at first… but I could still feel my entire left side.  It was somewhat numb, but definitely not like it was with Mollie.  Around <11:00am> I was dilated to a 9 and at <11:30am> I was ready and waiting on Dr. Schrop.  She was in surgery so I was instructed to lay very still and try to relax.

Around <12:20pm> Dr. Schrop and about five nurses rushed in, got set up and boom… we’re a go.  After a good 10 minutes of pushing, our son was here at <12:33pm>!  Nate was on my left side and got to watch his face as he came out.  He says that it was amazing to see… I’m not so sure but he was perfect and oh so cute!  Everything was so smooth and perfect!

As they were working to get everything cleaned up, Nate brought Mollie in to see her brother for the first time.  It was very sweet…. I’m told she went back out to the waiting room and gloated about seeing him.  After a short time and a first feeding, Reed was greeted by Grandma and Papa, and Grandmama and Granddaddy.

Everything happened so fast!  It was very surreal… but Nate and I were definitely more in the moment the second time around.  It was a day we will never forget!

What a beautiful gift life is!  We could not be happier to have a precious son to share it with!  We so look forward to watching him grow and pray that he is happy, healthy and handsome inside and out!

11th Anniversary

8.19.16

I love celebrating our marriage!  It is one of my favorite days for sure!  I am beyond grateful for my Nate and so love standing beside him.  We have been through so many things that could have pulled us apart, but we have never fought… always having one mind and one heart.  It is just beautiful doing life with my one and only love.

We spent the day out and had a blast.  Pedicures, Cheesecake Factory, Movies, and More….  Good times for sure.  I can’t believe I didn’t take a good picture of us before we got all comfy on the couch.

Also… my mom pointed out that with being married 11 years + dating 5.5 years, I have now been with Nate longer than I was without him.  That blows my mind to think about…. I am so grateful for all the shared memories we have growing up together.  Together is definitely my favorite place to be.

I posted some throwback pics to celebrate.  These last 16.5 years have flown by.

Valentine’s Day 2016

It is so fun to have a sweet girl to surprise with little gifts on days like this… days we set aside to celebrate love.  I am extremely grateful to have so much love in my life!

When we went to the store to get her friends a treat, she picked out this giant gummy hotdog for herself.

And, she got to have some fun with her pal Duncan Joe.  Mollie loves spending Thursdays with him, and Melissa.  She is such a sweet friend that I will treasure for the rest of my life…. So selfless and giving.  Nate and I have been beyond grateful that she has taken such great care of our girl for us.

And, then Valentine’s Day was on a Sunday, so I made our little family of three match.  I only get to do it on holidays.

Ten Year Anniversary Trip to Boston

September 23-26, 2015

Nate and I decided that every five years we would take a trip together… no matter how broke we are.  So this year was our big 10th anniversary!  We decided to go up north and check out Boston.  We love seeing historic places, good pizza, and Fenway… and scored super cheap plane tickets, so why not?

The first day we took a hop on- hop off tour so we could get to know the area.  We’ve learned that these are a great way to get some good information.  We took the whole tour and took in the sites… and ate the best pizza we’ve ever had… and I heart cannoli… and ended the day figuring our their “subway” system and going to Fenway for a Red Sox game!  We got to see Ortiz hit his 502nd homerun of the season and sit right next to “the green monster” like ten feet from the left fielder.  It was crazy… I felt like I was in the game.  And singing Sweet Caroline was pretty awesome.  It was a stadium we will always remember for sure.

        

The second day, we walked the entire “Freedom Trail.”  Which was only supposed to take a couple hours, and literally took us all day.  We followed the app on my phone and saw: Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park St Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel, Benjamin Franklin Statue, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, USS Constitution, and the Bunker Hill Monument.

We ate at the oldest restaurant in the US.  It wasn’t anything special but the atmosphere was cool.  We also stopped by Mike’s Pastry both days ;) and Modern Pastry too… but the people weren’t too nice there.  Actually, nobody was nice.  If you’re ever in Boston looking for help… with directions, places to eat, or bleeding on the side of the road… don’t count on it.

 

   

    

We got the subway system down and took it back to the airport for $1.50 instead of the $40 taxi ride when we got there.  It was a great place to visit and there are still a ton of things to see… but I felt like we totally conquered everything on the must see.

The best part was being with my Nate and celebrating our marriage together.  He makes me the best version of myself and loves me unconditionally.  I don’t know what I would do without him.  Already looking forward to our next trip in 5 years.  I know that time keeps moving faster so it will be here before we know it.