our little red

Yep, she's a gem. 

Piper's Birth Story

I am so excited to finally put this amazing story down on (digital?) paper. I love hearing people's birth stories, they are all so, so unique and something no woman ever forgets. My grandma and my elderly patients still can remember exactly the way they felt seeing their babes for the first time and all the details like it was yesterday! I love Piper and my's story. I too will never forget a single detail.

6/30/14 at 8:00am - I woke up to braxton hicks as I did most mornings getting closer to the 39th week. My younger sister came over to help me pack our stuff for our move (another story for another day) and to help me organize the house for our impending permanent roommate. The braxton hicks remained throughout the day pretty consistently. So after she left I thought I would test them - since most of the time they went away on their own if I relaxed, showered, etc. I did everything - showered, laid on the couch, laid on my left side and drank water. And they remained. 

My parents were coming home from being out of town and Greg had men's group until late so I texted them both at around 6 letting them know this might be IT. My mom and I texted back and forth for an hour as they got closer to home and at around 7:00 they were stopping for dinner - they said I should join them to get my mind off things for a while. This is when I knew it was different than before because I suddenly realized these "braxton hicks" were too strong for me to feel I could safely drive. Since Greg was still out (waiting by the phone for any "it's time" texts haha) my parents offered to pick me up and take me to their house so I could rest until Greg got home. 

at around 9:00pm I got a contraction that was a game changer. It came so fast and furious that I immediately texted Greg and said "You better come get me." He arrived at my parents house about 20 minutes later to pick me up. Three contractions later and a seriously annoyed "on the way to the hospital" picture my mom took we were off. We swung by the house to pick up the bags and got to the hospital around 9:40pm. From the parking lot to the OB department I had about 3 or 4 more contractions so I figured I was good to go. They triaged me and had me change into a gown to be checked by the midwife. at 10:00pm on the dot the midwife came in to deliver the most dissapointing news - "I'm so sorry you are only dilated 1cm." 

ONE CENTIMETER?! 

After all the debilitating contractions. Ugh.

But they for some reason had pity on me and said "It's late, why don't you hang out for two hours and we'll check you again at midnight. If you progress we'll keep you if not we can send you home with something to help you sleep." So we held off telling anyone to come since we were convinced we would be going home at midnight with no baby. 

The next two hours were by far the most intense hours of my life. I have never know pain like this, it was literally blinding. The nurse visits were scarce if at all since they were all convinced a first time mom had no chance of delivering any time soon at only 1cm dilated. 

I mostly labored alone.

 Unbeknownst to my wonderful husband who literally thought I was asleep this whole time....ummm what? He kept me going with occasional little sips from my water bottle between contractions and held my barf bag - what a guy! : )  At 11:50pm I called Greg over to have him help me to the bathroom before the midwife came back to check me the second time. I was in so much pain at this point I could hardly see. I remember looking up at Greg and saying 

"I don't think I am as strong as I thought I was. If this is 1 or 2 centimeters I think I need to get an epidural...is that ok?"

Haha of course he said yes, and looked at me like I was crazy for even asking permission.

I had started bleeding, which I thought was a good sign so I hobbled back to bed to wait for the midwife. At midnight the widwife came in and asked if anything felt different. I said yes I had started to bleed and the contractions felt worse - I might need an epidural. Probably chuckling to herself at what a wimp I was for asking for an epidural at 1-2cms she put her gloves on a checked me. 

I got concerned because she was checking me for a very long time. Eventually she said "Umm...have your contractions gotten A LOT worse?!" I nodded.  "Well that is because you are at a 9...do you still want something for pain?"I replied "No! If this is a 9 I can totally do this." Haha my exact words. I was a little loopy at this point from the pain. I quickly looked at Greg panicked and asked him to hurry up and call my mom to get down here. I could tell everyone thought Piper would come fast and furious because my room suddenly became a circus. The midwife literally ran out of the room to gown up, 2 nurses raced in - one to bring in the baby warmer and quickly set it up and one to start asking me admission questions. In transition and being asked admission questions - I would love to go back and read my answers! Haha 

My water broke the minute the midwife left the room and I felt the strong urge to push. I was terrified to tell you the truth. I panicked, and yelled loudly. I was scared - My husband was in the hallway calling my mom, my mom was across town, and my midwife was gowning up. Greg and the midwife and the 2 nurses rushed back in and got me on my back. All the sudden the midwife said "Your baby's heart rate is dropping, look at me...you need to get this baby out NOW" 

Again, I panicked. I couldn't breathe - they put an oxygen mask on me and I pushed with everything I had in me. It wasn't enough. Everything was a blur the MD came in talking about a C-Section, and the midwife told me they NEVER do this but she would have to cut an episiotomy to get her out. 

The nurse next to me said you need to push for your daughter she needs to be born now. 

I pushed with everything I had two more times and she burst forth in to the world. 

Literally. She came out so fast and with so much force amniotic fluid got in the midwife's mouth.

I was mortified - she said she would definitely never forget me and she even wrote about my fast delivery in my medical chart because she said she has never seen anything like it. 

Piper was here. 12:38am on July 1st, 2014 at 39 weeks exactly.They put her on my chest right as my mom and sister came running in. They missed it, but they got to be there for the best part. Her being out and alive and beautiful.

7lbs 9oz and 19.5inches long. Red hair, long, graceful fingers and the cutest little expressions I ever did see. She is her father's clone. Which makes me so happy, he's pretty cute! ; )

Piper Brave Horton
We are pretty in love.

love day party

Since this year Valentine's Day fell on a Friday I knew we didn't want to go out. I am not the kind of girl who thinks Valentine's Day is a Hallmark holiday or over rated, I actually rather enjoy it. I love my hubby and I love celebrations of all kinds so it is a fun day for me. But I also knew I didn't want to pay twice as much at a restaurant as I would creating a memorable, fun evening at home!

So me and my sis put together a dinner & dessert for our men that I think rivaled any night out!

My sissy & I had a blast putting all the crafts together for the night a couple days before. These mini wooden rounds we found at Michael's Crafts for $4 for 6 of them.

My man got a small V-Day gift on the 14th but his real present is a brewery tour we will be doing this weekend. But I couldn't resist getting him a little sweet the day off!

I don't know how the hubby could have picked better presents for me! A cupcake & a new book?
Swoon.

We opted for catering instead of slaving away in the kitchen, so we ordered out from a local Italian deli since both my sis and I worked all day. It was super tasty and made us feel special too because we didn't have to cook!

The men had cocktails and beer while the ladies sipped water and coffee.

For dessert my sister whipped up a Tiramisu Fondue recipe copycat from The Melting Pot (recipe coming tomorrow!) The hubby & I are not huge fondue people but we both agree this one was out of this world! So good!

I am so glad we all decided to stay in and enjoy a fun evening at home. It was just as yummy, just as romantic and just as special as any night out and the personal touches really made the night!

breakfast in the rain.

This morning we woke up to the most glorious sound and scent. 

Rain slowing padding on the ground bringing up the smell of earth.

One of my favorite things in the world.

The whole backyard was drenched, our plans of hiking were ruined but sometimes you just need to stay in on a rainy day and make a greasy breakfast for you & the love of your life.

I couldn't have asked for a better morning. I love my husband so much and he makes me feel like home, he makes me laugh. He is definitely my best friend...and not just in a cliche married way...but legitimately we have crazy jokes and try so hard to make each other laugh, he's the first one I call when I have a bad day or something good happens. I loved sharing my morning with him before we both go off to do our thing today. 

early morning traditions.

I began to realize as I was going through my pictures the other day that I drink a cup of coffee every morning and a little something for breakfast set out on a small plate, and usually take a picture of it! It is just a sort of tradition of mine. Even if I'm alone, even if it is a piece of toast or a muffin I always get out a small glass plate or bowl and have a proper little breakfast and enjoy the morning. 

There are few things I love more in this world than holding a hot cup of coffee in my hands and enjoying a little treat. My favorite of course is sitting across from my love or a good friend at a coffee shop eating a pastry and drinking coffee but I have also come to love the quiet moments I spend each morning by myself with my own little homemade brew and breakfast.

What are some daily traditions you have?

day trip to Napa

This Labor Day weekend the Mr. & I took a day trip to Napa with our good friends to celebrate one of their birthdays! It was so nice to be out and about on such a wonderful, sunny day!

We started off the day at one of our (collectively - both couples!) favorite breakfast places Howard's Station in Occidental. I may have ordered the Irish Benedict which has homemade corned beef hash instead of the canadian bacon. And it was mighty good. 

 Our next stop was Olive Oil, Balsamic, & Fresh Mozzarella tasting at Figone's in Kenwood. 

I left there with a lemon olive oil for a certain mom-in-law's birthday...but shhh she is in Texas all week so probably won't read this until after she gets it! : )

Our next and final stop was at the Oxbow Public Market in Napa. It is a wonderful indoor market with way too much good food and drinks! We had lunch, dessert, and coffee inside!

We ended up eating at a South American eatery called Pica Pica which served up some delish pulled beef and coleslaw on a sweet corn fritter. What? So yum.

We ended the lovely day at Ritual Coffee before having to run home to babies and doggies. 

It was so much fun, I can't wait for more weekend adventures!

september means fall.

I have always been on the strict 3 months for each season policy. None of this fall starts September 20-something business. It's September? Its Fall. 

{Never mind the 100 degree forecast for this weekend. Just never you mind.}

I don't have a favorite season. Seriously I don't. I love each and every one of the seasons and I am always ready for them to come and ready for them to go! So I am happy to wave good bye to summer and hello to this wonderful, pumpkin and crunchy leaf filled time of year!

Some of my favorite fall pins right now! 1/2/3