2010 in Review

Well 2010 was such a life changing year! We started the year off with the annual winterfest ice ball but I cannot locate the pictures! At the beginning of February I was stuck in glasses with no make-up for a couple of weeks because I had Lasix done in the middle of March. It was such a life changing event for the blind Christen and I am still so very happy that I went through with it. It has been amazing to wake up in the middle of the night and not fumble around for glasses. I then started invisilign to improve some crooked teeth and did not finish the treatment until December (one that was supposed to be completed in July.) I even ended up with braces on my top teeth from September to December and never expected that.

March 2010
At the end of March we planned an amazing trip out west with the pharmacy crew to Breckenridge for Brad and I's first ski adventure! It was AMAZING!!! It definitely was up there with my top two trips (tied with the wine trip to Napa Valley) I mean it was gorgeous and snowed every day and we exercised (skiing) and drank some wine and relaxed in the hot tub (could there be a better trip for me?!

April 2010

The day we flew in from Colorado we headed straight to Augusta for a practice round at the Masters. Yes we went from ski jackets, hats, and gloves to short weather and sun burns! I was sort of dreading the trip as I had to work long days the rest of the week and was ready to get settled back at home...but man did the Masters change my mind. It really was such a great experience! This is of course Brad's dream day and he soaked it up. He must have tried every single sandwich that they make and charge $1.50 and he drank quite a few $2 beers as he continued to collect Masters cups all day long. 2 of Brad's friends joined us Joe and Joe and the boys really had such a great time seeing all of their idolized golfers. I just couldn't believe how beautiful this golf course was in the middle of Augusta and how fun it was to be so close to all of the golfers that I somehow end up watching every Sunday on tv with Brad!

April 2010

The girls and I had been planning a trip to visit Britt in Charlotte and after having to push the trip back from March to April we finally got to see Brittany's life in the city. We spent Friday night visiting Britt's new home in Mooresville and got to see her beautiful new home on the lake. We made our way to the city on Saturday. Charlotte is so cute and I just love South Park and the downtown area. We had a great day of shopping and then planned a night out at a hotel in the Epicenter of Charlotte and ventured out for a girl's night out. We stayed up until almost 4 am having a blast out at the piano bar and others neat bars in the area.

Well Sunday morning after the Charlotte trip Brad had an interview up in Knoxville so I hurried home so that we could make the trip on Sunday and visit with Corinne and the girls for the evening. I wasn't feeling too well but just thought I had stayed up too late and needed some rest. Well Monday morning I still wasn't feeling well but thought it was because I woke up with Hayden at 6:30 and again was just a little too tired. On our drive home to Greenville Monday afternoon I told Brad I was still feeling really hungover or nauseous or something didn't feel right. I remember telling him to stop at Mcdonalds for some apple dippers (quite the weird request on a gas station stop but he did). I then remember talking to Hewy on the phone and she told me she was having a 2 day hangover so again I was just thinking that maybe us girls had just hung out too late and I didn't think much about it. I then worked Tuesday through Friday and remember feeling so exhausted on my way to work each day. One time on my drive home from the gym at 7 am I remember my head almost bobbing up and down and thinking I am never tired after a morning workout. Well Friday night arrives and I finally tell Brad that something is "not right." I told him I could not shake this nausea and didn't know what could possibly be wrong. I remember telling him that if in the morning (Saturday April 17th) I was still feeling well maybe we should pick up a pregnancy test. So the morning rolls around and I am supposed to be at work at 9 so Brad ran up to Bilo and picked up a prego test. Again, I didn't think there was anyway I was prego but thought I would just scratch out the possibility. So I took the test and Brad was downstairs making some breakfast and I didn't even have to wait the 60 seconds it tells you to wait. The second the pee hit the stick there was an instant line. I remember being in denial and thinking I must have been on the part that changes color there is NO way I am really pregnant. I called Brad upstairs and he is jumping up and down and so excited and I am still in full shock...I couldn't believe I was supposed to go to work for 10 hours....but I did and then we headed to Hope's birthday party at Amy's house and I remember just feeling awfulllll and wanting to take another test to confirm. So we picked up another test and same thing instantly the stick showed a positive result.....so forever our lives would be changed and we never looked back...we just started planning for this new life with this little nugget that we would patiently wait to arrive in December.

This picture was taken on April 30, 2010 when I was just 7 weeks along. Little Crawford was just the size of a blueberry. I had been to the doctor at 5 weeks where they didn't even confirm that I was pregnant they just gave me a lot of paperwork about how to start taking care of myself and baby. I couldn't believe that they didn't even need to confirm what I discovered on a stick but they said that the tests they use are just as accurate as the ones in the store so we were going ot have to wait until 9 weeks for the first ultrasound and bloodwork.

June 2010
So after confirming that there was indeed a baby cooking inside of me and making it through that first trimest of pure nausea...I arrived to the second trimester. Crawford was now the size of an orange and still causing mom all sorts of wonderful nausea...but at least that's the only troubles he caused....I was so excited to be carrying this baby and couldn't believe I had made it 1/3 of the way through pregnancy!

June 2010

The first gifts I ever bought for little Crawford. 2 books that are from my birth city New Orleans!

We had planned a trip with Brad's parents to New Orleans (which his parents had never visited) and then on a cruise to Mexico. Our first stop in the city was the famous Cafe du Monde. We ate up some beignets during a downpour in the city. We spent the day walking around and exploring before having a dinner full of red beans and rice and jambalaya and walk through Bourbon Street.

The next day we got to visit my Godfather (Uncle Terry) and Aunt Marion where they had prepared quite the welcoming New Orleans feast. We had a great time all visiting together and enjoying gumbo, crawfish, stuffed artichokes and all of the finest New Orleans cuisine!

After touring the city we left on a Carnival cruise to Mexico. The 4 of us had a great time enjoying nice breakfasts together, time at the pool, a little time in the casino, the entertaining shows, and of course the 3 course dinners.

In Cozymel Brad and I decided to rent a jeep and tour the island. We had a great time just driving from one end to the other while Brad's parents enjoyed a historic tour of the city.

July 2010

Brittany and David invited us to the lake for July 4th weekend. Alexis and Michael were able to join us as well and us girls had a great time catching up while cruising on Britt's new boat!! We spent time discussing baby names for hours and the nights were spent playing drinking games while prego over here hit the bed early!

July 2010

I enjoyed a nice long visit from Corinne and the girls in July as well. Everyone knows how obsessed I am with my nieces. We took the girls to the waterpark in Greenville and had a great time watching Ryan go down all the waterslides. I remember their visit quite well because it ended with my sick in bed throwing up (the only time in the 9 months that I got soo sick).

July 2010

The day was finally here....the 20 WEEKS APPOINTMENT! aka the day we found out Crawford was a little boy growing in his mommy's tummy. I remember waiting for that date for soooo long and then when the day came all I kept thinking was oh dear Lord please tell me the baby is healthy. I must have asked the sonographer a dozen times if the baby was going to be healthy. She assured me that he looked 100% healthy and so mommy was just so estatic while his daddy about lost it when he found out he was going to be having a son! It was such an exciting moment an I will never forget Brad's reaction!

August 2010

I knew my days without baby were coming to an end and there was still one city on the list that I wanted to make it to before having a baby....Chicago! Jenny and I planned a girl's trip to Chicago and we had such a great time exploring the city via the hop on/hop off bus int he midst of the heat....we enjoye deep dish pizza, nice Italian dinner, a comedy show, a boat cruise alone the river, shopping along Michigan Ave., a Cubs game, and of course a hot dog for Jenny!

September 2010

Well I worked a couple of weekends, we spent Labor day at the Hendersonville apple festival followed by apple picking, I went to Hilton Head and spent some time with Corinne and the girls on their beach trip, Brad went to Vegas for Nick's bachelor party and Cathleen came to visit and help me with baby projects!

October 2010

We planned a weekend in Athens/Atlanta. We went to the UGA/UT football game and planned a fun tailgate with the girls and then headed to Atlanta to watch the Braves in the playoffs. Unfortunately they lost to Giants but it was a fun experience to be at one of Bobby Cox's last baseball games ever!

October 2010

A couple of weeks later the girls had planned an amazing shower for me at Chateau Elan outside of Atltanta. We enjoyed watching football and having lunch when we arrived and then spent the afternoon showering me with an overwhelming amount of gifts and games. We had just decided on name the week before...so yes it took us 30 weeks to come up with the name Crawford but we couldn't be any happier with our decision!

October 2010

The last weekend in October we got to celebrate the Brown's marriage. It was a great weekend and the wedding was at Larkins (where we got married but it was inside and completely different)...still such an amazing place to get married and they are such good friends to both of us so it was great being able to celebrate with them on their special day!

The following day Janet and Cathleen through me another incredible shower. I got to include my friends from work and Janet was able to include many of her great girlfriends that are always so great to see. Again everyone was so generous and kind and made me feel like one special girl!

November 2010

We had planned to make it to one Clemson game as well since it was more difficult this year to find time for tailgating on the weekends. It just so happens that Doug was able to get some box tickets for us and it was soooo much fun watching Clemson from a box with all you can eat food, indoor warmth, and comfy seats ....truly amazing for a girl that was 35 weeks prego!

Novemeber 2010

The Mathias's and Edward's through us a great couples shower at the end of November and provided dinner, diaper cake, and a lot of fun with friends! The girls even made the trip to see me one last time before Crawford's arrival!

December 2010

We were able to enjoy one last night out with friends at the beginning of December. This was also the day I got my braces off so I was in a great mood....I remember Brad was still not feeling well and kept getting so worried that Crawford would arrive while he was feeling so sick...but Crawford decided to hang out past his due date so even though we thought this was our last night out we were able to throw in a couple more dinners in there before he arrived!

After about 11 hours of labor with little progress I was taken back for a c-section where this adorable bundle of joy entered our lives and forever melted our hearts! Crawford Baylen Redd was born at 4:42 on December 15, 2010 weighing in at 8 lb 7 oz and 21 inches long!!

After 3 nights in the hospital we were finally able to welcome Crawford into his new home on Saturday December 18th at about 2:45 pm.

Crawford's first Christmas was just 10 days later and we couldn't have received a better Christmas present than our healthy baby boy!!!

"It won't be like this for long"

We have been so lucky to have soo many sweet friends come by and visit Crawford. The Rivera's stopped by last night and fortunately Crawford at a good time (well for about 15 minutes anyways!) We can't wait till they have a little buddy for Crawford ; ) They were so sweet and brought dinner and a magazine and some wine for the recovering new parents! So sweet...it has amazed me at how creative and sweet people really are. It sure makes you thankful for the wonderful friends in your life!

Brad loves him some nightly entertaining with Crawford!

yaaaay our first walk!

So since it is official..the holidays are over...all of our fun company has gone back home, Brad is back at work...I have come to grips with the fact that I CAN do this...even though some days are sooo extremely exhausting and some days I feel like we are taking 5 steps backwards I still just love holding little Crawford and looking in his adorable eyes...Today we took our first walk in the neighborhood with just him and me! I realized that I can either go crazy sitting in this house all day everyday or I can start building my mommy confidence and venturing out with the nugget. So after he had eaten, had a diaper change, had a clothing change, and taken a nap and he was still fussy I thought well it feels great outside I think we are going on a walk. The first walk we took last week was quite funny. Brad and I were a nervous wreck. One of us was walking in front of the stroller making sure that the infant carrier didn't tumble off of the stroller and the other was pushing ever so gently. It made me think oh my goodness I am never going to feel comfortable doing this alone..But I know that Crawford loves movement..he loves driving in the car (just as long as the car is moving at a fast pace) and since I want him to love going on walks I knew I had to suck it up and get to feeling comfortable with just mommy and Crawford days. So I bundled him up and wrapped him in a blanket and ever so gently went over the few bumps out of the house to get us on the sidewalk and he was out! I mean he slept like a little angel the entire time. I never wanted to come home because I knew he would wake up screaming so we walked for about an hour and that joker never so much as moved his little head! So even with a lack of sleep pretty much every night I am loving him more and more every day. I just can't get enough even when he is screaming he has his little lip in the pouty looking way and screams and I just love him and wanna squeeze him tighter!

I came across these lyrics and it just made me appreciate each and every day that I am going to get to spend with Crawford. No matter how stressed I may have felt the passed couple of weeks I am going to try and relax and enjoy these next 6 weeks because soon enough I will be back at walmart dreading every day!

The song is by Darius Rucker and the song is titled "It Won't be Like this for Long"

He didn't have to wake up, He's been up all night

Lying there and listening to his newborn baby cry

He makes a pot of coffee, splashes water on his face

His wife gives him a kiss and says it's gonna be okay

It won't be like this for long

One day we'll look back laughing at the week we brought him home
This phase is gonna fly by, so baby just hold on

It won't be like this for long....

So as I repeat these lyrics in my head I think that soon enough he will be crawling and walking and not wanting to snuggle with him mommy...so who cares if I don't sleep, shower, eat, or workout on the same schedule as I used to..being Crawford's mommy is so much better than any silly schedule and I am ready to face the next couple of weeks with a much more optimistic outlook. This phase won't last forever and a lack of sleep never hurt me..so I need to love being the one who can feed Crawford and get him to sleep and keep him happy and that really is what is so rewarding about being a mommy afterall!

Well that was my inspiration for this day...it's been such a GREAT day....meaning Crawford has slept for over 3 hours today and has been an angel...what that also means is mommy better prepare for a looooong night!

Brad is leaving me tomorrow to help Cathleen move from Savannah to Atlanta ...what that means is my first night without Brad..someone say a prayer for me! Even though I try to let Brad sleep through the nights it sure is nice to know that he is there next to me juuuust in case I need him (in which case he ALWAYS lends a helping hand) so I am hoping that a-Crawford cooperates and b-that he gets that giant truck all the way to Atl safely. We will happily be awaiting his arrival home on Saturday night!

3 weeks!!!

Ahh my little nugget is finally sleeping. It is 3:45 and he is just taking his first nap...I mean I knew I didn't require a lot of sleep but aren't newborns supposed to sleep more than this?! Well a tiring, trying, and eventful 2 weeks it has been. I have never learned so much about being a mother in 2 weeks. I mean being an Aunt I had that mastered and staying busy and multitasking on a day to day basis with long work hours and workouts again a breeze...being a 24 hour mommy is definitely on the top of the list as most difficult tasks I have ever taken on! I am learning something new about Crawford every day and when he cuddles and let's me feed and take care of him it is such a rewarding feeling but I have to admit this is a HUGE CHANGE for me. There are days with NO showers, most days I am in my pajamas all day long, little time for laundry, cleaning and even eating. Well let's take a look back on the little guy's life so far. We spend most of our days in the den with mommy trying to learn all of Crawford's different cries and needs. We have ventured out to Brad's parent's house a couple of times around Christmas and we have ran very quick errands just to keep mommy sane. However, baby Crawford has not made his official public appearance yet. (don't hate me Crawford I am just trying to protect you from the germs and sick people!) We even had to pull over to feed you on an errand that should have only taken about 45 minutes. We love that you let us take you places so I am sure in time you will catch up with mommy's fast pace life and be ready to be on the road!

Well I have to say that from trying different toys and objects to entertain you so far we haven't had too much luck. You don't like your bouncy seat, you hate your bassinet, the pack n play lasted all of about 60 seconds. You are content in the swing that we borrowed for about 5-10 minutes but we are hoping you are warming up to this.

Feeding: What would I do without the boppy pillow!? I think it is connected to me and it goes in every room I go. This is what we use to keep you comfy while mommy feeds you. We usually feed on the couch downstairs on up in mommy's bed at night. Sometimes we will sit in your room in the glider but it is awfully quiet up there.

Naps: While like I said there is no pattern to your naps quite yet. Sometimes you will go down for a long 3-4 hour stretch but most of the time you take 30 minute to 1 hour naps. You usually fall asleep while mommy is feeding you and then I quietly try to burp you so that you don't have a stomach ache and that usually wakes you up. See you are just the lightest sleeper. Therefore, if I think you are out and I go lay you in your crib and you are not in your "deep" sleep you immediately let us know. If we think you are sleeping and we let a guest hold you and you are not ready to be held you let us know. Mommy makes sure to change your diapers before feedings and that is probably a good thing because I am sure you would be wide awake if we waited till after feedings. Every now and then you will sleep one 4 hour stretch at night but it is not very likely quite yet. You have the most killer reflexes (just like your daddy)! If you get even a little startled your hands go crazy and it is just the most adorable thing. You like being held against someone's chest and I have been trying to keep you comfy and relaxed on my chest when I know you should be trying to settle down for a nap. We have been working hard to get you used to your crib because for the first few weeks you only wanted to sleep on mommy's chest on on the bobby pillow in mommy's lap. This makes us nervous plus it doesn't allow mommy to get a wink of sleep. There is nothing sweeter than to see your sweet smiles and frowns while you are dreaming. I can only imagine how much must be going through the little mind of yours. Mommy and daddy just adore you and love watching you sleep peacefully!

Crying: Well we are still trying to get a hang of what your cries mean. I used to immediately think you were hungry and you would eat pretty much ALL the time. I am now trying to determine how to keep you content when I know there is no way little Crawford is hungry. I do think you cry a lot of the time because of gas and possibly a little reflux. I hate watching you and knowing that you are in any pain. We keep some mylicon drops close by but I truthfully haven't noticed that they help your belly at all.

Diapers- I think you like a fresh clean diaper because sometimes when you are getting fussy all it takes is a diaper change and my little Crawford peps right back up. We have had some interesting diaper changes with you including lots of pee and poopy outfits because either a: we didn't get to you in time before you decided to go through your clothes or b: because as we are changing you you decide to keep going to the bathroom. Either way we are definitely becoming faster more efficient diaper changers every day and promise to try out best to keep you as comfortable as possible.

Entertainment: Well mommy tries to pull out all the stops. You normally don't find me or my tricks very entertaining! I usually try the swing around breakfast time you usually will last long enough for me to get a bowl of cereal down but then you demand my attention immediately! I try to do a little tummy time on the activity mat but you are so squirmy that it doesn't go very well. You practice tummy time much better on mommy's chest while I am trying to burp you (which you don't like at all!) you squirm all around making it impossible for me to keep you upright! I tried the baby bjorn today and it was a success for about 30 minutes so we may begin to try this more frequently to allow me to move about the house a litle easier!

Favorite things you do:
: You still won't straighten out those adorable legs so half the time your little sleepers do not have any feet in the feet slots soo cute
: You try so desperately hard to get those hands in your mouth but you just can't quite coordinate the movement yet
: You love to have those eyes just WIDE open and it always looks like you are staring at the t.v. (but we know you can't really see that far yet so maybe you like th contrasting light coming from it)
: You are always quiet when we change your diaper and you squirm those legs but you usually do not put up a fight (thank goodness)
: You hate being swaddles so mommy has to make sure you are dressed nice and warm for bedtime (although I am still trying to get you to like being swaddled because I think you would sleep better)
: You sleep like an little angel in mommy's arms and I really hate to put you in your crib where you squirm and cry
: You love your boppy pillow and taking cat naps being propped up on it
:You looove having your hands up by your face and no one can move those away you just won't have it
: You are an angel in the car (as long as it's moving at a rapid pace!)
: You have been on one walk and you were pretty good until the wind picked up so I am going to blame it on the cold but I sure can't wait for it to get warmer so we can have more bonding walks
: You are content in the bath tub unless you get cold and then there is no calming you down
: Your little tummy seems to hurt you after feedings but not for normally 45 minutes to an hour so mommy is trying to figure out if mylicon drops work or if this gripe water will soothe you but so far I haven't seen any differences when using them. I think this is also why you don't sleep soundly
: Once something startles you or wakes you up mommy has to start the whole process over again (Crawford you do not like being disturbed and are a very light sleeper!)

Mommy and Daddy are learning new things about you every day and the love we have for you is just amazing. I look at you and you melt my heart. The stress I feel is because I only want to be the very best mommy I can be and I hate thinking that you are upset or not feeling well or not being 100% satisfied so that will continue to be something mommy works on. You are an amazing little guy and I can't wait to watch you grow and change every day!

This is on my 27th birthday. This was the one night Brad and I have ventured out. Cathleen was here and assured us that Crawford would be well taken care of. I was okay for about the first 30 minutes on our way to Brixx until they told us that there was a 45 minute wait and then I got so stressed thinking that I would be gone from you that long. Long story short not quite sure mommy's nerves were ready for night out!

Loving our little baby ...almost 2 weeks old here!

Such a sweet little napper (when you decide to grace us with a good nap!)

Daddy just loves coming home from work!

First bath with mommy and daddy both helping!

Aww love when you can hold that paci in your mouth so sweet!

Even Grandpa loves naptime with Crawford!

Nana and Grandpa come to visit often and love you so much!

Well I started this post at 2 weeks and here we are January 5th and you are now 3 WEEKS OLD! Man I just love waking up from my small amount of sleep (but at least waking up to daylight) and seeing your face! You are truly the most amazing blessing and I really thank God every night that you are healthy and growing and providing so much happiness to your mommy and daddy!