Brinley Marie

What an amazing month this has been!! On August 10, 2012 we welcomed Brinley Marie Herzinger into our lives. She has been the biggest blessing in my life. It’s amazing how much I already love this little girl.

Birth Story

Labor started at 12am Friday, August 10, 2012. Contractions were immediately consistent. I hadn’t gone to bed yet, so I decided to stay up and see if I truly was in labor. After using the restroom and noticing blood, I texted my mom to make sure it was real. Chris at this point was still in bed and had no idea what was going on. I figured there wasn’t much he could do at this point, and decided to let him get some rest before our long day ahead. I waited about and hour and a half before waking Chris up, because I knew we would have to be heading to the hospital soon. He was pretty nervous and wished labor would have started a little later that morning haha. I decided to wait almost three hours to head to the hospital, because I was NOT getting sent home. At my appointment the Tuesday before, I wasn’t even dilated to a 1 yet, so I thought I would give myself some time to dilate. Like I said before, I was NOT getting sent home! Chris and I arrived at the hospital around 2:45 am. They got me in and checked me to find I was only dilated to a 2. They decided to keep me for an hour to see if I progressed at all and if not I would have to be sent home. Luckily within the hour, I had gone from a 2 to a 4. At that point they asked me if I wanted an epidural…and of course I said YES!! They told me it would take about a half hour for him to arrive to give it to me. Almost four hours later he finally showed up and I got my epidural around 6:45 am. It was heavenly once I finally got it! After I got my epidural my mom and Grandma Luke had arrived at the hospital. It was so nice to have them there!! At about 9:30, Chris’ parents arrived. Once the epidural kicked in, it made the rest of the delivery much more relaxing. At 11:30 the doctor said it was time to push. That is when I really got nervous. I hadn’t been nervous at all until that point. I was so scared, I began to cry. I wasn’t sure if I could do it. I had pushed for over an hour and she still hadn’t arrived. The doctor decided that I needed to get an episiotomy, because I was too tight. That was the last thing that I wanted, and the thing I was most scared of. There was a residency doctor there and she was started to cut, just after starting she says, “These scissors suck!” I about had a heart attack after hearing that. Luckily the doctor stepped in with new scissors and finished up. After the episiotomy, baby girl arrived not more than ten minutes later. At 12:29 pm Brinley Marie Herzinger arrived at 8lbs 0oz and was 21.5” long. She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. It amazes me how much love I had for this little girl that I had just barely met!

Brinley Marie! 8lbs 0oz and 21.5" long

 

Daddy's first time holding Brinley. He was so cute with her and was so excited that she was finally here!

 My first time holding my sweet little girl!

 First family picture

After being up for over 32 hours and going through labor, I was completely exhausted.

 Sleeping on daddy

 After staying two days in the hospital, it was finally time to go home!

 

Chris' Birthday

Happy Birthday to the best man alive!!

The day started off with his favorite breakfast...maple bars. He made it easy for me:) I'm not really in the mood to be cooking over a hot stove at this point haha! Unfortunately Chris had to go to work but we didn't let that damper the rest of the day! 

After Chris got off work, we went and played some miniature golf (pictures soon to come). It was a lot harder with a huge belly in the way! Not a lot of room to swing. Of course I let him when to make him feel special:)

Yes I am that huge and its not the angle of the camera.

Birthday dinner with the family at Applebee's. It was delicious:)

This cake was amazing if I do say so myself! Chocolate cake with carmel, whip cream, and crunched Butterfingers!

The best looking 28 year old man I know;)

Chris, Cody, Caden and Kate

We almost set off the smoke detectors with all these candles!

So grateful for the amazing man Chris is and I feel so lucky to call him mine! Happy Birthday Babe!!

I love you<3

36 Weeks

Today was my 36 week appointment. This last little while I could tell that she was positioned weird and something just didn't feel right...and sure enough we found out she is transverse. Which at this point in the pregnancy is not the best! What a little stinker!

So we have to go in next week for another ultra-sound to see which way she is facing. If she hasn't turned by that point my doctor will have to try and turn her himself. At that point we will discuss whether or not a vaginal delivery is possible or if we will have to go with a c-section. That really scares me!! I have always been more scared of a c-section than a natural birth. I don't do well with my skin being cut open haha. It just doesn't sit well with me, but I'll do what ever is best for our little girl. Now I'm just anxious to see if she'll turn on her own...I just hope there is enough room in there!

Other than that I'm extremely excited for her to get here! Being pregnant is starting to get old haha:) It doesn't help that I am literally melting from this heat. I just have to tell myself only four more weeks, I can do this!

Grandma Keller's Wreck

Well what a long, tiring, and emotional 24 hours it has been!! Last night around 11:30 Chris' phone started ringing...it was his mom. We knew something had to be wrong, because she would normally never call so late. Chris' sweet grandma had gotten in a car accident and was being rushed to the hospital. Chris, being the only one on either side of the family worthy to give a priesthood blessing, got off the phone and told me to get ready...we're going to Burley. He knew his grandma would need that blessing now more than ever. We got out of bed and drove straight to the hospital. We got there just before 1, and she was still going through xrays and testing. As we were in the waiting room, Chris' mom informed us more about the wreck. She was on her way home on the old highway and a drunk driver, with four  other passengers, ran a stop sign and right into Grandma Keller. She was extremely lucky to have survived. It took them almost an hour to get her out of the car and into the ambulance. Someone was definitly watching over her. She was pretty beaten up. Tons of bruises, cuts, and stitches. She also shattered her ankle and will be having to have surgery on it her in a couple of days. Once she was done with testing, Chris and the doctor on call that night were able to give her the blessing she needed. What a blessing worthy priesthood holders are! Its something that I often take for granted. I'm so grateful Chris lives the gospel and is able to provide our home and family with the power of the priesthood. I know it allows miracles to happen. I'm also grateful for the doctor who was worthy and willing to help Chris. We are so glad we still have Grandma Keller and her sweet spirit with us! 

Grandma Keller's Car



The Drunk Driver and friend's Car

The back seat was just covered with beer cans...idiots who drink and drive!!!





32 Weeks!!

How far along? I'm 32 weeks and I can't believe it
Total weight gain? I still don't know...plenty though I'm sure
Maternity Clothes? Yes, but basketball shorts and tshirts are so much more comfortable
Stretch Marks? Yes, it looks like I stuffed my neighbors cat up my shirt and let it go to town. Besides weight gain, its one of the harder things to get used too.
Sleep: I'm not sleeping well lately. If I surround myself with pillows its a little better. It doesn't help that I have to pee three times a night!!
Best moment this week: It was actually last week, but Chris and I went to Twin for Western Days. Chris played in the 3-on-3 tournament and got third!! It was a blast.
Miss anything? I miss not feeling tired and sick all the time. I miss having energy haha
Movement: I'm still feeling quite a bit of movement, although my doctor said there will be less as I get closer to my due date...she is running out of room:)
Food cravings? Sweets always sound good and I have been craving Subway...yummy:)
Anything making me queasy or sick? Nothing really. If I lay on my back too long I get a little sick.
Gender: Girl
Labor Pains: Not that I notice. I recognize braxton hicks every once in awhile
Belly button in or out? Its still in
Wedding ring on or off? I can still wear it but my hands swell and I have to take it off
Happy or moody most of the time: I'm pretty happy but I do have my grumpy moments.
Looking forward to? My baby showers!! I can't wait to see all my family and friends.

I can't believe I am 32 weeks along! Only 8 more weeks to go and I couldn't be more anxious for this little girl to get here. The time seems to be going slower and slower as my due date gets closer. We still haven't picked out a name, but other than that I feel like we are ready for her arrival. We have great family and friends who have helped us prepare for her to arrivve and I couldn't be more grateful! 

30 Weeks...Fun Photoshoot

I have made it 2/3 of the way!! Overall things are going great. I'm still going in weekly to get monitored, but everything is looking good. I have my next appointment this Thursday and excited to see that everything is going well.

Yesterday was my 30 week mark and I wanted to take some pictures for memory, but I wanted to include my very good looking husband Chris:) Oh and special thanks to Janae Arnell for being our photographer haha!



One Lucky Gal

I would like to take a minute and just brag about how amazing my husband is. On Monday Chris was offered a second job and he took it...not that he isn't busy enough already! Things have been a little tight, and so he thought this job would be a good idea and would help out. Of course I became a little selfish and just thought of how much more time that would take him away from me, and didn't look at this oppurtunity as a blessing. Shame on me, I know. So here is how his passt week has gone, without complaining and a smile on his face. TUESDAY: He was up at 8 making sure he had his scriptures and an Ensign talk read and then was off to work and didn't arrive home til about a quarter to 10 that night. WEDNESDAY: Up at 6 and to work by 7 for his first job until 3, then straight to the next job until 8. After he got off work he didn't have time to come home before he headed off to help someone move and after still had time to squeeze in his Elder's Quorom President responsibilities. THURSDAY: Up again 6 and off work at about 6 that afternoon. Then he had his Presidency meetings at 6:30, a meeting with his Sunday instructors at 7:30 and then went home teaching at 8. And to top it all off he came home and made me french toast. Pretty amazing if you ask me. He is gone all day again today. I really miss him, but couldn't be more grateful for the hard working man that he is.

I LOVE YOU CHRISTOPHER!