Meet Norah Renée St. Pierre

 Meet our little bundle of JOY!!!

Name: Norah Renée St. Pierre

Birthday: March 23rd, 2013 @ 11:19AM

Weight: 6lbs, 7oz.

Length: 19.25 inches

It's been quite a waiting process for her which started many months ago when Paul and I decided it was the right time to start a family of our own.

BUT she's here now & we're in love already!!!

We've almost made it through our first two weeks! There hasn't been a tremendous amount of sleep, but I think we're on the diminishing part of our learning curve! We've established a fairly decent schedule for a newborn baby, but everyday brings a new challenge to overcome. All things can be done with love and faith! 

My body is pretty much healed entirely except for the bruises on my hands and wrists from all the IV sticks. It's still hard to fathom that a little over 1 week ago this sweet little angel was born out of my belly...woah!!!

Here are some of our precious moments with our sweet baby Norah! Lots of 1st's for Norah & her still-figuring-it-out parents! 

Daddy's favorite pic

 My brother watching over me

First captured smile!

Mommy loves me...

I've definitely learned that although hard at times this is what life is truly about. The unconditional love you feel from looking into your babies eyes and being so overwhelmed with happiness and emotion! The second that little angel joined us in this world and started screaming at the top of her lungs Paul and I lost it. We were a puddle of tears wrapped in a overwhelming emotion of joy and happiness!                                             W                                                                                                  We can't stop all of her tears and it can be frustrating as new parents to want to help her so bad but not knowing what to do...but I'm confident that we will be very intuitive very soon to what our little angel needs from us. We're doing a good job of figuring out each cry and fuss. I'm so proud of Paul & myself for dealing with everything so gracefully thus far. I wouldn't trade any of it for one more second of sleep or comfort. It's all about Norah :) 

My first bath!

Look at this hat grandma made me...

Happy baby = happy parents! =) 

Little foot

Milk drunk!

I love holding my Daddy's hands!

Sooo cold out of momma's belly...

My first Easter...& my crazy parents have already put me in an egg...

We've had some great help so far with my mom & sister Casi coming over to help us get acclimated to our new life. When they left a few days ago my dad came over to help out for a few more days. It's a little strange not being at work and having so many friends & family coming and going but we are so incredibly grateful and feel very blessed by the welcoming that baby Norah has experienced! We have many more scheduled visits & people to show her off to...it's all so fun!

Memére & Pepére holding little baby Norah in the hospital.

                         Grandma and Grandpa holding baby Norah when she got home.

 

NURSERY IS DONE!

Our sweet nursery is DONE!!!! The paint has dried, the decal is up and the finishing touches are complete!

One of the most wonderful things about the room is that it was put together by all of the loving people in our lives! Handmade blankets, donated toys, pumps, mattresses, maternity clothes. It's amazing how all of the women have come together in my life to show such amazing support for our pregnancy and our new little one that's about to be born! I don't know how we could have gotten all of this together without them! 

There's a lot of love and preparation that's gone into picking everything out...but I still can't believe she'll be here soon and it'll all get used. Seems like soooo much stuff for one little nugget!

Owls...a cute theme my mom has just run with! Very sweet!

Refurbed rocking chair from grandma & grandpa...with new covers and a blankie for mommy during feedings! Set up with a handmade table from my daddy and a basket of distracting toys for baby :) 

Our diaper changing station in the room...with a closet full of diapers! I think we're ready for POOP!

Yes, I've even got my 'Noob Mommy's' E.A.S.Y. schedule printed up and on the board ready to go! If nothing else it'll convince me I had a plan at one point or another...

Look at all the cute little shoes...so many of them made by grandma! How the heck does she do it?

Kota has no idea what he's been signed up for...big brother AGAIN???

We can't wait until little girl is born so we can finally announce the name but for now just a sneak peak of the beautiful letters we put up and the framing Paul made!

Our wonderful grandpa-made bookcase filled with books from family and friends already! Been reading to her here and there! =)

...and one of Paul's favorite things about the room - the handy dandy video monitor that allows us to keep an eye out on her while she's sleeping or 'pretending to sleep'. Has almost a 360 view range and allows you to talk to your baby from the other room to soothe them. 

Lots of diapers...at least that's what I'm saying now!

...and a brag book just waiting to be filled!

Another pic of our beautiful cherry blossom decal.

...and one of my favorite parts of the nursery! The soft remote control flameless candles I bought and put up to create a wonderful serene atmosphere in babies room! It's so peaceful in there now! Hard to take pictures of how it looks but trust me...it's magnificent & I know it'll be even better when I'm half asleep trying to feed & change her!

MALE BASHING MUST STOP!!!

I’m so irritated by the constant male bashing that’s rampant in our society. The King of Queen’s ‘dummy’ husband always getting into trouble or the endless ‘he’s just a man, out there cheating, etc. and not caring about anyone’ kind of mentality that every women who calls into Roula & Ryan’s Roses [which I don't miss each week] describes.  

Relationships are hard. Men can be scumbags but so can women….doesn’t mean they all are though.

I just want to hear more about the AWESOMENESS of what men are doing for their women lately. I know it exists but I’m here to profess the glass half-full side.

I can attest that I’ve been in both types of relationships but that my Paulie is an amazing man who gives to me in bountiful ways I could not have imagined and pregnancy has only brought that out more and more…

The first time I experienced this I knew I had someone in my life that I didn’t think existed up until that point. I woke up in bed and couldn’t move my neck! Having a bout of claustrophobia and hypochondria (don’t know where I got that since my parents were both nurses and didn’t have the tolerance for minor cuts and bruises) I did what most people would in that situation and freaked out! I started crying and panicking and thinking I had been paralyzed sleeping in the night somehow. It was an awful feeling. Paul panicked because of my mere excitement but finally realized I was in no actual physical danger and told me to lay down, be still and start breathing. He started rubbing my neck and didn’t stop until well after I had calmed myself down enough to slowly fall asleep through the pain. I woke up with a sore & stiff neck but little did I know that he didn’t sleep the rest of the night from 4:30am or so on because of the panic I caused.

There have been so many instances like this…where mere attentiveness, support, compassion, communication, etc. have played a role in me knowing that I am loved through and through! Remembering my favorite candy bar and buying me one at the store, surprising me with a trip or sending me a crazy picture on my phone when he knows I’m having a rough day (shown above and left). He’s there for me in each and every way a man can be there for a woman! He is my rock! He is my rock star! He is just one example of proof that amazing men are out there taking care of their women.

As I hear the little words like ‘I love you,’ ‘you mean the world to me,’ ‘you’re going to be a great mother,’ etc. which I am grateful for, it’s not until I hear about the way that other women are treated in their relationships that makes me so grateful that I have a man who is comfortable enough in his skin to share those precious, special moments with me like being at every dr. appt & ultrasound, aptly awaiting for our baby girls’ arrival and thrilled to death about waking up at 3 in the morning if it means HE gets to feed her. I don’t have to worry about him going to have a drink with the boys and stepping on the boundaries of our relationship. I don’t have to worry about him ignoring or talking bad about me or our relationship. I know how much he cares…because he shows me each and every day!!!

He has had an amazing upbringing from his parents and still has a long list of friends who are so interested in his life. I’m not bringing this up to boast that I have the BEST man in the world, which I absolutely think I do but rather to shine some light on the reality of the situation that the coveted wonderful masculine, hunting/gathering type man who still wants to cook you homemade chicken noodle soup and deal with your tired cranky butt when trying to get you to go to bed DO EXIST!!!!

I guess that’s why as the weeks are dwindling and there is only a small amount of time left before our sweet angel joins us in this world for us to hold and love I can’t stop thinking about how amazing it’s going to be for me to hold her. BUT how I am almost looking forward just a little bit more to watching my sweet Paul’s face LIGHT up as he holds his daughter for the first time! Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. [darn nonwaterproof mascara] It’s not a feeling that can be portrayed or lived vicariously but one that is very real to me and makes me so absolutely thankful that this is the life I live and that Paul is the man I get to hold every night when I go to bed and kiss every morning as I leave for the day. My fairy tale did come true [God blessed the broken road] and I hope my relationship is proof that it is possible.  

I KNOW there are GREAT men out there...just my love story of ONE!

Year in Review...a little late!

As 2012 has come to an end (and January 2013 too...I'm a little behind) I can't help but think about the amazing journey we've been on just this year alone. Feels like several years worth of happenings have happened in 2012.

It's been a wonderful year full of a ton of memories, most of which have been a pure blessing!



My parents and sisters in Austin are all doing well. My baby sister Casi & her husband Carl welcomed their little boy William Teal Wickham into this world on February 28th, 2012. We have enjoyed watching him grow, laugh and now start to crawl. He'll be walking before you know it. He's actually about to celebrate his first birthday in just a few weeks...how time flies!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 



My older sister Jami & her husband have had a fun-filled year especially with their oldest daughter, Skylar, turning 5 and going to Kindergarten this year. Her little sister, Lenea, isn't two steps behind her though and growing like a weed. They are the sweetest little sisters to each other.









My loving parents have enjoyed hearing the news of their first St. Pierre grandbaby, which will make their 4th grandchild, our little girl making this their 3rd girl grandbaby.

Our St. Pierre family whom we get to see a bit more since Memere & Pepere (the french version of grandma and grandpa and definitely what our little one will be calling them) are in town for us to see more often. They are elated by the news of having their very first grandgirl on their side.

Renee, Paul's only sister, & husband Mark have their hands full with 3 active little boys, all doing so well! Their oldest Sammy celebrated his 7th birthday this year, with Noah (the middle boy) celebrating his 4th birthday & baby Levi celebrating his very first birthday. Levi was all of 16 days at our wedding last year. What a miracle it is to remember that they were even able to make it.

      

 

                                                        

I have soo loved being a part of each of these amazing families and watching everyone grow! Family is a pure blessing! However, despite how much I've enjoyed watching each family undertake small or large undertakings and successes, it amazes me that Paul and I will be welcoming a baby girl into this world in less than 6 weeks time! It was at the beginning of this year that we were planning for our Costa Rica honeymoon, me studying for my CPA & just winding down from our wonderful wedding and now a year later that all seems like a memory much further back than just a year as we are in full swing of getting our house prepared for little Brie-Ella! [no that's not the real name]

I have made significant progress towards obtaining my CPA and with a few final hiccups I am still waiting to take (fingers crossed) my very last test in 10 days time. What a relief and momumental accomplishment it will be! I can't wait to announce it to the world.

 

...for now we just WAIT and continue to cherish the memories we have already!



Baby bump & move

Yesterday I had one of the most amazing things to happen thus far in the pregnancy, other than finding out we were expecting. It happened yesterday at work when I felt our little girl move for the first time!

There have been other times that I might have felt a little somethin'-somethin' but I wasn't sure it was anything other than just gas... ;) BUT I know I felt her yesterday while I was sitting at my desk at work. It was about 12 seconds of pure excitement for me! I didn't have to wait to see her on a television screen while having an ultrasound or listening for her heartbeat on a Doppler machine. I could feel her little feet or arms or something moving away inside me like I was her own little jungle gym. Paul and I have already gotten to see her a little crazy & jumping around. It was at our ultrasound to determine if she had Turner's or Down Syndrome...so you would think there would have been a more somber mood but all anyone could here outside the ultrasound room was Paul and I laughing as we watched our little gherkin jumping with her arms flailing about. I guess she was excited about her legs...lol. Paul said "I guess we've got a little soccer player on our hands". :)

Life with baby is totally coming alive in full force! Next step: find a way to share it with my Paulie in a similar way I get to experience her! He so desperately wants to feel her move.

The idea that he wants to be a part of it among other things is so exciting to feel. I guess when you're not expecting, you of course think about how a baby will change both you & your spouses life. BUT when you are pregnant you get to share in the miracle of your pregnancy with your spouse and I've been so wonderfully blessed to have an absolutely amazing man that has been there hand in hand through everything and dying to help & share in each wonderful moment together. I love seeing him rub and talk to 'the belly'. Soooo cute! He's the foreman at our house guiding our big cleanings and reorganization projects. I love it!

Here's a sneak peak at the nursery changes going on...
                                                                         ...many more changes to come!

...so at 5 & 1/2 months I finally feel like a fairy that's gotten her wings! I finally got a little baby bump & I'm really loving it! I finally feel like it's proof to the outside world that our little girl is in there...living it up! Quite literally! 

It's also caused the NEED for maternity pants. My belly has finally pushed its way out of my 'regular' pants. But ohhhh weeee, maternity pants are super comfy! I don't know if I'll ever go back to 'regular' again. ;) 

Halfway Point!!! Lemon to a banana...

I can't believe it but we've made it to the half-way point! We're at 20 weeks of the total 40 weeks that will be needed to 'cook' this little bun in the oven.  

At this point, our little baby girl weighs about 10½ ounces and is roughly 6½ inches long head-to-toe. Just in this trimester alone we've gone (relatively) from a lemon to a now banana. I love all the food references for sizes...cute way to identify with her. 

She is now starting to hear sounds, both from the inside the uterus and on the outside. She can't identify any noises yet, but in time she will soon recognize both Paul and my voice over anyone else’s. She can now be startled by loud or sudden noises (oops) and can hear my heartbeat as well as growling stomach.

...they say it's a good time for lullabies and bedtime stories although I'm still a little timid to read to my own stomach. ;) Paul loves touching the little belly and talking to it though so I don't think it'll be tough to get him to read a story or two. :)  

...I still can't believe that already at the half-way point she is pretty much a fully formed (all fingers, toes, ear bones, skin, genitals, etc.) baby...just iddy biddy! ...but she definitely still needs time to continue to grow, build immunities & have the rest of her little parts form completely inside her safe, warm home for now. Her heartbeat has dropped from a whopping 175 to a still incredibly fast 148 in our most recent doppler scan. My dear friend Misty lovingly refers to our little nugget as helicopter because of the quick heartbeat..lol. :)

...and even though my baby bump is still pretty unnoticeable, looking more like I had a large lunch that a sweet baby girl growing in there, I've already had my belly rubbed by several people. Although I thought I would be put off by the notion of people touching a very self-concious area, it was kind of sweet. It's a loving connection people want to make with me and the little one...and surprisingly not off-putting at all. Although if a stranger comes up to me in the grocery store and touches me I think I might just deck them ;)

Along with the the few extra pounds I've picked up from the pregnancy it's been a pretty smooth ride thus far. Really nothing to complain about with mild nausea which has dissipated in the 2nd trimester and some aversions to food, still no sausage or beans for me PLEASE! A special loving thank you is needed here for Paul who has cooked specific things I though I wanted to eat only to set them down in front of me after slaving away in the kitchen and having me push it away and say 'I can't eat that!' He's been such an amazingly sweet husband listening to every 'I don't feel good' with a sympathetic ear and going out of his way to make sure I'm happy and comfortable. I don't know what I'd do without him. 

I honestly think the hardest part so far has been 'the worry' which after talking with several moms is not something that is going away any time soon. Sounds like it just changes from 'are they developing properly' to 'are they breathing' to 'are they going to break their leg jumping over that' kind of worries. I guess that's why God makes us all little rebels as kids so we can appreciate our parents 1000% fold when we become parents ourselves. ...so in that sense I guess I deserve a little worry...ok a lot of worry! Turning on the gas as a 3-yr old every opportunity I got might come back to bite me ;)

It's been such an amazing experience to share with our friends and family who have been so supportive and excited for us. I think the best reaction we got had to be from Paul's sister Renee who screamed sooo loud over Skype when we told her she scared her own little one. Although our entire family each had very loving/amazing reactions to the news considering everyone thought we were waiting 5 or so years to even try. So much fun to announce it to everyone!

We're constantly getting ready in every facet in our house thinking about safety, the pups and how their lives will be different, getting oodles and oodles of things from friends and family. I have two full tubs of maternity clothes already and we have been lucky enough to get several things we would've had to pay for on our own including a fabulous breast pump, car seat with base, bassinet, boppy, changing pad, etc., etc. It's awesome to be a sister of 4 and the last one to be pregnant...lots of great advice and generosity galore! I love you Jami, Casi & Renee...best sisters a girl could ask for!

...the preparation even got kicked into high gear this last weekend when we picked up our gorgeous baby furniture...a beautiful set that will last us for several years to come! I'll be posting pictures soon once the room is painted and prepped and all the furniture is set up --- thanks to my wonderful hubby!

The beauty of pregnancy cannot be conveyed to you through words...it's really one of those things that you have to experience for yourself, from your husband being so overprotective/sweet/kind/understanding to all the love you feel yourself already taking on just with the idea of the little life inside you. It's been the most amazing thing I've ever experienced and I'm so grateful that it came at a time in our lives that it's an amazingly welcomed/wonderful addition. We are as ready as two people nervous about the adventure we are embarking on could be!!! I often get teary-eyed (yes from the hormonies) but also from the idea that life just seems soo perfect right now. The family we always knew we wanted is half-way home to us in the shape of a sweet innocent little baby girl...and while we are sooo impatient about the journey at times we are definitely living in the moment and relishing in this time! God is good!!!

We're still very excited for our 20-week ultrasound coming up, scheduled to count her fingers & toes and make SURE it's a little pinky and not a little baby bluey. ;) I'm also hoping to feel her moving around soon...I've heard it's an amazing once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. :)

For now that's all on baby...although I could write forever about the process thus far and how excited we are! More ultrasound and nursery pics to come :)