Our 2015

Happy New Year family and friends! 

It's definitely been a very blessed year for us. God has blessed us with so many wonderful things this year  -  our first full year in our home, celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary almost the entire year was spent with me being pregnant (that was both wonderful and exhausting!), Luke turned 1 year old, Lennon turned 3 (I seriously can't believe it!), we updated, painted and decorated our home to make it ours and it was so fun!, we spent endless hours at the pool, beach and park, I spent my first (of hopefully many) year as a stay at home mom which is the hardest yet most rewarding job I've ever had! I learned a lot about myself and my family and built my relationship stronger with my husband and God. We took family vacations, became more active in going to church every weekend, Lennon learned about God and Jesus and was dedicated at church on Mother's Day - the best Mother's Day gift ever. Lennon started preschool, learned how to ride a bike, learned some awesome Beatles songs which she sings every time we are in the car and we both made new friends! And finally, after that long, fun, exhausting year we welcomed London Marie into our family! It's been an amazing year and I'm looking forward to another one. 

Here's our year in pictures...

We jumped on beds. A lot. 

Lennon and Luke became best friends this year. They argued like he's a human and they snuggled more than ever. I fell in love with my dog, it's true. 

Crafts. All day, every day when it was cold and yucky outside!

Lennon reading us The Bible through pictures. So darn cute. 

We dance, and play and sing and dance some more... While wearing tutu's! Why not?

Learning and having fun doing it. Lennon learned the letters in her name and how to write it this year. We are so proud!

This is the face of a child's first time at the zoo this year. "Monkeys! Mom, the monkeys are coming!" This is why I'm a stay at home mom. This is the joy I love to see! 

We made a trip to visit both of our BIFFs in Grand Rapids. The girls had so much fun together!

Most days were spent in tutu's! 

 Here's our big announcement we made to family and friends!

We planted flowers for the first time at our new home. It was so fun! 

Lennon turned into a fish this summer. She spent hours in the pool and at the beach. We both got a great tan so I can't complain! That girls loves the water just like her mama. 

Our little firecracker on the 4th of July! 

We spent many days in swim suits and play clothes but I must say we clean up well! 

Lennons third birthday party was a success filled with a life sized Sophia balloon, corn hole, a bounce house and too much cake! Next year maybe we will get a clown too ;) 

We embraces the silly moments a lot this year! 

Lennons first trip to Tawas - my favorite spot as a kid and it was just like I remember. Slides and animals galore!

Our first baseball game as a family!

The happiest day of this little girls year! She was so excited to go to school.  No tears for her but too many for me!!!! 

Lennons first bike ride on her new "big girl" bike!

Halloween was cold, and rainy and quick! We made it to a few houses before heading to a church carnival for fun and games! 

We spent many mornings walking hand in hand into church but this moment made my heart melt. The love between a man and his daughter is a blessing like none other!

Finally, a family of 4! 

Lennon held her baby sister for the first time and her face says it all! Pure love! 

 ... and for the first time in 5 years we spent NYE home on the couch in our pajamas with our little champagne glasses and our girls sleeping. That beats the over-crowded, overly obnoxious bar scene any day!

Happy 2016! 

I can't wait to watch our girls grow and fall in love with my family more than ever. 

London's Birth Story

Since the moment I found out 

"we're pregnant!" 

I knew that I wanted this birth to be different, better, more natural and intimate than the last. We spent countless hours researching natural births, medication interventions, midwifery and doula's. I joined a support group of other expecting moms and they've since become my closest friends sharing in everything from pregnancy pains, birth stories, breastfeeding tips and baby poosplosions! We began our journey in March 2016 when we found out we were pregnant! It was so exciting walking into the playroom where Dan and Lennon were to show him the pregnancy test! We were both so excited!

I documented my pregnancy month by month on my blog and that was so fun! It is so cool looking back on my cravings, aversions, and all other crazy pregnancy things! 

We spent a lot of time looking into natural birthing methods and the astonishing success rate of hiring a doula and how helpful they are. With my history of anxiety and how awful the last birth was with an epidural and pain medication drugging me up we opted for a doula! We hired a doula and her assistant - Rita Gnida from Bay City - and she was phenomenal. 100% I could not have done this birth without her and my midwife Kelly!  

Here is our birth story!

At my 40 week appointment there still wasn't much progress. Dilated to 1-2 cm, 50% effaced and no sign of baby coming soon. So we scheduled an induction for 41 weeks, 1 week overdue. That morning I had a lot of contractions and bloody mucus, and went in for my scheduled induction. 

11:00 AM - Checked into labor & delivery. Got the biggest room on the floor with a jacuzzi tub! Changed into my gown, got situated and went through paperwork. That was the easy part!

12:00 PM - Midwife, Kelly, came to check cervix and get induction started. Cervix dilated about 1-2cm and 50% effaced, no change since last appointment. Baby's head engaged and has moved really far down (about -1) since my last appointment. She said her bone was on my pelvic bone and she was ready! 

12:10 PM - Cytotec inserted inside cervix (capsule broken for quicker release).

1:00 PM - Started to feel some uncomfortable cramps. Ate lunch. Contractions were 1-2 mins apart and lasting about 30seconds. I sat, rocked and swayed on the big birthing ball, watched some shows on Netflix and tried to relax before my doula came in! I lasted on the ball for a little more than an hour. Midwife came in periodically and said her guess for birth time was between 5-7:00 PM!! I was getting so nervous! As the contractions got more intense and closer together I texted my doula and she was on her way!

2:40 PM - Doula, Rita, & her assistant, Crystal, arrived and got me in the jacuzzi tub, in the super hot water, jets on with peppermint oil! It helped the contractions intensify. At first it was so relaxing... Until contractions intensified! I was moaning and laying on my side through most of them while Rita applied pressure to my back to help the back pain. I had extreme back labor pains that felt like someone ripped my muscles apart through the contraction. It was so intense! 

3:20 PM - Midwife came in! With each contraction I was grunting and there was definitely a ton of pressure so she wanted me out of the tub ASAP! So we got out of the tub, she checked me and I was already at 6-7cm dilated! I got in the bed on all 4's and rocked through each contraction while my doula applied a lot of pressure to my lower back, cold wash cloths to my face and Dan was such a great support holding my hand and squeezing it. After that I got on my side, nursing staff came in to prepare for birth. That's when my midwife checked me again because I was in terrible, excruciating pain... like none other. I had progressed to 9cm and that's when she broke my water! I had her give me a shot of nubane to help take the edge off, it definitely didn't help with the contraction itself but it helped me relax and save my energy in between ... I was almost falling asleep between each one! I begged for an epidural but of course my midwife said no, you can do it without one... Thankfully, because I did and by the time they would have gotten it up here it would have been too late! I also begged for a c-section - crazy hormones and  pain had me wishing this baby out of my anyway possible besides through the birth canal! Haha! While I was on my side I began pushing through each contraction. My midwife was at the foot of my bed rooting me on, and yelling at me to listen to her and not scream. Oops! Dan was holding my hands and my doula was rubbing my back, applying a cold wash cloth to my forehead and coaching me through each contraction! She was amazing! Within 3 pushes her head came out, and on the last push I reached down to grab her and I pulled her out! The most amazing feeling in the world! 

4:49 PM -  HAPPY BIRTHDAY LONDON MARIE KLEPSCH! She's here! No epidural, no tears, no stitches!!! We left the placenta in while the cord was attached. Once hubby cut the cord a few minutes later I delivered the placenta with one small push. It was more of a tugging feeling than a contraction and it was so weird feeling. Gross! 

The first night she slept on and off, feeding went okay, still learning to latch with her entire mouth. We got a couple hours of sleep... and snuggled a lot! I'm so happy! The next day we were already preparing to go home, my uterus was shrinking great, and getting lower which is perfect. My entire body was sore, I was definitely exhausted... Labor takes all of your energy! Holy cow! Lennon came to visit, the first thing she said when she walked in was "Daddy where's my baby?" It was too cute! We went home and enjoyed our first night home and ever since she's been an angel. 

Born 12/11/15

4:49 PM

7lbs 11oz.

18.25 inches 

Baby Bump | 9 Months + 3 Weeks

Almost there... 

1 more week to my (first) due date! 

How far along: 38 Weeks / 9 Months + 3 Weeks

Due Date: December 4, 2015 was our original due date. However, it's changed now to 11/30!

Baby Size: Approx. 19-22 in. / 6.5 - 7 lbs. 

Weight Gain: About 8-9 lbs. so far! 

Gender: GIRL 

Sleep: Sleep... what's that? This week has been terrible for sleeping! Snoring husband, tossing and turning, huge belly, cramps, getting up to pee. No sleep for this tired mama! 

I am feeling: Feeling anxious... I just want to get everything done, decorate our house for Christmas now that Thanksgiving has come and gone... and be ready to bring baby girl home.

Cravings: Craving all things related to thanksgiving except the turkey itself... pie, mashed potatoes and all the other delicious Thanksgiving leftovers. YUM.

Currently loving: I am loving food... everything is so delicious lately except for meat. 

Currently hating: I hate the fact that I can't sleep. I am a zombie when I don't sleep. I hate that I can't catch a break, get a pedicure that I want, and a massage... I hate that none of my clothes fit... You name it, I hate it. The end of this pregnancy has made me one crabby mama. 

Happy Due Date, Baby!

HAPPY DUE DATE! 

Unfortunately I don't think baby girl got the eviction notice.

How far along: 40 Weeks ... HOLY CRAP, I anticipated the end coming but now than it is finally here I feel like this entire pregnancy flew by.

Due Date: TODAY! HOORAY. (Well, the original due date anyway... we are 6 days past the due date the other doctor gave us!) Oh well, baby girl we are ready for you any day now! 

Baby Size: Approx. 20 in. / 7.5 lbs. / the size of a small pumpkin

Weight Gain: Since my pre-pregnancy weight I am UP 11 lbs! No complaints here.  

Gender: GIRL 

Sleep: Thankfully, I have an amazing husband who rubs my back until I fall asleep. It's so calming, relaxing and of course helps with the excruciating back pain from this baby's awkward position in there! I have been sleeping great at night lately and little Lennon rests long enough to watch Tarzan and let me snooze on the couch for an hour or so. At this stage in my pregnancy I really need that mid-day break. I have no idea how I would manage if I was still working... I would be sleeping on my desk or walking around like a zombie! Thank goodness for being a stay at home mom! 

I am feeling: Feeling... hmm, I have a lot of emotions running through me right now. I am happy, excited, anxious, nervous a bit for labor but to sum it up I am so OVER IT. I waddle, I have constant headaches and heartburn, I can't stand up quickly without having to pee, I can't see my feet but I know they're the size of Texas and nothing fits me right now. I am feeling defeated by this pregnancy and just praying something changes soon... Yesterday I had a couple pretty strong contractions that were about 8 min. apart then as I waited for more nothing happened. GRR! At my appointment on Monday (39 weeks) I was 1cm dilated, 50% effaced and her head is engaged! My midwife says it's almost go time... just waiting on that stubborn little girl. She is also posterior and her head is face up, so her spine is pushing against my spine and my doula seems to think that is causing a lot of the back pain I am having. I am also seriously struggling with the fact that it's the end... which means it's almost time to bring a new baby home... which means it's no longer all about Lennon. I am worried about the adjustment, although I know she will do great. I am worried about the adjustment for me... I have just been holding her so close, snuggling every single chance I get and making sure that I am always here to listen, love, be silly, play and be attentive to her right now. It's only a matter of time before she's not the only little girl in the house. Speaking of being silly...  Macbook photoshoot. :) 

Cravings: This week my cravings have been lots of iced water, cookies and fresh fruit. Such a weird combination but it works for a pregnant lady!

Currently loving: I am loving all of the gifts given to us by family and friends so far. Baby girl has a beautiful new handmade blanket, matching booties that were do delicately knit for her feet, new sleepers and onesies, new diapers, bows, a rock & play, etc. We are so grateful for everything our family has done for us to get ready for her arrival. We are ready to snuggle her up and announce her to the world. I can't wait to share her name with everyone! I am so loving everyone's guesstimates for baby girls birthday. My prediction was 12/1... that came and went. My friend, my mom and Lennon guessed 12/3... that came and went... Now it's 12/4 and since only about 5% of babies come on their due date I am guessing Dan may be right in his prediction of 12/8. Any other guesses out there? 

Currently hating: I hate the smell of any kind of food lately. I love eating it, but the smell of food cooking in the house makes me nauseated. Thankfully we have leftovers and lots of frozen food to pop in the oven! Other than that, I feel like no matter how much I sleep and rest I can't get enough. I am always tired, exhausted actually and feel like I can't keep my eyes open! 

GAME PLAN

If nothing happens this weekend we have an appointment Monday to strip my membranes, do an NST and AFI Ultrasound to ensure baby girl is healthy and doing well in there. Let's pray that something happens this weekend or AFTER our appointment Monday... I just really don't want to share my anniversary with baby girls birthday...  too selfish??? So here's to LOTS of walking, bouncing on my yoga ball, eating pineapple, spicy foods and any other recommendations or old wives tales that seem to work besides Castor Oil - yuck! Then of course everything on this list - Natural Ways to Induce Labor (Past 40 Weeks) So, someone bring me lunch or dinner, or both... or just homemade chocolate chip or snickerdoodle cookies with my moms recipe... Please!

Other than that game plan, my goal is to make this birth as great as possible. Our plan is to labor in peace and quiet alone, together with our midwife and doula. This time I am planning a natural birth so I will not be given pain medication unless absolutely necessary for my health or the health of the baby. Therefore, I will be trying to stay as relaxed as possible... No phones, no Facebook, etc. I will also be moving a lot, trying different labor positions and overall trying to make the labor process as painless as possible using natural methods. We will not be posting anything online announcing when we are in labor. We will update our friends and family when we are ready to announce that baby has arrived when we are healthy and settled in at home to ensure our privacy, relaxation and to focus on labor & delivery.

Love you all! Say your prayers for a safe delivery, and a happy & healthy baby girl! 

Baby Bump | 9 Months + 2 Weeks

How far along: 38 Weeks / 9 Months + 2 Weeks
Due Date: December 4, 2015 was our original due date. However, the doctor we saw at our maternal fetal medicine ultrasound showed us that baby is measuring ahead and we are now at November 30, 2015 for our due date based on baby measurements - which is likely more accurate anyway. I can't believe it's only weeks away! November sure did come up fast this year!

Baby Size: Approx. 19-22 in. / 6.5 lbs. / about the size of a swiss chard (what's that? lol!) 

Weight Gain: 
Gender: GIRL 
Sleep: I am so exhausted by the end of the day lately that I sleep great. I've only been getting up a few times a night lately and thankfully I am able to fall right back asleep!
I am feeling: This week I have been having a lot of ups and downs. Emotionally, physically, mentally... trying to prepare everything, make sure it's perfect, make sure I am ready, Lennon is ready, Dan is ready for time off. There's not much left to do after this weekend being so productive - thank goodness for a hardworking hubs who got the carseat, bassinet and crib done this weekend! Nothin' like procrastinating as second time parents! :) 
Cravings: This week my cravings have been water, water, water and LOTS of it! I feel like I am never hydrated enough lately. I love pineapple, sandwiches (with deli meat... whatever!), and sweets. All I want is my mom's homemade snickerdoodles. I mean, I won't be too terribly sad if I don't make it to Thanksgiving dinner because I know there will be leftovers BUT, I really need some sweets in my life before baby pops out.

Currently loving: I am loving that I have a bassinet next to my bed, a crib in the baby nursery (with new Aden & Anais sheets that are SO stinking soft!), and car seat in the car! It's so real... even Dan said, all we need now is a baby to come! :)  
Currently hating: I can't touch my feet and desperately need a pedicure, I can't put my socks on so I am barefoot 24/7, I don't fit into any maternity clothes right now since my belly is so low, I can't breathe just from walking up or down the basement steps... and, what else? I am just over being pregnant right now. SO over it. 

Baby Bump | 9 Months + 1 Week

HOORAY, FULL TERM! 

How far along: 37 Weeks / 9 Months + 1 Week
Due Date: December 4, 2015 was our original due date. However, the doctor we saw at our maternal fetal medicine ultrasound showed us that baby is measuring ahead and we are now at November 30, 2015 for our due date based on baby measurements - which is likely more accurate anyway. I can't believe it's only weeks away! November sure did come up fast this year!

Baby Size: Approx. 19.25 in. / 6.3lbs. / about the size of a winter melon (what's that? lol!) 

Weight Gain: Since my 36 week weigh in I have lost 2 lbs. but who's counting! ;)
Gender: GIRL 
Sleep: Sleeping at night has been great this week! I have been tossing and turning and getting up every hour or so to pee however, when I do sleep it's so wonderful. I am actually waking up feeling refreshed instead of zombie-like but then crash at nap time with Lennon for a couple of hours. Preggo's need their sleep! 
I am feeling: This week has been a game changer in this pregnancy. I had my checkup this week and unfortunately I am no where near dilation or cervix softening. However, all of the other pre-labor signs are there... and I won't go into detail other than crazy cramps, back pain and really, really, really, low pains. I have to stop what I am doing a lot to catch my breath, sit down from swollen feet or leg pain and take it easy. It's not easy with a toddler at home or having a hubby that comes home from work exhausted so I don't get a foot rub nightly... but we are managing with lots of movie time, arts and crafts and cuddles! Our little girl has definitely dropped this week even more than last week, it's just a waiting game now! Excitement for it to be over aside, I am getting REALLY nervous. I mean, I remember Lennon's birth... I remember how painful it was but I remember having warning signs, signs telling me what to do, when to go to the hospital, etc. My water broke with Lennon and that was it... time to head in. This time, I am really nervous for the warning signs, contractions, wondering what it will all be like, how fast or slow I will progress, praying we make it to the hospital in time to deliver, praying our Doula makes it, our midwife, etc. I am worried about so many things... I know I will be in good hands but I can't help but wonder what it will all be like! Just so thankful that we have a Doula and she's really reassuring me that this will be a great experience. 
Cravings: This week my cravings have been so random;  root beer - fountain pop, deviled eggs, cheesecake, cookies, spicy food with those things, and tea, lots of tea. Top two weird things: Chocolate Cheesecake and Deviled Eggs and if I would have had them in the house I so would have eaten them together. Eww, right? I know but this preggo is craving some weird things lately. It's so odd! My mother in law rocks and made me deviled eggs that were so delicious, I ate the entire plate in 1 day. Oops! Then, my mom made boiled dinner - my favorite and has leftovers for me! YUM. YUM. YUM. On top of my family being so generous and making my favorite things, last night my parents took us all out to Olive Garden so I could get my favorite pasta that's been on my cravings list all pregnancy. FINALLY got it, and it hit the spot. It's been a good week for this preggo. 

Currently loving: I am loving the fact that it's real now... we are actually in the last few weeks and in 4 weeks OR LESS, hopefully WAY LESS, we will have a baby girl in our arms. It's crazy to think we have made it to the end and our family of 4 will soon be complete. I am so anxious to get the car seat put in, set up the bassinet, wash the last few outfits, blankets and sheets for her and of course meet her! I am getting anxious.
Currently hating: I am hating a lot of things these days; the pains in my ribs, pelvis and back, going to the store and waddling like a penguin, chasing Lennon and getting out of breath, bending over to tie my shoes, shave my legs, paint my toes, lying on my side having feet in my ribcage, bruised ribs, never feeling like my thirst is quenched - and I drink water all day long, eating spicy foods and getting heartburn, emotions - I am crying about everything, nothing fits me anymore - not even Dan's t-shirts, every time I get out of bed I wonder if my water is going to burst (fingers crossed it does), Braxton Hicks are annoying, contractions every now and then suck and take my breath away, Luke lays on my tummy every chance he gets (he knows somethings up now!), anddddd.... there's probably more but right now I am brain-farting. Oh, add that to the list, brain farts... they suck!

Happy 37 weeks! 

Baby Bump | 9 Months

9 MONTH UPDATE 

How far along: 36 Weeks / 9 Months

Due Date: December 4, 2015 was our original due date. However, the doctor we saw at our maternal fetal medicine ultrasound showed us that baby is measuring ahead and we are now at November 30, 2015 for our due date based on baby measurements - which is likely more accurate anyway. I can't believe it's only weeks away! November sure did come up fast this year!

Baby Size: Approx. 18 inches / 5.25lb. / she's the size of a honeydew, sweet and delish!

Weight Gain: Since 2 weeks ago I have gained 1 lb. and since my pre-pregnancy weight I have gained 4 lbs. I can't complain! All of these morning pre-natal workouts are obviously paying off, thank goodness!

Gender: GIRL 

Sleep: Sleeping at night is so, awfully terrible, exhausting and not relaxing at all. Thank goodness for naps during the day with Lennon or I would be a zombie mombie! I go to bed at a decent time with Dan, we usually fall asleep after an hour or so of TV and then the fun begins. Not the kind of bedroom fun you're thinking, either! I am up every two hours, on the dot! Starting at 11 or 12... then it's 2:21 AM, 4 - something, 6 - something... then up for the day anytime between 7-7:30 when Dan's alarm goes off and Lennon tip toes into our room. It's so exhausting! Between the pee breaks, tossing and turning to get comfortable, throw a pillow under my back so I can sleep on my back, move to get a foot out of my ribcage, or to relieve numb hips and back pain... it's really never a good nights sleep for me and baby. Any amount of sleep I can get I am grateful for!  

I am feeling: I have been feeling very crampy lately; back pain, low pelvic pain, increased pressure and sharp pains every now and then with those pesky BH that always creep up when I don't drink enough water or take it easy enough. I have had bruised ribs this past week... a lot of little jabs to the lower sternum aren't comfortable and I literally pushed her foot out of my right side ribs the other day thinking it would either break my rib or her foot. It was so painful and now it hurts to breathe. There's a lot more going on down there but that's TMI for this blog... and you don't care to know. But, we are getting closer. We will find out more on Monday at my 36 week appointment and ultrasound just how close we are but for now, I am praying to keep her cooking for the next week so we can hit the safe 37 week mark but then I am all for birthday party time... someone please bring a cake! I can't wait to meet her!

Cravings: I am slightly over-obsessed with Qdoba right now. A: they know me and Lennon by name in there. B: Their cookies are TO DIE FOR. C: I could eat it every day and never get sick of it. We are there AT LEAST once a week, my husband is about to kill me with the amount of money going out to Qdoba each month... I don't even want to calculate it! I just know that it's all I want and need right now and no one can take that away from me or baby. D: afterthought... I hope I still love it this much when I am not preggo! I'd hate to give it up.

Currently loving: I am loving my growing belly even though it's full of new stretch marks and of course they're really deep, really purple and Lennon thinks I have "boo-boo's" all over my belly. It just means that from birth on out I am so wearing mom-suits AKA one pieces. It's so amazing feeling all of the moves, the wiggles, hiccups and watching my belly do the wave before bedtime. I look forward to holding her, snuggling and kissing her cheeks and spending every day with her. It's crazy that it could be any time from NOW to 40-ish weeks that we can meet our little lady.

Currently hating: I am HATING all of these emotions lately. I cry over EVERY THING, I throw temper tantrums like a little kid and when Lennon is having an attitude day, watch out... momzilla is out. On top of that I have major preggo brain lately... Just this week I have forgotten to add water to my muffins while baking, forgot to make Luke breakfast which ended up in me feeding him nearly two hours late, and today to top it off I locked myself out of the house because I forgot my keys were on the counter, so I grabbed the ladder and climbed in the window. I am thinking that right now I am worse than the darn scarecrow with no brain!

I thought it would be fun to look back on all my bump pictures... it's crazy how much it's changed since 9 weeks! Grow baby, grow!

Now let's just hope there aren't too many more of these weekly bump photos and the next one you see is of baby girls arrival! Fingers crossed... because I am super excited to put a cute hat on her head, take pictures of her all swaddled up and of course announce her name to all of you! :) I CAN'T WAIT. Can we just skip past the labor part though? I am still slightly nervous for this all natural, no meds birth we have planned. YIKES.

XOXO.