Wyllow Dawn Yost Has Arrived!

I am beyond thrilled to announce that our sweet baby girl is here!  She actually was born Friday, June 22 at 12:11 pm weighing 7 lb. 7 oz. and measuring 21" long.  She came fast just like Ashyr, but thankfully we were able to make it to the birth center this time (just barely, my water broke literally as we were walking in the door!)

I am of course still figuring out how to be a mommy of two, but so far it has gone smoothly.  Ashyr isn't quite sure what to think about his baby sis, but that will come with time.


We feel so blessed right now as we are enjoying and transitioning into our family of four.  God has been very good to us we are certain.

My (Unplanned) Homebirth Story

Yesterday was International Homebirth Day (who knew?), so in continuation with my Bumps & Babies series, I thought I would share my homebirth story with you!

Let me start off by clarifying something. This is my unplanned homebirth story. Yep, that's right, entirely unplanned.  The original plan was to have a water birth at our birth center...and not in our bedroom.

I was 39w4d pregnant with Asyhyr on March 14, 2011.  That morning around 7:45 am I started noticing for the first time some mild contractions, so my husband started timing them, and I got into our bathtub to relax knowing I had a long day of labor ahead.  We called our midwife to inform her that I was probably in labor, and she too assured me that I had a long day and I needed to relax.  But within 45 minutes my contractions were all over the place and getting really strong, really fast.  We called her back and again, but she thought I was overreacting and simply needed to relax.  But no, these were not beginning of labor contractions anymore.  In fact I felt something "down there" and I was afraid it was what I thought it was. My husband looked, and sure enough: It was the head crowning.  (Panic mode sets in).  Called the midwife back and she flipped! She said she would drive as fast as she could to our apartment, but she didn't think she would be able to catch the baby.  That meant it was Grant who was going to deliver him.  So our midwife stayed on speakerphone while driving and coached Grant on how to deliver the baby.

He did an amazing job and did everything she told him to do.  He even comforted me and helped me stay calm in the midst of the chaos.  Fortunately, she was able to arrive with just a few minutes to spare and catch the baby herself at 9:40 am.  We were very thankful for that.

Although it was an completely different day than I would have ever imagined, I don't think I would change it.  It was an experience that my husband and I shared that I believe we grew together in.  And Ashyr was totally safe and healthy.

But I'm going to confess. I'm not ready for another homebirth this time, planned or unplanned.  We are going to try to make it to the birth center this go around.  My midwives are all aware of my precipitous labor condition, and know now not to tell me to relax at the first sign of labor.  They want us to go straight there no matter what.

I'm very thankful for the Lord's protection that day with Ashyr and I know He will watch over us again regardless of the outcome this time.  I'm just praying that it won't be a homebirth or roadside birth!  If it is, He is in control and it will all be okay. But still, praying for a smooth, birth center birth. :)

Our first family picture...in our bedroom...

Do you have an unusual birth story? I'd love for you to share!

 

Pinteresting Wednesday: Bumps & Babies Series Part 4

More maternity and baby pins today since all I have on my mind is BABY.  And I can't believe I'm 38 weeks! 

Love this onesie.

Source: winterwaterfactory.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Baby love. Will be me soon..cannot wait.

Source: andrialindquistblog.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Amazing verse.

Source: Uploaded by user via Ashlee on Pinterest

Need these Espadrilles in every color for my girl!

Source: oldnavy.gap.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Striped dress.

Source: en.smallable.com via Ashlee on Pinterest

Linked up at The Vintage Apple and This Kind of Love.

DIY: Post Partum Care Package

My sister-in-law recently had a baby girl and I had an itch inside of me that couldn't be ignored to give her a gift for being a new mom.  The idea I came up with was to put together a little care package for after she delivered our sweet little niece.  I chose several things that I found to be important after I had Ashyr, and I wanted her to experience the same simple joys I found in each of these items.  I put little gift tags with hemp cord around each item and wrote a note on the back explaining its use for post partum care.  I put it all in a beautiful gift bag and gave it to her a couple weeks before the baby was born.  She LOVED it!

Here are the items and notes I included on the back of the gift tags:

Relaxing tea: because being a mommy is hard work
Heating pad: for after labor contractions and clogged milk ducts (yeeouch!)
Jewelry: just in case you have a "I don't feel pretty after having a baby" moment like me.
Polish: because you can touch your toes again!
Cocoa butter: because some things just never go back...
Stationary: for all those thank you notes!

 If you have a friend or relative expecting a baby any time soon, this is a fun way to spoil the mother. Of course you could include anything that you personally found to be helpful or a treat that made you happy after having a baby. I'm dying to know what would you include? I plan to do this for some friends having babies in the fall and am interested in other ideas.

Oh and I made the heating pad by hand. Come back for a quick and easy tutorial and more of my Bumps and Babies Series! 

Linked up at Craft-0-Maniac, Delicate Construction, For Love of Cupcakes, The Gunny Sack, CRAFT, Pinkapotamus, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Lines Across My Face, Home Sweet Home, Making the World Cuter, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Homework, Mommy by Day Crafter by Night.

Saturday Morning Coffee 6.2

This was an important week in our home.

1. We celebrated our 3 year anniversary! My husband took me to my two favorite spots in the city for breakfast and dinner. It was a much needed break from our chaotic schedule right now. I am so thankful for him and can't begin to put into words what he means to me. Looking forward to many, many more years with him!

2. I'm officially full term now and could have this baby technically ANY DAY! I'm not expecting it to be for another couple weeks really, but still it's nice to know I'm at the END. I have been feverishly working on a long TO DO list before she arrives. It is dwindling down and I'm starting to feel ready.  I got the car seat cleaned, Ashyr's new one installed, nursery organized, and birth center bags packed. Now just waiting for her crib to arrive in the mail next week!

3. Because I am so close to having baby #2, I have been really cherishing my time with this little guy.

I know once that baby comes mama's attention will be very divided. While I'm thrilled to have our baby girl soon, I'm afraid of not being there for Ashyr as much as he needs me. I know he will adjust eventually and I will too. At least he LOVES his daddy and will have lots of quality time with him while I care for the baby.

All right my friends, have a fantastic weekend and come back Monday for another post in my Bumps & Babies Series.