Where do I start?

I have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to this blog. One kid = lots of time to update. Two kids = zero time to do anything, much less sit at my computer. Don't get me wrong ... My kids are the most wonderful things on the planet, but they don't let up for anything. :)

Let's see. First let's talk about the elementary school dedication/naming for my pepaw, W. A. Martin. The new Martin Elementary School in Crandall, TX is brand new and super awesome. That it's now named after my pepaw is just the coolest. He is a great, Godly man with many life accomplishments - preacher, teacher, principal, drivers' ed instructor, community servant, entire-Bible-memorizer, and family man. So, it was fitting (and about time) to name a school after him. We got to see a DVD of a lot of old pictures of the him and our family, and hear his life's story. A proud day for the Martin family.








Also, it was great to see my daddy looking a lot better (and about half the size eh was before) after his jaunt in the hospital the past few weeks. He's doing well, and we're so grateful for all of the prayers. Thank you God! He's getting better every day, and seems to have a new lease on life. Love it.

A couple of weeks after that, we went to visit the Wattersons in Sara's hometown of Emory, TX. That's right, Farmtown, USA. It was extremely refreshing to visit such a quiet little town, and to stay in an old house across the pasture from Sara's parents. Yeah, you heard me. We ate a lot, watched the kids play, rode four wheelers, watched TV and relaxed. We even got a night out without kids (except Juliet) and went to the Juan Pablos in Sulphur Springs (I think that's where we were). Good times, and great chips and queso.




That following Monday, we went to the U2 concert in Dallas. It. Was. Epic. Best concert I've ever been to, by far. We had amazing seats (17th row on the side/back)and had a fabulous time with Sara and Preston. It was a bittersweet day, however, because right before the concert we learned that my granddaddy passed away. He was my mom's dad, Earl Senter, and he was a great Christian man. It was a good funeral (as good as a funeral can be) because of his confidence in his salvation. We all knew where he was, smiling down on us, finally back with Grandmother. He was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, so he had a 21-gun salute, flag on the casket ... The whole nine yards. Got some great photos. He would have been "tickled" at it all.







THEN, Cooper had a great FOURTH birthday party. Lots of his friends came out to our park to play and eat cake and snacks. I attempted to make a monster truck cake this year, but I can't say it was my best work. Nevertheless, it tasted really good. He had a great time, and still enjoys the gifts and memories.









I have much more to blog about in my next posts. I still have to do Puerto Rico (which we just came back from) and other stuff. It'll come, eventually. :) Here are some more cute Halloween pics with the cousins, and a few of Juliet as she's grown.

Just to tide you over.

Since I'm working on a massive blog post about the past couple of months. This is funny.

I have a four year-old? What?

Cooper, my oldest, is four years old today. It's blowing my mind a little bit, since four years seems like a really long time ago to me. I have a little letter to Cooper that I'm writing that I'll publish soon. We've been out this week with the death of my granddaddy, which was difficult, but a good thing, ultimately. But for now, happy birthday my boogie boy! We love you so much. Can't wait for the year ahead! More to come.

Cute videos

One is of Cooper at McDonald's (nasty) saying some funny stuff. The other is Juliet at six weeks, just talking to mama. Cuteness.

Juliet - five weeks

Here she is, pretty stinkin' cute at five weeks. She is definitely smiling at us, and cooing a lot more. Her noises are hilarious. When she sneezes, she goes "Ah-CHOO" and then goes "Ahhh ..." So cute.



Cooper is being a really sweet big brother as well. He's acting up a lot more lately, but I think we're on the downhill. It's been a stressful few weeks here at the Hejl household - filled with a new baby, Luke's new job, me trying to work at all, and Cooper's school and play schedule. Whew. Hopefully, it will slow down a bit more once Juliet gets on a schedule. Otherwise, it's such an adventure. I love my family.

Stretch it out!

This was a week and a half ago. I need to update with more recent pics. She's already much bigger!

Cooper's words of widsom.

Thought this was funny. He's very serious about reading her this book.

Juliet slideshow - Cozy Impressions Photography

A good friend of ours, Tanya, took these AMAZING pictures of our family on Saturday evening. Enjoy! Oh, and turn it up. The song choice is great. Made me cry. I have no idea how I'm going to choose!

Click here for the show.

Juliet Birth Story

Now, what you've all been waiting for ...

The story! It's taken me a long time to sit down and actually start writing this because no one really knocked it into my brain that HAVING TWO KIDS IS REALLY TIME CONSUMING. Now, I know this.

Let's see. Where to start. Luke and I went to my OBGYN appointment on Wednesday the 19th - my due date. A little disheartened and very uncomfortable, I talked with the doctor (Dr. Guzman-Winn: The best OBGYN on the face of the planet) about inducing, and she was all for it. She had asked me about it all along because she offers it to her patients who've already had one normal delivery and are 39 weeks. Since I was right at 40, Luke and I decided to go for it. I was only dilated to a one, but I figured it was worth it, and hoped that things would move along quickly because she is a second baby. And, I was huge. She needed to come out.

We went it on the 21st at 6 a.m. to sign papers, get all dressed up in the awesome hospital clothes, and start the Pitocin to bring on contractions. The meds weren't administered until about 8:15 a.m., which was to be expected. Things started off pretty slowly. Luke and I watched a lot of tv, played on our iPhones ... but I got pretty nervous and excited. I guess I forgot what contractions really felt like, and I wasn't looking forward to figuring that out again:). The small contractions started around 9:00, and were no big deal. I was all "Hmmm, this is easy. I remember it being much worse. If it's like this, I think I could make it through without an epidural." Oh, poor, naive little Sara. By about 11:30, the contractions were out of control. "NOW I remember," I thought.

We then called for the epidural. Let me tell ya, the response time on that seems like 1,000 years when you're in that much pain. Dr. Epidural got in there about 30 minutes later, and began going through the risks, questions, etc. Luke and I proceeded to THREATEN HIM WITH HIS LIFE if he gave me another "wet tap" like the doctor did for Cooper's birth, accidentally. A "wet tap" is where they poke too far and enter the spinal fluid, thus causing a leak and making me completely numb from the chest down. I mean, numb. I had to wait two hours dilated at a 10 before I could feel my toes enough to push. THIS time, the doctor was very careful and awesome, and it worked like a charm. Whew. Thank the Lord.

What I didn't know about epidurals is that you can still feel pressure and contractions, but they aren't painful. It was pretty weird. I started shaking right after it was administered, and didn't stop until she was born. I think it was because they pushed a lot of fluids at once, and my blood pressure started to go up and down. Either way, shaking is better than pain. Anyday.

So, about 2:00, I started to feel MAJOR pressure, like I could push. The nurse checked me and said "Oh, you're at a nine. Let me call the doctor. You're about to start pushing." What? That happened fast. within about 15 minutes, Dr. Winn was there, ready to go and telling me to push. Here's what blew my mind: I pushed four times total. FOUR TIMES. It was awesome. MUCH different from Cooper, which was about 2 1/2 hours of pushing. And there she was, screaming crying, gorgeous, healthy, and amazing. The experience was awesome, and I wouldn't have done it any other way. She weighed 8 lbs., 5 oz. and was 20 3/4 in. long. She looks JUST like Cooper when he was born, but with hair and darker eyes. Praise God!

Since the delivery, things have gone really well. She lost a LOT of weight in the first few days (over a pound), so we had to supplement with formula for a couple of days to get her re-hydrated and gaining weight. Nursing is going wonderfully now. And by wonderfully, I mean it's a pain in the rear, but it's worth it to keep at it. She gained six more ounces, and apparently BROKE HER CLAVICLE during delivery. Poor baby! It heals on it's own, and there's nothing we can do to make it worse, but she won't use that arm as much in the next few weeks while it heals. Sometimes we accidentally move it wrong and she screams, but she's okay. The area where the fracture is has swelled up like a grape, but her pediatrician (Dr. Enders - AMAZING DOCTOR) said that would happen.

Cooper is adjusting well to the new baby. He's very inquisitive and super sweet about her. Very possessive, which I like. Preschool has started back, so that's a Godsend for me each week.

All in all, things are going well. I couldn't have asked for an easier delivery, a healthier baby and a happier family than I have right now. We are extremely blessed, and need to remember that in the middle of the night when she's screaming and we're all tired. It's worth it!

Oh, and below: The Backyardigans couch was a gift from Juliet to Cooper. Of course, Cooper got Juliet ... a toy cell phone. The lunch box pic was Cooper's first day of school. And, the scrubs Cooper is wearing have "Big Brother" monogrammed on them. Thanks Nonnie!

Juliet is here!

Finally! Juliet Lightner Hejl arrived on Friday, August 21 at 2:26 p.m. It was a fast induction, and we couldn't be happier with our sweet little girl. I will post the birth story when I have more time, and plenty of pics are to come.

In the meantime, here's a cute video to tide you over. Cooper is getting used to it all, and being an amazing big brother. I have TWO KIDS. Blows my mind.

The Due Date

Ah, the sought-after due date. It has come and gone, and not without a little sadness. We have decided to schedule an induction for Friday morning, so it's a sure thing. I just kissed Cooper goodnight, and realized that this is the last time I'll tuck him in without a screaming baby needing my attention as well. (He's staying with Granna tomorrow night, hospital, etc.) It made me SUPER emotional. This pregnancy has been way more emotional than Cooper's, mainly because now that you have a kid, you know all of the crazy stuff that can go wrong, and how horrible it would be, etc. I've got to think positively and get my mind off of the crazy stuff asap. Otherwise, it will be a miserable experience. At the same time, I know God is in control, and everything's going to be fine. I can't wait to meet my daughter, and see how she looks and how Cooper reacts, and more. Now, if someone would tell all of this to my hormones.

Above is a 40 week Juliet picture. Sorry about the iPhone pic. The camera is already packed!

38.5 weeks and counting

Come on baby! If this baby were Cooper, she would have already been born.

This is the shirt I wore the day before Cooper was born. Lil' bit tighter this time. Maybe it will bring a good vibe. :) I'm not really that uncomfortable, so I can't complain. Tonight, however, I was thinking about how I've been pregnant since CHRISTMAS. Whew. Can't wait to have my jeans back, and my new daughter!



Oh, and here's a pic of my shower hostesses (minus April and Jillian - sadness) from last month. It was an AWESOME shower. Juliet got everything she needed and more. I'm so thankful for my friends and family who came to have a great time and support us in our upcoming craziness! And, to Julie for opening up her beautiful house!

37 weeks today!

This was me a couple of days ago. I'm way more swollen now in the ankles, legs, feet and hands, but I look about as huge. The baby is still pretty high up right now, but we have another doctor's appt tomorrow morning to see if any progress has been made. I'm ready, any time now!

Oh, and Cooper took this video. Pretty good for three years old

Famous quotes

Some of Cooper's funny quotes from the past few weeks. And yes, I'll post of pic of my giant self very soon.

Colt's Grandma: "When is your birthday, Cooper?"
Cooper: "October 16th, same as last year."

Aunt April: "Is your leg okay?" (after a bee sting again at the lake this year)
Cooper: "Yeah, it's fine. I hope it doesn't blow away ... because my foot's attached."

Cooper: "Have Nonnie and Poppie "wetted" themselves?"
Mom: "What?"
Cooper: "You know, have they "WETTED themselves?"
Mom: "Not yet. Oh, wait. Do you mean "WEDDED" themselves, like married?"
Cooper: "Yeah, that's it!"
Mom: "Yes Cooper." (laughing hysterically)

At bedtime, same conversation, Cooper: "Who's Granna's mommy?"
Luke: "Grandmommie."
Cooper: "So Granna was in Grandmommie's tummy?"
Luke: "Yes."
Cooper: "Did Grandmommie go 'UGHHHH' and push Granna out of her tummy when she was born?"
Luke, laughing: "Yes. I'm sure she did."
Cooper: "What time is it?"
Luke: "About 9:00."
Cooper: "Whoa. It's late. I bet Pizza Hut is closed by now."

At dinner, Cooper: "What wrong with Dad's friend again?"
Mom: "He has sickness in his brain."
Cooper: "Oh man. Maybe he shouldn't go to work so much. That can make your brain sick."
Mom: "Yes. Yes it can."

In parking lot at church, Cooper: "There's a Dodge Ram!"
Mom: "Where? Oh. That is a Dodge, but it's a Dodge Charger."
Cooper: "Dodge Charger ... Where do they take it to charge it up?"

Happy 30th birthday, friend!

(Alls I've gotsta say is, you're husband is super sweet, and loves you very much...)

Old woman! You're 30! Can you believe it? SO much has happened since we've known each other - good times, bad times, fun times, scary times - and you remain one of my dearest, most trustworthy friends. Here are some memories I could drag up in my brain over time - made me almost pee in my pants thinking about some of these!

- Matt B. running into the back of your car at the ATM, on purpose.
- You dated Luke for a while. :)
- Hitting the curb on Judge Ely and denting your rim in a u-turn gone wrong.
- You hitting one of those orange barrels on the loop (why does everything involve a wreck in Sylvia?)
- Finding out you were pregnant with Kaitlyn and being all, WHOA. WE CAN HAVE BABIES? WE'RE THAT OLD?
- Getting up so stinkin' early in the morning sophomore year and running/working out. Mostly, you getting up early and dragging me out of bed. We were SO skinny!
- Girls weekends with the roommates after ACU. Big plans, but they always end up being in Dallas.
- Your thoughtful prayers during my difficult times.
- L-House and Warrant. Love that porch.
- Straightening my hair. I think that was the last time I've done that.
- A lot of things that I know you remember but I can't list on my blog. :)

You are a prayerful person, loving mother and loyal friend. I wish you the best day ever, and I will call you!

Love,
Sara

33 weeks, more San Diego

As promised, more updates and pictures! Thanks to Caitlyn, I have some time to work and get things together this afternoon without Cooper. We had a great Lake LBJ lake trip with the Hejls this weekend. I'll post those pics later. I have to use other people's pics, because my lens on my Nikon is kaput. Not cool. Just sent it in to see if they can fix the auto focus. I have some video though on my new little camera. All of this is the next post ... I'm always plugging my next post ... sorry!

Yes, I am 33 weeks pregnant today with Juliet. Feeling as large as ever! We've had some great rain the past couple of days, so temps have been much cooler out. Much easier on me, that's for sure.


Above is Me the GIANT at 33 weeks. It's the shirt, and shorts. Well, I think it's just the baby that makes me look giant. This is the only one I had up close. A few might trickle in below that involve a bathing suit. LOL. We're getting excited about Juliet's arrival, and are really interested in what she will look like. Won't be long now - next month! I have a doctor's appt. next Tuesday, and after that one the every week ones start. Yikes!

Here are a few more SD pics, like a promised. We had some amazing times in SD for sure! Great friends, cocktails at a former U.S. Senator's house, bike riding through La Jolla, eating amazing seafood with great views of the sunset, and a to-die-for house (thanks Thus!). The weather was amazing (didn't get much over 70 degrees), so coming back to Austin was a rude awakening. Cooper had a blast with his Nonnie and Poppie, and cousins Haley and Beau. A whole week of fun for all!

San Diego, 30 weeks

Hey all, I'm back. We had a fabulous week-long trip to San Diego with some great friends. I want to chronicle it all, and talk about Cooper's week as well, but I don't have the time right this second. I will later. Right now, enjoy a cute pic of Cooper, and a few from vacay. More to come. Oh, and I'm almost 31 weeks pregnant with Juliet. Everything is going awesomely. She moves a lot, and loves to make me hungry and tired. I have another doctor's appt. next Tuesday, so we'll know more then.

Luke's Rookie Tri

Here are some shots from Luke's triathlon he did a couple of weeks ago. It was a lot of fun! We had to get up at 5:00 a.m., but it was an otherwise great Mother's Day. (He took me to brunch at South Congress Cafe' - yummo.) He got 299th place I believe, of about 1,000 people. Way to go honey!

25 weeks

I can only get pictures taken by Cooper or myself it seems, since I usually look awful by the end of the day. These are seriously the best ones! Bins of clothes to clean out in the background, as well as my unmade bed.



I'm gaining less weight since the start of this pregnancy than I was with Cooper, but I believe I started about 15 pounds higher with this one. Fair trade, but I really need to keep working out. Hopefully it will come off as easily as it did with Cooper. Everything is great. Measuring well, kicking a LOT, emotional roller coaster, only want to eat ice cream ... I can't complain. August can't come fast enough!

Luke ran the Rookie Triathlon this past Sunday and did an awesome job. I'll post more pics of that later. Just realized, I never posted Easter either. Get with it, Sara!