Where did the time go?

I can't believe my baby is already almost 7-weeks old! Time is flying by! My big boy is already in diapers two times bigger than when he came home from the hospital, heavy as can be, and developing quite a little personality! He likes to smile at you now and "talk" to you sometimes.

We are headed to the beach in the morning for Philip's spring break and excited about our little family vacation - regardless of  the weather.  And when we get home on Wed, there will be a lot of Philip's family here who is excited to meet the little guy - lots of family will be in town for Jeff and Moriah's wedding next weekend.

I finally took pix of the nursery.  I'm hoping that soon, Lucas will get better at sleeping at night, and we will be able to put him in his room.  But we're not rushing anything.

But most days with baby are great - we have help when we need it from family, and we're adjusting just fine!  Lucas is a joy and a priviledge to have and we fall more and more in love with him every day!

Happy Valentines Day Baby!

Just minutes after I was born

Saturday, February 12, I started having contractions . . . five hours later they stopped.  Sunday morning around 5am they began again and they just kept on coming.  16 hours later, we were still at home and I had had more contractions than I could count - they just weren't close enough to warrant going to the hospital.  Finally, they started coming about 6 minutes apart so we called the doctor's office, loaded up the car, and headed down to Northside.  It got kind of scary in the car as we knew our drive was going to be around 45 minutes and the contractions hit about 3 minutes apart.  But the good news was that it was  Sunday night in the city and there was no traffic to be seen. 

We were starving after all that work!



On the way to the hospital, we called the families and the SC crew headed towards Georgia.  Once we got our room, I endured stronger and longer contractions from about 10:30pm until 6am when I just couldn't take it any more and got my epidural.  Philip was amazing and probably showed his strongest dedication to staying in there with me as I got the epidural. He got a little woozie and ran to the bathroom to splash water on his face.  When he came out, in between tears, I sent him out to the waiting room to get my cousin Nikki and he was more than glad to go, poor guy.

The epidural, although not a pleasure to receive - especially when they tell you that your spine is tight and it takes three pokes to get the tube in, was AMAZING once it was complete.  At this point I was already completely exhausted from being up for almost 24 hours so the rest the epidural gave me was much needed.  Philip got about an hours sleep and I rested a little.  The doc came by and introduced us to the midwives that would get the labor started.  Little did we know that they were so awesome that we wouldn't even need to call the doc!

My coming home outfit



Once I started pushing, I don't remember too much.  I know that it wasn't like the birthing hospital scenes they play out on tv.  I don't know if it's because of the amazing nurses and midwives I had in there with me or what, but it was probably the most comfortable labor process I could've ever imagined.  I pushed an

hour - with my eyes closed the entire time.  Philip and Nikki watched most of it and Philip did so much

better that either of us probably thought.  And at 10:54 am - 29 1/2 hours after my first contractions began and after being in the hospital for around 12 hours, Lucas Albert Chittaro was born!  He weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and was 21 inches long.  And we were all surprised at how very calm he was.  He didn't cry!  He just chilled out and looked around at everything.

My first doctor visit - 4 days old.



When they placed him on my chest, the first thing I noticed and said was that he had my pug nose - I don't know how to describe to people what that felt like - to finally have someone who looked like me.  Being adopted, I notice how families share physical characteristics and always wondered what I may have gotten from my birth parents - it was nice to see something on little Lucas that was mine :)

The nights at the hospital weren't too bad - Philip and I learned first hand what complete exhaustion felt like.  We had many family and friends come visit the little guy.  But we were really happy to get home.

He's 10 days old now and after having Aunt Lynn and my mom stay with us to help us catch up on sleep at night, we were on our own finally Sunday night.  And surprise - we made it :)  He's sleeping well most of the night - only waking when he's hungry or wet.  So far he doesn't cry just to cry.  He's a really good baby.

One proud Daddy

I am so thankful for so much.  For my amazing husband who loves the two of us so much - and doesn't hesitate to tell us and show us.  For our families who supported us and fed us and love us.  For friends and their kind words and excitement for our newest addition.  And mostly for this beautiful little boy who is the best thing I've ever done in my life.  No class, no game, no championship, no trip, no adventure - nothing compares to the joy and pride I have in making this beautiful little baby and I thank God every day for giving us this blessing.

I don't think that in all the months we were prepping for baby that I considered having a Valentines Day baby, but I think it's pretty cool.  He was made from love so it's only fitting that he be born on the day celebrating that.  Happy Valentine's Birthday, sweet baby.

. . Waiting on Baby . .

Baby Lucas is due February 20. But I'm hoping he will get here a LOT earlier. As of last Monday, I've gained a little over 40 pounds with this pregnancy and it's just adding on. That's like 1/3 of my old weight! And it's all belly - so my back and hips and legs are constantly aching. He dropped a week or so ago so when I walk - it's MAJOR waddling. Philip looks at my ever expanding belly some nights and just shakes his head in disbelief. He can't understand why baby doesn't just fall out - ha ha!

We've had a couple of showers and received some pretty amazing gifts - we've gotten the carseat, stroller, crib bedding, bathtubs, mobiles, Sony monitors, swings, bouncy seats, play mats, and so many cute clothes I don't know if he'll have a chance to wear them all!

We put the glider and ottoman in the room last weekend, I put up the daybed for extra room for guests and late nights when Philip needs to sleep, and we hope to get the borrow crib and changing table soon so complete the room (stay tuned for pix)!

I've done a couple loads of laundry of baby stuff preparing for his arrival, and I also made the curtains for the big windows in his room. Between the two of us, we've ready pretty much all the information we can get our hands on preparing for this little one. WE ARE READY.

I wanted to do a few maternity pix, but when I went on-line, I really didn't think that a lot of the pictures I found were pix for me. I finally gathered a few and sent them to my fabulous cousin Ashley who takes amazing shots.

So now we're just waiting. Philip asks me every day if I know when he's coming. I'm just ready to meet the little guy already . .

Heartbroken and Empty

The holidays are usually my most favorite time of the year. Not because of the gifts and food, but mostly because I know that time is always set aside for family. Since Philip and I got married and knew we wanted to spend next Christmas with the baby at home, I really wanted to spend my 'last' Christmas with my family back in Greer and I was looking so forward to sharing our family Christmas traditions with him. Unfortunately, we never got to any of them . . .

Back in October, about a week after the wedding, we found out that my grandfather had colon cancer. He underwent surgery to remove the cancer, but that was an ordeal because his many years of smoking a pipe had left him with emphysema and his weak lungs didn't handle the surgery. He had four surgeries over the course of a few weeks that left him weak, sometimes out of his mind, strapped to a hospital bed, and just pitiful. This was not the grandfather we had grown up with and it hurt so much to watch him in that state. It was hard not being in town to help my family out during this time, but I'd travel back and forth when I could to see him and help out. My grandmother sat with him every day and hated seeing him that way. You could really tell that it took a toll on her, too. The week before Christmas, I was able to see him one more time. He was in a coma-like state and not responsive, but I said my good-byes. The morning of Christmas Eve, I found out that my grandmother had been admitted into another hospital and was very weak. Christmas Eve was not the same. We usually would all gather at my grandparents house and eat and laugh and exchange presents. This year, we took turns staying with either Mema or Gran at the hospitals and were completely numb to the holidays honestly. Gran passed away Christmas Night. We told my grandmother in the hospital, made the arrangements, and buried him the Tuesday after Christmas. My grandmother loved my grandfather so much. They were inseparable, and to remind us of that great love - she passed away New Years Day not long after the rest of the world was ringing in the new year. Again, we made the arrangements and said a final goodbye to her Monday the third.

They were two of my favorite people in the world. We all spend so much time with them during our lives and I cannot imagine being without them. I am still a bit numb. I have about five weeks left with this pregnancy and it feels as though all the wind has been removed from the sails - it's just not fun anymore planning for Baby Chittaro knowing that he will never know two of the most wonderful people I've ever known. Stories cannot do justice the love that they had in their hearts and my baby will never know that. Gran was so excited about the little guy and was to be the first to hold him - I had promised him that. Mema like to call the baby 'little Phil' and still got big eyed when she could feel him squirming in my belly. I know that when he's born I'm going to cry like a baby and mourn my loss again - I just don't understand God's plan here. I miss them so much.

Philip is amazing as usual and stood my my side through all this - I feel so guilty that I gave him such a crappy Christmas. But next year we will have baby and stay home and begin new traditions. And for now, I'm just trying to find ways to distract myself and get through the days until baby.

Mema and Gran led quiet lives, yet inspired so many. They had gentle spirits, but somehow also taught us to be strong, independent, loving. They definitely led by example and their legacies will live on. They only asked us to 'make them proud' and I hope to continue to do so.

So rest in peace now, Mema and Gran. Your days of physical hurt are over and you are blessed to spend eternity holding hands and grinning like teenagers at each other now. We will see you again soon.

Bring on the holidays!

The holiday season is my absolute favorite time of year. And this year I'm super excited to be spending it with Philip in our new house! The decorations are slowly going up but it's looking really beautiful.

Thanksgiving was a great one beacause we planned a little better this year and the stress level was minimal and the company at my parents house with all my family was awesome. However, the fact that my gran has been in the hospital for a month now and had four surgeries after they found cancer is pretty hard on everybody. Our biggest Christmas wish is to have him healthy and home for Christmas.

Baby Chittaro has gone from just kicking to rolling around and hitting me with knees and elbows, too! I've gained around 30 pounds and am so rotund already that Philip has to tie my shoes, help me up from sitting most of the time, and we share a lot of his clothes now :) I have a feeling that I'll be giving 'ol Santa a run for his money with big jolly bellies this year.

Spook-tacular October!

Although we decided to postpone a honeymoon - the weeks have still been full of lots of great happenings!

The main reason we came straight home post-wedding was because Philip coaches his high school's cross country team and this year they had a shot at making the state meet for the first time. Thursday, we all traveled to Athens for the Region meet and lo and behold Lakeview Academy came in 4th, giving them a spot in State! All the kids and parents were thrilled and I know Philip was - it was cute how nervous he was! So this Saturday morning we will be in Carrollton, GA cheering on his boys and hoping for the best. Regardless of the outcome, I'm so proud of my hubby and all his hard work with these kids :)

Last weekend, I took Philip to Clemson for the Clemson/GT game. I loved seeing old friends and being back in Clemson as always - I'm just glad Clemson pulled out a win for Philip's first game.

Yesterday, after a day of cleaning house, we got dressed up and ready for our first Halloween! Although he gave me a little lip about the makeup, Philip had fun as Dracula, visiting his nephews, and scaring a few of the neighborhood kids.

October was great, but I'm really looking forward to November, Thanksgiving, and decorating the house for the holidays! Life's great!

Happy Chaos

Wedding week was awesome - we got into the house on Monday and immediately hit the beach. I wanted to relax as long as we could before the stress of all the weekend activities actually hit. Tuesday dad and I ran a few morning errands as we waited for Ben and the girls (wifey and kids) to arrive - they had to drive almost an entire day to get there and we were all so blessed that we got a whole week with them :) Nikki got there on Tuesday as well so the house was getting pretty full of life! Good thing we had 7 bedrooms and 7.5 baths!

Thursday night we hit Sara J's seafood (YUM!) and met more of our family there (Uncle Gary, Aunt Danicia and Zach) - two tables full of seafood and hush puppies later and they rolled us out f the restaurant. Philip and his fam arrived Thursday as well so after dinner we headed over to their beach house for a little time with them. We were so thankful for all our family who traveled from everywhere to be with us. His family's place was just as full as ours but with the addition of his 1, 2, 3, and 4 year old nieces and nephews to keep things lively!

Friday morning arrived and I got to pick up two of my best friends from the airport - Abby flew in from San Francisco and Libba arrived from Denver! WE spent a little time putting together the bouquets and they looked beautiful. My beautiful cousin Ashley and her bf Will arrived Friday afternoon and Nikki's husband Martin got to the house Friday night finally bringing our total in the house to 17 adults and 2 kids - whew! Rehearsal went great with the help of Mandy and Marty and the low country boil was SO yummy!

FINALLY Saturday arrived and began with a beautiful bridesmaid's luncheon given by my amazing aunts Danicia and Lynn. It was a beautiful beginning to the day and I loved giving my girls their gifts - framed Clemson prints :) The weather was gorgeous! After a little break, we hit the salon where we glammed up, listened to the Clemson football game, and Ashley fed me a bagel LOL. We didn't leave a lot of time getting back so the chaos slowly began. The pictures and actual wedding were on the public beach in front of the house which proved a bit challenging with the fishermen. Luckily my brother used some beer bribery and strong words to move them out of view for a while. The wedding was short but beautiful - as the bridal party was walking down the steps dolphins popped up off shore.

Mandy and Marty took tons of pictures that we are excited to get back and share and then my favorite part of the night began - the FOOD! Inlet Affairs catered the reception complete with a pasta bar, fig and goat cheese crostini, beef satay, yummy crab cakes, pigs in a blanket for the kiddos - big and small, chicken cordon bleu, veggies and dill sauce, fruits and a marshmallow dipping sauce, and cheese fondue, brie and raspberries, and an amazing cake from Baby Cakes - layers of lemon and strawberry! We had a blast! Everyone loved the food, the night was beautiful, and most importantly Philip and I were surrounded by the most loving family and friends you could ask for.