Grandpa
Topic: Pruitt
I'm sure you get sick of my "tear-jerking" posts, but I haven't posted about Pruitt's bond with Grandpa since his birth. It's been on my mind quite a bit, it was in the hospital because, I swear, this kid has his eyes. I've been having dreams of Grandpa too and then today, the Disney Channel aired Lion King 2: Simba's Pride. Cale doesn't "do" cartoons but I left it on regardless and heard a song that got to me. It sums up everything.

He lives in you
He lives in me
He watches over
Everything we see
Into the water
Into the truth
In your reflection
He lives in you

Of course it hurts my heart that Pruitt will never know Grandpa. It still brings tears to my eyes when Cale tells me that Grandpa is in heaven.

While I was in labor my mom and I talked about it. For me, it was almost like Grandpa left this world so that Pruitt could come into it. Mom told me that she'd always heard that one spirit leaves only to be replaced with another, but reminded me that I had no control over it. If that's the way things work, then it was in God's hands and we have to accept it. And when I think about this "philosophy" if you will, I wonder, if given the choice, would I have kept Grandpa here or kept Pruitt. Not a decision that I would want so I'm grateful that God made it, but I still miss him so much. I see his picture on the screen saver and above the tv. . .his squinty eyes, his scratchy moustache and his smile and long to hear him say my name, call to "Witty" or laugh. Now I long to hear Pruitt's voice. . .I think we'll all hear Grandpa in him.

One month
Topic: Pruitt
I can't believe that he's a month old today. It just doesn't seem possible. And today, I finally called to find out where his other hospital picture was. The kind lady found it and he's now on the web.

I also finished writing and typing up his birth story. As in typical Piper fashion, it's long and drawn out so if you venture to read it, set aside some time. ;)

Now off I go. . .I'll give a more detailed update when I have both hands. I want to relish the angelic sleeping child on my chest, in my arms & in my heart. You all understand.

Why?
Topic: Bubba
This is short and sweet and to the point, but WHY must he snore SO INCREDIBLY LOUDLY while I'm feeding Pruitt in the middle of the night?

It's just rude.

Who REALLY needs a TiVo??
Topic: Weirdness
Imagine. . .a post not regarding the boys!

Remember when the whole TiVo craze started?? I do. And I was like, "Why in the WORLD would you need to record a show or pause live tv. That's just so freaking lazy. Just shove a tape in the VCR and hit record." I would totally ignore those people that talked non-stop about it. And then. . .it hits Chris.

This is like 2 months ago ok? Just two months ago before Chris starts looking into this. And it's only because the cable company has come out with their own version and, ya know, "It's only $5 more per month than we're already paying." (he makes statements like this A LOT) So we drive to the cable place and get the digital dvr cable box.

Fast forward to today. HOW IN THE WORLD DID I LIVE WITH OUT THAT THING?!?!? Seriously!! Now I know what all the hype is about! It's seriously freaking AWESOME! (Do you not see all the CAPS in this post. This means I'm serious!) I fear the day that we don't have the "recorder box thingy" (that's the technical name for it). It records nasty things that I don't care to watch like, "The History of the Revolver from the Civil War" but also records things that I do like ie. Big Brother 6 and chick flicks!! Cale also enjoys watching recorded episodes of Maisy on it, and ironically, Maisy just never seems to be there during football or on Sundays! (Aren't we awful!?!)

Needless to say. . .I GET THE TiVo CRAZE! I apologize for all of the hideous things I said and thought about those that were near marriage with their recorders. You're right. . .I should go propose right now!

Grow baby grow!
Topic: Pruitt
My little kissy baby (aka Biggie Smalls) is three weeks old today. I told my mom last night that he was WAY heavier and that I wanted to know what he weighed. So at the doctor's office they weighed him today.

Birth weight - 9lbs 15.3 oz

One week old - 9lbs 5oz

Two weeks old - 9lbs 13oz

Today at three weeks old - 10lbs 11oz!!!!!!

The doctor congratulated me! LOL Then he said, "Babies should gain 25grams per day. . .he's gaining 60!"

Momma's milk - it does a body good ;)

Brotherly Love
The night that Pruitt was born, I was most excited to get to introduce him to Cale. I just had a feeling that Cale would adore him. . .and boy was I right. I remember being in the hospital bed when Cale came in and he automatically asked where the baby was. He kissed me and Chris brought Pruitt over. The gleam in his eye was that of a new mother, not a brother. My heart lept and I just sat there and cried. It was one of the most beautiful things I've seen.

Now, Cale does act out. He's shown his hiney on numerous occassions, but this is to be expected and we're handling it. And what makes it easier to handle are moments like this one. We've let him be very hands on with Pruitt and I hope that this will help culminate a close and loving relationship between the two.

Drumroll please. . . .
Topic: Pruitt
I am so excited to announce the arrival of Mr. Pruitt Oliver Brian Nard. Born August 8, 2005 at 7:00pm measuring 21 1/2" long and weighing a nice 9lbs 15 ounces.

Here is a pic of a very drugged momma (from the emergency c-section thanks to a cord around the neck) and a wide awake Pruitt (thanks to Daddy flashing the camera in his face).

I'll post more pictures and the full birth story at a later date.

La la la la
Topic: Me!
A weird thing has happened with the end of the pregnancy nearing. I have developed an intense love for doing laundry. Laundry was always my "thing" to do when I lived at home, but I have been notorious for letting all three of us run out of clean underwear. I have gotten the cleaning bug too, but not near like my love of doing laundry.

This morning, I even yelled at Chris for not putting his dirty shorts in to be washed. He stopped, turned around and said, "YOU'VE WASHED THEM ALL!!!" I guess I have. I've also been guilty of taking the clothes off of his back before the day ends so that I can wash them. What can I say. . .maybe it's something my body is trying to clean before Pruitt comes.

And now it's like 11 pm and I'm doing laundry while my husband moans and groans in pain while watching the lovely "male" show MXC. So much for any help!! Next thing you know I'll be emptying drawers of clean clothes just to have something to do!! To each his/her own I suppose! LOL

Yep, I'm still here!
Topic: Pruitt
I'm 37 weeks 2 days pregnant with Mr. Pruitt. And yes, to answer everyone's question, I'm still here. My mom calls numerous times a day when I'm not stuck at her house with her, and people keep calling like we're leaving them out. Do they not realize that I don't enjoy being reminded that I'm still VERY VERY pregnant?? This goes on my list of THINGS NOT TO DO TO OTHERS.

I was rather disappointed on Monday after my appointment. I had so hoped he'd go ahead and induce me this week, but he WILL NOT. I lost it after he left the room, and he knew I was upset. When I asked him how big he thought this one would be, he replied, "BIG." That was all I could ask. I just couldn't maintain my composure. But, with the help of some friends, I'm turning my attitude around and trying to see the positive. The longer I wait, the more likely we are to bring him home with us. And you know what, in the large scope of things, this really isn't in my hands. God has control and I need to let him take control. This is a concept that I'm currently working on.

We do have a tentative induction date - inducement date is what my dad calls it. It's set for Monday, Aug 8. Here's why this sucks. I'm literally on call, as is everyone else having to deal with this. We will not know for certain if we have a room until the morning of the 8th. How awful is that??? This is another reason that I'm hoping to go into labor on my own. For over a week I had contractions ranging from 15 minutes apart down to 3 minutes, now NOTHING. Maybe this is a good sign?? LOL But I do tell everyone I know, if you know some voodoo magic, do it and send it my way. Let's get this kid out!! And NO I WILL NOT DRINK CASTOR OIL!!!!! I think we've tried pretty much everything else. LOL

There's the update. Hopefully by this time next week I will have successfully given birth to a LARGE baby :) But I'll be happy with successfully delivering a 7 1/2lber too!

Are we there yet??
Topic: Pruitt
I should have posted this back on Monday but I think I've been pretty much in shock/denial and being watched like I'm on the verge of exploding!

I went to my u/s on Monday. As I was laying down on the table, the tech asked if we were there to determine a size. We all (me, Bubba & Mom) said yes, that I'm running a bit big. She non-chalantly says, "Oh, I can tell you're BIG!!!" I should have known by that comment that this was going to be just the beginning! So she starts the u/s and it was amazing. He's so much bigger now and so much so that she couldn't get all of his head in the screen! Now please keep in mind that on Monday, I was 36 weeks pregnant. Technically I've got 4 weeks left until I'm due. She measured his head first - 41 weeks. Measured his body next - 41 weeks. By now I'm gasping for air!! Found his legs - 36 weeks. Great, another Chris!! LOL Chris asked her to verify that he is indeed a boy. Yes, he is STILL a boy :) Thank God with being that big, but the kicker of it all. . . .estimated weight size on Monday, July 25, 2005, 8 1/2lbs!!!!!!!!!! I'M GROWING A TODDLER NOT A BABY!!!! I just looked at her and she thought I was going to hit her, but I was in too much shock. She gave us pictures of a foot, a profile, scrotum and the cutest of them all, his smashed little face!!

Next we went to see the doctor. He checked me and I was 2 cm dialated and almost fully thinned out. While he was there performing his lovely exam, he stripped my membranes. This, surprisingly, did not hurt, however the after effects DID HURT. We discussed size, maturity, induction and c-sections. He went ahead and put us on stand-by for Aug 8 and Aug 9. Great, 2 more weeks for him to grow to almost 10lbs. JUST WHAT EVERY WOMAN WANTS TO BIRTH!!!!! But he doesn't think I'll make it until induction date. I was almost in tears when he left. It was so not what I wanted to hear, but I know he's just looking after Pruitt's health and I'll live through whatever should happen.

Now, remember my dad's plans to go to Jackson again?? Well, after hearing my update, he didn't mention it. On Tuesday, my mom had me come over so that she could help me with Cale and I found out that at the last minute on Tuesday morning, dad canceled his trip. He just couldn't do it. Now I'm being watched. . .I mean really watched. I feel like I'm on display!! LOL I've been having tons of contractions and tons of cramping and pressure and even lost my plug today, so PLEASE send me all of the COME ON LABOR VIBES you can gather up.

Now we wait. . .isn't waiting fun???? I just LOVE waiting. . .and waiting. . .and being watched!! I'll keep you all updated on it all. Hopefully the next entry will be from the hospital!!