Ila Bear

Daddy, Mommy & Thor are finally alone with Ila. We loved having everyone here and are extremely thankfully for all the help. Now we are just getting use to our new routines. Ev usually wakes me up to breakfast in bed then heads off to work. I try to catch some extra shut eye after breakfast. The rest of the day is kinda all over the place still. She sleeps, eats, poops and burps and when I get the chance I do laundry, wash bottles,  or tidy up. Those moments are brief and rare. I have a real sense of accomplishment when the little tasks are done!  

Photo Overload

I don't know how long I'll be able to update photos like I am now so enjoy it while you can! 

This is Ila's birth team at our one week postnatal appointment, it's going to be weird not seeing these lovely ladies every week! Three fantastic reasons to get pregnant right away ;)

A Blessed Beginning Childbirth Services

Ev's mother Deb arrived Friday morning and has been in heaven ever since. Absolutely adores her.

My parents, Sally & Victor, have also been in heaven. It's going to be hard without them around. They left this morning.

We took Ila on her first road trip! We drove two hours (she slept the whole way) to Sedona, AZ. Beautiful! Picked out some yard art and went for a little hike. 

<3

Daddy & Mommy Party Time

Ev & I went out for our first time together last night. Not only our first time away from Ila but also our first time drinking TOGETHER. This is big. For those who don't know I've been "sober" over year, over the period of Ev and my relationship. Besides the occasional sip of wine here and there at dinner (yes, even while pregnant, go ahead and shoot me now) I have not been drunk/buzzed.  And let me tell you, I didn't need much last night to feel a buzz.

Drinking together is something we have been looking forward to since day one. Even though we just went to a bar with his lovely sober friend Brian (thank you!) we felt like it was a HUGE stepping stone. Not only we're we going out to have a good time as a couple but it was also our first time away from our 11 day old baby girl.

She's so precious. She really is true perfection. I could go on about how ecstatic we are but I think y'all can see that. I wonder if anyone is scolding us right now as parents. "Who in their right mind would leave their newborn at home so soon?!" Me! :) Helloooo people, I'm feeling great and (let me toot my own horn) I look great, three pounds off from my starting pregnancy weight! That's only one reason, the others: my parents (their last night) and Ev's mother were in town and able to care for Ila and I had breast milk ready for use. Im going to say that's enough to treat my lovely boyfriend and I to a nice night out on the town.

She was always on our minds, I can't tell you how worried I was at first or how many times I mentioned missing her. I felt as if I was leaving an arm or leg behind. <----- That right there is another reason why I wanted to go out. I "needed" to separate myself from her. I latch on to her. Not saying that I don't latch to her now that I've left her last night, no, she's definitely laying on me now. Just saying I want to build her tolerance to being away from us, or should I say build our tolerance to being away from her...

Ultimately, I'm learning how important it is for all couples to find alone time, no matter when they find it appropriate to start doing so, it must be done. As soon as we get our little princess on a schedule we'll be able to find more quality alone time. We believe in family centered parenting, strong families build strong children. And we are a strong beastly family.

Nothing short of perfect

Tomorrow is Ila's first week birthday! Seven lovely days with my little angel. 

She's perfect.

I could go on and complain about the little sleep, the leaking boobies, the swollen vajayjay, but I don't want to. I'm in heaven. 

I'M OBSESSED...

She sleeps great, eats great and poops even better. 

Ila has been sleeping at night in 5 to 6 hour increments. Mommy hasn't been sleeping so well due to having an absolutely adorable child nearby. I just stare at my little princess all day. I have been told that I hog my child... I think I share! I'm a new mommy guys, give me a break! I just love her so much, and so does everyone else.

My uncle Darrin & aunt Valerie drove from CA to visit.

My dad's first visit with Ila.

She smiles so much!

Nannu <3

Aunt Valerie <3

After Ila's first bath

Our first outing! We went to visit Daddy at work then walked to a shop near by.

Nannu & Ila at Zone.

We like to spend at least 20 minutes in the backyard a day.

Thor loves his little sister.

Setting up the shot for Ila's announcements.

Uncle Adam <3

Brennah <3

Steven <3

Brian <3

Uncle Adam <3

Nancy <3

Alicia <3

Grandma <3

& of course Thor, he's so protective.

Ila's Birthday

Lee Ila Ann Mathis

4/12/12 10:11 AM

9lbs 23 inches

I’m in love and it’s indescribable.

This is a very poorly written rough draft of the birth. Yes, it did hurt, but the pain isn't comparable to the power I had by being in full control of her birth. I can’t imagine having done it any other way. It was perfect. She is perfect.

11:00 PM Post to Twitter “Contractions galore.” They weren’t painful at all, just consistent, so I go to sleep with no thought of what was to follow.

2:00 AM Wake up to strong contractions, “This could be it.” I tracked the frequency on my own for about an hour before waking Ev up.

3:45 AM We decide that it’s probably time to call the midwife. Pam (our Midwife) suggests that I hop in the Jacuzzi, start drinking and eat a bit. Ev and I call our mothers to let them know. My mom, being in CA, started the 7-hour drive as soon as she could. His mom, in AL, couldn’t just drive out but is making her way here next week. My father, unfortunately, was planning on making the drive with my mom but was in Japan on business.

4:45 AM Over the chlorine smell so I rinse off and manage my way back upstairs to dry off. The Midwife and her assistant Alicia arrive and check me right away. I am 4 centimeters dilated. Contractions were building stronger so Ev filled the bath and I jumped in.

I have no idea what happened from 5 till 8. I was exhausted and could barely focus. I might have said “F*** THIS” a few times…

8:00 AM I was dilated to 9 centimeters and our friends, Steven & Brennah, were headed over to start filming. I worked through four contractions while applying makeup.

8:30 AM Steven started filming and Brennah took over photo duty. I didn’t say hi, nothing was on my mind except for getting the baby out. Holding back for the sake of looking good was out of the question.

I screamed, LOUD. And cursed more.

9:45 AM Dilated to 10 centimeters, it was time to push! A burst of energy and excitement arrived and nothing was going to stop me. Continue cursing… then, I could feel her head. It was magical. I pushed and pushed and pushed… then pushed some more. Surprisingly, the pushing was nothing compared to the contractions. Knowing that I could push meant results were in reach!

10:00 AM Pam told Ev it was time to move in front of me, time to catch the baby.

10:11 AM I felt a tear and Ev saw me tear. It didn’t matter. Ev caught our daughter and rested her on my chest. She is beautiful. Later I learned that her right arm and head came out together, thus the tearing.

Interested in having an all natural home birth? It was wonderful. In my outlandish opinion, I think you're crazy to go to a hospital and expect a natural birth.  I now understand why so many accept them in the hospital. It was painful but I can honestly say I am capable of anything. I would do it again, over and over again. 

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