Shes walking!

Shes walking! I cant believe Liv took her first steps last night. I was excited, yet sad at the same time. My little girl is growing up so fast! Ive been busy planning and preparing her first birthday. Shes almost 1! Wow! As I think over what I was doing this time last year, Im amazed at how quickly time passes. It truly makes you appreciate the moments you have.

Sleep!

What a busy couple of weeks we have had here in the Parry home. We dedicated Olivia to the Lord on the 3rd of this month, which was a very special service. It was followed by afternoon tea- with many, many cupcakes! We were blessed by all those who were able to make it (about 90). It truly reminded Chris and I that we are part of such a loving church family.

We have now finished the first week of sleep training. Let me tell you, it is a nightmare! Liv has been in our bed since birth...but last Wednesday night we decided it was time for her to be in her own bed. There has been many tears, screams, etc coming from our house... but I think we are making progress. If you are mom out there, and need to get your little one out of your bed, try the Baby Whisperer pick up/put down. I highly recommend it!

Party planning

well, Ive been busy trying to plan a few events/parties. Olivias baby dedication is on the 3rd of October, followed by Rebeccas baby shower. Then its Livs America 1st birthday, followed by her UK 1st busy. Phew... busy busy. Im trying to be organized, which means being busy planning now. I feel like my head is spinning with ideas..I just need to do them. Its a bit hard with Liv, as I dont want her to be bored going around all the shops. So alot of work is being done online. Oh the joys of late night internet shopping! Keep an eye out for upcoming events!

6 months!!!

Well, its been over 6 months since I have blogged. Wow, where has the time gone! Olivia is currently asleep (in our bed...wish I could say cot = ) ), and I am able to write a bit before she wakes up. She has grown so quickly.. I cant believe shes already sitting up, eating solids, and trying to crawl. I am really enjoying being a mommy. It has its challenges, but is very rewarding. Olivia is such a happy little girl; always smiling. I am blessed to have such a lovely baby. Our schedule is quite busy during the week...visiting with friends, attending baby groups, etc. We have made some amazing new friends who are true kindred spirits. My NCT friends have been such a source of encouragement and support... I couldn't have gotten this far without them. I sit here in my nice clean house (thanks hannah), relaxed and peaceful, and I am overwhelmed with how blessed I truly am! Well, that's all for now. Liv seems to be stirring a bit.

Olivia Grace Parry

We are happy to announce the safe arrival of our little miracle, Olivia Grace Parry, born December 31st weighing 9 lbs. After a very long labour...im talking Monday till Thursday, she decided to make her grand entrance. We knew from the word one of my clients gave before I knew I was pregnant that she would be born before the end of the year, and would be healthy. But as the end of the year approached and the hospital was insistent that I was just experiencing false labour, we began to doubt. Finally, early morning on Thursday December 31st, I rang the hospital, again, and demanded to come in. I had been having contractions since that Monday and was tired. They told me to come in, but that they were probably going to send me home as they thought it was false labour because the contractions weren't consistent (being between 3-5 min apart and stopping every now and then). However, when we arrived I was 4 cent. dilated, and the contractions never became consistent. Unfortunately, after 10 hours in the water, I wasn't able to give a water birth because Olivia wasn't in the right position to make me dilate fast enough ( probably why I had contractions since Monday). Anyways, be 2:11 in the afternoon on the 31st she came into the world. Now, I thought the labour was the hard bit. But, actually, after all those sleepless days of labouring.... we faced more sleepless days and nights when we arrived home. Its been really tough adjusting to life with our baby. The dr said its usually toughest for those who have struggled getting pregnant because your expectations are harder. I think for me, breastfeeding has been the hardest thing. Its been very tempting to just switch to formula...as I would be able to get some sleep, and my breasts could heal from the torture of feeding ( Ive had sores and mastitis which is an infection causing you to have flu like symptoms and severely painful breasts). But we have gotten through the worst bit , well thats what everyone keeps saying. God provided us with one of the pastors wives at the church who is a pediatrician. She came along every day and night to check on Olivia and I and to encourage me with my breastfeeding. We would not be where we are without her. Chris' mum also stayed the night during the first week when things hit an all time low with my breastfeeding and I had to express for a week. What a help... and we were able to get a good nights sleep which does a world of good for you. But, like I said, chris and I have gotten through the worst bit and we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still haven't managed to get dressed everyday, but my pjs are comfy and I cling to the fact that I know I will be able to one day.