And Now Back To Our Previously Scheduled Post...Only 3 Weeks Late...

Where was I? Oh yes...

One Year Ago Today (November 11 th)...

After being in a deeply hypnotic state for over 2 days, the decision was made that a C-section was in order. I was exhausted and Bryleigh's heart rate was growing weaker...so off to the surgical delivery room. Brad said that I kept apologizing to him and the rest of my family for my failure to have a completely drug free birth. Guess that was my delirious mind that could not focus on anything else...

Bryleigh Eden was born at 11:53am on Sunday, November 11, 2007, weighing in at 8 lbs and 7 ozs and was 20 inches long. She gave a loud cry and then hardly made a peep after that. It was determined that she was positioned at an odd angle that prevented her from being delivered...and she tried just as hard as I did...so hard that she rubbed "raw" patches on her feet trying to push her way out.

There were the photos that my husband posted during the first few hours of her life while I slept my first real sleep since Friday, November 9th.





And here is a link to Bry's Birth Announcement post.

~~~

For Miss Bry's Official Birthday, I have a couple of photos of the small family dinner that we had. Her "big" party was scheduled for the 16th...but that had to be postponed due to that dreadful virus that affected our house for the past 3 weeks. We plan on having her friends over soon...

I'm Back....

from a living nightmare of sickness that invade my house...and will continue on with the belated post in celebration of Miss Bryleigh's First Birthday! Should have that post ready later tonight.

Thank you all for the well wishes and concern.

(Update) We Interrupt The Scheduled Posting Of...

One Year Ago Today (IV) to bring you this newsflash...

Rotavirus has invaded the Scarlet O'Kara household. Gross!



I have been changing foul diapers, doing endless loads of soiled laundry, spraying everything down with disinfectant, and bathing Miss Bryleigh in hopes of conquering this evil entity that has caused so many problems. We have even had to postpone her "big" birthday party because we didn't want to "share" this with our friends.

Once everything is back up and running in our usual crazy fashion without the interruption these unpleasant smells, we will return to the spot where we left off. According to the Internet, this should only take 3 - 9 days!!!

I have photos to post and stories to tell...

(Was just watching the news and see that there is a new vaccine that can help with this. Might have to call the pediatrician and see if it will help Miss Bry! Has anyone had experience with this vaccine?)

One Year Ago Today (Part III)...

I was still in labor, wondering when Baby Chili Pepper would make her grand entrance. Because of the hypnobirth training, I was heavily into my hypnotic state and remember very little about this day. From what my family tells me, I was on my feet walking almost the entire time, unless the doctor or nurses needed to monitor the progress. My incredible hypnobirth instructor spent endless hours talking, massaging, and helping me remain as pain-free as possible.

Here is the only known photo that I have from this day...



I do remember telling myself that all of my hard work would pay off soon...when my beautiful baby girl would be in my arms at last.

Come back tomorrow to hear the end of this story...

~~~

And speaking of that precious baby girl...Miss Bryleigh Eden is officially walking! One day before her first birthday, she can now take upwards of 5 - 6 steps before she sits down!

One Year Ago Today (Part II)...

I woke up feeling as good as a 41 week pregnant woman could feel. The previous nights rest was peaceful and I was making plans to head back for another acupuncture appointment. At my husband's urging, I stopped by my doctor's to be examined...just in case. He was noticing that my stomach was doing "strange" things...

The nurse practitioner could not believe how calm I was because she said that I was between 4 - 5 cm open, over 80% thinned, and in active labor. She wanted me to head immediately over to the hospital and check in. That plan was a big no-go for me because I wasn't ready...no hospital bag and my husband was at work in a meeting...so I made a deal that I would go right home, get packed and return with Brad within the hour. Well, as I was driving home, Kyla's preschool called to report that she is sick. So, I made a detour to pick her up. No one could believe that I was in active labor because I was smiling and laughing! I just kept telling them how wonderful HypnoBirthing is.

Here are the two posts that I made that day. One before I headed to the hospital and the other later in the day.

And these were a couple of the photos from that day...

This first one is of me snuggling on the couch with my sick preschooler.



Sorry that it is blurry. My husband was so nervous. He wanted me to be in the hospital already. Had visions on having to deliver Bryleigh in the garden tub in our bathroom!

This one is of me smiling while filling out all of the necessary paperwork.



I think it took almost 15 minutes to complete everything...and that was after I had preregistered the month before!

This last photo is not the best shot of me. It was taken late in the evening. I was starving and begging for food, but all I got was a cup of ice chips and the tiny bites of contraband food that my family covertly passed my way when the hospital staff was out of the room.



I told all that my stomach was huge!

Come back again tomorrow for another flashback in celebration of Bryleigh's 1st Birthday!

One Year Ago Today (Part I)...

I was a week overdue and at odds with my doctors & the hospital. They kept scheduling inductions and I kept cancelling them. To keep from having them force the issue, I went to see a local acupuncturist. After 20 minutes of soothing relaxation, he sent me on my merry way with the instruction to come back the next afternoon if I wasn't in labor. Little did I know at the time, but his tiny needles had worked their magic...

Hard to believe, but at this same time last year, I was in labor and didn't even know it. Miss Bryleigh Eden was beginning her almost 3-day labor and delivery journey. Where has the time gone?

Enjoy this post from last year and come back tomorrow for the next post in celebration of Miss Bry's 1st Birthday!!! I cannot believe that my baby is going to be a year old!









Can you believe how big my baby belly was!!! I look massive!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Cleopatra And The Lion

Head over here for more Wordless Wednesday entries.

More Election Day Fun - Blogthings Quiz

Found this quiz while checking my e-mail. It claims to be able to tell me who I voted for. So, I accepted the challenge and this is my results...

We Can't Predict Who You Voted For

According to our quiz, there's a 40% chance you voted for Obama. But that means there's an 60% chance you voted for McCain. You aren't very typical. You tend to be independent, and your vote is highly coveted. While we can't predict how you voted, there's a good chance you voted for the winner!

Did You Vote for Obama or McCain?

Pretty interesting. Let me know if any of you decide to take that test and what your results are.

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Free Starbucks Coffee

In honor of this Election Day, I decided to post a freebie tip instead of a recipe.



After you perform your civic duty and vote today, stop by your local Starbucks Coffee Shop and see if they are participating in the Free Tall Brewed Coffee To All Voters Promotion.



I am so glad that I decided to wait until today instead of standing in line for over 3 1/2 hours (like my husband) to participate in Early Vote. All he got was sunburned and sore feet...and I get a Free Tall Brewed Coffee!!! Guess it does pay to vote, doesn't it!

And if you want to see other Tempt My Tummy Tuesday post, head over to Blessed With Grace...

I Just Love Being...

a Florida Gator!











Take that all you Georgia Bulldogs! 49 - 10...that has got to hurt!

We have taken over control of the SEC East and are one step closer to being #1 in the Nation!!!



As an extra bonus, all of the Gator Nation gets an extra hour to sleep off the celebration from "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party"!

Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour...



and enjoy the extra sleep!

Wordless Wednesday - I May Not Have Given Birth To Every One Of Them...

but they are my babies!





















Aren't they beautiful?

(Sorry...I know it is suppose to be wordless, but how can I be wordless about them? They make me so proud)

Want to see other Wordless Wednesday photos?

Philadelphia is called...

the "City Of Brotherly Love". If this is the case, why did they give away the Tampa Bay Ray's hotel rooms and force them to move to a hotel in Delaware, about 25 miles from the ball park? It was noted well before the team checked out of their hotel rooms that the game may be postponed due to inclement weather...just like it had been delayed the night before.



Are they just scared that the Last To First Players will take the Series?

The sad part is that Tampa was expecting something like this. After all, this is the very same city that made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sit in their plane on the runway for over 3 hours after they beat the Eagles.

Maybe the city should be re-named "The City Of Sour Grapes".

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Sunshine Cake

Have you ever had this yummy, yummy cake? I have and let me just tell you that it is one of my favorites...but I have never tried to make it myself. Now I just found this recipe and it looks so easy that I might just have to whip one up later today.

Sunshine Cake

Cake

1 (18 1/2 oz) box yellow cake with pudding mix
1/2 cup salad oil
4 eggs
1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges, un-drained

Frosting

1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, un-drained
1 tablespoon sugar
1 (10 1/2 oz) package of cheesecake filling mix
1 (8 oz) carton sour cream
1 (12 oz) whipped topping, thawed

Preheat oven to 325°.

Combine cake mix, oil, eggs, and oranges; mix at medium speed 1 to 2 minutes until smooth. Spoon into 3 greased and floured 9-inch cake pans. Bake for 15—20 minutes or until done.

Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.

Meanwhile, combine pineapple, sugar, cheesecake filling mix, and sour cream, and stir until thickened. Fold in whipped cream, mix thoroughly. Spread frosting between layers, top, and sides of cake. Garnish top with some mandarin oranges.

Store in refrigerator.

This cake is best made 24 hours in advance.



Hope you all enjoy it as much as I do...

And for more Tempt My Tummy Tuesday recipes, head over to here...

I'm Gonna Have Nightmares Tonight!

'Cause my sister just showed me this.

Can you imagine looking out your window and seeing something like that in your garden?

So, are you gonna have nightmare too?