Maternity - Both Times

This blog is mostly just for pictures. I realized I never posted my maternity pictures while I was pregnant with Alister. So, I decided to put up both sets of pictures. Enjoy!

ALISTER

CORBIN

Corbin - One Month

Corbin is doing wonderfully. He's a good eater and sleeper. For the majority of the time, I only have to get up once a night with him. So that's awesome. He doesn't have another appointment until two months, so not really any updates.

LIKES

-eating

-sitting

-facing forward so he can see everything. 

-cuddling (when it suits him)

-pushing up with his legs to a standing position. 

-being held 

-being walked around  

-picture of Mary and Baby Jesus above the 

DISLIKES

-diaper changes 

-getting dressed 

-tummy time (when he's hungry or tired)

Alister loves Corbin. :)

Corbin - Two Weeks

At two weeks, Corbin was longer and heavier. Which made us very happy. It took some work to get Alister to gain good weight. The fact that we haven't had to supplement has been awesome. I'm not "nursing" but I am exclusively pumping. Nursing is a challenge on it's own.

Anyway... Two weeks! Yay!

He already makes the cutest cooeing sounds. He's also very strong. And as long as he's not hungry or tired he doesn't mind tummy time. He's perfect. (:

Making a Change

EThis morning, I ponder to myself, as my baby boy sleeps next to me on the couch. I have reached a point in my life where I'm ready to make a change. Not one that will only be talked about or dreamed about. Ones that will become my reality. Today, I'm going to "step up". I'm going to strive to better my life. These changes will not only better my life, but be beneficial to my family as well. 

At the beginning of every year, people decide to make changes or goals. Things to better themselves and their lives. This year, I did the something. Although, now that I think back on it, I don't think I was truly ready to commit to those changes. I think I was excited off the high that simple comes to people at that time of year. But, now that my life has changed, I have come to the conclusion on my own to change. 

We now have two handsome boys. These boys who have captured my heart. These boys whose souls and hearts are pure. They also make me want to change. I want to be a better person for them. That I might be a wonderful example to them. Especially as they get older. Which is why now is the time to change. So it is well established and it's just part of who I am. 

So, I spent 18 months out of the last 27 of my life being pregnant. I no longer am familiar with my own body. I don't feel comfortable or condfident in my own skin. So, instead of mopping and feeling sorry for myself, I'm going to change it. I'm not going to diet, but change my lifestyle. I'm going to start by reading: Power Foods Lifestyle by Kristy Jo Hunt. 

Also, as many of you know, I jut started up my own Mary Kay business. I'm not even a week in and I'm already loving it. I started for a few reasons. One of them being, to build up my self-confidence. I know this is going to be great for me. Am I nervous? Yes. Overwhelmed? Yes. I mean, come on, I'm a mother of two boys under the age of two. (Side note: Alister turned twenty months old today). Excited? Absolutely. I can't wait to get this business going. 

I'm taking control of my life. Physically, emotionally and spiritually. I'm ready for a change. Will I struggle? Of course! Bettering your life isn't easy. Making change is hard. Will there be days I want to give up? You bet'cha! But, with prayer and encouragement, I know I can do and have it all. 

Take control of your life. Make the change. Be a better you. And never give up. 

Corbin's Blessing

Due to the fact that most of our family would be in town, we decided to do the blessing earlier than most. Just like we did with Alister. Although, Alister was only six days old. Corbin was a little over a month.

It was a beautiful blessing. Of course. And powerful. Plus! My wonderful mother-in-law typed it out for us. Just like she did for Alister. (: so, we'll be able to print it and hang it up as a reminder of that joyous day. 

Our boys are our treasures. They are strong. They will touch many lives and be powerful missionaries. They will be wonderful examples through this life. This I know. Having two boys holds a special pride. One that I can not describe in plain words. But, I know that our boys are destined for a great life.

Corbin Joseph Briggs

Our little prince was born January 8th 2014 at 1:57pm. The delivery was smooth and much quicker then my first. And, it was beautiful.

Corbin measured at 20" long and weighed in at 7lbs. 5oz. He was bigger then Alister was at birth. He also has blonde hair, just like his dad's. (:

Special Delivery!

So, I need to catch up on blogging. I decided to start with my labor and delivery with Corbin. (:

On January 7th I had a doctors appointment. I was 38 weeks and 6 days. Two days further then when I delivered with Alister. Luckily, the doctor decided that my body was ready enough to be induced in the morning. I had to be induced, due to the fact that I was on blood thinners. I had to stop the medication for 24 hours before delivery. Well! You can imagine that we were so happy to be having our baby boy the next day. (: 

We got up at 5:30am so we could be at the hospital by 7am. It felt strange driving to the hospital to deliver a baby when I wasn't in labor yet. I mean, I was having some contractions, but nothing really consistent. Plus, I was nervous. I didn't really know anything about being induced. So, I didn't know what to expect. 

Once we got to the hospital and into our room, the nurse took a bunch of information. It took probably close to an hour. She then had me get dressed in my fashionable hospital gown and hooked me up to the monitors. They checked my cervix and decided to give me medication that thins out the rest of the cervix. Which was confusing to me because I thought the doctor had said I was thinned out enough. But, I let them do what they thought  best. I'm glad I did too! Because, it was enough to really kick start my contractions within a couple of minutes. Then maybe and hour later my doctor came in and decided to break my water. One of my least favorite parts. I laying in bed feeling like I just wet the bed. A lot. That water just keeps coming out, man! So uncomfortable. Anyway. Within another minute or two, my contractions intensified like crazy. Later on, I got an epidural. Which was nice. (: unlike the first time, I could still lift my legs. With Alister, I couldn't feel anything from the waist down. This time however, I was able to feel when I needed to start pushing. Which was very helpful actually. So, when that point came, I was able to push when I needed to. Unlike with Alister, where I had to be coached the whole time. 

So, I have to say, that even though pushing was extremely painful for me and I screamed a lot, the pain was absolutely beautiful. I've never been in that amount of pain before. Thankfully, Corbin was worth every minute of it. 😊 

When he finally arrived, we knew his name should be Corbin. We had struggled with deciding on a name the whole time. But, it was no question when we saw him. He was Corbin Joseph Briggs. 

Labor and delivery is, of course, hard. Any of us who have had children know, that all that pain, is well worth it. And, with out hesitation, we would do it all over again if we had to. Because when you meet your little prince (or princess) you know you would do anything for them. ❤️

Morning of delivery

Delivery Room