Hannah's Birthday

Monday July 27^th I woke up at 6:44 to an uncomfortable feeling. I woke up, moved around, got some breakfast and felt that same feeling again just after 7:10 am. This time I recognized that both feelings must be contractions. This continued every 30-45 minutes and I began to realize that in the next 24 hours things could really start to change. When Adam got up we began to give the house a good cleaning. I also took out my hospital bag and began to pack for real. All morning the contractions continued sporadically. After noon I noticed that the contractions were starting to become closer together going from 30-45 minutes apart to suddenly 15-20 minutes apart. I kept the waiting grandma’s informed. My mom was all packed and ready to jump in the car at any minute. I didn’t really want anyone to come out just to have to head home. As of Friday I was only dilated to 2-3 and was at 60% effaced…but I’d been that way for two weeks! I couldn’t be progressing too fast. Like a good girl I knew that I should wait at least two hours with the contractions between 3-5 minutes apart before heading to the hospital. The contractions were becoming closer, stronger, faster! By 2pm they were defiantly 2-3 minutes apart. I told my mom she was ok to come. She said she’d take a power nap and head out. I tried to stay calm and comfortable and wait out the next few hours. My goal was to wait until 5 or 6 pm and then head to the hospital…by four O’clock I was done waiting and told Adam he needed to take me.

At this point I was dying to just get an epidural. From everything I’d been told I knew I had to at least be at 4cm before they like to give it out. Somehow I walked up to Labor and Delivery and told them I needed to be checked. The lady asked the reason (as I’m holding onto her counter with white knuckles) and I told her I was in labor. They quickly got me into room seven and my nurse said she’d check me as soon as she got all my information. She was pretty quick and Adam sat there helpless. She checked me and said “ooh looks like you are at 5-6 cm. “Great so can I have the epidural,” I asked quickly. She smiled and told me she’d call the anesthesiologist right away and that I was doing great…hang on…(did I have a choice?). Thankfully she was so quick to get the anesthesiologist I wasn’t ready for him yet. The nurse was trying to get my IV in (failed the first time…ouch) so I wouldn’t be dehydrated for the epidural. I’d like to bare my testimony that I know epidurals come from God. Once that was in I couldn’t stop smiling! Adam was amazed! I was amazed. I could still feel my legs although movement was limited. I could relax and enjoy the rest of the labor! An hour and a half after she checked me she came to check me again…I was at 9 cm. Hannah’s grandma’s were both rushing to the hospital and she was coming faster than we all though. She said she would break my water (I was about to ask her not to so that it would go a little slower for the grandma’s to stand a chance) but it broke on its own. About 8 O’clock they did a few practice pushes with me and went to call the Dr. Luckily they said Hannah was handling everything so beautifully and I was contracting so long and frequently that it would be fine to let her descend for a little bit. We called the grandma’s and let them know to hurry up! They were both equal distance away. The race was on…would they make it!?!

It was time to start to push for real because the doctor was on his way. It was really an incredible experience to be able to have a mirror and watch everything. The minutes were ticking by and they were having me start pushing. Suddenly my Mom and Megan walked in the door (and Megan- seeing me giving birth promptly turned around and walked out). Thirty seconds later Dr. Harter walked in and it was time to get down to business! Kris was on the phone while I was pushing- she went to the hospital very near ours on accident and arrived just a little after Hannah did.

It was the most incredible thing to watch her coming into the world. On the last push (At 10:28) she literally popped right out and surprised us all (Dr. Harter started yelling to stop pushing). I couldn’t even describe the feeling when they put her on my chest and I saw her beautiful face. I was shocked to see it. My first impression was that she looked like my baby pictures. As I examined her I started recognizing Adam’s facial expressions. She gave a good loud cry for a moment and when they placed her on my chest she promptly stopped wide eyed and just started looking all over the room. Adam came over and held her hand. Suddenly our family was a little more complete.

After that I don’t know what was happening with me. I just watched the nurse take Hannah and care for her over by the warmer. They weighed her in at 8lbs 4oz. 18.5 inches long (what a chubster!)

She is such a perfect baby. She only fusses when necessary and is patient with us even as we change her diaper (although she does give us a look of annoyance). Her hair is hilarious! She has so much thick, long, dark hair. She is a pro nurser…she latched right on! What a natural. We love her so much! I’ve never felt so wonderful before. It’s amazing watching Adam’s eyes light up whenever they are together. I’m grateful for her quick, safe delivery and for everyone’s love and support! We feel it here and I know Hannah knows how much she is loved.

Hannah Elizabeth Turney

We have a new addition to our little family. Hannah Elizabeth Turney was born Monday night.
Weight: 8 pounds 4 ounces
Length: 19 inches
Time: 10:28 PM
Date: Monday, July 27, 2009

We are incredibly happy and excited with how adorable and peaceful Hannah has been so far. We will be able to bring her home on Wednesday. We are also grateful that our mothers were able to travel so quickly to be at the hospital to share this special moment with us. They have been a huge help with all the new things we must learn as new parents.

Happy (early) Anniversary!

August 5th marks our three year anniversary! This year is going to be different from the last two celebrations. The first year we headed off to Southern California, went to Disneyland and hung out on the beach for a week, and saw the Faith Hill/Tim McGraw concert I'd been dying to see. Last year we held off on celebrating for a couple weeks and got to go to San Fransisco. This year...we will be parents.

I figure I better post this now because I'm not sure how motivated I will be to blog with a brand new baby but I wanted to express my love for Adam and celebrate our eternal companionship.

This year I have learned to love Adam so much more and our relationship has become different. We've grown to love and respect each other in different ways. Adam has always taken really great care of me, but almost took over after I got pregnant. I think the reason I've had such a pleasant pregnancy is because of the way my husband has treated me. It's been a pretty huge year and we've had to turn to each other more than in the past and we've grown closer together. The third year has defiantly been our best so far! Some of the highlights include:

Baby Hannah (soon to be!)
The Pregnancy
Adam graduating with his first Masters Degree in Educational Leadership
Buying our first home together
A fabulous trip to New York

Life just keeps getting better and better! We are so grateful to be married in the temple and can't wait to see what the future brings!

Pictures of the Vegas Baby Shower

I needed to catch up and post on the baby shower Rosalie threw for me. First I have to say...this shower was one of the greatest gifts anyone has ever given me! As you can see it was absolutely beautiful and Rosalie worked for MONTHS getting everything prepared. She is so creative and talented as you can see by the pics. We had such a great time!

Not only did she throw the shower in Vegas...she planned and prepped almost entirely from California. Luckily some dear friends and ward members helped her out via phone and messages through most of it! Christeine Reynolds provided the house, Joy and Joanna provided food (and an amazing rattle shaped cake) and it was so incredible!

Last Little Moments

Last night I spent the evening watching movies and finishing homework while Adam worked at the Keith Urban concert. As luck would have it, he got to come home early (about 10:15 pm) and I was still awake.

As soon as he walked through the door he quickly instructed me to get dressed and told me we were going on a date. I threw on something while he changed out of his work clothes and we ran to the car.

The weather in Vegas has been strange...while it is still 112 degrees outside their are clouds and rain and strange desert occurrences. Adam LOVES lightning storms and this night it was all over the valley.

We got in the car and Adam bought us a Tropical Smoothie to share (while I was there a little three year old girl said "look at her baby mommy" and she kept pointing at me while the embarrassed mom tried to get her to calm down ...when I got up to leave and we walked passed her she said "oooh it's a BIG baby!" too cute!). We love Tropical Smoothie~ one of our favorite treats!

So with our smoothie in hand we drove to a secluded place off the road where it was just us and the desert and we watched the lighting storm and just hung out together. It was so impulsive of Adam and romantic that even nine months pregnant I didn't mind being dragged out of bed!

It got me thinking that these were the last little moments we would have as Adam and Melissa. I know that may sound dramatic but it is true. In less than two weeks (or REALLY less than two weeks) the two of us will leave our home and come home three. Of course we will still have alone time, couple time. We will still go on dates and we will still have trips to the desert in a lightning storm. Someday our kids will be grown up and we will have the rest of Eternity with each other but we will NEVER be the same again. If I'm making this sound negative it is not meant to be. I know that it will be a beautiful, wonderful adventure and I am so grateful for it. Things are always meant to change and grow and it is time for us to do the same. I can't wait for little Hannah to join us!

I wanted to avoid this post...

until we were done with everything but I can't...we are all moved in (with the exception of pictures hanging and setting up Hannah's room which will be done today.)

I love our new home! It is clean and beautiful and ours! Everything is great!

I had a Dr. apt yesterday and he told me not to count on Hannah waiting until the 31st so now I am frantically getting everything ready for school...trying to complete all my assignments and send them in...just in case. Adam wishes she'd just wait until I was induced on the 31st because he doesn't want a dramatic moment where my water breaks or something and I have to decide it is time to go to the hospital. He is really freaking out lol.

I'm going to go make breakfast and then serve it to myself (and Adam) in bed.

Fail Blog

For some reason as humans we tend to enjoy the pitfalls of others...especially if we don't know them. I was led to this blog a while ago and I am addicted now. Whenever I need a smile or a laugh or even a good Guffaw I mosey on over to www.failblog.org and get a few laughs...I would suggest turning on the G rated pics and movies (we all know a good clean laugh is the best kind of laugh) option that is at the top left corner in blue. Here are a few that I found particularly awesome:

Three weeks away!

I'm getting very excited!!! I'm now 37 weeks pregnant and anxiously awaiting the arrival of Hannah Elizabeth. I can tell there is not much room in there for her as her movements have slowed and seem to be attempting to stretch more than just swim around.

I really would love to get through next week and if I can do that then I won't be afraid of going into labor. We move in next Wednesday and with any luck we will be completely moved in by Friday with just a few things here and there. Saturday we are getting our baby furniture (Adam is very excited to assemble it) and I can finally start nesting Ha!

I can't believe how fast it has all gone! Pregnancy truly is a blessing disguised as a curse and I've had a very lucky one. Aside from the morning sickness I've had a perfect pregnancy. I am excited to hold her in my arms and kiss her little face! I want her to wrap her little fingers around mine and I want to memorize her features. It won't be long now!

Terry Turney

I don't think I've ever done a post about my Father in Law. I was just thinking about him while listening to the song "He Didn't Have to Be" by Brad Paisley. Whenever I hear this song, or whenever it comes on Adam always says "This is my Dad's song." Although Kris and Terry had grown up around each other, they didn't hook up until after Terry's mission. By that time, Kris was a single mom with two boys (Adam and Austin). Terry married Kris and acquired two small boys (who would be joined by a third about ten months after they were married).

Terry is a great Dad. He legally adopted Adam Whiting when he was about five years old and has loved him and been a better dad to him than many biological fathers. One day when walking out of a movie Adam said randomly "One of the best things my mom ever did for me was marry my dad." As I've been thinking about Adam becoming a father I know that our Hannah will be so blessed because of her grandpa Terry and his presence in the life of little Adam.

Terry is Mr. Fix it. He can build or fix anything and has taught Adam to be very self reliant in that way. Whenever something is broken or Adam finds that it is time for a little home improvement, he always calls his dad.

A few months ago Terry decided that he was going to try to call his sons who had moved out on Sundays. Adam really enjoys talking to his Dad and Terry spends the conversation time trying to get to know his sons better. On my first birthday as Melissa Turney, Terry called and said that he never really called anyone on their birthday but decided he better start and he was going to start with his new daughter in law.

Anyway...I'm grateful for Terry. I have a great father in law. If you haven't heard the song mentioned above here are the lyrics:

When a single mom goes out on a date with somebody new
It always winds up feeling more like a job interview
My momma used to wonder if she'd ever meet someone
Who wouldn't find out about me and then turn around and run

I met the man I call my dad when I was five years old
He took my mom out to a movie and for once I got to go
A few months later I remember lying there in bed
I overheard him pop the question and prayed that she'd say yes

And then all of a sudden
Oh, it seemed so strange to me
How we went from something's missing
To a family
Lookin' back all I can say
About all the things he did for me
Is I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be

I met the girl that's now my wife about three years ago
We had the perfect marriage but we wanted somethin' more
Now here I stand surrounded by our family and friends
Crowded 'round the nursery window as they bring the baby in

And now all of a sudden
It seemed so strange to me
How we've gone from something's missing
To a family
Lookin' through the glass I think about the man
That's standin' next to me
And I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be

Lookin' back all I can say
About all the things he did for me
Is I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be

Yeah, I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be
Because he didn't have to be

Out of the mouth...

I am enrolled in school summer session and one of my classes is on site at an elementary school so we can tutor individual students one on one. During our class I went to go use the restroom and not wanting to walk allll the way to the faculty lounge I went to the student bathroom.

As I was leaving, about six third or fourth grade students walked into the bathroom and spotted me washing my hands. They were all staring. Apparently they have never seen a pregnant woman before...anyway...one started a conversation:

Girl: Woah are you pregnant?!?

Me: Yep, I'm having a little girl in three weeks

Girl (shocked): WHAT GRADE ARE YOU IN?!?!!!

Me:....

Me:....

Me:...College

Also...When people, random or familiar as they may be, come up to talk to me they seem to only have stories of babies dying. Why. Why would you walk up to a pregnant woman and tell her about a friend of theirs who recently had a baby and a few days later it passed away...or was stillborn?

Three more weeks of all this...craziness

More than words can express...

For those who have not heard about our house ordeal...

Last Wednesday, five days before we were supposed to close on our brand new home we got a call letting us know that the house had been appraised for 14,353 dollars less than the original list price. KB Home wanted us to make up the difference of the cost up to 14,000 dollars or let the contract laps and we would sadly lose the home.

After falling into discouragement and fear (as we have to evacuate our current home on the 16th of July with our baby on the way by the 31st) we had to humble ourselves and turn to family and friends for help praying for a miracle. We immediately got to our knees and began to pray. We knew we were asking for a miracle. After doing some research and investigation we found that KB Home usually would cover most of the loss, up to 10,000 dollars. We still couldn't cover the 4,000 as we still need to pay for the rest of our down payment.

We found comfort at the temple, and were even impressed with a name for our baby girl...Hannah Elizabeth, which means God's Grace and God's Promise. We were comforted in the accommodations our landlady was willing to provide to us, we were comforted when my cousin Jeremy, who is in real estate called with options and support. We knew our family was faithfully praying and although I couldn't fast, Adam fasted for a miracle.

Today we received the amazing news that KB Home would take the entire loss at no cost to us. Although they were not able to adjust the appraisal, they agreed to letting us have the home. We feel so blessed. Last Wednesday I posted one of my favorite Hymns on the blog. There were a few lines in the song that have stood out to me. The first comes from the second verse: We'll love one another and never dissemble. I've felt so much love and unity from my family, friends, ward members, and especially Adam. The second line comes from the third verse: In faith we'll rely on the arm of Jehovah- I've never had to depend more on the Lord than this last week.

This week has given us perspective and served as a reminder that everything we have comes from God. Every blessing comes from Him. The promise of paying tithing, having a missionary, and having faith has paid off...nevertheless we know that if the desires of our hearts had not been given to us, we KNOW that it was because it was not supposed to happen that way. We know that Heavenly Father loves us if we were able to get into the home or not and that we would be protected and cared for. Although I almost went into labor about a thousand times :) I am grateful for the experience of this week.

Hannah Banana

Hannah was a name we had never considered. It was quite a shock to both of us to have chosen it. I just wanted to mention that Hannah means "The Grace of God" or "God's Grace" and Elizabeth means "God's Promise."

Today after baring my testimony in church, one of the men in my ward who I don't know well approached me and said "I hope you know that Heavenly Father is sending one of his choice, most precious spirits to you." It was such a sweet thing to say. I've been thinking a lot about her little body...her fingers and toes, her lips and her skin, who she will look like, who's eyes she will have...etc. When he said that to me, I realized there is so much more to look forward to...the kind of person she will be, her personality, her mind...so much to get to know about who she is, who she has always been, and who she will become.

I'm excited to know you Hannah Banana!

Baby Update and Baby Name

I'm getting ready!!! I had a Dr. Appointment today and was surprised to learn that I'm 1.5 cm and 50% effaced! He told me that as long as I take it easy over the next four days (so that I make it to 36 weeks) than I could go into labor anytime after that.

My gut tells me it will still be at least three weeks. I'm being induced on July 31st regardless of what happens (four weeks from Saturday) so that I can have three weeks with her before I have to go back to school for student teaching...Dr. says he'll be surprised if I even go that long.

Keep us in your prayers that the house stuff will be taken care of...and that we will either be moved into the new house, or that we will have an answer and reached a conclusion with the house drama and be all unpacked in our current house before she comes. We are praying hard!!!

Update: While in the temple today we both felt impressed by a name that was being sealed. After discussing our feelings about the name in the Celestial Room we both agreed, happily, that we finally had her name. She will be known as Hannah Elizabeth Turney. It sure feels good to finally have a name for a precious girl...now we don't have to worry about that anymore.

Bright Spot in a Bad Day

At Women's Conference I learned something new about a Hymn that I hadn't before. I think I posted about it...but I'll do it one more time.

"This hymn was written by William W. Phelps in 1833 shortly after a mob came into Independence, Missouri, and threw Brother Phelps' wife and baby out into the street, destroyed the press which was housed on the upper floor of the home, and burned all the books and papers inside. Later, over two hundred homes were given much the same treatment. This brutal incident was the inspiration for this powerfully comforting song, which was also sung at the dedication of the Kirtland temple. I'm so amazed at Brother Phelps' ability to look past the horrendous treatment he and his family had suffered and to concentrate on the blessings that would arise from the trial."

None of us can comprehend what the pioneers went through...but we all have days where disappointment and discouragement chase us. If we look to the example of the pioneers, imagining them singing this beautiful song to the Lord with faith, than our perspective changes and we too can rejoice and have gratitude in our hearts come what may. I'm grateful for their faithful examples to help push me through trying times.

Happy Birthday Grandpa T!

Today is my Daddy's birthday. I have a great Daddy...and in a month he is going to be an awesome Grandpa. Here is a story of why I love my dad, and why he's going to be an awesome grandpa:

The other day he called to see if I knew that it was important not to leave a baby in the car alone, especially during the summer..."yes Dad"...just to make sure he wanted to let me know that its more important to wake the baby up and carry her inside than to let her sleep..."yes Dad"...and for good measure he let me know that it was more important for my new ice cream to melt in the car while I'm unloading my groceries than to take it inside before I get the baby...already looking out for our baby girl.

I'm grateful for my dad! I know he prays for me every day, I know he is proud of me for no other reason than me just being me. I know I can always turn to my Dad and that he still seems to have all of life's answers, even if they do come out as long drawn out state of the union addresses :) I have the greatest Dad and I love him and I hope he has the best birthday ever. This year, he turns twice my age, which means he has 24 years of parenting experience to bestow upon me, and he has been my dad for half his lifetime. I truly hope that the little girl inside of me loves her Daddy, and has as great of a relationship with Adam as I do with Mim.

Love you dad!

(As a side note: My dad took me to a movie about twenty years ago now (maybe 21 years) and every time I see this picture I think of the last line of that movie which is "I love you daddy" followed by a song "now we can walk...now we can run..." name that movie)