6 months and growing

I can hardly believe that Ansley is 6 months old now. She is truly amazing! Ansley has shown signs of the beginnings of rolling over for several weeks, but this past week she really began rolling over and likes it. She will just roll over onto her stomach now and smile up at you.. realizing she truly acomplished something. She has also said " ma ma " it was something very special.

The last week or so she has had a cold and little trouble with her ears. When I took her to the doctor they said that Ansley now weighs 15 pounds and is growing right on target.

This past Saturday I took her to Merle Norman to get her ears pierced. She did great only cried for a second, she's tough like her daddy. Ansley is now sitting in her high chair to eat and loves it, she can see all around while enjoying her meal.

She is very smart. She loves to swing and watch Wonder Pets. It is a very cute cartoon about a Guinea pig, duck and turtle that save animals in distress. When it comes on they sing this little song, and she turns right to the t.v. and begins to watch never taking her eyes of the t.v. There are times that I will sing the song to her and she will look around like " ok mama where is it ". I have posted a photo slide show below of some new pics that I have taken over the last few weeks.

I have been a busy girl!

I have been a busy girl the last few months. I keep Mommy going all the time and she Does not have time to write, so I will update you. Oh my how I have grown, at my last Dr. appt. 1 month ago I weighed 13lb and 2oz and was 23 1/2 inches long. My hair is growing as well. I have also learned to do some new things.

First and foremost I smile all the time. I am jabbering and squealing now, and take much delight in making noises. A few weeks ago I found out what and where my feet are, and I love to put them in my mouth. I have been swimming twice and I like the water, most of all I like showing off in my bikini. Mommy says I am a bathing beauty. I have a new gym that I like to play with on the floor. It lights up, plays music, and has Elmo on it. It makes me laugh alot.

My Baby dedication at church was 2 weeks ago, and I wore my pretty white dress and my Pastor gave me a nice white Bible with my name on it.

Today I tried solid food for the first time it was different. Mommy fixed me some rice cereal with banana. Daddy fed me for the very first time. It was messy but fun.

As you can see I have been a busy girl, and keeping Mommy and Daddy busy. I will be doing lots more for Mommy to write about, It will be time for my portraits again soon as well, I love you all.

love

Ansley Grace

ps. Here are some pictures of me over the last 2 months.

Growing like a weed

I am finding it difficult to keep up with her blog. She keeps me busy, as well as working a full time job and all the other things that take my attention. I will try to do better with it.

Ansley is growing like a weed. At her last Dr. appt 2 weeks ago she weighed over 9 lbs and has grown to 22 inches long. I am glad that she is finally filling out and has begun to grow out of some of her things. The latest thing that she is doing is cooing and smiling. Nothing was sweeter than the first time that she smiled at me when I was talking to her. Now I get those sweet smiles all the time especially when she gets excited. Ansley is holding her head up now and has become very observant to her surroundings. She enjoys her swing and bouncy seat tremendously. Getting a bath is becoming a favorite. She love the warm water on her skin. I am looking forward to all the milestones, but she is just growing so fast. When I look at her I can't believe how big she has gotten. My daughter brings great joy to my life.

Black & White Photos

1st months pictures

Wow! 1 month old

It is hard to believe that Ansley is a month old. Where did the time go? She is growing and filling out. I took her to the Dr. last Friday and she weights 8lb 2oz and is 21in long. My little girl has grown this last month. She is beginning to take notice of things. She enjoys listening to music, it will usually calm her. When I talk to her she will occasionally smile at me. Her new favorite past-time is her swing. She loves it!! as do I. It makes it easier for me to get a few things done.

Ansley is also starting to get somewhat of a schedule with her feedings and sleep. This has made it easier for me to take her out a bit more. She has had several outings. I took her to the mall last Friday and was able to find two outfits for her to wear for Easter. I am taking her to get her picture made sometime this week. It will be the first of many. I would like a portrait of her each month to mark the milestones.

This past Saturday Ansley got to stay with her Uncle Brad. My brother came up to visit and volunteered to watch Ansley while my mom and I went to the annual ladies day at church. Jason had to work so it was a chance for him to bond some with his niece. He enjoyed it.

Motherhood is great. I absolutely adore Ansley. She has brought so much joy and love to my life. Children are a great gift that God gives his children. Ansley is truly a blessing from God.

Ansley Grace

I am posting a slide show with various pictures from the hospital and since we have been home. I will try to update the blog as often as I can with all of Ansley's firsts that we will be experiencing.

Wed February 21st Ansley's Arrival

The day that we would meet our daughter had finally arrived. I was supposed to call to L&D at 5am to see when they would be ready for me to come. As usual I awoke around 3am that morning unable to sleep. I thing I was excited, nervous, and having 1000 other emotions. I was glad for the quite time just to myself that morning while Jason slept. I was able to spend some time thinking about how my life was really fixing to change. I thought about how long I had waited for this day, and the blessing that Jason and I were going to receive on this day. I thought of how I would remember it for the rest of my life. I was also able to pray and get close to God and ask him to hold my hand through out everything I was going to have to do.

I called at 5:00am and the nurse ask me to call back between 7:30-8am. Jason had woke up by then and I found myself very tired all of a sudden and went to lay back down until time to call again. I woke up to the phone ringing and it was the nurse at Dr. Cauthens office saying they had not gotten the call that I was at the hospital and I told her I was fixing to call because it was 7:45am. When I called the hospital they said come on it was time.

My mom followed Jason & I to the hospital. We arrived around 10:00am and I got checked in and sent to a L&D room. The nurses were waiting for me and all of a sudden things started happening fast. I changed into a gown, got hooked up to monitors and in the bed. Then came the thing I dreaded most getting the IV started. I tried to be really brave but it was horrible. having gotten stuck 4 times in various spots the IV tech finally got it started. I had told them to try a small needle from the get go and as they found out my veins would not accommodate the large needle they wanted to use. Having that behind me I got comfortable and waited for what was next.

Around 1:30pm or so Dr. Cauthen arrived and told me she was going to break my water and that I was dilated 3-4cm. Within minutes after she broke my water I started having major contractions. The nurses told me I could have the epidural when I wanted. I told them I would try to hold off because I wanted to experience this. Needless to say around 2:30pm I had Jason get the nurse to call for the epidural. The pain had gotten more than I could bear. Next came the other thing I had been dreading and scared about the whole pregnancy. Jason was there to hold me though the whole thing. I looked into his eyes and focused on being brave and trying to be still. Then all of a sudden and out of my control my leg kicked Jason under the arm. It was a strange feeling. I guess it was reflexes. I then began to feel instant relief. The nurse checked me and I was 5cm this was about 3:00pm I guess.

After getting settled back down with all the get-up that I had on I could relax. The family had arrived (Jason's parents, Angie, Jennifer, My brother and Rob) and they all made there predictions about when Ansley would be born and weight and such and decided to go get a bite to eat.
Jennifer stayed with me and I rested and talked with her a while as it seemed. The nurse came to check me again at about 4:15pm I guess and told me I was at 8.5cm. I was like what!!! It was happening so fast and they had not gotten back from eating. Jennifer called Jason and said that they needed to finish up and told him the details. When they got back it was not too long and Dr. Cauthen showed up about 5:00pm. She checked my progress and said it's time your at 10cm. I could not believe it in less than 7 hours and it was almost time to meet our daughter. Jason, both our mom's and Jennifer were going to be in the room when I delivered her and from then on things went fast. I started pushing with each contraction. It was amazing and I could not believe that I was doing this. Jason stayed by my side the entire time comforting me and coaching me " Good job honey " and then at 5:59pm Ansley Grace Cofield was born. Words can not describe the way I felt the first time I saw her and touched her when Dr. Cauthen placed her on my stomach. I heard her cry and was overcome with emotions too many to describe. I was holding my daughter the child that I had prayed that God would give me. It was the best feeling I had ever felt in my life. My eyes were filled with tears and then I saw the look on Jason's face. I will never forget it. Pure love....

They let Jason cut the umbilical cord and cleaned Ansley and wrapped her up for Jason to hold her. It was something special to see a father holding is daughter for the first time. God is so good....and he has been so good to us. After the took care of me and Ansley then all of our Family came in to see our little miracle. It was such a special time.

I can honestly say that giving birth is a amazing experience. It was easy for me without complications. I truly feel that God was there holding my hand the whole time and comforting me and that is what made it a piece of cake for me. Jason said I was such a trooper and he was proud of me. I could not have done it that easily had God not been in it.

Dr appt Monday Feb 19th

I went to the Dr. on Monday Feb 19th for my weekly appt. I was still not feeling well from the ordeal on Friday. I saw Dr. Cauthen and told her how I was feeling and she did her exam. For the last month I had been dilated 1cm since being put on bed rest on January 12th. When she examined me she found that I was almost 2.5cm. I told her I was miserable and in such discomfort, so from that she decided to induce me because I was 38wks. She called to the hospital and told me that they would be inducing labor on Wed. I didn't know if I should be relieved or scared. The decision had been made and now I had the relief of knowing that I would not be out somewhere and have my water break or go into labor. The only draw back is that it was decided when I would deliver and when Ansley's birthday would be. Instead of letting it just happen. I guess on the other hand that is the way God had decided so I let it be.

False Labor Friday Feb 16th

On Thursday night I decided to take the castor oil. We had finished cleaning and everything was in order and ready. I was expecting it to taste bad, but it didn't. I waited a little while and nothing. I thought this is a waste of time. Keep in mind though that for the last week and half I had been experiencing lower back pain and cramping. So we went to bed and as usual I was unable to sleep. I had also been waking every morning between 2a-3a. On Friday morning I awoke at about 2:30a and I was hurting. I got out of bed and decided I must just have to go to the bathroom, but that was not it. Then I began to cramp more, so I dealt with it till about 5a when Jason usually wakes up and he came downstairs to find me almost in tears. I was having pains and then it would stop. Now I will tell you that having not felt labor pains its hard to know what to expect. I did call my mom and Jason called into work and told them what was going on. My mom was getting ready for work when I called and told her what was going on she stayed on the phone and would help me count when I would have the pain. We established that they were 5mins apart and I told Jason by this time it was almost 7am so I decided to just wait and call the dr's office. I called at 9 and was told to go to the hospital. When we arrived and after being there a while the pain subsided and they gave me Iv fluids and something for pain. I was having contractions but they were not strong enough. We went back home and Jason told me that we should try to go walk that evening. So whole weekend Jason took me to the mall so I could walk, but all the while I was still not feeling good the cramping was still there and I just felt bad.

Valentines Day Wed Feb 14th

My sweet husband took me to Tokyo steakhouse for Valentines Day. We enjoyed a nice dinner together. While we were waiting for our table we chatted with this couple and she was asking me when I was due to deliver. I told her about it and how miserable I had been feeling, and she told me to get some castor oil to take and it would work to bring on labor. So low and behold Jason went by the store on the way home. I decided not to take it though for one I was scared and for another we still had stuff to do to get things ready at the house. So I decided I would wait a few days till we got everything done. I posted a picture that Jason took of me when we got home. As you can see I was about to pop...

Baby Shower

Baby Shower Sunday Feb 4th 2007

The baby shower was wonderful. Jennifer & Angie and all the people that helped make it beautiful did a great job. There were alot of people that came, I don't even have a good count. I know most of our family and friends attended though. It was good to spend time with everyone playing games and enjoying the good food.

I was overwhelmed by all the gifts that we received for our baby girl. It was such a blessing for us. She will be well dressed that is for sure. I have never seen so many baby clothes. I can hardly wait too see her wearing some of the outfits.

One of the things that we got for her was a time capsule. It is a beautiful trunk like box that her aunt Jennifer fixed for her. It was a good idea she came up with. Our family and friends gave things to place in there such as current events, Cd's, magazines, movies and etc. that are popular or taking place in the year 2007. Ansley is to open her time capsule on her 18th birthday. I know she will have a good laugh about some of the items and some maybe obsolete by then you never know. There are several things that Jason & I will add for her such as a Barbie and maybe a article of clothing that we wore. I think I will include a maternity shirt or something. It was a very cool idea.

Jason and I are truly blessed to have such wonderful family & friends and we thank everyone.

Baby Shower Pics

Church baby shower Jan 14th 2007

Jason & I are members of Happy Valley Baptist Church in Villa Rica and have been since October of 2004. We have a wonderful church family and look forward to the services each week. Our ladies group at church gave me a baby shower on Sunday January 14th. It was very nice of them to do. We always have showers for brides to be, expectant moms and housewarming parties for the members of our church. It means alot to Jason & I both to be part of a wonderful church that takes care of each other.

That is one thing that is important to us is to raise Ansley in church from the start. I want to teach her about God and Jesus and what it means to be a christian. Most of all I want to strive to do all the things that God asks of me as a parent when raising her. She is our blessing from God.

Church baby shower pictures

Ansley's room makeover

Jason decided that he wanted to work on Ansley's room. We talked about paint colors and after deciding on a color he got to work painting. He worked on it for about 3 weekends in a row. We had decided to paint the top portion of her wall a sage green and the bottom portion sage & white stripes with a chair rail. While Jason was working on her room he ask me to stay out. He wanted it to be a surprise and indeed I was. He worked so hard to get it just right and wanted it to perfect for his little girl. It meant alot to me that he took such care to get it just right. It looks wonderful. We still have a few things to finish. Ansley's paw-paw is painting her chest of drawers for her room and then we have to get things hung on the wall and are awaiting a few things that have been ordered. It will be a bright cheery space for her. I wanted to have other colors in her room aside from the traditional pink. Posted above are some pictures of her room.

Our daughter Oct 5, 2006

With this pregnancy, Dr. Cauthen wanted to take precautions, to ensure that if something was wrong we could catch it earlier on. I was to see a specialist as well as my routine ob visits. She sent me to Dr. Allen. It is at his office that I had all my ultrasounds done. Each month that I went they would look and check to see that the baby was developing without any problems. They would check the spine/skull/and brain.

On my appointment for Oct 5th we were going to be able to find out the gender of our baby. I remember Jason was so excited. He had set a plan into action, well I should say that Sherry was the one he put in charge. He wanted our immediate family and friends to be there when the announcement was made we were having a boy/girl.
It was too funny. He was very adamant that he wanted the Great-Grandparents to announce it. So at the office visit we (Jason, I, Sherry & David) watched the ultrasound and was told that the baby was developing fine and when it came to the part to find out-???? Jason said stop he didn't want us to look. He had the ultra-sound tech put the picture in a envelope sealed up. We left the office that day with 2 envelopes in hand.

Everyone was to meet at Wallace BBQ. I know its funny but we all enjoy eating there. Anyhow after everyone arrived and we had placed the orders the time had arrived after all the anticipation. A envelope was given to each set of Great-Grandparents and Sherry went around to get a tally of each person's guess. 14 or so said boy including Jason, I don't remember how many said girl 9 I think, and when she ask me something just said girl.. My best friend Jennifer was sure it was a boy, we had been jokingly calling the baby buster...Well drum roll ------ It's a girl... You should of seen Jason's parents dancing around. I just smiled somehow I just knew.. I can say that it didn't matter to me I just wanted to have a healthy baby this time, but I was glad to be having a daughter.
Here are the pictures of her showing out on the ultrasound

First Dr. visit July 10th 2006

I love my ob

Dr. Cauthen.

She was recommended to me by my friend Jennifer. Needless to say I wanted a new Dr. as well with this pregnancy. I just wanted everything to be different. So Jason & I went to the first appt. on July 10th. The pregnancy was confirmed and a due date of March 1st was given. I thought March....that seems like a long time from now. Funny now with only a few weeks left I feel as if I am running out of time. Here is our 1st picture of Ansley

How it all started...

I guess first of all I need to rewind several months ago to June 17 th. That was the day that I found out that our prayers had finally been answered.

I don't think that I will ever forget it. That was also the day that my Nanny was to start her chemo as well. I remember waking up that morning with an odd feeling that something was different. Kinda of like you know something is about to change. Anyhow that weekend I had some dizzy spells and I tried to dismiss them, but something in the back of my mind said you have felt this before. So needless to say when I awoke on Monday and was getting ready, I remembered that I had a pregnancy test from before. I did the test and laid it on the counter only to come back within 5 Min's to see two pink lines. I could not believe my eyes. I thought honestly that I was looking at it wrong. We had waited so long.. So on the way to my Nanny's house I went and got another test. As soon as I arrived at her house I did it again and the same answer looked back at me. PREGNANT.. I got one of the idiot proof kind. I called Jason and told him he was finally going to be a daddy again. We could not believe it.., but we were excited.

It had been not a long road, but a road indeed for us to get to this point again. Eighteen months prior we had lost our son due to anenchephaly. I was 4 1/2 months pregnant when we found out and were devastated. Afterwards it was difficult for me to get pregnant again, but I finally decided to go to the Dr. and she gave me a round of clomid fertility medicine I followed her instructions and it worked, but I believe that it was not without God having his hands at the wheel of the situation.

Ansley's blog

I decided to create a blog for Ansley. I was going to wait until after Ansley arrived, but thought it would be a way to journal my thoughts and things that happen before she makes her debut.

I wanted a way to share with family & friends, Ansley's milestones and all the things we will experience as family.