The Greatest Gift

She's here! She's here!! I can't believe it but Hannah Elizabeth Bowman is finally here and I couldn't be more excited and happy!

The story:
On Sunday Sept. 2nd, I was feeling really good! We went over to Sean's parents for dinner and we even went for a little walk up to the cemetery where Grandpa Bowman was buried (it was just up the street). When we were headed home I was feeling kinda bloated and thought that I just ate too much. We got home and relaxed for a while then decided to go to bed. We rolled into bed about 10:30p.m. Sean had been sleeping in the spare room because he really needs his sleep for work and I toss and turn too much and keep waking him up. So anyway, about 11 I woke up and took some tylenol because I wasn't feeling well at all. I went back to sleep and woke up at 11:45 with this huge pain in my stomach. At first I thought I was constipated and had to go to the bathroom. So I tried and nothing happened. So, I went back to bed again. Then another huge pain came again around midnight. I got up and waddled down to the spare bedroom, bent down to wake up Sean thinking that I might be in labor. He woke up immediately and was so cute! He said, "ok, ok, we can do this, let's go to the hospital, let me get my contacts in and we can get your bag, oh and we need to call the midwife on call." By then I had sat back up and this flood of water come out and I said "oh man, I think my water just broke". This is when Sean kicked it into gear! It was So cute!
We called the midwife and she said not to go to the hospital till my contractions were 5 minutes apart. By then they were! So, we got all of our stuff situated and headed to the hospital. (P.s. all you women who give birth naturally, I salute you! I'm a pansy!) As we were driving to the hospital I told Sean that maybe we should go back home till my contractions were closer together, and when I said that he turned the car around, then had to stop cause I had the hardest worst contraction ever! Then he turned back around and we were at the hospital (we only live down the street from the hospital). As we were headed up to the Labor and Delivery floor I kept having contractions. When they put me in my room, they checked my cervix, when they did this a huge gush of water came out and that apparently was the rest of my water breaking haha! I was dilated to a 4 so they said to hold tight till they got me a room and the nurse said I could have my epidural whenever I wanted. Sean looked at me and said, "She'll have it now" it was so funny!
When we got to our room it was about 2:30AM. The epidural guy ( his name was Rick) came up and gave me my epidural. He was awesome! He talked his way through the whole thing and when he was putting the numbing stuff in, he said "And there's the happy stuff" we all laughed pretty hard. He was funny :)
Sean and I tried to get some rest which was off and on. By 5:00AM I was only dilated to a 5. The nurse said that they were going to give me pitosin because the epidural had slowed my progress way down. When they gave me pitosin it made me sick and I started throwing up so they then gave me liquid zofran ( great great stuff!) by 6:30AM I was dilated to an 8 and they took the pitosin off. At about 8:30AM I had made it to a 10. The midwife said she wanted me to sit at a 10 for a bit to stretch out down there so labor would be easier and I wouldn't need an episiotomy. At 9:30AM they checked me again. By now I was feeling a lot of pressure down there and was really feeling an urge to push. When they checked I was at a 2+. So the midwife said it was time!
At 9:40AM I started pushing. Sean was with me the whole time and was so sweet and supportive throughout the whole thing.He was such a good coach. He was amazing. I gave three rounds of three good pushes, 9 total, and by 9:56AM our beautiful wiggly sweet baby was born!!! She weighed 8 pounds 11 ounces and was 20 inches long. I can't even begin to tell you the amazing humbling feeling that overcame me as I saw this beautiful daughter of mine. It overwhelms me that she is the closest thing to Heaven and she's ours!
They then sent Daddy (Sean) and baby Hannah to go get cleaned up. Meanwhile I was being checked and I only had to have one stitch!!! Glorious day I tell you! The midwife Erica said she'd never seen someone have only one stitch their first time giving birth (I think she said that to make me feel good) but I was ecstatic!
Later our little bundle of joy came up with her Daddy. I cried and cried. It was the most amazing experience and feeling I'd ever felt. I felt like the Lord had given me the greatest gift anyone could ask for. She was and is perfect. I knew right then and there I couldn't and wouldn't do anything to hurt or disappoint her. I'll never fail her. I never knew you could love someone so much in such a short time. I feel so humbled, honored, and blessed to have her in my arms. It's truly the greatest gift! And Sean, holy cow. I know I love him but I never knew my love would go above and beyond! I love him more now than I ever have in my life! It's crazy beautiful :) We both feel like our family is complete (for now) like she's always been with us. Words can't even describe.
So, there's the story! Here are some pictures of our little love bug, I'll write more later :)

only a few minutes old !
All clean :)
My sweetheart :)
In our room :)
Proud Daddy, this picture always makes me tear up!
Our beautiful little lady and piece of heaven, right after she ate :)

38 Weeks

Here we are!!! 38 weeks. 14 days and counting until this little one graces us with her presence :) Unless she decides to come sooner... (here's hoping!) Anyhoo, I had my 38 week check up today and everything is well. I'm dilated to a 3 now which is great! But, I have a feeling I'll be here a while but who knows, this waiting game is ridiculous!!!

I came across this picture of Sean and I clear back in 2008 when we weren't even dating, we just worked together. It made me laugh! Here's to us, future parents LOL!

Halloween 2008. Future Mommy and Daddy of Baby Hannah! The Rock Band boy and the dodge ball player. Haha!
And here we are, 38 weeks! Ta-da!

Here... We.... Go!!!!!

Crazy news this week. I've actually known for a while but haven't been able to say anything... but now I can! It's official! I have a new calling in our ward! Bishop called Sean and I in for an interview a few weeks ago. BotH Sean and I thought that Sean would be getting a new calling being that I was 5 weeks away from having a baby so we didn't sweat it too bad.

When we got into the Bishop's office he asked how we were doing and such. It was great catching up with him and getting to know him just a little better, even though he and his family live right next to us :)

When he got down to business, he was very calm and quiet. He looked straight at me and said "Sister Bowman, we'd like to extend a new calling to you" both Sean and I were a little shocked but of course he caught our attention. Then he asked if I would accept the calling of being the new Yong Women's President. My jaw dropped! I was shocked! I even think I said "are you serious?!" I started crying! I've wanted to work with the Young Women since Sean and I got married! I of course accepted and Sean of course backed me up. It was such a neat experience for both Sean and I definitely a bit shock of course.

I told Bishop I'd love to work with the Young Women and asked about what to do when our baby comes. He said it'd all work out and I truly believe and know that it will.

So now, here we are 2 weeks to my delivery date and finally got sustained as the Young Women's President in our ward! I am very very excited but very very nervous. Another blessing in our lives! I know it'll take some getting used to and it'll be hard at first being a new mommy, being a wife, and new Young Women's President but it'll work out. Bishop gave me a great blessing when he set me apart for this calling. I have faith that it'll all work out and the Lord will help. I have GREAT counselors that I get to work with and can't wait! We have such a great bunch of Young Women in our ward that I know it'll be a great opportunity, experience, growth, and blessing. These Young Women are so much more prepared for life than I was at their age!! I only pray that I can be all that they need me to be.

That's all for now!

The Final Countdown!

I just had my 37 week check up. 21 days to go! Everything went well and Baby Hannah is right on track. I'm measuring at 37 weeks. I'm dilated to a 2.5 and about 75% effaced which is great! I thought I'd be stuck at a 1 from last week but it's nice to know there's progress happening! I can't wait to meet this little bundle of joy. I know it sounds funny but I really do tear up when I think about holding her for the first time. What a blessing it is that God has seen me fit to be the mother of this beautiful baby girl who hiccups all the time =). It's amazing to know she'll be ours, mine and Sean's, that we created her and she'll be ours forever and ever. It's the best feeling in the world! I love it when Sean's getting ready in the morning to go to work and I'm sitting on the bed talking to him. He'll touch my tummy and say "it's a baby!" and then he'll make a comment like "it'll be so great to have her here with us" or "she's gonna be so beautiful and chubby". It makes me smile! He's going to be the best Daddy ever. The way he interacts with his nieces and nephew warms my heart. This little girl is going to adore her Daddy!!

Other events in the Bowman Bunch are as follows: Anna got married!!! It's been a crazy week! Tuesday she went through the Temple for the first time. I unfortunately had been throwing up all morning and was concerned that there was something wrong with me, but low and behold I had a bad batch of watermelon, haha! Sean and I were able to make it to her endowment session and she looked so beautiful and happy! Chris is one lucky man and it really is so fun to see how much he adores her. On Wednesday Chris and Anna were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and there was such a neat spirit there. I am SO happy for them and they look so happy together! They had a dinner after the sealing and that was great! They are such a striking couple and so in love. It was great to be able to share their special day. Congrats Chris and Anna!!!

37 weeks and counting! 3 more weeks! Woot woot! If you're interested, got back to week 36 and see how much this baby has grown in just 7 days!!!!

Update

Last week at my 36 week appointment I was tested for the strep B test and all that fun stuff. I measured at 37 weeks and am dilated to a 1 and am 60% effaced! I know it doesn't mean much considering my body can stay dilated at a 1 for a while, but I was pretty excited because the midwife said not to get my hopes up being that this was my first baby, so when she told me I was already dilated and effaced, I was a little shocked :) This baby is coming soon!!! I can't wait!! I'm still expecting her to come around the 13th, so that way if she does decide to come early it'll be a great surprise!!! I just hope I don't go over, haha!

This week is a crazy week for us. Sean is starting teaching tomorrow. He's been so busy setting up his classroom and getting everything situated to be a great teacher. I know he'll do great! I'm sure he's nervous but I just know he'll be a great teacher. He is so dedicated!

Sean's youngest sister is getting married on Wednesday which is super exciting! We're so happy for her!

I have another Dr's appointment on Thursday. I'm at weekly visits with the Dr. now. It's getting so close!!!

That's all for now, hopefully ;)

36 Weeks

So I know I'm not technically 36 weeks till Thursday, but I had Sean take a picture of me so I could see the progress of how Baby Hannah is growing. I didn't think I had grown much, or I guess I don't feel like I've grown much because of the way my clothes fit but holy cow pictures do not lie! I'm amazed at how much this baby girl grows in two week increments! I have 4 weeks to go and am totally feeling it. Sean has to help me get up from the couch, my Braxton Hicks are much more consecutive, my hips hurt, and let's face it... I don't sleep much anymore :) I have to switch from side to side every hour or so. Sean has been so great through everything. He's so helpful and willing to do whatever to help or just make me feel comfortable. He's the best!

Last week when I was at Smith's getting some groceries, this cute lady came up to me and said "Can I just tell you that you look so beautiful pregnant." It totally made my day! I've been feeling quite large and in charge lately so hearing that from a complete stranger is kind of refreshing even if she was just being nice lol. Anyway, here's the update of the growing baby!

36 weeks! My face says it all lol

34 Weeks

Hello!!!!

Here we are again! Two weeks ahead! I'm at 34 weeks and everything looks great. Baby Hannah is right on track and kicking up a storm. She loves to stretch out now making my tummy look like a box :) it's kinda funny. I have one week left of school and I'm done!! Hallelujah! I can't wait! Just 6 more weeks (if this baby girl decides to come on time) till we meet our little sunshine. I can't wait!!

Sean is doing great. He's super busy and working his little heart out. He got the keys to his new classroom! He's interning this year and gets to teach 4th grade. Papa Bowman has been so great and helped Sean set up his classroom. It looks awesome!!!! I think he's pretty excited about it :)

Our one year anniversary is coming up this Friday. It's crazy to think that we've been married a year!!! It's been the best year ever and I couldn't be happier :) Sean is amazing and I am just so grateful and honored that he picked me to be his wife, soul mate, and eternal companion. I am the luckiest woman in the WORLD!!!!

Here's me at 34 weeks. Nice and plump lol