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Mia's Room - Final Reveal

I was working on this post before we unexpectedly had to go to the hospital to have Maise.  I promised to reveal Mia's big girl room when I finished it so here it is! It is finally complete.

Remember the inspiration room?
Here is how Mia's room turned out. Certainly not as foofy and perfect as the picture and there are still some small tweaks I want to make (like getting rid of that ugly chest!), but all in all I am pretty happy with it. And most importantly, Mia loves it.  She hasn't missed her old room at all.
The pictures are terrible.  They don't do the room justice. I really must learn how shoot better photographs...
...or get a better camera...


I splurged on the window sheers and bedding from Pottery Barn, but it really makes the whole room, don't you think? I love how the wall decals turned out too.  Another Pottery Barn splurge.

There is still some work to be done on the walls. There is still a lot of blank space and I am looking for something else to go above her bed, but this is pretty much the final product. This much color is a HUGE step away from my neutral comfort zone. But for a little girl's room, I really like it.






We have not forgotten about Maise's room. I am equally happy with the way it is turning out.  So nice and cozy and warm. But it is also still a work in progress put on temporary hold due to all the family in town.  But here is a sneak peek...

A Very Thankful Turkey Day

She is here!
Maise Alice Schnelle
Born November 16, 2011 @ 2:41 am
8lbs, 1oz
20 inches long

And boy did she ever make an entrance.

She was due on November 18th, but since I had gestational diabetes, the doctor felt that we should induce a few days early. At my check-up on Monday, I was starting to show signs of problems with the placenta due to sporadic blood sugars. One minute I would have high blood sugars for no good reason, and the next crash very low which could mean that the placenta is about to give out. So it was decided to check into the hospital that very night. We figured we would have a baby sometime Tuesday.

At the hospital, they gave me medication to help my cervix soften. I began to have minor contractions right away which made for a pretty sleepless night. All of us figured that once they began the Pitocin in the morning, I would progress pretty fast.

Fast forward to noon on Tuesday and I didn't have much change. My cervix had softened but not dilated at all and baby had not dropped into the birth canal. So we waited....

and waited....
and waited.
Finally, our mom's went home to take care of Mia.

At 6pm, things changed. My water broke and contractions began coming fast and hard. After what seemed like an eternity, the doctor came in to check and I had dilated to a 5 so we ordered the epidural and expected to have a baby within a couple of hours.

I have a love/hate relationship with epidurals. Boy to I love them, but boy, do I hate getting them.

8pm comes and goes. 9pm, 10pm. Nothing. Then the baby begins to get distressed. Her heart rate began to go up and down and she still hadn't dropped into birthing position. The doctor began to worry that the placenta was indeed finally breaking down. And, at this point, after no food and no sleep for almost 36 hours, I was beginning to worry if I had it in me to even do my part. Finally, around 1:30am the doctor checked my progress and confirmed something was wrong with the baby's position and she was starting to go into distress.

"c-section STAT!"

That is when things started to fly. Within 15 minutes, I was in the operating room. Exhausted and hungry, both Gabe and I struggled to hold on. Gabe with worry and wooziness, me with staying awake and not going into a panic attack. But soon enough, we heard the tiny cries of a baby. Finally!
But gestational diabetes reared its ugly head again. Going so long without food, Maise's blood sugar had dropped dangerously low and she was whisked off to the NICU (neo-natal intensive care unit) where she would stay for two days.
It is such a strange feeling to be recovering from child birth with no baby to hold. I began to think about the moms who give their babies up for adoption or have some other reason they can't be with their babies. What a horrible feeling.

Once I was able to sober up and walk around, they wheeled me into the NICU to hold my sweet baby. Finally, on Thursday evening she was released from the NICU in good health and able to stay with us.

Now we are home. Happy and healthy. I continue to recover but it is a slow process due to a problem with my incision, but I am confident it will happen soon. In the meantime, we are very happy to have our mothers here with us. Both have been a tremendous help! We are both a little nervous for them to leave!

Mia has taken to Maise very well and has been a proud, loving and helpful big sister!


This Thanksgiving is truly a special one with so much to be thankful for. We hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween 2011 in Pictures

Oh, this is getting fun! Mia is now old enough to really start getting it when it comes to holidays. This Halloween is just the beginning and we sure had fun!

The main event was Sunday when we went to the local Trunk or Treat in the town square.

Mia's friend, Summer, came over to take part in the fun. They were both really excited.


















The place was a zoo! I think the entire town turned up. The line was a full city block!


















We hit the ground running. Literally....


















At nine months pregnant, this was a challenge for me to keep up with, but I fared pretty well. I didn't want to miss a minute of this!
































In the car on the way over, Mia said she wanted to get a blue sucker. And by golly, she got one!..
















Mia was quickly becoming a pro...














Apparently, they know each other...




















Doin' the jig. This is one happy girl on a sugar high...
























Tonite, we took her trick-or-treating in a neighborhood around her daycare. She took to it like a moth to a flame. Going up to doors like she had been doing it for years...


















She was enthralled with the decorations...
























Even with a bag full of candy, she chose to munch on an apple. Love it!...
























Of course, getting her bag of candy away from her was a challenge, but I would say she loved Halloween this year. I can't wait to see what awaits next year. Until then, it looks like this girl is really going to have fun this holiday season!

Pumpkin Patch 2011

It's that time of year again! Pumpkin Patch time!

This is the 4th year in a row we have gone to Johnson Family Farm Pumpkin Patch. Each year it gets more fun.

The first year we went, I was pregnant with Mia. We didn't take any pictures.

The second year was Mia's first experience. She couldn't walk yet...


Last year, Mia was talking and walking, but not quite sure of the whole thing...

This year, Mia had a blast.
She loved the hay bail maze. Good training for the big corn maze!
There is so much to do here. There is a large petting zoo, lots of kids activities and play areas, good food, music, and just plain fun for all.

Then it was time to get serious. Pumpkin pickin' time!
But all that play before meant a tired Mia so we didn't pick for long.
Still, I think everyone was happy with the loot.

We love this family tradition and can't wait for next year when two little girls partake in the fun!