Harry Hank Nuse June 29, 2011

Harry Hank's Story

On Monday I went to the doctor to have a check up before Adam was scheduled to leave town Tuesday afternoon returning on Thursday. He had some meeting in San Antonio. I went in and the doctor let me know I was dilated to a 3. She said if it was her she would not want her hubby 2 hrs away, especially being a 3rd baby. So Adam decided to skip the meeting and stay close. On Tuesday I took the girls to school and had a huge burst of energy so I....went the the store, cleaned out closets, made dinner (which entailed a list long of ingredients) cleaned the entire house and finished all the laundry. I told Adam I felt like he could go because I was feeling so great but didn't want to risk it. He got home from work at about 5:30 we ate and decided to go to our neighbors house to tell them bye before they left for month. As we were over there I started cramping and getting light headed. In my mind it was the end of the day and I was just worn out. I kept feeling strange so I told them we needed to get the girls home to bed. We weren't in the door 2 seconds when I told Adam he was on his own for bedtime and that I needed to sit down. I glanced at the clock and it was 7:10pm. As I was sitting I realized I was contracting about every 10 minutes. I had been having lots of contractions for the past month but nothing that was super regular. I was sure this was just another one of those nights. I remembered reading to take a shower and move around to get the contractions to go away so I did that. Jumped in the shower but there was not relief. Adam finished putting the girls to bed and I told him what was going on, by now I was having contractions every 10 minutes for about an hour. We decided to watch a movie and continue to watch the clock. It is so amazing how God just does everything so perfectly....every 10 minutes now for another 30 minutes, then it went down to 7 minutes and felt to get stronger. The doctor had told us since we live a little bit out of town that if you have consistent contractions for 7-10 minutes for 2 hours to come in. I was handling the contractions better than I thought and didn't want a false alarm so I kept telling Adam let's wait - as he kept saying let's pack out bags. At about 11pm we realized these were not going away and we needed to call our good friends the Milams to have one of them come sleep at our house while we made the trip to the hospital. Michael came over and we were out the door.

We arrived at the hospital around 11:30 and they hooked me up to the monitor. By 1:30am my contractions were 3-6 minutes apart for another 2 hours. Then THEY STOPPED. That's right after about 6 hours of contractions they went away. I was in shock, hadn't seen the doctor yet and was fearing they would say it was false labor. The doctor on call happened to be my doctor. They said she would be around in the morning. Adam and I slept as best we could and I realized about 5am the contractions were picking back up. I am still not sure but thankful that Hank gave us one more good nights rest. Dr. Doucet came in about 9 and said "It's Game Time - you are in Labor!" I was so thankful to know it was the real deal and that we would finally get to meet our little boy. He did take his time - he was born at 2:43pm.

The moments that day are forever printed in my mind. Seeing his sweet face, sharing such a bond with Adam and becoming a mom for the 3rd time to a healthy baby are such a blessing from God. Hank brought me to tears with his sweet cry. Adam is my rock he was encouraging and waited on me hand and foot. He kept thanking me and telling me how proud he was. The smile I saw on his face when Hank was delivered is etched so clearly in my mind. Here are some of our first moments with him.

In the hospital room - after the epidural.

Our first look at Harry Hank Nuse

Weighing 7lbs 10oz

14" head

Dr. Doucet - she is one amazing lady. I was so lucky she was on call the day Hank arrived

All bundled up

Meeting mom!

Our newest addition - can you tell how proud we are!

Father and Son - what a cool bond

The new man in my life!

Hanks Closet Video - "this is so so cute!"

Lucy and Lola looked for the first time at Hanks closet (which is temporally in our room while he is newborn) and it was priceless. Lucy changed her voice to super high pitched and Lola just kept saying "ohhh" it was so sweet!

Hank - We are getting close!!! - Baby Bump comparisons

This morning I called the doctor to see if I could get a check up before Adam leaves town for a few days. I have not been feeling that great recently with lots of cramping and back pain but still have a week and a half to go until Hank's arrival. SO I went to the doctor and found out that I am dilated to a 3! Yippee, I am closer than I thought! So needless to say, Adam will not be leaving town and will stay here to help me in the evenings with the girls and we will be waiting for our sweet little boy to arrive! Hank we are SO EXCITED to meet you - you already have such a special place in all of our hearts.

So here are my pregnancy comparisons

This is me with Lucy (Take note of Adam's shirt - My wife is HOT) you know girls that the only way this word relates at this point is the temperature in the room - so the fact that he wore this made my day! Lucy was 7.12 - 21 inches long and arrived a week late

Here I am with Lola she arrived 3 weeks early! I was so thankful she came early!! She was 7.5 - 21 inches long

And here I am with Hank - his stats are yet to be determined but I know he will be getting here soon! He is due 7/7/11 we will see if he waits that long.

What to do?

As you know we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby Hank! I am very pregnant and as much as I usually love being outside - it is just too hot for me right now. When we put the sprinkler out or baby pool by the time I get it set up I am pooped. Adam has been in the middle of a long homestand 14 nights away from home - a huge challenge for me since he is so helpful at home. We are on the home stretch. We get him back on Friday! I hate being inside all day and aside from a very few TV shows I hate being in front of the TV. So the question is...what to do? This is what we have come up with the last few days.

Finger Painting with Pudding

Riding on Wrigley - funny story. The girls have not cared to play with Wrigley much and then the other day we shaved him and they love him. Not sure if they think he is a new dog because he looks different but they won't leave him alone. Poor guy.
Oh and more finger painting

I originally thought this was the greatest idea because paint is "so messy to clean up" wow - I sure didn't think this through - but it was really fun!

And of course a day is never complete without a tea party. Lucy made "crumpetts and guacamole" - I am not sure what crumpetts are but Lola and Lucy loved them!

We have also done a lot of coloring, hide and seek, playing catch, dancing, dancing and more dancing! It has been great!
The girls were lucky enough to go to the circus this weekend with Adam's parents. I will post pictures as soon as I get them. I told Buzz and Daisy I was jealous because I wanted to see the girls eyes light up, but thankful for time to myself at home to "nest" a little more! I can't wait to see the pictures! The girls had a total blast with them.

Let's Make it a Date!

I feel so lucky to have two of the sweetest little girls in the world. I love being with them and they love being with each other! Since Hank will be arriving in the next few weeks I know our time to go out and do things will be less and less. I really wanted quality time with both of them one on one. Oh my gosh - it was so much fun!!! Having my undivided attention brought new personalities out in both girls. They were on the top of their game and loving the special time. I loved it too!

I had a babysitter come over yesterday to help with the other while I was on my date! Lola had her date first. We went to get her hair cut which she absolutely loves!! She walked in all by herself with her purse in hand. She knew she would get a sucker and knew exactly where to go. The ladies at the salon LOVE her. She went around and said "hi" to everyone getting haircuts and smiled with her new teeth! She got 2 new teeth on the bottom! After she was finished I asked her what she wanted to do - as only Lola can do she said "lemonade" - this is her obsession. She loves lemonade. She has many words but none as clear or long as LEMONADE. So we took a spin to Sonic. Next we went to the duck park which I think more is like a seagull infested pond to feed the ducks. She loves ducks so much and we fed them all the stale bagels we could. Lola got a kick out of it and the ducks and birds loved her. She tried to hug a few but as you can imagine they ran away. Then we walked to the pond to check out all the turtles. She was in heaven! I love love love this sweet little angel!

Lola and her Lemonade

After my date with Lola I brought her home and grabbed Lucy. Right when I walked in Lucy said "My turn for a date". I loved that she was so excited. I gave Lucy a few choices we could: go to the movie, go get our nails done (which I REALLY wanted to do!!!), or go to the park. Lucy said "I want to go to the office". Meaning Adam's office. It was a great option so Adam could get some time with Lucy too. She picked out her outfit and was loving every minute of being with us by herself. We got to the game when the gates opened which was about an hour and a half before the game was suppose to start. Since it was her date night, I let her pick what she wanted to eat. So I asked "Lucy, what would you like for dinner?" She said "what kind of things do they sell". Check out all the healthy things the Hooks stadium have (not) hamburger, pizza, hot dog, nachos, taco's. So I gave her the options. She looked down at her tummy and said "pretty girl what do you want to eat, my tummy says she wants nachos" - so there you have it good old nachos on her date. There was a rain delay which worked out in our favor because we got extra time with Adam before the game started. Then Lucy said "ok I need to go to the office and work" she plopped up on Adam's chair and got some serious computer work done and made a zillion phone calls. She was pretending to be "Daddy" while I was Lucy. It was precious!

Enjoying her Nachos

The thrill of the rain delay

Such a poser!

They were giving out free popcorn at the game so here is Lucy in Adam's office with her costume on and Adam's work shoes. I love this girl and her imagination!

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Father's Day! I am so lucky to have the greatest father in the world as well as the greatest husband that is an amazing father to our children. My dad has shaped me in so many ways and has enriched my life more than he may know. I look forward to our daily phone calls, where he is always always upbeat and happy. He is the most generous loving person I know. He always makes people feel special and I love love love the way he loves my mom! They are more in love today than ever and I can not thank him enough for teaching me what kind of man I should marry. My dad has always put family first! Dad, thank you so much for loving us each and every day, for believing in our dreams and for dreaming with me. I love you more than you know!

Now to my amazing husband - and amazing dad to our children - Adam! You are so unreal. Your love for our girls is so evident by the time you pour into their lives. I wondered before we had children what kind of dad you would be, and I never in my wildest dreams imagined what you have become. Our girls are so lucky with you as their dad. The way you encourage them, tell them you love them and show your love it so awesome. The hugs where you squeeze them so tight and don't let them go, the time you spend reading to them, playing with them, dancing with them, encouraging them and loving them is exactly the love a father should show. You are the backbone of our family and I could not be more proud to be your wife. Thank you for loving Lucy and Lola so much. When Hank arrives (2 weeks away!) he will be so lucky to have you as the example you will be.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

The girls woke up and sang "Happy Father's Day" to Adam - it was the greatest song they made up!

We bought a kite for Adam to fly with the girls. When we pulled up to the park Lola was sound asleep. She woke up as we were finished and leaving the park. She would have loved it.

I love this so much!

The girls were being so silly!

Summer Time!

It is clearly summer time and we love it! This was last week on our front porch, the sun was beating down so we opted to use the blow up pool on our porch. Adam was brave enough to get in while Fave and I watched from the sidelines. The girls loved it. Since this day we have hit the sprinklers, pool in our neighborhood and used this blow up pool several times. It is a perfect way to cool off from this Corpus Christi sun and the girls LOVE it!

Lola's First Day of Mothers Day Out

This past week Lola went to her first day of Mother's Day Out! It is the same school we have Lucy at and Lola could not have been more excited! When we pulled up Lola started clapping and saying "school". There was not a tear but all smiles. She took a great nap, ate all of her lunch and played with many of her new friends. This was so great for me too, I wasn't worried at all and knew she was in good hands but the fact that she was excited made the day so much better! We were so thrilled because we wanted this to be a great experience for her. I am excited to watch her grow and learn. I am so thankful for this program! I love it!!!

Lola insisted on carrying in her lunch just like Lucy does.

She was so proud...so were Adam and I!

Adam and Lola walking into school

I love this picture so much!

I know this looks like she would rather be some place else but this is what is happening when I say cheese to Lola - I LOVE THIS FACE!!!

Over the past few weeks

I have had the busiest last 3 weeks that I have ever had in my life. It was fun, exciting, stressful and very eventful! Megan came into town and it started with our Tippi Toes dance recital. It was a hit to say the least! We had prepared for a certain number of people but when the show began we had over 1400 people watching our kids dance - we were surprised and shocked!! Loved how all the kids were so supported!

Next came our flight to Tulsa to host our first Tippi Toes Franchise conference. Megan and I took Lucy and Lola and spend 2 weeks in Tulsa preparing for the meeting and training franchise owners. We have a fantastic group of women with 9 franchises across America! It was fun to have most everyone together to get to know each other, exchange ideas and talk shop. After that was over we headed the next day back to Corpus to host a full princess camp. We held 2 camps and enjoyed every minute. We were lucky enough to have one of our new franchise owners come to Corpus to learn the ropes, she was so helpful along with some of our amazing Tippi Toes teachers. Now I am ready to relax a bit before we bring the most important little boy in our life to meet this world.

Sprinkler Time at my parents!

Tippi Toes Dance Recital - this was Lucy's class - but look who's missing :)

What other outfit would you choose to play outside in? seriously this is totally Lucy!

We were so lucky to have Jennie, Matt, Gannon, Ella and Chris all join us in Tulsa. It was so fun for Lucy and Lola to get quality time with cousins!! And as always I love seeing Jennie, Matt and Megs hubby Chris!

Now Jennie's turn to pull the wagon for Lola and Ella

The kids turned my parents deck into a stage as they played dress up.

Yes, you are seeing this right, Jennie's little boy Gannon in a sparkly pink tutu! I love it!

Lola the lady bug smelling the flowers - this was part of her act!

All 4 cousins dancing the night away!

Here Megan and I are with our Franchise Owner of the Year Miss Tracy Genheimer who owns our OKC/Edmond location. She is amazing!!!

Franchise Conference in full swing

This is a picture of some of our franchise owners before dinner.

Last Task - Tippi Toes Princess Camp "Sleepy" and "Happy" performing for the kids. Camp was a huge success this year and a total blast for the kids as well as all of the staff!