Motherhood

Being a mom has been one of the hardest, yet most rewarding things I have ever done. I have only been a mom for a month, but already I can see the challenges and blessings that come from it. I am sleep deprived and can hardly take care of myself. The only time I can really clean the house or brush my teeth is when baby is taking one of her naps. Motherhood is hard, and anyone who says otherwise is crazy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything! You cannot truly appreciate all that your mom did for you until you become a mom yourself. Thanks mom for all that you have done for me, you truly gave up so much for me. I never knew you could love someone so much without them even saying a word. My heart hurts when I think about Hadley growing up, she already has grown so much and it makes me so sad. So here are a few of her newborn pictures so I can remember how small she once was. 

Photo unload:

Photo credit goes to Callie Chason Photography. She did a fabulous job!

Hadley Sanette Carlisle's Birth Story

 Hadley Sanette Carlisle was born february 8, 2016 at 1:21pm.

For the last couple of nights I was having contractions that were regular but not extremely painful, they were uncomfortable causing me not to be able to sleep. So I had decided if this happened again I was going in to the hospital in hopes that I had dilated and they could induce me or something! I was done being pregnant. Monday morning, around midnight, I convinced Briar to take me in to the hospital. I was not in severe pain, like mentioned previously, but I was having frequent contractions with ovarian pain from a ovarian cyst that still needs to be taken care of. When we got to the hospital the nurse checked me and I was only 3cm dilated and 50% effaced. The on call doctor came in and said she wanted to keep us there for 2 hours and recheck to see if I was progressing. So Briar and I stayed in a room with noisy air flow, so neither of us could sleep, from 1:30-3:30am. The nurse came back to recheck and I was only 3.5cm dilated and still 50% effaced, The doctor came back and sounded annoyed that she had to deal with me. She gave me medication to help me sleep, which didn't help, and then sent us on our way. Before the nurse discharged us she told me that she expected to see us back. I really appreciated that nurse and all that she did for me. As I was walking back to the car at 4am I started to get intense pain that almost dropped me to the ground. Of course I didnt want to turn around and head back into the hospital, I felt too embarrassed, and that it was probably false labor. Briar drove me back home to Forest Grove which is about a 30 minute drive with no traffic. It was a miserable drive. when we got home I was hoping a bath would help, it didn't. Contractions were coming every 3 minutes, 2 at a time. I was hesitant to call the doctor about coming in because I had just gotten home, and my contractions were not a minute long. Eventually I did when I couldn't take the pain any longer. Briar asked me to describe the pain, I first said it was like having a million painful and sore zits on your abdomen and popping them all at once, and then I changed it to having a giant step on your abdomen crushing your insides. We got back into the car and headed back to the hospital. This time I was extrememly miserable. I felt like I was dying in the car. It did not help that Briar missed the exit to the hospital, I tried really hard to keep my cool. When we finally got to the hospital. a few minutes later, Briar dropped me off at the main entrance to the hospital and he went to park the car. We went back up to labor and delivery and got checked in, The same nurse was not surprised to see me, she quickly took me back and rechecked me. I was 5cm dilated and 75% effaced. They admitted me and got me to my suite in labor and delivery. The nurse gave me fentanyl and tried to get me as comfortable as she could while waiting for the epidural, unfortunately her shift was ending, it was 7:30 am. I felt like I was dying in pain. "Why had I not gotten my epidural?" The new nurse explained that we were waiting for my platelet results from lab. The nurse anesthetist came in and was all set up and ready to go. At 9:00am, I was finally given my epidural. Thankfully the nurse anesthetist was fast and very good at what she does. Once the epidural was in I had almost instant relief. The doctor came in soon after the epidural was placed and I was 7cm, 100% effaced.  For the next couple hours I slept and relaxed. The plan was just to wait until the doctor came back in the afternoon to recheck me. Jennifer and my mom came into town for the special event. They were all hungry around noon, so they headed to the cafeteria to get something to eat. As soon as they left, the doctor came in at 12:30pm and checked me. She immediately said "okay its time to push." I was in shock. I was so comfortable, how could it be time? She told me to check myself, and sure enough I felt the babies head. I called Briar to get them back up to Labor and Delivery because it was time for the baby to come. Everyone was back in the room, the doctor was all set up, and I was told to push when I felt pressure. 30 minutes later after feeling no pain, just pressure, a beautiful baby girl was born. They immediately did skin to skin, and an hour and half later they weighed and measured her. She was 8lbs 12 oz and 20.5 inches long, I wonder if she would have weighed more if they weighed her immediately. Thankfully I didn't feel any pain, because I tore from top to bottom with a 3rd degree tear which included a partial tear in the rectal sphincter, maybe that's TMI, but hey now you know what I am dealing with, ouch! Eventually they sent us to the mom/baby unit. They didnt have a nursery, so Briar and I stayed up all night again, we had stayed up 3 days in a row. We felt like the hospital wasn't doing anything for us so we were discharged the next day. My mom and Jennifer have been taking care of all 3 of us. We are so thankful for them and the time and hard work they have given. We love them so much and feel grateful to have such wonderful moms in our lives. 

Hadley is so special to us. She is such a sweetheart and brings a sweet spirit into our home. At times she is naughty waking up at night crying, and sometimes Briar wants to pull his hair out, but we love her so much and wouldn't trade her for anything. It is amazing how much love a baby can bring into your life that you never thought was even possible. We love you Hadley and hope you always remember that.

We are very obsessed with our baby, so we have made an instagram account where we post pictures of her daily. If you want to see her pictures on instagram her account name is hadley_carlisle

2015

The year 2015 has been a very good year for Briar and I. We started off the year with a big move into the city life.

February 2015 we moved to Beaverton Oregon and lived in a small apartment. Briar got the job of his dreams working with Nike. He continues to loves working there, and we feel very blessed that he was given the opportunity to work with such a great company. He loves the atmosphere and the people that he works with, which makes it that much better.

In May 2015 I was able to snatch a job up with Providence St. Vincents Medical Center working as a registered nurse on the float pool team at night. I had a really difficult time finding a job even with a year experience, which was a surprise to me. I guess there isn't a big shortage of nurses in Portland. I had a really hard time with this job when I first started. I do not do well staying up all night, I need my sleep or else I get cranky. It probably did not help that I was working at night in my first trimester of pregnancy. In October I was thankfully able to switch to day shift. I am enjoying my job more, and the people I get to work with. It overall has been a great experience.

In June 2015 We found out we were pregnant with our first little baby. We are so excited to be parents. we feel so blessed to welcome a baby girl into our home in just a few short weeks. We cant wait to meet her.

Tanner also came home from his mission in June of 2015. We missed him so much the 2 years he was gone. Glad to have my favorite little brother back from Missouri/Oklahoma. He is such an example to me. I feel so blessed to have a little brother that is also one of my best buds. He continues to make me want to strive to do better and choose the right. Love ya tanner.

In July 2015 we decided to buy a new home that would be finished getting built in November 2015. It was a lot of work figuring everything out financially and getting all the paperwork turned in that was needed, but now that we have moved our home feels like home.

August 2015 we welcomed a new member into the family, RYAN. Ryan and Paxton got married at a cute little pond in Eltopia called Hunter's pond.Their wedding was very beautiful. Jennifer put a lot of work and time into decorating, planning, and setting up; you could definitely see the results. Paxton looked stunning all dressed in white, walking down the isle. Ryan is a lucky man. Their was a delicious dinner afterwards, with a rocking dance floor and DJ. It was so much fun. Definitely a great experience we had in 2015 that we will never forget. Welcome to the family Ryan, we love you!!!

September 2015 we found out we are having a baby.......GIRL! Briar and I were both shocked since we thought we were having a boy, but we both are so excited to have a little girl. Her nursery is coming along just nicely. I will have to post pics. Sometimes I go in the nursery, sit, and visualize about the time when the room will be occupied. We love her already!

In November 2015 we moved into our home located in Forest Grove, Oregon. It is so nice being out of an apartment and further out in the country. We still have next door neighbors, but we both feel like we have more room to breathe. It's a cute little neighborhood and will make a wonderful place to raise a family.

Sadly, 2015 wasn't all happiness. Grandpa Price passed away in October. We know he is in a better place where he can remember everything, and he is able to be with his wife Glena. We love and miss him, but will see him again one day.

Those are a few of the things that made 2015 special to us. We are sad to see it go, but excited to see what 2016 has to offer.

23 weeks

At my last appointment I was 20 weeks. We found out that I had gained 6 lbs. and that we are having a baby girl!!!! We are beyond excited, just having difficulty picking out a name. Briar and I cant agree on anything! Next appointment on is on Wednesday. I have been feeling good, just hope it continues.

                                            Just a few photos from the last couple of weeks

                                       The most recent picture of our new home being built


This week has been a hard week. Grandpa Price has passed away at the age of 91. We miss him dearly, but are happy that he can be with his wife and 2 of his children again. We love you Grandpa and will see you again one day.

Almost 20 weeks

I realized the other day that I have no documentation or writings about me being pregnant. So if you didn't know, I am 19 weeks pregnant. This Thursday, Briar and I will be finding out the sex of our baby.  Briar wants a boy badly, as for me I just hope its a healthy baby (in Briars family there are only 2 boys to carry on the Carlisle name, and Briar is one of them, no pressure or anything). It is crazy to think that we are half way there and in 20 more weeks there will be an addition to our family. 

Pregnancy has been pretty good, I cant complain. I had a tiny bit of nausea the first trimester, but it quickly ended. Now I have a huge appetite and get sick if I do not eat. Baby is always hungry. With my crazy work schedule(night shift) I find myself getting up at 2am and having a snack or bowl of cereal. Pregnancy has made me extremely tired. I still think I am having a hard time getting over the sleepy part, but that may be because I am not sleeping well(tummy sleeper) and I work at night. Moral of the story, don't be pregnant and work night shift. So before I got pregnant I would have intense ovarian cysts that would cause a ton of pain and the only thing to subside the pain were narcotics. I thought getting pregnant would stop all the cramping, but boy was I wrong. I am cramping all the time! For me and this pregnancy, cramping is pretty much my biggest problem. I feel pretty blessed. I know a lot of women who have had miserable pregnancies, I am so glad I can enjoy mine.

At my 17 week check up I didn't have any weight gain, however at this next appointment, I feel like I will have probably gained 10 pounds. I am showing, however it feel like I am getting really chubby. People are already grabbing my belly, so something must be there. 

I am not a fan of my doctor, but my insurance only covers certain doctors, and there weren't very many options. She doesn't give us any details. We have to ask a lot of questions to find things out, or ask for her to explain things.  I think she knows I am a nurse so she assumes I know most of this stuff, but its my first baby, and I don't have experience in women's health. She didn't even tell us the fetal heart rate, we had to ask, which may not be that weird, but I feel like women want to know that. I just hope she knows what she is doing when it is time for me to deliver, and who knows, she may not even be the doctor doing it. 

We recently just purchased a house that is being built in a nearby town called Forest Grove. It wont be a huge home, but it will be perfect for our little family. It will also be brand new which will be very nice. It will be done November 18th. Pictures to come. 

One of Briar's good friends just got a job with nike so he will be moving down here to Beaverton in a couple of weeks. He will be living with us for a little bit less than 2 months before we move out to our new home. We are so excited to have him here in Beaverton!

Work has been hard, but thankfully in October I will be moving to day shift. Day shift will be hard, but at least I will be on the same sleep schedule as Briar. My body will do much better getting a full night of sleep.

I am so thankful for where Briar and I are in our lives. I never thought in a million years Briar and I would be married and have a baby on the way. Everything has worked out so perfectly. I know it is because of the Lord's hand playing a special part in our lives. He watches out for us, and provides us with what we need. We are so excited to have a baby and just hope we can raise our children in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. When we strive to follow Christ, we receive blessings and find happiness. 

2 years later

I can't believe it has been one whole year since I last wrote in my blog.  A lot has changed in one year. A year ago we were living in Idaho Falls while I was working at EIRMC and Briar was about to start an internship. This year We have both graduated from school with our bachelors and we are living in Oregon following Briar's dream. He absolutely loves working at Nike. I never thought in a million years that I would ever live in Oregon, but I have learned to love it. It really is beautiful here and we are only an hour away from the coast! At first living here was really hard. We did not have any friends and I was bored staying home all day. We have met some good people through our ward and work. I recently started working at Providence St. Vincent as a float pool nurse on the night shift (7p-7a). It has been hard but a great experience and I am learning a lot.

This past weekend some of my family came to visit. My parents and the Angus family came down to visit me, the Nike store, and the coast. We stayed in a townhome on Rockaway beach, which had a beautiful view of the ocean. On Saturday we toured Cannon beach and part of seaside. We got to hang out with Jess, Greg, and little sofia, who isn't so little anymore. She has grown so much. Her personality is so big and she is always on the move.

On Thursday after a long night shift we are driving to Washington to see Tanner get home from his mission. I can't believe it has already been 2 years since he left to Tulsa, Oklahoma. He will be coming in on Friday afternoon at the Pasco airport. He has had a very successful mission and we are so excited to have him back.

Right now I am typing this on Briar's computer because my computer is currently not working, so I have no pictures. Hope to get some posted soon.

Life in Idaho Falls

I just realized I have not made a post in my blog since Briar and I made the move back to school in the fall. We were living in Rexburg until April when we decided to move here to Idaho fall. I love living in Idaho Falls, although I think it has been hard for Briar adjusting to not having his friends only a few minutes drive away. We were managers there for single women's housing, so it is nice to be done with that.

So what is new for us....Well...Briar is working for Northwestern mutual for his internship. He is learning so much and has great mentors to show him how to really be a business man. Briar graduates December 2014. I cant believe he is almost done. We are not sure what the plans are after he graduates but my fingers are crossed that we will be able to move closer to family. Idaho has been great for us, but we are ready to go back to Washington. As for me I am working as a registered nurse for Easter Regional Medical Center. I have learned so much being there. I have learned patience, how to work hard, and how to manage my time efficiently. I am also still going to school. That's right, full time school, and full time job. I feel like I am getting run down. Thankfully, I will be graduating with my bachelors in nursing mid July. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

As I reflect my life I realize there is so much to be thankful for. We live in a nice apartment that fits our needs, we both have jobs, and we both are able to obtain a college degree. Sometimes when I am stressed from work, tired, and just frustrated, I forget really how blessed I am. Poor Briar has to deal with it on a daily basis.

Really not much has changed since my last post back in the early fall. I did become an aunt again, and I did get a new sister. Welcome to the family Dolly Casper and Sofia Angus.

Happy Fathers Day. 

LOVE YOU DADDY!