I am one month old!

 

I know a month has already passed but I wanted to post this anyway!

It is hard to believe that Kolt is already one month old! The first month has definitely flown by. We kept saying on January 3, “Just think, today is the day he is supposed to be here!” which was only 5 days before he was a month old! We have already been so blessed by the sweet baby boy! Here are a few things about Kolt from his first month:

-          I have slept all night once (we can’t wait for more of those!)

-          I love to play on my activity mat

-          My favorite thing is when mommy and daddy feed me a bottle!

 

-       I am such a happy and loving baby!

-          I weigh 9 pounds and 1 ounce

Our premature baby has definitely not slowed down for one minute since he was born! He is so alert, active, and strong! He has literally been trying to roll over since he was in the hospital. His doctor was shocked when he saw it! We know this is only the beginning of him amazing us! We thank God everyday for blessing us with such a wonderful baby boy!

 

 

Kolt Allen Maxie

Obviously I am not very good with blogging. However, lately I have really wanted to type out the crazy chaos we experienced while having Kolt. Some of it is still hard for me to believe! My sweet baby definitely wanted to make a grand entrance into the world. He would not settle for ordinary!

 

My due date was set for January 3, 2013. This was a blessing for me since I was in my final semester at Alabama. What most people do not realize is how strict the University is during our internship. We are only allowed two sick days and can earn only one personal day. Also, we are in the schools five days a week all day. However, Kyle and I made the decision at the beginning of my pregnancy that we would use a doctor in Hattiesburg because we knew I needed to deliver at Forrest General. (Kyle’s dad has worked there for years and is now a director at one of their branches in Columbia and Tyler Town). Already we knew this wouldn’t be “typical” pregnancy. I was living two and half hours from my husband and my doctor (not to mention living by myself). I was traveling back and forth to my appointments and yes, I was the one who drove me there and back! After every check up I would say “I think I make Dr. Holland nervous being so far away!”. With only two days for doctor’s appointments I had to take half days to help spread them out. That being said, I didn’t have a day that “I just didn’t feel well” and could not go to school. The Lord was with me every step of the way during the semester. He blessed me with two amazing teachers who were so good to me and Kolt. During my first internship I was with Pre-Kindergarten students (they were all four years old) and my next internship was with fifth grade.

One of the big things that stressed me out during my pregnancy was the fact that unlike most pregnant women, they live in the place where they want to make the nursery. When I got the sudden urge to “nest” in Kolt’s nursery, I couldn’t. Once I got here on the weekends I was exhausted from teaching and driving that I really didn’t want to do much. Mean while during the week in Tuscaloosa I was slowly beginning to pack up what I could while being pregnant (mind you I had been living here for two and a half years). Kyle was great help with the nursery. He was putting things together and arranging while sending me pictures of the results.

The semester flew by and the next thing I knew, it was Thanksgiving. I was miserable at Thanksgiving! Everyone kept telling me they felt like he would could at Christmas and I was starting to think that myself. My last day of teaching was scheduled to be December 7^th which was the end of my semester. Towards the end of my internship I was definitely feeling like I would pop! It worked out with my personal day that I could take December 7^th off so my last day was that Thursday the 6^th. Kyle was scheduled to be in Jackson, MS at a teacher’s conference that Friday. We had planned for him to drive over to Tuscaloosa that afternoon and help me finish packing. His dad has scheduled movers to come on Saturday and once they got there I was heading to Hattiesburg (I couldn’t handle watching them move my stuff out, too stressful!) where I would organize all the stuff we got from our baby shower, that Sunday. The few weeks I had been completely stressed out with school, graduation, moving, and having a baby!

Friday rolled around and it felt like any other pregnant day. I actually slept until about 10. Kyle was able to leave his conference early and made his way to Tuscaloosa. He got there around one. Within thirty minutes of Kyle being there, my water broke. I called my mom at school and said “Don’t freak out…but…I think my water just broke.” Well she was definitely not expecting that! I called the doctor and they told me to head on to Hattiesburg. All I can say is, poor Kyle! He never took his eyes off the road or his foot off the gas pedal! The night before I had started packing a hospital bad…just in case I needed it before all of my stuff was unpacked in Hattiesburg (the Lord knew what he was doing!). I had all of these plans of using my last few weeks before Kolt to unpack, clean, and organize..but those plans quickly flew out the window! Once the doctor told me to come on and I began having contractions, I told my family to head to Hattiesburg. Kyle’s dad kept calling asking how far apart my contractions were. Little did they know I was having them the whole way there, but didn’t tell them because I knew we could make it to Hattiesburg and I didn’t want to freak anyone out more! (Kyle got really mad about that one…oops!)

We made pulled up to Forrest General in honestly about an hour and a half. It takes two and a half if you go the normal speed. Kyle was determined we would get there! I was in good spirits the whole way, bugging Kyle by singing Christmas songs and even said “No, Luke Bryan I cannot shake it for you, I am in labor”..ha! Mr. Bryan (Kyle’s dad) was waiting for me at the door with a wheel chair. The head nurse was also with him. I was soon in a room and being examined. They informed us, we were gonna have a baby! My parents got there along with the rest of Kyle’s family. My water had broken around 1:30 so I figured it wouldn’t be too long. Boy was I wrong! I was in labor all night with very little progress. We also had a really big scare. I became nauseous during the night and was given medicine to help it go away. I had an allergic reaction to the medication. I don’t mean just itching. I went out of my mind, hallucinating, the medicine made my chest muscles tighten which made me feel like I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t control my upper body and kept hollering. I can remember the doctor saying “She’s not having a seizure, but this is what one looks like.” I was so worried about my baby. I was finally able to take a drug to counteract with the other medicine and I calmed down. It was a long two hours for everyone! Not to mention that sixteen babies were born that night. So the staff was running ragged! I am so thankful for my precious nurse and the doctor who literally sat in front of my bed the whole two hours out of concern.

I had been told I would probably have a baby by around four or five a.m. believe me, I was watching the clock however, no change! When the nurses made their shift change, my “drill sergeant” as Kyle called her, made me lay on my sides telling me things had to change on their own quickly or we would be making other plans. When my little boy decided he was ready to make an appearance, he was ready! She checked on me at 7 and I was only 5 cm. at about 9:45 they were calling the doctor in my room and at 9:59 a.m. we welcomed Kolt Allen Maxie into the world! He weighed 6 pounds 11 ozs and was 19 ¾ inches long. He is the most beautiful thing I have laid my eyes on!

The craziness was still not over. I still had to finish packing my stuff and move out of my apartment. Plus Kyle’s truck was still in Tuscaloosa. We had to take my car to be able to have the car seat. On Sunday, my parents and Mr. Bryan and two movers all GRACIOUSLY went to finish packing my up my stuff and moving it to Hattiesburg. I knew I had a lot of stuff, but gahlee! I felt so bad for them having to do my dirty work! Having boxes and stuff ALL over the house was not what I wanted to bring my baby home to! But, everything got to the house and day by day we were able to unpack and rearrange. I had applied to walk at my graduation on December 15. But since Kolt was only a week old, and we hadn’t even been home from the hospital that long..I figured not walking was for the best. I knew I would have my diploma either way!

Kyle was amazing through all of this. He was by my side through it all. He is a natural daddy and loves his son with all of his heart. During the time that we were in the hospital (we had to stay a few extra days) Kyle had to make and give his final exam. I’m not sure how he juggled it all!

I was beyond grateful and thankful that my mama was able to come to Hattiesburg for two weeks to help us. I wouldn’t have made it without her! I think my sister and daddy barely made it without her! I’m also thankful she was here because after Kolt was born, I got a real bad infection and was running fever every day in the 102s. After days on antibiotics didn’t help, I finally gave in one night and let Kyle take me to the ER. It was so hard leaving Kolt for even a few hours, but I knew he was in the best of hands. The whole time I was at the hospital I was praying they would not admit me. Even thought the doctor really wanted too, he knew this new mommy couldn’t be away from her son! The IV and 750 mlg 3 times a day antibiotic finally cleared the infection!

I cannot express how blessed I truly am. My whole life I have waited to have my own precious family and God answered my prayers. God has provided for us constantly. Kyle and I could not have asked for a better baby (people are constantly telling us how good he is!). I pray daily to be the Proverbs 31 wife and mother.

New Adventures

A lot has happened in the past few weeks. Actually, that may be an understatement! The most exciting being that Kyle and I are finally married! June 16^th was the happiest day of my life. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day. I am so happy that I was able to share it with my family and friends. Sunday after the wedding, Kyle and I went back to Tuscaloosa because I had to teach and be in class Monday at 8:00 a.m. He was able to stay with me for a few days and then had to go back to Hammond. I finished my Early Childhood program on June 26^th. As soon as I finished up I was headed to Hammond to spend the rest of my summer with my husband!

The past few weeks, Kyle and I have been praying for a career move for him. I am so excited and blessed to say that he is now the head baseball coach at the Presbyterian Christian School in Hattiesburg. With that being said, we immediately began to look for places to live and get things in order. Everything quickly began to fall in to place.  We began to pack up Kyle’s apartment in Hammond. As of yesterday, (Friday) we moved to Hattiesburg! We are so excited. Kyle is happy to be back home and is very eager to get started at the school. Also, I am happy to be only 2 and ½ hours away from my husband again (in the fall) and we are only 2 ½ hours from my family. I am excited to see what is in store for me here in Hattiesburg.

Monday, we finally leave for our honeymoon. Amongst the chaos of the past few weeks, we are ready for a break before we both are back into full swing with school. I cannot wait to be on the beach soaking up the sun and relaxing! It is much needed!  We are 90% unpacked and into the house, with a few odds and ends still left. Tomorrow (Sunday), our first out of town visitors are coming. I cannot wait for my family to get here so I can show off our new home! We have a lot ahead of us in the next few weeks, but like always I am blessed to have these opportunities that God has set in front of me. I am eager for Kyle to start his new journey at PCS and be by his side through all of it!

Pre-Wedding Festivitites

       Well, it has been another busy past few weeks. To sum it all up: showers, two full weeks teaching, final assignments, Kyle’s baseball and wedding planning. Kyle and I are so blessed at all we have received from our showers. I have had so much fun visiting with family and friends while they help prepare us for our future together. My first shower was given by my Maw-Maw in Albertville. My second shower was in Monroeville at Eastwood Baptist. My third shower was a “teacher” shower at the home of Leslie Carpenter. My fourth shower was given by Kyle’s family in Hattiesburg. My fifth shower was given by Whitney Lowery. My last shower will be given by Mrs. Sharon Owens. The only thing I wish is that Kyle could have shared some of these showers with me. Thankfully, he loves finding out what we got and most importantly how many bows I broke!

     I  have been finished with school for the semester since about April 27^th. I will begin my Early Childhood Program on May 29^th. Needless to say, I have a lot to do between now and then! I know everything will fall in to place and be perfect by June 16^th. I am excited that I will be tagging along to cheer on Southeastern in their conference tournament May 22…in Texas. I have never been to Texas before but I am excited for a road trip and “vacation” before my summer classes begin.

     These next few weeks will definitely be cram time and I’m sure a crazier and even more stressed Julia will appear. However, I can honestly say so far I have not been the “Bridezilla” my daddy just knew I would be! J  Also, as I have been breaking the news to some people, there is a possibility that Kyle and I could be saying “I do” over the home plate in Omaha during the College World Series which begins June 15^th…funny huh?! (And Kyle and I planned this date BEFORE he was at a NCAA school...I’m not that crazy!) Either way I know Kyle and I will have a beautiful wedding and all I am concerned about is us saying “I do”!

Well, I can actually say, I have “day off” today! Not really (I have a million things to do...as usual), but today is “Honors Day” at UA and because of this...we weren’t teaching in the classrooms. Between school on Mondays and Tuesdays, teaching Wednesday-Friday, planning a wedding and a long distance relationship you might say I am a little stressed! This semester has been another whirlwind! I am placed at SouthView Elementary (In Tuscaloosa) in first grade. I am so thankful to be my young babies again :) – also, as most of you know I have been accepted into the Early Childhood Certification Program this summer. If I have heard it once, I have heard it a million times, “Aren’t you getting married this summer??” and my first response wants to be “Oh! I am? I’m sorry I forgot!” Kyle and I have prayed and talked about this. As any person working in the world of Education, the more you can do to build your resume, the better you look. The program lasts from May 29^th-June 26^th. When I graduate in December (yes...in December) I will graduate with a double certification being able to teach 3 year olds to 6^th grade! I am preparing for my two full weeks in the classroom starting April 16^th and ending on April 26^th.

                Wedding planning is in full swing...we are almost exactly two months away from saying “I Do”! I cannot believe how fast time as flown. I ABSOLUTELY cannot wait to attend my showers. April 21^st: Albertville, AL – given by my family. April 29^th: Monroeville, AL – at Eastwood Baptist Church. May 3^rd: Excel, AL- given by teachers. May 5^th: Hattiesburg, MS – given by Kyle’s family. May 12^th: Monroeville, AL – given by Mrs. Sharon Owens. Kyle and I are so blessed to be surrounded by people that love us and care for us! As of yesterday I went to be fitted for my dress. I can honestly say I am more in love with it than I was before (I didn’t think that was possible!). Daddy, Mama and Sarah were able to share this exciting time with. This is the one thing I have been the most worried about, since a dress in not a quick or easy fix. Even though my dress was big, the seamstress wasn’t worried a bit and made put me to ease!

                Another thing in full swing...literally is Kyle’s baseball season. The Lions are having a great season. I haven’t been able to see him since March 15^th with both of our crazy schedules. Leah has also been with her mommy since then, so I am not the only one who is missing Kyle! Thanks to my parents and my new camera, I have been able to capture some great pictures during some of Southeastern’s games. The Lord has already been so amazing with opening career opportunities for the two of us. Despite the fact they mean sacrifices now, we both know it will only be beneficial in the end.  

                I am so thankful for this Easter weekend. I am looking forward to being able to get lesson plans, reflections, intern forms, wedding registry, Thank-You notes, and wedding details...in other words I hope to get a lot accomplished this weekend! But the real reason it because I will be able to spend Easter Sunday with WHOLE family...yes including Kyle! He will be coming in tomorrow night around 11 or so and then we will both head back out on Sunday. I have always loved the feeling I get at Easter. The hope, the renewal, the promise, the reminder that He loved me so much to die for me on a cross so that I may spend eternity with Him. I hope everyone has a blessed Easter weekend, remembering the real reason!

New at this..

      I am quite new at the whole blogging thing, however; this is one of my New Year goals. As busy as I am, I really want to take time out to blog about everything that is currently taking place. January 11th, I start Block III of the Elementary Education program at Alabama. You  can only understand the stress of this program if you have been through it at Alabama! The only thing that keeps me going, is  knowing it will be worth it in the end.  I love my sweet Kindergarten babies!
       I have thoroughly enjoyed my month break..despite not wanting it to end! During the Christmas season, I worked at Hutcherson Jewelers, which is sort of a tradition for me. I did enjoy being home and Kyle being back and forth to spend time with us. We celebrated Christmas Eve with my family and then woke up early Christmas morning to head to Hattiesburg to spend a few days with his family. Kyle is enjoying his new pistol my parents got him and I am enjoying my new NookColor.
      During the break, I am trying to get as many wedding preparations done that I can, such as: sending out Save the Dates (which requires getting addresses), registering (Belk, Wal-Mart, Hutcherson's, Owen's, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Dillards...just to name a few, WHEW!), decorations and attire. I am very, very thankful for my wonderful mama who is being a huge help as my wedding planner! I cannot wait for all of our festivities to begin!
      Kyle is gearing up for his first baseball season as Volunteer Assistant/Camp Coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana. The season kicks off February 17, and I can't wait to be there to watch his games. In other words, I am about to lose my fiance to baseball for several months. I am excited about his recent career opporunity. If everything continues like it is, I will be moving to Hammond for the summer and then again more permanently next December. I must admit, I do love Louisiana (just NOT the LSU part!!!) -- if our future children grow up in Louisiana they will still be Bama fans!
       Our wedding is set for June 16, 2012, 4:00 at Eastwood Baptist Church in Moroeville. I have 6 bridesmaids: MOH- Sarah (my younger sister), Dallas Jordan, Kellie Hilton, Allison Kearly, Whitley Ledkins, and Ashley Watson. Kyle has 5 Groomsmen: BM- Seth Maxie (his younger brother), Joey Archer, Travis Burge, Shane Shattles, and Brit Bowen. We have both been blessed with so many wonderful friends, it was  hard for us not to have a stage full! The reception will be held at the Monroeville Country Club..we want to dance!
       As you can see, we both have very busy schedules over the coming months, but I thank God everyday for blessing me in ways that I cannot even begin to describe. I fully rely on the verse Jeremiah 29:11 -- For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I know I will be able to make it through this next year with the help of my Savior. Hopefully, I will be able to get some blogging tips from Julia Cartee (my blog inspiration)!