tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79855408438032002792024-02-21T01:47:24.927-08:00Baby BendelSarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-87017894194598705542010-04-14T08:56:00.000-07:002010-04-14T08:56:22.706-07:00More Pictures {April 11 - 17}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUTDeqeul9LOWXK8rTcH8Jgc_IduYl8zofeOlnAyI4-HkVfyCZuYMWXLFeiQkWauyyhzdHcQ9cYBTrFHGgXO9yIyNw6iSd7gnDoOTQ0QwJpLZNMHK5OGKUjq7B2KpePlGCYjQaSoyNYA/s1600/123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUTDeqeul9LOWXK8rTcH8Jgc_IduYl8zofeOlnAyI4-HkVfyCZuYMWXLFeiQkWauyyhzdHcQ9cYBTrFHGgXO9yIyNw6iSd7gnDoOTQ0QwJpLZNMHK5OGKUjq7B2KpePlGCYjQaSoyNYA/s320/123.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh593yWmHk1vWJMJSK9drJgi86qO67I42dpno_lQstXeVDV00Qd9zqQ7LnrycgiBoruK_DiasjO2YP2qUueVpJ0rO-IFaZFZ90z4zk3UbTsTSz8mcYWy4Sya4vVyJcGoocqI_qNgeF24SE/s1600/104_16123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh593yWmHk1vWJMJSK9drJgi86qO67I42dpno_lQstXeVDV00Qd9zqQ7LnrycgiBoruK_DiasjO2YP2qUueVpJ0rO-IFaZFZ90z4zk3UbTsTSz8mcYWy4Sya4vVyJcGoocqI_qNgeF24SE/s320/104_16123.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5b4mRXB9tyGUO14hi-sIMHcai9hQo4AjokkOEvh5lGIpDmmA6iTa_QAASVJylw00GZMUDG8akJwj37SvncykcMWho3DtLMkh3qJZAige58tlpx94EebLSyt1mYByA4_9Sw_860nwysQ/s1600/234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5b4mRXB9tyGUO14hi-sIMHcai9hQo4AjokkOEvh5lGIpDmmA6iTa_QAASVJylw00GZMUDG8akJwj37SvncykcMWho3DtLMkh3qJZAige58tlpx94EebLSyt1mYByA4_9Sw_860nwysQ/s320/234.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDnyBzzv708MJ3vKHva6qwBJ0GjofyzgTNbRLp9uVN33p6YYMMbUnXRkEBYJN3mwYtj_ergWJh4Pa2-4RgZMoOlWrPlM-Y30jLkibM5IxkiC6OQb12fG-SFMYzHaccO2nEnZ0e-7Xoxs/s1600/104_16092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDnyBzzv708MJ3vKHva6qwBJ0GjofyzgTNbRLp9uVN33p6YYMMbUnXRkEBYJN3mwYtj_ergWJh4Pa2-4RgZMoOlWrPlM-Y30jLkibM5IxkiC6OQb12fG-SFMYzHaccO2nEnZ0e-7Xoxs/s320/104_16092.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div>Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-26012497778584869492010-04-14T08:52:00.000-07:002010-04-14T08:52:32.335-07:00Your Life - Week 3<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NerG3EgG3zhIEqAlQDaVQ8DYFeNmWsdb5JALRfivKSd81Og6u6sVWA8FCJcV2JioK1zuqoLhLdtZWP8kTE1c0kyugBAlC63ATGSGvKBwsP0NlmHwRQ8HnaLPCmFJZIHRi2zsuYNCeoY/s1600/punkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NerG3EgG3zhIEqAlQDaVQ8DYFeNmWsdb5JALRfivKSd81Og6u6sVWA8FCJcV2JioK1zuqoLhLdtZWP8kTE1c0kyugBAlC63ATGSGvKBwsP0NlmHwRQ8HnaLPCmFJZIHRi2zsuYNCeoY/s200/punkin.jpg" width="200" wt="true" /></a>Oh, Miss Olivia. You are growing so fast. {It's OK if you want to take a break from all that "growing up" and stay little with me a while longer.}</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Last night you held your own bottle for about 30 seconds. And you continue to roll over and lift your head. You love to look around and take in everything that's going on. You've started to smile. You have the most beautiful smile.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Your Uncle John came to visit you for the first time this week. He fell in love with you- just like everyone else has. You are so loved sweet girl!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I love the way you twist and pull your legs up when I pick you up out of your crib, you make the cutest scrunched-up/puckered face I've ever seen. You do the same thing when you cuddle, it's precious! You sleep with your arms above your head- just like Mommy does. Sometimes when I'm watching you sleep you smile, I wonder what you dream about sweet girl. Angels? Jesus? Heaven? </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-76758525677080477642010-04-06T14:09:00.000-07:002010-04-06T14:09:29.224-07:00Olivia's First Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2J78pwUCkmDK5TTf8I2Pms3YVpS1KROHHf9IsqTfs79xK4vSBdaxBlW8hH-m2PFRIyNqOB7rj3hQbr08dmdgcWvp24qejlcJ5dhyphenhyphencCWSxopmNlBIvnxU71XwpJgxq0bErP5jjXswJx5s/s1600/sweet+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2J78pwUCkmDK5TTf8I2Pms3YVpS1KROHHf9IsqTfs79xK4vSBdaxBlW8hH-m2PFRIyNqOB7rj3hQbr08dmdgcWvp24qejlcJ5dhyphenhyphencCWSxopmNlBIvnxU71XwpJgxq0bErP5jjXswJx5s/s320/sweet+girl.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">April 4, 2010</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Olivia's first Easter was a special day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We spent the morning at church, until she had a "moment."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She got to wear the pretty pink dress that Aunt 'Vette bought her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then we spent the afternoon in the kitchen with Dee-dee and Aunt Bea, preparing the dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I ate <em>way</em> too much. Way too much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Olivia passed out early afternoon and really slept most of the day after that. {As seen in the photo above.}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All in all it was just a quiet and relaxing day with family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-80531772057821726942010-04-06T13:55:00.000-07:002010-04-06T13:55:26.674-07:00Two Weeks.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcJ6zY2ca0Yv-mCNIEom8p7wvUYG0HEknF-4yk_RK0dCpoolRdjwtmSIMg3Cljpyoz3IC0LdCLge7Rf7PqxTuZm8PGE1EpZTxjuY0OhQdW9pfAv4Jt8v97qWio2S82wd7WygyejxiIjc/s1600/104_1575b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcJ6zY2ca0Yv-mCNIEom8p7wvUYG0HEknF-4yk_RK0dCpoolRdjwtmSIMg3Cljpyoz3IC0LdCLge7Rf7PqxTuZm8PGE1EpZTxjuY0OhQdW9pfAv4Jt8v97qWio2S82wd7WygyejxiIjc/s320/104_1575b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I never knew how much two weeks could change my life. In these past 14 days I have learned so much about myself. I've learned that it really isn't necessary to straighten every section of hair. I've learned that eating is optional {for Mommies}, as is sleeping. I've learned that thrush is no fun for babies, and even less fun for Mommies. I've learned how to do <em>almost</em> everything one-handed. But most importantly I've learned the meaning of true love and complete devotion.<br />
Olivia is growing so quickly. Every morning is bittersweet as I find all the tiny ways she changed while we slept. I love watching her grow, but realize that all too soon she won't be my "little bit" anymore. Today I took her to her two week check up with her pediatrician, Dr. Schell. {He is a very nice man, and was very patient with me and my 9 thousand questions.} She weighed 7 lbs 4.8 oz and was 19 3/4 in. long. My little girl is already growing so fast. <br />
She loves to cuddle with Mommy and Daddy, really she loves to cuddle with anyone. She just loves to be held. We started out primarily breast-feeding and supplementing with formula. Then came the thrush. Then I was infected with the thrush and was unable to breastfeed her, so we went to straight formula. The transistion was smooth. She doesn't care where the food is coming from as long as it's coming. <br />
The animals are still doing great with her. Tyler is adorable with her. We joke that he's her dog now. I think she's gotten more "kisses" in the past 2 weeks than I've gotten in the past 3 years. The cats pretty much steer clear of her. They'll come over and sniff a few times, but scurry away if she moves or makes a noise. However, she isn't doing so well with them. Everytime she is around the cats she gets congested, her eyes start watering and she starts sneezing. I talked to Dr. Schell about this and he says that there is no test for allergies at her age, but that it was highly likely that she was allergic to them and that we should probably find them a new home. We'll miss Baylei and Oliver but Olivia comes first!<br />
She's met a lot of people these first two weeks. Everyone has immediately fallen in love with her. My best friend Maria {Aunt Mia} was even able to visit all the way from Florida for a little bit last Saturday.Everyone talks about how pretty she is, how much she looks like me, and how small she is! Truth be told she is a very petite little girl! She only has a few outfits that truly fit. Two of which are preemie sizes!! <br />
I'm looking forward to the next few weeks with her before I go back to work. I know it's going to be hard to leave her, but I'm also looking forward to getting back into a more normal routine.Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-18737574230860545972010-04-05T09:35:00.000-07:002010-04-06T13:57:11.571-07:00Olivia Marie's Birth Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Saturday, March 20th</span> <br />
<br />
On Saturday after noon, while having a short visit with the girls at work, I began to have contractions. Though they were not getting more severe they were coming every 4 minutes. I began to think to myself.. "Is this it?" "Is it time?" I called Chance and told him that it was probably a good idea for us to go ahead and head on to the hospital. He got up and began gathering bags, he told me to sit tight and he'd call me when he was on his way. While he was getting ready my contractions stopped- as they had done many times before. I reasoned with myself that there were probably Braxton Hicks contractions, and that I should just take it easy that night. Once I got home, I took a warm bath and did my best to relax. I knew the end was near; but I had no idea it was so close!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Sunday, March 21st</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I woke up in the wee hours of the morning on Sunday. Again, I was having constitent contractions. Again, I told Chance that I thought we should head to the hospital. My contractions were averaging one about every 5-7 minutes. When we got to the hospital they hooked me up to all the monitors. While they were monitoring me however, the contractions stopped- yet again. So discouraged and with out a baby, we walked out of Labor and Delivery at around 3 am. When we got home I did my best to get some sleep. It was hopeless, I was miserable uncomfortable, it was hot, and Chance was snoring like no other. Around 6 am I gave up and went to lay down on the couch in the study. Finally, rest! I slept until about 11am when Chance came down to check on me. I spent the rest of the day on the couch resting, eating and watching television. I continued to have contractions throughout the day, but they were never consistent enough to cause concern.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Monday, March 22nd</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">On Monday I had my regular 38 week check up. When I woke up I felt the passage of some fluid. My head started spinning yet again. I began to analyze every wiggle, every ache and pain. This time however I knew I would be seeing Dr. Owens very soon, so I decided to stick it out until my appointment. I let the nurse know about everything that had been going on as soon as we got to the exam room. Upon further investigation we discovered that I was 3 cm dialated and about 90% effaced {I had been 1cm and 70% effaced at the hospital on Sunday.} Given the progress I'd made on Sunday and the passage of the fluid, he thought it best to go back downstairs to make sure that my bag of water had not ruptured. We sat in that hospital room for what seemed like forever. We tried to watch a movie {Role Models} but my mind was spinning in too many different directions to focus on the television. Finally, at the end of a very long afternoon it was decided that my water had not broken; but Dr. Owens said that if it happened again that we were to come straight to labor and delivery for another check. Of course- it happened again. Of course it had to be Monday. {Chance plays poker every Monday night and had already left for the evening.} At around 7pm that night my Mother-in-law Debbi and I headed back to the hospital. We went through the same old tests all over again, sat there for forever; and yet again- nothing. So we left the hospital that night with out a baby. Little did I know the next time I visited would be the real deal! When we got home I happened to look down at my phone and saw that my doctor had called me. Immediately I called him back. He said that he wanted to see me in the morning so he could check my progress over night and said that we would discuss inducing my labor on Wednesday, if it was alright with me. I almost laughed at that last bit. I was so ready to meet our little girl, and so ready to get to the end of the l-o-n-g pregnancy road. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Tuesday, March 23rd</span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkAy-L3b4NuC4On4mPYfo1rY2rDIrsXn9gpCCe4MRM1H78eIY2cMSNreuA7aP64Id3TpXLpmqbYYd50Lkyf1ozsWpYjQDD9xdASHLYvdxya2xBoofCe9kmRb7K6YEqiK9uPGiJzrG4LY/s1600/mommy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkAy-L3b4NuC4On4mPYfo1rY2rDIrsXn9gpCCe4MRM1H78eIY2cMSNreuA7aP64Id3TpXLpmqbYYd50Lkyf1ozsWpYjQDD9xdASHLYvdxya2xBoofCe9kmRb7K6YEqiK9uPGiJzrG4LY/s320/mommy.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;">I arrived for my appointment at 10 am sharp. I was so anxious to make arrangements for our girl's arrival! She had other plans. When Dr. Owens checked me I was 4 cm dialated and 100% effaced. He looked at me and said "We're going to have a baby today." I thought my head would explode. Naturally, I had come to this appointment alone. I was shaking as I dialed Chance's number... four rings and then voicemail. I called again... same thing. Again... Then I tried the house... nothing. I was panicked when I called my Mom and told her what was going on. She assured me that someone would get in touch with Chance and that he would in fact be there for the arrival of our little one. That was the longest elevator ride of my life, and I was only going down one floor. With a smile I marched into Labor and Delivery and announced to the nurses that I was going to have a baby today!! We began the admitting process and within minutes I was getting cozy in Labor Room 1. I was so excited, nervous, scared, worried, happy and sad- all at the same time. I had been in my room for about 20 minutes when my Mom showed up. She had been at work, but left everything to be there with me. At about 11:30 I began to panic about the fact that I still had not heard from Chance; coincidentally this was around the time that they began my Pitocin drip. Let me tell you that is some nasty stuff! Dr. Owens came to check in on me around noon; he decided to go ahead and break my water {I was dialated to 5 cm at this point.} That's when things really got going; I started to have some pretty serious contractions. By 2 o'clock when the nurse asked me if I was ready for some pain relief I couldn't say yes fast enough. First they gave me Stadol. I should note that I have absolutely no tolerance for medication. I was somewhere between complete oblivion and puking my guts up when the "epidural man" as I called him plowed {and yes, I do mean plowed} through the door. He was loud, crass, and rough- all the things you pray your pain reliever isn't. I was terrified. And then in the middle of my nightmare Chance walked through the door. He immediately came and stood by me through the entire procedure. It was such a relief having him there. Then my legs started going numb, and then the started going "dead." Looking back, it's funny really. I had absolutely <em>no movement</em> in the lower portion of my body. Once the medication really set in I was VERY tired. So, as if he were reading my mind, Chance turned off the lights in our hospital room and suggested I get some much needed rest. I napped for about 2 1/2 hours. When I woke up I sent word to my Mom, Gran and sisters that it was OK for them to come back in. Quiet time was over- I was ready to get this show on the road. We sat around and visited. I enjoyed watching my contractions on the monitors. It was funny to watch some of them go "off the chart," but only because I couldn't feel them. If I could have I'm sure I would have felt </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CUj1GseihDaOt9c98gXwzfJeOkCYttF3mlShghvpLwb_jMoxqNze_piCqbcTjki8I9bw9Ka-NLwPz9ar2gBLH9PYSbvhE0aNlvWdvG9tPLlPd4Q9gBiz3sPVm5S6ooj8pGWmZhARtkA/s1600/hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CUj1GseihDaOt9c98gXwzfJeOkCYttF3mlShghvpLwb_jMoxqNze_piCqbcTjki8I9bw9Ka-NLwPz9ar2gBLH9PYSbvhE0aNlvWdvG9tPLlPd4Q9gBiz3sPVm5S6ooj8pGWmZhARtkA/s320/hands.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;">differently. Thank goodness, because I was having some agressive labor! I was having contractions every minute, most of which peaked "off the chart." Dr. Owens came in to check on us as soon as the office was closed, at around 5 o'clock when he checked me I was finally fully dialated. {I say finally- I <em>do</em> realize how quickly all this transpired and how lucky I am that it did!} He recommended that we sit tight and let her make her way down a bit farther. He would check on us in 30 minutes. Those 30 minutes seemed to fly by and before I knew it there he was again. This time when he checked me Olivia was at +2 station; he said </span><span style="font-family: Times;">he'd be back in another 30. </span><span style="font-family: Times;">Chance thought he'd have time to step outside for a minute so at around 5:40 he walked outside. At 5:45 however, baby had another plan. Dr. Owens came in and said that he "had a feeling he should check me." Good thing he did, because Olivia was ready to make her appearance. He looked at me and said "We're gonna have a baby!" </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWpYeq_jO32hHv_ALSjZFBiNsjQG1jkAdNRDKUvhHOAzeyHBF-F0-c_Mr4-ntIsK3WF2alKc24aMEjg8LfwX24WxpT8H-DIyLR_1uWGJJmM3kjkQFf4tosXyrj9Whve_cuZYY1XTzdtE/s1600/meeting+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWpYeq_jO32hHv_ALSjZFBiNsjQG1jkAdNRDKUvhHOAzeyHBF-F0-c_Mr4-ntIsK3WF2alKc24aMEjg8LfwX24WxpT8H-DIyLR_1uWGJJmM3kjkQFf4tosXyrj9Whve_cuZYY1XTzdtE/s320/meeting+you.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times;">I was ecstatic, then I realized Chance wasn't there. I looked at Lindsay and said "Go get him. Now."</span><span style="font-family: Times;">She's such a trooper, she took off running! I don't think even a minute passed and they were both back. All of a sudden the room was packed- everyone preparing for delivery. At 5:53pm with Chance at my side I started pushing. I was so anxious that I'd have to push for hours. But I was more excited to meet our little girl. Five or six pushes later; at 6:08 in the evening she was here. The nurse placed her on my chest as soon as she was out. I remember thinking, "She's here, and she's mine." I was so glad to touch her, finally all that waiting for this moment! She was so warm and soft.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times;"> After a few minutes the nurses took her to be checked. Of course she was perfect. Scored a 9 on her apgar test. Chance helped Nurse Cindy {who also happens to be one of our neighbors}</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroV3VICFpIv1c4eSlPtemoJ3kR9_JWCUpQTqyrIyQhtJRWxmoKXbs0D6-FCNnSiwkiPZ2xYUBxGrPb7hRG3gGImOzWAI7b3O6Oa5bMW_S9vVpBVh5jbxXvpH32KkzBPZeJPCieY3Z0aw/s1600/104_1473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroV3VICFpIv1c4eSlPtemoJ3kR9_JWCUpQTqyrIyQhtJRWxmoKXbs0D6-FCNnSiwkiPZ2xYUBxGrPb7hRG3gGImOzWAI7b3O6Oa5bMW_S9vVpBVh5jbxXvpH32KkzBPZeJPCieY3Z0aw/s320/104_1473.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times;">check her vitals, he even got to put on her first diaper. After she was all cleaned up and ready to love, they brought her back to me and I was able to nurse her for the first time. I'll never forget what it felt like to have her there with me, in that moment. I had waited so long to know what it felt like</span><span style="font-family: Times;"> to be a mommy- and here it was. It was undeniable. </span></div></div>Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-48306531427392035752010-04-05T08:25:00.000-07:002010-04-05T08:32:34.497-07:00Your Due Date.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQaxMMlG9XygluZaWLS648kLWp4YcapcJocN8pkZLV7sDoRe6tyxa0oj8yYe_L9Z5Qcg8Vr_R00zfwsRqDi7c2okQU9W0CdF8BlOzeHmx5sf9Qtc7jrLR8yhjmFyEI5BnEox7yliwSFE/s1600/60s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQaxMMlG9XygluZaWLS648kLWp4YcapcJocN8pkZLV7sDoRe6tyxa0oj8yYe_L9Z5Qcg8Vr_R00zfwsRqDi7c2okQU9W0CdF8BlOzeHmx5sf9Qtc7jrLR8yhjmFyEI5BnEox7yliwSFE/s320/60s.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sweet Baby Girl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today is April 5, 2010.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's the day that the doctor thought you would arrive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{I always said it would be late March.}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You have been with us for just short of 2 weeks now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You'll never know how you've blessed us in those 2 wks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You've met so many people- and they've all fallen in love with you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I look forward to each morning, excited to see the tiny ways you've changed through the night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Already you're starting to look different.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You are so beautiful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You'll never know how much you are loved!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love, Mommy.</div>Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-58192435216595950962010-03-28T08:37:00.000-07:002010-03-28T08:37:26.899-07:00...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FhsVyel1KZ65IjFi6APSTDdHb205QM1u5CxvMFmDj37Fslzn8rmiUSDPgRSOAPeRzThBm21h0ph3L928oW635wLgFb0pL964H-37pzBsSgDTvt57JYccu_Wq-4Q7LE69LMb3xueFuCc/s1600/announcement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FhsVyel1KZ65IjFi6APSTDdHb205QM1u5CxvMFmDj37Fslzn8rmiUSDPgRSOAPeRzThBm21h0ph3L928oW635wLgFb0pL964H-37pzBsSgDTvt57JYccu_Wq-4Q7LE69LMb3xueFuCc/s320/announcement.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-37502763535582697712009-09-01T06:45:00.000-07:002009-09-01T07:02:22.737-07:00Hey Macarena!Oh, what a fun time we had at our visit yesterday. Of course Aunt Mia came, we waited for a really long time to see Dr. Owens. But the show was worth the wait. When we started the ultrasound everything was just like last time {only 3 times bigger} then when Dr. Owens hit his handy-dandy zoom button we could see so much more! Sweet Pea was dancing!!!! It was by far the most precious thing I've ever seen. Dr. Owens even laughed and said, "Hey, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Macarena</span>!" Which of course made Mommy laugh. Sweet Pea's little arms and legs were just going to town. The little head was even bobbing! I wish I could have gotten it on video.<br /><br />Side note: We are currently at 9 weeks, so unfortunately we will have to wait another 9 weeks to find out the gender.Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-24687347419379355962009-08-31T06:58:00.000-07:002009-08-31T07:02:16.207-07:00Another visit with Dr. Owens.Today I'm going to see Dr. Owens again. I'm excited to see how much Sweet Pea has grown in the last 2 weeks. Aunt Mia is going with me, she'll be the first person to go with me and SEE the ultrasound. Aunt Mia is the most wonderful best friend to me. I'll look forward to updating later about what new things we learn about Sweet Pea today.Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-61998526823909225482009-08-18T16:03:00.000-07:002009-08-18T16:10:51.439-07:00Appointment UpdateI met with Dr. Owens today, it was a much more detailed visit than we've had thus far. I found out that we can be expecting Sweet Pea around April 5, 2010!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371444858164773986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBs8ZQcuEQytWXTmvFhDYxAWd3aXs_gJ6fxNN1L3A1xxGlgLn7YMuTeNJ2V6elWOjMfopTELGVK8Lhl8CIMDQH2vSMwwzi42BXy1xOy-CSIDwBhU_RVJrGIezMmfGET8H6GrfdmszORQ/s320/SCAN0002b.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371444852658961554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPzsX-bV6TejoxzzAaYWSDXP2EY3e1_OTJvbGL75YNOTv4Zu4J4QjomNnBICBivYpjeqVL5rIQX9hy-Q1kXkMrkDSVZCRctey92PLhIQ1ArXIDBrsKj4u8aMVq6qxPxiDvbiXqEjnfgU/s320/SCAN0002a.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371444850256716386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXw18-Y1AsOTYWZR-mOz4j59eC8hSvaEmBT4pDjV6pzo5AuP3Og7CmnpEVOL30uD3eXO0E4-SoqcAqc0Fm8K5_SDIE7etCtjzbsxvwKTz2JrrlrhvzSs_Spy2kkkYVqO3R7-5RFQkjtk/s320/SCAN0001b.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371444841419505234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSJOP3M_LE_nYy9qx2zUIg3X8mmNB2tPFAyU1y6_PVbkWuyJ_Vewe-y6SWmK8-LbBFTHFLLQ2MEPM4t3iKj1QLclzYhCHZuibizs5yt8wngoYwDGG3RPFDP3Qr6q3i38yBj4NgzRjz_U/s320/SCAN0001a.jpg" />Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-86117093128902883152009-08-17T20:11:00.000-07:002009-08-17T20:26:55.702-07:00Whew.. what a week.I've had a rough couple of days. This past week I've been so hungry, but ever since the exorcist situation I can't eat anything. I sit down and after just a couple of bites {I mean like <em>maybe</em> 2 bites} I get sick to my stomach and have to stop. The only thing I can eat is fruit. So at least that's healthy! The pain I was having has pretty much gone away, but hiccups have replaced it. Random, I know. My birthday is tomorrow, and for the first time in a while- I'm excited. Not necessarily because it's my birthday; but because we get an arrival date for Sweet Pea! I am going to have lunch with Sweet Pea's Mimi, and dinner with Daddy and Aunt Mia. So that should be fun. Daddy says he's not getting me anything but I bet he's fibbing. On a random side note. Most people know I'm a very sentimental person, and I believe in "signs." Well today I got one of those signs, and I was moved to tears. As I was driving home from a rather hard day at work, not looking forward the the stress and mess that was no doubt waiting for me; in the midst of all the "noise" on the radio there was a request. All the host said was that it was from a man, to his little girl. The song: Unchained Melody. Not all of you would know that, that song was a favorite of my Pawpaw's. I'm brought to tears by just the memory, it truly touched my heart. It was like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pawpaw</span> was reaching down in the only way that he could to tell me, "Happy Birthday, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Punkin</span>", "I love you", "Congratulations"; all the things I know he wants to say- but can't. I wish there was some way that I would ever be able to give Sweet Pea even the slightest idea of just how much they would have been loved by him. It's an immeasurable amount. I'd give anything to be able to see Sweet Pea in his arms. But God had other plans, and I'm learning to cope with that. Not well, but I'm getting there.<br /><br /><br />I'm excited to share with you about tomorrow's appointment!Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-75564930536447255812009-08-12T06:18:00.000-07:002009-09-01T08:26:07.393-07:00Six Weeks Today!Wow, I still can't believe I'm saying that. I've seen the sonogram {saw that sweet heartbeat,} I've been exhausted for a month now, and for the very first time- last night I did my best impression of the movie "The exorcist." I know pleasant, right? {I sincerely hope that was because I hadn't eaten much yesterday, and then took my vitamins, which make my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">tumbly</span> very <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">rumbly</span>.} Yet still I can't shake this feeling that at any moment the doctors office is going to call and say "Mrs. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bendel</span> we're very sorry for the misunderstanding blah, blah, blah" and that the polka-dot I saw on that sonogram is really a cyst, that has to be removed by surgery. I, of course know that is not the case. But it still doesn't feel real. I'm very excited to go next week {on my birthday} and get an exact due date. I'll share it immediately! What a birthday gift. Daddy says I don't get a birthday present this year, he says I got what I really wanted. And to be honest- no gift in the world could top it!<br /><br />Things that have happened so far:<br /><ul><li>Mimi bought Sweet Pea several outfits. {You're going to have to either be a girl, or really, really like pink.}</li><li>Mommy is still exhausted.</li><li>Daddy is getting more excited, he asks how "we're" feeling everyday. Even if I bite his head off for doing it.</li><li>Mommy got sick last night, still hoping it's a one time thing. Will eat more food today.</li></ul>Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-5979920953680395042009-08-10T06:58:00.000-07:002009-08-10T20:23:00.992-07:00Change of plans.<div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;">**Update: Visit with Dr. Owens went well. Everything is ok, though I do have to take it easy until my next appt. when we can re-evaluate the situation. Dr. Owens performed an ultrasound, that showed that I am not as far along as we originally thought. I'm about 6 weeks and 5 days along, so we'll have to wait until April to meet Sweet Pea. I got to see the heartbeat an everything, I almost cried. I go back on the 18th {my birthday!} for a check up to make sure we haven't had anymore scary nights and to do another ultrasound to get an exact date.**</span> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We had a scary night last night, hopefully I've over-reacting. Chance thinks I am, it's a distinct possibility. However, lucky for me my Dr. is just as paranoid as I am. So I don't have to wait until Wednesday anymore. I'm going in at 10. I'll update as soon as I can.</div>Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-1673455000227616612009-08-09T08:47:00.000-07:002009-08-09T08:54:02.295-07:006 months ago today...<a name="7086652605463785245"></a>Several months ago, on our other site I posted this. Since we will be publishing this site as a keepsake, I thought it fitting to share this here also.<br /><br />February 9, 2009:<br /><a href="http://chanceandsarahbendel.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-hearts-desire.html">My hearts desire...</a><br />*Disclaimer: I may begin to ramble, I tend to get highly emotional when I discuss this topic.*<br />I have wanted to be a mommy since I knew what being a mommy was. Anyone who knows me can attest to that. When I was in kindergarten and the teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I quickly responded with "I want to be a mommy." {However, I've always felt that conceiving would be difficult for me.} The sight, smell, and feel of an infant are absolutely intoxicating for me. I love to hold their little feet in my hands, to caress their soft wisps of hair, to feel their soft breathing next to my chest. {Tears well up in my eyes just thinking about it. I'm such a sap.} Sometimes when I don't have anything else to do online, I look at photos of nurseries, and baby bedding, or baby clothing. I've had baby fever since the moment Chance and I walked back up that aisle after saying our "I Do's", maybe a little before that if I'm being completely honest here. It comes in spurts, sometimes the longing subsides, other times my mind dances with thoughts of nurseries, bath times and bed times. Many people say that I'm too young, or that Chance and I haven't been married long enough. Those people are the same people that said I was too young to get married and wagered in their minds whether we'd even make it to 6 months. I've always known I would marry young, and I hoped I would shortly there after become a mommy. 18 months have come and gone with not so much as a glimmer of hope. Let me make it clear, Chance and I are not actively "trying" to conceive. I'm aware that, that would be foolish. I know that God will bless us when we are "ready" in his eyes. That being said, Chance and I have done nothing to prevent pregnancy for over 2 years now. According to my doctor this is when we get serious with fertility treatments, if I want to ever have a baby. I'm not sure that I'm on board with all the medicines, ultra sounds and blood work again just yet. {Chance and I VERY briefly tried to conceive in early 2008, but I was exhausted with work, and the 5 ultrasounds a month and taking 6 medicines was just too much for my body.} The doctors say that I have Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome {PCOS}- not sure that I entirely buy into that. I've begun to feel as though that's the new blanket diagnosis when the doctors don't really have and answer for why a twenty something, perfectly healthy woman can't conceive. Chance is a strong believer in, "It will happen when it's supposed to happen." and "This isn't going to happen on our timeline." I know with all of my heart that both of those things are true. Though it doesn't make the yearning any less. He of course would be thrilled with a new baby, he's very opinionated on the topic of baby names. We've agreed on Olivia Kaye and Elliot James. But he doesn't have the strong desire that I do and he doesn't really understand my fear that I won't be able to naturally be a mother. I'm not sure that he could understand completely. He's supportive and is always willing to hold me when I cry. {Which I usually do at least 2 times a week.} I pray for deliverance from the desire to be a mother, but feel no relief. I pray for a blessing of our own. I'm not really sure why I feel compelled to share such personal information, in such an un-private arena. I don't really talk about it to very many people. But lately I've felt like I was going to explode. Chance is getting less patient with me on the subject. And my friends say all the right things but are in different places in their lives and just don't wholly understand. I feel very alone for the first time in my life, and I am surrounded by more people than ever. I work with a wonderful group of women, some who have children others who don't. I have a wonderful husband and family. Yet still I feel completely isolated. I'm beginning to doubt that I'm meant to be a mother, but then again I can't believe that my God would give me such a strong desire if He didn't intend for me to become a mommy. So I suppose that for now I will be praying until I'm blue in the face- or round in the belly.<br />Posted by Sarah & Chance Bendel at <a class="timestamp-link" title="permanent link" href="http://chanceandsarahbendel.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-hearts-desire.html" rel="bookmark">8:04 AM</a>Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-30899118556480696392009-08-09T08:11:00.001-07:002009-08-09T08:54:38.992-07:00Tangible proof... finally.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06UkjXFtC5UQgn1IAE5h8XB4AdzgkY4htahlu05zSajGh3fh-1M7Jt6n4QyN4e3XlotCdeXphDe2AojxpNq73L-wbxenjRspSTch60oEoWgYb0p8UPZZChl9bnxp7i7yksgrmMgu-P4o/s1600-h/cbed.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367984043956706098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06UkjXFtC5UQgn1IAE5h8XB4AdzgkY4htahlu05zSajGh3fh-1M7Jt6n4QyN4e3XlotCdeXphDe2AojxpNq73L-wbxenjRspSTch60oEoWgYb0p8UPZZChl9bnxp7i7yksgrmMgu-P4o/s320/cbed.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAmlt1lcXBgdFmoAytwyQDJpWn41ANmkqeDuVCg4c-yN4OEGdaBHDm-i7TuQXo2DpWkeurqbpOHvci1uXvbE8ObFMxWGluvBML1mhrXrc7CaGTFM9cXcB27rN-TW3ZSFzNAGtX3jf1E4/s1600-h/cbed.jpg"></a>Being as how we've know Sweet Pea was coming for nearly 2 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">wks</span> now, this may seem a bit odd. Its silly I know, and I don't care. Here's the story:</div><div></div><div>You don't know this but the day I found out I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">was</span> pregnant, I had taken an at home pregnancy test, it was negative. So when Nurse Amy called, I was shocked. Had stock piled tests like I was preparing for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Apocalypse</span>, so I just took one every couple of days.. all negative. So last night before Daddy took me out to dinner for an early birthday celebration I took my last at home pregnancy test. Finally.. tangible proof. The doctors have told me several times, and I've been a very good girl taking my vitamins everyday {even though I HATE taking medicine!} But somehow it just didn't seem real, like there was some mix up at the lab.. twice. I kept waiting for the doctors office to call and tell me how sorry they were for all the confusion and the inconvenience. So to have the tangible proof, is so comforting. </div><div>I can't wait to "see" Sweet Pea on Wednesday, our first doctors appointment. </div><div></div><div>Things that have happened so far:</div><ul><li>Mommy has been having quite a bit of discomfort in and around your "home." </li><li>Mommy is exhausted, taking mid day naps and in bed by 11.</li><li>Aunt Ashley came all the way from Mississippi to visit us this week, she is so excited.</li><li>Mimi {Mommy's mom} got Mommy her first real maternity shirt, it's not that bad.</li><li>Mommy is going to have to do something about her pants situation very soon, they're a bit snug to say the least.</li><li>Daddy gives "the belly" kisses every night, he loves Sweet Pea very much!</li></ul>Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-79504470982592368372009-08-06T05:50:00.000-07:002009-08-06T05:58:53.278-07:00Well Wishes for Sweet Pea 8-6-09<span style="font-family:georgia;">Uncle Barry:<br />Hi Sarah,<br />That is great news for you and Chance!! We're so happy for you. I usually check in on your blog every week or so, so now I'll also check on the new baby blog. Again...CONGRATS!!<br />Take care,<br />Barry</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Cousin Micah:</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">How wonderful, Sarah!!! I am so happy for you guys! You are going to be an absolutely amazing mommy. What a lucky baby!! I'm excited to follow the blog. YAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!! </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Take care!</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Love, Micah (&Kevin)</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Aunt Becky:</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Hi Sarah….Bev told me a few days ago that you were pregnant. I’m so excited for you!! I tried to email you but it kept coming back undeliverable. I also tried to text you, but wasn’t sure I had the right phone number. Anyway, I’m so excited and happy for both you and Chance. I may be in Paducah in late September, so I look forward to catching up on what’s happening! Are you now living in your apartment and did Chance get another job. I’m playing catch up from talking with you last Christmas! </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">We love you! </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Becky</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Nikki Wilson:</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Oh wow!!! Congratulations Sarah!!! Chance has called a couple of times, but I wasn't in a position to answer my phone. I thought he was going to get onto me for not having lunch with you guys while I was in town last. (sorry about that.) I will be back in Paducah in September. We will have to get together!!! I'm so happy for you guys!!! Congratulations again!!!!!!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Angela Schafer:</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Congrats Sarah!!! I'm so happy for you and Chance!!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Ashley Mclemore:</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">And I'm gonna be an aunt!! Yay! Gosh and don't you know that is gonna be the most gorgeous kid?</span>Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-54755056924435460972009-08-04T20:28:00.000-07:002009-08-04T20:45:00.970-07:00257It all started when Mommy went to a new doctor, Dr. Owens {he's wonderful.} Dr. Owens wanted to put Mommy on a new medicine called <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Provera</span>, but before I could start taking it there were some tests to be run. As a precaution on July 29, 2009 they performed a quantitative blood pregnancy test. I prepared myself for the inevitable "negative" result, never expecting that I'd be pregnant. The very next day Dr. Owens nurse Amy {also very nice} called and told me not to take my medicine, that I was going to have a baby. In a second my world changed forever. My hands began to shake and I asked her at least 5 times if she was sure. {In a quantitative blood test they measure the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">hCG</span> levels in a woman's blood, anything below a 10 is negative; above an 11 is positive. My level was 257!!} On the 31st I went in to have more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">blood work</span> drawn to make sure that everything was progressing normally, my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">hCG</span> level should have at least been 500.. it was 894. I was over the moon with excitement. As soon as I received my results I made my first <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">appointment</span> with Dr. Owens for August 12, 2009; just 6 days before my birthday. What a wonderful birthday gift from God.<br /><br />Things that have happened so far:<br /><ul><li>Your Aunt Lindsay bought you your first gift: a 4-pack of bibs with very funny sayings.</li><li>I can feel your "home" expanding, it scared me at first, but now I'm used to it.</li><li>Mommy is very, very, very tired.</li><li>We've told all of our family and friends, and everyone is very excited to meet you.</li></ul>Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985540843803200279.post-29361215357562434162009-08-04T10:24:00.000-07:002009-08-04T10:38:25.401-07:00Our Blessing, an Introduction.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QnffNdEGdbSxD5h8DGh8XXWfCZAv7hV7gw8tfng8WWccOdBjyCCeU4mcygW3wp7fjOHbRBT35DUcHxM1NInnrnz0JEFyluHwirv4iVFjGiwT8c8eTLAqdHbWCKpNd_jnzTD1y8djqjA/s1600-h/edited+for+baby+shower.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366161601490569106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QnffNdEGdbSxD5h8DGh8XXWfCZAv7hV7gw8tfng8WWccOdBjyCCeU4mcygW3wp7fjOHbRBT35DUcHxM1NInnrnz0JEFyluHwirv4iVFjGiwT8c8eTLAqdHbWCKpNd_jnzTD1y8djqjA/s320/edited+for+baby+shower.jpg" /></a><br />We are the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bendel's</span>, Sarah and Chance. We were married on September 15, 2007. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a Mommy. Once we were married, I wanted to start trying immediately, Chance wanted to leave it in God's hands and "just let it happen." In the end Chance got his way. We were not trying to get pregnant but, on July 30, 2009 we found out that we are expecting a baby. We are over the moon with joy. I look forward to using this medium as a way to keep friends and family informed, and to share our journey. From here on out in this blog Chance and I will be referred to as Mommy and Daddy. I plan to publish this blog into a keepsake for our little sweet pea. Volume One is the pregnancy, here we go.Sarah Copehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06586045270325533798noreply@blogger.com0