mostly finished

He did it!
We did it!

Bradley graduated from
Pepperdine's School of Law
on the 22nd of May, 2009.

Halle-freakin'-lujah!!!

It was an absolutely beautiful day with family and friends. While Brad walked, I sat there beaming and crying. I was honored to hood him and am so proud of what he's accomplished. And besides our massive amount of school debt, the four of us made it through relatively unharmed :) Now it's time to hunker down and study for the bars (CA & AZ). Then, we will be finished. *B

and so it begins

I've come to realize that packing/moving is a lot like law school... it seems to go on forever! But it will end. And change is necessary. I just wish it wasn't so exhausting! *B

the sun will come out

Tomorrow! Brad's last final (of his life) is tomorrow!!!
We all need some good sun hats for the brightness of this moment ;)

Though I doubt we'll all look as cute as missy. *B

on this day

So much is happening right now. And I can hardly wrap my brain around what has already happened, let alone what will happen in these next two weeks...

Today, Elsie is two months old. She's smiling, and cooing and wooing us all! Today leaves the hub with his last two finals. Then he graduates next Friday! And little miss will be blessed that following Sunday. And then that Monday, we leave our beloved California for boiling Arizona... we'll be staying with my folks while Brad studies for the bar (to be taken in July), and soon we'll be looking for a home of our own come August/September! Wow. And, on a side note, today is also the day I would be holding my Maybe baby.


I have a few projects I need to wrap up before we leave, and I've started/planned some other projects to keep me from dwelling on all the upcoming craziness. Oh, and I've been enjoying my children.

So, today is May 11th. A chapter is coming to a close, while another opens. It's a sad/happy/frightening/exciting day :) And today will soon become yesterday. Everything is happening so fast... and I haven't even done laundry today. *B

the end is near

Today is the last day of classes!!! No more night school, too :) Now all we have to get through is finals and the bar exam, and we are done with law (except for practicing it...)! Say it with me people, "HUZZAH!"

The little engine that could is our role model. *B

for the broken record

Six weeks ago my missy was born. Wow. Time flies, eh? All is well. Turns out having two kids isn't too bad after all. Although being a sick family of four for a week is bad. Very bad. But we're all on the mend and what do I have to show for it? Pictures! So eat your heart out (mom!):

Yes, my kids are beautiful, aren't they? *B

birth stories, with lots of etceteras

First, a little background information: Will was born via Cesarean. I know, it seems so unlike me; anti-Beth, if you will... but Will didn't drop and was a stubborn breech baby. Even after three versions, he refused to stay head down, etc. In fact, the morning we went in to have him, he was head down! Oh, if you could imagine the grief those nasty nurses gave me. Thank goodness I had a wonderful, supportive, and patient doctor-midwife team. And after many tears and prayers (again), we went ahead with our decision and wouldn't you know! Will flipped within those 45 minutes and was delivered feet first. Once he was out, the anesthesiologist must have given me something because I was knocked out for the remainder of the surgery and they had to wake me up from my super groggy state in recovery to start nursing my baby boy.

Now, Elsie's story is similar but so very different. She too was a spinning crazy breech baby who refused to drop, etc. The nurse practitioner that I had been seeing (I was just going to a clinic, due to a lack of serious moolah) agreed with my past midwife, saying that it just wasn't likely that my babies would fit through my small and sharp little pelvis... also, the hospital and doctor that I was going to be delivering with would not allow a VBAC. Once again, I sacrificed my ideals on behalf of the health of my baby, and myself. Brad and I decided that because our situation was less than ideal (no access to a midwife and/or chiropractor, past experiences with pregnancies/surgeries, etc.), that we would go ahead with a repeat C-section. Once again, many tears and prayers flowed from my person...

The doctor who was to deliver Elsie would not even allow me to go into labor on my own. Not something he was even willing to risk, so they scheduled me a week before my due date. Now, this due date was based off of my early ultrasounds (6 and 18 weeks), not my LMP. I begged with the clinic, tried switching doctors/hospitals, but no one would push back the section. In the end, Elsie was born on March 11th, at a supposed 39 weeks gestation. She came out tiny, and covered in vernix. I knew she was early. And I wish the medical field would place a little more faith in a mother's intuition... thank goodness she was still considered full term, if not on the small side. The pediatric nurse confirmed my suspicions saying she looked like she was 38 weeks, not 39 weeks. Dumb doctor(s) et al.

Anyway, now for the more positive side of her story. My nurse was amazing and apparently was a huge proponent of skin to skin bonding, even for Cesarean mothers. So, she told my anesthesiologist to not give me the knock out drug, basically to keep me awake --of course I still had the spinal, so it's not like I was in any pain. I was just kept awake the ENTIRE time. This time around, my baby came out and I stayed awake while they sewed me up. I got to hear her cry and all the conversations going around, etc. And then, they came and plopped her on my chest! She immediately calmed down and started rooting around. I got to hold her the entire time, even when they transferred me from the operating table to the recovery gurney. And then, she stayed with me for HOURS in the recovery room while we waited for a room. The only bad thing is I got really sick from the drugs and was dry heaving and sweating for a few hours. I only had that a little with William after I woke up... I think the stuff they usually give you to knock you out afterward helps you sleep through the drug aftermath... but still, totally worth it!

And now, two weeks later, my beautiful daughter is packing on the pounds and basking in her family's love-glow! I know that our bodies are living miracles. I know that our bodies have the strength to complete tasks beyond our comprehension. And I know that our bodies interact on various levels with various environments --mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. I may not have delivered my babies ideally, but I have carried each of them for nine months. And I can provide nourishment and comfort via nursing. I can make difficult decisions to get them here safely. And I can love them and support them. I am their mother, and no one can take that away from me. It is my God-given right and I know that motherhood is a divine calling; one that I embrace with open arms and a full heart.

I am so grateful that I have two beautiful, happy and healthy children and that my body has the strength to recover from what it goes through to get them here. *B

happy St. Patrick's day

Make some cookies for me!
With extra cream cheese frosting. Thanks.

little miss Elsie

Miss Elizabeth {Elsie} Rae Summers

born on March 11th at 1:24 pm
6lbs and 18.5 inches long

I'll write our story later (can't spend too much time on the comp nowadays), but in the meantime here is a little montage of our baby girl. Oh, and Elsie is basically the most PERFECT baby. Ever.

She's a cute tiny thing :)

We are all in awe of her sweetness. Especially Will.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and well wishes. *B

to my firstborn

We've been together now for 3.5 years.
You're my shadow, my buddy, my everything.

"I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
as long as I'm living,
my baby you'll be."

Love, Mom

ready or not

I can't help but have baby brain nowadays. Especially with the impending arrival of little miss... we're running into scheduling conflicts (aka. stupid doctors), but most likely she'll be here in a little more than a couple of weeks (March 11th)! Am I ready? Yes. Also, no. But she's bound to come sooner or later, so it's just a matter of time ;) I've been having a lot more Braxton Hicks with this pregnancy; something I barely noticed with Will. Basically, any time I get up from sitting or laying down I have one. Lots of fun. Needless to say, I'm pretty lazy these days! But, I am getting in a lot of crocheting (which I have yet to share, tsk-tsk). And I day-dream about other projects that will probably never come to fruition... like burp cloths, onesies, blankets and some cradle bedding (see below). Maybe if I get a HUGE surge of energy in the next week... we'll see :)

Anyway, with only 16 days to go (I KNOW!), I am getting anxious/nervous. I can't wait to see her, and hold her, and kiss her, etc. But, am I ready for two kids? I'm worried about Will. Not that he's not ready or won't be a great big brother. Because he is and he will be. But I'm worried that I won't be there for him like I have been for the past 3.5 years. I mean, he's my little buddy. It's just been me and him for a long time now. And that will change dramatically when baby comes. I'm not ready for the guilt and stress of sharing myself, if that makes sense.

I'm sure the mental and emotional preparation will come, in time. But, in the meantime, I have rounded up a few baby essentials (and dreaming about more). I already have most of what I'll need, since I've been-there-done-that. I'm just missing some clothes. The girly kind (I'm also worried about how I'll handle that... I'm not a big girly-girl)! Oh, I did pick up a steal of a cradle to use for the first few months, since we're a little cramped here already. I'm also rethinking my choice of crib bedding. Not that I don't love the bumper pad I already bought, but I'm really wanting something more soft and shabby cottage (think soft blues, pale yellows with just a touch of pink):

{top to bottom, left to right: crib bedding, crib bedding, and the cradle}

Something that I did get (thanks mom!) and LOVE is my diaper bag! I've been wanting one of these babies for years.. and I've wanted this baby for years, too. Just a few things need to be hammered out and readied, but we're mostly just waiting till she gets here. *B

hi baby

This is baby. Baby is sucking on hand. Baby is 3lbs 12oz, as of last week. Baby is still doing back-flips off of my bladder. Baby is a GIRL!!! We saw it with our own eyes, and there's no doubt about it :) I've studied my fair share of human anatomy... so without getting too technical, just believe me when I say that she is not a he and is indeed a she. With that being said, I'll believe it when I get to hold little miss in my arms next month! *B

splurge, etc.

I bought this (the bumper). On sale. Just in case baby is a girl. It kinda matches Will's bedding, which is good since the kids will be sharing a room in a few months. If baby is a boy, then I'll probably have to sell it... but, it's so cute! Especially with a red gingham crib sheet and a white bedskirt bedecked in red ric-rac! [fingers crossed] Also, here are the latest belly shots!

I'm feeling huge and extremely uncomfortable. In these shots the baby must be on my spine, because I am bigger some days than others... but man alive, are my hips killing me! Even worse is my pelvic floor, which is weird since I'm carrying higher than I did with Will (who gave me grief in my tail bone). So any time I stand, sit, walk, roll over, or move my legs in any way, BAM! I feel like I should be straddling a massive ice pack, or something. Here's to two more whopping months of growth and development and worthwhile discomfort! *B

woulda coulda shoulda

I had the best of intentions. Truly, I did! Today was going to be the day I finally sifted through all my photos from this past year, coupled with a blog update to put all other updates to shame. But then I unloaded my camera and my hormones got the best of me. I'm overwhelmed and exhausted! How much longer can this insanity go on?! I wish I could say it would be over in two months, that once baby arrives I'm all spunk and energy. But you never know... maybe tomorrow. Yeah, that sounds good. And a nap sounds even better! *B

a simple Christmas wish

This year, Christmas will be a very simple one for us. But it is not the simplest Christmas ever. May we all remember the Gift that was given that first Christmas, long ago: our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am grateful for Him; for His birth, His life, and His death. Through Him we are blessed with another Gift, the greatest of all the gifts of God: eternal life with our eternal families.

No fancy pictures, cards, or presents for us...
Just a simple wish for a Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
With Love,
The Summers Family

today

Today is the 18th of December, 2008.
Today is a list day.
So, today:

• is like every other day, meaning I'm tired
• it's a clear, sunny, and brisk 47 degrees
• my maybe baby would be 7 months and 1 week old
• I am 27 weeks along, getting bigger and much more uncomfortable
• my fully potty trained son decided the carpet = the toilet
• is the last day of finals (only one semester left)!!!

And finally, but certainly not least, today leaves us with a week until Christmas! I have something fun/festive planned for each of the remaining seven days... today we make a small chain of red, white and green to start the count down :) And tomorrow? Tomorrow is another day. *B

just a glimpse

Ok, so I felt really guilty and bah-humbuggy after that last post. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep without putting something somewhat pleasant and festive up! In summary, I'm not always lazy, or raunchy. I do have decorations up, a smile on my face and I've even finished my Christmas shopping! So there. *B

make up your own title

Most anything nowadays sends me into a panic mode. This includes, but is not limited to, Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, Ravelry and even Gmail. Or anything related to computers... that, especially, is whacko. My computer is like my second (soon to be third) child! So I am currently in the habit of being lazy and just saying "no" to anything (or anyone, sadly) that requires much of my attention. It's a miracle the house hasn't burned down. Yet.

Sorry, no pictures and no stories about how this is our last year here, how all three of us Summers have celebrated our birthdays, and/or how we have decked our halls for the holidays! Someday I will, and maybe some day soon (tomorrow?!).

But not now, because it makes me panic. *B