At the Beach...

So I'm still trying to get used to the concept of blogging.  There are probably a few things I could have shared over the last couple of weeks, but I forget to sit down and type them out.  Here are a few of the highlights and I might include some more details/pictures at a later time. 

1.  We drove 13 hours through the night to Indiana to spend time with our families over the fourth of July.  Henry was a trooper and did VERY well, considering he was restrained to a carseat the whole time.  Luckily, he doesn't mind the car and it usually puts him right to sleep.

2.  Spent some time in Wisconsin with my mom's family - my grandparents got to meet their great-grandchild and I loved seeing them interact with Henry.  We got to spend a day at my aunt and uncle's lake cottage...as usual, my aunt and uncle spoiled us with good food and time on the lake.  I didn't ski this year, but my dad and Peter had their annual tubing contest.  My dad won this year, as Peter flew off his tube, but he did NOT lose his shorts this year...thanks Paul and Jenni for his new swim trunks.  :)

3.  I have had some quality time at my in-law's lake house, off of lake Michigan.  It has been absolutely RELAXING and wonderful.  I've got to spend some time with my parents, Peter's parents, and my Duke friend - Amanda and her 2 and a half year old, Faith.   I've taken naps, read, sat out in the sun, and just had a more relaxed schedule the last few days.  I've LOVED it!!  Everyone has helped out with Henry and allowed me to have some time to myself, as well.  Wish that Peter was here to experience it with us, but he's back to work in NC.  Can't wait to see him this weekend...

4.  Went to my home church on Sunday and ran into many people I haven't seen in a long time.  They got to meet Henry and it was really good to be back.  It was a little overwhelming and surreal to be there with my SON, but I loved seeing familiar faces.  I was lucky to have had the opportunity to attend my dear friend, Kayla's wedding shower.  I have watched her grow up over the last 12 years or so and am so proud of the woman she's become.  She's marrying a great guy and I'm excited to see what the Lord is going to do in their lives.  I also got to visit with a couple other DEAR friends this last week and I was once again reminded of how blessed I've been over the years with amazing friendships.   Thanks Laura and Jenny for taking time out of your day to catch up...  :)

I have a full weekend ahead and I'm so excited for it to begin.  I have quite a few people whom I absolutely love coming into my hometown and I can't wait to spend some time with them.  I also have Henry's open house on Sunday, which my sisters and mom have sacrificed a lot of time to make it special...  I know many people are giving up their Sunday and even driving long distances to attend - thank you so much (in advance) for being willing to come and meet our little guy.  I'll make sure I take pictures and share about it next week.


I'm also including a few pictures of Henry smiling...it's been so much fun to see him respond more and I can help but snap pictures...  :)  And yes, his cheeks ARE filling out...he's getting bigger!  :)  

Open House for Henry

 All are welcome!

Please email RSVP to me (Holly) so I can plan accordingly...

On my own...

So today is my first official day on my own.  Mom left early yesterday morning and I have to admit I got a little emotional as I drove away from the airport.  She was such a blessing to me the last 2 weeks - organizing my house, cleaning, SERVING me in every way and being a source of encouragement as I went along.  I'm so thankful to have a mom as selfless as she is - always looking for ways to help others.  I was humbled as she did so much for me this week, but don't know what I would have done without her. 

I'm feeling great - so thankful to have a good recovery.  I feel like myself again and it's hard to believe I was carrying Henry a little over a week ago.   I'm definitely glad to NOT be pregnant anymore and to have my body back! 

Henry is doing great - he's eating like a champ and gained a whole pound from Monday to Friday last week!  I was really stressing that I was feeding him enough, but he seems to be doing just fine. 

Hanging out on our first day alone...

Want to thank everyone again for all of your prayers, words of encouragement, and love the last couple of weeks.  We've had some AMAZING meals delivered to us as well, which have been such a blessing!  :)  I'm slowly getting back into a routine and I hope to make contact with many of you as the weeks go along. 







A Note From Aunt Karla

(This was written before Baby Henry was born, but various circumstances prevented it from being posted until now...)

Heather's birth was such a much anticipated event.  She wasn't just Kevin and Donna's first child; she was the first grandchild, the first niece or nephew, and the whole family was eagerly anticipating her arrival.  So much so that when we got the word she was on her way, we all jumped in the van and descended en masse on that small hospital in Angola, Indiana.  What a beauty she was with her dark hair, lying in her little cardboard bassinet.  She captured our hearts that afternoon.

Even as a baby she had a love for life.  She didn't want to miss a minute of what was going on around her.  She was never one to lie quietly in your arms.  She had to be sitting up, looking around.  She's never changed.  She still has that same love for life; meeting challenges as they come up, trusting in God to lead the way.  She has a deep commitment to family and an enduring loyalty to her friends.  As her aunt, it's been a blessing to watch her mature into the beautiful young woman she is today.  I eagerly anticipate this next phase in her life.  

I've watched her mothering instinct kick into gear with her sisters and cousins.  I always loved getting some time to spend with the girls when I was back in Indiana.  We'd usually go to a movie and maybe out to eat.  But there was this time when I had the chance to not only take Heather and Holly to a movie, but some of their cousins as well.  Heather fixed them all little baggies of popcorn and I think she even managed a few other special treats for them.  She was like a hen with her chicks!

Heather will excel as a mother.  It's a role she's been preparing for her whole life.  Her children will truly "arise and call her blessed" (Proverbs 31:28).  I have been blessed with eleven nieces and nephews and they all bring joy to my heart, but Heather was the first and she set the bar high.

Heather, I am so excited for you and thrilled to be a "great aunt."  I know you are ready for this new adventure and for those unexpected things that will come up, because they always do.  I know you will trust the Lord to lead you and Peter.  I truly admire the person you are and I am honored to be your aunt.  I just can't wait to see this little guy and to be able to cuddle him a bit.  You are all in my prayers daily.  I love you!

Aunt Karla

 

A little more detail about Henry

So, I'm out of the hospital as of yesterday.  Peter and I were MORE than ready to leave...and since both Henry and I were doing great, they sent us home.  I've been pretty exhausted and as much as I thought I'd be able to write sooner, I just haven't had the energy (maybe the long labor process is part of it too :).  So sorry about the wait and hope you enjoy the pictures of Henry (aka. "Little Peter"...he looks so much like his dad).

Wanted to give you the gist of why my labor was so drawn out and intensive....and I promise to be as concise as I can.  :)  I started contractions at 6 pm Wednesday night and due to the fact that I had actually NO IDEA what a REAL contraction would feel like (found THAT out later), we were sent home.  Felt a little embarrassed, but glad to know everything was normal and I would just need to wait it out.  

Kept having contractions through Wednesday night and all the way until my scheduled induction at 8pm Thursday night.  By the time I got to the hospital, I was contracting fairly often and thought I would be moving along.  But when the doctor checked me, I was still only 3 cm. dilated and she started me on Pitocin. 

They broke my water around 3 am Friday morning and I was really feeling it then... had an epidural around 4:15 am (praise the Lord for modern medicine!  Honestly, don't know how I could have managed the next 20 hours without an epidural). 

Henry's heart rate started dropping in spurts throughout the morning and they took me off Pitocin (thought I was contracting too fast and Henry wasn't reacting well to it)...which didn't allow me to dilate as quickly.  Put me BACK on pitocin around 1pm and this time Henry was doing great and heart rate was better.

All that to say, we continued to up the pitocin throughout the rest of the afternoon and through the evening.  Henry's heart rate was alright, although it did dip at times, which worried the doctor.  I also wasn't dilating.  Still at 3 1/2 cm. at 7 pm!  I got a fever around 10 and when the doctor checked me again, I was only at 4 cm dilated.  That was when the doctor said that she was seriously recommending a c-section - I was NOT dilating, I was starting to get a fever (which could possibly lead into an infection due to the fact they broke my water so long ago) and Henry's heart rate still wasn't steady.

Peter and I had been warned of this all afternoon and had mentally/emotionally prepared ourselves for this possibility.  By 10:30 pm Friday night - 24 hours after arriving to the hospital, I was ready to do whatever it took to deliver this baby.  I was disappointed...got a little emotional, but obviously God knew the plan and I was reminded again to trust the Lord...even though this wasn't in MY plan. 

The c-section went really well.  It was the first time I was ever on a surgeon's table and was a little nervous.  Being awake the whole time was a little surreal, but great having Peter there to assure me that everything was alright.  They told us that Henry's head was turned and this was causing him not to move down the birth canal...the doctor was glad we went ahead with the c-section, otherwise I would have had a very intense delivery.

Henry Peter Von Tobel was born at 11:31 - just shy of 8 lbs. and 23 inches long (no wonder he was kicking my ribs the last month of my pregnancy!).  We think he's perfect and are so incredibly thankful that he's checked out healthy and well.  We're slowly adjusting to this new life - Peter's been a rockstar, taking care of both of his "patients," done things that might have been a little out of his comfortzone, and has really stepped up to the plate.  Don't know what I would have done without him the last 4 days...love that man. 

I'm feeling better than expected...obviously have some pain, but was able to be up and walking the next morning.  Nursing has also been going alright - Henry and I are both trying to get the hang of it and adjusting to the lack of sleep.  :)  My amazing mom is going to stay throughout this week to give me a helping hand...and she has already been such a blessing today.   So thankful to have her and an extra set of hands...

So anyway, just wanted to let you know that we're all doing well.  Sorry again that it's taken me longer than I thought to get back into the swing of things.  But I can't say enough how much we appreciated all of the texts, calls, FB messages...my word!  We were overwhelmed with every one's prayers and excitement.  :)
Can't wait for everyone to meet him - he's a pretty swell guy!  :)
Heather :) 



   

About to get out of his carseat...sound asleep

Little Henry

After 52 hours of contractions, inducing meds, a welcomed epidural and unplanned c-section - we would like to introduce Henry Peter Von Tobel.  An 8 pound, 23 inch powerhouse.  More pictures and details to come;  thanks for all of the love over the past several days.  Here's little Henry minutes after delivery.

Still no baby...

Just wanted to update everyone on the status of our little man.  As you can tell, he hasn't come and we've been patiently waiting (well, TRYING to patiently wait).  I had a doctor's appointment today and am still not as far along as I would like to be.  They are going to keep my Thursday induction - due to possible complications, the size of the baby and MY frame...so unless he comes the next couple of days, I'll go in for an induction at 8pm on Thursday.  We're just praying he'll come on HIS OWN between now and then...or that when I go in for the induction, I'll be further along than where I am now.  I know the Lord knows EXACTLY when this little person is supposed to come into this world...just want it to be in His time. 

Peter's mom and dad came last Wednesday and we had a GREAT time visiting with them - they did so much for us around the house, at my school, and to prepare even more for the baby's arrival.  But still no baby...  They are flying back tonight and coming back when we give them the call.  They were so understanding about the whole thing; it put me at ease....although I STILL feel bad they came and I didn't have the baby!  

My parents surprised us and rang the doorbell last night.  Dad said he just couldn't sit around and wait any longer.  :)  It was a full house last night with Peter's parents, my parents, and Peter's cousin, Heather, who drove up from Wilmington to join in the fun.  But I loved having a full house and being with people I love...  :)

So my parents will be here for the next week and we'll be able to hang out and enjoying the last few days of no-baby.  

On a side note, my last day of school went really well - thank you for your prayers that day.  It WAS bittersweet and there were tears as I drove home that afternoon.  Can't believe this chapter has come to a close.  I'm still trying to process it all and wrap my mind around the whole thing...more thoughts to come when I'm able to better verbalize what I'm feeling... 

Thanks again for all the text messages, emails, and calls.  I have just felt SO loved the last week...