Meet Molly Miller

Little did I know how true the title of my last post was! 

It WAS time!

Saturday was a busy day, from pedicures (with my mom and sister) to a good walk at the gym to dinner plans with some of our friends, we had a full day!  It was about 5:45 Saturday afternoon when we were heading over to our friends' house for a cook out.  Without getting too graphic, I was thinking my water may be breaking or leaking.  We kind of hung around the house for a few minutes before we decided to head on over to our friends' and I planned to ask the girls there who are moms what they thought.

My friends were quick to encourage me to call the doctor, which I did.  He told me to get to the hospital so they could assess and see if my water had in fact broken. 

So, we left the cook out and headed to the hospital.  We weren't even out of our friends' neighborhood when I had my first real contraction. 

And I knew.  It was time!

We got to the hospital just before 7pm.  I'd now had a few contractions.  I was 5 - 6 cm dilated and the doctor told us we were in fact going to have a baby!

The nurses were setting me up and asked if I wanted an epidural.  You bet I did! 

Then the contractions got stronger.  Faster.  Much more intense.  I reminded the nurse that I wanted an epidural.  She reminded me we had to get a full bag of fluids in me first.  God love her heart, she put the bag of fluids in this pump thing and literally pumped the fluids as fast as she could into me.

They checked me again and I was 8 - 9 cm and was moved from assessment into a delivery room.  Once we got in there, the contractions were unbelievable!  The anesthesiologist arrived to put in my epidural.   But I was contracting too often and couldn't be still long enough.  The nurses told me to let them know if I felt like I needed to push.

And just like that, I had to push!

They turned me around, checked me and I was 10 cm dilated.  No epidural for me!  I remember asking, "no epidural?  What about those other pain meds you offered me?"

The sweet looking nurse looked me square in the eyes and said, "Honey, you're about to have this baby now!  PUSH!"

Thank goodness somebody in the room asked if we had a camera.  Omigosh!  My mother and sister were probably at the hospital by now wondering why in the world they couldn't get back to see us (which was case!), so that nurse ran to get my mother and sister. 

At 8:18pm on Saturday, June 12, Molly Miller made her debut!  And she is some kinda beautiful! 

Meet Molly Miller Slocum

6 pounds, 0.5 ounces

19 inches long

And full of sweetness!

The Slocums ~ a family of three

We are home and doing well.  Molly is a little jaundiced, so we've had a bili light at home for the past two days.  Today her levels were down a good bit, and we are hopeful that her session tonight under that light will be the last.  Praying that's the case! 

And this, the arrival of my little girl has truly made me HappyascanB!

It's Time!!!

There's a scene towards the end of Steel Magnolias when they're at an Easter Egg hunt and Annelle is big and pregnant.  She starts having contractions and everyone runs around hollering, "It's time!  It's time!" 

We are almost there ourselves around here....

Well, Tuesday we went to the doctor and found out I am 3 - 4 cm dilated and 70% effaced.  My OB was not in the office last week, so the OB we saw made an appointment for us to come back this coming week, "if you make it that far."  He also went through the run down of "if you start having steady contractions, call us; if your water breaks, go to the hospital immediately.  I don't think you'll labor long."

I was hoping for some progress.  You know, to hear my body was getting ready for delivering.  THAT was more than I expected!  We were beside ourselves! 

Later in the week, my doctor's office called and said my OB had called to check in and has scheduled me for an induction on Tuesday, if I don't go before then on my own.

Our bags are packed and in Tim's office (he works at the hospital).

Car seats have been installed.

Treat bags* have been made.

Yes, we are ready for Miss Molly Miller!

*A few weeks ago, Tim came to me and said, "Hey, I have kind of a cheesy idea.  What if we gave out M&Ms when Molly's born since her initials are MM?"  I loved it!  It's perfect, especially considering M&Ms are Tim's all-time favorite candy!  The little tags on the baggies say "Enjoy these M&Ms in celebration of our MM. . .  Molly Miller Slocum"

It's a Blog Party!

Three of my blog buddies (Hey, Kristin, Ver and Kate!) are participating in this blog party today, and I thought I’d jump in on the fun, too! Thanks, Amy, for hosting a fun event!


It’s kind of a Getting to Know You party, and we’re supposed to answer these questions.

1. If you could have dinner with any person (past or present) who would it be?

My Daddy. This one is easy today since I dreamed about him last night, he’s really on my heart today. Daddy died 15 ½ years ago, and there are so very many things I’d love to talk to him about. Oh, how I wish he could’ve known Tim. And known being and becoming a grandfather.

2. What is your most embarrassing moment that you are willing to share with the blogging world?

The time with BIG HAIR. . . . As a senior in high school, I was on the Homecoming Court. Tradition was each senior girl was to ask a senior guy to speak for her in front of the student body. The speeches were to encourage the students to vote for you. My friend Jason spoke for me, and I had to stand up beside him in front of everyone while he spoke. Jason was known as a light-hearted, fun guy. He’d run his speech by me a couple of times, but left out an embarrassing detail. So, we’re standing in front of the high school, and he goes through my name and Queen, each letter standing for something. B was something silly like Babe. He said all queens are babes. E was Excellent Friend. T was she Talks a lot! And then there was H. Hair. She has big hair! I. was. Mortified! On the video my mom recorded, you can see me look at him with my mouth gaping open (and yes, big hair) and saying, “Dauber!?!?!” We called him Dauber because he looked so much like the character from the show Coach. I was super embarrassed! People still laugh about that!

3. If you could only use one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

PREGNANT. Very pregnant. But not for much longer!!!!

4. You found a machine that allows you to fast forward your life to a moment or to rewind your life to a certain moment, but it can only be used for one moment. Would you fast forward or rewind and to which moment would you choose?

My knee-jerk reaction is yes. I’d rewind to the last minute I saw my Dad and tell him I loved him. Or anything that may’ve prevented him from committing suicide that afternoon.

Or there are plenty of things I did during my late teen and early twenties I regret so much. The idea of going back and changing my decisions appeals to me sometimes.

But here’s the thing: everything that’s happened in my life happened for a reason. And Praise the Good Lord for bringing me through it! I wouldn’t be who I am today if things had been different.

5. What is your favorite simple blessing in life?

Ellie Grace patting my belly and smiling when you ask her where Molly is! Priceless!

Thursday's Ten ~ Pictures

I'm participating in Lora's Thursday's Ten today; we're posting ten of our favorite recent pictures.  It'll be no surprise that these pictures scream BABY BABY BABY!  With a dose of Ellie, of course!

1.  These cookies were not only delicious, but precious to boot! Bottles and Bibs ~ with Molly's monogram!  True southern cookies if you ask me!

2.  Ellie and Lovie at one of my showers.  Lovie was writing Ellie's name over and over and over again.  I love how Ellie's head is tilted just right into her Lovie.  Priceless pose.

3.  Tim's been nesting just as much as I have, and he's been on daddy duty already!  Here he is washing bottles!

4.  And assembling Molly's stroller

5. Molly's nursery has really come together!  Here's her crib with her name over it....

6.  Here's the chest with the precious boa wreath my friend Meredith made for her!

7.  The rocking chair and window.  Treatment was made by another friend, Amy.  Cornice board is in process and will be hung soon (and rod will be removed, of course)!

8.  Ellie Grace beachin' it this last weekend

9.  Another Ellie Grace shot.  Isn't she just beautiful?

10.  And perhaps the last belly shot I'll post.  This was a couple of weeks ago at 34 weeks.

So, what are some of your recent favorite photos?  Link up and show us!

Fun Swimsuit Giveaway!!

So any given year, bathing suit shopping is one of my least favorite things to do.  Very least favorite.  I mean Yuck Yuck Yuck!

This year, I have one maternity suit.  And I realize my pool and beach time will be greatly limited as Miss Molly will be monopolizing so much of my time! 

And I'm A-OK with that!

But I have wondered, what type of swimsuit will I find myself in later in the summer or next year and beyond?   Shabby Apple has a swimsuit line, and it is precious!

I mean, seriously, how precious!  I love this black ruffle suit...

This one, though, is hands down my favorite

What's more, thanks to Faith, I heard about Grosgrain Fabulous hosting a giveaway of one free suit!  How cool!  Be sure to check out the giveaway and Shabby Apple's precious website now!

A Letter to Ellie

Dear Eleanor Grace,


You are 18 months old today! Your Aunt B is crazy in love with you, and I cannot believe how quickly you’ve grown! Just last night, I got out the bassinette you laid in when you were a newborn to get ready for Baby Molly, and your mommy and I exchanged gushy text messages that went something like this:

Aunt B: Bassinette is in our room! I just emailed you a picture!

Your Mommy: Beautiful! It makes me tear up! I can’t believe it’s almost here!

Aunt B: Awe, I feel like it was just last week Ellie was in it!

Your Mommy: So do I! Our little girls are gonna have SO much fun together!

You may not completely understand it now, but you and Molly surely will have so much fun together over the years. She’ll be like a sister to you, I’m sure of it. And if you two are anything like your mommy and me, well. . . . . you’ll have a blast together throughout your life!

I oftentimes look at you and wonder how I could possibly love you more! Your little mind is constantly expanding, and you are so very curious about everything. Just this weekend, you spent some time with Aunt B and Uncle Tim. We were swinging away while Uncle Tim was working in the flower beds. You were quite interested in all the digging he was doing. I was trying my best to get a good picture of your cheesy grin you sometimes show. I asked you where your smile was, and the picture below shows you really were not interested in showing your big smile, but you obliged. I love how your eyes are glued to your Uncle Tim. You sure do love him!

You love to eat, too! I often say you get that from me and not your skinny mother! While you were here Sunday, you went straight to our cabinets where you know we keep snacks you can enjoy. I pulled out a pretzel rod, and you shook your head no and kept pointing. Problem? I gave you part of a pretzel rod. You? Wanted an entire rod, thankyouverymuch. And they’re big!

Your Lovie (that’s my mom!) and I are both constantly teaching you how to sound out our names. Who would’ve ever thought “B” would be hard? I make the sound over and over and over again. Most of the time you respond with “Ball!” Lovie has worked tirelessly to get you to say Lovie, starting with the “La” sound. That was all well and good until you recently pointed to your Aunt LaLa (Lovie’s best bud) and said her name big as day while we can’t get you to say our names for anything! And, of course, Aunt La La was pleased as punch!

Ellie Grace, your Uncle Tim and I love you so very much, and we pray God will constantly protect and guide you all the days of your life. So very thankful He entrusted you to your Mommy and Daddy and that we can be a small part of your precious, precious life.

Love you dearly,

Your Aunt B

An MIA Pregnant Woman and Her Emotions

So sorry I’ve been MIA…. Life is super crazy these days! And when I do sit down and begin to think about blogging, my mind is so full of emotions and thoughts that I can’t seem to get them organized in any sort of post that’ll be worth your time.


We’ve celebrated Molly’s upcoming arrival with showers, showers, showers galore! It’s been incredible, and Tim and I feel so blessed! Molly is one loved little girl already, and we are so very appreciative for every single thing that’s been given to her.

My mother helped me get her room finished by helping hang her pictures and wall decorations this last weekend. Below are some pictures!  We are not quite finished with the window in her room.  You'll see the precious roman shade my friend Amy made for the window; Tim's building friend is building a cornice board for us this week to hang over the top of the window.  Obviously the rod will come down.

The top of the chest of drawers

Molly's name over her crib

Molly's crib

Changing table

Window and corner decorations

While I’ve spent a good bit of time washing clothes, bibs, burp cloths, bedding, blankets and the like, Tim has spent a whole lot of time in our yard. He has built a pergola for our family’s swings ~ one for us and a baby swing for Molly! He’s currently working on planting two dozen plants in our back yard, and he’s laid some sod, trimmed bushes and done the basic maintenance work outside as well. To say we are both nesting is an understatement!

As for me, I’m feeling good, really. I definitely feel LARGE. And the heat has kicked in for real here (one digital sign in our town showed 100 Sunday afternoon), which only makes me feel LARGER. It helps when people ask me if I’m pregnant and then seem surprised when I tell them I have less than 5 weeks til my due date, too! I wanted to hug that girl’s neck as she bagged my groceries after she told me she could hardly tell I was pregnant! God love her precious heart…. Sure did make me smile, especially after I’d just been told the day before, “you sure are big!”

It’s not just being really big that’s making me feel oh-so-pregnant. It’s the hormones! They are out of control! One evening last week I cried while in line at Moe’s; we just so happened to go on a night where proceeds were going to benefit Joshua’s Wish, and I met Joshua’s mother who told me all about her precious son Joshua who battled a pediatric brain tumor and passed away at the age of four. I stood there holding my belly wondering how in the world this lady made it through that. She was telling us all about the radiation mask Joshua had to wear and how proceeds from that night at Moe’s would go to St. Jude to benefit other children facing brain tumors. And there I stood, holding my belly praying God will never, ever lead us into a Children’s Hospital. I had a hard time keeping my composure and ordering my meal without crying. And then last night, I cried while watching the Brooks & Dunn Farewell show. And I’m not a big Brooks & Dunn fan!?!?! At All! But someone sang one of their first hits from years back, and it reminded me of my Daddy. And no, my Daddy wasn’t a B&D fan either!?!?!?

These days are full of action, to-dos, and excitement! And I don’t wanna miss a thing!