Welcome Baby Luke!

Luke Jeffrey Fessler

Our precious little Luke came into the world on Friday, July 23 at 12:38 pm.
He weighed 8.7 lbs and was 21 and 1/4 inches. We fell in love instantly!

Me after the epidural, feeling pretty good!

So...here's the story. For the week leading up to Luke's arrival, I had been feeling some cramps in my back and stomach . I wasn't sure what to think, was it labor? I wasn't sure. Anyways, I had a doctor's appointment on Thursday and told the doctor that I was getting uncomfortable and was interested in being induced. He told me the earliest would have been Tuesday, unless he could squeeze something in. I told him that was fine, because we really did want Luke to come on his own. I called my parents and told them. I got a call from Debbie, my mother-in-law, saying that she was on her way to come and help out a few days before Luke was born. I told her the news as well and it seemed like everything was in place. Later that afternoon, at like 4:55, the doctor called back and said that he could take me at 6:30 the next morning. I jumped on the offer! After some rushing around and getting plans changed for all family members involved, Mike and I started to prepare emotionally for the fact that we would have a second child in less than 24 hours.

One proud daddy!

The next morning, as we got up and left for the hospital, Will was able to stay at home with Mi-mi. That was such a blessing and a huge weight off my mind!
We got to the hospital around 6:30. I was strapped to the monitors and found out that all those cramps were indeed contractions. Some were evidently quite large, though they did not feel like anything other than a bad stomach cramp. Mike seems to think I have a high pain tolerance, but I don't think so. I felt the pain when I was in labor with Will and quickly wanted an epidural! They started me on pitocin around 8:30 and I was at 3 cm. When the doctor came in around 9:15, I had progressed to a 5. I was not uncomfortable, but he suggested that I go ahead and get the epidural. Thirty mintues later I was feeling very comfortable, in fact I was able to nap. We checked in with family, my mom and dad were on their way and were very close.

One proud big brother!

At noon, everything started to happen. I was at a 10 and the nurse called the doctor. My mom and dad arrived and went to get Debbie and Will to come to the hospital. They got there just as the doctor did. At 12:10 I started pushing and by 12:38 Luke was here!

Sweet baby Luke!

For me, it was a wonderfully, pleasant experience, especially compared to my labor with Will! In fact, if there is a next time, I might just be induced again. Of course, that is a big if!!

Blessed by our Community

Mike and I at 38 weeks pregnant.

At River Church, one of our goals is to live life in community as a family of Christ-followers. This means that we meet in small groups during the week in addition to Sunday to share our daily struggles, as well as our joys and triumphs, and grow in our walk with God. We cry with each other, share meals together and help out with childcare. We serve each other by helping one another move into new houses, clean old houses, go to birthday parties and baby showers. We believe it is supposed to go beyond "doing life together". It is more about truly loving each other and making sure that others needs are met because you love them.

I say all of this, because in more ways than one I've felt this community from the River Church women over the past couple of days. I have been so loved on through showers that I am totally overwhelmed. From diapers and wipes to giftcards to my favorite desserts, these women have truly blessed me and I'm so honored to call them my girlfriends as well as sisters in Christ. I thank the Lord for bringing them into my life. Thank you girls, you all know who you are, for loving me. You can't imagine how much this means to me. I'm excited to be a part of this journey with you!

I had to share this. This is my prayer bracelet. The girls made it for me at my shower on Saturday. Each girl there picked out a bead, strung it, and told me how they would be praying for me with the end of my pregnancy and delivery approaching. It serves as a reminder of the wonderful girlfriends who are surrounding me. I have worn it everyday since they gave it to me. I LOVE it!

Summer Adventures

Our summer has been busy so far, and Luke hasn't even gotten here yet! Here is just a little look at what we have been doing:

My parents came to visit for Father's Day. While they were here, we did lots around the house to get ready for Luke. Somehow, my dad and Mike found time to put together Will's new playset. The directions said it would only take 4 hours. They lied!! After about 1o hours it was finally complete. Will loves it, though, so I know it was worth it!

Will and his worn out Poppy!

A couple of days after my parents left, Mike's family came in town to celebrate Aunt Jo-Jo's 21st birthday. While they were here we went to visit Fort Sumter.



And now, amazingly, we have already celebrated the 4th of July. This summer is flying by!
Trying to get a patriotic shot on the 4th.
I think he's over me and the camera!
Will and his friend Neely getting ready for the fireworks at Waterfront Park.
Watching the fireworks from daddy's shoulders.

19 days and counting....

According to my pregnancy ticker, I am down to 19 days until I am the mother of 2 children. Wow! Am I ready, I mean really ready? Luke's room is ready, his clothes are washed, and we have enough diapers to get us by if he were to come tomorrow. Technically, we are ready. But, mentally, I guess I won't know until I meet him. Until he is a part of our daily life. I am still so wrapped up in Will and our daily activities and schedule, that it is hard to imagine how I am going to do this. How I am going to juggle two children being dependent on me. How can I get them both down for a nap? How can I please both when they are crying for me? I don't know, but I know I can, I mean I have tons of friends that I see weekly that are doing this with two or more children. Surely I can do it too, right!?
I am ready though, to have my body back. To not have my back ache, for it to not hurt to bend over, to not have to constantly run to the bathroom, to not be out of breath just standing. Pregnancy, for me, has been relatively easy both times, but that's not to say that I enjoy every moment of it. I'm just ready to be me again.

The past few weeks

I just realized that it has been a couple of weeks since I last posted. We, like always, have been busy around here. We had family come in for Memorial Day weekend and then a few days later went to Atlanta for Uncle Andrew's graduation. Even though we have been busy, we have noticed a change in Will. He seems to be growing up before our eyes, almost like he knows that a baby is about to come and he will be the big brother. Of course we tell him that a baby is coming, but we aren't sure he really understands.

Mike and Andrew. Mike is such a proud big brother!

He is saying more and more words and we are starting to understand what he needs/wants. Some of his new words are book, car, plane, shawty (shower, we have a good time with this word!). He also says I'm sorry, it's ok, let's go, ready and thank you and pieces together words as in "bye bye daddy". He also has figured out how to get our attention...he simply yells mommy or daddy over and over until we answer. That's a lot of fun when you are actually trying to have a conversation! He copies everything we do and say right now, which can be scary if you aren't careful. We have already heard him say things that we would rather him not say. We don't use curse words at our house (at least most of the time), but I don't want my 21 month old saying "dang it". You know what I mean?

Will playing with his bubble maker.

He is also starting to become more independent and wanting to do things by himself, including helping around the house. On many days, he is mommy's little helper! He
is very good at feeding Gracie, folding (or unfolding) clothes and emptying the dishwasher. It might take longer with his help, but I cherish his desire to be right with me. And like a typical little boy, he is totally into cars, tractors, trucks, planes and trains. Pretty much if it is a mode of transportation, Will wants to point it out to Mike and I.



Other than that, time is flying by. Sweet baby Luke will be here in a matter of weeks. I am almost 34 weeks, and I can't beleive it! My doctor says he looks great, but he could be big. Possibly 8.5 to 9 pounds. I feel good, but am starting to get more and more tired, especially at night. It is hard to get up off the couch or bed or floor for that matter. It is hard to hold Will right now, but I can't refuse him when he asks to be cuddled. Thankfully, I know I just have to make it a little bit longer.

33 weeks and 5 days

Mommy/Son Road Trip

Road warriors!

Last week, Will and I went on our first road trip without Mike. It was the longest that I have ever driven with Will by myself, 5 hours, and the longest that both of us have ever been away from Mike, 6 days. Oh yeah, and I did it at 30 weeks pregnant! I'm not going to lie...I was a little nervous to make the trip. I mean just stopping to go the the bathroom was going to be exhausting. But, we made it and we got to see lots of family; both sets of grandparents,my grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins. We were able to meet my newest nephew and Will's newest cousin, Tate. We were also there to see Tate baptized and to go to Jake, my cousin's little boy, 2nd birthday party. Thought I would post some pictures from the trip so you could see all of our fun. It's quite a few pics...just so you know!
Eating a cupcake at Jake's party.
This kid loves cake!
Will and my cousin Ryan. Will fell in love with him!
Will loves a good swing. Whether it is on the playground or...
...or his cousin Tate's swing. I saw this week that I will have to put a gate around Luke when he is in the swing. Will just could not keep his hands off it!
Will and Tate. He loved holding his cousin and giving him kisses!
Gran, Will, Tate and myself.
I hope he loves his new brother like this!
Will and Poppy, or Pop-eye as Will like to call him, at the carousel in Chattanooga.

A week in motherhood

Mother's Day 2010 has now come to an end. This year it came at the end of a long, emotional, exhausting week. A week that had me questioning whether or not I am a good mom. Whether or not I am doing the right things to discipline my child when it comes to certain behaviors.
Will is an active 20 month old. He has a huge smile and an amount of energy that Mike and marvel at. He seems to be able to go on longer than the energizer bunny. He is at such a fun age, but it is also a challenging age. With all of his energy, we are stating to see more and more behavior that needs to be corrected. And this has proven to be frustrating, because we don't always get the desired behavior from our discipline methods. So we are having to revamp the way we do things with Will.
On Thursday a quote from Beth Moore's Esther study came to mind. The gist of it is that God chose me to be Will's mom and no one else. He chose me because he knew that I had some quality that no one else has that will allow me to raise Will. This gave me comfort as well as the ability to rest. Knowing that God has entrusted me with Will, to raise and care for him in a way that only I can, is humbling. And it has been an encouragement to me every time I think about it. I know that I am far from perfect, but I am doing my best at motherhood. It is hard, without glory or rest, and quite literally a battle some days. But it is by far the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I thank the Lord every day for this amazing opportunity to raise on of His children.


Happy Mother's Day to both our moms, my Grandmother, my aunts, my sister and all my wonderful friends! Thank you for being amazing examples of what it means to sacrifice for your children and to love them unconditionally!