4th of July.....

We had a great 4th! We went down town to walk around the shops and listen to live music. They had jumping castles for the kids which Jack LOVED! He spent at least 30 minutes jumping around! After that we went to Sherry's for dinner and then parked the car to watch the fireworks. We didn't want to get Gillian out with all the nasty mosquitoes and Jack really wanted to see the fireworks so we found a great place to watch from the car! Jack loved them. Gillian slept or nursed pretty much the whole time!

Here are a few pictures from our day!

Jack jumping the the jumping castle

Jack showing off his dance moves!Jack and Daddy BIG Kiss!!!Jack riding a BIG fish!Gillian and Mommy! Gillian laying on my lap! Her 4th outfit was way to BIG so I put her in PINK my favorite color and hopefully Gillian's too cause that's all she pretty much wears is pink! =)Gillian blocking her self from the sun! When I opened her stroller to check on her! Too cute!

Before I was a Mom

"Before I was a mom, I made and ate hot meals, wore unstained clothes and had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a mom, I never worried about how late I went to bed because I could sleep in as long as I wanted.

Before I was a mom, I washed my face and brushed my teeth everyday.

Before I was a mom, I enjoyed a leisurely cup of coffee while reading the morning newspaper on a Saturday morning.

Before I was a mom, I slept the whole night through.

Before I was a mom, my house was clean everyday and I didn't worry about whether or not my plants were poisonous.

Before I was a mom, I had never been puked on, pooped on, peed on, chewed on or pinched by little fingers.

Before I was a mom, I had complete control of my mind, thoughts and body.

Before I was a mom, I never held down a screaming child while doctors and nurses did tests or gave shots. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces because I couldn't stop the hurt.

Before I was a mom, I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

Before I was a mom, I never got gloriously happy over a toothless grin.

Before I was a mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never was up in the wee hours of the night just watching a baby while it slept. I never knew that something so small couldn't effect my life so tremendously.

Before I was a mom, I never knew I could love someone so unconditionally and completely.

Before I was a mom, I never knew how satisfying it is to feed a hungry child. I never knew how fulfilling it is to soothe a baby's cries.

Before I was a mom, I loved my mom, but didn't understand her.

Before I was a mom, I never knew the warmth, the joy, the heartache, the wonderment, or the fulfillment of being a mom.

Before I was a mom, I never knew I would love being a mom."- Sharon L. Twitchell

Gillian Taylor McConnell

Born June 27, 2007 at 7:13PM 4lbs 13oz 18in long

I checked into the hospital Wednesday morning at 7:30am they put this gel to soften everything up and about 5 minutes later the contractions started. They had never seen this gel work so fast before. Around 1:30pm my water broke on its own I was so happy. About 5pm they gave me my epidural and was feeling great! Then about 6pm the epidural STOPPED working!!! Then the nurse checked me and I was at 6cm so she called for me to get a booster since the epidural stopped working. Right after I got the booster the nurse said I'm going to check you again since you have been in so much pain I was at 10cm and 100% she called my midwife and I was ready to push. I pushed for about 30 minutes and Gillian Taylor was born. 4lbs 13oz and 18in at 7:13pm I was in active labor for only 2 hours! She is only 1oz smaller then Jack was when he was born! They let us come home Thursday! We where so excited to come home so early. She is just perfect. Jack loves her so very much. Right after she was born we only had Jack come into the room to meet her 1st! He took one look at her and said "She Popped out! I Love her so much! Mommy your tummy is all gone! Do you need a diaper for her?" Then they next day my Mom brought Jack to see us and got to hold her for the 1st time. He was so gentle and sang her 3 or 4 songs it made me cry!!!! He is a great help and gives me diapers and throws the dirty diapers away for me! I have two wonderful kids and my family is complete now! I am so happy!

Here are a TON of pictures:

Right after she was born June 27, 2007:
Mommy and Gillian June 28, 2007
Daddy and Gillian June 28, 2007
Gillian June 28, 2007
Big Brother Jack holding Gillian for the 1st time! June 28, 2007

Gillian wearing her 1st of many PINK dresses!!! Getting ready to go home from the hospital! June 28, 2007

Jack, Daddy, Mommy and Gillian! Our 1st Family Picture!

June 29, 2007Jack and Daddy kissing Gillian! June 29, 2007Daddy and Gillian on our 1st walk to the park as a family of 4!

June 29, 2007Gillian in her stroller on our walk! June 29, 2007Gillian's precious feet! June 29, 2007Gillian after her 1st Bath at home June 29, 2007Gillian yawning while taking a nap on Mommies and Daddies bed! June 30, 2007Gillian sleeping on Mommies and Daddies bed June 30, 2007! So sweet!Mommy and Gillian June 30, 2007Mommy and Gillian June 30, 2007Gillian in her car seat getting ready to run some earns with Mommy, Daddy and Jack for the 1st time! June 30, 2007

Gillian sleeping and smiling!!!! And NO its NOT GAS!!! She IS smiling!!!!!!

Mommy kissing Gillian! July 01, 2007Jack holding Gillian! July 02, 2007

Change of plans.....


So I went in today for another Non-Stress Test and Ultra Sound. Gillian is still doing great. Still small but scored 8 out of 8 on a test they did today! Which is wonderful. She is though losing a lot of fluid so they decided it would be safer for her to be born TOMORROW instead of Saturday! We check into the hospital at 7:30am tomorrow! I am so excited! Jack is at Mom and Dad's house already. We thought it would be best for him to be there tonight since we have to be at the hospital so early. They will bring him to the hospital tomorrow to meet his baby Sister. He is excited! I will update on her arrival as soon as we are home and settled in.

Saturday June 30th 2007....

I am scheduled to be induced at 7:30am! I am so excited to bring Gillian into this world. What a joy its going to be a Mother of two! We are all doing well and I'm sure this week will be very slow! But Gillian will be here before we know it!!!!!!!!!!

Gillian....


I had my 4th ultrasound yesterday everything is looking good except she is off the chart small. They will probably induce next Friday they would like to wait until I am 38 weeks. I have to lay on my left side for 2 hours a day and go into the Dr. twice a week. I go back Friday to have another non-stress test done. I am also measuring at 32 weeks instead of 37 weeks like I should be. And have also lost 3lbs in the last week.

I have decorated her room its so cute!!! Here are a few pictures:

I had my baby shower on Saturday. That was a lot of fun. I got so many cute girlie clothes along with the crib set you can see above. She is going to be one style'n girl! I can't wait for her to be here!

Here are some pictures from Jacks Birthday!

Jack and Daddy fishing!

Jack holding a fish Daddy had caught!

Jack reeling in his 1st fish of the day! (He caught 2 more that day!)

Jack holding his fish he caught!Jack giving his fish a kiss before throwing it back!

Jack blowing out his Birthday candle!Jack eating his cupcake!

Jack and Daddy opening gifts!Grandpa Dan and Jack riding the train at City Park!

Mommy, Daddy, Uncle James and Jack riding on the paddle boat!Back at GaGa's house to play in his new swimming pool he got for his birthday!
We had such a great day! I wish we had pictures from Water World and Casa Bonita but didn't want to ruin my camera.