Penny Mae, 8/26/14

About 2.5 years later, here is my birth story for our PMA, Penny Mae. Better late than never, right?!

2 days before my 28^th birthday and about 3 weeks before Penny’s due date. I was uncomfortable all day and was having Braxton hicks contractions. Vic was getting ready to head out to a show to see Murder City Devils and I was pacing back and forth. Nervous. All I could think was, what if I go into labor tonight and he’s at a concert!? Remember, this was a valid fear since Lori was born on the sidewalk…

He kept getting ready while asking if I wanted him to stay. I felt like the contractions were getting stronger and my nerves kicked in. I told him that I needed to go to the hospital. At this point the pain was getting stronger and I was worried everything would move just as quick or quicker than it did the last time. We grabbed our bags, asked a friend (Penny's Godmother) to meet us at the hospital to stay with the girls and away we went.

We checked into triage and then waited. Belly hooked up to the machines and nothing. As my nerves calmed so did the contractions. Full of different emotions I didn’t know what to think. I remember looking at Vic, sitting in the chair, eyes closed wishing he was at the concert and feeling AWFUL (probably why it's taken me this long to write her story). I wanted to be excited about the baby on her way but felt SO bad that he was missing a concert he had waited for, for so long. We sat and waited some more. They said it was only Braxton hicks but to stay due to my labor history. So we paced the hospital halls to see if any progress would be made. The pain left but I still had contractions pretty evenly spaced. The girls were in the lobby with now most of our family. We sent everyone home and they put Vic and I in a room. This was it. I either went into natural labor or they induced since I was already there with small contractions.

Excited and disappointed at the same time we sat. I remember doing squats in the room while he slept through the night so things would happen naturally. I got to 3cm dilated…that was about it. The next morning, 8/26/2014 labor began to progress much quicker! By this time I was hooked up to the Pitocin to induce labor and it was doing its job. Contractions were MUCH stronger. Family now in and out of the room time began to fly. I remember sitting on the medicine ball trying to keep a conversation through contractions. One time Vayda and Lori were even in the room and I tried to hide the pain during a strong contraction lol. Moments later I got the epidural, things calmed down and the Dr. said it was time to break the water. I wish I had time stamps for each step because my body kicked into gear the moment she broke my water. There was a huge gush. She left the room, came back and said it's time. I looked at Vic, the Dr. said to push and we didn’t even have time to ask people to leave the room. In hind sight, I’m so glad we had who we did in the room. This being our last baby we got to share the amazing experience with my mom, Samantha (my niece) and Tia Mini. 

Penny Mae was born on August 26^th, 2014 at 11:03AM. 6 lbs 5oz and 19” long. Our family of five is complete. 

Next day, my 28th bday. Best gift ever!!

Brave Birthday Party, the Big FIVE

Nov. 2013

I feel like I wrote Vayda's birth story just days ago, I can't believe she's 5 now! To catch you all up, she turned five back on Nov. 2nd....yes, I've got a lot of blogging updates to do. But what better way to jump back in than with a birthday party post?!

We went through months of watching Brave on repeat. Vayda was obsessed! Naturally, my mind was running wild with a million ways to incorporate the movie into the party. I tend to have a million ideas and be disappointed with the little I am able to do, but I have to tell you, this one was a fun one. Even if I didn't get to do everything I wanted to do.

For the invite we had a mini photo shoot at a park nearby. Took her bow and arrow and outfit of course. I then used these great arrows from irocksowhat blog to complete the look of the invite.

adorable teddy graham snack bags made by Tia Mini

party bags with the DunBroch Clan colors

Originally I made these whisps for the front yard, they ended up in the centerpieces. If it did it again, I would make 3-4 smaller whisps for the centerpieces and keep the larger ones outside. 

Amazing cake, inspired by pinterest. Made my Sweet Sisters Bakery in Chula Vista, CA

dessert table 

I love my mom, she added those branches to complete the look :)

before the ping pong table was loaded down with food.
side note: throw a table skirt on that thing and it was perfect! 

And we cannot forget the ponies! That's right, my MIL said about 2 years prior that she was going to get ponies for Vayda's 5th birthday...she sure followed through. They were a hit! I told the girls to enjoy it because this will most likely never happen again ahaha. 

After a little while my birthday girl slowed down. She got a bit cranky and wasn't her normal party self...you know, the last one in the jumpy, running a muck with all the kids. I didn't realize till that night after all the madness she was coming down with a cold! She has such a high fever that night :(. All in all it was a good party despite that cold. She bounced back a few days later to play with her presents :).

The Big Kid turned FOUR!

A HUGE happy birthday to our 

Vayda Marie!!

Seriously, where does the time go? I feel like I just had her yesterday :(. 

Following our bite-sized Halloween, we woke up Thursday morning at the crack of dawn to spend a magical day at the happiest place on earth. Why the crack of dawn? It was Thursday so we needed to beat AM traffic to LA. Annnnnd we picked Thursday so we could avoid the big DL crowds. I packed our bags (I wish I could say they were already packed, but I lagged), packed the girls and off we went, the four of us plus Nana Tula. Vayda knew we had talked about going to Disneyland for her bday but we never said that was the day and it was the day before her bday that we went so we hadn't made a big deal about it. 

Sidenote: Yes, we live in Southern CA and no we do not go to DL on a regular basis. We may get passes in the future when they are more aware of things but at the moment the hubbs and I enjoy going for special occasions. We also want them to truly appreciate those special days when we do go. Let's also all agree, DL is effing expensive!!! lol 

On our way up the hubbs decided to tell Vayda we were going camping. I think that's what made our ride up so entertaining. There were long conversations going back and forth about camping and how she just wanted to go back home. It was hilarious. Once we got to the Disney lot and got out she was suuuper excited. Our whole day was great, short lines and tons of fun. It was the first time I've seen her boast about her birthday too, it was adorable! Someone said it was their bday too and she had to correct them, "no, it's my birthday." haha..so far 4 is so fun! 

This was Lori's first time to DL and that was a whole other excitement. We were joking before hand that she was going to have a blast because there is music and food. That's all our little chunkers needs to have a good time ;).

after each ride she would do the sign for "more". too cute!

We spent the night at the parentals, woke up to celebrate on her actual birthday with a traditional pancake & ice cream breakfast (these were my FAVE growing up). They played a little and then we hopped back on the road to SD. 

I guess we were in the celebrating mood (Hubbs would prob give me a sideways look and point to me) so we went to see Wreck it Ralph that night...even though we were all beat. That movie so fun btw, def a go see.

The next day she had her folkorico dance class and a last minuet birthday dinner at Fuddruckers with family and friends...by this time hubbs' sideways face has angry eyes. haha jk! He wanted to celebrate just as much ;). 

Sunday we relaxed and Vayda went to Legoland with her Nana & Tia. Talk about poooped! I never want to celebrate that much again ahha we were all exhausted but it was so well worth it. I only hoped that she would feel special on her birthday and man did she ever. :)

Seriously exausted reading this lol. that's it for a year! =P Happy birthday Vay! 

-LL

And the Birthday Festivites Begin!

And so Lori's birthday festivities begin! I decided to follow my parents tradition with the girls, birthday pancakes in the morning! Since Lori is too little for a scoop of ice cream on top, I topped the pancakes with sprinkles :). I put sprinkles in the batter too but they just dissolved. Oh well.

Vayda gave Lori a little puppet show while I lit the candle

I think she was processing the candle...

like her fancy birthday girl headband?! 

haha this picture is hilarious! She did not think that candle was cool..at all.
Vay did her sister role well though ;)

love this face <3

and there you have it, this is how a big one year old handles her pancakes. 

Since papa had to be at work at 5am this morning we were missing him, but not to worry, this is just the beginning of the festivities! 

Happy Birthday Lori! 

Lucky is ONE today!

I can't believe how fast a year can fly by. I year ago today I had the craziest labor ever and I thank God everyday for our little gem, Lori Darling. She truly is a darling. She's sweet, gentle, calm, kind and as tender as can be. 

Last night I stayed up late baking for the party, gave my sweet girl her birthday kiss at midnight (one of many now haha) and went to sleep. This morning Vayda and I sang happy birthday a few times (ok a lot of times), we enjoyed birthday pancakes then continued our regular routine rushing to get out of the door to Nana's then to work. On my way to work I thought back on her birth and how thankful I am that she was ok through it all. How beautiful it was to hold her for the first time, even if it was on cold cement and on top of my clothes. How awesome this first year has been with her. Getting to know her personality and watching her learn to do so many things. I may or may not have shed a few tears. 

I'm so thankful for our family. Vayda has been an amazing big sister to little Lucky. And Lucky has done her job as a little sister so far, following Vay everywhere, pulling her hair, scratching at times (=\)and giving lots of besos. 

Dear Hubbs, 

Thank you for giving me these two awesome kiddos! Thanks for being so amazingly calm for me when you just about delivered Lori. You're an amazing papa and like I said in my text to you this morning, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you! 

Dear Lori, 

HAPPY BRITHDAY!! We love you soooo much baby girl! Your smile is contagious and your eyes radiate love. Thank you for being such an amazing little. You're an awesome one year old!! besos! 

Dear Vayda, 

You're such an awesome big sister! I'm not going to lie, we were worried a little at first. Sometimes you're a little rough lol and you were so used to being an only child. But you sure showed us! You are so sweet and gentle with Lori. I love watching you with her. I love you! 

Dear Firemen (E51/A), 

Thank you for making it just at the right second to deliver our precious babe! The moment I heard your sirens I knew it would be ok. You all were so awesome and are all forever in our hearts. Also, thank you for  taking pictures on your phone when all was said and done. I appreciate you not thinking I was crazy (or at least not showing it haha). Those pictures are priceless. Thank you again! 

Happy 30th my VMack!

It's my hubbs' birthday today!!!

 I truly, from the bottom of my heart, hope you have a great day today!

Whether you're working on the new project ;), getting some new ink, at the DMV (lol) or even at home getting some rest, I hope it's a perfect day for you. And I especially hope you enjoy pancakes this morning with your momma!

I know you don't like to make a big deal of things and you're happy if we just stayed home and ate pizza, but please bear with me. Your wife loves you to death and wants to smother you in love lol.

Thank you for being the bestest best friend & hubbs a girls could ask for.

Both Vay and Lucky are so blessed to be able to call you Papa!

We love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Hopefully we can get into some epic birthday shenanigans tonight and this weekend!