Birthday PARTY Time!

Braelle's birthday party was awesome! We were a little nervous that Braelle would have her 'serious face' on and not smile at her party... and of course she skipped her morning nap and was very cranky. About the time the party was about to start, she couldn't stay awake any longer and drifted off to sleep. Everyone got there and the party girl was asleep! My dad got a little anxious and woke her up...(which we never do because that can be dangerous!) But she woke up happy and the party was on! There was no need to worry about her 'serious face' as this girl had her party attitude on! Braelle wore a shirt that said, "I'm the Birthday Girl" with a big cupcake on it. She also had on an adorable pink tutu!

We ordered a 9 foot sub from Subway, which was a little much for 26 people, but that only meant that they got to take some home to their husbands/sons/fathers. We also had chips and dip, grapes, drinks and dessert! The dessert was awesome! We decided to have a dessert bar and let people choose what they wanted. Ashton made lemon bars and cream cheese pumpkin muffins, my mom made brownies, and my Aunt Fonda made her world famous oatmeal raison cookies. They were all a hit! Braelle got a cupcake from Whole Foods as her birthday cupcake!

Braelle wasn't quite sure what to do with her cupcake but she figured it out shortly!

People were most generous in the gift department. Braelle loved EVERY SINGLE PRESENT! Thank you to all who have been so generous and loving to my sweet lil girl. She has been doing some serious playing with all her new toys...and I have had a blast dressing her up in her new clothes and hair bows!

 Kisses (licks) for the baby!

"Look at ALL my presents!!!"

Happy 1st Birthday, Braelle!

Braelle and I had one awesome birthday weekend! Her 1st birthday was Saturday (9/17) and we had a perfect day.

We both woke up in my bed that morning and I sang Happy Birthday to her-she loved it and gave me hugs and kisses.

One of Braelle's favorite things to do is go outside on a walk-so of course we did on her birthday! I told everyone we saw, whether I knew them or not, that it was her birthday :)

Braelle loves chicken mini's from Chick-fil-a (must of gotten that from her mama) so we had that for breakfast.

Braelle got a phone call from one of my best friends, Caitlyn Oenbrink, who always calls on everyone's birthday to sing "Happy Birthday" opera style! haha

I was very excited about getting to turn Braelle's car seat around to face forward so we tested that out.  She is a much happier car-rider now!

Clemson played Auburn so we watched the game with Chrissy, Bubba Jerry, Ashton and Taylor. Thankfully, our day was made better when the Tigers pulled through for Braelle!!

We had salmon burgers for lunch-one of Chrissy specialties!

Soon it was time for an afternoon nap. Ashton and I decorated for the party while she was dreaming! Hot pink and orange balloons, streamers, and bright flowers were all throughout our house!

Chrissy took Braelle on an afternoon walk while Ashton and I finished off the decorations.

We had dinner ready for her when she came back. Then it was bath time and bed time and our precious birthday girl was fast asleep!

Accidents Happen

Little Braelle has gone through one tough month! It began with her first sickness, a very slight fever. 2 weeks later she comes down with Salmonella. << That alone made this month rough. A week later, Braelle is playing with my hard plastic straw, one that goes to those trendy cups like the one below, and she falls with it in her mouth and cuts the roof of her mouth. Blood EVERYWHERE. Then she reinjures it days later chewing on a wii remote. Blood EVERYWHERE. The next day she's playing peek-a-boo with Chrissy and when she ducts down to hide behind the tub, she hits the tub and busts up her bottom lip. Blood EVERYWHERE. Later that day, she slips in the tub while trying to stand up, and falls face first into the water...choking, screaming, and both of us scared to death. I've had my full share of heart attacks this month and am looking forward to Braelle's birthday so we can start a new, fresh year. I know the injuries aren't going to come any less as she begins to walk and be more active, but if they could space themselves out a little better, that would be great!



On a happier note, Braelle's baby angels, have done a great job in making sure non of these injuries or sicknesses have gotten too dangerous or out of hand. Thank you Jesus for watching over my baby girl and protecting her little body from what could have been serious accidents. So far, there has been nothing that a little breastmilk can't fix. PTL

I'll finish this post with a whole bunch of sweetness. See below :)

"On the Night You were Born"

With Braelle's 1st birthday coming up, (10 more days!!) I've been thinking about the night she was born. (2:31a.m. to be specific). Thankfully my lovely sister offered to video tape the most challenging, rewarding time in my life. I'll treasure it forever. To me, birth is beautiful. The whole process from pregnancy to laboring, to birth...it's all so magical.

I've editted my labor and birth videos for yall to check out. (About 10 minutes altogether...the whole video is 2 hours long!) Don't worry, they are not graphic, but they do show a very in pain, rough looking, mama! You'll see...

My labor lasted 72 hours altogether starting with the first contraction that hurt. I spent 68.5 of those hours laboring at home...So I went in to the Charleston Birth Place 3.5 hours before delivering. I was 8cm at arrival. The first video shows what I was like by the time we finally got there. (in some serious pain)

Rough huh?! Giving birth was the most powerful thing I've ever done. I planned a natural birth and wouldn't change it for the world, and yes, I'd do it all over again. God designed the female body so perfectly for giving birth. It's important to trust Him in how He made us. He intended for us to give natural birth...and for it to hurt. Genesis 3:16 says, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children." And boy did it hurt!

3 hours later...

I love watching this video. Braelle was brought into the world in the most calming setting...warm water, dim lighting...mimicking the womb. I have the Charleston Birth Place to thank for that!

 Most would think that having a natural birth is scary because of all the possible outcomes that could occur. I'm here to tell you just the opposite. I had a very specific birth plan and it delivered exactly the way I planned. I had studied the birthing process and knew exactly what my body was doing the entire time. It's comforting to know a head of time that when I would say, "I'm dying, I can't do this anymore", it was completely normal, and just meant that I was getting really close to meeting my baby girl! It's interesting to me that the people that have hospital births are the ones that think birthing center births are uncontrolled. When in fact, an epidural or pain medicine have effects that can lead to more interventions. If you are induced, you are twice as likely to have a c-section. And the c-section rate at hospitals is 33% and rising. Verses 6% at the birthing center. This is why I chose to have my baby at the birth place, a controlled, dependable environment that truly wants you to have the best birthing experience you can have. And I did!

God has blessed me so much this year. Out of 70 trillion different genetic makeups Braelle could have been made, she was created how she is...perfect for me. I'm blessed that God chose me to mother her. I love her so much!

On the Mend

Braelle is feeling much better than she did last week when she came down with salmonella. She's back to smiling, waving, and talking galore. Meanwhile, she is also completely off her schedule! She got really used to me holding her day and night when she was really sick and still expects that of me. I have gotten her back into sleeping in her crib at night, but she wakes up a gazillion times to get hydrated. I'm exhausted...but she is feeling better and that is way more important! She has also gained back the pound that she lost which is great! 18lb 3oz

What kind of facial expression is that?! haha

Might I also add that Braelle is now wearing size 4 shoes to accommodate her giant feet. And even some size 4s are not large enough...smh

 Much better!

 Silly girl puckerin up for a kiss!

This week, after getting a lot of close up snuggle time, I've noticed that Braelle's eyelashes are getting really long. I LOVE long eyelashes and I think hers are so beautiful



Sick with Salmonella

My sweet, precious, baby girl has salmonella! It has been a really tough week for us. Sunday morning Braelle went from crawling around on the floor, to barely moving at all with a high fever. Sunday night was even worse when her temp struck 104.5 degrees! I was sick about how pitiful she looked and felt. Such a small person should never have to go through any kind of sickness.

Some of the symptoms for salmonella include: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, and blood in the stool. All of which she had. The girl felt HORRIBLE!

Mom and I took Braelle to the doctor on Monday who instructed us to take a sample of her feces to the hospital. We did that right away and just now got the test results back. (thursday) Well some of the test results anyway...more to come! Hopefullly, salmonella is the only infection she has!

I moved my mattress into Braelle's room so I could monitor her throughout the night. = no sleep. I told her we were having a sleepover and that we were going to tell secrets!

By Wednesday, she started to feel better...but not 100%. And when I took the camera out, she knew what to do! :) Ellie the Elephant has brought so much comfort to Braelle this week. Thanks Noelle!

Funny/gross story: Braelle suddenly decided last night when I was eating chicken pot pie that she was ravishingly hungry. She's been just drinking breastmilk which has been perfect for her. I thank God for breastmilk all the time because without it, she would have been in the hospital for being dehydrated. Anyways... I picked out the carrots and peas and gave them to Braelle. 3 hours later...out they came the other end...EXACTLY like they went in! Apparently she didn't even chew them up because if you wouldn't of known better, you would have throught someone had put carrots and peas from the pie straight into her diaper. I'm still amazed as to how they were perfectly shaped and colored. hahaha gross but funny!

Throughout Braelle's sickness, I have been so upset about it. It's broken my heart to watch her in so much pain and agony. But then I think about other kids who are going through so much worse. A couple at my church have a son that was recently diagnosed with T Cell Leukemia. Please pray for Luke Shamblin. Throughout Luke's journey, I have learned to thank God for LIFE! And to be thankful for everything. No matter what you are going through and no matter what kind of sickness you have, praise God that you are alive...because it could always be worse. Thank you for those who have been praying for Braelle's recovery and remember to add Luke Shamblin and his family to your prayer list!

 "Let us also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5

Beach Vacation

Braelle and I love the beach! For my short summer break in between classes (2 weeks) Braelle and I spent 1 week at Kiawah and Seabrook (our favorite beaches!) The first half of the week, we spent at Kiawah with Rachael, Catherine, and Caitlyn. They love on Braelle and I and we soak it up! Unfortunately, I forgot my camera for that trip. I remembered it though when my mom and I took Braelle to Seabrook. Enjoy the pictures of my adorable, brown lil girl. :)

It also just so happened that Braelle turned 11 months during our beach trips! How cute is she in her full coverage bathing suit?! Gotta protect that perfect skin!

Natural Toys!

I love when she sits on her feet!

She LOVES the water. I had to hold her back from going deeper and deeper in!

Sweetest thing I've ever seen

Basically, she uses her feet like hands...nothin like likin the sand right off a toe!

Doctor's Visit!

Doctor's visits are always hard on all of us. (Braelle, my mom, and me) I always get the first appointment at 8 a.m. because patience is not one of my strongest suits. Yet somehow every time we go, it takes 2 hours from the time we get there till the time we're home again. Poor Braelle always gets one shot every time we go. She really hates it and always cries really hard :(

Today she got a shot for Hep B and we'll have to go back in a month for the 2nd dose. She also got her finger pricked to check her hemoglobin and iron. Both were perfect.

Here's her stats:
18lb 3oz = 50th percentile
29 in = 50th percentile
And well her head circumference is still in the 95+ percentile... haha the girl has quite the noggin!

Braelle has been standing on her own for about 3 weeks now. I finally caught a pic today!!

 I wish that blue play spoon wasn't in her mouth but oh well...I love how wide her stance is! haha



Here's a few more of her just being cute :)

 What's cookin?!

Her shot has not affected her from the looks of it! :)

A Year Ago Today

A year ago today, I felt love like never before. A few of my favorite women threw me the most precious baby shower ever. It was incredible how many people showed up (51) to support me and my little girl. There aren't words to describe how incedibly grateful I am for the people who have supported me and Braelle through out this entire situation.

When I first got pregnant, and no one knew but a very select few, I was terrified of how people would respond to me. Would I be looked down upon? Would no one want to be my friend anymore? Would my family be isolated? Many negative thoughts went threw my head. I was afraid, and I think I can speak for my whole family. In a time when I would expect people to disown me, I was shown unconditional love, mercy, and support. It was all in God's hands and of course He continues to take care of me and Braelle today just like He always has. Thank you to all who have shown God's love.

Here's a couple pictures from the baby shower exactly 1 year ago!

 (Before everyone got there ha)

Precious and delicious cake!

I am in a really happy place in my life right now and I pray that God continues to shine in. Because of yall, I have survived the toughest time in my life. I've come a long way in 1 year huh? I can't believe how much Braelle has grown. She was still in my tummy just last year... check out some more pictures of this time last year!

My Story: The Road to Hope

We all have our ups and downs. Some crash harder than others..(me).. but my experiences have brought me to where I am today. And am I thankful for what I put myself through? Oh heck yeah...because I now have a much greater understanding of just how much my Heavenly Father loves me and how much I mean to Him. Let me tell you about it...

We all know I got pregnant unwed. So clearly I was a secretive, disobedient teenager. I had drifted from God, got caught up in sin, and knew where to turn but ignored it. I ignored God. The funny thing is, He never ignored me, even though I wanted Him to. He was constantly in the back of my mind giving me a way out, welcoming me back. But I never took it. Well, that was until He gave me the ultimatum.

I realized I was pregnant on January 10th 2010. That night, God spoke to me loud and clear, "This is your way out. I'm fighting for you. I want you back. This is my gift to you, this is HOPE." God gave me HOPE for a better life, to live a better me. And I took Him up on it. Out of impurity, He gave me purity. Out of a horrible situation, He brought out the good. Crazy how He can do that huh?!

By giving me this child, God was serious about getting me back to Him. I had ignored his easy way outs several times. He knew he had to do something big to grab ahold of me and get my attention. He didn't have to do that..but He did, because He loves me. Even though it was going to make my sister lose her cool, and even though it was going to nearly kill my dad from another heart attack, and even though it was going to break my brother's heart, and even though it was going to make my grandma lose all of her marbles, and even though it was going to send my entire family into a huge fizzy, I was worth it to God. He loved me enough to send HOPE through giving me my daughter, Braelle HOPE Runion.

God loves you the same way He loves me. And He loves me like crazy. Don't test God like I did. Don't push you're luck too much, because He might just have to do something big, really big in order to get you back. Because you are worth it. What's your story? Take a moment and think about what God has done for you and how much he loves you.

"I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way He loves us"

10 Months Baby!

Braelle is now 10 MONTHS! Like, I can't believe I've had a baby for 10 months!! She gets more amazing, talented, and beautiful everyday.

We haven't been to the doctor for a well visit in 3 months and won't be going for another month, (we're on the 'we make our own rules' shot schedule), so I don't have any cool stats yet. Although I do know that she is the healthiest baby ever, very strong, and over 18lbs.

Things Braelle Has Been Working On Recently:

• Perfecting her wave (girl LOVES to wave at anyone and everyone all the time...remember when she was a grumpy pants and only gave the mean mug?? ha well she still does that...but now she is also willing to smile and wave too!)
• Capable of sleeping till 5 a.m. (Yeah, she still wants to get up and nurse at least once or twice. She normally wakes up around 4 a.m. but this morning it was 5 a.m.! We get up for good around 6:45-7ish.
• Clap hands on command.
• Saying "please"
• Playing Peek-A-Boo
• Standing alone for 1 second..haha
• Unrolling toilet paper...all of the toilet paper in my house has been rerolled

A couple of months ago Braelle and I were watching Oprah and Beyonce was performing...that's when Braelle started busting out her own moves...since then, Braelle will dance to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that has a beat or  rhymth... including:

• Dancing to my dog, Chance, licking up water from his bowl (HILARIOUS)
• Tapping, clapping, snapping or knocking
• Singing or music...like normal people do
• And scraping dough off of the pizza board.

See what I mean by talented?? haha
Enjoy the rest of Braelle's 10th month photo shoot :)

I love this next picture of Chrissy and Braelle :)

I saved the best for last...standing up on her tip-toes to look outside!

Braelle's first 4th of July!

Braelle looks really good in red, white, and blue! Well, she actually looks good in every color...her skin tone is just so perfect and I'm so jealous. I love dressing her in the colors that I love looking at, but can't pull off! (yellow, orange, red, cream, and my mom would say gray).
Anyways, we had a good day! She looked adorable of course and we lounged around for most of the day until we went to the Thies' for a cookout! The girl LOVES a party...something I'll have to channel in her future teen years! :D