What a Year!

2013 has been quite possibly the best year of my life.  As I reflect on this past year, I am overcome with happiness.  It has been a whirlwind of emotions, both happy and sad; but I wouldn't change a single day.  As I reflect on the past year, I thought I would do a picture blog to give a more literal depiction of each incredible month we experienced in 2013.
My life in pictures :

January:
*My mom began making an incredible recovery from her recent brain injury.  She literally progressed every single day, and I am amazed at God's healing and grace in her life.

*I sold my first house! I began my Real Estate career working for Heritage Realty.  Being a Realtor, while also maintaining my job at Louisiana Tech University, has been a tremendous reward.  I have found a perfect balance between my two jobs and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I love both of my work families!!











February:
* I celebrated 5 years of my employment at Louisiana Tech!

March:

*Jonathan graduated from Louisiana Tech!!!

*We found out we were pregnant!!! We didn't shout it from the mountain tops just until about May, but I loved that Jonathan and I (and close family) had our own little secret for a few weeks. 

April:

*Soccer season is in full force.  As the Technical Director for NELSA, Jonathan is super busy organizing, traveling, and coaching soccer!  I love traveling all over the state, while sharing Jonathan's passion along his side.

*We packed up my parents house in Arkansas, and they officially moved back to Ruston! They LOVED their home and relationships they made in Mountain Home, but it was time to migrate south again.  

May:

*We found out we were having a BOY!!  We were in the waiting room, just the two of us after we found out the great news.  We were so excited!!! So let the planning begin...

We celebrated by going to a Ranger's game and purchasing our son's first baseball attire.  One of our favorite things to do is go to the Ranger's stadium, we can't wait to start new memories with our little guy and love for sports.

June:

*We took a "babymoon" to the beach for our last vacation as a family of two!  Our vacation consisted of shopping, eating, tanning, and watching my nephew play baseball at the World Series.  

July:

* We began decorating our nursery and getting ready for the baby's arrival!

Kelly painted this canvas for Auri's nursery. It was a surprise between her and Jonathan, and I LOVE it!!  It's the perfect touch to the nursery, and even more special that Auri's AK (Aunt Kelly) made it.

*We took full advantage of having date nights and doing the fun things we have enjoyed for the past 10 years. I think we went to the movies every weekend!! Haha
Now we will just have one more to come to the party! Walsh party of 3 has a ring to it :)

August:

* Baby Shower time!! We were so very humbled with the opportunity to have baby showers in honor of Auri's arrival.
Our first shower was hosted by family.  Yall, between Jonathan and I, we have the greatest family on the planet.

Our second shower was hosted by my closest friends. We are definitely feeling the love!!!

September:

*Almost Baby Month! So much to do... Starting with football season!

October:

* Celebrated my 29th birthday! and of course we indulged at our favorite restaurant, RAW.
p.s. I love it when my husband wears a tie :)

* 10 year reunion in the cat box! RHS Class of 2003

(at this point...I am super pregnant, and so ready!)                               

*Louisiana Tech Homecoming!! with my favorite pregnant friend! We are both having boys, and can't wait for them to grow up to be best friends! 

*Robin and her family came up the weekend I was due... too bad Auri waited another week to join us!

* Our baby boy is finally here!! We dressed him in Halloween attire (being that he was born 2 days before)  Our little Punkin. My parents still call him "lil punkin", so the nickname sticks! 

* Overwhelmed with thankfulness and gratitude to God for allowing me to be Auri's mom.  He is perfect in our eyes, and a beautiful reminder of the miracle of life.  I love him more than words. 

November:

*Tara got married!!

*Auri's first Thanksgiving!!

December:

*Jonathan turned 30! I planned a surprise party for him and boy was he surprised!! It was a really great day! On this day, we also took Auri to church for the first time.  He was a perfect Angel in the nursery.  We are looking forward to going to church as a family and growing in His discipleship. 

*Christmas parties galore this year!! It is a bit more challenging with an infant to manage our time between Christmas parties, family time, naptime, feeding time, etc.  As proof of my of my time-management challenges, I have zero pictures from any of the Christmas parties we attended.  Oh well!

*Christmas Eve photo shoot with the family!

*Auri's 1st Christmas was a success! Although he was only 8 weeks old and couldn't really open presents, his parents sure did enjoy opening them in his place.  We hosted 2 Christmas's at our house this year.  It was exhausting but I absolutely loved having our families over to celebrate.

This is Grandma Walsh, on her 91st birthday! Holding her 3 great-grandchildren.  What a remarkable woman! 

*Linnie came to see us and brought the entire toy section from walmart with her!! haha but for real.  Auri is definitely spoiled already!! Auri had his own Christmas tree in his room and his very own ornaments.  A new tradition we have started with our family.

*Christmas Morning was Perfect!!  Auri slept for 8 hours through the night, so Merry Christmas to us, right??!!? We woke up semi-early, exchanged presents, drank coffee and made cinnamon rolls! I love that we are making new traditions with my own little family.  

*Auri is 2 months old! People say time flies but whoa. No kidding.  My little sweet cheeks is growing and healthy and super happy!

This year my personal "new year's resolution" is to be a better person.  The person I am today involves being a mother, a wife, a friend, a daughter, and most importantly a woman of God. I pray that each day I become more in love with my family and more faithful to my Heavenly Father. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

May you and your family be extra blessed this year! 

Motherhood

Motherhood. What a loaded term. There are seriously so many words to describe this profession I do not even know where to start.  Being a Mother is something no single person can truly prepare you for.  Not even your own mother! I was really banking on this! ;)

But in all honesty, being a mother has been the most loving, exhilarating, tiring, and addictive experience.  Though it's not something anyone can prepare you for, it's also the most natural job in the world.  I never knew I could love someone so much.  

My birth story:

So it all began on October 28th, Jonathan and I were due for a doctor's appointment.  After already being way past my due date, we knew it would literally be any minute.  I really thought I would have gone into labor 2 weeks early (or maybe it was just wishful thinking) and believe me, we pulled out all the tricks.  There is nothing I didn't try, except castor oil.  I was even on the back of a 4-wheeler the weekend I was due trying to speed things up! 

Back to the map... I began having contractions literally as soon as we pulled up to the doctor's office.  Painful, uncomfortable contractions.  It was the first time I had really, really felt this type of pain so I knew exactly what it was.  After visiting with the doctor and doing a quick ultrasound, we learned I was carrying an almost 9 pound baby. Whoa mama.  She strongly encouraged us to go into the hospital that night, for she didn't know if I could handle a natural delivery with me carrying such a large baby. 

Well, we went in at midnight (October 29th)  contractions were in full swing by 8:00 am.  Like the unbearable, I can't do anything but cry, kind of contractions.  So, bring on the drugs!! My epidural was painless and once that kicked in, I was golden.  I had many visitors in and out of my room.  Mainly family and close friends.  But I was so exhausted and STARVING that I just wanted to sleep.

No complications to speak of, except for one episode in which I will spare the details, and our beautiful baby boy was born at 5:48 pm. What an experience!!!  I was so terrified of the entire delivery process, that I wasn't sure how I was going make it. Through much prayer, and my support group (Jonathan and my Mom were in the delivery room with me) I made it.  And it was perfect.  Maurice "Auri" Joseph Walsh was 8 lbs, 11 oz and 21.5 inches long with head full of black hair!! None of these characteristics were surprising, but all too real once he finally entered our world. To date, delivering my son has been the most accomplished and proud I have ever felt in my life! An exhilarating feeling I will never, ever forget. 

After Jonathan and I spent an hour with our son alone, Jonathan then took him to introduce Auri to his fan club.  This was a special moment for him. Although I didn't get to witness it, Jonathan was so proud to be his daddy. With tears streaming down his face, his world completely changed.

There were so many emotions to follow after he was born, but first... what does a girl have to do to get some food!? 

Jonathan's dad came through for me with my very own Johnny's Pizza.  It was exactly what I wanted and boy was it the most delicious pizza I had ever tasted! 

The hospital stay was fantastic! No complaints here, St. Francis Medical Center comes highly recommended by the Walsh's!  I was literally sad to leave.  Mainly because I wasn't sure how I was going to function without my super sweet nurses waking me up at night telling me Auri was hungry.  But 48 hours later, we were definitely ready to get home. 

With much anticipation, fear, and excitement we made the drive home on Halloween night.  Auri is dressed to impress in his Batman costume.  Isn't he just the cutest thing you ever see?!

Driving away from the hospital, I lost it.  People tell you about postpartum emotions, but wow... I was a blubbering basket-case.  Sitting in the backseat with our son, my husband driving us home, my family is on the way to our little house.  It seemed so surreal.  A quick phone call from my sister, and I was laughing hysterically, so my tears of feeling overwhelmed turned into laughing tears.  

The first night home was a bit of a challenge, but we survived! Every night after that has gotten a little bit easier.  I wouldn't say I have the hang of it, but I am certainly close.  We have a schedule that seems to be working for us... you may have heard it: Eat, Sleep, Poop.  That is literally what he does. All day long.  The past couple days, Auri has been way more alert and staying awake more.  I have finally gotten in the routine of him eating in 3-hour increments.  What is most challenging, is figuring out what to do in between those increments.  I am usually faced with either cleaning, exercising or sleeping.  And I typically opt for the later.   

I can't seem to stop staring at my baby boy.  I could literally just look at him all day. We think he's pretty cute.  At 8 weeks old, he has begun to develop a personality that is precious.  He grins so much!  What a happy baby! 

There are times that I am so overcome with happiness that I could just cry.  My heart is literally so full of love for this little boy!  

Let's talk about Super Dad real quick.  My husband is AMAZING and what an INCREDIBLE Dad!!! Wow, I knew he would be great, but I didn't know he would be this great!! I don't know how I would make it without him.  He actually probably gets less sleep than I do.  But most of all, I adore watching him interact with our son.  It is heart-touching the way he is so in love with this little guy.

As a family, we are SO in love!!! 



This post is far overdue... Christmas festivities are to follow in the next few days! 

My Mom is my hero | Part 2

Here we are, a whole year later, 365 days, since my world was rocked from a horrible incident. I remember it so clearly,  my sister and I were at Squire Creek for the 2nd annual "Wiggin Out" party.  Stacy and I were having a great time socializing with friends, having a cocktail, and enjoying a beautiful night to raise awareness for cancer.  Then, it happened.  Daddy called. I knew something was wrong.  I was in such shock and disorient, that it was hard for me to even complete a sentence, but none the less, knew it was serious.  Beth Davis, being the superwoman that she is, got us to the hospital in 10 minutes flat.  The rest of the story has way too many details to mention, however, they are all explained in a previous blog I posted last October under "My Mom is my hero."  Here is the link if you are interested or need a recap http://jonathanandmbwalsh.blogspot.com/2012/10/my-mom-is-my-hero.html
Last night, Stacy and I attended "Wiggin Out" again, with much better memories from last year!  Always a fun time with these girls!! (Even if I am 9 months pregnant!)

And that statement is ever-so true to this very day.  My mom IS my hero.  She is literally the strongest person I know, and it is amazing to witness her physical and spiritual healing throughout this past year.  For those of you who aren't caught up, Mama is battling cancer.  And has been for quite some time.  A year ago, while undergoing chemotherapy, she had a tremendous fall, causing her to have a massive brain injury.  This  injury caused excessive bleeding to the brain and was barely operable.  God provided her with the very best neurosurgeon, who completed a life-saving surgery that brought her back to us.  Actually, God brought her back to us, but through the work of unbelievable doctors.   The next few months were a blur, ones that none of us care to re-live, but the bottom line is... Mama wasn't supposed to make it.  She wasn't "supposed" to come out of a coma. She wasn't "supposed" to speak again.  She wasn't "supposed" to walk again.  However, God had other plans.

This morning, I went to my parents house for breakfast.  Mama cooked me breakfast, we drank coffee, had our usual morning chat.  She walked me to the door and spoke the words she says every morning "Have a good day. I love you!"   I am having trouble finding the words to express just how awesome our God is.  He did this.  He is fully responsible for her physical healing, for our emotional healing, for our family, and for everything we have prevailed through.  As our great Physician, He deserves all praise.

It's the little things in life today that most people probably complain about or even joke about.  "Why is my mom calling me..." or  "Oh my gosh, Mom is on my nerves."  Yall. In this moment, a year ago, and for the months to follow, I would have done ANYTHING to receive a phone call from my mom.  In fact, after her first few rounds of speech therapy, Mom began using her phone again. One day she called me and I accidentally missed the call.  She left me a message on my voice mail.  I will never delete it. It is a fascinating reminder of her progress, her strength, and her determination to get back to her life.  Things aren't necessarily "back to normal," but we are making our daily lives as normal as can be.  Mama is still battling cancer.  But she is still with us.  God has her here with us for a reason!!  The reason isn't clear, but knowing it is a part of His miraculous plan is comfort enough.

Although life is so very different for my family and I, as we have all overcome the obstacles of the past year, I am so very thankful for the gift of life.  We take it for granted for too often. As I now reflect on my pregnancy, and knowing that I am 10 days (or hopefully less) from bringing a child into this world, I am overwhelmed with joy.  Pure joy.  God's plan for our lives doesn't always match up to how we want it to go.  But instead, I have complete trust that God's plan is perfect.  

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

 Jeremiah 29:11

I cling to the words of the Lord. I cling to the hope of a joyful future that I have no control over.  Please continue to pray for my Mom and for my family.  God's mercy and prayer have been the only thing to get us through some days.  She is hanging on strong, and will continue to do so until the Good Lord calls her home.  Thank you all for the love and support our family has received over the past year.  We cannot thank you enough for the calls, texts, cards, conversations, meals, and the list goes on.  

Janice Scriber, the woman we call Mama, wife, friend, family,  is *hands down* the greatest woman on earth, and I strive to be the person she is.

With much love,
MaryBeth

Counting the weeks

Third trimester... what can I say... It's been real folks, but isn't it time to have a baby already?!
Thus far, pregnancy has been fantastic! I feel great, not too very tired, but then... I look at my feet.  Yall, I promise you have never seen such swollen feet.  The funny part is, I have extremely skinny feet "in real life."  Like seriously, I have trouble buying shoes because my feet are so long and narrow.  Well. I am patiently waiting for the day that I can have my skinny feet back!!  I blame most of this on the miserable August heat, but I also realize this is completely normal for most pregnant women.  If I am having extreme difficulty even fitting in my shoes now,  I can't imagine what it will be like come October!  Because of my extreme discomfort,  my sweet, sweet husband massages my feet every night, which has helped tremendously.  So anyway, I really don't have too much to complain about!

My bi-weekly doctor visits have been going very well. This week I am 34 weeks.  Next week will be my last big appointment with a final Ultrasound, and then I'll begin my weekly visits.  At 32 weeks, I was measuring 34... so it looks like we have a big baby on our hands!  Or he will be early. My doctor has predicted he will be early from early on... and I am hoping her prediction is accurate!

We began our childbirth classes this week.  Topic of the my first class: Breastfeeding.  This topic is a little daunting to me, but I am certainly well-educated for when the time comes.  The nature of motherhood and how God can place the most perfect details into every little action is so amazing to me.  I mean seriously, He thinks of everything!!  The more I learn about the process, the more I am understanding just what a miracle pregnancy is.  And the fact that God chose me to bring a baby into this world is even more breath-taking.  I feel so blessed to be chosen.  I feel an intense desire to live a better life; for me, my child, my family, and for the Lord.  Pregnancy has rocked my world in so many ways, but I can't think of a single disadvantage of this experience.  I am forever thankful.

The nursery is coming right along... well kinda.  We have the necessities, if you will, but the organization is lacking a bit.  As my maternal nesting mood is slowing setting in, I am getting more and more eager to get everything in it's place.  Last weekend consisted of cleaning out closets and getting rid of unwanted items, and moving stuff to the attic.  THAT is a chore.

I am so in love with this little guy in my belly, I can hardly stand it.  I didn't expect such strong attachment (literal and physical) during this process.  It's so funny how I can already tell he has a spunky personality. That may sound silly, but I feel like I KNOW him already. And He's a joker, that little one. He thinks he's funny now, just wait until his parents get a hold of his sense of humor ;)

Showered with love

What a fun past few days!!  And most of the days have been amazing and full of family time!  Last Saturday was my first baby shower for Auri.  and WOW are we overwhelmed and blessed with the generosity of our special families.  Between Jonathan and I, we have an extremely large, extended family and seriously words can not express how grateful we are to be a part of such heart-warming, thoughtful people.
The morning of the shower started off strange for me.  I had an internal anxiety and excitement of seeing my dear family.  But more importantly, the thought of celebrating the upcoming arrival of our Son.  I mean, we are really having a baby!! We are really about to be parents.  We are really about to be solely responsible for another human being.  We really need to get with it on the nursery! (this isn't my main concern, but kinda).  Whoa!
So anyway,  Saturday morning, I'm flooded with emotions that I almost can't control.  I am praying outloud to the good Lord on my way to the shower about all of these worries and thoughts.  Mostly I didn't want them to consume my day, but my attitude was almost a selfish one and I needed to be put in my place.  And just like that, I feel a sense of relief and comfort.

Our baby boy is loved SO much already, and it is quite an overwhelming feeling.  The next few pictures are just a few snap shots from the day.  I had forgotten how much fun opening presents was! :) and exhausting!! haha, but seriously we received an abundant of necessary items to prepare for Auri's arrival and I am beyond grateful.

My Amazing Hostesses!! 

Although we weren't able to get everyone in pictures... I was able to get at least most of everyone!!

My beautiful ladies of Thomas family (Mama's side)

The Walsh ladies! 

And then the Scriber crew, minus a few!

I have more pictures from the shower if you are interested. Click here to take you directly to the link https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100262408797958.1073741825.49703658&type=1&l=a189f49e9f 

Once again, Jonathan and I feel so blessed to such loving and supportive families.  

The fun doesn't stop here though!  We have some things planned for the upcoming weeks. One being maternity photos, and another baby shower hosted by a few of my awesome friends!  Before we know it, we will be welcoming our son into this great big world. 

Update on Mama:

I know several of you have continued to pray for Mom, and frequently ask how she is doing, and on behalf of our family, Thank you so much!! She is doing great!  The burden of cancer is still here, but she has not let it slow her down.  She isn't able to receive any additional chemotherapy, which has been discouraging for her.  But the good news is, she is embracing each day and living the life God has called her for.  One of the side effects of her tumor, and chemo, has been the loss of hearing.  A few weeks ago, she was only able to hear out of her right ear with only about 30% capacity.  This has been a huge discomfort for her, for it was extremely difficult for her to have conversations with people, especially in a crowded area.  I have prayed fervently for her to feel some sort of relief.  Not even really knowing what relief I was praying for, I just knew she needed a boost of confidence.  Last Thursday morning, something miraculous happened. She literally woke up and just like that, she could hear!! It isn't completely restored, but it is certainly enough for her to comfortably have conversations, and not even wear a hearing device.  She is just thrilled!! and I am so happy she is happy!  This may sound like such a petty milestone, but for us who see and talk to her everyday, this is huge.  She faces other daily challenges, but this has definitely given her a lift in her spirits.  I ask for continued prayers for Mama.  For Daddy, who is the greatest caregiver in the world.  And for continued progress in her situation.  We love her so very much, and is truly an inspiration to so many of us.  As of now, she is staying busy, enjoying their new home!  She has been so great in assisting me throughout my pregnancy; giving me advice, telling me stories, and just being there whenever Jonathan can't quite handle my hormones :)  

That's all for now.  Stay tuned! 

Taking it easy

Well, I'm almost 30 weeks! Time is seriously going by so fast! It's funny how all the sudden my life is based on weeks, but none the less, every single week is important.  I am learning that I am surely not moving as quickly as I used to.  I am extremely fast walker, almost as if I'm in a hurry everywhere I go.  However, this pregnancy has forced me to take it down a notch.  Whereas it used to take me 16 minutes to run 2 miles, it now takes me 16 minutes to walk 1 mile! But moving at a slower pace has allowed me to appreciate the physical exercise, thanking God for his beautiful blessings one step at a time.

About 4 weeks ago I developed an excruciating back pain.  Seriously, the worst pain I have ever felt, almost paralyzing in a sense that I literally could not take another step without collapsing.  At 25 weeks I had already began "the waddle" so many pregnant women only have in their last couple weeks of pregnancy.  Walking was painful, sleeping was painful. EVERYTHING was painful.  Jonathan was worried something wasn't right, so off I went to the Chiropractor.  I had never experienced this type of service before, and wasn't even real sure of what I thought about the practice.  But at this point I was willing to try anything. After getting approval from my doctor, I began seeing a local chiropractor.  And let me tell you folks, I am a believer in the chiropractic services!! WOW, I am amazed at how different and normal I feel.  It took a few days for the adjustment to settle in.  And don't get me wrong, the sessions were almost more painful than my actual pain, but I survived.  I am back in the game and feeling wonderful!

Last week was the dreaded glucose test.  I went in with no worries, drank my little orange drink (I seriously could have gone for another round, pretty tasty!) and off we went for the Doctor's visit.  The appointment went very smooth, we were able to see our litte Auri again and Wow is he is getting so big! 3 pounds already!  So funny watching him in there, wondering what he's up to.  After our appointment, we registered for labor and delivery at St. Francis.  Whew, just checking things off the list!
Speaking of checking things off the list... We finally bought a crib!  The room is slowly beginning to look like a nursery!  We searched for many weeks to find "the crib" and we just couldn't find exactly what we wanted.  We stumbled across a furniture store in Monroe and made the big purchase! We paid a little more than I anticipated, but it is absolutely perfect!

So the next couple days were a little discouraging.  My doctor's nurse called to tell me I didn't pass my glucose test, and I am possibly at risk for gestational diabetes.  I'm not sure why I was so surprised, but it certainly wasn't expected and it freaked me out a bit.  I went in the next day for the 3-hour extensive glucose testing, which isn't 3 hours at all.  Try 5 hours! Anyway, it was not a fun day.  So this lady loves to eat, even when I'm not pregnant... so, not being able to eat or even have a sip of water for an 18 hour span was very difficult.  My sweet husband waited with me for at least one of the hours in between lab work.  The clinic graciously gave me a room to rest instead of sitting uncomfortably in the waiting room.
Anyway, results came back and no diabetes for me!  But don't you worry, whatever that was, was a wake-up call for me.  I am certainly going to take it easy on the sugar and carbs.  Healthy Mama, healthy baby, right?!  I was so worried that all my selfish eating, mainly the ice cream I consume every night, would be potentially harmful to the baby.
I am feeling Auri move all the time now, and it is such a sweet, breath-taking, happy feeling. One day I'll feel him on my far right side, another day he is all up in my ribs.  Yesterday was a first, in that I could literally feel him on both sides of my belly.  Perhaps we have a dancer with quick feet with his hands up in the air.  I am far-enough in my pregnancy to "count kicks" to make sure his movement is healthy and normal.  So far, so good!
I have begun writing a journal to Auri about my experience and love for him.  I am uncontrollably in love with him already, and I can't imagine knowing how much the love can grow.  Jonathan and I have strongly enjoyed our time together during this pregnancy.  God has blessed us immensely, and I am truly grateful for my growing family.
We have a big weekend ahead of us... Our first baby shower!  We have family from both my side and Jonathan's side coming in town and I am SO excited to see our big, happy families!