Talking about the taboo!!

Yes, I'm going to write about it. POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION! Why am I putting it out there for everyone to see that I have suddenly lost all sense of reality? Because any woman reading this who has gone through it, or will go through it, or have friends or loved ones who have gone through it need to know that they are not alone, and it is very real to those who suffer from it. I delivered my sweet baby on Monday the 18th, and the next Sunday, I fell into the deep, dark, terrifying abyss of postpartum. For those extremely blessed women who have never experienced it, I truly can not find the words to explain the feelings that descend on you. All rationality goes out the window, and you find yourself in a lonely, hopeless place with no prospect of ever again feeling normal or happy. The precious child you waited and prayed for while they grew inside you all of a sudden scares you to death. For me, even the smell of baby lotion or sight of a bottle made me nauseous. I have experienced postpartum with every child--Belle, Dru, and now Jeb. I am one of the blessed ones who only suffers for about a week or so, so hopefully I am nearing the end of this horrible place I am in. That is my desperate prayer anyway. But it is so very important to me to just get it out there.... "Postpartum is real, and it happens to the best of us, and it's common for women to experience. It's just not common for anyone to talk about!!!" For me, my husband, family, and friends have been my heroes throughout this terrifying week. So, I beg anyone who happens to read this... be a hero to someone else going through this horrible event in their life. And for anyone else going through it or who will go through it... talk about it. Let people help you. I can't imagine going through it alone.

Ok, enough bad stuff. Other than this--please pray for me that the worst is behind me, and by the end of the weekend, I will be postpartum depression free! On a happy note, I'm posting some more pictures of Jeb. He is so sweet and still so tiny. He is sporting his "tie" onesie and thought he was quite GQ.

More Baby Jeb

I have a few more pictures of Baby Jeb... and I'm sure there will be many many more in the future. I'll try not to go too overboard. We are just so excited about him and want to share. He has been such a good little guy. We just couldn't ask for a better baby. The girls love him but go about their business as usual, stopping to "check him" every now and then. Life is good.

Jeb had his first check up on Friday, and the doctor said he looked great. He is down to 6 lbs 14 oz, but apparently that is normal. I'm just not used to tiny babies... the girls were nearly 9 lbs. Matt gave him a bath tonight, and I couldn't get over how tiny Jeb looked in his hands.

Like I said, I'm sure I'll keep the pictures coming. He gets cuter every second.

Baby Jeb

We're home with our sweet boy. He is so precious. I catch myself just sitting and staring at him. We are so thankful for this healthy boy!

Delivery went smoothly other than an anesthesiologist that was running behind with epidurals! Once everything got going, Jeb came pretty quickly. I had a wonderful experience at Washington Regional.

Last night, Jeb slept great, only getting up twice then going right back to sleep after a bottle. He has been an awesome baby.

I'm including several pictures, and there will be more to come. We're all still recovering and adjusting! Thanks for your prayers and thoughts. We appreciate all of them.

Introducing Jeb Sullivan Slaughter!

Jeb was born this afternoon, and Mom and baby are doing great. He is 7 lbs and 20 inches long. They are at Washington Regional Hospital.

Nesting, Nerves, and Blogging

Tomorrow is the big day. Baby Jeb is finally going to be here. It's actually 11 pm, and I can't sleep. I've nested all I can nest, and now I'm blogging. Blogging... really? At 11 pm the night before I deliver? So weird. My mind is thinking about a million things... Is this normal? I haven't had a baby in nearly 4 years, so I'm completely out of practice.

Please pray for us tomorrow. Pray #1 that we will have a healthy, healthy baby boy, and #2 that I won't have the 'issues' I had with both other deliveries... if you don't know what those were I'll spare you the details, but they weren't fun for anyone.

I just can't help but wonder what he'll look like! Belle? Dru? Neither? I'm posting the girls' newborn pictures, then hopefully tomorrow someone can post one of Jeb. I CAN'T BELIEVE THE DAY IS HERE!! Ok... must go to bed. One more time, pray for us! I'm so nervous. I feel like such a rookie.

Incredible Friends and Baby Showers

I have the most incredible friends in the world. Matt and I moved here just 3 1/2 years ago, and in that small amount of time we have made some of the most lasting, meaningful relationships of our lives. It was hard for me to leave home and family and friends and make this move to NW Arkansas, but I just had no idea what all God had in store for us... namely people who would care and love us through the hard times (such as Grandma's death) and times of celebration (such as Jeb's birth). This Saturday, I had my THIRD baby shower for Jeb given by my friends Erin, Sara, Sherrilleta, and Sarah (also my sister-in-law). Before that, the ladies in our connection group at FBCS gave me and two other of my 'expecting' friends a shower, and that same day, the ladies in Matt's office, along with a host of teachers, gave us a shower in the administration office at Shiloh. I literally went from having nothing for this child to having more than enough in a week's time. I am truly truly grateful to EVERYONE. Right now, for me, there is no better gift than friendships and the love and support that comes with them. So, from my friends and family to everyone at Shiloh, thank you, thank you! Matt, the girls, and I appreciate you so much... and I know Jeb will, too!

Happy Birthday, Matt!

Today is Matt's 28th birthday. I posted a few pictures of us over these past 6 1/2 years, and get ready b/c I'm about to brag on my husband... If I had to sum it all up in a few words I would have to say, 'he just gets it'. He gets what is important in life and not important and sets that tone in our home. I never have to remind him to spend more time with the girls or me or that work or play time isn't as important as family time. He is just here for us and not because I force him or shame him into it, but because this is right where he wants to be. I am so completely blessed and do not at all deserve the blessing he is. Not only does he allow me to stay home with the kids, he wouldn't have it any other way and supports me in that endeavor along with my writing and anything else I want to pursue. He doesn't put a lot of emphasis into material things, but instead focuses on 'forever' things like his girls and me and relationship with God. I could go on and on, but the bottom line is, I have the best husband in the world and am so very very grateful and undeserving. Happy Birthday, Matt.