David Milton Peek III

Mills,

I have been putting a lot of thought into this post and what I should write. I have come to realize there are absolutely no words to even begin to adequately explain the way I felt the day you were born. There's no way I could tell you how much my life changed the second I looked at your face. It is impossible to put into words the way my heart overflowed with joy when you looked into my eyes. My only hope is that one day you will be able to experience it for yourself.

Your dad and I checked into the hospital the night before you were born. I was scheduled to be induced early the next morning. You had your own plans, and I was in labor all day until you were born at 7:42 PM, September 16th. Both sides of our families had been waiting all day, but oh my goodness, you were worth the wait! Your dad was so wonderful. He kept the ice chips coming and kept me calm and collected (as much as possible).

I'll never forget Dr. Loncar placing you on my chest. You were absolutely beautiful. My heart melted, and I had never felt instant, overwhelming love that way. I instantly knew I would spend the rest of my life making sure that you were safe and happy. I wasn't the only one. I can't explain what I saw in your dad the first time he held you. He instantly morphed from the man I loved into someone more, someone greater. I knew he felt the exact same way I did. I had to demand that he hand you to me... He wanted to hog you for himself!

My promise to you, my precious little boy, is that I will love you forever. Nothing could ever change that. Thank you for making me a mom. It's the absolute greatest. You definitely have my heart. There are a lot of pictures I want to share from that day.

Daddy and Grandaddy waiting for your arrival.

The first moment I saw you.

Daddy holding you for the first time.

So very proud!

You already looked just like your Dad.

Papa with his first gradson. He brought you the cutest little baseball glove to the hospital.

Daddy changing his first diaper.

Mammy and Mills.

Your sweet aunts just love you to death.

Grandmother loving on you.

Sweet Granny

Uncle Charlie and Aunt Ashley hung with us until late that night. We can't wait for Kitty to get here!

Your Aunt Callie was so sweet to wait for you to get here. It was so amazing for me to see her holding you.

Uncle Dan scooped you right out of your bassinet.

Cousin Buck said, "I like Mills!"

Taking a nap together.

Taking a nap with Daddy.

Your sweet cousins. Caroline kept calling you "Little Darlin'", and Bibby was soo sweet and gentle with you.

Ragan came from Birmingham to see you.

I have such sweet friends!

Mymama and Pop checking you out.

Aunt Donna came to hold you.

Heading home from the hospital. Puddin had smocked you the sweetest little day gown to wear home, and both you and I left in pajamas. When they told us we could leave, we ran!

My little angel. The day after you were born, your dad looked at me and said, "There's no way someone couldn't believe in God after going through that." He is absolutely right. Simply put, you are nothing short of a miracle. I have no idea what I did to deserve this kind of happiness. You are a very much loved little boy, and we are so blessed.

Pregnancy Wrap-Up

Well, Aunt Ragan asked for this, and since things are about to get hectic, I am going ahead and writing it. I have 5 MORE DAYS of pregnancy, and it is blowing my mind! I am absolutely overwhelmed by emotions. While I must admit one of them is fear, it is overshadowed by extreme excitement. I cannot wait to see what my little man looks like. I cannot wait to hold him in my arms and kiss his soft skin. I cannot wait to witness Dave seeing his son for the first time. I cannot wait for my dad to hold his first grandson. I just can't wait.

Pregnancy has been a roller coaster to say the least. A lot has happened since I've been carrying Mills. I was the maid of honor in my best friend's wedding, I lost my precious grandfather, and Dave lost his sweet grandmother. We have definitely had lessons in life, death, love, and God's wonderful work.

I've had 9 months of on-again-off-again morning sickness and horrible stomach pains. At the same time I have had the joy of carrying a very active little boy who lets me play with his feet while he's in my belly and gets hiccups at least twice a day. I've only slept for around 4 hours a night the past month, but I've also carried him to the Bahamas and North Carolina. I've watched David's face light up when he tells people he's about to be a father, and I've gotten tears in my eyes seeing moms with their babies. It's been quite an experience.

Now... I'm ready. Pregnancy is an incredible journey that you cannot explain to people that haven't gone through it. I must say there are parts I really will miss, but I am ready for this part to be over and Mills to be here. I have waddled long enough! My little guy is getting evicted.

This past Tuesday we went to the doctor to find out that I am, dissappointingly, still only a fingertip dilated and 70% effaced. We had an ultrasound that said Mills was measuring 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and that his head is still measuring 3 weeks early! Doctor Loncar said he feels bigger than what he measured, so it will be very interesting to see. We go back Tuesday to see if we go to the hospital Wednesday night or Thursday morning, but either way, he will be here Thursday!! I couldn't be more excited. I guess my next post will be pictures of my baby!

A Year and a Half of Wedded Bliss

On September 6th, David and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary. David cooked an eggplant parmesan recipe that we found online from a restaurant called Scalinis. They are famous for having sent over 300 women into labor after eating their delicious dish. While it was very tasty, 5 days later... I am still pregnant.

During the blessing Dave, as serious as could be, thanked God for an incredible year and a half of marriage! What can I say, we are both the babies of our families and from starting to date to actually married, we were only together for 9 months. Getting used to each other took a little bit of time! However, we knew quickly that it was meant to be, and at least I can say that I wouldn't change a thing.

Honestly, I never knew that life could be this abundantly happy and that all begins with the wonderful man I married. God really knows what he's doing. At the time we met, we had both just gotten out of long relationships and vowed to be single for awhile. Neither one of us was looking for someone to love. Also, right when we started dating I lost one of my closest friends to a car wreck. Dave, this incredible pillar of strength, was there to hold me up and comfort me. He was so kind and wonderful, and I don't know how I would have gotten through it without him. Even though we had only been casually dating for a short while at the time, I knew he was truly special and meant to be a part of my life.

The laughter in our house is constant. It is so much fun to be married to someone who you truly love spending time with and who honestly is my best friend. My prayers every single night start with, "Thank you God for David," and it's an incredible feeling to know that they will for the rest of my life.

A couple of days before our anniversary, Dave surprised me with a second wedding band. It is an anniversary and baby present and is absolutely gorgeous! I am so lucky. I am so excited to be starting a family with someone I love so much.