STEP MOM

Step mom!  Why is it that this name sends chills down everyone's back and makes everyone automatically think....EVIL? ' "Since my children could speak I’ve repeated the same mantra, “There’s no such thing as a good stepmother.” Walt Disney built a film studio based on the notion that Stepmothers are evil. I know I’m right.' - (JG)  This is the reputation that women always have to prove wrong when becoming serious with any man who has a child, thanks a lot Walt.  Why is it that men don't get this bad of a wrap for being a step parent?

When my husband and I started dating, no one, not even us, could of guessed we would one day be married.  Even more so, that I would become a step mom to an 18 year old when I was 25!  No, that is not a typo...it's the truth.  My husband is 15 years older than me.  I have discovered it is far more common than anyone would imagine, love has no age.  However, when we started getting serious, that was not the obstacle that I was terrified to conquer, it was the reputation that I was so familiar with of a step mom. 

In many ways I have been lucky, there has not been a mother figure in my stepdaughter's ear, making her feel as though she were betraying anyone because she was bonding with me.  However now, after now becoming a Mother, I can sympothize with any birth mother put in this position.  I could never imagine another woman EVER being called Mom by Declan, or him being taken care of by another woman when he is sick or talking to him after a bad day because that is MY JOB.  Therefore, I can see why a Mom would be jealous of a Step mom.  So, in that aspect, I was very lucky.  My husband has had fully custody of Hallee since she was 6 months old and trust me, it takes a REAL MAN to do that.

As a step-parent when is it your place to discipline a child?  When is it crossing the line?  "YOU'RE NOT MY MOM (Dad)" is a popular phrase that everyone, even those who aren't step-parents, are familiar with.  This was something I have struggled with as I'm sure most step-parents do.  Although, in my case, not only did I have the struggle with my role in Hallee's life but how was I going to be taken seriously when I am only 7 years older then my step-child?  It has been the butt end of many jokes, I've heard it all...however, I have learned I am a 35 year old in a 25 year old body (now 26).  With my past, I have had to grow up emotionally faster then most people my age.  One of my main struggles was, how can you expect the child whom you haven't fully built a bond with yet, to like someone who just comes in and starts disciplining them?   

Last year was the year I had to pull everything together.  Hallee and I had already formed the "friendship" and I never wanted to tell her she couldn't do something or have something, I was so afraid of becoming that evil step parent in her eyes.  However, my husband has his own business and with that comes a lot of stress.  He is one of the least selfish people I have ever met, so not only does he feel he has to keep the business afloat in order to support his family but he feels he is responsible for all of his employee's and their families as well.  A responsiblity he takes very seriously. 

The saying always serves right, "when it rains, it pours".  I was pregnant, Farrell had a lot of complications with the company and Hallee decided that it was a great time to become rebellious!  Farrell was working late nights and he finally told me "You HAVE to stop trying to be her friend and be a parent".  He was right!  I was so fearful that if I actually told her "No" or tried to discipline her in any way that she would hate me.  However, I was not helping her in any way by doing this.  It may make things good for the time being but in the long run I know she would respect me more for helping her down the right path.  Therefore, I had to swallow my fear and keep repeating this to myself. 

I know there were many days last year that she absolutely hated me, probably even wished I wasn't around and many nights my heart was broken into a million pieces because of it.  However, we made it through it all!  We are now closer than ever too.  Whenever she has a problem, I am always one of the first people she runs to and when she is doing something wrong, I am one of the first people to call her out on it.  I like to believe that she feels with me, like you do with any parent, you don't want to disappoint your parent and I really believe Hallee feels this way with me.  Grant it, she still has a ways to go but I need to give credit where credit is due and she has come a long way since last year and I like to believe I have had some part in making her the young lady she is and will continue to become.  Of course, most credit is due to my husband, but maybe I can take about 5% credit.  :)  

Like any parent, I worry about her when she's gone late at night or won't respond to my calls and I love the moments she takes to spend time with me with no friends around.  I love her as if she were my own and I wouldn't trade her in for the world.  She can certainly drive me up the wall at times but I couldn't imagine my life without her, I love you Miss Hallee and I will always be here for you, always remember that! 

 

Baby Blues

I never gave post-pardum a second thought.  I had been through a lot already in my life and I was always able to come through with my head held high and keeping very strong.  No way would I be effected by this!

Once we got home we had to introduce the animals to the new addition.  We weren't exactly sure how they were going to take to the baby as they had always been the center of attention and the babies of the house.  However, it went very well.  We had Farrell go in first and great them and calm them down, then the baby and I came in.  We put the carrier on the floor and the dogs sniffed him and got very excited.  Roxy, immediately became protective of Declan, as if he were her own.  We of course have had to break her a little of this because it got to the point where she wouldn't let anyone but Farrell and I close to him without getting mad.  Ebony, he was fine with anyone who would snuggle with him.

My husband promised to stay home with me the first week to help me out.  It was so great having him because I was so exhausted and pretty sore not to mention that my feet swelled up like balloons.  He helped me out so much.  He made me breakfast every morning...which even continued for probably the first two months.  He would make sure I ate very well with a fresh bowel of chopped fruit every week to snack on and not to mention the gourmet dinners he made me as well.  He of course used the excuse that he wanted me to eat well because I was nourishing our son...although, I know he wanted me to get back on my feet quickly too.  ;) 

Once he returned back to work, is when my baby blues really started coming on strong.  I really struggled with breast feeding.  (Hope this isn't T.M.I.)  My nipples got really tender (something I was never warned about) to the point they were cracked and bleeding.  I couldn't handle the baby feeding from me without being in tears by the time he latched on.  I decided to start pumping, however that was very difficult with a baby who is eating every 2-3 hours.  I was pumping or feeding him all day long, which is very draining.  I really felt like I was getting no quality time with my child not to mention that my milk supply was dwindling off.  I finally went to see a lactation specialist.  They put me on vitamins and gave me a nipple guard.  I was back to breast feeding!  However, my milk supply was not increasing at all.  I finally came to the conclusion that it wasn't for me which made me feel like a failure.  I read so many things about how breast feeding was the best thing for your baby and I only wanted the best for him and I already wasn't able to provide the best thing for him.  Was this the way it was always going to be, was I failing as a Mom already?  Not only this, but was I going to loose the bonding experience with my son because I was no longer able to breast feed him?  I was very upset about this however, I swallowed my feelings and started formula.  I had decided though that I wanted to be the only one to feed him still...maybe this way I would be able to keep that bond with my baby.

Everyone tells you about the lack of sleep...but you don't really understand until you actually experience it.  At night, he would get up every two to three hours SCREAMING to eat.  My husband snored right through it!  Therefore, I would have to be the one to get up and make a bottle and feed the baby and change him.  After a couple times of up and down, it's hard to fall back asleep and by the time you do....it's time to get up again.  Then of course I wanted to be SUPER MOM and I couldn't nap during the day, I had to keep the house clean, the clothes clean, the grocery shopping done.  Not to mention, my husband has a lot on his plate with owning his own business.  I have always tried to lessen the load for him, by taking some of the things off his plate, if I'm at home all day, I would defiantly have time to still help him work, so I was also trying to work from home.  This really takes a toll on you, no matter how young and energetic you may be.  Being a SAHM, IS a full time job!

I have always been mostly always on the run.  I keep myself busy, I was always around people, at work then I would hang out with my friends, we would have people over on the weekends too.  However, I had decided to be a stay at home mom, so all of that was taken away.  Staying at home all day, every day, great concept...however, it becomes very lonely.  I am not one who likes to be alone...EVER so to not be around people all day, was very dificult for me.  I then started to avoid everyone...I felt like I had become this extremely boring person.  I had nothing to say anymore, I didn't know about anything going on.  Of course when you push people away for so long, most of them stop trying and then there are the others who claim they care so much who never try at all.  I am so thankful for those few people who kept twisting my arm and MAKING me do things and MADE me talk to them...even if they did have to do all the talking.

One night, it all hit me.  I remember crying my eyes out and telling Farrell I didn't know what was wrong with me, I had everything I had ever dreamt of....I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful home, a fun step-daughter, a perfect baby who I was able to stay at home and watch grow, every day...however, I had never been so sad in my life.  I was not cut out to be a Mom, I wasn't any good at it, our baby deserved so much better then me!  We decided, it was time for me to see the doctor.

I was diagnosed with severe post-pardum, was put on medicine and was told to go see a counselor.  Something I learned was, I was suffering from post-pardum even before I gave birth, which is common, however, I was so embaressed!  I didn't want people thinking I was crazy, that there was something wrong with me.  How did this happen to me of all people?  I defiantly didn't want to tell people and them start saying "poor Ali" or treating me differently, I don't like pitty!  Therefore, I was not going to tell anyone about it.

I am finally feeling more and more like myself daily and know now that this happens to a lot of women and it doesn't make me any less of a mother.  If anything, it makes me a better mother for seeking help when I needed it.  Although, I still have days that I'm a little down, I'm really trying to find things to get me around people more and out of my funk.  I am pretty shy around a whole new group of people, especially with me not knowing, ANY ONE...but I have been taking a deep breath and doing it.  I'm not sharing this with anyone to get pitty because that is not what I want at all...I hope that maybe someone will read this and not feel as alone and ashamed as I did.  I'm really trying to get better though, so I can be the best I can for my baby boy and my spectacular husband because they only deserve the best!

Birth of Baby Mullins

My cousin made the long trip here, and made the long trip back...without meeting Baby Mullins.  Full moons came and went, long walks too.  Spicy foods, sex, baths, jumping (yes, I bounced on a ball for hours!), nothing worked.  I had finally decided when July 7th came and went that he was never coming out!  I had been having contractions for two weeks, my doctor tried to "stir things up" more then once and he still wasn't here!!!  I was going to be the first person to give birth to a 20 year old child because my child enjoyed being in my belly more than anything! 

The hospitals are not allowed to schedule inductions unless there is a medical emergency to cause you to have one or unless you are at LEAST a week late.  Therefore, my doctor knew my frustrations and at my next appointment, she went ahead and scheduled me for an induction on the 14th exactly one week past my due date.  However, she said she would like to see me become a Mommy before then.  Every night, I still continued thinking it was the night and every morning I'd wake up still pregnant!

Finally July 14th at 5:00 a.m., my alarm clock went off.  I wasn't scheduled until 7:00 a.m. however, I had to call the hospital at 5 to make sure there was enough room for me.  When I called they said my induction was a go.  I anxiously headed for the shower, this was the last shower I would take pregnant!  I was so excited!  I put my make-up on and did my hair, even though my husband made fun of me for doing it but, I wanted to look nice when my son saw me for the first time.  I didn't need to pack any bags because they were packed and put in the car days ago and I installed the car seat in June!  I was READY!!  Now, anyone who knows me, knows I am never on time...much less early.  However, I was actually early and so anxious to leave. 

By the time I got assigned a room, signed all paperwork, changed and got connected to all the equipment, it was approximately 9:30.  The doctor came in and I was dilated 5cm already!  So, they went ahead and broke my water right off the bat.  I always imagined if this ever happened it would be like you see in the movies, a bucket of water would pour all over the place, it would be all over the floor, all over me...it would be everywhere.  However, I didn't notice water at all.  I even asked if they did it yet, after they did it. 

Afterwards, my contractions didn't get any more intense therefore they started me on the lowest dose of pitocin.  I was very nervous about pitocin.  I had done my research and their is question that pitocin could possibly cause autism.  Autism is found more in boys then girls as well and since I was having a boy, that made me even more nervous.  However, I discussed my fears with my doctor and she assured me that she thought it was okay.  The anesthesiologist came in and informed us that he was getting ready to go into a C-Section surgery and may not be available for at least an hour and a half and if I was going to want a epidural it was either now or after the C-Section.  I wasn't 100% sure, I wanted to wait as long as possible to see if I could do it without one or if I did get one I was fearful that it would wear off by the time I needed it.  I discussed that with my nurse and she told me that its a wives tale that it wears off.  It's a constant drip and it can't wear off.  People mistaken pressure as pain and that is the only thing I may feel, is pressure.  Therefore, I decided I should go ahead.  And just in the nick of time because I had my first intense contraction and it brought me to tears immediately.  However, I had probably the greatest nurse ever she helped me through it, held me and rubbed my back.  I think Farrell was just in shock because it came on so fast.  The anesthesiologist came in and inserted the epidural.  I must admit, it didn't hurt at all!  The only part that was just weird is when they put it in it hits a nerve (they told me to expect that) and it shocks you (it will effect different people in different places...me, it shocked my left leg).  I remember it made me jump and that was it.  I know this may sound dumb but, have you ever tried a dog electric collar on your hand or arm?  Well, I have!  HAHA!!  And that is exactly what it felt like...doesn't hurt just a shock.

I didn't tell many people that I was going in the hospital that morning.  During our birthing classes we learned that the first hour after the baby is born, it is a really critical bonding time, therefore, that's what I wanted it to be.  I wanted the first hour to just be us, bonding with our son, before everyone rushed in wanting to hold him.  Therefore, we told a few people and told them that we would let them know when he was here and at that time, they could head over.  I didn't want people waiting in the waiting room for an hour plus because I would then feel bad that I was just keeping them waiting while I was spending time with my child.  I did however want my sister there for support.  I also, wanted my step daughter to be as much a part of this as she wanted to so I invited her to be their as well.  I told her she was more then welcome to stay in the room for the birthing part but to not feel obligated if she didn't want to be there because I'm sure it could be gross.  However, she told me she wanted to stay for it all!  So, we decided once I started to dilate to tell my sister and Hallee to head on over. 

After my epidural was in place, my labor was a breeze.  I ate Popsicles and smiled and made jokes the whole time.  My husband was in shock, he kept saying "this doesn't seem right".  He has scars in his hand from his daughters birth! At about noonish, we told my sister and Hallee they could head over whenever they wanted.  Finally at about 4 o'clock when my doctor checked me, I was fully dilated...it was time to push!  The doctor left again and my nurse started the pushing process with me.  I was so determined to get the baby out as soon as possible so I wasn't talked into a C-Section by the hospital if I took too long.  Therefore, my nurse would tell me every now and again that I could rest and not push this one if I wanted, but I always pushed!  Finally the doctor came back in because he was crowing.  However, his head was too big, he takes after his daddy with this..hehe...so they had to cut me.  Ouch, right?  But, I didn't feel a thing!  At 5:22 P.M. Declan Farrell was born.

I had always said that there was no way in this world that I was going to hold him until after they washed him off...but that all changed the second I saw him...I told them I wanted him.  He was the most amazing thing I had ever seen.  I could not believe I created this perfect child!  There is no one word that can describe the feeling you get the first moment you lay eyes on your child and when you touch them for the first time...it is just so overwhelming the emotions and feelings that occur.  The whole time I was pregnant, a very common question seemed to be, "are you going to have another after this?".  My response was always "I'm not sure, let's get through this one and see".  Once they took Declan to weigh him and clean him I turned to my husband and said "I could do this again!".  HAHA!  I don't think he was ready to hear that.

 

Declan weighed 8.11 oz, 22 inches long and was a healthy baby boy.  While they were stitching me up and what not, Farrell, Hallee and Siobhan all took turns holding him but once I was able to get him back, I took him!  We spent the quality time together that I had hoped and then the family poured in.  However, as fast as they came, they left.  The next couple days I had a few of my closest friends come to visit.  It meant so much to see my friends come and celebrate the arrival of my son.  The happiest day of my life, they came to share it with me.

 

The rest of my stay at the hospital was horrible.  I couldn't feel my legs when they finally put me on the mother/baby floor so they told me to call them if I needed to go to the bathroom or needed anything at all.  My husband was so completely worn out so he crashed.  What I quickly learned is when he's out...he's out and does not hear a thing.  Later that night they came and did my vitals and had pushed the baby's cart to the side then they left.  Not long after, Declan started to cry but I couldn't get him.  My husband was snoring and wasn't waking up either so I buzzed the nurse.  They said they would be right in however, they never came!  I managed to get to the baby and put him in bed with me and he fell right to sleep.  I couldn't reach the cart to put him back in the so I decided to just hold him till the nurses came in again.  I was afraid to fall asleep because I didn't want to accidentally suffocate him so I just watched him.  Hours passed and no one came and finally the sun started to come up.  Had I really just stayed up all night after just giving birth?  I had now been up for 24 hours straight.  However, it didn't feel like that...my son was magical to me, I could stare at him for days and think it was only a couple minutes.  His every move captivated me.  Finally around 8, my husband woke up and I told him what had happened.  He felt so bad and was so upset with the staff.  Things didn't get better with the staff.  We asked for lotion and our nurse never brought it to us I asked for water and got the same treatment.  However, when my husband would finally get up and go get stuff for me he saw them all gathered doing a whole bunch of nothing at the nurses station.  When it was time to check out they forgot about us, pushing back our leaving time to about 3!  Needless to say, we were sooo happy to finally leave that place.

When we got home we had a lovely surprise awaiting us!  My best friend decorated the outside of our house for Declan's arrival home.  Who would of known that the home as we knew it would never be the same...

My Pregnancy...

Once a year my husband and his friend go to Maine for a "man/survival" trip.  If you ask me, it's the dumbest thing I've ever heard of.  They typically go the beginning of November for two weeks.  Now, if the light bulb hasn't gone off yet, let me put this into perspective for you.  They travel close to East Millinocket which the average high for this time of year is 43 degrees, the average low is 27 degrees.  However, it has been known to get down to 8 degrees.  None the less, they still go, tents and sleeping bags to camp.  Every year they have gone, it has snowed and every year they come back earlier then planned reeking of camp fire and dirty as a pig rolling in mud.  They claim they go to do man surviving, like you see on TV however, they make a pit stop and buy all sorts of grocery's and boil lobster and clams.  When I think of someone doing a "survival trip" I think of you hunting your food and if you don't catch anything, you starve so grocery food doesn't exactly sound like "surviving" to me.  However, I guess in that kind of weather there is a slight bit of "surviving" going on, or perhaps it's a slight bit of insanity.  They drive on back roads that don't have names, aren't paved and it could be months before someone comes down them.  However, they enjoy it and always have interesting stories to tell when they return so, what the heck let boys be boys as long as strippers and women aren't involved...I'm okay with it.  (hehe)  Well, it was that time of year and he was preparing his bags for weeks with wool sweaters and skull caps.  My sister was preparing to drive to New Jersey for our brother's annual Halloween Party so, instead of staying home, I decided to go with my sister for a long weekend.   

PICTURES TAKEN ON CAMPING TRIP TO MAINE

Farrell (my husband) and I wanted to start trying to get pregnant once we got married.  I had something telling me I needed to take a pregnancy test the day of the party to make sure I'm not pregnant before I drank.  I wasn't late yet so I knew if it said I wasn't, it may not be correct.  Therefore, that morning, I woke up at Aunt Pat's, grabbed the test and went to the bathroom.  It didn't even take the full time to show up...it was positive!  I'm not exactly sure how long I stood there and looked at it, I couldn't believe it actually happened so quick!  I rushed back to the bedroom, woke up my sister and made her look at it to make sure I wasn't seeing things wrong.  She confirmed that, in fact, I was pregnant.  This wasn't exactly the way I wanted to tell my husband, over the phone.  I always wanted to do something really cute, to tell him.  However, I wasn't going to see him for 2 weeks!  I couldn't keep it from him for that long...I would burst!  Therefore, I texted him and told him that he needed to call me as soon as he could.  He called me immediately.  He was in the process of packing the truck to leave.  When I told him he first asked if I was kidding and when I said no, he was so excited, I had never heard him so excited!  My husband has two personalities; easy going/monotone and mad!  (HAHA)  He never gets excited about anything so to hear him so excited was something very foreign for me but it made me that much happier. I really wish I was able to see his reaction.  We decided at this time  that we wanted to keep it quiet until after the first trimester.  I have seen my sister and sister-in-law go through miscarriages and I saw how hard it was for them to deal with it much less tell everyone about it too.  I really didn't want to go through that in the event something did happen.  Although, it was very obvious to those in New Jersey as I was for the first time, a wall flower sipping water and day dreaming rather then dancing.

Once I returned home it wasn't long until I started having pregnancy symptoms.  I got morning sickness!  The name of it is so misleading because my "morning sickness" was morning, afternoon and night sickness.  I decided it should be called "awake sickness" instead because the only time I wasn't sick was when I was sleeping.  Something I was never told, not only do you get sick, your nauseous all the rest of the time and get bad stomach cramps.  Some days it was so bad that I couldn't move, if I did, I would get sick.  Luckily I was given medicine that could help me however it would knock me out.  I tried eating, people told me it could be because my stomach is empty, however eating constantly did nothing but make me gain weight rapidly!  Once I got through the first trimester the "awake sickness" went away and I finally felt comfortable to tell everyone our news!  

I wanted to do everything right.  I wanted to be the "perfect mom".  I wanted my son to grow up and see how much I love him without me even having to say it (even though I will...all the time).  I wanted him to grow up in a very positive environment with no arguing.  I made my husband attend birthing classes with me and CPR.  I'm very happy that I attended the birthing class...however I have already forgotten what to do as for CPR.  (Maybe I should do a reading refresher course).  I made sure I didn't eat the things people say you shouldn't eat, I made sure to stop the caffeine (although, the closer to the end of my pregnancy when I was really dragging, I had a cup of coffee each morning), I would walk away from all people smoking and I made sure not to lift heavy objects.  I wanted to do anything and everything to make sure my child was healthy.  If anything did turn out abnormal, I would know it was because God wanted it that way, not because I did something wrong.

I was always expecting the queen treatment from my husband...you know the kind of treatment you see in the movies.  The man comes home with ice cream and flowers every week without being asked, massages your feet that throb from carrying two people around all day, rubs your belly and talks to the baby.  I got no special treatment at all!  I still had the same house duties, still had to watch the things my husband wanted to watch, still got treated the same way and I think my belly weirded my husband out.  Bah humbug!  However, towards the end when I was very uncomfortable my husband did have someone come clean the house for me and even started making dinner once he returned home from work.  By the end of my pregnancy just getting out of bed and walking around was tiring.  All I've got to say is that I am going to sew every producer who ever put a movie out showing how wonderful husbands are during pregnancy's, because it's not true...at least not in my case.  ;)

I had always said I wanted a boy!  Boys always seem to have a special bond with there Mom's and I wanted that with my child.  I know no matter what my brother ever did he was perfect, even if my sister and I did the same thing...it was always better when my brother did it!  (HA)  When I got pregnant, I immediately started saying it was a boy.  I'm not sure if I actually knew it some how (mother's intuition) or if maybe I wished so hard that it made him into a boy, or maybe it was those boy shirts that my husband made me keep under my pillow for good luck but when we found out IT'S A BOY, we were thrilled.  Farrell had the son he always wanted, a child he could make into a sports star!

I have always thought that pregnant women were so adorable. They had a beautiful glow and it was so cute the way they waddled. I thought I would love being pregnant like so many people do. However, I HATED it. Every second of it! I hated how I had to go to the bathroom 50 times a day, I hated how bad my knees hurt, I hated how my back hurt, I hated how my stomach, sides, arms, legs were now filled with stretch marks, I hated that I could barely fit into my husbands clothes much less mine by the end of my pregnancy. I thought it was weird that something was growing, in me. As much as him moving gave me comfort that he was okay, it also weirded me out! I didn't think I was cute at all, and I certainly didn't think my waddle was either. As much as I would deny it, looking back, I was deffidently over sensitive and super hormonal. I would freak out over the smallest things however, I didn't use it as an excuse because I would always insist it was you not me. (Gawh, what's your problem? hehe)

Okay, Okay....I must admit, there were a few things I did actually enjoy while I was pregnant.  I really enjoyed picking out things to create, what I thought to be, a warm and cozy atmosphere for my baby boys room!  It was fun looking at all of the cute little baby things.  I liked browsing through stores and looking at all the teeny tiny little baby clothes, blankets and toys.  I could spend hours in Toys R Us just looking, even if I left not buying a thing.  I was very surprised when, my husband who hates to shop, also enjoyed partaking in this new browsing activity of ours.  Not to mention, my all time favorite thing about being pregnant was the bond that you start with this child that your carrying and it is indescribable but it's noticeably their.  It's amazing how much you can love something you've never seen or held!

Durring my pregnancy I had so much support.  People came out from every direction to offer there help for when he arrived.  I had people checking up on me all the time.  I really felt loved by so many people.  Tons of people showered us with gifts and went out of there way on so many occasions to do things for me.  I never in a million years would of expected that!  My sister and my best friend (with the help of my sisters Dad) threw a baby shower for me in May because I was so sure that I was going to have this baby early!  I loved seeing my friends and had a fabulous time.

All of my appointments went very well. We only had one scare when the doctor couldn't find the heart beat at one of the appointments. However, we were squeezed into the ultrasound room and found out, that our little stinker was hiding and was perfectly fine. I thought, after I had called what sex of the baby was, that I was a baby psychic or something so I was determined he was going to come in June and not July 7th, my due date. Come June, I found out I was 2 cm diolated. I figured I was right, he WAS actually going to come early.

At this point, Farrell and I decided we needed to get serious about naming "Baby Mullins".  I was starting to believe that we were going to be in the hospital arguing about what to name him or even worse, leave without the baby having a name!  One thing that my husband and I really bump heads on is he is a procrastinator which is the worst nightmare for a major planner...like me!  Therefore, I was REALLY begining to worry.  He wanted to name the baby Godric X Mullins (no, I'm not lieing...he was serious!), I wanted to name him Mason Farrell Mullins.  Neither one of us agreed with the other.  We finally came up with a list of names we agreed on; Payton, Keegan, Brendan (other spellings were Brenden and Brendon), Brennon, Collin, Cullen.  However, none of them seemed right.  I told my husband I really wanted to pass his middle name on to our child.  It had been in his family for several generations and it was very unique and I liked it so he agreed!  Then he decided that he wanted to have his son to have the same initals as him D.F.M. and since we were both Irish, we wanted a strong Irish name.  The last week of June, I started having contractions and just in the nick of time because we picked a name.  However, we decided not to tell anyone the name until after he arrived.  Everyone seemed to have some sort of input about every name.  Either they knew someone they didn't like with the name or they thought another name was better or they knew too many people with that name or they just flat out didn't like it.  If it was already his name, what could anyone say about it at that point?  After a day of contractions, we headed to the doctor.  She checked and said I was 3 cm and she felt his head, she would be surprised if he wasn't here that night.  My sister was instructed to stay close by the phone and my cousin even prepared to come down from New Jersey so she too could be here when the baby arrived...