Who does he look like?

So...it is always the statement you hear when you have a baby or you see a new baby. He looks just like you! Yep, he does...he looks just like me! I think he has Chad's eye color and he definitely makes some Chad faces, but in general he looks like his momma! I look like my dad...so I guess it is fair to say he looks like my dad. Above is baby Cory and below is baby Walker. Scary isn't it?!?



He loves those hands!

Walker's Birth Story

Walker Gray Holder
Born 7/20/ 2010 (Chad's birthday also) at 4:09 P.M.
Weighing: 7 pounds and 5 ounces
Length: 18 inches

As we drove to the hospital I can even remember the songs on the radio and thinking...things are about to completely change. I was right...we were about to be blessed with the greatest gift of all time, our son Walker. We checked into Baptist here in Nashville and didn't know what to expect. Pillows and Vera Bradley bags in hand we waltzed through the doors nervous and excited. We checked in quickly and entered our room. Baptist has wonderful facilities and our room was amazing. I looked over at the little place where they would put him eventually to clean him and weigh him and I thought...whoa, this is real.

If you know me and my tolerance for pain or anything medical you can probably imagine my level of anxiety. I bit the doctor when I was 4 years old for giving me a shot and things have not changed much. Being majorly pregnant and overdue 1 week...I was ready to get him out. So, bring on the pain. I was induced because my amniotic fluid levels were getting low and so when we got situated they started the IV and the pitocin. Everything went pretty smoothly and the contractions started right away. I asked for the epidural pretty quickly, because like I said...not good with pain. A very scared Cory was trying to keep it together, but we had a little hiccup getting my epidural in. 5 tries to be exact. Ouchie!!! I was a brave soldier as they had to wad me in a ball on my side to get it in. I did cry though, not going to lie.

After the epidural fiasco, I felt like a limp noodle. I couldn't lift my legs and it was very odd. Oh well, let's get the show on the road. Dr. Dunn comes in to break my water and all our family members leave the room. Minutes after the doctor leaves the alarms start going off and about 15 medical people enter the room. They call for Dr. Dunn...Walker's heart rate was not being detected and I was losing blood. Now a VERY scared and nervous Cory (crying) is trying not to freak out as the world "Scalpel" is mentioned and the CNRA is over me about to knock me out. Dr Dunn enters and does her thing down there and after a short bit we have a slow heart beat back on the monitor. She gave me three options of what could have happened and all of them involve a C-section. I told her I trusted her and to get him out as safely as possible with whatever measure.

Walker's heart rate got stronger and stronger and things started to become more normal. Not me, I was in total shock and didn't want to talk to anyone for the next two hours. Let's just say I was rattled and scared. Contractions started happening closer and closer and labor became...well...more text book. Dr. Dunn comes in for practice pushes and after one or two I was told...wow, you are good at this. I am equating that to 9 years of gymnastics and some major cheerleading in the past. An hour later we try some more practice pushes and I guess...I pushed to hard. He started coming out and my doctor was not around. Walker's heart rate started to drop again...I started freaking out again. At this point in time I prayed in my head, gathered all the strength I ever thought was possible to have and started pushing with the nurses and Chad holding me. Dr. Dunn arrives...also compliments me on my pushing abilities. Walker's heart rate comes back up. Ahh...let's get this guy out! With Dr. Dunn there I gave a good 6 pushes and shot him pretty much on her chest. I'm not exaggerating. I literally launched the baby at her. He has a nice bump on his head because he came out so fast.

Here is Walker and he is screaming, but with a muffled sound due to fluid in his lungs. Again, I only pushed for 20 minutes...he was out almost too quickly. They cleaned him up and finally brought him to me and he looked at me like "Oh, there you are!" once I spoke to him. I instantly knew that he was the greatest accomplishment I had ever known.

It's been 8 days and they have been so wonderful. We had a rough weekend last weekend with learning the ropes about how much babies eat, sleep, cry and all that jazz, but now we are on track and healthy.



On another side of this I would like to also mention that Chad has been the most amazing partner that I could have ever asked for. He has been wonderful through every second of this and it has filled my heart with every laugh, tear and kiss. I am such a lucky person to have him and Walker has a wonderful role model of what a husband and friend should be. We have had the best month of our lives while he has been home and I can only see amazing memories on the horizon of our life.



We want to thank all of our family and friends for being so supportive through this wonderful chapter in our lives. We truly are more blessed than anyone deserves and we thank God every day for the gifts we have, especially the beautiful baby boy that has now graced us with his sweet spirit and love.

Walker Watch 2010 : Day 284

Are we ready for Walker? Does a bear poop in the woods? Yes....we are very excited for our son to make his grand entrance. I have been antsy the past couple of days and kind of feeling like my body isn't getting the job done. I'm a just a little bit of a control freak (to say the least) and having something I can't predict or manage is difficult. Wait...I'm about to have a child, isn't that the biggest challenge of things you can't predict or control...why heck yes it is!

We had an ultrasound appointment yesterday and visited with my borrowed OB. Everything was great actually. Walker is weighing in at a healthy 7.9 lbs and has good amniotic fluid levels. So...I have decided my little man is giving me a final weekend to be with my husband and fine tune my state of mind. I've decided to take advantage and stop beating myself up. This little joker knows when he wants to arrive...so I'll let him call the shots.

Things the weekend might or might not hold...


1. Stalking the American Idol judges who are in town for auditions. Randy Jackson, what up dawg?!?

2. Antique shopping in Franklin


3. Seeking out Joe Biden (who is also in Nashville this weekend) and snapping a pic of those big teeth in person.

4. Cooking a big breakfast for sweet Chad who has been cooking dinners for the past week.

5. The mega relaxation combo...sleep in, long baths with a book and a prenatal massage.

All in all...we are excited about Walker arriving, but we are enjoying this last quiet time in our house. Thanks for everyone checking up on us...we appreciate the love.

Car Seat Installation - Is it Right?!?!

Yes, our child will probably question our every move and think...do these guys know what they are doing? Well, we are trying, but part of it is asking for help. I went on a hunt to find a infant car seat installation check here in Brentwood or Franklin and did not have much luck. I think there was one certified police officer in Franklin. I remembered they had mentioned in our Newborn 101 class at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital that they provide this as a free service to the public. Ah ha moment....let's head up there and check Chad's handy work!

We called Kohl's Safety Central (onsite at Vandy) at 615.936.1869 and set up an appointment. We were greeted by a very nice lady who walked out to the car with us and proceeded to check our installation. We had it WRONG! Chad is a follow the instructions kind of guy, but the instructions fail to tell you all of the knowledge this lady had. It was great, she was polite, not pushy and made us feel like we were doing the right thing being there. She showed us the right way and then made Chad do it himself to make sure we had it right. Voila...30 minutes and we have a safer ride for little Walker.

::Jumps up on soapbox:: 85% of car seats are installed wrong! I hate that it was so hard to find a place to check the installation, but it was well worth the time and effort. I HIGHLY suggest if you have little ones to utilize this service here locally. If you are in a different city...find a check and get it done. Dealerships have them, fire departments, police departments...check everywhere.

Also....spread the word here in Nashville that the wonderful people at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital make it really easy. Here is a link for ya: http://www.vanderbiltchildrens.org/interior.php?mid=6753

Happy Travels!

Walker Watch 2010

Here is the most current pregnant picture I could find of myself...I am about to head into Publix for some last minute groceries and you know you can never be too dressed up. Yeah, not so much...I am hiding from cameras actually. Wouldn't be nice if we all looked like Heidi Klum when we were pregnant? She is making all of us preggos look bad!



Well, we are all on what I am now calling Walker Watch 2010! 3 days left until he is due and I think I can hear the clock ticking. Chad and I are finalizing some last minute preparations on the nursery and trying to keep busy, but it is hard to stay focused. I have been having some light contractions here and there, but nothing to send us packing for the hospital. I am going to try some natural remedies here in the next week to see if I can help him catch the hint that we are all patiently waiting on his arrival. On the list: Pineapple, Eggplant, Primrose Oil and Herbal Raspberry tea!

So stay tuned and hopefully we will have some action soon!

Happy 11th Birthday Ophelia!!

My first baby turned 11 years old today! Now you would think that this scary number would slow her down and have her thinking about retirement, cashing in her 401K and digging up those bones she has been saving for years, but my little Ophelia is still going strong. She enjoys greeting all of our guests with her stuffed squirrel collection, barking at everyone that walks past our home and eating every scrap of food momma drops on the floor. We will celebrate tonight with a dog food casserole, but today she is headed to the beauty shop for a mani/pedi and a fur wash in Brentwood at Happy Re Tales. Happy Happy Birthday my sweet baby dog Ophelia....