1 Week Old

Madeline Rose you are 1 week old today. I can't believe how much you have already changed.

This is what you have been up to......

You do not like sleeping in your bassinet and you do not like sleeping on your back. We are going to try a swaddling blanket tonight and see how that goes.

You eat like the super star that you are and are eating every 3-4 hrs.

You do not cry much, only when you need to be changed or are hungry.

You have a very sweet personality. I know you are not "really" smiling, but when you do it melts my heart.

And most importantly...I love you beyond words.

Miracle Dr.

Friday we also had a chance to visit with the dr. who made Madeline possible. I called ahead to make sure he was available and I begged them not to tell him we were coming. As luck would have it he was free and we were able to surprise him with our beautiful little girl.

Dr. Madden, there are not enough words in the world to thank you for helping us create this gift. I swear you work right underneath God. You are amazing and again, are blessed to have you in our lives.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Playing catch up

WOW!!! These past few days of being home have been filled with emotion. A lot has been going on and I have been bad about updating. It is hard to find the time to sit down and blog when all you want to do is sleep whenever you get a free second. But, here is what we have been up to....

Here are a few more visitors that we had in the hospital.

This is my sweet friend Helen from school

This is sweet Keri, also from school, who is my long term sub for my class.

Beautiful Tiffany

My Aunt Judy, who I adore

Bringing home Madeline was such a wonderful gift. It was just me and Corey and we relished in every second of it.

Here she is in her "going home dress"...so pretty.

So proud!!!!

And on Friday we had our very first outing to the dr. She did great and everything looks perfect.

Daddy stripping her down

It has been a wonderful, but tiring few days, but I would not trade them for anything. We are so very blessed to have Madeline in our lives. I thank God every single day for blessing us with what is truly a miracle.

Visitors

We have had so many wonderful people visit us the past two days. Thank you all for taking time out of your very busy lives to be with us.

Aunt Mary Madeline

Nana

The amazing Dr. Brough

Hannah and her mommy and her little sister

The Melles

Jimmy and Debbie Holland

Aunt Gianna

Prini

Pop

Aunt Camille

Madeline with all of her aunts

The Lampes

Sweet Heather from school

Madeline's Birthday

The long awaited day finally arrived and it was not what we had planned.

I went to bed Sunday night praying so hard that I would just go into labor naturally. I had been on the Internet reading way too much on induction and had scared myself into not wanting it anymore. We still had it scheduled and probably still would have done it, but it was not what I wanted. I am here to tell you God really does listen.

At 2:30 am I felt what seemed like to me a balloon popping. I immediately threw the covers back, told Corey it was time and ran to the bathroom. It was amazing and just like you see in the movies. I feel so lucky that I was able to have that experience since so many women do not. We quickly gathered our things and Hannah and rushed to Camille's house to drop her off. Then we were off to the hospital. From the moment my water broke I immediately had contractions and they were fast and hard. My mom has since told me that those were not even the worst of them. I didn't care because as soon as we arrived I started begging for the epidural. They didn't make me wait long and then I was in heaven. From the moment I got it I never felt another bit of pain.

I pushed for about 45 minutes before the dr. arrived and as soon as he did it only took 3-4 more pushes and she was here. It was the most beautifully perfect delivery that I could have ever asked for. The room was calm and quiet, which is hard to believe because not only was Corey there, but Mom and Mary Madeline were there too. It was truly a perfect experience. Madeline was quickly laid on my chest and began nursing and hasn't stopped since. I am in love beyond words. She is beautiful and perfect and healthy...more than I could ask for.

Here are some pictures from the day.........

Daddy and his girls

The big sister

We are blessed beyond measure.

Induction

The induction is scheduled!!!!!!
We go in at 11:45pm Monday night and will start Pitocin at 7am Tuesday morning. I know it's not the very best scenario, but I'll take it. Hopefully I will go into labor sometime before then:)

We will keep you posted on any news!!!!

Dr. Visit

I was hoping that today would be my last scheduled appointment, but......it wasn't.
My dr. checked me again and said that she indeed had not dropped and was still only 50% effaced. He did, however, say I am now a 1cm dilated....woo hoo!!!!!

With all of that information and my very anxious attitude he said that if we wanted we could schedule an induction for this Thursday or schedule another appointment for next Tuesday. I finally saw a light at the end of the tunnel until I looked over at Corey and saw the doubt. After a yummy lunch at Chuy's we decided that we would wait. But instead of just scheduling an appointment for Tuesday I am going to schedule the induction.

I am so excited that I know have a goal in sight and we will be holding our little miracle, Madeline in a week!!!! Nothing makes me happier than to think of kissing her sweet face.

I would love to ask for some prayers for us. I have allowed fear to come into my heart and I am nervous something is going to go wrong. I know she and I are both very healthy, but I'm still nervous. Thank you all in advance.

39 Weeks

As I promised, here are my 39 week pictures. Might I add that I am HUGE!!!!!!!

I'm sure some of you will get quite a laugh out of these pictures...you know who you are. The ones who have funny (mean) songs that they sing about me. These are for yall........

Like I said......HUGE!!!!!

Still Pregnant

We went to the dr. again yesterday. I was so sure that this was "it" that I packed the car...just in case he told us to head down to L&D. Well no such luck. Actually, during the exam he said that I was not even dilated. The previous week we were told that that I was a 1 and 75% effaced, this week he said I am 50% effaced and NOT dilated at all......WHAT???? To say the least I am bummed. He said to continue bed rest and to come back on Tuesday. His thoughts are that my blood pressure, which was better, will dictate when we have her. She is also measuring 35cm, so he wants to keep her in there as long as possible, I tend to agree...I guess:)

Ok, so I have had to change my way of thinking. I am no longer dissecting every contraction and movement. I am no longer wondering if this is "it." I decided that either way within 7-10 days we will have our little girl. So......I am going to take every one's advice and practice a little patience, and enjoy this time.

I promise that I am going to have Corey take pictures today and I will post them soon.

Love you all.

Bed rest

As of Thursday, at my last appointment, I have been put on bed rest....
but let me back up a bit.....

On Tuesday I came home from school ready to go on a walk to try to get this labor started. As I was changing my shoes I noticed that my feet were pouring over my socks...not a pretty sight. I quickly called the dr. and was told to elevate my feet and rest. The next day it was more of the same. That Thursday was my dr.'s appointment. As soon as I got there they took my blood pressure and it was high. They told me to lay down and that they would take it again in a few minutes. It had gone down just a bit. She quickly decided that I was no longer going to work and that I would be on bed rest until Madeline decides to show up. I was also 1 cm dilated and she has dropped.

I have not been the best patient in abiding to the bed rest rules. i am trying, but it is just hard. Corey has stepped up beautifully. He stocked us up on groceries and is cooking up a storm. Today it was homemade pizza...yummy!

Hannah is also being such a big help. She mostly just keeps me company and reminds me to stay in bed....sweet girl.

I know it won't be much longer and I know I can do just about anything for this little girl. I just wish she would decide to come a little early:)