Quick Update...

So, we took Emily to the doctor on wednesday and everything seems to be going okay. When she was discharged from the hospital she weighed 7lbs 9oz and yesterday weighed in at 7lbs 13oz. So she has gained a few. The doctor wants to see us again next week to make sure she continues to gain (since she is still below birth weight) and to make sure her jaundice continues to improve. She has had a great couple of nights...sleeping for solid 3 hour blocks, hopefully those will continue!

Madison continues to love to hold and kiss her sister, but is testing my patience! She doesn't want to listen the first time anymore and is doing alot more whining and rolling of the eyes! Blain and I have been good at giving her individualized attention each day and she seems to really enjoy it.

Life with two girls has been wonderful and we are so blessed that Emily came to us healthy and so precious!

Here she is...

I checked into the hospital at 3:30 pm August 6th. It took 3 nurses and 2 hours to get my IV in! Around 5:30, I was finally given Oxytocin. I started having contractions right after the doctor came in and broke my water, sometime between 7-7:30 pm and three hours later...we welcomed Emily Brianna into the world! I am proud to say that I was once again able to deliver without medication! My mom was there as my doula and coach and Blain was an amazing partner, helping me to breath through the painful contractions. I was also blessed to have Margie (mom-in-law) in the room the whole time! AND...my dad cut the cord!!!

My doctor was outstanding! He was patient when I screamed and let me push when I needed to push...not rushing me and not raising his voice! The nurses (every single one) were so kind and helpful night and day! They really took care of me! My mom brought me home Friday morning and we've been doing well all weekend!

Madison has been so wonderful through the transition. She has spent time with both Blain and I separately each day and she constantly wants to kiss and touch Emily. It will be interesting to see how she does when it is just her with mom and baby...right now there is plenty of family around to give her added attention. Hopefully the next few weeks will go well. That is the latest here in Monterey! Keep you updated!

Tomorrow is the big day!

It's official...7 am tomorrow I go into the hospital to get induced. Saw the doctor today and I am 3 cm and ready to get going! Wish us luck! We are very nervous!!!

Is July really over?

I can't believe that it is August already! This year has gone by faster than any I remember! Maybe because so much has happened. Went to the doctor again on Wednesday. Blood pressure, heartbeat, and weight are all fine. Still 2 cm, cervix is soft and so I think the plan is to be induced on Wednesday or Thursday of next week. I have one final appointment on Tuesday and we will get the final word then! I can't truly believe that by the end of next week I'm going to be a mother of two, Blain is going to be a father again and that Madison, my baby girl, is going to be a big sister. We are excited, nervous, scared, anxious and thrilled all at the same time!!!

Madison has school today which she is looking forward to. Once a week she has class. It's this big room where they have free play for the first hour. There is an arts & crafts table, kitchen, trucks & cars, tumbling mats, etc. Then we all spend 15 minutes or so cleaning it all up and then it's circle time. They sing lots of songs which Madison is doing great at participating in. She likes doing the hand motions and clapping at the end. Then it's story time and snack and the adults have a different topic to talk about each week while they eat. It's a 3 hour class, but luckily we don't have to be there the whole 3 hours if we don't want to...it can be alot! But she gets to go to school with her best friend, so she really enjoys it!

From smiles to tears...

Madison, very quickly, went from smiles to tears this afternoon. She discovered how to swing on her stomach and while in mid-air, she fell face first (hard) into the ground. After wiping all the wood chips off her sweater, she looked up at me and I realized she was bleeding! Poor thing smacked her nose pretty good! The one minute it took me to get her from the park to the kitchen sink, she went from screaming, to crying, to laughing...I don't know how kids bounce back so quickly. I cleaned her up and she was on her merry way riding her bike in the backyard! The crazy thing? I know that when we go to the park tomorrow...she will be right back on her stomach trying to swing!

BEFORE (above): Swinging on stomach...

AFTER (below): Face plant into the wood chips resulted in bloody nose!

No change...

Just got back from the doctor. No change...still 2 cm. I did loose 3 pounds though! That was kinda shocking! As of now, he is planning on inducing me August 6th. (That's of course if I don't go into labor on my own.) 2 more weeks! Pretty exciting!

Birthdays and Baby

This week was full of birthdays! Blain turned 25 on Monday...Happy Birthday Love! Though he had to go to school, he was able to come home early! I was planning a nice dinner, but one look at the thawed out chicken and we decided to go out to eat! (there was something wrong with it!) I made him some delicious cookies and bought a strawberry pie for dessert and we had a nice evening at home eating cookies and opening gifts! Not only was it Blain's birthday this week, but it was also the birthday week for my Momma, Grandfather and Uncle! Happy Birthday to all!

Madison was giving Daddy kisses at dinner! (above)

Madison and Blain making silly faces! (below)

I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday. As of Tuesday, I am 2 cm dilated and 60 % effaced! Moving right along!

Madison with Papa...ready to go in the pool again!

Madison and I went to Patterson on Wednesday. It was so much hotter there than Monterey! We arrived around noon and both of us went right down for a nap! We spent the afternoon with my Grandfather and Dad and on Thursday it was pool time! The water was so perfect and Madison was such a fish! She loves to jump in! My mom arrived home safely late Thursday night from Hondorus, I am so glad she had a good time. Because I wasn't feeling well all week, I cut my trip short and came home Friday afternoon. The weekend was spent in sweats on the couch, resting. I can't wait to be feeling like myself again!

Let's go swimming!