Monday, December 27, 2010

A LONG week and Lessons Learned

Well this week has definitely been a tough one.  We found out last Monday our little one wasn't gaining weight.  Several lactation appointments later, we are finally on the upswing.  We tried several different options with Mady but it was determined that she just has a weak suck and was wearing out trying to get milk while breastfeeding.  We put her on a bottle on Christmas day and everything has been much better.  We are gradually going to switch her to formula.  This will be much easier on Mady, myself, and daddy.  Throughout this week, Jeremy and I have learned several lessons.

1. Even if you don't think you'll use a breast pump a lot, its' best to bite the bullet and buy a good one.  I bought a cheaper one and it did not work well.  I ended up buying another one.  It really is true, you get what you pay for.

2.  Even if you think you won't use formula, its best to do your research on it anyway because you never know when you might use it.

3. It's ok to switch to formula and it doesn't mean you've failed in any way.

4.  Parents are and awesome support system.  Jeremy and I have been blessed so much to have great parents that have helped us tremendously.  We are so thankful for them.  My parents drove up from the Tulsa area immediately after finding out baby Mady wasn't gaining weight after our first lactation appointment and she might be put in the hospital.  

5.  Things don't always go as planned but God has perfect timing.  Even though this week was really difficult being away from my family during the holidays, it was a blessing that Jeremy had several days off to be able to be home to help me.  He didn't even have to take any vacation time and he was able to be home practically all week!  He's also off for two days this week.  God's timing is always best even when we think it's not.  


We really appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this last week! 

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Please Pray....

For My sweet girl...
She has not gained much weight in 2 weeks and is still way below her birth weight.  We have been meeting with a lactation consultant.  If no progress is made in a couple of days, we will have to do more tests to determine why she is not gaining.  This is definitely causing this mommy to worry.  Please pray for Mady that she'll gain weight and we can figure out the reason why she's not.  Until then, Jeremy and I are trusting that the Lord will protect and watch over her.  
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  

Friday, December 17, 2010

Photos of Mady Girl

When we were in the hospital, a professional photographer took some pictures of our baby girl.  We finally got the CD today and I have been making prints like crazy to get them ready for Christmas.  Here are a few of my favorite ones.






 

Thursday, December 16, 2010

2 Weeks Old

It's so hard to believe our Mady Girl is 2 weeks old today!  We will be doing our 2 week photo shoot when daddy gets home from work.  Until then, here is a photo from her first week.  




We have LOVED getting to know our sweet Mady's personality over the last 2 weeks.  First, she is a pretty good sleeper.  I can't complain!  Sometimes at night, I have to wake her up for her middle of the night feeding after 4 hours of precious sleep!  She also takes after her daddy and is a good eater.  Nursing definitely came more naturally then I thought it would.  Mornings are her sleepy time and she is more awake in the evenings.  She LOVES her bouncer and swing and enjoys car rides.  Mady has had her first mall experience, along with a trip to Walmart, and a couple of restaurants.  She is a daddy's girl and LOVES to snuggle with her daddy in the evenings.  She is a sweet cuddle bug and I love it!  
Mady girl, Mommy and Daddy love you so much!  These 2 weeks have gone by SO fast and we have enjoyed every minute with you!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Madelyn's Birth Story

Miss Madelyn's actual due date was November 28th.  However, like she has always done throughout this pregnancy, she let us know clearly that she was on her own time!  
Tuesday November 30th: My appointment at my doctor's office showed that my blood pressure was on the rise.  My doctor wanted to induce by the weekend.  We scheduled an appointment for the next day to get my cervix ripening. 

Wednesday December 1st:   My doctor could not ripen my cervix the way she wanted in the doctor's office so she said we should check into the hospital at 7:00.  They would then start a different form of medicine to get things going.  She warned us that I could be laboring all day Thursday and not to get my hopes up of having the baby quickly.  Jeremy and I went to Olive Garden and had our last meal just the two of us.  We then checked in the hospital at 7:00.  
This is me Wednesday night...pretty excited to get things going!
Thursday December 2nd:  At 7:30, the nurse starts the pitocin.  The contractions at this point are not too bad.  Jeremy is a huge help by giving my massages and being very encouraging.  
 At 8:30, the doctor comes in and breaks my water.  Hard contractions begin immediately.  Sooo not fun...
I was not too thrilled Jeremy took this picture.  It was right in the middle of a contraction. 
 At 9:00 I request and epidural.  The epidural arrives at 9:30 and I am feeling good!!! 
Epidurals are GOOOOD!
 At 10:00, my parents arrive from Oklahoma and we get to see them.  They stayed in the room for about an hour.  At 11:00, I started to feel a lot of pressure.  The nurse checks me and sure enough I am 9 cm dilated and soon I will be pushing.  Jeremy and I were both surprised at how fast it went!  
At 12:00 I start pushing and 1 hour and 1/2 later, little Mady was born!

 

 The Big Girl!  She weighed 7 lbs 7 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long.






Our First family photo! 

My parents.
Jeremy's Parents.














The Proud Grandparents were there for the day!  My parents drove up from Oklahoma just in time for Mady to be born. 

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Baby Mady

This is my first blog post.  I'm starting this blog so that family and friends can keep up with our family and our new little girl!   We are so in love with her and can't wait to share more about her!  I will share her birth story sometime soon but for now, I'll leave you with a picture of Miss Mady.