Welcome to the World, Madelyn Reese!

Here's the story...
On Friday & Saturday (Sept.10th & 11th) I had been having more frequent, stronger contractions than usual. I would time them for a while and then they would dissipate. Saturday night at 8:05, Wayne & I were sitting on the couch watching the Razorback game and I was timing my contractions. Then all of the sudden, POP! I literally jumped in my seat and quickly looked over at Wayne. My water had broken! From that moment on, I was like a ticking time bomb.

We quickly threw the last essential items into our overnight bags and I hopped in the shower. Mason was playing a game on the computer and was pretty oblivious to us rushing around. Calmly, I told him we would be dropping him off at Mimi & Grandpa's house so Mommy & Daddy could go to the hospital to have baby sister. He nodded & said, "Ok." (I'll add that it was his bedtime & he was very sleepy!) By this time, the contractions were coming on pretty strong and every 2-3 minutes! I wondered if we'd make it to the hospital, which was about 20 minutes away...and we still had to drop Mason off on the way.

We got him dropped off and arrived at the hospital pretty quickly. By this time, I was really hurting. We got to the ER (the front doors are locked after 9pm) and at that point I was ready for my epidural! Too bad I couldn't get it as I walked through the door. Turns out I was dilated to a 3. (I was previously not dilated at all.) I tried to find a happy place and breathe through the contractions, but I thought that I just might die from pain, then & there. After each contraction, I would get a wave of nausea and ended up vomiting several times. I really wished we had not had pizza for dinner.

They got me to a labor room and I got my beloved epidural. Within 30 minutes, I was a happy camper! In less than 2 hours, I had dilated from a 3 to Complete! In disbelief, I asked my nurse, "What does that mean?" as if I had no clue what was to happen next. She said it meant that I could push. I expressed my displeasure that my baby would be born on 9-11 after all and she said (this part is a secret...shhh!) that since the baby looked great on the monitor and I was not in pain, we could wait to push, if I wanted to! Wayne & I decided it was worth the 53 minutes to hold off so that Madelyn could be born on 9-12 (which was actually my due date...and not a memorial holiday like 9-11.) I also really just appreciated having the time to catch my breath from the pain and to get refocused.

Madelyn Reese was born at 12:11 AM on Sept. 12, 2010. She weighs 7 lbs 14 oz and is 20.5 inches long. The most surprising part is the amount of hair she has and that it is dark! We are so thankful that she is healthy and feel blessed to have such a beautiful daughter! (tear)

After my epidural (thus the smile)


Me with the Mom's (Mom & MIL) before delivering.
I'm looking quite scary in this pic-a little like Jabba the Hut.
She's here! Proud Daddy
Our little sweetheart
Proud Mommy
MUCH more to come...(for like 18 years)

The McBabies

It's been fun sharing my pregnancy with these girls that I work with, Renae & Leslie. Renae is a month behind me and Leslie is 2 weeks behind her. (They make me look really huge!) We kept meaning to get a few pictures of the 3 of us, and finally did earlier this week. We call them the "McBabies" because all of our last names start with "Mc". I really hope to be meeting MY McBaby this weekend! If not, then I am scheduled for an induction next Thurs, Sept 16th!

Mason's First Day of Preschool

After he waited all Summer long to get back to school, Mason started Preschool today! He was so excited to be returning! He is in the 4 year old class now and in a new classroom with a new teacher. Some of his friends from last year are in his class and those that aren't, are in the classroom next door and luckily he still gets to play with them at outside/gym playtime. His first day went great and he was pretty tired tonight. I'm glad he will be occupied with school while we get adjusted to Madelyn (who is hopefully on her way very soon!)







4 year old update:
Mason amazes us everyday! He is such a sweetheart and makes us laugh all the time. He is really becoming a big boy. I took him for his 4 year old well check-up last week and he weighs 43.8 lbs and is 45 inches tall. (Still off the growth chart for his age!)
He did an eye test and a hearing test and had to get 3 shots (which was not fun for him nor to watch) He didn't feel very good over the weekend and even had a reaction on his leg to one of the shots, but thankfully he is better now--and just in time for school!
He still loves to play with cars, play computer games on NickJr.com and his new favorite show is Scooby Doo! He is also very into drawing pictures and writing his letters and numbers. He's looking forward to meeting his baby sister and helping Mommy & Daddy out with her!

My Baby Shower

My sister, Angela, and BFF, Victoria (Aka Tori) hosted a wonderful baby shower for me a few weeks ago at my parent's house! My mom & Tori's mom helped out a lot (kind of a second string of hostesses) and it was so beautiful & themey! (I'm very "themey!") Everything matched Madelyn's nursery in pink and green owls & other woodland animals. Some of my close friends and family attended and brought such great gifts for us!

The Entryway (filled with decorations for me to take home!)

Tori made this super cute diaper cake...
And this is the real cake, which was A-MAZ-ING in both looks & taste!
Yummy (& cute) raspberry punch
Me & Mom
Me & Tori
Me with the Hostesses
Ready to open gifts
Wow! I've never seen so much PINK!
Good Friends
Some of the guests


New stroller & car seat!
Does it get any cuter? No.

(Check out the huge box of handmade bows made by my friend Amanda!)
A fun little game...
Favors to grab on the way out (handmade by my mom & sister)
So as you can see, I had a wonderful shower filled with so many special little details! Thank you to the hostesses, friends and family that made it special for me & Madelyn!