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!

My Maternity Photos

I had Maternity photos taken when I was pregnant with Mason and they are so special to me, so I knew that I needed to have some taken with Madelyn as well. They are very personal (& some people don't care for them at all) but I wanted to document my pregnancy with them, so I'm sharing a few poses...
Taken at 36 weeks

My Boy, My Girl, and My Hair

I finally got my hair cut, which prompted this little photo session...
Me & my big boy who will be 4 in just 5 weeks! How did he get so big?!

The new 'do
My big baby belly at 25 weeks~Third trimester already! I've been feeling pretty good now that my Sciatica has calmed down (nerve pain in my back & leg) but I am still having lower back muscle pain-have to do lots of stretching. I've been having less reflux (probably due to all the ice cream I've been eating!) Now I'm just starting to freak out because we don't have the nursery ready AT ALL and I have not bought much for baby. We have all of the main baby stuff that was Mason's, but I need to get some cute girl stuff asap to satisfy my nesting urges! :)

21 Weeks

Disclaimer: Mason actually took these pictures! I did some cropping, but they still aren't the best. (He did a good job, though!)
We had (another) ultrasound at 20 weeks (our official one) and Baby Girl is growing right on track and is still a GIRL! ;) We are so blessed that she is healthy!
To answer the next question I get constantly: We are still thinking about a name but have some in mind.
My parents kindly bought us the baby bedding I chose and Wayne & I have been so busy turning our office into the nursery. Our house is totally torn up right now from moving furniture here & there. I'm ready for everything to be in order! (yes, I'm nesting.)

Easter 2010: Part 1

We had a great (& very busy) Easter Sunday! We managed to snap a few quick pictures before church. I was elated that the weather was actually nice for a change on Easter! It's usually cold & wet but it was a beautiful day & Mason was able to wear the short- sleeved shirt I'd bought for him.
And since I realized that I hadn't had any pregnant pictures taken yet (gasp!) I made sure to get a few quick belly shots in! I'm 17 weeks and feeling great! I can't believe that I'm approaching the half way mark. I will share more baby stuff soon...promise!

Our BIG News...

We found out several weeks ago that we are expecting a baby!!! I think it has finally sunk in...maybe! I have been Soooo incredibly sleepy that if I wasn't pregnant, I'd be afraid I was narcoleptic! Other than the sleepiness and an upset stomach (and a few other minor early pregnancy changes) I have been feeling good!
We had fun spreading the news by showing everyone a picture like the one above. Mason is excited to have a new brother or sister! I will keep you updated on our little bean...if I can stay awake long enough!