Update

Well, we got home yesterday. All is great. I have to say, I thought that the whole c-section thing would be a lot worse than it has been. It still hurts a little, really it burns more than anything, but he said that was normal and that it was healing fine. Madelyn is fabulous. She has been such an easy baby. Really she only cries when she's hungry, and she's done pretty well with feeding on a schedule. She lost a little too much weight in the hospital...she went from 7-4 to 6-7, so we've had to make some adjustments in the feeding area since it was more than 10%. We're doing triple feeds & supplementing with formula until she starts gaining. I was a little upset at first, but she's doing really well with it. We had to take her to the pediatrician this morning and tomorrow morning to have her biliruben levels checked since they were a little high yesterday. She had only lost 1 more ounce, so that was good, and he said he wasn't terribly concerned about the levels. Hopefully tomorrow we'll be given the green light. She did really well with getting stuck. She cried for about 30 seconds and then she was fine. There was another baby next door having the same thing done and he cried for 15 minutes. Daisy is in love with Madelyn! My parents brought her home today, and David is getting the others right now. The only thing is that we have to watch her with trying to lick...but if Madlyn cries, Daisy gets upset and tries to figure out what to do. She actually barked at me because (we think) she thought I was hurting her (she was just hungry!). We of course have tons of pictures, but I have to get them all downloaded. Hopefully we can get them on tomorrow! David has gone picture crazy. He's not a proud daddy =) You know, for someone who said he had no clue what to do with newborns, he is more than a natural. He was especially helpful those first several hours when I still couldn't move because of the epidural. I think I've changed 2 diapers since she was born. So, more pictures promised (especially for my dad, since he has to go back to NY next week), and I've created a new Lily Pie ticker.

INTRODUCING...

Madelyn Jewel Parrish!

Born - 2/24/09

At - 12:21 p.m.

Weight - 7 lb, 4 oz

Length - 20.5 inches

We are all doing great! Madelyn is absolutely precious and so far a really good baby. More to come later!

Drowning in a sea of thank yous

That's what I feel like I'm doing! Just when you think you have it all settled & finished, more comes! I cannot complain one bit though - we have been super blessed. Today is pretty much a relax day. I went back to the eye doctor this morning so he could double check my contacts, and now they are on order. Now I'm sitting here catching up on things, writing thank you notes, and watching my animal babies be pathetic. Casper is curled up with all of his feet on top of his face, and Daisy is cuddling with a pillow. I think the birds are the only ones awake! We are in great anticipation of tomorrow. David is working today, so it's just me! He's a touch miserable, but he said his day was going pretty fast. Tonight we are taking the animals to my parents house, and then we will *try* to get some rest before tomorrow! That will be near impossible, especially since that's all that was going through my mind last night. In some sad news - I found out this morning that one of my kids at MES dad passed away this weekend. I have been quite close with this family over the past 2 years, so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. It was totally unexpected. I guess tomorrow we'll have some happier news!

Over and done!

Well, I for one am glad the week is over. I am now officially off work until May, and they finally hired a replacement for me! I had wanted her to shadow me for at least 2 days, but instead we got 1/2 a day. Hey, it was better than nothing, and it at least eased my nerves a bit. Last night we had one last date night, and today we're just cleaning and taking care of things that won't be taken care of for a while! I'm still feeling pretty good...I've slept more this past week than I have in the last few, so that definitely helps. Our glider came in this week, so David put that and a little storage cabinet together on Thursday. So now the room is officially set and waiting. Welll, I better run - many things to do!

Uncomfortable, but blessed

So I have been super uncomfortable today. I've been having contractions regularly all day, although still not 5 minutes apart yet. I've had several people tell me that I won't last until Tuesday, but I'm just not sure yet. Today Calera Elementary threw me an "impromptu" shower. I say that because I got an email a couple of weeks ago that read this - due to our lack of organization, we have just planned a shower for you on Feb. 18th - hope you can attend. I did have a couple of offers to sit in for me should she have already arrived. We were extremely blessed - we got tons of gift cards, a couple of cute outfits, a bath, and a gorgeous Feltman Brothers dress. I had never heard of them before, but they are heirloom dresses that are supposedly really expensive. There were still a few things we haven't gotten, mainly because I picked them out on Monday when I went to Target but waited for this. So I guess we're going shopping tomorrow! I've been busy at work trying to get everything together before Friday...it's getting there! I still have quite a bit on my "to do" list, but I'm just trying not to worry about it. Not long left now!

Doctor(s) update

Well, I went from one doctor to another today! I swear I feel like I live at the doctor's office...well, doctor update number one - Madelyn still hasn't flipped the right way, so they scheduled a c-section for next Tuesday at 12:15. They're going to double check and if she has turned, then they're just going to go ahead & induce me with as far as I'm dilated already. While we're looking forward to her being here, I'm not so much looking forward to the whole c-section bit. After that appointment, we had an eye doctor appointment. Amazingly, neither of our prescriptions had changed! I still feel a little blinded though since my eyes are dialated...so, I guess that's all I know for now. Tomorrow means back to work! Or for a few days at least...

Quick update

Well, I just wanted to give a quick update since I was so tired & didn't really feel like it last night. The version was unsuccessful...they got her flipped 3 different times, but she kept springing back. They think she may have been getting caught in the cord or something. I'm a bit sore, but thankfully she didn't go into distress or anything. We did wind up calling the doctor last night because I had started hurting really bad, but all was fine. I go back Monday, and I guess we'll find out a plan then.

I hope everone has a wonderful Valentine's Day!

The dog can do what, flippy-do, and more...

So we learned that Daisy has a new trick. She has learned how to spell apparently. I asked David the other night to take her out, but I spelled it...she jumped up, looked at him, and ran to the door. So we decided to try a couple of other words - treat and her name (which we had never spelled before), and she knew them too. She is way too smart for her own good!

Now on to flippy-do...I swear our child is going to be a gymnast or something! I went back to the doctor yesterday...she's decided to be breech again. So, they're going to do the version on Friday. It was supposed to be today or tomorrow, but since Friday is the 13th, no one wanted to deliver on that date (it has to be done in labor & delivery just in case), so everything was booked. While I'm really not looking forward to that, I would rather avoid a c-section if possible. Other than that, everything is still moving along. This time I was dilated to 2 (David & I were both surprised). They didn't say if they thought she would come early...I guess we'll just have to wait & see!

The shower went great on Sunday. Thank you to everyone who came and helped out. We got a lot of stuff to go through & put away!! We got a couple of duplicate things, so we are going to try to take that back this week and get a few more things we need. So much to do! Also on the agenda - pack a bag (just in case, particularly for Friday) and put the car seat in. It will be a busy next few days, that's for sure! Sunday night we were exhausted - I went from 6 am to 9 pm straight. We had our final farewell for ChristGarden...very sad.

On an off note...I was thinking Sunday night how things can change in a year. About a year ago, we were dealing with some major stuff which we would have never gotten through without each other. I am very thankful for my husband. He is so wonderful, even though he can be frustrating sometimes!! =) We also have some great friends who were there for us. And now, we are facing another life-changing event, but thankfully for the positive! We can't wait for the arrival of our sweet (although tempermental) little girl.

Doc update

Well, I went back to the doctor today. A bit better news - she thankfully flipped back the right way! So, unless she flips back between now & later (which we're praying won't happen!), we won't have to do the version. He said that I'm almost dilated to 1, but not quite there yet. I was actually surprised that I was any. I haven't had contractions much at all. Anyway, I go back next Monday. I'm excited that it's getting close! We got most of the things accomplished this weekend that we wanted to. Just a few more little things, mainly that I want to go before this weekend. In sad news, the UM conference has decided to suspend the planting of ChristGarden, so this Sunday will be our last. It is very sad for us. David & I are now left wondering what's next. While we know the past year or a little over was not wasted because that's where God wanted us, we are trying to discover where He would have us next. So, please pray that we find what's next for us!