Madeline Olivia Is Here!!

MADELINE OLIVIA Born September 10th, 2008

8:49 pm (14 hours 49 minutes of labor - 49 minutes of actual pushing)

8lbs. 12 oz.

20 3/4 inches
Epidural - Ummm, YEAH, and it was amazing and awesome!!

I highly recommend them.

I am SO sorry for not posting pictures and news about Madeline's arrival sooner than now. I know many of you have been waiting and waiting. I've been a little busy having a baby, not sleeping, learning to be a momma, healing... you understand I am sure.

I ended up NOT going into labor before my due date on September 9th, so - as scheduled - Paul and I entered the hospital on the evening of the 9th for insertion of Cervidil to help soften my cervix and get things going.

I think it was meant to be that we waited until my mom and sister were here because it was very special to have my momma with me when I brought my daughter into the world.

(For those who do not know: You can click on the pictures for a closer look!)

This is the final picture of me and Paul together pregnant. This was on September 9th, right before Paul and I left for the hospital.

This is my sister Amber, her baby Ushotosh, Paul (REALLY really excited), me (ready to pop) and my momma.

In this one, we tried to see how many people I could block out... there are like 8 people behind me. Just kidding...

Paul and got to the hospital at 8:45 pm and the woman at the front desk told me that we were scheduled to come into the hospital for Cervidil on September 10th (the NEXT day, ex-squeeze me? Baking powder??). I was irritated, to say the least, so we spoke with the charge nurse and found out it was a mix up and we COULD be admitted.

PHEW!! So here I am in THEE bed where I would soon deliver my little angel baby. I hate hospital gowns.

My nurse (the first of 4 in labor and delivery) put and IV in my hand, which is fine, but it was hanging over my knuckles and was in the way the whole time I had it (until September 11th). I was totally surprised that it didn't fall out. It held up through the entire experience.

My pulse was a little high - due to being excited - so they put me on oxygen periodically. Paul was very interested in everything that was going on around us and he asked SO MANY questions to all the nurses and anesthesia people. I friggin' love him so much.

Paul went and picked up my mom and sister and nephew the morning of delivery right when they were starting the Pitocin so they could be with us.

This is Madeline's cousin, Ushotosh, he had SO MUCH fun playing with his uncle in the delivery room. Him and his momma left when it was time to start pushing.

This is me and my rainbow POWER socks. They will be worn with all deliveries from here on out! They contain special levels of positive energy and power to assist in the massive effort of delivery... it totally worked.

I had several contractions and was able to get to a 3cm dilation before I requested my epidural. From then on out (and with 2 RE-doses) the delivery was painless and awesome. I was told I am an gold medal Olympic professional pusher.

Paul was the perfect coach. He complimented everything I did, hugged me, kissed me, encouraged me, help my leg, helped me breathe... I really don't know what I would do without him.

Introducing: Madeline!!!!!!

This is one of the best moments of my life. When they put her on my chest for the first time. Of course, I was bawling my head off.

Here she is being handled with care by the nurses. It was cool because the nurse who cleaned up Madeline was one of the people I went to nursing school with. She had a 8 or 9 AP GAR score. She was perfectly pink, no weird marks or bruises. Paul came up to me and kept saying how he couldn't believe how perfect she was.



Me, holding MY baby for the first time. I HAVE A BABY. Me! This is MY daughter.

She is perfect.


Madeline with her Grandma Z. She waited for her to get here to Tennessee before making an appearance.


Here's my OB doctor. She did awesome and made me feel like I was doing great. Notice the power socks in the background.

8 pounds 12 ounces!

Because we had Maddy around 9:00pm, they wanted us to stay in the hospital for 24 hours so we could be observed. I did not sleep but MAYBE 2-3 hours the entire time we were in the hospital. It is so fun getting to know her.

Madeline is already a breastfeeding pro. She, being only 3 days old, has currently had 8 poops! She had 3 in the hospital after the first 24 hours. She is very content and loves to just open her beautiful big eyes and look around.


Here we were talking about the election and rules about dating. She is currently undecided about current presidential candidates, and she thinks she wants to go to college and get her PhD in KungFu before she begins dating.

Here is Madeline's first diaper change at home...
"Hey mom! What are you doing??!! I'm naked!!!"

And introducing... The best DAD (and Uncle) ever!!

We had a rough night last night. We're still learning. But this was a calm moment that made me cry (with Joy) at the adorableness of my family. These are my peeps.

These are my peeps changing poops.

Oh, and we HIGHLY recommend a swing with a vibration setting.

Madeline is so happy to have a cousin with experience around to show her the ropes.
Madeline is already changing. It really is true that they grow so fast. We plan on enjoying every second of time with this little person we have been trusted with. Could life BE any better? I don't think so!!