A Big Smile!

Madison hit six weeks this past Thursday (where does the time go?). This also means she is going through her 6 week growth spurt right about now. For the past two days she has been really cranky and wanting to eat a lot more. Hopefully, the websites are right and it only lasts a day or two more. We were able to capture a big smile on video this morning though. These smiles she gives in between fussy times are the best things to keep us going. Check out the video and dont mind our baby talk!  I guess she's not quite ready for her bumbo....

Happy One Month!

Madison is one month old today!  I cannot believe that it has already been a month.  Everyone always said enjoy it because it goes by so fast and boy were they right.  Before we know it she'll be leaving us for college, haha.

It's been a while since the last blog post.  Having a new baby has shown me that there is never enough time in the day to get things done.  Everything is done around her schedule and you never know when you will have time to do things like blog, clean the house, shower, or even eat and sleep.  Being new parents, this has definitely been a month full of learning and sleepless nights but I wouldn't change a thing.  We are having a blast with her and she is teaching us more than we are probably teaching her and I'm sure that won't change. 

Her two week appointment went great.  She weighed 8 lbs 6 oz and was 20 inches long.  Such a growing girl!  At a month old, Mady can smile, she can keep her head up really well, and when on tummy time she can move it side to side like a pro!  The first time she smiled at me was one of the best moments ever.  She's even started talking to us a little and she is much more interactive.  In the first few weeks she slept a lot but lately she has been staying up during the day a lot more. I can't wait to see what the second month holds!

And for the best part, here are some pictures of our sweet baby girl...

I'm one month old today!

 

Big smile!

My cousins came to see me

Aunt Brittney and Uncle Cody

Tummy Time!

A cute sneeze and a head turn towards the end!

Shes Here!!!!!

After 40 weeks and 4 days of being pregnant, Madison came into this world. We were scheduled for an induction on Thursday May 12th, but that morning while we were getting ready and on the way to the hospital I was beginning to have contractions. Nothing like I had experienced before, so we think she might have come really soon regardless. We arrived at the hospital around 530am and by 630am I was hooked up to everything and the Pitocin was started to help things get going. The doctor came in around 8 and broke my water and we found out that little Mady had her first bowel movement in utero. The nurses assured us it wasn't a big deal, but they had to have the NICU team at the delivery to make sure none of the meconium in the fluid would get inhaled by Mady. We know the chances of anything happening were very low, but just having to hear the term "NICU" wasn't fun. Around 930 the contractions were beginning to increase in frequency and in pain and that's when the epidural was ordered. The doctor came back around noon and checked for progress and much to our surprise the she said, "You're complete!" We were not thinking that! We waited a few minutes to begin the pushing and when it came time to push the contractions of course slowed down. The nurses said that happens a lot, the body thinks all the hard work of getting ready for delivery is over so it slows down. I pushed for about 2 hours, but had 5-6 minute breaks for much of it. Mady was born at 2:55 PM on May 12, 2011. She weighed 7lbs 1oz and was 19 1/2 inches long.

The doctor quickly cut the cord and handed her off to the NICU team who quickly did their job and within a few minutes they gave the all-clear that everything was alright. We were relieved! Mady quickly knew how to feed which was a definite plus and has been eating like a champion ever since. All the nurses thought she wasn't our first baby due to how well she was doing.

We stayed in the hospital until Saturday morning and we were thankful for everyone who visited us there and at home since. Mady doesn't know it yet but she is very loved.  Here are some pictures:

Right after birth!

Mommy and baby meet!

Baby and Dad!

After her first bath! The nurse gave her a mohawk.

First family photo.

Going home!

Home!

The 3 girls of the house!

Her first night!

This was the first outfit we bought after we knew I was pregnant.

Now the new chapter begins!

Tomorrow is the big day!

Month 9...Last picture!

I can't believe it's already here but tomorrow we will be meeting little Madison.  Because of her size and how far I'm already progressed we have decided to induce at 40 weeks and 4 days.  I have progressed nicely and I don't think my doctor thought I would make it to my due date but Madison felt differently as she is way too happy in there!  Like Nick told her, your lease was for nine months and that time is up so now you're being evicted, haha.  Poor baby!

My last day of work before Mady's arrival was Thursday.  I decided to take vacation days that I had to spend some time finishing last minute things and relaxing.  The time off has been great as I was getting tired and it was getting harder to go to work.  I'm really glad I had this time off to relax a little bit because we all know I won't have that soon!  I guess she knew that and was being nice to her mommy by waiting it out!

Our parents are coming in town today so last night was our last night with just the three of us (Me, Nick, and Lucy).  We went out for some dessert and then spent the rest of the night at home.  It's surreal to think soon we'll meet this little person who will forever be the most important thing in our lives.  I'm feeling excited, nervous, anxious and so many other things.  I'm ready for the unknown to be over and know that we have a healthy baby.  We are so lucky to have great family and friends that have been there throughout this journey and will be with us as we start on this new one.  Keep a look out for the next post featuring our baby girl!

Full Term and Ready to Go!

Nick here....

Today marks 37 weeks in the pregnancy and Alex has made it full-term! I am really proud of her and how she has handled this pregnancy. She has been a trooper every step of the way. This past 2 weeks we have been getting final preparations done around the house. Everything is washed and clean! For those who know me, I was very excited once this was all finished. We made one last run to Babies R Us today and everything on our list has now been purchased and put up where they belong. Madison can officially come when she pleases now, but we hope she stays put for at least 2 more weeks! Here are some pictures of the nursery all ready to go.

The view from the door to her room.

Her bed and bedding.

Dresser/Changing Table and her awesome shelf, with a cool photo from the maternity pictures.

A girl's closet has to be full, right?

One month to go!

I know, I know, it's been a long time since the last post.  It's been a busy March over here at the Hampshire house.  We've been in full gear getting ready for Madison's arrival and enjoying the company of great family and friends at the baby showers. 

We had three, yes three, baby showers!  This has only reminded us how lucky and blessed we are with great people in our lives.  Madison is going to be so loved.  We had one in our hometown in Port Arthur thrown by both of our mothers.  They did a wonderful job and it was great to see family and friends I haven't seen in a while.  My two best friends, Mindy and Dee, threw me a shower up here and everything was beautiful.  I could not ask for better friends!  My office also threw me a shower and Nick was invited to this one so he got to open some presents for once!  We have everything we need for this little one to arrive!  Here are a few pictures...

Me and the two grandma's

Look at all of her gifts!

Me and the girls

Mindy made this beautiful diaper cake

Jenny made this beautiful diaper cake for my office shower (Diaper cakes are pretty!)

Guess I couldn't let Nick have all the fun!

On Sunday I will be 36 weeks.  I cannot believe how fast this has gone by.  I'm still waiting for the complete slowdown everyone talks about at the end.  We are starting to feel a rush of emotions like anxious, excited, and nervous just to list a few.  This last month will be filled with doing the last few things like packing my bag for the hospital, putting in the car seat, washing clothes and getting her room organized.   I also want to try and enjoy and completely take in this last month of being pregnant.  Who knows, could be more or could be less than a month!  I've been really fortunate in that this has been a smooth pregnancy with few things to complain about (besides the AWFUL heartburn).  I want to take it all in and enjoy this last month that I have her all to myself.  I guess it is a little bittersweet.  Nick is feeling the complete opposite as he is counting down the days until he can have her all to himself for once!  Let's see how this last month goes!