Marlee's Here!!!!

Well, she's been here since August 22nd!

To follow up were I last left off...

My mom came in town when I was 37 1/2 weeks along. We went to Sam's to stock up on everyday necessities like TP, toothpaste, some food staples, etc. We spent all day Friday cooking and freezing meals for Dave and I to heat and eat after Marlee arrived. It was quite a task, and I'm glad I didn't have to do it by myself! We actually still have one frozen dinner we made that day that we haven't eaten yet! Her room was pretty much in order, but there were a few more things we wanted to do like hang mirrors and do a belly casting to paint like a frog to hang in her room. This stuff was gonna be done on Sunday because I had plans on Saturday. I went to lunch and to get pedicures with Mallory and Julie to celebrate Mallory's b'day a day early. Starting around 7am Saturday morning I had contractions that were mild and irratic. I thought these were Braxton Hicks b/c I hadn't had a lot of those yet, and I was able to go throughout the day without any real pain. That evening we had chili dogs and ice cream (the opposite of what they tell you to eat if you are in labor) and we watched Predator. My mom also massaged my feet (they were so swollen) focusing on the big toe and ball, since we had heard that it could bring on labor from a reflexology standpoint, and I ate some fresh pineapple (which I heard could bring it on as well). Around 1:30am we realized how late it was and decided to go to bed. I had a funny feeling and told Dave and mom they better get some rest. I woke David up around 3:30am from shivering so hard I was shaking the bed and my teeth were chattering. I was freezing one minute and burning up the next. Started timing contractions on my phone. They were about 5mins (give or take) apart for over an hour. I woke Dave up again around 5:45 telling him I thought today was the day and we should prepare to go to the hospital soon. We timed contractions again and they were 5mins or less apart. So I called the doctor and my OB/GYN was not on call that weekend since it was a Sunday, Dr. Scott was on call and she was the only doctor in the practice I hadn't met yet. I told her what was going on and she told me to go to the hospital. We finally left around 7:20am, took both cars, stopped at McDonald's on the way for Dave to get a biscuit, I tried to eat more pineapple, and we got to the hospital around 8am. They admitted us, I was 2-3cm and they said we could stay. I progressed pretty quickly, the only thing I was hooked up to was an IV for fluids to stay hydrated and antibiotics since I tested positive for GBS. I was going NATURAL as planned. I could go to the bathroom and rock on the exercise ball we brought. We had a great nurse (it was her last day before transferring) and things kept moving. Everytime she checked me I was more dialated. Dave did awesome as my coach. I had to focus on his eyes through every contraction while breathing in and out, and holding his hand once they got more intense. David's parents were in Gulf Shores and started heading our way as soon as we found out we were staying. I could walk around, but if I got a contraction while using the bathroom, I would have to stand up. The standard is 1cm/hour after you reached 4cm. Not sure what time I reached 4, but I moved quickly. I started feeling strong urges to push after 12pm, close to 8cm, not time to push yet. The doc checked on me before church and after (she broke my water around lunch). Kari came by to visit on her way to pick up Belle (her dog) from her parents after church. While she was there I asked them to check my again. The nurse checked, told me to push a little, and then told me to stop stop stop pushing...it was time to call the doctor! I had to fight back the urge to push while the nurse kept her hand inside me to hold Marlee back til the doctor got there. Kari said it was all of 20mins...felt like forever. They set up a mirror for me to watch and brought the squatting bar in to try, but there was no time for the bar. Once Dr. Scott got there, I could push, but the urge strangely subsided. I pushed about 3 times, and Marlee was born at 2:05pm on Sunday, August 22nd! She was 6lbs 7oz and 19.75in long. It was awesome to have her in my arms with Dave right by our side. My mom watched it all and Kari hid behind the curtain sending texts for me. It was amazing! I did it! I only tore a little and was able to use the bathroom soonly after delivery. I had a great delivery overall. Family started arriving, but David's parents (mainly Beth) was extremely upset to have missed the birth. They got there within a few hours. My daddy, Gaye, Jon and April came too, and we were also visited by Mallory (it was her b'day) and Julie and Jade too! Mallory was so happy that Marlee was born on her b'day! We got to stay in the same room (larger, corner room) the whole time and Marlee stayed with us, except for a real bath and pediatrician check up in the nursery. She was textbook with her diapers and I was recovering nicely.

We got to leave the hospital on Tuesday the 24th. The new grandparents all came with us, but my mom was the only one who could stay, and she stayed for another week and a half. It was a huge help to have her there. It was nerve wrecking not knowing if Marlee was getting enough milk, but my mom breastfed us, so she tried to reassure me, since she was having plenty of wet diapers that was a good indication. I logged all of her feedings and diapers for the 1st 4 weeks of her life. I have gotten less stressed about worrying over her weight, she lost 10% (which is normal) but gained it back by 2 weeks, and we go at the end of this month for her 2 month check up and shots. She's still gaining weight and will soonly grow out of her newborn sized clothes. She's had lots of visitors and is getting more alert. She has been trying to hold her head up since she was born and getting stronger everyday. She has lots of feedings, but sleeping more and is learning during her alert times. Nenana (our husky) is good with her, she just wants to lick her really badly. ;) Dave has been great changing diapers, and holding and playing with her. We play music, and daddy sings and plays for her too. She definitely likes movement and to be held. She falls asleep on me a lot, but wakes up easily when laid down sometimes. I try to get her outside for a walk daily and get some sunshine. I either push the stroller or carry her in the sling (which she usually falls asleep in) and walk Nana as well. I try to put her in her crib in her room for at least one nap a day. We play and get tummy time in too. We have her bassinet right beside the bed, but she's been staying in the bed with us, so that I can rest more having to feed her throughout the night. I try to put her back in the bassinet when I can. Seems like until she's eating solid foods at 6months, she won't sleep for longer than 3 hours at a time, but I haven't been that long without feeding her so far except for a few times. I bought a double electric pump that has come in handy for keeping my supply up, pumping when she sleeps long, and having extra for others to feed her bottles. She makes the cutest noises and faces, but she grunts so much, even in her sleep. She's just a very vocal, noisy girl!

She's precious and she's ours! We are so excited and happy! Ready to see her grow!

She's 7 weeks old today!