A visit from Grandpa and Grandma Ahlers

Last week Grandpa and Grandma Ahlers got to come visit for the first time. We all live soooo far apart (12 hr drive) so we only get to see each other a couple of times a year. That was compounded by the fact that Kate (aka Grandma Ahlers) just had major back surgery and a major scare (blood clots in her lungs) that left us all wondering if she could really make the trip. She's a tough cookie, and to my surprise, made the journey with a big smile on her face (I don't know why I thought it would be any different). Madison enjoyed all the extra snuggle time, and we enjoyed some adult faces around the house. We love you guys and miss you tons already!!! 

Family Photo Shoot

The photos are in from our first little family photo shoot and they are all fantastic. My friend Jessica from jessicareidphotography.com shot them and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. That chick is the baby whisperer.

Happy two week, one day birthday Madison

The last two weeks have flown by and have been full of firsts for all of us. It's been such a joy to watch Madison experience so many new things!

Mommy pretending to be a photographer, which resulted in the kitchen table getting peed on :)

 Aunt Omie got to meet Madison this week. I wish I would have remembered to get my camera out more.

She finally figured out how to suck her thumb! Eeek, cutest thing ever! But she hasn't been able to replicate it since this moment. She'll get the hang of it one of these days. I have a video of this that I will post as soon as I figure out how to edit the darn thing.

Madison had her first real photo shoot with my friend Jessica. She was amazing and I can't wait to see all of the finished pics.

 

She tried out the bouncy seat for the first time—and couldn't decide if she loved it or hated it. Don't be deceived by this peaceful looking picture. She started wailing 10 seconds later.

Other new things that I don't have a picture of: Her umbilical cord fell off and now she has the cutest teeny tiny baby belly button. She slept for a full FIVE hours last night!! She had her first diaper blow out and also pooped and peed on mom and dad for the first time. It was hilarious. She's read lots of new books. AND, Daddy fed her her first bottle. It's been a busy couple of weeks :)

She's Here!!!!

What a whirlwind things have been since last Wednesday. I woke up Wed. morning and was getting ready to go to our scheduled ultrasound, non-stress test and drs appointment when my water broke. We called Carle and they told us to just go ahead and go to the ultrasound and then we would head over to labor and delivery. We were checked in by 9:30 am and by 11 am the contractions were in full tilt. I went from hardly having a contraction to full on labor in an hour. The contractions were hard and fast—each contraction lasted around 4 minutes and I was only getting 2 minutes break in between. After an hour and half, I couldn't take it anymore and I requested an epidural. What a relief! By 4 pm it was go time and we started pushing. Madison's heart rate was dropping dramatically with each push and things kept getting worse. She wasn't recovering very fast and then her heart rate started dropping even when I wasn't having a contraction. The doctor decided it was time for an emergency c-section. Within fifteen minutes of him making that announcement, she was screaming on the other side of the room. I was scared more than I can explain. Seeing her face was such a relief though—everything was fine and our beautiful little girl was perfect. She really is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen—we haven't stopped staring at her since she made her grand entrance.

Her stats: Born January 26 at 6:17 pm, weighing 7 lb 5 ounces, 20.5 inches long

She had her first doctors appointment on Monday and has gained back all of the weight she lost at birth, plus an ounce. She passed with flying colors and we don't have to go back for another month.

We're adjusting well to life at home with a newborn. She eats every 2-4 hours so we are clearly a bit sleep deprived. I'm healing well and each day I can move around much better than the day before. 

I'll post more when I have a bit more energy. I think it's time to try and grab a few hours of sleep!