Welcome Mary Audrey Long!

Well she finally arrived in her own time. Here is a quick overview of last weekend's activities.

Friday, September 19: We made our 2nd trip to Labor & Delivery this morning. I was having contractions but they weren't strong enough to increase my dilation. They called them false labor pains. I thought ... well if this is false ... I am not sure if I want to feel the real ones! I was still 1.5 centimeters. So, they gave been a pain shot to help with my discomfort and it allowed me to get some sleep. And again, sent me home!

Saturday, September 20: Lots of laying around the house. John has taken care of me for the last two days and I couldn't appreciate it more. He cleaned the house a bit, washed clothes, got me whatever I needed, and helped me out of the chair so I could go to the bathroom every 5 minutes. He has been the best. Still no sleep happening and little contractions.

Sunday, September 21: Another day of laying around the house. We did get up and walk down the street a little today because the weather was so nice. As the day progressed I was having more pelvic pain but as the nurses/dr told me it was just Mary Audrey pushing down on my pelvic bone. As the night progressed, I couldn't get comfortable anywhere except for the glider in her room (and that was just for a few minutes). The pelvic pain got so strong we finally called Labor & Delivery and asked if we came in would they give me a shot for pain again just so I could sleep a little. So, we did go to the hospital around 4:00 a.m. and what do you know ... I was 5 centimeters dialated!

Monday, September 22: I couldn't believe I was dialated so much. The pain I was having was really contractions but they were just occuring in my lower pelvic area instead of my stomach area. I got my epidural, the dr broke my water and all was well. I even took a little nap ... boy did I need it. I stayed at 6-7 cm dilated for quite some time and then I felt a little discomfortable in my lower left side. Well ... I had a gotten a hot spot from the epidural which means that part of my body didn't get the medicine. So, I got to feel all of the contractions in that one area for the rest of the day. My goodness ... I'm believer in the saying that the pain you feel all goes away when you see your child for the first time. It is so true. As soon as I saw her I could have cared less about the state I was in. The birth was an amazing experience for both me and John. God is so great to give us a healthy child with 10 fingers and 10 toes. She is absolutely beautiful and we couldn't be more proud.

Mary Audrey's Birth Stats

Weight: 9 lbs 7 oz
Length: 20 3/4 inches
Time: 4:29 p.m.

Below are a few pictures from the birth. I will post new ones soon as I get them from my momma and others. Thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts. John and I appreciate them so much.

She's here!

New (tired) Mommy & Mary Audrey

Dressing her to come home.

Her first bath and brushing that beautiful head of hair!

Daddy looking at his clean, pretty girl!

He is such a proud papa!

Mary Audrey when she came to our room for the first time.

Mommy holding her for the first time since she had to go to the nursery after birth.

There's that proud papa and his baby girl.

Getting to hold Mary Audrey after birth.

What a whopper! 9 lbs 6.7 ozs

Getting her first bath.

Washing that head full of hair!

Before delivery.
The monitor station.

And here are my fabulous contractions. John was taking pictures of everything!

My first time to hold Mary Audrey. Isn't she beautiful??

I love those cheeks! :)

Proud Uncle Dung (pronounced Young)

Sept 16 Updates ...

Well ... what a day it has been. At 10:00 a.m. I defended my dissertation and was fortunate to pass. I have just a few edits to make and I will be home free!!! YIPPEE!!! I can't believe that monkey is off of my back now.

This afternoon, we had a drs appt and we actually had a sonogram to check on Mary Audrey's approximate weight. John and I were surprised to learn that Mary Audrey weighs 8 and a half pounds. The dr said that was just a guestimate based on her measurements and could be up to 2 lbs off. John said he will believe it when he sees it. I was dilated 1.5 centimeters so we are making some progress. We scheduled an appt for Monday at 1:00 p.m. to see Dr. Lott and they will induce me on Tuesday or Wednesday if nothing has happened before then.

Oh, and I lost 3 lbs this week. Crazy! So I am still at the 13 lb mark for weight gain. As Dr. Cobb says, she must be feeding off of my reserves! Maybe I will be smaller than when I started! :)

Thank you for all of your prayers. John and I have felt them and appreciate them very much!

Nursery is Ready!

Sept 8 Drs Appt Update

The only update I have is that there is no update. Things are still the same ... no dilation. I have had a few contractions, some here, some there. None of them are close together.

Our next big day is Tuesday, Sept 16. It is a big day for a couple of reasons. One, at 10:00 a.m. I will be defending my dissertation. SHUT IT! I am so excited and really can't believe it is already here. And also that day, we have a drs appt at 3:30 p.m. I told John that she can come anytime after 11:00 a.m. on Sept 16. Just as long as I can defend my dissertation and my professors can sign that precious sheet of paper!!!!!

Say a prayer on September 16 and I will post again that evening with the updates.

4-H Shower

The ladies (and men) of the 4-H office out did themselves today and threw John and I a baby shower. It was wonderful ... full of fellowship, games, and food. Thank you 4-H office ... Yall did too much!

Here are a few pictures to capture the afternoon.

Sept 3 Drs Appt Update

Everything went fine at our drs appointment yesterday. There was no dilation and that may be a good thing. I am scheduled to defend my dissertation on September 16 so maybe she will stay inside until I can get that done. No weight gain in the past 2 weeks so I am still at 13 lbs total for the pregnancy.

I did ask Dr. Lott about Mary Audrey's weight at birth based on my stomach measurements and he said she would probably be a 6-pounder. My stomach measurements are in the normal range just on the low end. So ... I have zero preemie outfits so I need to get a couple just in case.

Momma gave me the dress she brought me home in the other day so that is what Mary Audrey is going to wear home too! I was so excited and surprised momma had kept the dress for so long. Here is a picture of it.

Next appointment and blog posting: Monday, September 8