Our new little angel

Welcome to Macy Jane! This is not her greatest pic to date, but I'm limited still with being in the hospital. More great pics to come, I promise. She is an absolute doll and I instantly fell in love with her. She is truly a pleasure to be with.

I was scheduled to be induced on Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m., but they called Sat. night and said they could start me sooner because my doc was there all night. We ended up going in about 1:30 A.M. By the time we checked in, my doc broke my water at 2:55 and started pitocin. It was quick, fast, hard labor right away. I requested the epidural at 3:50, and it's a good thing I did because I almost lost my window of opportunity. I dilated from a 3 to a 10 in less than an hour. Crazy! Long story short, she slid out quickly at 4:55, exactly 2 hours later. She's quick! I love that about her. She nursed great right away. Smart, too! And an over-acheiver, because she filled 2 poopy diapers in the first 24 hours instead of the required one. The doctor said the epidural slowed me down a half hour, so if I had gone into labor at home, she doubts I would have made it to the hospital. Yea for induction. It was my doctor's quickest induction ever.

So now, I'm just enjoying some relaxing time in the hospital, just getting to know her. She's a great baby. 7 lbs 10 oz of love! She makes adorable little noises and is very easy so far. Thanks to all of you for your love and support...especially thanks to my mom and neice who took care of Parker when he woke up with stomach flu yesterday! Typical! All is well and we will be home soon.

Hula Hustlers

So, I come out from teaching on Tuesday night to see that my oldest 2 kids have decided to try and earn a little money:

I'm not sure who's idea it was pan-handle my student's moms for money, but I'm guessing it was Parker's idea. Emi danced while Parker played ukulele and harmonica. That blue sign says, "10 cents, please". At least he was polite in begging for money. They made 70 cents. All while dad was in charge. My children are literally street beggars. Nice.

In other news, my dad is home and I am almost ready to take his place in the hospital. My blood pressure is concerning my doc, so I'm checking it constantly and might be admitted soon. Wow!

I'm still here....

I'm gathering from all the sad, sympathetic looks from everyone these days, people expect me to have had this baby. 2 weeks away, folks. I appreciate the concern, and yes, I feel as awful as I look. This pregnancy is one for the books. But I love you all for your sweet concern. Misery loves company. I will try to savor the last few weeks of pregnancy, knowing that I will NEVER have to do it again.

All you cute people are asking what you can do to help. I'm good...just plugging away. I have all the clothes the child would ever want (have you met my shop-aholic mom?), blankets coming out the wazoo, and more baby toys than she could know what to do with. I will always take a frozen casserole and goodies (my cooking suffers under the best of conditions, let alone a new baby), but other than that, we are good. Your love and support are plenty.

In other news, my dad is improving, slowly but surely. He was finally cleared to have his first Coke yesterday....he was SOOO happy about it. And they are trying to keep his calories up, so he gets the real stuff. He's in pretty good spirits, just done with his unbendable therapists. I keep telling him that's good, it's the only way he'll keep improving. He's looking at another 2-3 weeks in the hospital, but it's good because that's where the best improvement happens. Keep pushing, Dad!

1st grade journal...

Everyday, Emi has to write a journal entry about a certain subject in class. Yesterdays was "What if children were the parents?". Here is her entry:

"I would have to do the laundry. I would make the food. I would have to drive them to school. I would not get to play with my toys. I would not like it. And I will have to feed them. I will do stuff on the computer. I will do everything moms do. I will like a little bit. I like being a kid!"

#1....I'm depressed about my life after seeing it on paper, #2..I'm so glad I've painted such a sad picture of motherhood for my daughter. She'll never want kids. But, I am glad she likes being a kid. I hope she stays that way for awhile!

As for my dad, he was moved into the rehab center yesterday. Long term memory is there, but is getting confused with some short-term things. His biggest thing is that he constantly wants to leave. He thinks he can (typical for where his stroke was). We also want to keep him free of pneumonia, also a common side-effect. But, let's just say, I'm so glad it's not LAST thursday. Hopes for a good recovery!