Brian returned to work on Monday, July 25th but I still can't drive. Luckily I've been keeping busy. On Monday Madelyn and I went to lunch with Grandma Giese. On Tuesday, we met a friend from the neighborhood for a walk.
Today we went shopping with Cousin Connor and Aunt Beth. It was funny to have both little ones in the back seat. One would start to cry and then the other would cry. It was like "battle of the cries." Strange to think that those two will be in the same grade. Connor seems so much older for now.
My days consist of feeding, sleeping, and more and more awake time with Madelyn. She is still doing great with lifting her head and for now actually enjoys tummy time.
Here are some photos of the past week:
On Tuesday, July 19, Madelyn had her first ride in the car with Leia. We were happy to find that Leia didn't bother Madelyn during the car ride! We'll see though when Madelyn spits up. I have a feeling Leia will want to clean her face off :(
Madelyn and Leia
Look at those long legs!!
Smiling? Probably just gas!
Madelyn with Mommy in her Moby Wrap
1st time experiencing the vibrating seat
Brian's two favorite "girls"
Madelyn sitting nicely while we try to eat :)
The animals are not sure what to make of the vibrating seat. Preta is more scared than Leia.
Leia has started an obsession with beer! She loves to lick them empty.
Madelyn is a good sport and allows Mom and Dad to take lots of walks.
No matter how tight we swaddle her, she always manages to get her hand free to suck on.
They are still interested in her. Preta got scared though when she moved :)
Madelyn had lots of visitors the day she was born. Both sets of grandparents and both aunts came to welcome her into the world.
Madelyn with Grandpa Hartsell
Madelyn with Grandma Hartsell
Madelyn with Aunt Laura
Madelyn with Aunt Beth
Madelyn with Grandpa and Grandma Giese
I was completely out of it this day so I am so grateful to Brian and Beth who helped me and Madelyn after my surgery. Brian took care of Madelyn by doing Kangaroo time right after the surgery so that her temperature would regulate. Beth took care of me while I was so emotional after the surgery.
We really wish had had taken a photo of Madelyn's cone head. It was pretty much gone by day two.
Day 2: Wednesday, July 13
This was an exciting day for me as I was able to 1) get out of bed!! & 2) eat solid foods! Unfortunately, it was also the last day that the Hartsell Family was in town.
Brian did a great job taking care of Madelyn while I was on bedrest. He had to change all her diapers. He also did a wonderful job soothing her.
Day 3: Thursday, July 14
We were hoping to get out of the hospital today but the doctor who was on rounds was a very conservative doctor and didn't want me to go home because I had had a slight fever yesterday. We talked to our midwife and our nurse and both said there was no reason for me to stay. The nurse even contacted the doctor to tell him that we really wanted to go but was unsuccessful. Today was a LONG day in the hospital.
We were able to take some good family photos though:
Madelyn also did some tummy time which is supposed to strengthen their neck muscles so they can hold their head up. Madelyn already has a very strong neck as can be seen in this video!
Day 4: Friday, July 15
We finally got to come home! Luckily since we had been pushing the nurses and doctors to let us go home, we were actually able to get out of there at a decent time. Both my doctor and the pediatrician came by before 7:30 am. We were ready to leave around 8:30 am or so but had to wait for a discharge nurse to arrive at 9 am. Our nurse though said she would make sure we were the first family she saw to get us out of there asap. We left the hospital at 10:15 am. Hooray !!
Madelyn Ready To Leave!
In the car
When we got home, we were surprised by a welcome home sign for Baby Madelyn from Cousin Juliana.
Preta was the first to meet Madelyn since Leia was still at doggie daycare. Here are some photos. He was curious but after a few hours was bored of her.
Preta peeking at the new baby sleeping
Then we had Andrea & Caroline and Beth, Connor & Juliana over. It was so much fun to see all the cousins interact. Juliana was so excited to meet her cousin. I am sure Juliana will teach Madelyn lots in the years to come. It's hard to believe that Connor, Caroline and Madelyn will all be in the same grade!! Connor looks so much bigger but the girls will catch up to him soon.
Juliana with Madelyn
Cousins: Caroline, Connor, Juliana & Madelyn
1st Cousins: Connor, Juliana & Madelyn
Here's a photo of Caroline (left) & Madelyn (right) who are second cousins. They were born exactly 2 weeks apart. Andrea and I (1st cousins) were born 8 days apart. Although when I was born, Andrea was the bigger baby but now Madelyn is the bigger of the two of them. Funny how things work out.
2nd Cousins: Caroline & Madelyn (Born 2 weeks apart)
I guess we didn't take any photos of Leia meeting Madelyn but Leia really loves her. She is always wanting to be near her and licks her feet. Madelyn doesn't seem to mind either animal.
Day 5: Saturday, July 16
On Saturday, Madelyn had her first doctor's appointment. She weighed in at 8 lbs 11 oz which was surprising since she had dropped as low as 8 lbs 5 oz in the hospital. Hopefully by week 2, she'll have no problem getting back up to her birth weight (8 lbs 15 oz), something I thought would be an issue. To celebrate, Brian and I went out to lunch and were happy that Madelyn slept the entire meal!
Since I was feeling up to it, we also ended up taking a short walk around the block. Madelyn and Leia had a wonderful time.
Day 6: Sunday, July 17
On Sunday, Madelyn had her first sponge bath at home. She didn't like it too much. Here are some photos:
Even Leia was interested in the bath!
Later that day, Juliana brought over some purple flowers and a balloon for Madelyn. Beth brought over dinner which was so nice! They even read Madelyn a story :)
Juliana & Madelyn
Beth, Madelyn and Juliana
Day 7: Monday, July 18
Today my friends from the neighborhood came over with their little babies. Madelyn is the third baby girl to be born since June 20th.
Ava 6/20, Natalie 7/08, & Madelyn 7/12
Madelyn is the youngest but doesn't look it!!
Kristen & Ava, Jenna & Natalie, and Katie & Madelyn
Here are Madelyn's first professional photo shots. Check them out. They are so cute! She didn't want to cooperate at first but we were able to get some cute ones.
Madelyn Jane Hartsell was born at 10:38 am on July 12, 2011. She weighed a whopping 8 lbs 15.2 oz & was 21 inches long. We are not sure how she managed to get that big since I only gained 25 lbs. She came after about 30 hours of labor, 2.5 hours of pushing and sadly a c-section when she wouldn't descend any more.
Andrea D'Imperio won the game with the fewest points. Check out the website to see how you did on your date & time, weight, and length guesses. http://www.expectnet.com/games/Hartsell07052011
