Well it's Thursday morning April 23rd and we are home....I honestly don't know if it's possible sometimes to contain all the joy that the Lord can bless us with. Everything worked out soo well that it seems almost like it can't be true, but it really just did. (DEFINITELY all the prayers I am sure!) I can't tell you how glad we were that we listened to the signs and decided to just pack up and GO when we did. It would have been soo easy to miss the birth itself and not be able to be there to help out the way we did. Not that they couldn't have done it without us of course, but you all know what I mean I am sure. Her actual due date was May 12th, though they had unofficially changed it to May 8th (which is the one Mel and I went by, haha), so "technically" she was a little over 3 weeks early. I am going to back up and TELL the story now, which I am not sure you are even interested in, "grin" (being how you all KNOW the end of the experience), but I've got to get this in my journal. Sooo let's see.....Jeff and I left EARLY (4:00 AM) last Wednesday (has it only been a week and a day? lol) and drove straight through. We pulled onto the dairy about 9:45 PM (New Mexico time) and visited a brief while with Mike and Mel before toppling into bed. It is a LONG LONG LONG time to be in the car, but we are always glad when we finally get there, and as long as we are physically able to do so in one day we probably will. I had a little trouble falling asleep (believe it or not!) and popped up the minute I heard the boys in the morning. We were soo happy to see them. I could go on and ON and ON about how they've changed and grown, and how sweet they are, and how much older they seemed (especially Luke) but I would never finish this if I did, but trust me this grandma's heart was bursting. They were BEYOND excited to see us. Mike and Mel's dairy (I think I've told you this) is maybe one mile from the state line of Texas. All 3 of their farms are on the Texas side. Some of their doctors are on the Texas side, some on the New Mexico. The hospital they had the baby at was on the Texas side. The time in Texas is different then it is in New Mexico, soo this means a CONSTANT need to remember and keep track of where you are at as to what time it is. Doesn't seem like a big deal, and they are VERY used to it, but this gal was confused and behind most of the time. Mel had a doc appointment last Thursday morning so I went with her. It was nice to see where she had been going and to meet her doc etc. After examining her and finding out she was already dilated to 4 and 40 percent effaced, we knew it wouldn't be long. Soo glad we didn't wait to hear that before we decided to leave (which was our original plan!) or we would have missed it. Her doc told her to get in the car and get to the hospital with the first REAL contraction she felt as he knew she'd be quick. They live about 45 minutes from the hospital, so I was kind of hysterical on the whole thing if I am being honest. But Melody was only experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions at that point so we headed home. I honestly was secretly wishing they would have just admitted her and waited until it happened, but of course that couldn't be the case. Melody was miserable is about the only way to describe it. All you mothers out there know that feeling, so I don't have to say more. Plus she was concerned of course as she was NOT technically due for another 3 weeks, and even though the doctor felt the baby would be fine she was worried, and was wanting her to stay put as long as possible. The hospital she was delivering at does not have an NICU, so if it were to be needed, the baby would have had to be airlifted to the closest one. All somewhat nerve wracking I can't lie. Melody spent the rest of the day off of her feet while grandpa and I worked those boys. And oh the energy they have, lol. How on earth Melody keeps up with it all I can't be sure. I guess to be 28 again, would help out a lot! lol. We went to bed EARLY that night (thank goodness, as I was REALLY feeling the lack of sleep at this point!) but Melody woke us at 2:00 am and was ready to go. I jumped out of bed and quickly got dressed and headed out the door behind them. Hubby stayed with the boys who were of course in bed. Now I have to describe the drive to the hospital. Mike and Melody have a large Suburban, but with 3 car seats sat up in the back seat, there really was no room for me, and NO time to take them out and rearrange etc, (plus it was raining) so I just followed them in my own car. Now you have to understand they are in the country (which this city gal is soooo not used to!) and it is SOOO dark out there with no street lights etc., and many of the roads are unmarked and tiny, I was somewhat terrified I'd get lost and never found again, lol. To top it off it was raining and the lightening and thunder were soo extreme I felt somewhat like I was in a horror movie or something as we speed down the street. I knew I HAD to keep up with them, or I'd be lost for sure, and Mike warned me he was going to go as fast as he could so as to not be delivering a baby in the car. I prayed the WHOLE way let me tell you. We made it to the hospital in what I am sure was record time and Melody was quickly admitted and it began. They called the anesthesiologist immediately so she could get her epidural. Here is where the only thing that went a little wrong, did. Melody is a small woman and I honestly think they just gave her TOO much medication. (though of course they were going by her weight, but still!) Within a few minutes of receiving the shot her blood pressure went SOO low everyone was scrambling and Melody was on the verge of passing out. I think at one point it was actually only 54 over 38. It was scary I can't lie but I kept my mouth shut and prayed and tried hard not to burst into hysterical tears and terrify her. They quickly got it back up to a more normal range and she felt better and things moved along. Melody's blood pressure runs on the low side normally, so to ME they should have taken that into consideration when drugging her, but then again she had NO problem when delivering Sam and Luke so who knows. A little while later her pressure dropped again and one of her legs was COMPLETELY numb, so they just discontinued the epidural altogether. I was secretly dancing a jig. I didn't want her so drugged. The baby was born an hour after they discontinued it, and she was STILL not feeling anything anyway. It only took 3 pushes and she was born! There is honestly nothing quite like viewing the birth of a baby. Especially the birth of one of your grandchildren, and even more so when it is your own daughter giving birth. I was just in awe. And in tears, and beyond happy that God had worked out all the details that made it possible. How grateful we all were that little Claire Elise was just perfect. She did not need ANY assistance with her early arrival, and still weighed a good six pounds 7 ounces and was 19 inches long. Her coloring was great, and her lungs nice and lusty as she cried her protest at leaving her nice warm environment. The rest of our days there were a blur of sweet moments with the baby, and fun times with those boys. Melody recovers SOO fast. I don't remember being soo perky and strong after giving birth, but honestly she just seems to pop back so fast and I am totally grateful. She is going to be a busy, busy mama for quite a while. We did manage to get the nursery completely finished up (with the exception of a coral colored bookcase which hasn't arrived yet!) which included grandpa doing a little detail painting. I LOVE the way it can out, though honestly the pictures I took were not very good. I did bring our good camera, but never did end up using it. My hands were always busy with something else to tell you the truth. We made sure all of her laundry was totally caught up, and her pantry stocked, and she has a cleaning woman who comes every Friday which is a wonderful help. Hubby needed to get back to work, and she has more family from Mike's side coming soon, so we went ahead and headed home. I will have to try VERY VERY hard not to overload you all on pics of this beautiful new little girl, but remember I don't print pictures anymore as I print out my blog books and have to put my favorites on here. The problem is they are ALL my favorites, lol. I am soo glad too btw, that all of the little legging pants I made fit her perfectly as do her nightgowns etc. The bloomers are a little big, but should be fine in a few weeks come summer and the warmer weather which is better anyway. Her little headbands fit her perfectly too, and Melody and I both had to restrain ourselves from just changing her clothes and dressing her up. She looks SOOO much like Melody it is almost funny. I LOVE it of course, and she will be a lucky little girl if she does. All in all it was A WONDERFUL WONDERFUL time, and I will be forever grateful that I was on it all. It still feels pretty good to be home though I just can't lie. My own bed last night was just soo comfortable and familiar and I slept like a log. I have a feeling I am going to need a few days to catch up. I felt pretty good the whole time I was there with the exception of somewhat of a stiff neck which I got on the last day. It did make me grateful too that those nasty shingles are behind me. Though I am still feeling an occasional tingle and pain from them but I understand that's pretty normal. I know this is WAY too long, but I hope I didn't forget to document anything here. Now for all the pics. lol. I was not able to do any visiting while there as there just wasn't time, plus their wifi is VERY SLOW so therefore kind of frustrating. But I will get around in the next couple of days to catch up with all of you. I appreciate all the prayers you offered, and thank you for the congratulations. Hope you all had a good week! Blessings, Debbie
MOMENTS AFTER BIRTH...LOOK AT HOW PINK SHE WAS! I HAVE A SIMILAR PICTURE OF MELODY WHICH I SHOULD DIG OUT AND SHOW YOU HOW MUCH ALIKE THEY LOOKED WHEN THEY WERE BORN!
MEETING MOM FOR THE FIRST TIME!
MIKE CAPTURED THIS PICTURE AND IT WAS PERFECT!
MEETING GRANDPA
AND GRANDMA
AND SAM....HE WAS JUST ADORABLE ON THIS WHOLE THING. HE WAS SOO EXCITED. HE WAS POSITIVELY GIDDY, LOL
LUKE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LITTLE MORE INTERESTED IN HIS DADDY'S PHONE, LOL
LUKE WASN'T QUITE SURE WHAT TO THINK, BUT HE FOLLOWED BIG BROTHER SAM'S OPINION
SAM, LUKE, AND CLAIRE. THEY ALL LOOKED PRETTY SIMILAR
SOO SWEET!
LOVED THIS!
SHE'S DEFINITELY GOT MAMA'S LONG FINGERS AND TOES, LOL
GETTING DRESSED TO COME HOME
ALL READY. HER GLITTER SHOES FIT SOO WELL!
HAPPIER ALL WRAPPED UP
FIRST FAMILY PHOTO!
THE BOYS ALL READY TO GO MEET THEIR LITTLE SISTER FOR THE FIRST TIME WEARING THE SHIRTS GRANDMA MADE...BIG BROTHER 1 AND 2, LOL
SAM IS GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL HELPER I THINK
A LOOK AT HER BIG BLUE EYES
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER....LOVE THIS!
SOOO SWEET
YOU GET A FEEL FOR HOW LITTLE SHE IS HERE NEXT TO MY HAND!
PRETTY IN PINK....THE LITTLE DRESSES ARE GOING TO FIT FOR A WHILE TOO, LOL
SHOWING OFF THE RAG QUILT GRANDMA MADE
SHE TOOK MANY NAPS WITH GRANDMA...
SOO SLEEPY
LOVE IT!
HER ROSEBUD NIGHTIE AND BOTTIES
PRETTY IN LAVENDER TOO....
HE CAN'T BELIEVE HE GETS TO HOLD HER, LOL
FIRST TRIP TO THE DOCS SPORTING HER PINEAPPLE ENSEMBLE
LUKE WEARING HIS HORSEY PJ'S. DON'T THINK I EVER GOT ONE OF THEM IN THEIR FOX ONES
THE BOYS GOT THIS ELECTRIC CAR FROM THEIR OTHER GRANDPA.....OH MY, HOURS OF FUN WITH THIS!
HOW DARLING ARE THEY SPORTING THEIR SHIRTS FROM MY NIECES CLOTHING LINE? SOOO CUTE!
HOW ON EARTH SHE MANAGED TO GET THEM TO SHOW THE WRITING OFF LIKE THIS I WILL NEVER KNOW...PERSONALLY I THINK MEL IS REALLY GOOD AT PHOTOGRAPHY. MAYBE SHE SHOULD TAKE THAT UP IN HER SPARE TIME, LOL
ADORABLE!!!
SAM WAS WILLING TO POSE ALONE, BUT LUKE WAS DONE, LOL
PART OF THE ROOM...BLURRY, AND YES THAT'S ME IN THE MIRROR, LOL. THE CHANGING PAD FIT PERFECTLY YAY!!
CAN'T REALLY SEE THE LITTLE MOBILE SHE GOT HERE BUT IT'S SUPER CUTE. AND THE BANNER LOOKED WAY CUTER THEN I THOUGHT I WOULD, LOL
LITTLE DRESSES ON DISPLAY CAME OUT PRETTY CUTE!
THE SUNLIGHT FLOODS THROUGH THESE GORGEOUS FLOOR LENGTH RUFFLED SHEER CURTAINS PRETTY MUCH ALL DAY SO IT WAS HARD TO GET A GOOD PIC. BUT YOU GET IDEA. AND THE DARK STRIPE IS WHAT GRANDPA PAINTED. LOVED THE WAY THIS CAME OUT
Sorry this was soo long if you are still with me....You have no idea how long it took me to narrow it down to just these however, lol. I promise they will be shorter in the future!