Better late than never

My mom bought hand print ornament kits for the kids this year and I had full intentions of getting these done before Christmas, but at least I got them made this year :) Good thing since the boys hands almost didn't fit the mold, ha! I think they came out cute...

first bath

Audrey had her first bath tonight. She hates to be naked and cold, so needless to say she screamed almost the entire time. I had even put a space heater in the bathroom to get it nice and toasty, and it still didn't soothe her. The boys had their baths too and then we all sat in Audrey's room and read a few books.

1 week

at 1 week Audrey is:

- nursing every 3-4 hours

- sleeping most of the day and crying to be fed when she is awake

- does not like to be cold or undressed. HATES cold wipes. I have never used a wipe warmer and have been pretty against them, but I may have to get one for her prissy little bottom :)

-appears to be getting fuller. I imagine her weigh in on Friday will be good and the doctor will be happy (she went from 7 lbs 9 oz to 6 lbs 11 oz...losing 9% of her birth weight)

-is wearing NB diapers and clothes, but I don't foresee that lasting long...they are a perfect fit right now.

- makes the sweetest coos and noises. She most certainly sounds like a little girl :)

- seems to be upset if I eat or drink caffeine, but so far everything else has been OK.

- celebrated her 1st Christmas and first snow...all in the same day.

- does well in the swing, but isn't real sure about the bouncy seat just yet.

We are just beside ourselves in love with her and so is Owen. He loves and kisses on her and asks to hold her all the time. Both he and Ben hate it when she cries and they get very upset. Owen tells me if he hears her before I do; he has been such a good little helper. Ben is warming up to her and he actually came over and kissed her on the forehead today. So sweet! I know she'll be loved and protected by her big brothers!

coming home

Owen McNeal- November 7, 2006
7lbs 15 oz

Ben Bradford- July 9, 2008
6 lbs 7 oz

Audrey Kate- December 20, 2010
7 lbs 9 oz
My beautiful babies :)



(When I have more time, I'll write about Audrey's birthday and our Christmas at home with our 3 wonderful children.)

Baby Audrey's birth day

When we first calculated the days and realized I was due on Christmas weekend, I immediately asked my doctor if this pregnancy went well and it was favorable to be induced, could we do that before Christmas. Once I made it to 36 weeks, we went ahead and stared discussing it and she she scheduled an induction for December 20th.... and thank goodness, since we were snowed in Christmas weekend!

and the story goes.....
(I'll proofread later...I'm doing this one handed...)

A friend of mine who is a L & D nurse at our hospital offered to change her shift and work the morning I was coming in, so she could be my nurse and deliver Audrey. I felt so at peace knowing she and my doctor would be there. Kathy was great! She had already started the paperwork, had the room ready and only had me come in 1 hr early rather than 2, so we didn't have to be at the hospital until 6 rather than 5.

Once we arrived at the hospital, Danny dropped me off at the visitors entrance and I walked down the long hallway to the elevator (this is so different than going through the emergency entrance and be wheeled up while you're in labor. It felt very strange to me since both boys came when they were ready...) When I got to L&D, Kathy was there to meet me and we started getting everything filled out, blood work done and she started to monitor me and the baby. She said I was already having contractions, which made me feel better about having an induction.

At 7am we started the Pitocin(sp?) and about an hour later, I was starting to really feel the contractions get stronger and stronger and closer together. Pretty much after the contractions got intense and closer together, I was ready for some drugs! I had thought about going natural and was waiting to see how I felt, but once I about ate the bar on the side of the bed, I quickly decided that I did not have to be in that much pain...I have done that before and this time I wanted to be comfortable.

Once the anesthesiologist and her aid got there and we got the paperwork filled out and she prepped me, I was so ready to be out of pain. Once they gave me the epidural, I kept hoping after every contraction that the pain would subside, but it never did. I was numb on my left side, but still feeling every bit of pain on the right. They had me lay on my side and nothing happened (I should mention I have a slight curve in my spine and this may have affected it). They decided to take it out and reposition it and after 15 mins, still no relief. They started saying things I didn't understand and the next thing I know, they've given me a spinal and I am numb from the belly down. I felt like dead weight and had no control of my legs and no feeling at all!

Before I got the spinal, I was already 7 cm and very little cervix was left. Kathy was afraid she wouldn't be able to stop me from pushing, so she called my doctor and Danny called my mom to head to the hospital. Since the Spinal took, I was able to wait on them both to arrive and a little after noon, I started to push.

I was having a hard time knowing if I was pushing since I couldn't feel anything, but the doctor and nurse assured me I was. Kathy was a great coach and both her and my doctor kept calm and focused, which helped.

When Audrey started to come out, Kathy said, "It looks like she doesn't have any hair." I was shocked, all my babies have hair. Next thing you know, my doctor starts saying she coming out brow first, "Brow Presentation." I didn't really know what this meant until I came home and googled it, I'm kinda glad though. My doctor and Kathy both kept their cool, but it seems as though when babies are coming out face up/face first, that they generally result in an emergancy c-section or women push for hours and there can be serious complications for both mom and the baby. Thankfully, in all my numbness, I was able to push and push hard enough to get her out in 20 mins. Audrey was pretty bruised on her nose and forehead, but other than that, no other complications. I was pretty sore once all the medicine wore off. The doctor was trying to rotate the baby and I think this along with her being face up, caused for a good amount of tearing and well a few other things that may TMI:) Lets just say, thanks for Tucks and Epifoam! Oh, and about the hair.... Audrey has a head full and is ready for bows :)

I am so lucky everything went well and Audrey was ready to come when she did. I know with inductions anything is possible and things could have been a lot different. I am also glad we didn't have to brave the snow or worry about being in the hospital on Christmas.



Welcome sweet Audrey Kate!

Monday, December 20, 2010 at 12:33 pm. 7 lbs 9 oz and 19 1/4 inches long

37 weeks 4 days

She's still baking....

I am still 1 cm and 80% effaced. My doctor and I talked about an induction, so if Audrey doesn't come on her on this week, we hopefully will be meeting her on December 20th. I really don't want to have an induction, but I also don't want to chance going into labor on Christmas.

I have also been battling a cough over the past few weeks, so my doctor decided to treat me for Pertussis. She didn't test me for it, but went ahead and prescribed a Z-pack and cough syrup. It did help me to at least get a nights rest. They are vaccinating postpartum patients in the hospital too. I guess it's making a come back and they suggest anyone who will be in contact with infants to have the booster.

Just for comparison, here is a picture at 37 weeks 2 days with Ben... He was born 5 days later.

Dr.s Apt

At 36 weeks and 4 days, I am 1cm, 80% effaced, and -1 station (she could feel the baby's head, which was a good sign)....

Dr. said I must have had a good Thanksgiving by the looks of my weight gain... geesh! Mom and her chocolate pies!

The doctor I saw also mentioned that with my previous labor only being 3 hours, that I should go ahead and call them if I have contractions anywhere from 7-8 mins apart....I was kinda thinking this myself since we barely made it to the hospital last time.

Come on baby Audrey, let's make your debut before Santa comes!

Message from Santa

Santa left a little message in my inbox for Owen :)




He loved it and started picking his toys up right away :)

Nursery Progress

Her laundry is washed and put away (well, the Newborn and 0-3 month clothes), Boppy is covered in pink, all of Ben's clothes are now in Owen's room, and other than packing a hospital bag and installing the car seat, I think we are ready.

Just a few

Waiting on Daddy to come home from work...
Super cool little dude...
Sunday cuddle time on the couch...

Showered with more PINK:)

On Sunday, two of my girlfriends from high school hosted a beautiful and fun shower for me and Audrey. Several of my family members, family friends and some of the girls I went to school with came to celebrate. It was the perfect afternoon! I bet Heather was ready to have her house back in order and to get some time to herself'... since most of us lingered around an hour after the shower was over.

Me, Leslie, and Heather

Heather's mom made this yummy pound cake...

Delicious punch and snacks...

Gifts for Audrey.... She is already soooooo spoiled!


Audrey's first knit hat and flower :)

Monogrammed towel and wash cloth...

A few handmade gifts....

Shirt and little bird rattle made my Deedie (who painted the dino pics for Owen.)

Handmade blanket from Sandra

We received diapers, wipes, toiletries, detergent, a photo album, clothes, blankets, bath towels, girlie toys, a play mat, and lots of adorable pink clothes. Now, all I need is the motivation and energy to finish the nursery, wash her clothes and prepare Ben for the BIG MOVE to Owen's room.

(and yes, this is the same dress I wore to my last shower. I bought one dress for this pregnancy, so it's the one I have to wear to everything.... it's not even very flattering. My friend Becca took a picture, that I will not share, where I looked like the side of a barn..! )

Owen turns 4

A super fun birthday party at The Little Gym, birthday dinner and fried ice cream at Papas and Beer, homemade pumpkin muffins and lots of presents... a sure fire way to make one little guy feel special on his 4th birthday!

Owen turns three
Owen turns two
Owen turns one

Trick-or-Treat 2010

We had a fun night trick-or-treating with the kids this year. There were just a hand full of houses that participated and since we live on the side of a hill, it was probably for the best! Owen had a hard time getting around in his costume and we wanted to get back to pass out candy too, so we were only out for about an hour.

Ben was adorable! He would go to the doors and knock and would say, "Knock Knock, hello." He would hold on tight to a candy bar and then switch it at the next house for another one. This meant he didn't come home with a ton of candy, which was a good thing!

Owen was a hit in his homemade costume. Kids and neighbors loved it! He had his picture taken at many of the houses we went to. Poor guy though was not down with the head piece and the shoe covers made it a little hard for him to walk, so when we took those off and just put on the head piece when we got to a house, he was a much better sport. (I'm thinking we could have spray painted a cheap pair of shoes and that would have worked better.) Regardless, he seemed to love his costume and has already planned what he wants to be next year... a nail and Ben is to be a hammer. Ha!

Owen is already asking me how many weeks until Halloween. 52 my friend, 52!