Our First Week

We have had a wonderful and tearful first few weeks with Presley Ann.  The first night was all that we expected, up every hour to eat and cry a little, before she would nuzzle down into our arms.  I knew that babies slept a lot, but this girl would have slept all day if I would have let her.  We went to Presley's pediatrician Dr. Steele about 5 days later and she had gain 4 ounces already, what a chunk!  I dread the two month check up because they informed us this is when they will get their first round of shots--ouch!

Todd went to Minneapolis this week and was gone for three nights, when he came home on Wednesday after midnight I was so glad to see him, I kissed him, and then looked him square in the eye and said, "Don't ever leave me with a two week old that long again."

We have realized that being a parent is hard work, it's not like we weren't aware of what would happen, but living it out is a different story.  The bad days have been greatly out numbered by the good days and watching her grow and change each day makes it all worth it.

It still strikes us when we look at her or put her down at night that she is all ours! We get to keep her forever!

First day: Bath, clean diaper, nap--not too bad

Momma and Presley trying on hair bows

Our friends the Gredell's---first visitors with dinner.

Introducing PJ to Presley---he is adjusting well

First doctors appointment--she had gain 4 ounces and was told she was extremely healthy

Visiting El Taco our favorite, but after a battle of soiled diapers and throwing up I don't think I will eat it again and nurse.

Presley LOVES bath time, I think it is because I took a bath every night when I was pregnant.

She looks so small in our big bed, but still takes up so much room.

Nana and Presley on Mother's Day

The new Bennett Family on Mother's Day

Momma and Presley. My first Mother's Day

Mom and me on Mother's Day

Green Grandma, me and Presley, and Brown Grandma on Mother's Day
Ma Bennett and Presley

Presley Ann Arrives

April 29th 2010 will now be a very special day in our home.  Presley Ann Bennett graced us with her arrival at 2:17 p.m.

Todd and I came to the hospital around 9 p.m. the night before to be induced with a cervical ripening agent.  I went from 0.5 cm, to 2.0 c.m within about 4 hours.  They decided to give me another dose of the ripening agent around 4 a.m. then the contractions began to get a little worse and I woke up Todd and told him I needed him to just hold my hand.  Turns out I needed a lot more than that, within the hour the contractions were so bad (5 in a row with no breaks and very high) I begged for an epidural that took about an hour and a half to get (I don't like waiting).

Once I got the epidural though I was a happy camper, I even offered to share my orange popsicle with Todd.  From 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. I moved from 4 cm to 8 cm, my WONDERFUL support nurses (Summer Azeez--Linda's daughter in-law, Kegan, and Kim) let me rest for about an hour and then I was at 10 cm +2 and ready to push.

I didn't know how I would do having Todd right there in my ear coaching and cheering, I never did picture him being the kind that turn it into a sporting event of sorts, but he was the best.  Telling me how impressed he was and what a good job I was doing.  Never once did he say anything along the lines of "I know this is bad" or "yah I feel the same way," he knew I was the only one that could feel this amount of pain and pressure to "birth" a child.

After three long, very tiring hours, we finally had our little girl!

Daddy Cut the cord and was so proud to do so!

7 lb. 2 oz. 20.5 in

Everyone has been telling Todd and I for months about how special this day is going to be and I feel that we knew good and well what was in store for us.  In all honesty I don't think we had any idea of how miraculous this would be.  I was so proud and in love the moment I saw her and the whole time I pushed, sweat, grunted, and just felt exhausted I kept going because I knew my little girl needed me to do so.

It still surprises me when I look at her to know that she is ours, that they are going to let us take her home when the week is over, and that she is the result of love, patience, and true bliss.

Bennett Family First Photo

April 29, 2010

Waiting.........

I went to the doctor on Tuesday and we have made no progress since last week....disappointing I know!  We only have to hang in till the 29th, Dr. Lehnert said if she does not come on her own that we will go in on Wednesday night for a cervical balloon, stay the night, and then start pitocin Thursday morning.  Though I did not plan to have the tail end of pregnancy so thoroughly planned out, I have come to accept that whatever is best for me and the baby will just have to be done.

This really makes me begin to wonder what kind of personality she is going to have.  Will she be a home body?  Stubborn?  Hard to get out of bed in the morning? Always late (like her mother)? I may be reading into it too much, but I feel like she has developed such a personality already I can't imagine how this isn't part of it as well.

Keep posted and no later than Friday the 30th we will have pictures and an update of lil' Missy!

We are Ready!

With only two weeks left we are so ready for this lil' girl.  I do not have a lot of patients when it comes to something that is really exciting, so these past few weeks have been torture!

However we finally finished the nursery. I was just waiting for all the final details to be nailed up. I love her little room and just sit in there sometimes rocking. It's so quiet and serene--that won't last long.

I found the bedding online and was able to then style the room around that. I have one final piece to hang up after her arrival--it's her initials, but we are waiting to reveal those initials.

The black and white paintings above her crib were done by Krista Mello my art teacher at Willard Central.  She did a great  job, I just said I want black and white, a little girl with a ponytail, and birds.  Ta da---two beautiful original paintings!

Keep posted for lil' missy's arrival---we will post pictures and an update when she arrives.

Crib and art work.

 

Todd put a really sweet baseball on top of her dresser and we have already started her piggy bank.  The Lazy-boy is super comfortable and I can't wait to rock and read books to her.

Daddy working on her bouncer.

April Showers bring April Babies

Thanks to fabulous friends and family this little girl is going to be set!  We have several showers over the next few weeks given by family, friends, and co-workers.  It is amazing the amount of love and support Todd and I feel with the much anticipated arrival of our first.

1st shower hosted by: Becky Crocker, Connie Snider, Momma, and Ashley Snider

The arrival may be sooner than later than we expected though, I went to my first weekly appointment today and was told that I was "effaced" and that she was head down-face down.  A good way to be, or so I am told.  The doctor said something along the lines of maybe about 3 more weeks which puts me about 2 weeks ahead of my due date.  Needless to say I went home and began packing a suitcase, I just don't want to be caught off guard!

Keep posted over the next few weeks, I plan on posting pictures of her nursery and more photos from our baby showers.

Liz Gredell was the hostess for my girlfriends shower

All my girlfriends

32 Weeks

Wow! We only have 8 weeks left, it has flown by. I feel like it was literally last month when I told everyone we were expecting that was August and this is March!


Todd and I made it through Lamaze and parenting class just fine. The cold afternoons made it easier for me to get up and go, but Todd still dreaded missing out on Sunday's. All in all we are glad that we went and feel just a little more prepared for the arrival of this baby. Todd and were sitting together the other night and we just sighed, we have 8 weeks left but there is something going on every Saturday for the next 6 weeks. It makes me a little nervous to think that the small amount of time we have left together will be devoured up with parties, family, and last minute errands. I guess this is what prepares you for the go go go lifestyle with babies.

Wish us well and keep posted for photos of our showers and the nursery!

26 Years

Today is my 26th birthday and I have celebrated all weekend, but there is one thing that I felt like I kept forgetting to celebrate. The fact that I have made it 7 months without any complications, I have had an extremely healthy pregnancy, and that I have a husband that grows just as eager everyday to meet this lil' girl.

Yes, turning 26 isn't quit the milestone. However, there is something to be said for how far I have come in these 26 years. I know I will look back on today and I say something along the lines of, "I was so young and naive of all that was to come." Either way this has been a spectacular birthday and I can't wait to celebrate the next one with a sweet lil' girl on my hip and my husband by my side.