Released and Readmitted

We were released on Wednesday from the hospital. That morning we were told that her juandice level was a little high. But, by the afternoon they released us. We were just told to come back the next morning to be tested again.
Thursday morning comes and we are back at the doctor. When her results came in they were off the chart. Her level was at 19 where 20 should be the highest. We were immediately admitted and tears just starting pouring from me. We had just been released and here we are back again.
It took until Saturday for her to be released for the second time. This time she got to come home with a light. She looked like a glow worm for the next 6 days. Every day between then we had to go get tested every morning. Her levels would come down and then go back up. With the lowest being 11.7 before he would clear her.
WOW, what a first two weeks of life.

First Photo Shoot

WOW! What a process this was. First, her dress was a newborn size and it completely swallowed her. Then of course I wanted that perfect picture. I just wanted her eyes to stay open long enough to get that picture. It took 5 of us to make that happen. Then she looked like she weighed 10lbs. I have to say it was a long process with not to thrilling results. But, it was her official hospital picture, so I have to love it.

Day 1 of life

This was a fun day because I couldn't wait to dress Riley Grace in her cute clothes. Then I realized everything I have is too big for her. The bets were in that she would be 8-10lbs. She came out 6lbs 7oz. I didn't care I was still going to put her in the cute pink clothes.

It was also my first day to breast feed. It was harder than I thought it would be. It is nothing like you may see of TV. You have to work for the results. I was determined in my mind to make it work. Throughout the first day we had many friends and family come to visit. The flowers everyone sent were beginning to over crowd the room. I loved all the company and all the flowers. I am so lucky to have these people in my life. Riley Grace even got daises from my friend in South Carolina. Then her Auntie Lauren gave her the official Alabama smocked dress.

Meet the Fan Club

Our room was located at the end of the hall. So, when the nurse released the hounds (friends and family), it was a race to get to Riley Grace. How do I know that? The sound of my sisters high heel shoes explains it. I warned Riley Grace that her world would never be empty.

Hospital

Starting at 1030a the labor process began. Family and friends had start to arrive for the big occasion. Everything was going wonderful and fast. It took 4 people to put an IV in me. I have such small veins and they were so swollen. Then the doctor broke my water. Can we say OLD FAITHFUL! I got my epidural fairly quickly. Since I was so dilated it didnt take me long to get to 4cm. There was no pain to that process. I quickly started to get numb from the waist down. It was around 330 that I became 10cm. It was time to start pushing. I had no idea pushing could take so long. I am talking a little over 2hrs. If I would have gone to 2 1/2 hrds they would have done a c section. There was no way I was wanting that. Her heart rate was dropping when I would push so I knew that was a factor in getting her out quickly. But, everything worked out and she entered this world at 5:29pm. The minute my life changed. I will leave the rest of the gorry childbirth details out. When she arrived she sounded like a little kitten.

Brian was completely involved from the time she got to see her head. I had never seen a man so involved with their child.

The Verdict

When we arrived to the doctor Ally was their to meet us. She had her iphone camera rolling and her digital camera around her neck. Your typical Chinese tourist. At this point we were not completely sure if I was in labor or not. I begged my doctor to let me have the baby that day. With everyone knowing now that I could be in labor, I could not disappoint them. There was no need for me to beg. I was 3cm dilated and 90% effaced. I was immediately rushed over to the hospital.

Riley Grace has arrived

I have a lot to write about. Riley Grace has made her entrance into this world. Lets start from the beginning.
Monday, April 12th
I woke up at 5am with little cramps. I laid there for an hour and fifteen minutes before I went into the other bedroom to wake Brian up. When I finally gave in and realized something different was going on with my body, I trotted myself into the other bedroom. Surprise, Brian was actually already awake. I sat by the bed and told him something was going on with my stomach and I thought I could be in labor. I went ahead and got my shower. A girl cant go to the hospital without looking good. Half way through the shower I didn't care what I looked like. I was ready to get out of their. We then started to the best of our ability to track the contractions. At one point I thought I may go to work because I wasn't positive I was in labor. I was saying that maybe I was just hungry. (I'm glad I never went into work) Finally, I told Brian he could call the doctor. Since my cramps weren't 5minutes apart I was told to wait until 930 to come in. At this point all of our immediate family had been contact just in case. With my mom working in Pascagoula we had to call because someone had to go pick her up. Dad got to go get her and I dont think the car could drive fast enough to please her. She had to get her. She was wonderful and calm when she arrived.