A quick overview of the day . . .

Chad and I took Molly Kate for an Upper GI in the morning.  Here they are waiting  –

Molly Kate did great waititng!  The worst part of the test is that they can’t eat for 4 plus hours before the test.  Her test was at 9:30, so she needed to eat at 5:00am.  So I woke her up and she ate.  Then at 7:30 she woke up crying — oh NO!  Thankfully my mom was able to rock her back to sleep until we got to her test and had to put on her hospital gown.  It was no fun from then on.  Anyways, they did her Upper GI and found that she had severe reflux.  We are so thankful she didn’t have any other problems!  We are talking with our pediatrician today to see what is best for our Miss Priss.

Then, we went to visit Labor and Delivery and show off our little angel.  Plus, my friend Jennifer was going to help me get Miss Priss situated in her Peanut Shell sling.  I always feel like I am doing it wrong!  The doubts of a mama!!! 

Molly Kate and I actually wore coordinating outfits without knowing it.  We both thought terry cloth would be cool and comfy!!!

She took a fabulous nap and Charlie “rested” for 2 hours, so mom and I worked on my closet -sorting out maternity clothes and such.  Also attempting to find something that fits – discouraging, but I have a few things that work so you will see lots of the same outfits on me over the next few weeks (months???)

Then we went to church.  The kids wore matching outfits from my friend Michelle.  So cute — Of course Molly didn’t cooperate (do you see a theme?)

Big Brother trying to kiss it and make it better!

Can you tell Charlie loves his little sister?????

Church dinner went well.  My sweet friend Mrs. Lynne loved on MK through dinner so mom and I both got to eat!  Then we went upstairs to hear the Senior High Choir performance from their Mission Tour.  As soon as we got upstairs and sat down – MK woke up as if she were starving so I left to nurse her.  I was thankful that the service was playing in the nursing room, because I really didn’t want to miss it!!!  We thought Charlie would have enjoyed the performance, but by the time I got to the Sanctuary, Chad had taken him out! 

After the service, Chad wanted to take us to a new ice cream shop on the square.  On our way out, I stopped to talk to friends for 2 minutes while Charlie played with their kiddos.  Next thing I know – Charlie is puking everywhere.  He went to spit his gum out in mom’s hand and gagged and well- you can just imagine the mess.  We are all laughing so hard (great mom, I know) and get it cleaned up after I caught a handful!  Then Charlie starts taking off his pants – WHAT in the WORLD???  He had teeteed a bit (like 2 drops) in his underwear and wanted them off.   Oh my gosh — how embarrassing.  All I could do was laugh and try to escape the gym without much more of a scene. 

At this point, Charlie was hungry for sure -haha!  We went to the ice cream shop and we all had ice cream.  I needed it for my nerves.  I secretly pretended it was liquor -jk!!! 

Here are a few pictures of our family after our WackyWednesday!

Our little man, with just a bit more sugar!

What a good man!

and we’ll close with Molly Kate’s beautiful blue eyes

Molly Kate is 3 weeks, 3 days today and Charlie is 3 years and 3 months old!  Today at Bible Study, Beth Moore shared the significance of 3s.  I know this isn’t what she meant, but I had to share anyways!!!

 

and yes – this is the best photo I have of them together from the 4th – if MK is awake that is probably what you will see her doing unless she is held and bounced in a certain way (which makes pictures difficult and just about anything else for the matter)

Thanks for all the prayers and words of wisdom yesterday friends!  We had a really rough day with Miss Priss.  If she was awake, she was SCREAMING (think velociraptor).  She was so tired, but as soon as she would fall asleep, she would wake up screaming.  It was heartbreaking.  I even put her in the car and took her for a drive at 11pm (I know the neighbors were wondering what I was doing).  When I strapped her in the carseat, I could see it was truly reflux.  Her little body would relax and then you could see her gag and make an awful face and then the crying started back.  The ride didn’t help, but finally at midnight she sacked out for the night and slept until 8:30 (she nursed once during that time, but she is a quick eater – part of her reflux problem)! 

I called my pediatrician this am with the intention of BEGGING for zantac if I had to.  The Lord was so gracious and they called it in immediately and MK had her first dose at 12:30 and is taking her second peaceful nap since then!!  Praise the Lord!!!  She went to sleep both times without nursing to sleep – another answered prayer!  Our family is praying for a more peaceful evening tonight!  Besides, we have lots to do – we are going on our first road trip after Chad gets off work tomorrow!! 

As a precaution, Molly Kate has an upper GI on Wednesday morning just to rule out any problems.  We are praying it goes well and believe it will.  I’ll keep you updated!

Well, since both my babies are asleep – I better get my projects done just in case tonight is a wash!!!

There is nothing like a newborn, to make you dream, even lust, for sleep!  I definitely am not complaining though, because most nights MK does great!!!  She goes 3 -5 hour stretches, nurses, and goes right back to sleep!  Last night was no exception — until . . ..

MK was down at 10, up at 1am and then right back to sleep.   (Side note- Charlie woke up crying at 1:30 – so I got in bed with him for about an hour).  Same thing at 4 am.  I went to throw away a teetee diaper after I got her settled in the cradle and noticed it had ants on it!  Ugh, there were ants all over the diaper, my water glass (which I had just been drinking out of), her gripe water, Mylicon drops, burp cloth – EVERYTHING!!  I mangage to get everything to the bathroom and all the ants destroyed and go to collapse into bed, when I see the most awful thing in the crib — MK is projectile spitting up.  It was a doozie, if I had been worried about how much milk she was getting – I can now rest assured that she is taking a lot!!  I yell for Chad to help as I grab her up.  He, being the world’s hardest sleeper, comes to my rescue and begins unrolling blankets and throwing them on the spit up – like that is going to help!!  Bless his heart.  ( he intended to just lay her back down)  This morning he couldn’t remember any of it.  He walked MK around and got her back to sleep while I cleaned up her bed.  We ended up putting her in the Moses basket between us in bed, with the head propped up.  She was up hungry just a few minutes later, but after that she slept until 8:30 – poor baby!

Charlie had reflux as a little guy and we were just talking to the Doctor yesterday and it looks like we are headed down the same path!

Molly Kate’s First Sunday at Church! She was 9 days old!  (She did great and slept through the whole service!)

A Father’s Day attempt at a Family Photo ( we have a bunch more that look just like this one).  Can you tell someone is adjusting (some days better than others)???

So, now you know why so few photos have Charlie – he just won’t cooperate (most of the time)!!!  and apparently she wouldn’t for this picture either!

Since Sunday – What we have been up to . . .

Monday – we went to Bible Study at church, out to lunch, and Publix (way too much fun for one day)

Tuesday – Mama came to play for the day.  We went to Pops Party Place for a play date with all of our church friends and most importantly — Ruby and MollyKate had their first play date!

Can’t you tell they loved it??? (they both slept the whole 2 hours)

Then Mama took us to lunch at Ruby Tuesdays – so yummy!   We came home and played with MK while Charlie took his nap!

Here are a couple of pictures we took -

I think we have another thumb sucker on our hands!  She refuses all pacifiers and GAGs loudly over the use of one!

Wednesday – We stayed home all day for the first time since being on our own.  It was a tough day to start on since Chad was gone over 12 hours.  I also ran a low grade fever all day (don’t know why – I am good to go today).  I was so thankful to see Chad when he got home I could have cried.  Of course, at that point I had both babies asleep and the house cleaned!  He knew it had been a tough day and had a dozen roses for me and the sweetest card.  What a thoughtful man!!!

Thursday – Today my cousin Kelly and her 2 little boys came to visit!  We had the best time and unfortunately never got a picture of the kids together!!  Oops!  I sure wish they lived closer.  Kelly is the closest thing I have to a sister and we have the best time together!  Too bad we are over 2 hours apart!  Maybe someday . . .

We have been so blessed by the outpouring of love and yummy MEALS from our church family!!  It has been such a blessing.  I have gotten to spend my time recovering and loving on the wonderful gifts from God named Chad, Charlie, and Molly Kate! 

My family is so good to me!   They all know that Labor earned its name for a reason and have showered not only Molly Kate with gifts, but me! 

My sweet mom brought me my gifts when she came to visit right before Molly Kate arrived.  She had gotten me a monogrammed bag with lots of goodies inside. 

Here is my bag —

so fabulous and BIG — a perfect bag for a MAMA!!!

In the bag was this robe –

 with a matching headband and slippers, and even the softest matching socks!!  The theme was definitely PINK!  She also had some delicious Pink flavored bath wash and Rosemary Mint Hand Sanitizing Wipes (which Chad is addicted to). 

Then, my in-laws had given me a wonderful and tranquil bath set the night before I went to the hospital.  So encouraging to have in-laws that love you!  Then after MK was born, I opened another present from them – -  a Pandora Charm bracelet with a baby bootie charm!

It even has a pink stone!  My mother in law said they were going to get the blue one for Charlie!!   I love it!  I have had it on since she was born!!!  What a precious reminder of a glorious day!!

My husband gave me the most wonderful gift.  Chad is always so good with gifts and surprising me with the most thoughtful things.  He did great again this time!  He got me a semi-precious stone bracelet with both by babies’s name!  Here is a picture of one similar –

What a lucky  blessed girl I am!

If this doesn’t make you smile, what would???

Yesterday we had pictures made for Miss Molly Kate.  Go to the Honey Bee website and check them out

Click Here

Can’t wait to see more . . .

Sorry it took a few extra days — Can’t imgaine why!!! hehe

Dr. Bowie arrived in the room sometime after 10:15/10:25.  The nurses completed prepping the bed and me for delivery.  Next thing, I know it is time to push!  I am apparently not the best “pusher” since the nurses thought it would be faster.  Still, I pushed through several contractions and then I got to see this . . .

The Doctor joked that I was going to laugh the baby out.  It was such a joyful experience.  I feel so blessed to have had such a fabulous delivery and to look back with such fondness.  Charlie’s labor was over 24 hours, with over an hour and half of pushing.  It was absolutely exhausting.  I remember crying to Chad I just couldn’t do it anymore.  It was worth all the hard work to get him here, but whew – it was tough.  I sure didn’t look like this after his birth . . .

I just couldn’t believe she was here and absolutely perfect.  It was a perfect moment!

Here she is with her proud papa –

(see why her Daddy thought she had curly hair)

Molly Kathryn Cottle, born 10:38 am June 12, 2009

7 pounds, 12 ounces and 21 inches long

After they got Molly Kate and I cleaned up, our family got to come in and meet our newest addition.  Here is our first family picture -

Molly Kate got to meet and love on each of her family members.  After a few photo opportunities, the family went to get some lunch while MK had her first meal.  Then, Chad and Charlie took Molly Kate to the nursery for her first bath, while they got me up and freshened up and moved to my Recovery Closet Room! 

Here are a couple of pictures of Charlie helping with Molly Kate’s bath . . .

We had the best experience at West Georgia Medical.  I could just go on and on about 0ur wonderful care.  I have never been treated with such kindness from the Tech in Labor and Delivery who waited so patiently for me to teetee to my Diet Hostess who never fussed that I always had outside food and never touched my hospital food.  Everyone was so kind and knowledgeable.  The nurses prepared me to go home.   We were blessed by the staff.  I could name each nurse/tech/doctor/etc. and have so many kind things to say about the care they offered me and my precious baby girl!!

I had planned to chronicle more of our time at the hospital, but I am getting behind sharing pictures and stories of our life.

I think I could change the title of my blog to – - Chad and Kate plus 1/4 of Eight!

I am going to try and chronicle the weekend (mainly for my keepsake).  Here goes nothing . . .

PART 1

I’ll start where we left off Thursday morning.   Thursday afternoon I snuck a nap with Charlie.  Chad had been at the Braves game with the youth all day!  When he got home we had a good steak dinner at Longhorns – yummy!  My sweet Mother In Law got to the house at 10 and by mindnight I was asleep.  Until 2:30 and that was about all the sleep I was going to get.  I was just too excited. 

We were up and at ‘em by 4:45am!  We made a quick stop by McDonalds for breakfast and coffee for Chad and my beloved daily COKE!    All morning long my dear friend Cindy and I had been texting because she was getting induced too.  I had lots of last minute questions and so did she!  Anyways, we checked into the ER together and had side by side Labor and Delivery rooms.   Cindy is one of the sweetest girls I know and it made the day even more special for us to share it together.  Last Thanksgiving we had a miscarriage at the same time and then June 12th the Lord blessed us both with healthy and beautiful baby girls.  Our due dates were 1 day apart and there was lots of guessing and even some betting by our friends as to who would arrive first!  Here is a picture of us together – I know our church family enjoyed visiting at the hospital because they could see both of us in one visit!! 

Anyways, back to the day . . .

We got admitted to the hospital about 6:30 am. 

 By 7:30,  I was hooked up to the IV and my pitocin had started.  I had the most wonderful nurse named Jennifer.  I could just cry thinking about how wonderful she was.  She checked me and I thought I was going to die from the pain.  (if you have had a baby you know what I mean)   She couldn’t believe how low the baby was and she was sure I would have a baby by lunch.  She also said I was having lots of good contractions before they started the pitocin!  I laughed, recalling my all day experience with Charlie.  At a little before 8 am, Dr. Bowie came in and broke my water.  At that point I was already 6 cm dilated.   They told me if I wanted an epidural then I needed to go ahead and get it.  I had really struggled with the decision to get an epidural with Charlie, but this time I really wanted to enjoy it so I had decided to get one.  The anesthesiologist came right in and gave me the epidural.  It was scary, but so worth it!!!  After my epidural was good to go, my nurse checked me again and I was 7 or 8 cm dilated.  (That was probably 8:30 ish). 

Around 9 am, my precious nurse Jennifer checked me again and said I was 9 and had me sit up a little bit just to speed things up.  We called my parents and told them to hurry if they were going to make it!

At around 9:45 am, Grammy arrived with Charlie.  Papa was already in the room with us.  My parents and G.G. Dolly came.  We were going to rendevouz in the Labor and Delivery Room so that Charlie could say “hi” and then G.G. Dolly was going to take him home while the parents waited for MK’s arrival. 

A last kiss goodbye from Charlie Bell!

A good luck hug and kiss from Mama

Chad and his precious mama with me

Then, my nurse Jennifer came in to check me.  I think it was sometime around 10:15.  She said “something” just made her feel the need to come in and check me.  She did and said, “Keep your legs together and do NOT push.  This baby is about to come out!”.  She went for the doctor immediately and for the extra nurses.  Chad called my mom to tell them to not leave the hospital and for her to come back in.  We surprised her with letting her stay for the delivery!  Jennifer said normally they would start to break the bed down into a delivery bed, but she was afraid she would have to catch! 

Here are the nurses getting everything ready! 

Dr. Bowie arrived within just a few minutes and . . .

Stay tuned until tomorrow for the rest of the story!!!