Two Weeks Old

Well, everyone survived me going on my first trip since Reece was born. She was on her best behavior; and although I missed being at home with the girls, I distracted myself by taking my fly rod and fished the Boise River. Hopefully it goes that smoothly next time too. Hotter in Seattle than here. Crazy!!!

My Belly Button Fell Off

Her Favorite Sleeping Spot

One Week and Three Days Old

Yip, I'm Wrapped

0 for 7 At The Store

Maria made me a list of 7 items to get for Reece at the store. Items like diapers, socks that fit, a new hoodie and so forth. I have to return all of them. All the wrong size. I was just not meant for life in the checkout lane. (I know Michelle C. got that one) The Doc called today to say her jaundice was decreasing. Hopefully just 2 nights in the tanning bed. We will see manana. It is raining to the north, east, and west. Damn! Here is a shout out to cuz Shane! Sup?

They Call Me Mellow Yellow

In order to look good for the boys, she has to spend some time in the tanning salon. In medical speak, she has a high bilirubin count. A fairly common diagnosis in newborns having to do with her liver function that would probably go away on its own, but it could lead to worse things if left untreated. She will have to sleep in this "tanning bed" for 3 or 4 days along with a strip of lighted plastic that fits under her clothes which has to be plugged in all the time. The bottom line is they look yellow! It sure hasn't affected her attitude though. She is an easy going baby that only gets upset when she is hungry or just got pricked for more blood in her foot. Yes, she is my mellow yellow little girl whom I love more each day. Maria is doing a great job considering how much sleep she isn't getting, and I am doing great thanks to my mother-in-laws cooking.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!!! I love you!

Today is Grandpa's birthday, Happy Birthday!

Reece the Rain Maker

Yesterday we brought Reece home and she brought us the first significant rain in 2 months. I gotta have more babies. It was great to have so much family here at one time. We had a great time. If you ever forget how important family is, then have a kid. It brings out the best in everything. Anyhow, I wanted to get some more pics on here yesterday because she is changing fast! I couldn't find the cord to download pics from the camera to the computer, or my a$$ for that matter. It's a blur. BTW, IPhones are very cool, I have to get on sometime soon.

The Official Results Are In!

What we have here is a beautiful little girl with blue eyes, brown hair with auburn highlights. Sorry ya'll, she came out before any bets could be won or lost. Stacy my sister in law probably would have won. She guessed the correct morning (the actual due date). I blew her guess off big time, but I'm glad she was right. I was ready and didn't want to wait any longer. Maybe she is a future Southwest Airlines pilot, it's a little early to tell but she keeps on schedule. Also, SWA already knows about her. My friend Michelle made an announcement on a flight from Orlando to Birmingham. Thanks for all the calls, sorry I haven't had a chance to return very many but I will. We are looking forward to getting her home and introducing her to ya'll. More tomorrow. It actually might rain.

Holy S--t that was fast!

So after my ride we discovered that it wasn't gas, but contractions. At 11:30 the contractions were 5 minutes apart. So off we went to the hospital. They laughed at us and told us to go home, 0 dilation. She popped some pain pills and sleep aid but nothing doing. We decided to go back around 1:30 a.m. because contractions were increasing big time. Still no dilation, but we did have improvement with the cervix thinning. They gave her some demoral and sent us home and told us it would probably happen tomorrow. After just being home for 15 minutes we decided to go back for the 3rd time. Maria knew something just wasn't right. This time she was dilated at 3.5cm. I blinked and she was at 6cm and then 8cm. She said she was ready to push... yes push. It was perfect timing with the Doc rolling in. Things went really quickly until the baby decided it was still too humid outside. After a ton of pushing with no drugs (platelets too low) and a nifty little vacuum, out came 6lb 6oz. Reece Christine at 7:32 in the morning. If some of this doesn't make much sense, it is because I haven't slept in I don't know how long. Did I mention it was humid here?

Well, there goes the mucous plug!

The beginning of the beginning. Maria wanted me to read all these books, and I wanted to in my mind but not in reality. The little reading I did do, I understand is that every woman goes through something different during labor. That was enough self justification I needed (since I'm not a doctor nor trying to be one) that there was no way I would be prepared for this. Anyhow, I just came back from a bike ride (7:30 pm) in 100 degree heat and 105% humidity just in time to check out what a mucous plug looks like. I won't give any details, very scientific though. She called the doctor on duty, and lets just say I'm glad she is not our Doc. I think she nailed everything that wasn't going on with Maria. She is having what could be called menstrual cramps. What they really are... stay tuned! BTW, did I mention it is humid here? 9:45p.m. Good night.

Ladies and Gentelmen, Place Your Bets!

We might as well make things interesting while we wait. This is what we know right now. As of Monday there has been no dilation. We have a reservation Wednesday morning at the hospital for Hartley party of 3. The question is will she make it that far. $10 gets you in the game. You guess the day and time and gender as well, and the winner takes all. I'll get things started by guessing Sunday morning 11:11am and a boy. The honor system is in place, but if you don't want to play along then you can still guess and you can reply on the blogsite and all bets must be placed by Friday at noon. Just make sure you say if you are in or out. Game On!!!

Any Bets on When this Baby Will Arrive?

So we went to the doctor yesterday for Maria's 39 week appointment and expected to get induced today (Tuesday), but we had a change in plans! Since Maria hasn't dilated yet that is on hold (major bummer)! There's a higher chance of a c-section (70%) when the mother isn't dilated and gets induced. The actual due date is July 16th. Just 2 days away. So another appointment next Monday to see the progress! Maybe the baby will come on his/her own by then? Any bets on the day? My money is Friday night midnight!

Blogging! Who would have thought????

I figured this would be an easy way for everyone to checkout pics of Carson or Reece. I got the idea from our neighbor Kim.