Movin and a Shakin

Since Molly was born, we've had a lot going on! Josh retired as a Staff Sgt from the Air Force and so we left Barksdale AFB and headed back to his hometown in Oklahoma. (Although, we will be heading back to Shreveport in a few weeks for my college graduation!) We moved into our new home about two weeks ago and finally have almost everything set up. Between Josh starting a new job, me finishing school online, taking care of Miss Molly and getting the house unpacked you could say we've had our hands full! 

We love, love our new home...it's so nice to live not in military housing! I'll post pictures once we put the finishing touches on (: 

On Thursday, our girl will be TWO MONTHS OLD! I can't believe how fast the time has flown by. She's really changing a lot now. She's starting to make a lot more noises, enjoys playing in her giggle garden and LOVES to eat. She could (and does!) eat all day long. And that hair? Well it just keeps on growing! She hasn't lost any at all! She's also an awesome sleeper! The past 4 nights she's slept 5 hours straight, woke up, ate and then slept 3 more! I hope this sleeping pattern sticks (:  She really is such a good baby, we're very blessed.

At two months, Molly dislikes baths, anything on her head and waiting over 10 seconds for her bottle to be made (lol).

She loves cuddling, rides in the car, walks, music, bottles, her bouncer chair, her giggle garden and smiling. 

Here are some photos I took of our sweet baby girl to celebrate 2 months (Notice that once the headband and tutu came off she was all smiles lol) :

 

We're excited for all that is to come in the next chapter of our life in Oklahoma! 

First Time For Everything

When you're 2 and a half weeks old, everyday is something new! 

Since Mommy and Daddy took me home from the hospital, we've been spending lots of time snuggling...

Mommy likes to hold me real tight, which I seem to like too..

Daddy lets me stretch out on his legs, which feels so good!

Especially since my parents like to keep me wrapped up like a glow worm at night....

I also had my first sponge bath at home, I cried at first cause it was a bit scary! But now I'm getting more used to my baths!

We also went on our first family outing! We went to the grocery store and I slept the whole time (: 

I also got to try out my first paci! I'm not a big fan yet, maybe one day!

Mommy and Daddy also took me to the doctor's office. They got all excited when they found out I had gained 15 ounces in just a week and grew .5 inches! The doctor was pretty impressed!

But I do enjoy eating! Sometimes I like to eat every hour...especially at night when my parents are sleeping, but look how cute my baby belly is!

I also am really starting to kick my baby toes and legs around!

And I like to hold my sweet hands together when I relax...

When we're not busy snuggling during the day, my parents take me for walks around the neighborhood. I am really content in my car seat and usually snooze as we stroll down the street.

Life is just great! I couldn't have two parents that loved me more than mine do (:

Blessed Days

I could sit and stare at our girl for hours (oh wait,  I do!)...Even though she's getting her newborn photos taken this week I thought I'd share with you who we are blessed to spend our days with..

"Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad."

"Motherhood, all love begins and ends there."

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bank balance smaller, home happier, clothes dirty, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for."

Molly, you are the love of our life. 

Molly's Birth Story

On February 11, 2013 our hearts became a whole lot fuller and our lives a whole lot sweeter...

Molly's Birth Story:

At our 38 week appointment, our OB/GYN scheduled to induce labor at 39 weeks. We were so excited that we finally knew when our girl would arrive! The days leading up to her birth we spent cleaning our home and going out on our last date for awhile. On Sunday, Feb. 10 I was scheduled to arrive at labor and delivery at midnight (so technically the 11th).

My mom came into town around 4 p.m. on Sunday and took Josh and I out to dinner before we headed to the hospital. We were all a bit anxious about the induction, but thrilled to meet Molly. I felt really, really good before going into the hospital and was hoping the induction would go smoothly. 

On our way to the hospital!

When we arrived at the hospital, I was hooked up to a machine to monitor my contractions and our heartbeats. I was only 1.5 cm dilated and told that Molly's head was nice and low. At 12:50 a.m. I was given the first dose of a medication to soften my cervix. I was then given an ambien to help me sleep. At 5 a.m. I was awakened to shower and then given another dose of the cervix softening medication. The monitor was picking up light contractions, however I couldn't feel them significantly.

We were all hoping that I would start to soften, have my water broken and then contract enough on my own to not have to have Pitocin. However, things didn't go so smoothly.

At 8:54 a.m. I was around 3 cm. dilated and my doctor came in to break my water. Once this happened they also hooked me up to Pitocin. I started having really, really strong contractions. I was contracting enough on my own that I was taken off of Pitocin, but my contractions were still incredibly painful. At only 3 cm. dilated I had established a very strong pattern. 

When they offered the epidural, they couldn't give it to me fast enough. They then re-started giving me Pitocin, but again had to turn it off. By this point, I was very out of it, sick to my stomach and I knew things were not right. The nurse kept having me switch from side to side. It appeared that she was having trouble monitoring Molly. She moved the fetal doppler around a lot, until finally the doctor came in and looked at the monitor. They then told me Molly was in distress and they would have to do a emergency c-section immediately.

Josh quickly informed our families and I was rushed to the OR. They removed the first epidural and gave me a spinal epidural. I was prepped for surgery and quickly accompanied by Josh. I remember hearing them call out the time of 11:30 when the surgery began. At 11:43 a.m. Molly Emma Wheeler was born. When I first heard her cry, my heart was filled with relief and love.Our doctor told us that Molly's cord had been wrapped around her head and body, Josh also saw this during the surgery. The doctor said it could have turned into a very bad situation, had intervention not taken place. 

She was immediately taken away by the nurses and Josh followed them. She weighed 6 lbs. at birth and measured 18.5 inches. 

One of the nurses let Josh carry her back into our L&D room, where most of our families were waiting.

I joined them a few minutes later and finally got to lay my eyes on our sweet girl. I loved her from the moment I saw her. Unfortunately, I was so out of it from all the medication on top of the anti-naseau medication I'd been given during surgery that I could hardly keep my eyes open. It was the most painful feeling to want to be able to sit there and stare at my girl, when I couldn't even function. They took Molly to post-partum to be cleaned up and put under the incubator and I slept for awhile. 

Later, I was taken to my post-partum room and eventually reunited with my girl. She is so tiny and so perfect, I can't imagine life without her. 

We spent 4 days in the hospital and it's been a painful recovery, although everyday I am feeling a little bit better. The good news is, Molly is doing FABULOUS despite her traumatic experience. She aced all her tests and has gotten great reviews from her pediatrician. 

We got to take her home on Valentine's Day, which I will always remember. She is a blessing from God and the best Valentine I could ever ask for. 

I can't thank my husband and my mom enough for being my caretakers throughout this. Now that we're home, we're focused on recovering and just enjoying our sweet baby girl.

As the days pass, the trauma of the situation seems to become more vague, but I will always remember my husband rushing up to me after surgery and saying, "isn't she the best thing that could ever happen to us," and she really, really is. We love you Molly, you are our hearts.

Waiting for Molly

We can't believe our due date is only 2 weeks away! As we wait for Molly to arrive, we've been staying pretty busy. 

Josh's squadron threw us a "Pamper Party" for Molly in conjunction with a retirement party for Josh. 

They cooked out for us and showered us with lots of wonderful presents for our Molly.

We are overwhelmed by all the love and support we have received for our girl. We can't thank everyone enough!

They also presented Josh with lots of kind words and memorabilia about his hard work and dedication for his service. We are so proud at how Josh has excelled at his job and are excited to see what the future holds!

We also celebrated Mardi Gras this past weekend with my sister, brother-in-law and nieces! We loved getting to see them and had so much fun at the float preview event and the parade for the Krewe of Centaur.

 

Now, we'll continue to wait until our sweet girl decides to make her arrival into this big world! (: