Madelyn Ray

Wow, where to start... photos - I know you all want photos. Of course I couldn't just choose a couple :)

Who do you think she looks like?

We say a little of mom (nose, grandpa says mom's ears), and mostly dad.

Daddy is very proud and so in love :)

Thanks Aunt Jessie for giving everyone the details. We made it home late yesterday (Wed evening at about 7). Madelyn is a bit jaundice and they wanted to make sure it didn't progress through the day before we were allowed to leave. She has a wellness check on Friday and then again in 2 weeks (Nov. 25th - her due date:) just to see that she is eating and growing and getting along well in the world.

I got flowers that morning to celebrate my birthday- what a great husband!

Family photo: Hard to find one I was willing to post.

It's impossible to look good in a hospital!

Labor:

It was a surprise to find myself having a baby on my birthday, but what a great present! Really don' t know how it could be topped. With my waters breaking at 6 a.m., the nurses were making bets as to whether she would actually be born on my bday... no one expected 9 hours! They all thought late that night - early the next morning for a first time mommy, but Maddy had her own agenda. I was VERY surprised at how fast the day went and kept saying to the nurse - is it normal for so much pressure? They kept putting it off because there was "no way" I was ready to push... I think she may have even come a good 30-60 minutes earlier had someone thought I new what I was talking about. To there defense, I was giving some good IV drugs and was a little "high" :) Unfortunately, the epidural was only done just prior to "it's time to push" and that took hold more after she was out than during.

New to the world!

They are checking my palate. Speechie mommy was pleased daddy got this photo!

It was WAY colder here than on that warming table!

Now what?

Shaye was AMAZING (not that I expected anything else), but he was also very tired ;)

Aside from being sore, I am doing well. So far, I think it is true that you really do heal fast - the body really is amazing! I have to say that it is really a novelty eating and not being nauseous - I forgot what that was like!

Daisy: I think they're going to do just fine!

Daisy seems to be taking to Madelyn. She is very curious about her- sniffing at her every chance she gets and trying to give kisses, but Shaye and I are strongly discouraging this and she is minding. She spent last night following us in and out of Maddy's room and even checked on her a few times herself!

This shirt really says it all!

This hat was made for me by one of my mommy's teacher friends.

Home:

We had a somewhat rough first night. Madelyn seems to do best when being held and sleeps little otherwise (10-15 minute intervals). We are somewhat dismayed because she slept well in the bassinet at the hospital. We finally took the swing upstairs and could get a good hour of rest with her in that. We've since wondered if we need more noise at night- it wasn't exactly quiet in the hospital and she is resting well today with the tv on in the background. Trial after trial - we will conquer this eventually! Aside from the day and night sleep confusion, she is eating well and we really couldn't be more blessed!

Mommy loves playing dress-up - I'm not quite sure I agree with it!

Well, I think that is about it for now. I hope all of you are well and you enjoy our photos. We will be doing our best to post lots and lots until she is able to personally meet you all!

Time for home!

Chillin' in my bouncy chair - rockin' my hat, gangsta style :)

All our love,

Jody, Shaye, Madelyn, and Daisy