The 4th Nomad

Thank you for all of the congratulatory comments. I'm writing this while staring into Madeline's dark, curious eyes. We've been home a few hours now, but we still haven't recovered from the surreal experience in the hospital. We have been tag-teaming sleep and selfishly enjoying our family time for the last couple of days, so please understand why we haven't called anyone.

I'm sure Bethany will post about her experience later, so I'll just tell you that it was easier for her this time but harder for me. When it was close to the actual delivery, I had to take a break and sit down for a while. Everyone thought it was funny (because it looked like I was going to faint), but I was really surprised that the stress had hit me like that. I was perfectly fine last time. Thinking about it later, I realized what had changed. During Angelique's delivery, if something bad had happened, it would have been tragic, but exactly what I would have been losing was a great unknown. I have been more excited for Madeline to come because the last two and a half years with Angelique have been more wonderful than I could have imagined. So during Bethany's labor last night, whenever it looked like something might go wrong, I was much more nervous, because this time I knew what I would be losing.


Angelique has been an awesome big sister already. There have been a couple of bumps, though. She had a hard time leaving the hospital last night without us. Also, right after we came home, Angelique acted like the witch in a Hansel and Gretal story we've read to her. She grabbed Madeline's wrist and said, "I want to see if you're fat enough for me to eat." (Why do we read these horror stories to little kids?!) Otherwise, Gigi has been fun to watch with her.



Another blessing has been that I have been able to study a lot today. Madeline's little plastic crib was the perfect width to lay open my Administrative Law textbook. I was able to study while wheeling her around hospital hallways from 2:00 to 6:00 am to let Bethany sleep. It reminded me of the MBA assignments I was always rushing to finish while in the crazy baby watching situations I often found myself in.

Some final good news is that I now have a job for this summer. I get to work for a law firm in Erie, Pennsylvania. Even though it's a small town, it should still be pretty good experience. And most importantly, I will be earning a paycheck! That way, I can afford all of the ridiculous baby outfits Bethany wants to put baby Madeline in. This was how she looked on our way home today :)

She's here!!

Madeline Aria Payne came last night right before midnight. She's 7 lbs 2 oz and 20 in. Bethany did great. Baby Madeline is very, very calm and doing great.

Monday

I went to the doctor's today and they finally scheduled for me to be induced on Monday. Only 2 1/2 days left until we will see our little one. YIPEEEE!!!

No news yet...

So my due date has come and gone and still no baby. I know many women have faced this dilemma before, but because Gigi came a few days early I just wasn't expecting it. We have had everything ready for at least a week, but because she still hasn't arrived I'm afraid I have to get things re-ready. It's amazing how fast a home becomes dirty and how fast the groceries that you stockpiled disappear.
I went to my OB appointment on Friday (my due date) and was very depressed to find out that I am "maybe" 1 cm dilated and that they won't even think about inducing me until I am 41 1/2 weeks pregnant. So the waiting continues.


Because of the many requests, here is a picture of me looking VERY pregnant indeed. This picture was taken on my due date 2/13/09.

Final Preparations:
A week ago David and I went to Ikea and purchased a new bed for Gigi so that the baby can have her bed. She loved helping David set it up. David did a great job not only with putting her bed together, but also my mom's and the baby crib.


Gigi was really into watching me make the baby's quilt so I decided to make Gigi a big girl quilt to hopefully help with the transition. This quilting project was a bit more frustrating than the first because I didn't have a pattern. My friend Megan helped me figure out how make the quilt that was in my head and David even helped with the process. Gigi was pretty sad to lose her new bed, but she loves her new bed and quilt.

The small black object is a toy I didn't see when I took the picture...it is NOT a bug.


My mom came into town late Tuesday night to help out with the baby. It has been so much fun having her here and although it is frustrating that the baby isn't here it has been extra helpful to have her emotional support during these last few VERY long days of waiting.
Last night in an effort to get the baby to come I went to our workout room and walked. On my way back to our apartment I tripped over the curb and fell (not a huge surprise for those of you who know how coordinated I am). Of course it didn't put me into labor, but I did manage to bang up my knee and somehow hurt some ligament making it very painful to walk and very humerous to watch me walk. Oh well, all of this will be funny in a few weeks right?
I can't wait to post again with exciting news about the birth of our new little girl! I just hope it will be sooner rather than later :)