| A run down of events… Monday – 11/22/10: Woke up for work at 6:45 a.m., water broke, and we took showers. We started our way to the hospital only to find that it was the worst weather conditions in 5-10 years. The streets were blanketed with black ice, cars were in ditches, and cop cars were everywhere. Our normal 10-minute drive took 45 minutes-1 hour. We approached the gate at Fort Wainwright and the guard told us that the road conditions were "black" Case leaned over to the guard who announced that she was having a baby and the guard sent us on. At 11:00 a.m. I wasn’t progressing enough so they decided to start inducing me. Around 1:00 p.m. I wanted an epidural and it took 5 attempts (yes, 10 times being stuck) before the epidural worked. Around 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. I was 8 cm. Madeline’s heartbeat dropped and at that time the delivery room was infused with doctors and nurses who recognized the danger to Madeline and shortly thereafter she was born at 4:23 p.m. After Will and I saw our precious baby, I was rushed to the OR for 2 hours of surgery. Madeline was face up and even though she was 5 pounds 11 ounces, she did a number along with the forceps on me. Tuesday – 11/23/10: Enjoying life and recovering. Wednesday – 11/24/10: Madeline’s biliruben level was high and because there is little sunlight here in Alaska this time of year the doctors wanted to ensure that Madeline wasn't too jaundiced and kept her for another night. I, on the other hand, was discharged but titled as a border patient. Madeline enjoyed light therapy for about 24 hours. Thursday – 11/25/10: Light therapy worked, we were able to leave. Our good friends, Jessie and Brian had come over and cooked Thanksgiving dinner for all of us. It was so nice to come home to friends and I was happy that Will was able to have his Thanksgiving dinner. I was looking forward to being in my own bed. Yay!! Friday – 11/26/10: Enjoying life and still recovering. Well being that this was the first night home from spending three nights in the hospital, Will woke up in the middle of the night and had no idea where he was and was arguing with me about closing the bedroom door to keep "the people" out. He was informed that he was home and Will's reaction was, "Oh that is why there is carpet under my feet." Saturday – 11/27/10: We went in for a follow-up and yup, Madeline’s jaundice spiked. Madeline and myself were readmitted into the hospital. Will was sent home so he would have no more delusional episodes. Sunday – 11/28/10: Light therapy worked again, we headed back to the ranch. We have gone to another follow-up and Madeline is doing well. Last we measured, she was 5 pounds 7 ounces. She is in preemie diapers and her newborn sizes are a wee big. However, each and every day she is getting bigger and stronger. I am slowly getting better, but every bit of it was worth it. Will has been and will continue to be amazing. He is taking great care of Madeline and myself. Many of you know that I steer away from being gushy, but I really have to excuse myself this time because Will has been incredible. When it’s time to feed Madeline he is the first to jump up change her (we have to wake her some way) and pass her to me. There were times where I couldn’t really walk and Will has taken the responsibility to give Madeline the best attention and care possible. Some interesting and some funny things that Will and I have encountered: · Having a text message conversation with the assistant superintendent (my boss’s boss) about whether or not Madeline has peed the “slimy stuff” · Having a conversation about breast feeding with our housekeeper, boss, random nurses, doctors, and yes, Will’s paralegal, Pam · Admiring her many colors of poo · Deathly afraid of trimming her nails – yes, Mom I have attempted to even chew them off. I have already trimmed them successfully once with the clippers, but those dang things grow like weeds. She has scratches all over her face. · I attempted to take a picture of a birth announcement today, but not wanting to stay asleep and take her stomach down, naked. Well…Madeline had a Popeye look and decided to pee on the ottoman. Maybe we’ll try again tomorrow? · Today her umbilical cord fell off. I think the light therapy quickened the process. We are pretty sure that she will have an outie…cute cute cute. But there needs to be a little healing first before we know for sure.  |
| Welcome Miss Madeline! 11/22/10 @ 4:23 p.m. |
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| First round of light therapy. I like to look at it as she's being a little Snooki-rific. The tag on her foot is for security measures. If someone tried to leave with her the alarms would sound and the hospital would be on lock down. |
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| Second round of light therapy. At least this nurse had a sense of humor. |
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| Jessie and Brian on Thanksgiving. |
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| Her first bath. |
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| She likes the warmth of the towel instead. |
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| Moose's new abode. |
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| Trying for the perfect birth announcement pic. |
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| Probably in mid-pee. |
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| In between screaming her head off in disgust. |
Mom insisted that we put on hats!
That would also include Steven.
Yay...moose!
We made the best of our time waiting for the ice museum tour.
Mom had a few challenges getting in and out of the igloo. 
We drove to Anchorage for a few days and traveled to Alyeska. There was a tram that took us up a mountain. I thought this was a picture perfect moment!
Josh was dancing a lil' salsa and I was able to capture a little bit of it. 
As we were driving out of Alyeska, we saw a moose, but this moose was different. It was walking on a beach! We parked and took pictures right in from of the local news crew doing the same.
Dad tolerated Moose. Awww...Moose!
Where's Moose? He is so lovey! Aww. 
Will's herbs finally sprouted. The red pot holds cat grass that Moose is occasionally fortunate enough to devour. 
I wanted to include flowers from around our house to show the beauty of Fairbanks in the summer. 
