First Portrait

We had Makayla's picture taken today. This photo is posted on the MGH website (www.mgh.net).

Restful Night

Makayla only woke up once in the night! Woohoo! Scott worked very hard last evening to keep her awake (Jen wasn't so good). By 11:00 p.m. Makayla was exhausted. She slept until 5:00 a.m. and then went back to sleep until 8:00 a.m. She slept in her crib last night too. She doesn't seem to like the bassinet. I think she doesn't like the darkness in our room. I slept fairly well, but Scott kept worrying about her. I think we were both unsure of how reliable the baby monitor was, but it proved to work. Hopefully tonight will go just as smooth, Scott goes back to work tomorrow.

Makayla is officially one week old today!

Second Day Home - Monday

Tonight we played dress-up with Makayla. She tolerated it well enough. We have a preemie dress that Grandma Avery gave her. We weren't sure if it would fit, but it does!

We are having her picture taken on Wednesday. We never had a chance in the hospital because she was hooked up to all kinds of monitors. Hopefully her picture will be on the MGH website soon.

First Night Home

We gave Makayla her first bath tonight!

Makayla's first night did not go as well as expected. She was up several times in the night. Scott and I took turns trying to console her. Her swing is about the only thing that will soothe her when she's upset. She started out in her bassinet in our room, but would wake herself up with the hiccups. Jen finally gave up and let her sleep in the swing while Jen slept the rest of the morning on the couch. Hopefully tonight goes better!

Finally Home

We were released from the hospital today around noon. Makayla spent a long time checking out her new home. She likes her bouncy seat a lot. Mommy got a nap in while Daddy changed an explosive diaper! Go Daddy! She has had Grandma and Grandpa Wuertley and Grandma and Grandpa Avery visit today. She looks forward to meeting her cousins Elizabeth and Caislyn very soon!

Great Day

Makayla had a great day with Mommy and Daddy. She ate well, slept a lot, and enjoyed meeting her cousins. Mommy and Daddy even got a nap in! We are all ready to go home and begin our new life together.

Graduation

Makayla has graduated to a crib full-time! She is off her IV and gets to spend the day with us in our room. She will get to stay in our room tonight too! If everything goes well, she will go home tomorrow!

Good News

Makayla's Upper GI tests went well today. There is no blockage in her stomach or intestines. Dr. Wolfe said she has a bad reflux which can be treated with medicine. She had one dose earlier this afternoon. She has kept down three feedings of formula. Yay! We were able to feed her twice today. Makayla even made a surprise visit to our room and stayed for two hours. Jen has been officially discharged, but she can stay in her room until Makayla is released, which we hope is Sunday at the latest. Thank you for your prayers everyone!

Makayla Update- Friday A.M.

Makayla had a very good night. She has kept down the last two feedings and slept soundly. Dr. Wolfe ordered an upper GI test for sometime today just to check if everything's okay. She is still being monitored by the nurses but hopefully if she continues to progress we can keep her in our room! Keep praying everyone!

The nurses tell us Makayla loves to listen to music. It is about the only thing that calms her down after a major spit up. She has her own little CD player in her bed. She loves her tunes! (You can see the CD player in the previous post below.)

Mommy and Makayla

Proud Grandparents

Daddy's Little Girl

Delivery Details

For those of you who may not know, Makayla has not been able to leave the nursery yet. During labor she swallowed meconium and therefore did not have the normal delivery process. Right away a team of nurses took her and began suctioning out stuff out of her throat and nostrils. They had to do this before she took a breath and got it into her lungs. She was given some oxygen for a while to help her breathe a little better and has been on an IV for fluids. Because of being on oxygen, Scott and I did not get to hold her until 4:30 pm Wednesday. Dr. Wolfe seems confident she is a fine healthy girl, she justs has had trouble keeping down her feeds. She spits up a lot, which is good, she is getting the rest of the stuff out she swallowed. She looks great, good color, healthy lungs, and loves to be held. Scott and I can't wait until we can bring her to our room and show her off to everyone. That should be in a day or two. We love the nurses and know they are taking great care of her.

First Time Holding Baby

Makayla

New Arrival!

Makayla Joy Avery
February 21, 2007
1:36 a.m.
7lbs 2 oz
20 1/2 in

Pictures to be added later!

In Labor

I started having contractions around 9:00 last night. They remained consistent through the night. We came to the hospital around 5:30 a.m. The doctor tried to break my water but couldn't, the baby was still too high up. It finally broke on its own later. I received an epidural. Of course my right hip is still bothering me and I can feel the contractions on that side. Please pray that the pain will either go away or lessen. Scott and I are excited about being parents soon!

Doctor Visit

We went to see Doctor Moore today. Still no change! I thought for sure I would be dilated more but I'm not. So I am to go back next Monday unless something happens before that. Dr. Moore will be gone the rest of the week, so he told me not to go into labor until he gets back. My luck, she'll decide to come and I will have a different doctor deliver. I really don't care, I just want a healthy baby! Right now I am just trying to relax, but I am very uncomfortable. The baby is getting bigger every day and taking up more space.

Relaxing Day

No contractions today. I am feeling VERY huge! I can only wear my sweatpants now, nothing else fits! We went to the mall today and walked a bit, but I was quickly tired. Otherwise we've had a relaxing day. I even made a roast in the crockpot for supper! (Anyone that knows me will know I don't cook much). Scott keeps rubbing my belly and telling the baby it's time to come out so he can hold her.

I've had a few people tell me myths and old wives-tales about how to get labor started. I am curious to hear more. Anyone know any? Our nurse was very blunt, and Lisa Campbell says to drink castor oil and orange juice!

Back Home Again

After a very trying and tiring day of induced contractions and no progress, Scott and I decided to come home and wait until the baby was ready. I am dilated to 3 cm and 80% thinned out, but she is still high up and not in the birth canal. The doctor gave us some options (inducing again today or going home) . At first we told him yes let's induce and see, but then after the doc left, Scott and I had a lot of "what if" questions. What if it' doesn't work? Will an epideral slow down her progress? Will Jen still have horrible back and hip pain? (which was why yesterday was so terrible) At one point we had Doctor Moore on the phone, our nurse in a chair, and the anethesiologist standing in the doorway, all waiting on our decision. Yikes! I hate making such tough decisions like that. So here we are, relaxing at home and being way more comfortable than in the hospital tied to a monitor and IV. Scott and I both took a long nap today and are going out to eat tonight. So wish us luck! I am officially 40 weeks today. Hopefully the baby will decide to come soon- she's progressed so far on her own- which tells us she will be one independent lady!

At the Hospital

Well, we checked into the hospital at 4:00 p.m. The plan was to thin out my cervix tonight and induce tomorrow morning. Well as soon as I got in the bed contractions started and stayed consistent. Dr. Moore showed up at 7:00 and decided not to thin me out, I am doing it on my own! No wonder I'm so grouchy. I am still in early labor but I'm making progress.

Thirty-nine weeks pregnant and counting! We are hoping our daughter will arrive soon. It's very hard to wait, but we've waited this long, a little while longer won't hurt us. Our official due date is February 17, 2007.