Good Morning, Sunshine!

Sweet Dreams

Andie's Smile 2
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

Andie's Smile

Andie's Smile 1
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

Andie has about 10 minutes right after she eats of milky sweet dreams where she makes all kinds of faces. This is when she likes to smile. It is a great preview of what is to come!

Big Fan

Big Fan of Uncle Matt and Aunt Mel
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

Another Christmas present...a personalized onesie from Uncle Matt and Aunt Mel. As you can see she can't wait to meet them. She is raising her fist in enthusiasm:o)

Lil' Miss Miranda

Lil' Miss Miranda
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

Is this the same baby? Yes, she does open her eyes...I know some of you were wondering. However, she does not open them very often so we took advantage of her alertness. She was very compliant during her wake-time dress-up session with Mommy and Grandma. We just laughed and laughed at how grown up she looks for 4 days old...poor thing. But Daddy soon came to the rescue...and she went back to sleep. (Of course, we didn't take just one picture of her all gussied up. Click on the picture to see more in Flickr)

Anybody Got a Diaper?!

Wet Spot
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

We took Miranda on her first outing with Mommy and Daddy on Saturday. We went to the pediatrician. She passed her weight check with flying colors. The doctor said she "looks GREAT!" Her parents on the other hand...failed the test. We were joking on the way in about how it would be funny if we showed up without the baby to the appointment. Well, we remembered the baby, we just forgot to bring her diaper bag. Her parents were embarrassed as they asked the nurse to get an "emergency" diaper for us...but we have had fun laughing at ourselves. And as Dan was changing her she peed all over the exam table...see the spot?! She got a sticker (Dora the Explorer), which I put in her baby book (picture in flickr). Her diaper bag got packed with all the essentials as soon as we got home. Crazy how it didn't once cross our minds to take it...we will learn. :o)

Puppy Love

Andie & Lucy 1
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

Here's Andie with her Christmas present from Papa Blosser. The puppy's name is "Lucy Jalaybee." Lucy after Dad's nurse in India and Jalaybee because, well, we love 'em!

Meeting Grandpa & Grandma Lehman

Meeting Grandpa & Grandma Lehman
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

What excitement! Grandpa & Grandma Lehman arrived last night around 8:00. Of course, introductions were made with lots of smiles! They brought gifts- including a beautiful mobile from Aunt Darlene and Uncle Lynn, an outfit from Aunt Cindy and Uncle Lowell, and a gorgeous baby quilt with matching pillow from Aunt Danielle. Be sure to click on the picture to see more pictures. (Next, you need to click on "dandeelines' photostream" to see the growing collection).

Miranda Kisses

Miranda Kisses
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

A few more....We had a great first full day at home. Thanks, everyone for all your welcomes! We're just overwhelmed by your kindness.

Take Me Home, Please!

Take Me Home, Please!
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

We're home now. And are hearts are full. (Don't forget to click on the picture to see a few more).

Birth Story

Some of you have heard, by now, the “rest of the story.” Some of you have not, so here ‘tis. My last post “Broken BOW” went up at 6:32 pm. Diedra at that point had a nice contraction pattern, which started at 4:40 after they broke her water. By 6:35, she was starting to have more pain, so we called the nurse in to dose her epidural. Since she had not progressed all day, we figured it might be a long night. She was hoping to catch a nap after some pain relief. So, the nurse came in. Since she was nearing the end of her shift (she was with us since 7:00 am), she said she’d like to check Diedra before she went home. She checked her at 6:40 and found her to be complete (10 cm)! It was nuts. We went from, “get me some medicine so I can take a nap” to “time to push”–in about five minutes!

Diedra was a bit frightened–mostly by the shock of the rapid change. But, she quickly assumed the position, and pushed, following the nurse’s instructions. I held her leg with one hand, and tried to get a few pictures off with the other hand. Our doctor entered the room about five contractions later, suited up, and delivered little Andie. Our doctor was great! She’s a great motivator, and has excellent bedside manner. She even let me cut the cord. I’m shocked as I look back at the times. I posted “Broken BOW" at 6:32, and Miranda was born at 7:13! Wow.

The nurses took her to the warmer, and cleaned her up. She was kinda gurgley, so they suctioned her out. She was also a bit lethargic (doc explained the cord was around her neck). Her one-minute APGAR was a seven and her five-minute score, a nine. That’s passing, and we’re praising!

An hour of recovery, and they wheeled us up to post-partum. The staff was awesome. Since, we’ve just been adjusting to a new life. Diedra’s doing great! Learning how to nurse, she went to a class with all the other new moms. Miranda’s eating well and sleeping well. We’re all bonding, and enjoying our time together. It’s amazing how much we miss her when they take her to the nursery. She’s precious, a gift from the Giver of Life. Come see her, she’ll probably let you hold her.

It's a Girl!

It's a Girl!
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

A few more pictures...Enjoy!

Naming

Happy Dad

Happy Dad
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

Click Pic for a few more. We'll try to keep adding.

Happy Birthday!

Miranda Claire
Born: 7:13 pm CST
Weight: 7 lbs., 2 oz
Length: 18 1/2 in

Broken BOW

At 4:30 the doctor broke her water and attached some internal monitors. Since then, her contractions have been much more regular and intense. Last cervical check was 2 cm, but that was two hours ago when they broke her water. We expect the doctor anytime now to recheck her. Hopefully there's been some real progress in the last couple hours.

Epidural Time

It’s noon, her contractions have picked up, and she’s feeling it. I just got asked to step out while the anesthesiologist places the epidural. They have a pretty strict policy about having the family step out. Apparently someone passed out in California, hit his head, and passed away. Wish I could be in there. Lord, help her.

Update: Epidural went in great. She's doing really well.

So Far, So Good.

Well, it’s 9:15am Tues. We’re camped out in Labor and Delivery. We checked in last night around 6:30pm. They gave Diedra some medicine, and we watched an educational video on soothing infants called The Happiest Baby on the Block, and then Nacho Libre. We slept fairly well– Ambien helped Diedra, and a rollaway helped me. An early morning, they moved us from our room on the floor to L&D at 7:00am. Now she’s on the monitor that measures the baby’s heart rate and her contractions. We talked to the doctor a little bit ago; she said first-time mom’s usually deliver around dinner time. We’ll see! I’m sure it’s going to get crazy; we’ll try to keep you posted.

Ain't She Precious?!

Thanks to Bryan (one of Diedra's colleagues) we are graced with a preview of what our darling progeny will most likely look like as an adult.