Jodi Nichole McFarland,
Your are almost 4 months old (I know I suck, but I spent the first few months at home with you and then came back to work and I'm doing it now, okay?). You are the cutest, sweetest, funniest baby I have ever seen! We'll start from the beginning:
Your due date was October 27, 2010. I really wanted you to meet us because:
1) I was HUGE! I gained like 10 pounds of water weight in the two weeks before I had you.
2) I was ready to be done with work and like an idiot I decided I would work right up until you were born!
3) I would finally have someone to gang up on your daddy with! Just kidding, but really we couldn't wait to meet you!
But, you made us wait.
Dr. Alsup said I could come back Monday, November 1, 2011 and we would talk about inducing.
We packed our bags, made sure the house was spotless and left early Monday morning.
We left so early that we ate breakfast at IHOP.Where I had chocolate chip pancakes and hot chocolate with whip cream!
After IHOP we stopped by Wal-Mart to pick up a few last minute things! We bought Tarzan the movie (random, but your Daddy had to have it because I had never seen it.), the first season of Sons of Anarchy, and some eyeliner. Why eyeliner? Because I wanted to look like I cared about my appearance somewhat when everyone was snapping picture after you were born.
When we finally got to the doctor's office I went back to get my weight and blood pressure checked. The nurse told me my sugars were a little high so the doctor would probably advise induction (thank you IHOP!). When I saw Dr. Alsup she said if I wanted to go ahead and induce we could and she thought it was probably a good idea because we lived an hour away from the hospital. I was happy and excited! However, your daddy was mad at me because I didn't wait until November 6th. Your great grandma Campbell's birthday was November 6th. (I wish so much you could have met her. She was an amazing grandma and would have loved to spoil you!) I would have loved to have had you on November 6th, but I was miserable and scared if I went into labor at home we wouldn't make it to the hospital and then I'd go crazy on your daddy and no one wanted that!
We were admitted to the hospital around 10 AM. The Labor and Delivery nurse informed me that I was already having steady contractions, but I could not feel them yet. When we got all settled into the room your daddy pulled out the laptop and started watching Sons of Anarchy. Some people may think that I would want him right by side through this process, but I didn't. I wanted to be alone.
The nurse started pitocin and I felt nothing although she said I was progressing quickly according the the contraction monitor.
Time went by. Your daddy would watch a while come check on me, go back to watching and I would rest. At about 6:30 PM Dr. Alsup came to break my water because I was at a stand still. As soon as it broke I felt hard contractions. Shortly after I was ready for the epidural. The anesthesiologist arrived and gave my the epidural which made life a lot more enjoyable. During that time everyone arrived. Family was in and out of the room and I was not in a lot of pain, but was hoping you'd show up soon!
The nurse checked me and said, "Oh wow!" I didn't know what that meant and your daddy's head spun around fast I could tell he was curious as well. Then she said, "It's baby time." In that moment I was so ready. Your daddy shut the laptop and was by my side in seconds.
After a very easy delivery you arrived at 8:10 PM. Your were 6 lb. 13 oz. and 19 inches long. You looked just like your daddy and you were perfect.
My first words were "she looks like you", then "Aw her head." This was because you had a cone head, but don't worry we put a hat on it and it was round by morning. The next thing I notice was you had little bowed legs like your Uncle Lance and crooked feet like you Papa, they were both tickled to death that you got something from them!
After the initial clean up the nurses did I got to hold you and feed you! It was a surreal moment. You were perfect (and still are).
Nana, Papa, NaeNae, Paw, Aunt Heather, Aunt Holly, Madi, Hunter, Will, Tahlan, Walt, Tannah, Addy and Lindsey were all there waiting for you.
Your daddy asked me a few days ago to think of a time when I was the happiest in life and that was it. Getting to show you to everyone and seeing how each one of their faces lit up when they saw you was the happiest moment of my life to date. Your cousin Madi kept saying "why are you smiling so much, I really didn't expect you to be so happy," right after you were born.
I know they are blurry but this is Aunt Heather and
Tannah meeting you for the first time.
And your Papa! He was definitely a proud Papa!
Mama's girl.
You, daddy and your cousin Addy. Addy was so worried
about you that night and couldn't understand where my tummy went!
No one could get over how tiny you were! Papa said "It feels like all you are holding is blankets."
That night I couldn't sleep, my adrenaline was pumping. Your daddy passed out immediately when we changed rooms. A midnight the nurse came and took you for a bath. I really couldn't sleep then! When you came back I snuggled you and we fell asleep together.
At the hospital.
We stayed in the hospital for 2 days then we were released to go home!
On our way home. The crocheted blanket was my
blanket that you Great-Grandma Campbell made me.
You really were/are such a good baby. You like to cuddle and love on people and hardly ever cry. I couldn't have asked for anyone more perfect.
You are a blessing and I love you more than you know.
Love,
Mama
PS I know I still having catching up to do! I'm working on it!
