Introducing Madeline Audrey Morse!

Interestingly enough, I went into labor the day AFTER Labor Day, just the day after my last blog post, which was filled with emotion and deep thoughts about #2.  Contractions and spotting started at work around lunch time.  I was able to get through them without a ton of pain, but after arriving home at the end of the day, they really picked up in intensity to the point where I could no longer stand up while they were coming.  This was when the phone call went out to Julie Morse and Julie Day, our helpers for Elaine.  Julie Day dropped everything and came right over, and Julie Morse jumped in her car, got Mike in Lacrosse, and drove straight here as well  (arriving after 2:00am)!

 

Good thing they did because Madeline was born at 9:14pm, via C-section.  It was an uncomplicated birth, and I remember those first baby cries and Eric announcing, she's here, she's here!!  This time he tried to peek past the curtain but the moment she arrived, his eyes were permanently locked on this 6 lb, 10 oz little bundle.  The question I called out over and over was, what color is her hair?  Sure enough, just like I had been visualizing for all those months, was our dark haired beauty, just the same shade as her daddy.  She even has his matching dimples in both cheeks.

Eric went to get food while she had to go under a heat lamp for an hour, and I was wheeled back to recovery for monitoring and to wait for my official room.  During this time, I called Julie Day, who was at our house and had been joined by Leslie Grefe, who brought her dinner and wine.  We had a really fun 45 minute conversation, and I'll never forget the laughter, the excitement, and the joy I had in knowing everyone was safe, happy, and HERE.  I am so grateful to have a Des Moines family of friends, who are willing to do things like this, and who answer the call when the time is here!

 

Some funny trivia -

Elaine was born on a Tuesday.  Maddie was born on a Tuesday.
Elaine weighed 6 lbs, 13 oz.  Maddie weighed 6 lbs, 10 oz.
Elaine was born 15 days early.  Maddie was born 18 days early (3 days, 3 oz - see the connection?)

The next morning, Mike and Julie arrived with Elaine to meet her for the first time.  It was so heart-melting, I can't even put it into words.  Elaine is VERY into her little sister and wants to be a part of every moment - who can blame her?  It's pretty exciting!!

 

 

"MY hold her!"

 

 

And here we are packing up to go HOME on Friday!!