Our first 2 weeks home

Wow! These first two weeks have been interesting to say the least. Audrey Grace is doing great and has brought so much joy to us already! I, on the other hand, have not done so great. I had to go back in for surgery to repair my episotomy on Thursday (6/3/10). YUCK!! I have been down and out since, but today I am really feeling better. Thank goodness for my wonderful husband, mom and mother in law. They were all troopers in helping me take care of myself and Audrey Grace. My mom has been here since the Saturday before she was born, and this has truly been a lifesaver. There is nobody like your mother at a time like this! It has been so great getting to spend so much time with her. Usually when we are together it is only for a short time and we are rushing to get in quality time with everyone. Ryan's and my family have been so supportive during these first few weeks and we really appreciate all of the calls, cards and texts. I am hopefully on the way to a full recovery so I can feel normal again and take complete care of my baby girl.

Our first visitors since we have been home have been my sister, Amy, and her precious family. My sister is truly an angel. She is so unselfish, especially when it comes to me. She took such good care of me while she was here and even after she went home, she was calling and sharing her wisdom and expertise with me. Her girls will be the best cousins to Audrey Grace. Lores and Lucy love to hold her. Lores can always get her to fall asleep. Lucy likes to pet her! Laura Lea is not so sure about her yet. She wanted to pull the blanket off of her and would just stare at her, like, "What is that?" Soon enough they will be the best of friends...they are only 10 months apart.

Taylor, Krisa, Kennedy, Mary Morgan, Kelley and Luke came over on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to meet Audrey Grace. We grilled hamburgers and the girls (including my neices) played on the slip-n-slide. I don't have many pictures from the weekend to share but we had lots of fun visiting with our friends.

Here are just a few pictures from our first two weeks home.

Hanging out outside in my swing

Sleeping with Daddy

MiMi and Chuck had balloons on the mailbox to celebrate my homecoming!

My first nap in my very own bed

Miller was quick to jump up (very gently) and check his baby sister out. He was excited to meet her

My cousin Lores holding me while Laura Lea checks me out

I LOVE this picture. Her sweet face...

Audrey Grace and her cousins

Kelley holding Audrey Grace while Mary Morgan is trying to decide what she thinks

He loves his baby girl!

More Hospital Photos with my family

Here are a few more photos of Audrey Grace with some of the family that came to celebrate her birth.

MiMi and AG

The wreath on our hospital door...Celebrate Audrey Grace!

AG and her Aunt Amy

Dr. Kumar and AG

Ryan showing me our beautiful baby girl for the first time. He is such a proud daddy!

AG with her Lowe/Elkin great grandparents

AG and her Aunt Allie

AG with Aunt Dru and Bop

Annie and AG

Daddy Bud with his fourth grand-daughter! We love our baby girls!

Audrey Grace Has Arrived!!!

May 24, 2010 at 1:44 pm, Audrey Grace made her entrance into the world. It only took 16 hours of hard labor! It was all truly worth it. Ryan and I are blessed to have a healthy, beautiful baby girl. We could not be more in love. She weighed 7 pounds 2 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. The waiting room was packed with Lowe/Newman family awaiting her arrival. She is already loved more than she'll ever know. I knew it would be an overwhelming feeling but it is truly indescribable the emotions that come over you when you see the little life you created and God graciously blessed you with.

Here are a few pictures from her first day of life...

It's Time!

I am not all that proud of these pictures, but you get the point. I am 39 weeks today! We are so lucky because we have been able to schedule an induction and that day is nearing very quickly. We go in on Sunday, May 23rd to start the process. For those of you who don't know, I have low blood platelets. Blood platelets help you clot when you bleed, so during labor and delivery, this is pretty important. My platelet count has been running ok during pregnancy but not high enough for me to get an epidural. I have never been thru labor, but from what I hear, I am going to want the epidural! This is why we had to schedule an induction. If we went past my due date, I would have a higher chance of going into labor on my on, and my platelet count may or may not have been high enough. This way we have prepared in advance. All of this said, my platelets have all the sudden decided to cooperate, and I am not going to need the infusion afterall! I am very grateful for this. The infusion is safe, but who wants to get an infusion with nausea and vomiting side effects if not needed?

My last day of work was Wednesday, so I have had a few days to myself to rest. I have really enjoyed that. I went and got a manicure and pedicure today! I think we have pretty much prepared as best we can to bring Audrey Grace home!

We are so excited that we get to meet our baby girl in 3 days! I am really excited that I get to be induced because I cannot imagine going another 2-3 weeks! I have really enjoyed my pregnancy but I am over it. I am ready to hold and love my baby girl and I know her daddy is too.

More 4D photos!

Last week (33 weeks and 3 days) we got more 4D photos! I still haven't been able to get my technical situation with my scanner fixed, but I was able to take a picture of the ultrasound pictures with my phone. The pictures have a little glare but you can get the idea. She is definitley growing and putting some weight on. You can tell by her little chubby cheeks! She is growing at the right pace and weighed 4lbs 13oz. Everything looks good and healthy. She is moving around like crazy. She rolls all over my belly. I am going to miss feeling her but oh how I can't wait to get my hands on her. When we have ultrasounds these days it just makes me more and more anxious to meet her. When I look at these pictures I am just truly amazed. I cannot believe this little baby is growing inside me. It is so amazing the way God creates us. It brings tears to my eyes to look at her in a picture so I cannot imagine the feelings and emotions I will have when I see her in person!

As of today, we have 5 weeks until we will meet her. I will be induced on May 24! I am really feeling good and can't complain. I have trouble sleeping some nights and get uncomfortable at times, but overall I am grateful for how easy this pregnancy has been. I pray daily that it will continue to progress smoothly. I haven't posted any belly shots lately but you can tell from the shower posts that it is definitaly "out there"!

Memphis Baby Shower

Thank you to Luke and Kelley, Krisa and Taylor, Tommy and Rachel, Ruff and Angelia and Catherine and Cahill for throwing us a baby shower in Memphis for our friends. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful group of friends. We missed those who weren't there but as always, we had a wonderful time together. There is truly never a dull moment with this crew! We were showered with lots of great food, toasts and gifts. Yes, I said toasts. I have never been to a baby shower where the mother and father to be received toasts but we did! It was really hilarious! They turned more into memories from the past but there were some wonderful things said about Ryan and me that we really appreciate.

Here are a few pictures...

Ryan really got into the gifts!!

Work Baby Shower

I am a little behind on my blogging! We have been on the road the past few weekends and I just haven't found the umph to take the time to sit down and update.

March 27th the wonderful ladies I work with threw a baby shower for me. We had a good time getting together away from work to chit chat and celebrate Audrey Grace. I am truly grateful for my co-workers who are my family here in Southaven.



The cake was a good as it looks! One of my co-workers (Janet) daughters made this cake. She really should go into business!

Me and the hostesses...Janet and Terrie