Presley at 1 week old

Baby Presley has arrived

Presley Rose was born on September 16, 2011 at 12:45 in the afternoon, weighing 9 lbs 8 oz! She was HUGE!! I don't know how I didn't get stretch marks! September 16th was her actual due date - she is so compliant! I have to admit that I thought for sure I would have her early because Madison was 3 weeks early, but that was not the case. She was just happy as ever getting chubby in my belly! The doctor was shocked when they announced her weight! I don't think he would have let me deliver vaginally (sorry for typing that word) if he knew she was going to be so big.

Friday September 16th, I went to bed around 12:30 in the morning. At 12:45 a.m., I start to have my first contraction. Then 2-3 minutes later another one comes, and so on, and so on. They aren't knocking me back, but they were consistent. After about 30 min., I decide to go get Tyler. He informs me that he has just taken NyQuil for his cold. He says, "are you sure this is the real deal?" I start to question, but the contractions keep on coming! So, we head to drop off Madison with his parents and head to the hospital. I was dilated to 5 cm and almost 100% effaced, so they admitted me. They asked me if I wanted an epidural, and I said no because the contractions were bearable at this point. I really felt fine. From 2 to 4 a.m., I went from 5 to 7 1/2 and my water broke. I decided that I could do this naturally. Ha...then I dilated to an 8, and within 30 minutes I was in so much pain. I was thinking, "what the heck am I doing, this sucks!" Tyler thought I was crazy from the start! I thought it was too late for an epidural, until the nurse walked in and said I could still have one. I jumped right on that bandwagon, and the anesthesiologist was there in 5 minutes! Holy crap, I have never been so excited to get a huge needle injected into my back! Drugs are heaven sent! I am so glad I got it, because I was stuck at 8 cm for 2 1/2 hours. I started pushing around 9:15, but was making little progress after 40 min., so the doctor told me to rest and he would be back in an hour. I was so pooped after all the pain and pushing, I was afraid I was not going to be able to have enough energy to push when he came back. I was exhausted! He came back just after noon, and she was ready to come out. Before I started to push, little Presley decided to take her first poo. They were concerned and called respiratory to come in. I could feel the epidural wearing off a bit, which worked out well because I knew when and how hard to push. I pushed harder than I ever have in my entire life! Her head came out after a lot of serious pushes. Then her shoulders came, but her chest got stuck. I know that sounds weird, and my doctor said this has only happened one other time to him. So, he had to cut me, and she came flying out so fast he almost didn't catch her. They grabbed her so fast, the doctor didn't even have time to verify that she was a girl. She wasn't crying, but they didn't want her to, because they didn't want her to aspirate the meconium into her lungs. It took her over a minute to cry. They were sticking a tube down her throat to clear her out - luckily no meconium was down there. Meanwhile, I started to hemorrhage! I lost over a liter of blood in a matter of seconds. I could tell the doctor was worried by the look on his face. He reached up inside my uterus and started to massage, and then he pulled my placenta out with his hand! It was crazy, but I stopped bleeding. I received some major stitches! Poor Tyler was traumatized by all of this! I might just sign up for a C-section next time, because I don't seem to have easy deliveries! Oh well, all is well now. They kept us in the hospital an extra day so they could monitor Presley, but she did great! We got to come home on Sunday.

We are so happy to have our sweet little girl here with us. We have waited a long time for this day. I can't believe it is already here! Madison is such an awesome big sister, and she already loves her so much. We feel so blessed, and we are just so grateful!!

Madison's First Day of Kindergarten

Madison started Kindergarten this year! She loves school, and is learning so much! Her friend Kalie, from church, is in her class. We carpool with Kalie because the school is about 15 minutes away from our house. Her teacher's name is Ms. Greenough, and she is great! I can't believe my baby is in school! She is growing like crazy! She is so smart, sweet, sassy, and silly (S theme)! We sure love our little Madison Taylor! Please enjoy these cute pics!

Waiting for baby Presley...

I am due to have this baby this Friday, and we are so excited to meet her! It seems as though she is late because Madison was 3 weeks early! Everything is ready, I have been nesting since week 34! She better be a she because we have nothing for a he, and the room is pink! :) On Monday, the doctor said I was dilated to a 3 almost 4, and that I am 50% effaced. He also said he thinks that I will have a quick labor, so he said to leave for the hospital when contractions start coming at 8 min. apart. He said if I wait for them to be 3-5, I might be pushing in the car! I hope he's right about having a fast labor! I was only in labor with Madison for 15 hours, but I pushed like crazy for 1 1/2 hours to get her out! I hope this baby's head is posterior and not anterior like Madison's was!

I still can't believe that this day is almost here! A day we have been waiting a very long time for! We started trying for this baby in October of 2008! We were thrilled in January of this year when we discovered I was really pregnant! Little Presley just wasn't ready way back when, but she is now! I feel so blessed to have the oppotunity to be a mommy to another child. I worry that I won't be able to give Madison as much attention, but then I remember that I always felt loved in my family of 6 kids. I always pictured myself with at least 4 kids, but I will take what Heavenly Father gives me! I just have to remind myself that he is in charge, and patience is a virtue. A virtue that can be difficult when tested, but nevertheless, a virtue! I really do feel blessed! We are so grateful for all those who haved prayed for us! Thank you for your love and support, we are so grateful!

Ok Presley, come on...we are ready to meet you!! :)

The announcement

For those of you who don't already know, I am pregnant!! And, we are having.................another girl! We are thrilled! I am 18 weeks, and all is going well!

Alice in Wonderland costume on order

Madison is going to be Alice in Wonderland for Halloween this year. I just put her order in this morning, and HERE is the link to look at her cute costume. I hope it is as cute in person as it looks on the website!

Mormon Messages - a story of inspiration

This woman is incredible, and her story is beyond inspiring! If you have 8 minutes to watch her message, I promise you will not be disappointed! You will be overwhelmed with love, humility, and inspiration! HERE is the link!

See her blog HERE!

P.S. Thank you Sarah and LeDawn for helping me learn how to insert a link!

I ran a 5K!!

Freedom run 2010 - Provo, Utah! My sister in-law Brook got me to commit to this run, and I am so glad she did! Tyler's brother Trevor also ran in the race. My next goal is a 10K! The 3.2 miles went by in a flash, so I am pretty sure I can work up to 6.4! I can't wait for this heat to quit so I can get back to running outside!

Madison can...

SWIM!!! Madison just learned how to swim!! It was official last night on July 22, 2010!! Tyler and I have been working with her this whole summer, but most of the credit goes to Tyler! It was amazing...she just got it! She turned 4 on June 29th and she has never had a single formal lesson. She is awesome, and I just had to brag about her! I know I am that annoying mom, but I am just so proud of her!! She was swimming across about a 15 foot section of the pool last night!

Also, Madison is learning how to read. She started learning in February, but I have been a loser bloggin' mama and hadn't blogged about it, so I thought I would include that with this post! My sister in-law Brook gave me her Hooked on Phonics set for Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade. Madison has a great love for books, so I wasn't surprised when she just got it! She learned her sounds in pre-school, and I got the books soon after she learned them all. She can read about 65 words now (yes, I counted)! I am always amazed at how fast children's brains absorb information! Go Madison!!

I forgot to add that Madison also learned how to hula hoop in May! She shakes her hips so hard and fast, and can keep it going for a few minutes! She wants to be just like her cousins Gabby and Paige who can both hula standing, sitting, walking, hopping, patting their heads, turning around, etc.

Pictures that make me SMILE!

It is just a coincidence that Madison's shirt says SMILE on it! :) My sister in-law Brook just got this amazing camera, and decided to snap some shots! Thanks Brook! These were taken days before I decided to hack 3 inches off Madison's hair...what was I thinking?!! I meant to take 1.5 in. off, but let's just say that I made a little mistake...whoops! Oh-well, her hair is still long, and it will grow back.

We love this little girl so much, and we are so grateful that she is a part of our family!

I love her expression in this pic!





Look how long that hair is!!



Chad and Madsion





This is my favorite picture of them all! Just look at her sweet little face!